When I was a teen, mom paid me my allowance in a roll of quarters. I could play video games at the arcade, buy McDonalds food, buy a new song at Sam Goody, and get back on the bus to go home. And I still had money left over. Those were the days!
I was born in 1980, I totally agree about wanting to return to a pre-internet world, malls were so much more then they are now. The nostalgia runs deep in alot of these places, and it can be so depressing to see places we enjoyed so much in our youth go by the wayside.
I myself was born in 1971, and in the 80's the malls had a magical appeal to them, most being at nearly full occupancy back then was a big draw for the youth of the era, from the arcade to the theatre and shops, and finally a great place to hang with friends and Girl/boy watch as alot of us did back then, nowadays the mall is a mere shadow of it's once previous glory, Just sad really
Back when we werent distracted by the internet and we actually interacted with people in the real world. I was born in 1991 but throughout the 90s and Early 2000s Malls were still a place to hang out and interact with people. even tho the internet was rising fast it was still just a certain feeling you got going to the mall with friends and family sometimes not even shopping but just walking around and eating food. I sound old now but it's true I missed not having a phone in my pocket everywhere I go.
I guess all generations look back at their childhoods with nostalgia and a sense that life was better "back then", but having grown up in the 80s, I feel strongly that there was a sense of optimism in the 80s and 90s that doesn't exist now.
Another great video. I'm recovering from having covid. I Hate almost everything today. If I had time machine I'd go back to the '80s. Stay safe and God bless 🙏
I graduated in 1983..I loved going to the arcade..the lights,the loud music, the sounds of the games.the food in the snack bar..beating my old high scores .winning a free game playing pinball..I miss it all and wish it could all come back again.
When I was a teenager in the 1980s, going to the mall was fun. They built a new mall around 1990 with a non-franchise dollar store in it, from the early days when dollar stores sold deadstock and overruns instead of just junk. Sold a pile of cassettes too. It was a treat to walk around and people-watch. Hit Spencer Gifts for the slightly icky joy of it. Later on mall shopping was just a chore. Now... I miss those 80s malls. That said, looking at the floors in this place it's just begging for roller skates or a skateboard crew.
I'm going to echo most of the sentiments posted here and completely agree with Ace. Born in 1974 and literally grew up in the 80s and miss it everyday. Even my kids are fascinated by it and I've said the exact same thing about technology. Things were better when we didn't have all of this "connectivity". I have said forever that the internet is not benign. It has a strong bend toward that which is dark and evil and the world was better off without it. I took my wife and kids to Boss Battle Games in Castleton Square Mall this past weekend and it was incredible. 10$ to play all day and they literally have ALL of the old school cabinet games we had as kids. Rastan, Karate Champion, Gauntlet just to name a few. My kids absolutely loved it and said it was way better then online gaming. I told my children to enjoy it and to really take a moment to soak in what is left of the American Mall because I am convinced their children will never see one. Is there any way to prevent the decline of these malls with the likes of Michael Kohan running amuck? How can we save them or is it too late? And Ace, I know you've done a ton of these videos and you may feel they get repetitive, but I assure you they are not. You sir, are a Chronicler, and what you do is vital to preserve these dying megaliths of American culture. Please keep up the great work and know you have thousands of people who truly appreciate all your hard work.
Couldn't agree more - I was 10 years old in 1983, and I don't know what got into society to go from where malls were back then to... whatever the heck this is, but it's not an improvement. The mall I grew up with isn't doing badly, but is unrecognizable on the inside in the worst possible ways now. They actually blocked off the skylights and walled half of the mall off, so it's all just terrible. Thanks for inspiring me to make a tribute video for my old school, by the way... I continue to appreciate what you do!
My husband and I are dead mall enthusiasts and this one is the closest to us - we both often went to this mall when we were younger. The fountain was always my favorite... Great video.
@@kennyp8071 I agree that the one in portage is on the decline. The Lansing mall is pretty dead - comparable to Lakeview Square. The 2 Jackson malls are dying/dead, too.
@@sarahc9731 wow that's crazy, didn't that about Lansing I know they had two when I lived in Michigan. ive never been to the ones Jackson passed that one up on the way to Ann Arbor and Detroit area a lot. Some of the ones in the Detroit area are my favorite in the state especially great lakes crossing.
People don't realize that part of any experience is the anticipation. Like waiting each week for a new show episode, vs just having all up front. It is the generation of lost anticipation.
I was born in 1980, and I remember visiting this mall to go to the arcade or the music store in the early 90s. This is heartbreaking. I explained to my son about malls and arcades… and he said that you can do these things on your phone… it’s not the same. You’re right… the social aspect to life is more important than people realize. Thank you for making this.
I was born in 83' too and my sister was 9 years older then I. So the mall was the local hangout. It was a good time. I tell my kids about it all the time. They just go "meh", and focus again on their tablet. I have to push them out the door to play outside. I lived outside. Bmx bikes and Santa Cruz skateboards were my source of fun. I wish we could go back to 94' or 95' and wake up every morning like Bill Murray on groundhogs day. Everything was good, nobody gave a damn about politics and the talker of the week was the new Seinfeld episode. That was just before the time all the malls were starting renovations and removing all the esthetically pleasing structures and character. The renovation on this mall took a welcoming, comfortable feel to a cold, heartless and empty soul.
I used to hang out at this mall. It's the same story as every other dead mall, just as Ace said. This mall was a cool place to go back in the day. Same goes for the Benton Harbor mall that Ace covered months ago. I miss these malls, but they are now dead. The story is the same in all of these cases. It sucks.
Great video. Love the commentary. I was 9 in 1983. All my fondest memories harken back to the mall. It seemed larger than life, so crowded etc. I looked at the Wikipedia page for this mall, this is the opening line, “Lakeview Square Mall is a terrible enclosed shopping mall serving the city of Battle Creek, Michigan.” I don’t know who wrote their Wiki entry but 😂
I was born in 1981. I remember the mall was the place to be growing up. The mall was always packed on the weekends and was the hang out spot. At the time we took it for granted. Looking back now I wish I would have appreciated it more.
I was a teen in Battle Creek when Lakeview Square Mall opened and it was a big deal. We had no mall before that, although nearby Kalamazoo had several. Opening was a huge deal, and I spent a lot of time there just hanging out. I left Battle Creek in the mid-late 80's and had been back to the mall last in the 90's, so seeing this video brought out a lot of feelings. I also miss the way it used to be there, so much bustle, interesting stores, the music store where you could listen to music and meet other kids, the arcade, bookstores, toy stores packed with video game consoles, on and on, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. Now to see it like this is...I don't know, crushing, heartbreaking, confusing, sad. Things change I know but things were so good back in the day and now we have this. I agree with you that our society has lost a lot of social, person to person interaction because of gadgets, smart devices etc and that is sad. Unfortunately I don't think we can go back, but who knows maybe all the online retailers will start taking advantage of cheap mall space and start filling up the malls, I'd go to the Amazon store at the mall, or the NewEgg store, or whatever. Probably not gonna happen but I like to be an optimist...anyways thanks for this video, brought back a lot of memories and emotions.
