With summer coming up in two weeks, malls are a great option for students to hang out and spend time with their friends. The Shoppes at Carlsbad has a total of 102 stores, including restaurants like Panera, The Cheesecake Factory, Happy Lemon and various retail stores.

For those who are interested in watching a movie right after shopping, the Regal Cinemas is connected to the mall and has many genres of movies that play all day.

Sage Creek sophomore Chris Kennedy enjoys going to the mall at least twice a month. During his visits, he spends his time buying a brown sugar boba milk tea from Happy Lemon, walking around the mall and window shopping.

“I like going to this mall because it gives me the chance to physically shop and hang out with my friends rather than just scrolling through endless tabs on my computer to buy stuff,” Kennedy said.

That’s another reason why people in Carlsbad walk around the perimeter

of the mall on weekdays and weekends. Many people believe that shopping online can take away the fun of walking around, trying on clothes, and window shopping. Sage Creek sophomore Alya Sabra prefers to do just that.

“I think The Shoppes at Carlsbad is a great place to go and get out of the house even if you aren’t buying anything. It’s the experience that counts, and that’s the fun of it,” Sabra said.

This mall has existed since 1969 and has been through different ownership throughout the years. Its hours range differently over certain weekdays and weekends, but it is primarily open for a reasonable amount of time. Now closed, Forever 21 has been replaced with an art gallery with paintings and sculptures of various genres.

Bath and Body Works has a large collection of sprays, candles, foaming soaps and other hygienic products. The store regularly has deals on products, and most stay in a reasonable price range.

A new up-and-coming store called Miniso is a worldwide franchise with items that range from makeup and craft supplies to snacks and plushies. They are also hiring and in need of employees for when the construction is completed. The store’s popularity is sky-high in the Escondido mall, proof that it will be a teen-approved place to shop during the summer.

For those ready to have their wrists sore from carrying bags and stomachs full of a cinnamon bagel from Panera, The Shoppes at Carlsbad is a great place to visit at least once this summer. Even if spending lots of money isn’t the goal, Carlsbad residents can still enjoy time and get their exercise in while adventuring in the 1.1 million square foot shopping center. Summer at The Shoppes will be a hit in the upcoming weeks and months.