I miss the midtown there and the kmart store across from it, really gave me some good memories growing up! this mall gives me childhood memories even though its a small mall and most of the stores have left due to it being expensive af to stay there Also the malls like a place where my old high school would evacuate too during a drill. the walk was so long. (also I'm a 2021 grad from Winona Senior High!)
lol - it wasn't a mall at all until 1983. At that point it stole away a ton of businesses from the downtown including Pet Parade & Little Prof. Books which essentially killed the downtown. And yet it never really flourished beyond the first couple of years. After that it was downhill as the big box stores - Pamida, then K-Mart (which was built illegally on endangered wetlands and paid for it as their drains backed up from the swamp water on a fairly regular basis until they closed decades later), and Shopko all buried this place. And then they were buried by Walmart and Target, and never really recovered even to this day. I do miss the arcade and Good Vibes, but those are long (long) gone.
@@YodelingLoonRetail The video clearly shows that it is not a strip mall. Strip malls usually have the stores arranged in a row with a sidewalk in front. The stores are only accessible from the outside.
I am curious to know more about the mall prior to 1983. Was it a complete remodel? I could only find the one photograph from the 1960s and it's only the outside.
@@bryanmurrayvideo2513 Right. But we called it a strip mall because of the way you could also enter the stores from outside. Driving by it gave you that impression. I remember back in the 70's downtown mall they would have clothing and books etc out on the walk for sales. I can't remember the name of the sales.
The 2006 pictures of the mall took me back! I was at Winona State at the time and stayed at West Campus Lourdes Hall. I remember prior to the 07-08 financial crisis the Midtown Foods and the rest of the bustling small stores at the Winona Mall. It was just life, people going out and spending time and having fun. Last time I was at the Winona Mall it's a sad shell of it's former self. I could say the same about the Valley View Mall in La Crosse/Onalaska.
Born and raised in Winona area and I was a child of the 80s &90s. During that time especially in early 80s to mid 90s the mall was a busy place. It had a variety of places to shop at for all generations. Now some things were not in the mall itself like Taco Johns is still in the separate building called the Winona Mall annex plus other businesses. Also I believe it's Greg's Hallmark that was in the mall. Plus 1 hour photo. Since at least the 2000s the mall hasn't been the same when you can hear your own footsteps. But that golden roof and wood paneling are great memories of yesteryear. 🙂
I’ve been waiting for you to cover this mall! I live in Winona and drive by this place almost every day. It’s interesting to hear about what stores used to be in the mall at the start as even I didn’t know what was there pre 2000’s. I have vivid memories of going to the midtown and a toy store in the space that had that cool circular front, so this mall is fairly nostalgic for me. Thanks for making this!
Sad that they don't teach Winona History in Senior High. Where Big Owl used to be was JC Penney first. Downtown mall used to hold Wards after it moved from the mall. Where Winona Arts is used to be where The Julius C. Wilke Steamboat was until it was caught on fire and destroyed in late 80's early 90s. WCCO did a program from there before the fire. Further up on 61 where there is many restaurants that included a Sambo's great burgers. An A &W and a roller skating rink, called Winona Skate. There is a lot of history that needs to be told. I came down back in 2014 for a family reunion and was saddened that the Jr. High both East and West buildings were converted into Apts. 😢 Great memories.
The red carousal ride in the hallway has been there since at least the 80's (probably before) and may have possibly been at the neighboring Kmart for a while.
I used to work in this mall a long time ago when it was full of stores instead of closed up spaces. It used to be a lively, bustling place. The remodeling of the inside hides the unique ceiling architecture. Please take a trip to Plaza Square in downtown Winona as well. Even though the downtown mall is much smaller and also has become a multi use space, the unique architecture has been mostly preserved inside. Took a trip last summer and went inside both of these malls, which was nostalgic and sad at the same time to see what had changed or remained intact.