For me in my youth going to the malls was a real treat. We lived in Moberly, MO and the closest malls was in Columbia, Parkade Plaza (now mixed use), Biscayne Mall (demolished) and later Columbia Mall (still an active mall), but those are not the ones I'm talking about. It was Blue Ridge Mall, Independence Center, Bannister, Chesterfield, Mid-Rivers, and West County Center! The "Big City" malls we would visit once a year. I think of all these West County, Independence Center, and Mid-Rivers are still doing OK, the rest are ether gone or are on death's door. It's hard to think that these once very busy active malls are just shells of themselves now. Even the busy ones are not too busy. America has changed and like you said the smart phone is partially to blame. Also shopping habits have changed a lot. I'm buying more and more things online. I can't tell you the last time I've stepped into a mall. Wish I could go back to the early 80's again and visit Sears and Radio Shack and look at all the amazing things they had.
My son and I drove from Florida to upstate New York without GPS last summer...on purpose. We used maps and written directions. It was great. I long for the 80s and 90s when life was fun and we smiled and laughed and explored. Malls were awesome.
I'm much older than you my friend...I was a young man of 18 in 1980....what a wonderful decade to be a young person in. Like you, I miss the "anticipation" of a thing and the closeness that people seemed to have for one another.....the excitement of the day's adventure! Everything today is so "instantaneous".....always at our finger tips....to many distractions from what is important in life. Long live Saturday afternoons at the mall with good friends........
Such a contrast.. The ceiling and skylights are beautiful and then you look down and you see the cold, bland hard floors and interior, such a shame. Looks like a hospital indeed, great narrative there Ace!
I completely concur with your sentiments, Anthony. It was so different back in the day when things had so much more value, places had so much more character, and people valued things so much more than they do now. I watch your content because it takes me back to what I consider were better times. You and Sal are a real inspiration to me and so many others.
This has to be your best commentary!!! Excellent song choice.I was a teenager in the 80s and remember dressing "cute" to go to the mall. Most of the time, there would be so many people that there wasn't even room to rest on a plant pot😊. ETA my malls were Fairlane, Northland, Wonderland and Oakland
I’m slightly older, born in 73, but appreciate that things have to move on. I’ve embraced technology slowly as I’ve needed/wanted to, but the benefits to modern life are massive. Thinking back to pre internet days, if you wanted to learn something, you had to physically go to school, or library. Most trades were a closed shop to the novice. Now we can learn anything that we want to, whenever we want to, anywhere we want to, and source the equipment to make it happen in a heartbeat. I don’t think I would have been anywhere near as productive or creative if I had been born 10 years earlier. Yes, there is loads of rubbish and distractions to modern life but we get to make choices we never could previously. We just need to tighten the filter on what we allow ourselves to focus on to grasp the benefits.
My favourite mall memory was so 1999. I was rollerblading in the arcade wearing JNCO's and heard a commotion. It was Christina Aguilera during her genie in the bottle promotional tour performing at the centre of the mall under the clock tower. It was so rad. the mall had an installation cube of multiple CRT TVs hanging from the clock tower all the time rolling video. She was performed under those at the area where they set up the Santa stuff. Erin Mills Town Center in Mississauga, Ontario. It was our highschool lunch break spot, and I worked at Sunrise Records, and Bluenotes. They lost the arcade, tv cube, and clock tower as well as a bunch of other fun stuff like a movie theater and mini golf. Thanks for all the amazing videos and continued dedication!!
Technology is probably one of the biggest factors. The internet mostly. Like RUclips! Corporate greed also. Companies only do what benefits them. I'm an 80s baby also and these videos are ALWAYS a throwback to a different time. It's kinda sad for the most part. Love your videos.
I like your voiceover on these vids as you inject knowledge and feeling into it and the matching music of the day is just right !! And as you rightly say if people don’t like it then hit the mute button 👍 Big respect Ace 👌”
From the land where Malls are still thriving and more being built, you have a Crowded House track being the intro to a video about a dead Mall, regardless still one of my all time favourite bands!! Awesome vlog as always, keep 'em coming!
I know what you mean Anthony I miss the way things were back in the 80's and 90's with malls too miss it a lot. The way you do your videos with the music and everything takes me back to my teens I really enjoy that keep it up doing a great job.
I feel the same way too. It’s okay to have technology, but it’s starting to make us less human that we really need to go back to the way things were when we go out and be more sociable. I still miss going into malls.
Got to watch this video on a rare, kid free Saturday afternoon. I can not agree more on so many things you said here. I was born in 1978 and ao qish i could raise my kids it the time when we grew up. The instant access to everything because of the internet can be scary. The first video of yours i watched was of the Chautauqua Mall. It was amazing! We lived in Jamestown until i was 5 and went back often - still do - subs from Brigiottas and a stop at Ecklofs are a must. Thank you for what you do!
I miss when things had more value also! Tired of today’s world. The mid size towns that have smaller malls, they are now closing. Smaller cities with malls, same story. And large cities with large malls ..closing.. this was at one time a nice mall..
I like the commentary on your videos. I'm from Tulsa. I have worked in 3 malls in my 41 years working in retail. I was at Southroads mall when it was an indoor mall when I worked at Vandevers Department store from 1978 till 1982. I went to work at Dillard's at Woodland Hills for 37 years now. I was at our store at Eastland Mall and Promenade mall many times. I have seen the changes to each of these mall over the years and I agree with most everything you have said about all the updates over the years.
I agree 100% with you when it comes to that society needs to go back to the way it used to be. The next generation has absolutely no social skills. The malls helped our generation. Thank you Gold Mine arcade.
The last couple weeks I've been reminiscing about my youth (born in 1964), looking at photos, film clips on youtube, etc. This boomer misses "going downtown", as that was where all the retailers were. The youtube channel "Recollection Road" has numerous short videos of the retailers I remember. I had also been curious about what younger peeps would get nostalgic about, and I saw your video. Thanks for your perspective! As for Lakeview Square mall, I was working at the local Sears off site warehouse that supplied the downtown retail store in 1983. We started transferring goods to the mall store, with the storage area being the only finished part. The retail section of Sears, and 95% of the rest of the mall was still dirt! The owners of Lakeview Square destroyed the ambience by sterilizing the interior, as you mentioned. The fountain that was in center court, subsequently removed, I believe the water source may have been from the creek that was diverted to build the mall. Shopping habits change. Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the Amazon of the early 1900's. A person could buy a complete kit house from Sears, with optional features such as electricity & running water! The internet was an analog object called a catalog, internet access was via the United States Postal Service. EVERYTHING was shipped on trains, dropped at freight depots, then delivered by horse drawn wagon. Montgomery Ward was supposed to have been the first national catalog retailer, starting in 1872.
