I used to live in Buford real close to the mall right across I-85 from it from 2002 to 2010 before moving to Florida. I see it too is still thiving as the Florida mall and Lakeland Square mall is. Nothing like the one I went to in Illinois in suburban Chicago couple weeks ago where I too used to live, it is now a dead place with most places closed and empty.
I was never crazy about the layout of the food pavilion or where it was located. It gives the feel of a farmers market or a refugee meal area. Stressful layout and feel. Or maybe even a high school cafeteria at best. Definitely not a comforting feel to it like other big malls in the country. Harsh impersonal, and rigid. They have chairs where your back is exposed to everyone walking into the mall. As for the rest of the mall layout, a total bankruptcy of design and imagination. Rigid and square including the columns and ceiling. Looks like a converted office building. If you want to see a truly beautiful mall check out Woodfield mall in Illinois.
I do NOT like the design of food court there. Too much like a high school cafeteria or gymnasium. When Gwinnett Place mall was still alive it’s food court was much better. It had more of a cozy comforting feel. The mall of Georgia food court is echoing and noisy. Not something you want when you’re trying to relax and enjoy your food. Mall of Georgias food court even has seating where your back is to everyone passing by. Who wants that? The design of the mall of Georgia is square and rigid. Not round and smooth and flowing like Gwinnett Place mall was. And the external appearance of the mall of Georgia is monolithic like its trying to emulate an ancient structure. The outer appearance of Gwinnett Place had a much more welcoming feel and gave the feeling like you were going to have a good time inside. I’ve never liked the 90s mall design. Always thought the design of 80s malls were better and gave off a more comforting and grand feel. The feel of 90s malls like mall of Georgia gives off a more harsh and rigid feel. Almost as if it’s saying “you’re not here to relax and enjoy yourself. You’re here to shop so get busy NOW!”.