I used to do the same thing. The mall I went to was huge and getting from one side to the other took awhile because it wasn't a straight line. Once I figured out all the side hallways you could use them as shortcuts saving lots of time. I was young enough that everyone assumed I worked there and since I didn't do anything to draw attention people ignored me.
The finished but unpainted drywall above really makes it for me. It tells me— For little more than a coat paint it would feel so different. But then… The tube lighting too.