Holy crap, Ace came to my mall! Can't believe I missed this. I worked in this mall when it opened, at J Riggings (mens clothing), which was right in the middle of the mall. The stage in the middle was used frequently. We began working there a couple months before the mall opened, as stores prepped their interiors to for the opening day. Opening day was crazy. The parking lot is huge, and it was completely full that weekend. Before it was built, there was much talk about how they were going to pipe the creek on the land thru the mall. That plan fizzled, and they rerouted the swamp rather than putting the stream part of it inside. The interior had a lot of plants/trees, a lot of wood on the walls, mostly brown seating. The layout is plain, but the interior was well done, although it was stuck between two times: some areas looked more 70ish, and some 80ish (think Deb chrome entrance). I'd take either compared to the antiseptic look that followed. This was a nice mall, in a city that longed for it. Yes, online sales have spelled its doom. But the opening of a super Walmart kitty corner to it slowly began that decline, and a handful of mall stores couldn't make it. Considering that the mall sits on I-94, halfway between Chicago and Detroit, I'm surprised that Amazon hasn't turned it into a warehouse. This mall had a great heyday. I hope that the move of Horrocks to the old JCP location will help, but it seems like it's just a matter of time until it's final demise. Wish I'd known you were coming here. I'd have bought ya lunch!
I enjoy what you do, it means a lot to me. I don't live in the US anymore and to see your videos (and how you produce them) feels like my own personal modern art collection. I grew up in north Alabama and went to malls all over the Deep South. I remember when malls started to have less wooden elements, smaller areas of plants and greenery, and the big fountains and artistic structures were taken out. At first it felt modern and cool to have streamlined interior design cos it was something shiny and new, but then the inside of malls started to feel too similar to each other, there were no longer those unique, friendly, warm environments anymore. You nailed it when you said they're like the interior of hospitals, wow. Everytime I watch one of your videos I come away with something new to think about.
Loved your voice over/thoughts about the past, present and future. Definitely appreciate your take on things ans share a lot of your sentiments. Smart phones, the internet, and social media have done a lot of harm to our culture but like a Pandora’s Box being opened, there is no going back.
The video could be subtitled "The Lament of a 90s Kid". Unfortunately, the temptations of smart phones, Internet and social media is designed to be addictive by their nature. Things won't change until what we value as a society changes.
The decline of malls is just the tip of the iceberg. Society changes all the time. The nostalgia your work evokes in me is actually painful, it's so sad that we are losing this. But, people in the '80s were nostalgic for earlier times too.
Every time I go into that mall, it’s always a sad and eerie feeling. I wish it was still alive as it was back in the day. The mall age is dying unfortunately. Wonderfully made video though!
"I would give up technology to go back to the way things were..." Yep. Me too. In a heartbeat, no regrets. Couldn't agree more with your point of view. I was a 70s child and an 80s teen and I'd go back to that life in a heartbeat.
Im with you there ace. I was born in 83 and I say that every day. Why can't we go back to the way it was? I remember the days when we didn't have cell phones and had to remember all my friends phone numbers by heart and we talked on landlines. My god I wish we could go back to the simpler times when we just enjoyed hanging out.
I remember going here in the 90s when I was real young 1:08 is exactly how I remember it, always crowded and busy I miss that. I always loved going to the Lakeview square Mall
Technology is destroying life, grew up without this garbage fine. At 50, kid's now are being robbed of that experience. God will take care of this when His Son comes. God bless everyone.
This mall has a special meaning to me. First went here in 2016 and met up with a friend at the time and got pedicures together. We got some cool stuff from the FYE that was there. Went back last year not much left is there. I love the Barnes and Noble there and the Saku Japan is really good. Highly recommend their chicken teriyaki. Also it's interesting their food court is that, Bdubs, and Applebees. On a serious note being an essential worker last year watching mall videos kept me sane working on the frontlines of 2020. So I thank you, Sal, Unicomm, BI, DG, and others. I got a car in June and it motivated me to go out and check out malls myself.
I enjoy your videos i too miss the life/world how it was growing up. Born in 85 myself. IMO the failure of malls if i had to just sum it up to 3 things. Management,Market,Economy. I always say i wish i hit lotto because i would buy a smaller mall possibly and just section it with 80- early 2000s themed things etc i miss those days and i miss the people.
Excellent content again thanks Anthony for your time and efforts. I think you hit the nail right on the head. Back in the day you HAD to GO places to hear music and interact with others to hear the latest news and gossip. You also had a sense of adventure when going to the mall as you didn't see much of the world on TV or in the movies (speaking of movies you had to go places to see the latest movies). So the mall was a place of adventure and excitement. What will you see and hear at the mall? It was exciting. Now days its all on demand so there is much less excitement. A lot of what people see is right in their hand or pocket. I am an 80's Teen as well so I feel a sense of loss for that day and age. Cheers.
That Crowded House tune gets me every time. The 80's obviously weren't perfect, but we weren't all so jaded and angry about everything. Amazon didn't kill the mall, people glued to screens and not interacting in person did them in.
I agree with you. I was born in - 81. And I also want to add that life was a lot simpler back then. If you know, you understand what I mean. As always great content. I'd love to buy you a beer one day if I get over to the States. We could discuss this and remember. I could also give you a northern European perspective on all of this. Cheers from Sweden.
After I watched your video, I watched Steve Ronan’s video of Century III mall. OMG!!! You were right about it decaying daily!!! It made me want even more to see your video ASAP!!!
I’ve been feeling the loss of this era too. Just like last week I was reeling on how scary it is that I’m raising my daughter in this new world. Ironically I started feeling this way after taking my daughter to our mall, which has lost 2/4 of its anchors, and is dying even with an involved mgt group. Seems like even the trending culture is reaching hard for the 90s constantly referencing the look/sound of those times. There was nothing like being there cause that feeling is long gone. I was born in ‘85. Missing the pre-911 world!
I can't argue with anything you said. I am a few years old than you and I remember going to our mall with friends and having a ton of fun. I worked as a teen and I'd go to Sam Goody and get the newest tape, and then of course, cds. I'd wait, just like you said, for the song I wanted to come on the radio and I'd make mixed tapes. A comedian, Brad Upton, has a Dry Bar special on RUclips and he talks about kids and technology. He said, instead of being glued to cell phones, we'd run to the phone which was hanging on the wall. You never knew who was on the other end lol. Very funny. I see people glued to their phones and the world just goes by. I miss the world when I was younger.
