Crestwood Plaza: The Ultra Mall That Had It All
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- One of the most notable shopping centers, Crestwood Plaza was the first regional mall in St. Louis, Missouri. For travelers on Route 66, it was a country-wide attraction from its opening in the late 1950s, thru to the 1980s, when the dream began to fall apart. They took every step to keep their relevance, expanding the plaza multiple times, eventually even enclosing the strip into a mega mall, but to no avail. How did this landmark in retail history become no more than a dirt mound? Learn the history of Crestwood Plaza: The Ultra Mall That Had It All.
Co-writer, Rasheed Stevens @undergroundretail
Special Thanks to Mark Zorensky (www.hycel.com)
Exhilarama Promo from Marylyn Peklenk
"River Falls Mall 1993" from Duke Marsh
Crestwood Court photos from Wampa-One
(Flickr: www.flickr.com/people/1158114...)
Mike Kalasnik
(www.flickr.com/people/1054240...)
Select images from Tim Key, Labelscar.com, Missouri History Museum, BeltSTL.com, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Trip to the Mall, and McBrideHomes.com
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0:00 - Intro
0:27 - Post-War St. Louis
1:26 - The Zorensky's and Crestwood Plaza
4:16 - Mall Mania, a Struggle for Relevance
6:04 - Crestwood Plaza Becomes "The Ultra Mall"
8:42 - The 1990s, Crestwood's Last Hurrah
9:51 - Westfield Drops The Ball
11:12 - Dillard's Closes, "Crestwood Court"
12:15 - Macy's and Sears Call It Quits
12:47 - UrbanStreet Destroys History
13:19 - McBride's "Crestwood Crossing" is Unveiled
Crinoline Dreams Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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On the Ground Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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Ultralounge Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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Videos and images used in this episode belong to their respective owners. Post-Mortar does not hold the copyrights for any material used.
Alex Nuelle 2022
Thanks for watching the pilot episode of "Malls!"
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I LOVED this mall! This mall WAS my childhood!
Loved this mall as well. Recently visited the property, now Dierbergs, and it still doesn’t feel right. Gonna miss the Plaza.
I worked at Crestwood Sears in the 80's and Sears again at Northwest plaza in the late 90's . Grew up going to Crestwood in the 70's and 80's ❤️.
I remember hanging there in early 90s
Growing up in South St Louis in the 1980’s, you didn’t even think of going to any other mall other than Crestwwod Plaza. So many memories of that place. Shopping, movies, arcade games, and working there
Absolutely. By my time, Crestwood was already in decline. We still went frequently, but West or South County Center was the better bet. Now, even SoCo is suffering.
I remember Crestwood Plaza well. Right after high school (1967) I got a job at Walgreens as a dishwasher in their cafeteria. Good times back then.
This video is right, Crestwood in the 90s was absolutely nuts. I still remember hitting the food court and then going over to Exhilirama afterwards. Good times.
Same. I went there all the time in the 90s and worked there in the early 2000’s. I miss it a lot
Dude. I still wish I could get something even close to a Flamers burger and fries.
And watching the Asian kids fucking dominating Killer Instinct over at the exhilirama.
Hell first time I ever got to third base was in the parking garage with a new Candlebox cd in my opposite hand.
Good fucking times indeed.
went here so much during high school days. it wasn't ever that busy even 20 years ago.
So sad. I always rooted for Crestwood. It was a nice mall, especially in the 80s and always packed, even into summer 2000. I remember going there with my brothers the day after Christmas 1987. We circled the parking lot for a solid hour. The West County remodel really killed it. Too many malls too close together with basically the same stores. My favorite malls were: The Galleria before it expanded in 1991, Plaza Frontenac and St Louis Centre pre-90s. Great job! This series is going to be epic!