@@YodelingLoonRetail If the local newspaper or historical society has an archived article about Plaza Square, that might be worth a look. One end of Plaza Square used to have a fancy ladies' clothing boutique, the other end was a drugstore. The middle stores included a craft store (think 70's craft supplies - macrame cord for wall hangings, beaded styrofoam ornaments, small pieces for woodwork, etc.), a small department store, a hat/wig/scarf store, and a few others I don't remember anymore. I was surprised to see the planter box with the benches still in the middle of the hallway and that the distinctive angles of the ceiling were intact.
I worked at Montgomery Wards in the early 70s. One era I believe you may have missed is when "Winds and Water" opened a sporting goods store . During that time there was a florist, bar/restaurant and a higher end men's clothing store (owner was jim Brust.) The restaurant eventually changed hands as the wife was diagnosed with cancer. The new owner was Chuck Tok (who also taught Tai-Kwan-Do sp????)
Every fall in the late 60s and early to mid 70s, my Mom took me to the Tempo store in this mall to get school supplies. The mall also had a store called Loftquist's Variety, which had all of the cool things that a kid could want: Model kits, Hot Wheels, glow-in-the-dark paint, live turtles and fish, chemistry sets, etc. They had a talking (and squawking) mynah bird in the store that could be heard from the hall as you passed by. In the hall, near the entrance to Tempo, there was a mechanical arcade game called Sea Wolf, and a candy machine that dispensed PEZ dispensers and candy packs.
What I remember most was the Tempo store where my parents did as much of their shopping as possible. I'm guessing you have no idea what a Tempo store was, but it was analogous to an early Wal-Mart although smaller.
I love the Winona Mall. But remember it as Miracle Mall first. It's the place many from WSH would go after school and if you wanted to during lunch head over to the Mall to grab something else to eat. It's sad to hear how much changed after COVID hit. 😥
Interesting I didn't even know there was more to it! I am new to winona area and my first run in with the mall was unfortunately getting a covid test and seeing the dmv which was closed at the time lol! It looks very nice inside with the wood walls and all. Much different than what I am use to seeing out in the west coast! I like it!
There is another mall in winona you should do a video on. It is located at 3rd and Main st. downtown. It is called Plaza Square Mall. There used to be a Thrifty White Drug and some other stores. There used to be a significant amount of shoppers there in the late 80s and early 90s. I'm too young to remember what it was like before then.
@@YodelingLoonRetail There is an entrance between the "Travel Leaders" sign and the "Beltone" sign, an entrance by the "Nelson Law Office" and an entrance by the "Merchants" sign.
You have to do a pre 1985. Downtown used to have a Montgomery Ward in there. A Ted Maher drug store, Surgeons, Donaldson's. During Christmas season there would be a Santa House so we kids would go and tell Santa what we wanted. There used to be a Circus that came through. Yes a 3 tent ring circus. Steamboat Days originally started there, before it was moved to Lake Winona, dumbest move ever. Glad it is back. Back then it was a lot bigger? Plaza mall also had a men's store that was little pricey. You could go to all stores and stay inside and exit by the doors you came in.
I miss the midtown there and the kmart store across from it, really gave me some good memories growing up! this mall gives me childhood memories
even though its a small mall and most of the stores have left due to it being expensive af to stay there
Also the malls like a place where my old high school would evacuate too during a drill.
the walk was so long. (also I'm a 2021 grad from Winona Senior High!)
lol - it wasn't a mall at all until 1983. At that point it stole away a ton of businesses from the downtown including Pet Parade & Little Prof. Books which essentially killed the downtown. And yet it never really flourished beyond the first couple of years. After that it was downhill as the big box stores - Pamida, then K-Mart (which was built illegally on endangered wetlands and paid for it as their drains backed up from the swamp water on a fairly regular basis until they closed decades later), and Shopko all buried this place. And then they were buried by Walmart and Target, and never really recovered even to this day. I do miss the arcade and Good Vibes, but those are long (long) gone.
Was it more of a strip mall? I couldn’t find much history before 1983.
Jason?