In the mid eighties I remarked ad nauseum that there was no way that the market could support the wild build-out of retail space that went on for years. I say they had a pretty good run. It's just easier and cheaper to buy stuff online.
Long time BC native here, cool to see a video on the old place. Did not know about Tony Bennet performing at the grand opening. Still come here every so often. Has seen some more business lately since the Horrocks (local grocery store) opened last year in the old JC Penney. The NCG is my main movie theater, with their nice reclining seats. Funny story my older brother told me way back when they used to have a Spencers, my brother and his friends were in the naughtier section in the back and started to sword fight with penis Piñatas. They broke one of the piñatas, hid it away and calmly and gracefully got the hell out of there. They never got in trouble for it.
I for one like these videos and find them entertaining.lf there is ever a chance to meet you,l would certainly sit down and have coffee discussing on why malls are dying and some are thriving.l'm in Canada and it's happening here too.
Born in '79, spent my high school years as a mallrat watching our local mall die. I do miss the whole experience of going to and shopping at the malls during their hay days, and would love for that to come back
Thanks! Yes sad nostalgia...Msybe not dead, just need reinvention ..Future Condos ..I think malls sometimes lacking social fluidity. It would be nice if there were more libraries in malls or music schools, etc. I think there should be more to malls than buy buy buy! Culture should be much more imaginative and Multidivisional!
Yeah A lot of these malls needs to be refurbished and built for Mixed use instead of just stores and stuff. Hotels, Apartments, Convention Spaces mixed with Shopping and eatting.
Man I loved this video, I felt as if I sat down in that mall to talk to you, and that feels like quite an experience, I'd love to sit down to talk with you knowing that you've seen everything you've seen makes me want to pay to have a conversatiom with you, also what you said couldn't be more true, the harder something is, the more value it has and the more you enjoy it, this has been something I've always thought about and that is extremely important to consider whenever choosing to accept and embrace a certain social change or a certain piece of technology, we must always worry about the future to make sure we don't make things easier and therefore less valuable. The intro was sick, the song was perfect and the imagery was perfectly chosem
I am the same age as you Anthony (born late 1982), and what you are saying in this video are the EXACT same thoughts I have almost everyday with myself as of late. I understand that there is the typical "old man syndrome" where older people in every generation thinks the current times are crap compared to when they grew up; however, I really can't help but think there is more to these feelings than "old man syndrome". I say this because, while me and you are now "older", we really aren't THAT OLD (at least not "old men" lol). We are still much too young to actually be suffering from "old man syndrome". I am of the belief that throughout history there are these "major cultural shifts" that occur at certain points where society as a whole changes quite drastically over the course of an unusually short amount of time (5-7 years-ish). To me, the most recent of these "shifts" occured approximately from 2001 to 2008. I think there are 2 major parts of this shift, 9/11 and the insanely fast advancement of communications technology in this very short span of time. We went from everyday common people having cell phones, to having Internet capable smartphones very quickly, and then social media/phone apps on top of that almost instantly once the smartphones came out. The way we as a society communicate drastically changed abnormally quick. I am not super knowledgeable in history, but I would say the last shift before this most recent one was maybe around 1900 when the "wild west" in America was being tamed as the U.S. government pushed its way westward to take further control of American society. The main difference with that shift from this most recent one, though, is that it only affected the U.S. while the most recent shift has affected the entire world. People around our age are just old enough to have vivid memories of how different society was before the shift; and it isn't just about what it was like without smartphones, Internet, and social media, it is that we remember how entirely different society as a whole was before. The Zeitgeist, the moods of people, the human decency, the more personable social interactions, and the overall more carefree nature everywhere. Yes, bad things happened still, but people weren't constantly at each other's throats due to politics and such. I remember a time when Democrat and Republican neighbors had different beliefs, but at the end of the day they could still have one another over for a Christmas party, 4th of July celebration, or any other type of get together. The whole aura of those times was totally different..
I enjoyed this place, the ceiling design is really awesome. I agree the bland look that took over in the 90's and beyond is garbage. I also agree with you as a fellow mall enthusiast and blogger that it can be very difficult to get inspired these days. As we watch these places die out, it can lead to thoughts about your own mortality and that is scary. As a 40+ year old, it is scary to think that I am on the down side of life. Dead malls are just another reminder of that. I take comfort in seeing these places, but also feel sad for the future.
When I was a teen, mom paid me my allowance in a roll of quarters. I could play video games at the arcade, buy McDonalds food, buy a new song at Sam Goody, and get back on the bus to go home. And I still had money left over. Those were the days!
damn
I was born in 1980, I totally agree about wanting to return to a pre-internet world, malls were so much more then they are now. The nostalgia runs deep in alot of these places, and it can be so depressing to see places we enjoyed so much in our youth go by the wayside.
I myself was born in 1971, and in the 80's the malls had a magical appeal to them, most being at nearly full occupancy back then was a big draw for the youth of the era, from the arcade to the theatre and shops, and finally a great place to hang with friends and Girl/boy watch as alot of us did back then, nowadays the mall is a mere shadow of it's once previous glory, Just sad really
I was born in 1959. I remember the malls when they were booming in the 70s and 80s
Back when we werent distracted by the internet and we actually interacted with people in the real world. I was born in 1991 but throughout the 90s and Early 2000s Malls were still a place to hang out and interact with people. even tho the internet was rising fast it was still just a certain feeling you got going to the mall with friends and family sometimes not even shopping but just walking around and eating food.
I sound old now but it's true I missed not having a phone in my pocket everywhere I go.
I guess all generations look back at their childhoods with nostalgia and a sense that life was better "back then", but having grown up in the 80s, I feel strongly that there was a sense of optimism in the 80s and 90s that doesn't exist now.
I agree!
@Timothy Leach
The online dynamic is a huge difference from what other generations experienced, it is a destroyer of the social fabric of society!
There was.
ah yes, before the apocalypse kicked in!
damn
Another great video. I'm recovering from having covid. I Hate almost everything today. If I had time machine I'd go back to the '80s. Stay safe and God bless 🙏
Feel better! I wish for a time machine almost daily!!
@@pamelaaverrett5848 Thank you. Sending love❤️ Stay safe,stay strong and God bless🙏
I’m so sorry. I hope this helps transport you at least mentally to a healthy happy time ❤️
I graduated in 1983..I loved going to the arcade..the lights,the loud music, the sounds of the games.the food in the snack bar..beating my old high scores .winning a free game playing pinball..I miss it all and wish it could all come back again.
