Memories of Secret Passage at Fairgrounds Square Mall Resurface After Documentary

A friend's story about a hidden entrance at the mall in the 1980s is sparked by a new Netflix documentary about art students who secretly carved out a private hangout inside a Providence, R.I. mall.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A friend of the author, who worked at a store in the Fairgrounds Square Mall in the early 1980s, told a story about a secret passage that allowed mall employees to bypass the crowded public entrances. This story was prompted by the author's mention of a new Netflix documentary called "Secret Mall Apartment" that tells the story of art students in Providence, R.I. who secretly carved out a private hangout space inside the Providence Place mall in the early 2000s.

Why it matters

The documentary and the author's friend's story highlight how malls, which were once social hubs for suburban teenagers, have evolved over time. The secret spaces and passages within malls reflect how people have tried to carve out their own unique experiences and connections within these large commercial spaces that were not necessarily designed with them in mind.

The details

In the 1980s, the author's friend "Michelle" who worked at a store in the Fairgrounds Square Mall learned about a secret passage that allowed mall employees to bypass the crowded public entrances. This "Fannie May entrance" was a back way into the mall that required pushing through a few sets of security doors. The Netflix documentary "Secret Mall Apartment" tells a similar story of art students in Providence, R.I. who in the early 2000s secretly carved out a private hangout space inside the Providence Place mall, which they accessed through an unused void in the building's unusual geometry.

  • In the early 1980s, the author's friend Michelle worked at a store in the Fairgrounds Square Mall.
  • In the early 2000s, the events depicted in the Netflix documentary "Secret Mall Apartment" took place.

The players

Michelle

A friend of the author who worked at a store in the Fairgrounds Square Mall in the early 1980s and learned about a secret passage that allowed mall employees to bypass the crowded public entrances.

Michael Townsend

The artist who led a group of art students in Providence, R.I. in the early 2000s to secretly carve out a private hangout space inside the Providence Place mall, as depicted in the Netflix documentary "Secret Mall Apartment".

Providence Place

A large mall in Providence, R.I. that was seen by some locals as a "monstrosity" that blocked the view of the State House dome and divided neighborhoods from downtown commerce.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The stories of secret passages and hidden spaces within malls reflect how people have tried to carve out their own unique experiences and connections within these large commercial spaces that were not necessarily designed with them in mind. As malls have evolved over time, these types of stories highlight the complex relationship between people and the built environment.