Malls almost always are built where there isn't much in the immediate vicinity, but they don't precede the available population--the key is that the relevant populated area is just much bigger when you are located by large roads and have lots of free parking. If you think that the shops in New Center are going to serve people who have to travel relatively far to get there, then yes, then upscale shopping could precede an upscale local population. That doesn't seem like a great bet though.
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