When I was a teenager in the 1980s, going to the mall was fun. They built a new mall around 1990 with a non-franchise dollar store in it, from the early days when dollar stores sold deadstock and overruns instead of just junk. Sold a pile of cassettes too. It was a treat to walk around and people-watch. Hit Spencer Gifts for the slightly icky joy of it. Later on mall shopping was just a chore. Now... I miss those 80s malls. That said, looking at the floors in this place it's just begging for roller skates or a skateboard crew.
Thank you anthony.i miss the 80s and 90s way of life as well.this is your best piece.
I'm going to echo most of the sentiments posted here and completely agree with Ace. Born in 1974 and literally grew up in the 80s and miss it everyday. Even my kids are fascinated by it and I've said the exact same thing about technology. Things were better when we didn't have all of this "connectivity". I have said forever that the internet is not benign. It has a strong bend toward that which is dark and evil and the world was better off without it. I took my wife and kids to Boss Battle Games in Castleton Square Mall this past weekend and it was incredible. 10$ to play all day and they literally have ALL of the old school cabinet games we had as kids. Rastan, Karate Champion, Gauntlet just to name a few. My kids absolutely loved it and said it was way better then online gaming. I told my children to enjoy it and to really take a moment to soak in what is left of the American Mall because I am convinced their children will never see one. Is there any way to prevent the decline of these malls with the likes of Michael Kohan running amuck? How can we save them or is it too late? And Ace, I know you've done a ton of these videos and you may feel they get repetitive, but I assure you they are not. You sir, are a Chronicler, and what you do is vital to preserve these dying megaliths of American culture. Please keep up the great work and know you have thousands of people who truly appreciate all your hard work.
Couldn't agree more - I was 10 years old in 1983, and I don't know what got into society to go from where malls were back then to... whatever the heck this is, but it's not an improvement. The mall I grew up with isn't doing badly, but is unrecognizable on the inside in the worst possible ways now. They actually blocked off the skylights and walled half of the mall off, so it's all just terrible. Thanks for inspiring me to make a tribute video for my old school, by the way... I continue to appreciate what you do!
Thank you for your accurate commentary on the decline of the mall as a social center/shopping destination. On point!
My husband and I are dead mall enthusiasts and this one is the closest to us - we both often went to this mall when we were younger. The fountain was always my favorite... Great video.
What others have you been to? The one in Kalamazoo seems like it’s going downhill.
@@kennyp8071 I agree that the one in portage is on the decline. The Lansing mall is pretty dead - comparable to Lakeview Square. The 2 Jackson malls are dying/dead, too.
@@sarahc9731 wow that's crazy, didn't that about Lansing I know they had two when I lived in Michigan. ive never been to the ones Jackson passed that one up on the way to Ann Arbor and Detroit area a lot. Some of the ones in the Detroit area are my favorite in the state especially great lakes crossing.
These intros always have the perfect song!
Thank You!
People don't realize that part of any experience is the anticipation.
Like waiting each week for a new show episode, vs just having all up front.
It is the generation of lost anticipation.
Coastal Grand Mall is still hype in Myrtle Beach SC and I'm glad
I was born in 1980, and I remember visiting this mall to go to the arcade or the music store in the early 90s. This is heartbreaking. I explained to my son about malls and arcades… and he said that you can do these things on your phone… it’s not the same. You’re right… the social aspect to life is more important than people realize. Thank you for making this.
I was born in 83' too and my sister was 9 years older then I. So the mall was the local hangout. It was a good time. I tell my kids about it all the time. They just go "meh", and focus again on their tablet. I have to push them out the door to play outside. I lived outside. Bmx bikes and Santa Cruz skateboards were my source of fun. I wish we could go back to 94' or 95' and wake up every morning like Bill Murray on groundhogs day. Everything was good, nobody gave a damn about politics and the talker of the week was the new Seinfeld episode. That was just before the time all the malls were starting renovations and removing all the esthetically pleasing structures and character. The renovation on this mall took a welcoming, comfortable feel to a cold, heartless and empty soul.
Another BAD ASS SONG selection good job 👏🏾 once again
Thanks Greg!
@@AcesAdventures1 you’re welcome sir
I really do miss the way things were in the 90’s and how malls looked and the overall feeling.
I used to hang out at this mall. It's the same story as every other dead mall, just as Ace said.
This mall was a cool place to go back in the day. Same goes for the Benton Harbor mall that Ace covered months ago.
I miss these malls, but they are now dead. The story is the same in all of these cases. It sucks.
Nothing like it use to be
How dare you give me the feels with that song
I grew up in the 70's and I know exactly how you feel . I miss the those days as well.
Great video. Love the commentary. I was 9 in 1983. All my fondest memories harken back to the mall. It seemed larger than life, so crowded etc. I looked at the Wikipedia page for this mall, this is the opening line, “Lakeview Square Mall is a terrible enclosed shopping mall serving the city of Battle Creek, Michigan.” I don’t know who wrote their Wiki entry but 😂
I was born in 1981. I remember the mall was the place to be growing up. The mall was always packed on the weekends and was the hang out spot. At the time we took it for granted. Looking back now I wish I would have appreciated it more.
I was a teen in Battle Creek when Lakeview Square Mall opened and it was a big deal. We had no mall before that, although nearby Kalamazoo had several. Opening was a huge deal, and I spent a lot of time there just hanging out. I left Battle Creek in the mid-late 80's and had been back to the mall last in the 90's, so seeing this video brought out a lot of feelings. I also miss the way it used to be there, so much bustle, interesting stores, the music store where you could listen to music and meet other kids, the arcade, bookstores, toy stores packed with video game consoles, on and on, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. Now to see it like this is...I don't know, crushing, heartbreaking, confusing, sad. Things change I know but things were so good back in the day and now we have this. I agree with you that our society has lost a lot of social, person to person interaction because of gadgets, smart devices etc and that is sad. Unfortunately I don't think we can go back, but who knows maybe all the online retailers will start taking advantage of cheap mall space and start filling up the malls, I'd go to the Amazon store at the mall, or the NewEgg store, or whatever. Probably not gonna happen but I like to be an optimist...anyways thanks for this video, brought back a lot of memories and emotions.
For me in my youth going to the malls was a real treat. We lived in Moberly, MO and the closest malls was in Columbia, Parkade Plaza (now mixed use), Biscayne Mall (demolished) and later Columbia Mall (still an active mall), but those are not the ones I'm talking about. It was Blue Ridge Mall, Independence Center, Bannister, Chesterfield, Mid-Rivers, and West County Center! The "Big City" malls we would visit once a year. I think of all these West County, Independence Center, and Mid-Rivers are still doing OK, the rest are ether gone or are on death's door. It's hard to think that these once very busy active malls are just shells of themselves now. Even the busy ones are not too busy. America has changed and like you said the smart phone is partially to blame. Also shopping habits have changed a lot. I'm buying more and more things online. I can't tell you the last time I've stepped into a mall. Wish I could go back to the early 80's again and visit Sears and Radio Shack and look at all the amazing things they had.