Your channel is extremely underrated
Can't wait for the next video
I grew up going there as a small kid and teenager to play at Exhilorama in the early 90s great times :)
A huge factor that sealed the mall's fate, among a storm of factors, was the deterioration of the buildings, and how difficult it would've been to properly fix any of it. The parking garage's settling problem began during construction in 1966, requiring emergency changes to the design, and never stopped. In 2010, an engineer assessed it, and promptly the Dillard's space was taken off the market. The sewer serving the original wing had collapsed, but the 80s expansion was in the way of repair. A complete rebuild at some point would've kept the mall serviceable to this day, but more importantly, would've allowed Westfield to give tenants the 25+ year lease renewals they wanted in the early 2000s. Sales tax revenue was either up or stable each year until 2004, and 2005 showed a concerning drop. There were accusations at the time that Westfield was trying to sabotage the mall for the sake of South County Center, but more realistically, Westfield knew the mall wasn't going to be a usable facility in 20 years and didn't have the stomach to rebuild a mall that wasn't on an interstate, especially sandwiched between two they had already invested heavily in.
Very well said. I completely agree. If I were one of those developers, I would have torn down all the expansions (Dillards and the ‘84 enclosure) back to the original strip, and redeveloped it into a new, open-air “power center.”
I love the old photos where you can see the old names of the stores, and sometimes (like with Sears) their logos and signage through the years. So many stores whose names we have forgotten, if not for seeing them in the photographs and in old movies.
This is criminally underrated!! Amazing video! 😊
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it!
I remember this mall. Had a great arcade back in the day
This was my family's main mall. We spent so much time there, especially at Exhilerama. I was a tween and teen mall rat here. Worked at Sears in and just out of highschool and AMC in college. Got to see the decline in real time.
The biggest problem for tenants was repairs. When Westfield bought it the rule for sure became all renters were responsible for all repairs to their units. Then Westfield stopped maintaining the buildings and cut staff for maintenance and janitorial. So the building was falling apart.
That means even if tenants repaired and kept up their stores the damage all around the stores would creep in again and again. It was frustrating, gross, and unsafe. The salon I went to when I worked there had plumbing sewage problems.
AMC had that more so with the smell in the bathroom sinks than back ups. Our biggest issues were heating and cooling. The company would put in $6,000-$10,000 to fix one theater room or two and it would last about a season AT BEST. It was advised against doing a full replacement because the building itself couldn't handle it. AMC was also losing thousands to tens of thousands a day even on our busy days.
Even the stores that still had a decent steady customer base had to pull out because of the repair issues. The artists, antique stores, and theater that came it the last years I worked there in 2010-2012 revamped it and gave it new life in such a cool way but it was still very much a dead mall with parts closed off entirely and permanently.
I learned with this mall it is possible to miss a place that doesn't and never will exist again so deeply you grieve.
Awesome Video Production 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you, my brother. I really appreciate the help.
Excellent job! Very informative. This was my mall. Watching it's demise unfold was very sad. I have many special memories still. Always will.
Yes
I'm a 3rd gen of st louis. It's so sad to see these locations fall. There's so much history to my life that happened here. James Town, river roads and northland too. Too bad drugs and gangs too over. Even my family had to flee after 150 years.
Great work on this! I agree Crestwood Mall peaked in the mid 90s, I lived closer to South County Mall as a teen but would pass right by it to go to the much better Crestwood. West County Mall was sad and tiny before the massive expansion so really only the Galleria had any additional draw at the time. Exilarama was excellent for the first few years.
I think the Famous-Barr/Macy's suffered by being so far away at the end of the mall. Most people parked on the opposite side with the multi level garages and probably never walked all the way to the Macy's end.
I was glad I got to go to the mall farewell party in the parking lot before demolition and get a few pictures of the perimeter. Big turnout to eat from the food trucks and swap tales.
All very true. Well said.
I didn’t find out about the Crestwood farewell until after it happened. They said nothing about it. I’m still furious. It was a typical moment for living in St Louis, missing a big moment like that. Was last in the mall when it closed in 2013.
But, in making this video, I got the last word.
I was lucky I found out about the farewell party. It was so miserable hot and crowded and the food trucks ran out not expecting such a show up. It didn't matter. It was a good time and I am glad I went.
I remember going here in the late 90's and early 00's. It was still a happening place, as was Northwest Plaza back then. Those 2 places sure went to crap quick. Northwest Plaza closed due to high crime driving away shoppers.
This is great love this video keep it up.
Excellent video! Looking forward to more from this series.
