A ONCE-doomed “ghost mall” is now buzzing with pinball museums, magic shows, roller-skating lessons, and even a shop selling Star Wars-inspired light sabers.
It used to be a retail graveyard after giants like Macy’s, Nordstrom and Sears were all gone.
But today, Portland’s Lloyd Center is staging one of the most unlikely comebacks in US mall history — and it’s weirder and cooler than ever.
The 65-year-old mall, which went into foreclosure in 2021, now houses about 90 tenants.
Sixty of them are small businesses, nonprofits and activity spaces that now breathe new life into storefronts once occupied by national chains.
Jason Leivian, owner of Floating World Comics, which moved into the mall nearly three years ago, told Oregon Live: “We’re almost just squatting in this capitalist temple.
“It’s a beautiful space, so we might as well use it.”
While Barnes & Noble and GameStop remain, other familiar names have been replaced by unlikely newcomers.
The former Spencer’s is now a pinball museum, the old Brookstone hosts magic shows, and a former Foot Locker has been converted into an art gallery.
“It really is like a startup incubator for new creative retail, and I think Portland really needs that,” said Matt Morrison, owner of Legion Sabers, a shop selling Star Wars-inspired light sabers near the ice rink.
Developers say the Lloyd Center will remain open at least through the 2025 holiday season while long-term redevelopment plans move forward.
“It’s amazing to see what’s been happening at Lloyd Center during this time of transition,” said Tom Kilbane, managing director in Portland for Urban Renaissance Group.
“There’s a very entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of community that’s developed. It’s a very Portland vibe.”
Low rents — some reportedly under $1,000 a month — have been the key to the mall’s revival.
“The big selling point is just that the rent was insanely cheap,” Leivian said. “Like, cheaper than when I first opened my store 16 years ago.”
Boutique owner La Tina McCord said moving her shop, La Tina’s Style of Elegance, to the Lloyd Center saved her about $2,000 a month.
“You don’t have the major corporations here, but you’ve got a lot of small businesses, and a lot of people are starting to come back over here,” she said.
Food vendors are benefiting too. Local favorites Stoopid Burger, LoRell’s Chicken Shack, La Korita and Yummy Treats have all moved into the food court under deals that tie rent to sales.
“People think that the Lloyd Center is dead,” said Stoopid Burger owner Danny Moore.
“A ghost mall with the best burger in town? People come and eat regardless, you know?”
Alongside dining and retail, the mall now hosts everything from roller-skating lessons and tabletop gaming shops to children’s puppet shows and electronic music classes.
“A lot of people ask, what happened to Macy’s, what happened to Marshalls? And personally, I don’t think we miss those very much,” said Jason Andersen, who runs the Star Tropics Pinball Museum.
“It’s cool seeing, as an alternative, these small projects coming up.”
Still, the future remains uncertain.
With redevelopment already underway — including a new music venue on the site of the demolished Nordstrom store — many tenants say they expect only a temporary stay.
“I think the future of the mall still feels very open-ended,” said gallery owner Matt Henderson.
“This is a really unique opportunity for Portland to reinvent itself and fashion a shopping mall in its own image.”
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