--- description: Traditional malls in the U.S. are dying. Developer José de Jesus Legaspi is rebuilding them to meet the tastes of the new American consumer. title: Malls Are Dying. This Man Knows How to Save Them image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt71ee21dfc44f8fbd/698689e4e8524bdd6a6024ab/mercado-america-010.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Culture](/tag/culture/) ## Culture Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Malls Are Dying. This Man Knows How to Save Them by [TIME Photo](/author/time-photo/) ## TIME Photo Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 17, 2014 11:00 AM CUT  A portrait of Fernando Davilla and his 6-month-old son, Junior, at the mall. Originally from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, the Davilla's now live in Austin. They travelled all the way to Fort Worth to see family and shop. A portrait of Fernando Davilla and his 6-month-old son, Junior, at the mall. Originally from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, the Davilla's now live in Austin. They travelled all the way to Fort Worth to see family and shop.Ross McDonnell for TIME by [TIME Photo](/author/time-photo/) ## TIME Photo Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 17, 2014 11:00 AM CUT **MORE**: [Hispanic Malls Capture Trillion Dollar Market](http://time.com/66282/hispanic-malls-capture-trillion-dollar-market/ "undefined")  Kids play under their mother's supervision at La Gran Plaza, March 23, 2014\. Many families cited the safe environment and familiar atmosphere at the mall as one of the reasons they liked to come for the day. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A mariachi at La Gran Plaza mall outside Fort Worth, Texas. Ross McDonnell for TIME  José de Jesús Legaspi, a Mexican impresario and owner of La Gran Plaza mall outside Fort Worth, Texas. Legaspi's business is focused on converting dying American mall spaces and converting them to shopping centers tailored to the Hispanic, specifically the Mexican/American market. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A stall selling Mexican religious icons, Jesus, the Virgin de Guadalupe and the Santa Muerte. Stalls like this are popular in Mexican markets, largely catering to those who feel in need of spiritual cleansing. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Margarito Vences and Angelita Rogeriguez, from Michoacán, Mexico, like to co-ordinate their outfits and buy clothes when they come to the mall. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Quinceañera portraits are the main source of income for this photo studio at La Gran Plaza. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A portrait of Samantha Lujan, 10, trying on dresses for her First Communion at La Gran Plaza. Samantha's family are originally from Durango, Mexico. They moved to California and now live in Fort Worth. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A portrait of Jorge Barraza, 19, from Long Beach, Calif., who works at a store specialising in Western wear. Jorge has spent time in both the U.S. and in Durango, Mexico, where his family is originally from. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Esmerelda Walker works in a candy store specializing in Mexican candy at the mall. She has lived in the U.S. for 16 years. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A portrait of Fernando Davilla and his 6-month-old son, Junior, at the mall. Originally from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, the Davilla's now live in Austin. They travelled all the way to Fort Worth to see family and shop. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A girl sits on the edge of the stage beside a Mariachi's sombrero and trumpet before the weekend's entertainment begins. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A scene inside El Mercado section of La Gran Plaza. In many ways the mall is a microcosm of the Mexican-American experience, mixing capitalist enterprise with Mexican 'sabor' or flavor. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Colorful cowboy boots are lined up for sale at La Gran Plaza. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Piñatas hang from the ceiling in a store at the mall. Ross McDonnell for TIME  A mariachi stands outside La Gran Plaza mall. The mariachi outfits are custom made for the mall. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Mariachis start their performance for a packed audience. Ross McDonnell for TIME  Shoppers leave La Gran Plaza at the end of a busy Sunday. Focus on a fun, family atmosphere with a flavor of the Mexican "mercado" have made the turnaround a huge success. Ross McDonnell for TIME ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/55844/mercado-of-america/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/55844/mercado-of-america/"},"headline":"Malls Are Dying. 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