I loved goin' to Crestwood as a kid. The multiple entry points from the garage. Getting to come up the escalator and see KB Toys RIGHT THERE with new Genesis games on display. Down the hallway to the right you head out of the original structure into the more modern building. There was a Claire's in there, then go 'round that zigzag into the main area of the mall. There was like, a downstairs gym with a Gloria Jean's to the right. Then a bit further was the Pasta House and the metalwork clock. Man. I could redraw that whole floorplan from memories. I'll always be a little sad they never did anything with that ol' mall's shell. Excellent video :)
So many of the same memories.
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Just joined your membership program! I'm excited to see more projects from you man. This video was incredible btw.
So happy to hear that!! Welcome to the club!!!
I just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love this channel. I remember a few of the stores you've covered like Ames and Service Merchandise. I grew up in Massachusetts so obviously Ames was prominent there, and I was young when it closed (6 years old) but I remember seeing the store on highway drives and being in it once or twice. Same with Service which I used to go into at malls. It brings me back to very early childhood seeing those places. Even Sam Goody way back when!
Thanks so much! Glad it’s brought back some good memories.
I went to a few of the malls in the St. Louis area in the late 80s and early 90s and it was pretty awesome, but people used to tell me that they over expanded the malls to the point where they totally oversaturated the suburban landscape and now only about 2 of those malls are decent along with Union Station and that's about it, the rest of them have either failed entirely and are closed or gone or are about to close soon.
Yep. STL Mills, West County part 2, Chesterfield part 2 all happened right at the decline. While Crestwood was home mall, the others felt like OOOO day trip before we could and were used to driving ourselves. Mills was so cool and you could see if from an airplane really easily. The only one doing well is West County. They didn't learn from this and built 2 "outlet but not really just outdoors" malls super close to one another in Chesterfield.
While they are cool they don't offer much of anything that other malls don't already. Ambiance and atmosphere pre pandemic when nice out and all the carts and fun stuff is up and running, maybe.
Very good documentary. Nice to see a picture of mine used in your doc. (at 1:08) Really, I'm happy to see it in there! Good job.
Thank you! Great picture. Hope you don’t mind my using it. It wasn’t credited. I’ll add you in the description.
I don't mind. It's perfectly alright.@@PostMortar
Spot on on the reasons Crestwood failed
1. Didn’t sit off the interstate like the other malls in the area
2. Sandwiched in between 2 bigger and more popular malls.
One other reason was that the city of crestwood itself was getting older. When Crestwood opened many of the citizens of Crestwood were young families. Typically as the families got bigger they would move to a bigger house but many families stayed in Crestwood so as they got older areas like South and West county got younger. Malls are geared towards younger audiences so Crestwood was always going to draw less as their residents grew older
Great points. Also, something I didn’t mention is how Crestwood was in a commercial slump at the time. It was amazing that the Kohl’s opened. The area still hasn’t recovered.
i remember watching X-Men: The Last Stand there. good times
The footage selection and procurement is so on point as always.. Awesome
It really was. One day I will find the Ultra Mall commercial.
Great job! It would be interesting if you'd do something similar for Stratford Square in Bloomingdale IL.
This was great! Very interesting and informative. Professionally executed. Wishing you great success with this series.
Commenting for the algo. Great work as always.
Where did you find these great photos of South County Center? Takes me back to when I was a kid and now I want to see more. Great channel, very well done!
I got them from the Missouri History Museum archives. Thanks so much!! Next mall is St. Louis Centre.
@@PostMortar Thanks!
All right! Thank you Post Mortar. Awesome script. : )
That's pretty incredible Walgreens hasn't really changed their logo since the opening of this Mall.
Aside: Tri County Mall, Springdale, OH (Cincinnati), was not originally enclosed but it gained a roof.
At this time, the mall is closed but is being redeveloped as a magnet & career school; luxury apartments, small retail, and a community center are in the works itself.
Yeah, it’s pretty funny. They’ve been going without the “Drug” part since before the plaza opened, which is funny to think.
Here's an update on the old Northland Mall in Southfield,Michigan and the update:
After when the Old Northland Mall was demolished. A apartment building is being built. There will be Restaurants and Retail Stores. The Old Hudson's Department Store is going to be Hudson's City Market. There is no plans for the J.C.PENNEY Building yet.
