[dded]

It certainly is the trend here in New England, where winters are reasonably harsh. And the new outdoor malls aren't very walkable, either. They're separate stores, or sometimes chunks of stores, that you almost have to drive between. With an Olive Garden or an Applebee's in the middle of the parking lot.

[zem]

I see those in California too. I really don't understand the phenomenon; my best guess is that there is some sort of incentive from the developers or city zoning for shops to open there, but nothing as cohesive as an actual mall.