currently employed at a store in the west oaks mall and i can say in the 3 months since you've uploaded this video not a single thing has changed. a few stores have left and even fewer have taken their place, the only action this mall sees is when a new triple A movie comes out and we see a small jump in customers who are just mall walking to pass time before their movie starts. the mall isn't necessarily dangerous, all of the troublemakers are just younger teens filled with confidence because their friends are around, causing more annoyance than harm. i dont see it staying open for much longer
Thanks for the update! I’m not sure I see it closing because of the DMV etc. being in there, but I do think it’ll keep haemorrhaging stores - some serious action is definitely needed (beyond relying on new movie releases!) to get it back into good shape.
I LOVE DAN!! Oh man I think he and Jake deserve so much praise for their content… it was so good to see him back, and what he’s coming back with! I think a shift we’re seeing is a rise in security to offset the “dead mall” image, as if they’re trying to fake this mall is a safe place to be. It has some of the most interesting architectural design choices, but nothing inside is convincing “come shop here”, as all the shops seem very local merchant. I don’t know how long the mall will be able to afford security as brands close their doors.
Hell yeah. Honestly, however folks feel about him, I really believe that there would be no dead mall scene without DB. I think you make a good point about the security thing too; it's a vicious cycle, right? A mall gets more security when there's trouble there, but at the same time that troubled reputation deters people from going there...and it becomes harder for the mall to afford/justify security.
@@DeadMallWalking it’s so common in the California Malls. And then the security itself doesn’t do much… they’re just paid eyes. Nothing more nothing less.
When I was growing up, this was the "rich people" mall servicing Windermere, not too far away. Unfortunately between Millennia opening, the 2008 economic collapse, and Winter Garden village opening, the wealthier Windermere residents went to there, leaving West Oaks mall attracting businesses and residents from the neighboring very dangerous Pine Hills neighborhood.
@@DeadMallWalking That entire area did. The 2008 collapse hit it hard. Ironically I went to Winter Garden village last week, and I got West Oaks Mall in 2008 vibes.
I think it has to do with the concept of a mall, being all air conditioned, was a great place to get out of the san Antonia heat. Now its not a really good selling point
The flying hats...I was there for a long time. I never asked anyone about that, but those paintings have been there since the mall first opened. My best guess is its a celebratory painting. I don't know why anyone would throw a champagne bottle, but that can be associated with celebration also.
i used to come here a lot in 2011-2013, i saw Riddick here and i preordered Tales of Xillia and KH 1.5 at the game-stop here. there used to be a great Jamaican restaurant here.
Long live chane!
currently employed at a store in the west oaks mall and i can say in the 3 months since you've uploaded this video not a single thing has changed. a few stores have left and even fewer have taken their place, the only action this mall sees is when a new triple A movie comes out and we see a small jump in customers who are just mall walking to pass time before their movie starts. the mall isn't necessarily dangerous, all of the troublemakers are just younger teens filled with confidence because their friends are around, causing more annoyance than harm. i dont see it staying open for much longer
Thanks for the update! I’m not sure I see it closing because of the DMV etc. being in there, but I do think it’ll keep haemorrhaging stores - some serious action is definitely needed (beyond relying on new movie releases!) to get it back into good shape.
Man Youre really breaking memories in my head that bring me to tears. Orlando Fl was a good place to me as a child
Definitely has that stopover vacation vibe to it, I really like that vintage bath and body works
Definitely! Lots of skylights and, as Dan Bell noted, places to sit down. Oh, and we ALL love that vintage B&BW 😌
I LOVE DAN!! Oh man I think he and Jake deserve so much praise for their content… it was so good to see him back, and what he’s coming back with!
I think a shift we’re seeing is a rise in security to offset the “dead mall” image, as if they’re trying to fake this mall is a safe place to be. It has some of the most interesting architectural design choices, but nothing inside is convincing “come shop here”, as all the shops seem very local merchant. I don’t know how long the mall will be able to afford security as brands close their doors.
Hell yeah. Honestly, however folks feel about him, I really believe that there would be no dead mall scene without DB. I think you make a good point about the security thing too; it's a vicious cycle, right? A mall gets more security when there's trouble there, but at the same time that troubled reputation deters people from going there...and it becomes harder for the mall to afford/justify security.
@@DeadMallWalking it’s so common in the California Malls. And then the security itself doesn’t do much… they’re just paid eyes. Nothing more nothing less.
Something really nostalgic about the shot at 9:49. Really like the lighting and layout here.
I received head in the parking lot of this mall.
How was it? (Favourite comment I’ve ever received on this channel btw)
@@DeadMallWalking Good. Never saw him again.
When I was growing up, this was the "rich people" mall servicing Windermere, not too far away. Unfortunately between Millennia opening, the 2008 economic collapse, and Winter Garden village opening, the wealthier Windermere residents went to there, leaving West Oaks mall attracting businesses and residents from the neighboring very dangerous Pine Hills neighborhood.
Yeah, it definitely doesn't feel like the "rich people mall" anymore, which is a shame because I feel like it has a ton of potential!
@@DeadMallWalking That entire area did. The 2008 collapse hit it hard.
Ironically I went to Winter Garden village last week, and I got West Oaks Mall in 2008 vibes.
Very excited for this.
Appreciate that! Not to build the hype, but this is one of my favourite videos I’ve made so far 🙂
If you ever visit San Antonio, Texas. Let us check out a mall, champ. Plenty of dying and regular malls here.
I think it has to do with the concept of a mall, being all air conditioned, was a great place to get out of the san Antonia heat. Now its not a really good selling point
For sure! Hoping to get out there in the next year or two, I’ll be sure to hit you up if/when I make it 🙌🏻
@@DeadMallWalking Fantastic bud. Come on around, I'll get you a burger 👍
I live by this mall! Once I bought a Pepsi from the vending machine and it was 2 years expired lol
Great video!
Thanks, much appreciated! 🙂
The tax collector used to be a very large Old Navy
The flying hats...I was there for a long time. I never asked anyone about that, but those paintings have been there since the mall first opened. My best guess is its a celebratory painting. I don't know why anyone would throw a champagne bottle, but that can be associated with celebration also.
RIP Ange, you would have loved Chane 🥹
😂😂
The only reason to go to this mall is to dispute charges on your Sunpass account...since their office is right outside of it
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
i used to come here a lot in 2011-2013, i saw Riddick here and i preordered Tales of Xillia and KH 1.5 at the game-stop here. there used to be a great Jamaican restaurant here.
the ice cream shop was originally a Chick fil A. i ate there a number of times when i visited the mall.