Hawthorne Plaza | A Dead Mall & the Future of American Commerce
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- Join Tom as he explores the Hawthorne Plaza; a mall that closed over 15 years but remains standing as a post modern cathedral to failed commerce.
Intro music - "City Bound" by My Little Red Toe
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My very first job as a teenager was in this mall, the store was Chess King men's clothing store.
+trainman3970 What year was that?
+Richie Bustamante I used to shop at "Chess King" in the late 70's. 1977-1979. Maybe they went out of business in the early 80's? I lived in NYC though.
I remember Chess King! That's cool you worked there. Remember "Merry Go Round?" And the Cookie Company? The good old days!
That’s cool. My parents bought their first brand new washer and dryer set from a store inside the Hawthorne Plaza mall in the late 80s.
Whoever directed this deserves an award. Amazing video.
Exact what I thought! Great video, I live around Hawthorne and always wondered what the Hawthorne plaza was! It's interesting to see abandoned places yet also creepy
I live about 10 minutes away from the mall and it brought back all these memories of going there to play arcades, and going there with mom. Almost made me shed a tear. Thanks for the video.
Round table pizza was near the arcade.
That mall in the opening commercial is not Hawthorne Plaza. That's Foxhills Mall, which is about 20 minutes away from Hawthorne Plaza. In the back, there's a stone garden and a red structure that was a miniature maze. The red structure has since been torn down when the mall was re innovated and renamed "The Westfield Culver City".
If you want to see Hawthorne Plaza, they used it shortly after it closed for the Tom Cruise film "Minority Report".
You obviously only been to LA once, or you simply don't know the layout of your own city. That green mall was the the Hawthorne Mall. The Westfield Fox Hills Mall is waaaay in culver city and doesn't look like a run down piece of shit.
"That mall in the opening commercial"
reading comprehension yo
You are correct. I noticed the same thing. The red maze like stair case was a feature of the old Fox Hills Mall in Culver City. It is a quick image at 4:27 of the video.
The red maze thing was especially cool at Christmas with the decorations and Santa's sleigh at the top. Man I miss that place.
You are 100% correct.
Went here a couple of days ago. Quite an interesting scene. Explored the area and snapped a couple of pics until I was caught by security. The guard was really laid back and gave me a in depth tour of the place and allowed me to take more pics. Would return to
Nice.👍
I worked at four different stores, for three different companies in this mall.I managed two of the stores. I was there when it was booming, our store was the highest volume in the district, beating DelAmo, and I worked there when it was so empty they let anybody have a store front to keep the occupancy above 50% (lower would forgive remaining leases). I've had the chance to meet some of the best people I have known working at this mall.
I use to love going to Hawthorne Plaza, play some games in the arcade and get some pizza and go see the movies over at the Hawthorne 6 theaters. I didn't realize any part of the main mall had been used since it shut down after the L.A. riots in 1992.
Really well put-together production. You are a talented filmmaker. Massive potential.
Ditto on that one. Heed what Holtz says.
+Robert J. Holtz agree
The only memory I have of this mall is eating a burger with my dad on a rainy day. It was 1993 and I was 11 years old.
I was in this mall the very day it opened in 1977. I used to have a "Hawthorne Plaza" t-shirt and a frisbee I got for free on that day. I spent a LOT of time in that mall from when it opened until about 1980, when my family moved away. I had to pass it on my way to high school, and I would go in on my way home. I usually spent my lunch money at stores in there: buying books from the B. Dalton bookstore, or records/tapes from the Wherehouse store, or at the KB Toys... I also spent some time watching movies in the theater that was a separate building at the south end, but is now gone. I returned to the area by 1984, and the wear and tear were already showing. I remember that the Broadway, for example, was carpeted -- and the carpeting stunk of mildew for whatever reason. A lot of the original stores were gone, and some of them hadn't been replaced by anything. I would say that within 10 years of its grand opening, it was already turning into a "discount" mall that wasn't really worth venturing into. I think there'd been two shootings there by that time, and I also knew a security guard who worked at the Broadway store and told me some pretty disturbing stories. Nevertheless, I find it sad that this place never recovered and had such a short life. It was a significant part of my youth. Some of the images in this video show malls with 1950s cars in them, but that was never the case with the Hawthorne Plaza -- it wasn't that old, and it didn't live long enough to get old, either, for that matter. I can still see bits and pieces of it in my mind, where things were, and even remember a lot of what I bought in it. But those memories are as full of holes now as the building appears to be.
Nice story! I'm always curious with this mall and wonder what it used to look like,I have question! Are the images on Google about Hawthorne mall plaza really it? Did it look like that?
the world needs more toms!!! every big city needs a tom. a tom in new york. a tom in paris. a tom in london. a tom in tokyo.......
Lived in Hawthorne '63-'80... I remember them building it... Only 2 blocks from my mom's apartment.
But I honestly don't remember ever going in there... Unlike Fox Hills which, like others here, I had no problem recognising.
Oh BTW, they were already acquiring the land for that mall back in 72. Whether the people who were already there cared to move or not.
