The mall is based on a real mall which is also called velley view center it was left abandoned and got demolished back at may of this year, so was for the rolling giant which was used in a real parade and yet now sitting still inside the mall, good news the giant was recovered and might return someday not for sure tho. Julien is the name of the giant and its based of a real person, "julien reverchon" an old botany professor which would make sense for how this new series is giving some nature themed aspect, still more questions to unpack, but im guessing kane is a fan of time travel, hes done it once in the backrooms yet this the 2nd time lol.
Sears unfortunately filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and has been closing remaining stores since. Last I heard they planned on shutting down all remaining locations by years end
