LAYTON—Traditional malls have been changing over the years to keep up with the trends and many retail centers across the country have pivoted to more experiences that remain relevant and reflect and adapt to the needs of their community. 

“We here at Layton Hills Mall are doing something very unique where we understand what our community needs are and then we provide free events,” said Glady Larsen, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager. “These allow the community to come together to make it a community hub so families can create those special moments and of course have the opportunity to go to all of the different tenants that we have here at our center.”

This has been so successful, she said. “Recently we have been doing a summer series called Beehive Bees Kids’ Club. Tuesday we had the Miss Syracuse Scholarship pageant royalty here to give the kids the chance to dress up as princes or princesses and spend time with their parents.”

It gives them the opportunity to get out of their homes and do something unique, Larsen said. “They were able to take pictures with royalty. We had over 250 children here.”

It’s a great way for them to spend quality time with their family members whether it’s a parent or sibling or just their mentors, she said. “It’s an opportunity to build those memories."

Layton Hills is very supportive of the military, said Larsen. “We have a partnership with Operation Hero and Blue Star Families.”

Operation Hero is an incredible nonprofit that works with people who have had someone who passed away during their service and they work with the families, she said. “The most impressive form of support isn’t just days or weeks after they have lost their family member but it’s ongoing support whether it’s months or years after that family member has been lost to service.”

Larsen said the center came together with the organizations to figure out what the needs of that community are. “Once we understand the needs then we can create different events. For example, one event that we did last year was cookies with Santa and families were able to take pictures with Santa and have cookies.”

There was a fun craft to do and they got the chance to sit on Santa’s lap, she said. “A lot of service members are gone throughout the holidays. This was a great opportunity for the families that were here to be able to send them those memories. The holiday is usually a very difficult time to be on their own.”

They will also have activities for America250, said Larsen. “We have come together to meet the community where their needs are. We’re starting an initiative July 1 – July 31 where we get donations to support military families that are part of the Blue Star Families organization.”

In the past, the mall has been able to donate jeans for all the participants at the John Volken Academy in North Salt Lake, she said. “Another thing we’ve done with America250 is support North Davis Project Illumination. We have some donations that we’re going to give to Switchpoint to support them too.”

They’ve not only gotten donations of clothing, shoes, etc. but also some of the everyday necessities, Larsen said. “Whether it’s deodorants, a toothbrush or razors, all of those things are so important and it’s something that allows families to support different nonprofits at various levels of giving.”

Larsen said people don’t have to break the bank to support a nonprofit. “Whether it’s strengthening families or any of the other programs that they have, it makes a nonprofit’s budget go a little bit further with the support of Layton Hills Mall.”

Donation boxes will be in various locations at the mall, she said. “They’ll say America250. Some of the places that are helping us collect them are Dillards and Go Games. So they’ll have some boxes near them.”

A back to school bash will be on July 31, said Larsen. “We'll have a party where we’re showing what we’ve been doing. That’s the last day to bring all of the donations.” 

For more information about events at Layton Hills Mall visit https://www.shoplaytonhills.com/. It is located at 1201 N Hill Field Rd, Layton.