For years the mall had languished as a working - class shopping center. In the meantime, the demographics in Hingham had changed. The city could now support higher - end enterprise. The working - class mall gained a new life and was repositioned as the nation ’ s fi rst lifestyle center . In place of the blue - collar stores, high - end shops like Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods, and Panera Bread moved into the refurbished spaces. The place took off, and is now one of the most popular shop- ping centers in the area.