Sadly the crimes getting so bad at independence center its going to be just like the rest.its also not the same mall I grew up with 😢
You are so right ace
Only an hour from me... Another great video as always !!!
My son and I drove from Florida to upstate New York without GPS last summer...on purpose. We used maps and written directions. It was great. I long for the 80s and 90s when life was fun and we smiled and laughed and explored. Malls were awesome.
That’s awesome
I appreciate all 0f your videos, please keep them coming. I know it's hard but we love you 😍
I'm much older than you my friend...I was a young man of 18 in 1980....what a wonderful decade to be a young person in. Like you, I miss the "anticipation" of a thing and the closeness that people seemed to have for one another.....the excitement of the day's adventure! Everything today is so "instantaneous".....always at our finger tips....to many distractions from what is important in life. Long live Saturday afternoons at the mall with good friends........
Such a contrast.. The ceiling and skylights are beautiful and then you look down and you see the cold, bland hard floors and interior, such a shame. Looks like a hospital indeed, great narrative there Ace!
I completely concur with your sentiments, Anthony. It was so different back in the day when things had so much more value, places had so much more character, and people valued things so much more than they do now. I watch your content because it takes me back to what I consider were better times. You and Sal are a real inspiration to me and so many others.
This has to be your best commentary!!! Excellent song choice.I was a teenager in the 80s and remember dressing "cute" to go to the mall. Most of the time, there would be so many people that there wasn't even room to rest on a plant pot😊. ETA my malls were Fairlane, Northland, Wonderland and Oakland
Thanks!
I just turned 50 yesterday. I miss the 70's and 80's. I miss it too Ace.
Great video! Love the ceiling architecture and music! Thanks.
Thanks Nancy!
I’m slightly older, born in 73, but appreciate that things have to move on. I’ve embraced technology slowly as I’ve needed/wanted to, but the benefits to modern life are massive.
Thinking back to pre internet days, if you wanted to learn something, you had to physically go to school, or library. Most trades were a closed shop to the novice. Now we can learn anything that we want to, whenever we want to, anywhere we want to, and source the equipment to make it happen in a heartbeat.
I don’t think I would have been anywhere near as productive or creative if I had been born 10 years earlier.
Yes, there is loads of rubbish and distractions to modern life but we get to make choices we never could previously. We just need to tighten the filter on what we allow ourselves to focus on to grasp the benefits.
My favourite mall memory was so 1999. I was rollerblading in the arcade wearing JNCO's and heard a commotion. It was Christina Aguilera during her genie in the bottle promotional tour performing at the centre of the mall under the clock tower. It was so rad. the mall had an installation cube of multiple CRT TVs hanging from the clock tower all the time rolling video. She was performed under those at the area where they set up the Santa stuff. Erin Mills Town Center in Mississauga, Ontario. It was our highschool lunch break spot, and I worked at Sunrise Records, and Bluenotes.
They lost the arcade, tv cube, and clock tower as well as a bunch of other fun stuff like a movie theater and mini golf.
Thanks for all the amazing videos and continued dedication!!
I love your videos. Malls are not the same as they used to be.
Technology is probably one of the biggest factors. The internet mostly. Like RUclips! Corporate greed also. Companies only do what benefits them. I'm an 80s baby also and these videos are ALWAYS a throwback to a different time. It's kinda sad for the most part. Love your videos.
I like your voiceover on these vids as you inject knowledge and feeling into it and the matching music of the day is just right !! And as you rightly say if people don’t like it then hit the mute button 👍 Big respect Ace 👌”
From the land where Malls are still thriving and more being built, you have a Crowded House track being the intro to a video about a dead Mall, regardless still one of my all time favourite bands!! Awesome vlog as always, keep 'em coming!
I was born in '79 and i feel the same way.
I miss the 80s and 90s.
I hate to see malls like this go .
I know what you mean Anthony I miss the way things were back in the 80's and 90's with malls too miss it a lot. The way you do your videos with the music and everything takes me back to my teens I really enjoy that keep it up doing a great job.
I feel the same way too. It’s okay to have technology, but it’s starting to make us less human that we really need to go back to the way things were when we go out and be more sociable. I still miss going into malls.
Me too
@pasadenacatpink
BINGO! It is making people LESS human, less social. It's BAD for humanity!
@@watershed44 totally agree. What has happened to this world? 🤔
@@pasadenacatpink the elite have decided they want to dictate to us, and our gov'ts are doing their will, not the will of the people.
This dead mall looks in amazing condition!!
That last piece of music was just right for what we were looking at. 👌
Got to watch this video on a rare, kid free Saturday afternoon. I can not agree more on so many things you said here. I was born in 1978 and ao qish i could raise my kids it the time when we grew up. The instant access to everything because of the internet can be scary. The first video of yours i watched was of the Chautauqua Mall. It was amazing! We lived in Jamestown until i was 5 and went back often - still do - subs from Brigiottas and a stop at Ecklofs are a must. Thank you for what you do!
I miss when things had more value also! Tired of today’s world. The mid size towns that have smaller malls, they are now closing. Smaller cities with malls, same story. And large cities with large malls ..closing.. this was at one time a nice mall..
I like the commentary on your videos. I'm from Tulsa. I have worked in 3 malls in my 41 years working in retail. I was at Southroads mall when it was an indoor mall when I worked at Vandevers Department store from 1978 till 1982. I went to work at Dillard's at Woodland Hills for 37 years now. I was at our store at Eastland Mall and Promenade mall many times. I have seen the changes to each of these mall over the years and I agree with most everything you have said about all the updates over the years.
I agree 100% with you when it comes to that society needs to go back to the way it used to be. The next generation has absolutely no social skills. The malls helped our generation. Thank you Gold Mine arcade.
The last couple weeks I've been reminiscing about my youth (born in 1964), looking at photos, film clips on youtube, etc. This boomer misses "going downtown", as that was where all the retailers were. The youtube channel "Recollection Road" has numerous short videos of the retailers I remember. I had also been curious about what younger peeps would get nostalgic about, and I saw your video. Thanks for your perspective! As for Lakeview Square mall, I was working at the local Sears off site warehouse that supplied the downtown retail store in 1983. We started transferring goods to the mall store, with the storage area being the only finished part. The retail section of Sears, and 95% of the rest of the mall was still dirt! The owners of Lakeview Square destroyed the ambience by sterilizing the interior, as you mentioned. The fountain that was in center court, subsequently removed, I believe the water source may have been from the creek that was diverted to build the mall. Shopping habits change. Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the Amazon of the early 1900's. A person could buy a complete kit house from Sears, with optional features such as electricity & running water! The internet was an analog object called a catalog, internet access was via the United States Postal Service. EVERYTHING was shipped on trains, dropped at freight depots, then delivered by horse drawn wagon. Montgomery Ward was supposed to have been the first national catalog retailer, starting in 1872.
