So I have a special announcement for you today. For a limited time, you can get six months of

Slate Plus for just $29. That's really good. That's 50% off. As a member, you'll get no ads on

any of our podcasts, unlimited reading on the Slate site, a member exclusive episodes and segments

from our show and other shows like slow burn amicus and political

gab fest slates podcasts cover major news events from elections to social issues to historic court

decisions our shows discuss what makes the song a smash they analyze what's going viral

and decode cultural mysteries and if we've become a part

of your listening routine, we ask that you support our work by joining Slate Plus. So sign up for

Slate Plus now at slate.com slash money plus to access all Slate's content and support our work. Again,

that's just $29 for six months through October 28th.

So sign up now at slate.com slash money plus.

Hello, welcome to the Meet Me by the Fountain episode of Slate Money.

Your guide to what is normally the business and finance news of the week, but this week is the business and finance news of shopping malls.

We are devoting this entire episode to shopping

malls, which are the best subject. It's not just me, Felix Salmon of Axios, and Emily Peck of Axios,

and Elizabeth Spires. But we actually have an expert on Alexandra Lang. Welcome. Tell us about

yourself. Who are you? And what is this book that you have written?

I am an architecture and design critic.

And I have written a book about the history and the future of the shopping mall.

It's a great book.

And we are going to talk about that on this show.

We're going to talk about the Gruen Transfer.

...