A large, eggshell blue sign still reads “Hardy Shoes” in white letters, but there is no enclosed space, as two of its walls have long since deteriorated. The ground is littered with weeds and debris and only a few fragile ceiling beams are visible, allowing the sun to cascade light on truly tragic urban decay—or the state of 80,000-square-foot Dixie Square mall in Harvey, Ill., for the past 30 years.The south suburban mall at 151st...
