This used to be my favorite mall over Woodfield because it was much quieter. Even in the 80's! Did none of the escalators work? Looks like you were the only one there. Even the stores were empty! That would've creeped me out! lol They're closing April 22nd. My childhood gone!😢 This is just sad. I remember that axe throwing was on our local news! They'd made a big deal about, being at that mall!
Only one set of escalators was on, the rest were not moving. Apparently I somehow got in and was able to record *before* the mall was actually open? Dont know how that happened. Im sure its not much busier during the evening, though
jeeez, I remember coming here every weekend as a kid. Filled stores and walkways. I guess we all knew it would come to this when the Sears store left. A sign of the times changing sadly. Thankfully we still have Woodfield, Oakbrook and Yorktown malls
Thankfully malls in general seem to be doing fine around the chicago area. There are a few exceptions like this one, golf mills, louis joliet… seems like their common problem was relying on their sears. Hopefully Stratford revitalizes someday, it is a very nice looking mall on the inside
I just watched your other video for CherryVale mall. I also live not too far from Stratford Square mall when I was younger. I remember it seemed so much bigger. There also used to be a tiered fountain in one of the court areas back in the day. Considering its age this place has held up pretty well I think. Pity that its nearly gone.
Im sure some of the bigger locations being gone made this look smaller than it used to be. The theater, sears, and the arcade all weren't accessible, and those locations take up a significant chunk of the space
This really brings me back but it's depressing. We were here all the time as kids and teenagers especially. This was the hangout in the 80s and 90s. Memories around every corner for me. Such a great place. It was always crowded. I loved this place. I should post some video from back in the day. Thanks for filming. I need to make a trip to see it, maybe.
Its still open to visit, at least at the time of me sharing this comment! Theres nothing much to do though, the only major stores you might want to visit are FYE, Kohls, and one of those shoe outlets. Besides that, it would be one really fun place to play paintball
I read an article saying that the village of Bloomingdale is suing Namdar Realty for ownership of the mall. I really hope they succeed because Namdar isn’t doing shit. I used to go to this mall all the time for the sake of Round1 and Cinemark, and now that those places are gone (along with several others), it’s just depressing. Here’s hoping the village of Bloomingdale is successful in their lawsuit and revitalizing the mall.
I hope so too. Its a really nice looking mall in my opinion and its a shame theres nothing going on in it. Its in a well populated area too without much competition nearby so theres not much of an excuse
Bloomingdale now owns the mall. They are still not certain on the malls future. It is a beautiful mall. I always got lost in it which was half the fun. 😁 It will close to the public on April 15 2024.
So sad😢 This used to be a great mall! Hopefully you'll be hitting the 4 downtown chicago malls? Water Tower, 900 north mich, shops at North Bridge and Block 37
I worked there for five years back in the eighties as a mechanic at Montgomery Wards Auto Express.
Lots of memories.
This used to be my favorite mall over Woodfield because it was much quieter. Even in the 80's! Did none of the escalators work? Looks like you were the only one there. Even the stores were empty! That would've creeped me out! lol They're closing April 22nd. My childhood gone!😢 This is just sad. I remember that axe throwing was on our local news! They'd made a big deal about, being at that mall!
Only one set of escalators was on, the rest were not moving. Apparently I somehow got in and was able to record *before* the mall was actually open? Dont know how that happened. Im sure its not much busier during the evening, though
jeeez, I remember coming here every weekend as a kid. Filled stores and walkways. I guess we all knew it would come to this when the Sears store left. A sign of the times changing sadly. Thankfully we still have Woodfield, Oakbrook and Yorktown malls
Thankfully malls in general seem to be doing fine around the chicago area. There are a few exceptions like this one, golf mills, louis joliet… seems like their common problem was relying on their sears. Hopefully Stratford revitalizes someday, it is a very nice looking mall on the inside
I just watched your other video for CherryVale mall. I also live not too far from Stratford Square mall when I was younger. I remember it seemed so much bigger. There also used to be a tiered fountain in one of the court areas back in the day. Considering its age this place has held up pretty well I think. Pity that its nearly gone.
Im sure some of the bigger locations being gone made this look smaller than it used to be. The theater, sears, and the arcade all weren't accessible, and those locations take up a significant chunk of the space
Weird how some malls are dead while some like Woodfield and Chicago Ridge are still full occupancy
100%. I think it has to do with how much the mall managers care About keeping the malls alive- obviously this mall doesnt care at all
This really brings me back but it's depressing. We were here all the time as kids and teenagers especially. This was the hangout in the 80s and 90s. Memories around every corner for me. Such a great place. It was always crowded. I loved this place. I should post some video from back in the day. Thanks for filming. I need to make a trip to see it, maybe.
Its still open to visit, at least at the time of me sharing this comment! Theres nothing much to do though, the only major stores you might want to visit are FYE, Kohls, and one of those shoe outlets. Besides that, it would be one really fun place to play paintball
I've remembered that mall when I was a kid since fifteen years ago, now it's sadly close to be abandoned sooner.
Maybe that just means in 10 years we'll have the world's coolest paintball arena
I read an article saying that the village of Bloomingdale is suing Namdar Realty for ownership of the mall. I really hope they succeed because Namdar isn’t doing shit. I used to go to this mall all the time for the sake of Round1 and Cinemark, and now that those places are gone (along with several others), it’s just depressing. Here’s hoping the village of Bloomingdale is successful in their lawsuit and revitalizing the mall.
I hope so too. Its a really nice looking mall in my opinion and its a shame theres nothing going on in it. Its in a well populated area too without much competition nearby so theres not much of an excuse
Bloomingdale now owns the mall. They are still not certain on the malls future. It is a beautiful mall. I always got lost in it which was half the fun. 😁 It will close to the public on April 15 2024.
8:40 unexpected noises
If i recall correctly, that was someone opening the “kids play center” store. Too bad there arent any kids at the mall!
So sad😢 This used to be a great mall! Hopefully you'll be hitting the 4 downtown chicago malls? Water Tower, 900 north mich, shops at North Bridge and Block 37
@@timt13 Eventually, yes. Im currently in the Milwaukee area for school so there will be a decent amount of Wisconsin based locations mixed in soon!
@@SweatpantsCyclist great!