Holy crap, Ace came to my mall! Can't believe I missed this.
I worked in this mall when it opened, at J Riggings (mens clothing), which was right in the middle of the mall. The stage in the middle was used frequently. We began working there a couple months before the mall opened, as stores prepped their interiors to for the opening day. Opening day was crazy. The parking lot is huge, and it was completely full that weekend.
Before it was built, there was much talk about how they were going to pipe the creek on the land thru the mall. That plan fizzled, and they rerouted the swamp rather than putting the stream part of it inside. The interior had a lot of plants/trees, a lot of wood on the walls, mostly brown seating. The layout is plain, but the interior was well done, although it was stuck between two times: some areas looked more 70ish, and some 80ish (think Deb chrome entrance). I'd take either compared to the antiseptic look that followed.
This was a nice mall, in a city that longed for it. Yes, online sales have spelled its doom. But the opening of a super Walmart kitty corner to it slowly began that decline, and a handful of mall stores couldn't make it. Considering that the mall sits on I-94, halfway between Chicago and Detroit, I'm surprised that Amazon hasn't turned it into a warehouse.
This mall had a great heyday. I hope that the move of Horrocks to the old JCP location will help, but it seems like it's just a matter of time until it's final demise.
Wish I'd known you were coming here. I'd have bought ya lunch!
The end surprised me, with an Applebee’s and a Buffalo Wild Wings, crazy. Awesome work as usual!!!
I enjoy what you do, it means a lot to me. I don't live in the US anymore and to see your videos (and how you produce them) feels like my own personal modern art collection. I grew up in north Alabama and went to malls all over the Deep South. I remember when malls started to have less wooden elements, smaller areas of plants and greenery, and the big fountains and artistic structures were taken out. At first it felt modern and cool to have streamlined interior design cos it was something shiny and new, but then the inside of malls started to feel too similar to each other, there were no longer those unique, friendly, warm environments anymore. You nailed it when you said they're like the interior of hospitals, wow. Everytime I watch one of your videos I come away with something new to think about.
I agree 1000%. I would trade all of today's technology to return to the late 80's through late 90's without hesitation.
Same!
Loved your voice over/thoughts about the past, present and future. Definitely appreciate your take on things ans share a lot of your sentiments. Smart phones, the internet, and social media have done a lot of harm to our culture but like a Pandora’s Box being opened, there is no going back.
The video could be subtitled "The Lament of a 90s Kid". Unfortunately, the temptations of smart phones, Internet and social media is designed to be addictive by their nature. Things won't change until what we value as a society changes.
The decline of malls is just the tip of the iceberg. Society changes all the time. The nostalgia your work evokes in me is actually painful, it's so sad that we are losing this. But, people in the '80s were nostalgic for earlier times too.
Every time I go into that mall, it’s always a sad and eerie feeling. I wish it was still alive as it was back in the day. The mall age is dying unfortunately. Wonderfully made video though!
"I would give up technology to go back to the way things were..." Yep. Me too. In a heartbeat, no regrets. Couldn't agree more with your point of view. I was a 70s child and an 80s teen and I'd go back to that life in a heartbeat.
Im with you there ace. I was born in 83 and I say that every day. Why can't we go back to the way it was? I remember the days when we didn't have cell phones and had to remember all my friends phone numbers by heart and we talked on landlines. My god I wish we could go back to the simpler times when we just enjoyed hanging out.
I live for your intros and commentary.
You hit the nail on the head I grew up at this Mall
This is in my town! Horocks is moving in though...huge following 💯
I’m so sad that Horrocks is leaving the original location. So many fond memories of that store that is also forever changed….
Been with ya since the first mall vid you did, Liked as always, Have a Great Week
Worked in this mall back in the 80s and it was packed!!
any pics?
@@AcesAdventures1 unfortunately no!
I remember going here in the 90s when I was real young 1:08 is exactly how I remember it, always crowded and busy I miss that. I always loved going to the Lakeview square Mall
Love your videos
Technology is destroying life, grew up without this garbage fine. At 50, kid's now are being robbed of that experience. God will take care of this when His Son comes. God bless everyone.
What a beautiful place.
This mall has a special meaning to me. First went here in 2016 and met up with a friend at the time and got pedicures together. We got some cool stuff from the FYE that was there. Went back last year not much left is there. I love the Barnes and Noble there and the Saku Japan is really good. Highly recommend their chicken teriyaki. Also it's interesting their food court is that, Bdubs, and Applebees.
On a serious note being an essential worker last year watching mall videos kept me sane working on the frontlines of 2020. So I thank you, Sal, Unicomm, BI, DG, and others. I got a car in June and it motivated me to go out and check out malls myself.
The skylights look amazing - I wish they never got rid of the wood and fountains. It looks sterile now.
Love the commentary Anthony,keep up the great work.
I enjoy your videos i too miss the life/world how it was growing up. Born in 85 myself. IMO the failure of malls if i had to just sum it up to 3 things. Management,Market,Economy. I always say i wish i hit lotto because i would buy a smaller mall possibly and just section it with 80- early 2000s themed things etc i miss those days and i miss the people.
I agree with you 100%. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and loved going to the record store to buy the latest 45’s. Or taping off the radio. Good times
Excellent content again thanks Anthony for your time and efforts. I think you hit the nail right on the head. Back in the day you HAD to GO places to hear music and interact with others to hear the latest news and gossip. You also had a sense of adventure when going to the mall as you didn't see much of the world on TV or in the movies (speaking of movies you had to go places to see the latest movies). So the mall was a place of adventure and excitement. What will you see and hear at the mall? It was exciting. Now days its all on demand so there is much less excitement. A lot of what people see is right in their hand or pocket. I am an 80's Teen as well so I feel a sense of loss for that day and age. Cheers.
Great_video..Thank-You_Anthony!!
Crowed House very nice G'day from Adelaide Australia Australia/NZ band
Love your content you always choose the best music, it is kinda sad though how they go from being very busy to being a dead mall in a matter of years
Oh and for the record, this mall was remodeled in the early 2000s. My nephew is 17 and the fountain was removed when he was a baby
If you are nostalgic for these places, come to the UK they are still big here and being used regularly.
I enjoyed your commentary very much throughout this video.
