Every Sunday morning, the normally quiet halls of Lloyd Center mall come alive with vibrant energy as participants gather for the Food Court 5000, a unique walking workout experience led by Vera Mysteria.
Vera, the stage name of Krista Catwood, sports a windbreaker, headset mic, and a high ponytail, welcoming about two dozen enthusiastic walkers.
With the upbeat anthem “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” blasting through her Bluetooth speaker, she encourages her followers, saying, “Show off those guns!”
The Food Court 5000 is not just a workout but also a performance art extravaganza that encapsulates fun and nostalgia, covering approximately 3.5 miles in under two hours.
Leslie Kelinson, the group’s self-proclaimed oldest member at 80, expressed her joy, noting, “It’s the funnest thing I do of all my activities. This takes you out of your comfort zone and gets you to do crazy things.”
Each session includes playful interactions, with members striking poses on escalators and waving at onlookers.
Kelinson mentions the mixed responses from shoppers; they either graciously wave back or look bewildered at this colorful display of exuberance.
“We’re zany, and Lloyd Center’s pretty sedate, and we come through like gangbusters,” she said of the contrast between the usual mall ambience and their animated presence.
The idea for the Food Court 5000 was born about five months ago, spearheaded by Krista Catwood, who works as a business operations analyst for AARP Oregon by day.
With over 15 years of experience hosting and producing burlesque and drag shows in Portland, she created the Food Court 5000 as a way to combine exercise with fun and community spirit.
“I hate working out,” she admitted. “If I need to move my body, there needs to be costumes involved, there needs to be other people involved.”
This engaging confluence of fitness and entertainment aligns perfectly with the group’s ethos: part workout, part performance art, and an altogether excellent reason to take over a shopping mall in the name of nostalgia.
As detailed on the Food Court 5000 website, joining the weekly walks is free and encourages 80s attire, although it is not mandatory.
To participate, individuals must adhere to a few playful rules: wave at everyone you encounter, wait for fellow walkers to ensure no one is left behind, and maintain arm movement throughout the walk.
As Catwood asserts, “Otherwise, you’re just walking at the mall; you’re not mall walking.”
Meetings take place every Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Lloyd Center food court.
On one occasion, the reporter experienced a unique Saturday event coinciding with the Mall Crawl, a monthly promotion that features sales, raffles, and special events, aimed at rejuvenating the mall’s atmosphere.
Despite numerous vacant storefronts and the absence of major anchor tenants, Lloyd Center has embraced several indie shops and experience-based businesses, such as a Star Wars-themed lightsaber store, a pinball museum, and a roller skating academy, among others.
The mall directory now reflects over 70 active tenants, including around 50 retailers or organizations that welcome the public.
Catwood enthusiastically described the vibe of the Lloyd Center, saying it’s “magic,” capturing the essence of a mall undergoing a transitory phase.
She remarked, “It’s a punk rock era for the Lloyd Center. Most of the staple stores have left, and now it’s filled with nonprofits and independent businesses. It’s an accessible third place, free for us and other groups to come together.”
Mall walker Venessa Jensen, who lives nearby, shared her connection to the Lloyd Center as she took a brief break to shop for fuzzy green sneakers.
“I’ve seen Lloyd’s Center in all of its glory, and this is just a lot of fun to be a part of it,” she said, describing the ambiance as an “Avalonian, nerdy fairyland of whatever goes.”
If you’re interested in joining the Food Court 5000 or learning more about upcoming events like the Lloyd Mall Crawl, visit foodcourt5k.com or follow the event’s Instagram page.
It’s an engaging blend of fitness, creativity, and community spirit that promises a delightful way to stay active.
image source from：oregonlive