The best urban explorer / abandoned mall video I've seen so far. I love the story telling, the video editing, and the music. Great video, thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
+Robert Pataki Ur hot
Man has it been gutted I remember when there were stores everywhere. Thanks Tom I always wondered what it looked like inside.
Oh btw this video has stood the test of time and is still the best video you can find on the web about the Hawthorne Mall and it’s history.
hey, thanks!
As Bitter sweet memories. I hate to see it like that. I worked at MG ward. When I was a teen. The arcade at the mall took all lunch my money. There was a statue that was molded with the faces of greatness that stood in the walk way. I was amazed at that one piece of art. Tom Thanks For taking me back.
I got my first credit card from that Montgomery Ward :)
I use to go to this mall in the 90's. My aunt worked in the dental office there.
My three fav stores were The Wild Pair, Judy's and Foxmoor.
This video reminds me of a "ghetto adventure" version of Huel Howser.
As pointed out previously, the Kinney Shoes commercial with Ken Berry was shot at Fox Hills Mall in Culver City. Now called Westfield Culver City.
So many memories
.i remember eating at the Taco Bell and Carls Jrs.
Playing arcades
Buying my first Nintendo at Kaybee Toy Store!
Cashing my paycheck at the BofA and spending most of it at the Gap.
Those were the glory days!!!
The sad last days in 1998 were buying clothing on sale bcoz of the soon to be shutdown.
I kept going to the very end. And even once closed And now 2021 I live in San Diego and visit my hometown every other month I love seeing a relic of the past! Hawthorne forever in my heart!
They just renovated the Del Amo Mall again and despite that it is substantially bigger it markets exclusively to women as there is not a single electronics store in it, lot of shoe and dress shop though.
This Kinney Shoes commercial was shot in the Fox Hills Mall in Culver City and not in Hawthorne Plaza.
Yup. Thanks for pointing that out.
Late 80's my cousins and I would frequent this Mall. We would go to the Movie Theater. I believe it was on the first floor. We would also go to the Arcade. Good memories.
I lived close to there 1978-80. This was a great mall. I'm surprised it's gone.
My parents bought their living room rug there (at Montgomery Ward)... it's still in the living room. I thought there were plans to make Hawthorne Mall into a high school.
I saw the opening of the movie Friday there and it was amazing.
I worked in the Montgomery Ward store at the far South end. Lots of great memories of the place, and I made some wonderful friends. Eastern Eatin' was a favorite sandwich shop there, and I hung out with the owners quite a bit in those days.
I couldn't handle how long this one was
I went BTS shopping here at JCP/Miller's Outpost/MGWard in the early 80's and saw Smokey and the Bandit and Song of the South in the movie theaters. I always wanted to skate or bike the parking structure!
Awesome video man, truly amazing!
Wow. I used to work in that mall. thanks for this.
You guys did a really terrific job with this video. Bravo. That was so enjoyable
I love your episodes ^°^ it's not your typical show where some person chooses famous spots to go to, it's the kind of show where you get to explore out of the box and not your typical norm. Keep up the good work Tom and crew
Yep. This team is going places. Trust me on that one.
This mall was so fun when I was a youngster, good times. The movie theater in the back was lit too. Mall security was extra'd out tho lol They would kick us out for anything, which made it even more fun. This is definitely one of my favorite old school malls. Thanx for sharing.
As a child.. I hung out at that mall.....my first cassette tape was from Sam goody...my first shoes were from Kenny shoes
This is my favorite episode yet. There's something very eerie about the juxtaposition between the optimistic adverts that helped prop this mall up in its heyday and the quiet desperation of its present day emptiness. Great episode, dudes. Keep it up!
Serious memories. Thank you
Nicely produced! I was expecting the usual immature urbex video, but was pleasantly surprised by the mature take and historical information. I've subbed, so I'll have to check out more of your videos.
my dad and uncle had stores in this mall. everyday after school my mom would take me to see them at work.
Absolutely fascinating Tom!
I used to work in this mall, during my senior year in high school.....sad.
Awesome video ! Keep up the great work !!
Love the show! Such a cool way to learn about LA's past.
Very Cool. I look forward to the next episode..
great editing and video! props to you mister
great documentary, great research.....well done tom !
Very cool! Thank you
loving the show guys keep it up
This was an amazing video man!!
Awesome! I've been meaning to explore this place.
Nice episode..keep it up!
This could easily make an interesting and engaging tv show.
awesome footage!
Thanks Tom!!
I vividly remember that Kinney Shoe commercial
I remember we would ride our bikes to this mall when it opened in '77. We spent hours playing in the arcade. We also spent a lot of time at the movie theater. This was a fun place to back in the day. I think we grew out of it by '79 because we went there so much. Plus other areas like Fox Hills Mall and Del Amo Fashion was more chic and twice as big. Those malls made Hawthorne mall look like a swap meet.
Great memories of the mall. Nothing like Holiday shopping at the Hawthorne Plaza.
Thank you.❤
Cool video man! Love the footage from before.