@@YodelingLoonRetail The video clearly shows that it is not a strip mall. Strip malls usually have the stores arranged in a row with a sidewalk in front. The stores are only accessible from the outside.
I am curious to know more about the mall prior to 1983. Was it a complete remodel? I could only find the one photograph from the 1960s and it's only the outside.
@@bryanmurrayvideo2513 Right. But we called it a strip mall because of the way you could also enter the stores from outside. Driving by it gave you that impression. I remember back in the 70's downtown mall they would have clothing and books etc out on the walk for sales. I can't remember the name of the sales.
The 2006 pictures of the mall took me back! I was at Winona State at the time and stayed at West Campus Lourdes Hall. I remember prior to the 07-08 financial crisis the Midtown Foods and the rest of the bustling small stores at the Winona Mall. It was just life, people going out and spending time and having fun. Last time I was at the Winona Mall it's a sad shell of it's former self. I could say the same about the Valley View Mall in La Crosse/Onalaska.
Born and raised in Winona area and I was a child of the 80s &90s. During that time especially in early 80s to mid 90s the mall was a busy place. It had a variety of places to shop at for all generations. Now some things were not in the mall itself like Taco Johns is still in the separate building called the Winona Mall annex plus other businesses. Also I believe it's Greg's Hallmark that was in the mall. Plus 1 hour photo. Since at least the 2000s the mall hasn't been the same when you can hear your own footsteps. But that golden roof and wood paneling are great memories of yesteryear. 🙂
FIIIIIIIRRRRRSSSSTTTTT!!!!! I have been waiting to get a good look at this place. Great job buddy!
Thank you so much!
I’ve been waiting for you to cover this mall! I live in Winona and drive by this place almost every day. It’s interesting to hear about what stores used to be in the mall at the start as even I didn’t know what was there pre 2000’s. I have vivid memories of going to the midtown and a toy store in the space that had that cool circular front, so this mall is fairly nostalgic for me. Thanks for making this!
Sad that they don't teach Winona History in Senior High. Where Big Owl used to be was JC Penney first. Downtown mall used to hold Wards after it moved from the mall. Where Winona Arts is used to be where The Julius C. Wilke Steamboat was until it was caught on fire and destroyed in late 80's early 90s. WCCO did a program from there before the fire. Further up on 61 where there is many restaurants that included a Sambo's great burgers. An A &W and a roller skating rink, called Winona Skate. There is a lot of history that needs to be told. I came down back in 2014 for a family reunion and was saddened that the Jr. High both East and West buildings were converted into Apts. 😢 Great memories.
Excellent video. We have done the best we can with this property.
The red carousal ride in the hallway has been there since at least the 80's (probably before) and may have possibly been at the neighboring Kmart for a while.
Great video man. Discovered you last week and nice to see a fellow Midwesterner.
I used to work in this mall a long time ago when it was full of stores instead of closed up spaces. It used to be a lively, bustling place. The remodeling of the inside hides the unique ceiling architecture. Please take a trip to Plaza Square in downtown Winona as well. Even though the downtown mall is much smaller and also has become a multi use space, the unique architecture has been mostly preserved inside. Took a trip last summer and went inside both of these malls, which was nostalgic and sad at the same time to see what had changed or remained intact.
I have been meaning to visit Plaza Square, but I believe it's only open during the week, so I'll have to find a lazy Friday to head down there.
@@YodelingLoonRetail If the local newspaper or historical society has an archived article about Plaza Square, that might be worth a look. One end of Plaza Square used to have a fancy ladies' clothing boutique, the other end was a drugstore. The middle stores included a craft store (think 70's craft supplies - macrame cord for wall hangings, beaded styrofoam ornaments, small pieces for woodwork, etc.), a small department store, a hat/wig/scarf store, and a few others I don't remember anymore. I was surprised to see the planter box with the benches still in the middle of the hallway and that the distinctive angles of the ceiling were intact.
This is overwhelming the senses.
I agree. Winona boy here.
