Jasper Mall is a new Amazon Addon documentary series that premiered on September 15, 2020. It was directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb and produced by Adam Gibbs, Thomason, and Whitcomb. The series features five episodes that document the life and struggle of a shopping mall in Jasper, Alabama, and the people who keep it running.
The Jasper Mall is a typical shopping mall located in a small town in Alabama. It is a place where people come to shop, hang out with friends, and have fun. But over the years, with the rise of the internet and online shopping, things have changed. Brick-and-mortar stores have increasingly become less and less popular, and many malls around the country have shut down. The Jasper Mall, too, was on the brink of closure, its storefronts boarded up and many of its tenants gone.
The show revolves around the day-to-day experiences of the mall's employees and the struggles they face trying to keep the mall afloat. The protagonists of the series are the mall manager Mike and his assistant manager, Kristin. They are the ones who are in charge of the security, maintenance, and many other aspects of running a shopping mall. They have to deal with everything from broken toilets and leaking roofs to unruly customers and petty theft.
The documentary showcases the various struggles they encounter with the mall, and the impact it has on their personal lives. The entire mall staff, including security guards, janitors, and store owners, are excited to keep the mall running despite the many challenges it faces. They are all aware that if the mall closes down, it will be the end of the once-thriving community.
Throughout the series, viewers get to know the unique stories of some of the mall's tenants, both past, and present. Some have been there for decades, and some are just starting out. The mall's former "hot spot," an arcade, is now empty, and the owners are forced to close. An old barber who has spent his entire career in the mall reminisces about the old days, while the owner of a jewelry store is struggling to stay afloat after years of losing business. There is also a young entrepreneur looking to open a store in the mall, hoping to tap into the nostalgia and bring a fresh perspective into the mall.
The show captures the essence of the community that has grown around the mall over the decades, and the deep-rooted connection that people have to this place. Jasper Mall has become an integral part of the community, and its fate is linked to the town's survival.
The series exhibits the mall's declining situation and explores the underlying factors that are causing the decline. One of the primary reasons is the rise of online shopping, which has brought convenience and comfort to many customers. With just a few clicks, one can buy everything from household items to luxury products, and online shopping has now become a multibillion-dollar industry. The mall businesses are struggling to compete with online retailers, and the Jasper Mall is no exception.
The show also sheds light on some other issues affecting the mall, such as the changing demographics of the town. Many of the younger generation have moved out, and older people occupy most of the town. This has resulted in lower foot traffic in the mall and has led to the closure of several businesses.
The camera captures some of the more bizarre events that happen within the mall. There is a scene where a peaceful protest erupts after a beauty store owner insults a young black mother with her child. The scene ends with more people coming together to support the mother and condemn the store owner. There is also a scene where a group comes to the mall to participate in swordplay, much to the astonishment of the mall staff.
Overall, Jasper Mall is a compelling documentary series that provides an insightful and engaging look into the lives of the people who work and shop in a mall on the verge of closure. The show brilliantly captures the small-town charm of Jasper, Alabama, and the strong sense of community and tradition that runs through it. The series has been praised for its immersive cinematography, brilliant storyline, and real-life characters. It is a series that will resonate with viewers who appreciate small-town life, and may make them re-think the impact of online shopping on the physical retail industry.