Here's an update on the old Eastland Mall in Harper Woods,Michigan. Here's the update:
After when the old Eastland Mall in Harper Woods,Michigan and the update:
After when Old Eastland Mall was demolished and a Class A Warehouse is being built and a Distribution Center is also being built.
And I have news about Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights,Michigan. After when the Sear's Store Closed Permanently and left abandoned. Just about a handful of stores are left in the Lakeside Mall and the only 2 anchor stores are left in the Lakeside Mall and they are:
1. J.C.PENNEY and 2. Macy's Department Stores. The J.C.PENNEY and Macy's Department Stores will remain at Lakeside Mall. The City of Sterling Heights is going to buy the Lakeside Mall and demolish the Lakeside Mall and the Sear's Store. Then J.C.PENNEY and Macy's will be remodeled and remain as stand alone stores. When they get done demolishing the Lakeside Mall and Sear's Store and the old Lakeside Mall and the old Sear's Store will be open a open air shopping center and restaurants. And a Park will be alongside the shopping center. Lakeside Mall is to be demolished at the end of 2024.
This is the very latest news I've found out about the old Eastland and Northland Malls and including the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights,Michigan.
I can't wait to see your next video.
Awesome! Thanks for the updates. I’m sure those malls make it into an episode someday.
Childhood me 1999-2008 says:
Chevys (so I can watch the dough machine) -> Carousel -> Candy Store in that order. If you do these things, I might tolerate you shopping without complaining but idk...
Gonna do more malls? I saw Crestwood Plaza a couple of times before its fall.
I plan to do St. Louis Centre next. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
I always had a soft spot for this place and Northwest Plaza! If you’re from the St. Louis region, you would understand! Unfortunately, both malls had no chance to survive much longer after the 2000s. There were much larger malls at better locations nearby showing up.
I remember going back to northwest Plaza after I left STL. It was a mess. Then to Crestwood Plaza and it was pretty much the same.
In this day of age, I never shop at a mall. My kids would never think of going to one either.
Westfield didn't not keep their malls up. They blighted them.
That mall is like many others I have seen in the US. You can see the slow death of them over the years.
Thing is, the City of Crestwood was flush with cash due to the tax base from that mall. Thus screwed over a number of small businesses across the street and forced them to sell (i.e. the Drive-In). Then when those things failed (because Crestwood was going downhill) they all of a sudden wanted someone to do something. With no money, they went into panic mode and were wanting those small businesses to come back. What made it worse, the big and small businesses moved down the Street to Sunset Hills.
man that saucer-like cap structure was really a thing in St Louis malls. What was up with that?
It was the iconic Famous-Barr rotunda. Classic. I believe they only did it at South County, Northwest Plaza, the original West County, St. Clair Square, and Plaza Frontenac. There were a couple others like it if I remember correctly.
@@PostMortar I haven't been in a while, I wonder if it still exists anywhere. St Clair maybe? *checks google maps* I was right, it does!
It’s still at every location except West County.
Missouri’s largest home builder McBride homes is a company that sucks. They are doing the same thing that every major homebuilder in Florida and Texas are now doing. They are slamming houses side-by-side. I feel sorry for anybody in the future reading this that’s going to buy a lot in that area. You should never buy from McBride and sons homes.
I agree. It made me really sad to see they ended up getting the land.
McBride has been shitty for a while.just get them done and make money.quality sucks
In DOOR ai voice
I don’t understand lol Could you rephrase that?
Interesting how malls in the 50-80s all copied each other in design and style across the country.
This mall looked just like so many malls I have been in.
Crime, and the Internet have doomed malls in every state.
That mid-modern design was so iconic.
Very true.
Too bad public transportation ruined it.
If Route 66 was still used, or perhaps I-44 went thru town (like Route 141 in Manchester, MO) it would have helped. But you can look at the Highlands shopping center for proof of how that may have turned out. Very similar. It’s dead/dying too.
Very good video! I enjoyed watching this at The Wrap! Keep up the good work man. Let's collaborate sometime!
Thanks man! So glad you enjoyed it. I’m down.