I worked at Montgomery Wards in the early 70s. One era I believe you may have missed is when "Winds and Water" opened a sporting goods store . During that time there was a florist, bar/restaurant and a higher end men's clothing store (owner was jim Brust.) The restaurant eventually changed hands as the wife was diagnosed with cancer. The new owner was Chuck Tok (who also taught Tai-Kwan-Do sp????)
I love that corrugated metal on the ceiling!
Every fall in the late 60s and early to mid 70s, my Mom took me to the Tempo store in this mall to get school supplies. The mall also had a store called Loftquist's Variety, which had all of the cool things that a kid could want: Model kits, Hot Wheels, glow-in-the-dark paint, live turtles and fish, chemistry sets, etc. They had a talking (and squawking) mynah bird in the store that could be heard from the hall as you passed by. In the hall, near the entrance to Tempo, there was a mechanical arcade game called Sea Wolf, and a candy machine that dispensed PEZ dispensers and candy packs.
Oh my I almost forgot about the bird. Hell that thing would make you jump out of skin cause you didn't expect it. 😂
What I remember most was the Tempo store where my parents did as much of their shopping as possible. I'm guessing you have no idea what a Tempo store was, but it was analogous to an early Wal-Mart although smaller.
Yeah, I only know about Tempo stores from doing research for my videos. I don't think we ever had them in the Twin Cities. Thank you for sharing.
I’m a new subscriber, thanks for what you do! 😎 I enjoy middle 1960’s malls and their stories.
I like that slanted ceiling, along with the contemporary modern designed windows up above. Sadly single level malls just don't do well any more.
Don't see malls like that anymore or anywhere.
I love the Winona Mall. But remember it as Miracle Mall first. It's the place many from WSH would go after school and if you wanted to during lunch head over to the Mall to grab something else to eat. It's sad to hear how much changed after COVID hit. 😥
Which was one was built first? Winona Mall or Plaza Square Mall?
ruclips.net/video/cdyczZcigPg/видео.html
Cool mall, lived 20 years in Minneapolis and never knew this place existed, Liked
Interesting I didn't even know there was more to it! I am new to winona area and my first run in with the mall was unfortunately getting a covid test and seeing the dmv which was closed at the time lol! It looks very nice inside with the wood walls and all. Much different than what I am use to seeing out in the west coast! I like it!
There is another mall in winona you should do a video on. It is located at 3rd and Main st. downtown. It is called Plaza Square Mall. There used to be a Thrifty White Drug and some other stores. There used to be a significant amount of shoppers there in the late 80s and early 90s. I'm too young to remember what it was like before then.
Thanks! I'm always looking for rare malls. Is there an inside anymore? Is that an entrance by the Nelson Law Office sign I see on Google Maps?
@@YodelingLoonRetail There is still an inside. Yeah, that is one of the entrances. There are three entrances in the front of the building.
@@YodelingLoonRetail There is an entrance between the "Travel Leaders" sign and the "Beltone" sign, an entrance by the "Nelson Law Office" and an entrance by the "Merchants" sign.
You have to do a pre 1985. Downtown used to have a Montgomery Ward in there. A Ted Maher drug store, Surgeons, Donaldson's. During Christmas season there would be a Santa House so we kids would go and tell Santa what we wanted. There used to be a Circus that came through. Yes a 3 tent ring circus. Steamboat Days originally started there, before it was moved to Lake Winona, dumbest move ever. Glad it is back. Back then it was a lot bigger? Plaza mall also had a men's store that was little pricey. You could go to all stores and stay inside and exit by the doors you came in.
@@jimmykouba4494 Was the Ted Maher drug store located in the same spot the Thrifty White Drug Store was located?
Always abandoned retail gold near the abandoned KMart.
Blame the City Council for it's stupidity.
Was that the place with Market Foods?
The saddest mall of all.
I was in winona Minnesota but now I live in Iowa, calmar
I wish Labelscar still got updates
Me too. At the very least, I wish they would update their listings with a "Closed" or "Demolished" status.
The two guys in Labelscar are still semi active on Facebook.