What is with malls here?

Can anyone explain the situation with malls being in such bad shape here in the Metro? Bannister mall is almost empty, the Jones store just left and the mall is redeveloping. Blue Ridge Mall is redeveloping to a Wal Mart Supercenter among other stores and is currently anchored by an Appleby's restaurant. No offense Appleby's, like your food, but you probably don't draw enough to support a mall. Mission Mall is on the ropes as well, and Metro North mall, despite the explosion of growth in the Northland, is also apparently dying as well.

Independence Center is doing well, as is Oak Park mall but I swear that Des Moines has more good malls than KC does with a quarter or less of the population.

What is the story with that? I will admit that the area does have a number of strip mall open air type shopping centers that are becoming the trend. But still, what is the story?