That Crowded House tune gets me every time. The 80's obviously weren't perfect, but we weren't all so jaded and angry about everything. Amazon didn't kill the mall, people glued to screens and not interacting in person did them in.
I agree with you. I was born in - 81. And I also want to add that life was a lot simpler back then. If you know, you understand what I mean. As always great content. I'd love to buy you a beer one day if I get over to the States. We could discuss this and remember. I could also give you a northern European perspective on all of this. Cheers from Sweden.
After I watched your video, I watched Steve Ronan’s video of Century III mall. OMG!!! You were right about it decaying daily!!! It made me want even more to see your video ASAP!!!
Great video Ace. I love technology as much as the next person, but you are so right. We are rapidly losing the social aspect of life and it sucks.
They do make the malls look like hospitals Thats a crime..
I agree.
I’ve been feeling the loss of this era too. Just like last week I was reeling on how scary it is that I’m raising my daughter in this new world. Ironically I started feeling this way after taking my daughter to our mall, which has lost 2/4 of its anchors, and is dying even with an involved mgt group. Seems like even the trending culture is reaching hard for the 90s constantly referencing the look/sound of those times. There was nothing like being there cause that feeling is long gone. I was born in ‘85. Missing the pre-911 world!
I can't argue with anything you said. I am a few years old than you and I remember going to our mall with friends and having a ton of fun. I worked as a teen and I'd go to Sam Goody and get the newest tape, and then of course, cds. I'd wait, just like you said, for the song I wanted to come on the radio and I'd make mixed tapes. A comedian, Brad Upton, has a Dry Bar special on RUclips and he talks about kids and technology. He said, instead of being glued to cell phones, we'd run to the phone which was hanging on the wall. You never knew who was on the other end lol. Very funny. I see people glued to their phones and the world just goes by. I miss the world when I was younger.
In the mid eighties I remarked ad nauseum that there was no way that the market could support the wild build-out of retail space that went on for years. I say they had a pretty good run. It's just easier and cheaper to buy stuff online.
YeaI I would also say many people stopped spending as much on non necessary goods.
Long time BC native here, cool to see a video on the old place. Did not know about Tony Bennet performing at the grand opening. Still come here every so often. Has seen some more business lately since the Horrocks (local grocery store) opened last year in the old JC Penney. The NCG is my main movie theater, with their nice reclining seats.
Funny story my older brother told me way back when they used to have a Spencers, my brother and his friends were in the naughtier section in the back and started to sword fight with penis Piñatas. They broke one of the piñatas, hid it away and calmly and gracefully got the hell out of there. They never got in trouble for it.
Great talk Ace you're hitting it real close the point. Yes it is kind of sad and puzzling.
I for one like these videos and find them entertaining.lf there is ever a chance to meet you,l would certainly sit down and have coffee discussing on why malls are dying and some are thriving.l'm in Canada and it's happening here too.
Born in '79, spent my high school years as a mallrat watching our local mall die. I do miss the whole experience of going to and shopping at the malls during their hay days, and would love for that to come back
Awesome video
Thanks! Yes sad nostalgia...Msybe not dead, just need reinvention ..Future Condos ..I think malls sometimes lacking social fluidity. It would be nice if there were more libraries in malls or music schools, etc. I think there should be more to malls than buy buy buy! Culture should be much more imaginative and Multidivisional!
Yeah A lot of these malls needs to be refurbished and built for Mixed use instead of just stores and stuff. Hotels, Apartments, Convention Spaces mixed with Shopping and eatting.
"we were like the mall before the internet, it was the one place to go" - taylor swift
Man I loved this video, I felt as if I sat down in that mall to talk to you, and that feels like quite an experience, I'd love to sit down to talk with you knowing that you've seen everything you've seen makes me want to pay to have a conversatiom with you, also what you said couldn't be more true, the harder something is, the more value it has and the more you enjoy it, this has been something I've always thought about and that is extremely important to consider whenever choosing to accept and embrace a certain social change or a certain piece of technology, we must always worry about the future to make sure we don't make things easier and therefore less valuable. The intro was sick, the song was perfect and the imagery was perfectly chosem
Mall management ruined this mall. The Harper Village shopping center across M-66 (in Emmett Twp.) is booming.
With most of the businesses that used to be in the mall
@@heatherb1700 Not really. Maybe like 2 or 3.
I am the same age as you Anthony (born late 1982), and what you are saying in this video are the EXACT same thoughts I have almost everyday with myself as of late.
I understand that there is the typical "old man syndrome" where older people in every generation thinks the current times are crap compared to when they grew up; however, I really can't help but think there is more to these feelings than "old man syndrome". I say this because, while me and you are now "older", we really aren't THAT OLD (at least not "old men" lol). We are still much too young to actually be suffering from "old man syndrome".
I am of the belief that throughout history there are these "major cultural shifts" that occur at certain points where society as a whole changes quite drastically over the course of an unusually short amount of time (5-7 years-ish). To me, the most recent of these "shifts" occured approximately from 2001 to 2008. I think there are 2 major parts of this shift, 9/11 and the insanely fast advancement of communications technology in this very short span of time. We went from everyday common people having cell phones, to having Internet capable smartphones very quickly, and then social media/phone apps on top of that almost instantly once the smartphones came out. The way we as a society communicate drastically changed abnormally quick. I am not super knowledgeable in history, but I would say the last shift before this most recent one was maybe around 1900 when the "wild west" in America was being tamed as the U.S. government pushed its way westward to take further control of American society. The main difference with that shift from this most recent one, though, is that it only affected the U.S. while the most recent shift has affected the entire world.
People around our age are just old enough to have vivid memories of how different society was before the shift; and it isn't just about what it was like without smartphones, Internet, and social media, it is that we remember how entirely different society as a whole was before. The Zeitgeist, the moods of people, the human decency, the more personable social interactions, and the overall more carefree nature everywhere. Yes, bad things happened still, but people weren't constantly at each other's throats due to politics and such. I remember a time when Democrat and Republican neighbors had different beliefs, but at the end of the day they could still have one another over for a Christmas party, 4th of July celebration, or any other type of get together. The whole aura of those times was totally different..
I enjoyed this place, the ceiling design is really awesome. I agree the bland look that took over in the 90's and beyond is garbage.
I also agree with you as a fellow mall enthusiast and blogger that it can be very difficult to get inspired these days. As we watch these places die out, it can lead to thoughts about your own mortality and that is scary. As a 40+ year old, it is scary to think that I am on the down side of life. Dead malls are just another reminder of that. I take comfort in seeing these places, but also feel sad for the future.
Battle Creek is a lot different today than in the 1990s. I hope this mall can come to life again. It's in a great location.