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Warning: Spoilers for Stranger Things
Once it was revealed that the Starcourt Mall in Stranger Things’s third season served as a covert Russian base, its appeal diminished significantly. Despite scenes like Eleven’s first shopping trip with Max and Steve’s awkward rejections at Scoops Ahoy, the mall might not top many people’s list of ideal hangout spots. However, without the threat of the Mind Flayer or sinister scientists, fans would undoubtedly rush to visit. This revelation might inspire some to plan a trip to Georgia, where the real-life Starcourt Mall is located.
As reported by Decider, the third season of the Netflix series was filmed in Georgia, following the same location as the first two seasons. Although the mall used for filming doesn’t feature a Sam Goody or Waldenbooks like in the show, it is a real, operational shopping center. Gwinnett Place Mall, situated in Duluth, a suburb of Atlanta, remains open and ready to welcome shoppers.
However, as Decider highlights, the mall's future is uncertain, with plans suggesting a sports developer might transform the site into a 20,000-seat cricket stadium. This shift would certainly stray from the Stranger Things atmosphere.
For the time being, Gwinnett Place Mall remains operational. If you're a devoted fan of the series and live in the area—or are planning a pop culture-inspired journey—it might be worth visiting before it potentially disappears.