We used to uave The Broadway here in AZ as well. Out of the stores built in the Phoenix area, only two locations come to mind that are still standing: downtown (probably an office building now) and Biltmore (operates as Macy's). Los Arcos was demolished when that mall died. Fiesta was reolaced by a Best Buy with Dick's Sporting Goods stacked on top of it (both closed last year). Christown was demolished long ago for a Wal-Mart. The old Metrocentet store was knocked down to build a Wal-Mart. A lost chain!
Very cool guys. I look forward to each episode. Since you guys skate maybe you could check out where Del Mar and Upland skate parks used to be. Thanks again. : )
Terrific subject. My first episode. Looking forward to seeing more..
Good video. Thanks.
Hi Tom great video. We just wondering what was the music that you used during the old footage of the mall? Started around 3:50. Keep up the great work :-)
More brick and mortars will take this route in the near future...The web continues to take retail dollars...I grew up in the Valley and hung at TP (Topanga Plaza)...Today many young people have never been to a mall...Never...Great job on the vid!
I love my Hawthorne.
I use to go to this mall when I was younger with my cousin so many memories sad to see it this way
My first job 20 plus years ago was at the JC Penney's in the Hawthorne Plaza. It was sad-ish then. Now. Wow.
I hate how the owner of the property (Arman Gabay) breaks his promise of redeveloping the property. We were going to see a new center in its place in 2016 (known as Magnitude LAX), but his bribery schemes was what caused the property to still languish 20+ years after it closed. The City of Hawthorne wants the owner to do something about the property, otherwise it will be too expensive to redevelop.
Wow. Was just in Hawthorne last weekend
Keep up the good work.
Who the hell is down-voting these videos?
Dope video dude..
Cool episode, but that commercial was filmed at Fox Hills Mall.
Cool I live 10 minutes from there on prairie ave and I've been living in Hawthorne for 6 years, I pass it everyday and I always wondered what it looked like inside so thanks :D
PS I hate living here lol it looked like it was way better back in the days Now it's just dirty and ghetto here, its getting worse everyday.
I used too stay on Hawthorne blvd down Broadway on Gale
So glad I found you! Love the research you've done along with your exploration. There's an abandoned hospital/rehabilitation center in Downey, CA love to see a story on it in the near future.
Claudia Figueroa sounds really cool for photos do you have a name or address to share?
I don't have the exact address but it is on 7900 block of Consuelo St (off of Paramount Blvd). It's kinda hidden and well guarded nowadays.. if you need any other details let me know and I will try to help. :)
Claudia Figueroa it's behind the court on imperial hwy
The one that is behind the court is the new facility and the one that I'm referring to is the old hospital which was founded back in 1888 and abandoned sometime in 1980. It is located right behind a high school named St. Pius.
is it called downey care center? thanks for the update btw!
You guys really know how to set the mood. Check out West World though. They use this as the ' unused facilities '.
it's so hard to go in there now.
Love that the old Broadway sign was still there. I wonder if it still is.
sure is.
Got lucky going there today- there was a film crew there and they had all the doors opened up.
Amazing such a large abandoned space in the middle of cities. Has they demolish the Plaza yet? Thx
I remember going in there as a child and taking photos in a photo booth.
That opening was very Music Man-esque
2017 update, tried to go in, went at almost midnight, there were flashlights moving in parts of the mall, and we saw a car in the middle of the mall just sitting there on with someone in it. We managed to find a hole in the wall but It was too small for me to fit, my other friend who is smaller fit inside the hole and after only being inside for 10 seconds a mysterious person shines a flashlight at him and we booked it, not sure if it was security cause whoever it was didnt say a word and my friend didnt get a good look at them. Probably more security during the day but itd be way easier to see things and you wouldnt need flashlights
a couple years back,I left my friends house who lives in Hawthorne at like 6am,riding around I stumbled into this mall,and locked up my bike nearby and said fuck it,I'm sneaking in this place,and wow it was amazing,and super easy to get into also,I spent the whole morning inside that empty and barren place,the escalator steps all covered in graffiti...it was a fun experience
This was a nice Mall, it was modern and visually attractive.
Unfortunately stores with excessive overhead costs are unable to compete with online businesses, Security was another issue, eventually they had to open a Police Substation in this Mall.
I worked Catty Corner on120th & Hawthorne Blvd. 1978-84, Security could be seen chasing Shoplifters out of the Mall, across the street and even subduing them on our property.
No Way this will ever reopen... that is a shame.
Failed malls have a sad feel. Is that footage of the actual Hawthorne plaza in its heyday?
This mall is walking distance from me. Its been closed ever since I can remember , hopefully we'll be able to open it again one day.
Does anyone know the name of the documentary(ies) on minute 2:05 to 2:30 ?
i visited it recently. it's boarded everywhere. I found an entrance in the lowest level of the parking lot up the escalator. Got caught. it's probably boarded up now
USED to work at DOuglas AIrcraft in the late 80s-
Many music videos have been filmed there. Taylor Swift,Beyoncé & Travis Scott I think teen wolf as well has been filmed in there
There’s me 0:11as a kid
Awesome video ♡ also, stream black swan by BTS
How does one get in
Maps, please?
Requiem for a Dream soundtrack spotted
My crib was bought here :(
lol i think they did a scene from TeenWolf here lol
Where I got my new school clothes every year. :(