Without a doubt, the shopping center industry as a whole seized the opportunity to support its neighbors, shoppers and communities after the 9/11 attacks. Shock was quickly redirected into action, and the response – from both people and shopping centers – was overwhelming.

Reviving Main Street: some retailers and developers are seeking to escape urban sprawl, and return to the days when people could gather in a community location, window shop, wave to their neighbors, and generally feel good about the place they’d chosen to live.

While some were a bit slow in getting on board, these companies and centers were mindful of their presence online from early on. We take a look at their campaigns and strategies.

Grand Teton Mall implemented a computer logging system to track items lost by shoppers.

Fox Hills Mall sought to raise the caliber of its retailers’ applicants after some merchants noted a lack of qualified individuals, and secret shopper surveys revealed a low customer service rating.

Boy Scouts and their parents staffed the “Customer Care Crew” at Bannister Mall, helping holiday shoppers by opening doors, carrying packages, and guiding them across the street. The Scouts earned a monetary contribution, which helped them purchase new gear, and shoppers enjoyed the service.

8 shopping centers teamed up to provide free trolley rides between each other. Collection boxes on the trolleys resulted in $3,600 for charity, and over 16,000 holiday shoppers responded positively to the service.

Sales associates from stores in Oglethorpe Mall competed in “The Challenge” to test their retail sales skills and knowledge. Separated into groups above and below the age of 25, each were evaluated on “Mystery Shopper” visits, interviews, and product presentation. The top two winners were awarded $300 in cash and a trip to the National Retail Federation Conference. Back at the mall, a customer service ad campaign was created to encourage shoppers to submit their opinions for a chance to win a weekly $250 gift certificate. The mall received 5,250 comment cards from the promotion.

Town East Mall unveils family restroom kitted out with amenities for adults and their infant or toddler children.

White Flint used silent, vibrating pagers to notify its shoppers when their tables were ready in The Cheesecake Factory — or when three hours of supervised play had passed, and it was time to retrieve their children.