This is my serious stomping grounds for over 25 years. Some of my fondest memories of my late Aunt and Grandmother were here, on Friday afternoons when I could get a cookie and was allowed to wander and look around. Lunch at Olga's. Nothing like Walden Books, KB Toys, Gadzooks, Sam Goody, Marshall Fields, Sears, the Learning Store. A million and one stories of this place. Still go here regularly, it's awesome.
The food court at least some of the places I have really jacked up the prices to the point where a basic lunch that used to be like 8-9 now cost almost $16 ridiculous better off going to Applebee’s
Back in the mid 80’s they built a log home inside the center court of the mall. It was decorated two ways modern and rustic. This mall is a big part of my childhood. Went there every Saturday with my parents. Got my first job there too.
Hello fellow Michigander and fellow Grand Rapids friend I grew up going to this l mall also I should do a video of the oldest mall in grand Rapids Rogers Plaza but I love the Woodland Mall I live right down the street from it
This is the mall you go to if you actually want to shop instead of peacock around. It's utilitarian rather than social, and that's probably why it has survived despite the existence of River Town.
This is my old stomping ground 25 years ago. Amazing to see how it has changed since I left to pursue my career in New England. It's not the same mall! I am glad, though to see it is not dead like so many others. Some day, I will pay this place a nostalgic visit.
Great video I haven't visited for years last time back in 1990's I took my son's when they were little to see Santa. I remember as a young girl going with my dad walking into Sears and seeing the bulk chocolate in the candy case always getting some on the way out. This mall was packed with people. Nice to see it's still around. When Rivertown mall was first opened it took a lot of the people away from Eastbrook mall too.
I grew up outside of GR and moved away a couple years ago and this video gave me a some serious nostalgia and I thank you for that. It’s been too long since I’ve walked these halls and seen the City❤️
Roger's Plaza is dead. Pretty much run down only a few stores. Once Rivertown was built it was game over for Roger's Plaza (I still go to it though for a few things since I live like 5 minutes from it) otherwise I go to rivertown.
I worked at that Sear's in the 80's when I was just out of high school; that mall used to be wall-to-wall people. It was THE place to shop, before box stores and strip malls moved in. Glad it's non-dead, but it sure doesn't look too busy any more.
Woodland was almost a completely dead mall during the 2010 age. It and it's sister mall, Centerpoint, located across the intersection completely renovated and saved themselves.
Not a problem, and the only things that are accessible from the inside of the mall at last check are the secretary of state office (our dmv), the post office, driving school and a knick nack/tshirt store. Theres dozens of empty shops and all the former anchor spaces that were connected have been sealed off and only accessible from outside. The stores that are sealed off also happen to be the more popular ones so the inside is a dark, dirty cavern. One of the anchor stores closed last year too.
@Kevin Corbat Thanks, like one of the malls that I used to visit back in the late eighties that was a completely dead mall. The Valley fair mall in Appleton many say that was the 1st mall in the United States and definitely the 1st dead one ever.
In my opinion I feel like woodland has better stores for shopping than RiverTown. Woodland has the kinda clothes that I wear but RiverTown also has stores that Woodland doesn’t. Idk I like walking around RiverTown but Woodland is better clothing wise.
Haven't checked the rest of your videos yet, but a dead/dying mall nearby is Muskegon, MI. I grew up with that mall. I was in high school when it opened in 2001. Would be cool to see a video on that one!
Who builds a mall (Eastbrook) next to another mall?? I grew up going to Woodland in the late 80' & 90's. It was awesome. Sbarros, Merry-Go-Round, Kaybee Toys, Hudson's, American Eagle, and it was the place where I discovered Orange Chicken. It blew my teenage mind. :D
The sears was demolished a couple years ago and now a newer part that includes Von Maur is in it's place. It's pretty hard to tell where the old section ended and the newer one began, the lighting is different slightly but the floor is exactly the same. Sears had two floors. I never knew there was a plan for a Lord & Taylor here. Is Barnes & Noble considered an anchor?
I actually worked at the childrens place in woodland mall (largest children's place store in the region) for a year and left 3 years ago... Interestingly enough a lot of these changes have happened in the last 3 years
Urbex- A Peak Inside I live here too and I have no idea what he’s talking about. It’s a mall with all the regular mall stores. not sure what people expect.
I remember when Woodland and Eastbrook mall across M-37 were built. Eastbrook is now center point. Both have changed with the times. Woodland is still a very nice place to shop or dine at the restaurants on it’s perimeter. IMHO Eastbrook had 2 things against it. The zig zag interior and no real big name anchor stores.
this mall is close 2 my house 5 10 minutes and they changed allot ever since and it is good thing if they wanna keep it alive and allot resdence live here off course is busy peremetlly movie closed i wounder when they open i thought was closed for until this corono passes away i feel really bad right now thats really sad day for me right now
I like this mall you can get a lot of shopping done and as long as you leave by dark you will be fine. Macy’s changed their coupons and sales, you could get some really great stuff there if you watched the ads. But once that all changed, it lost its base. I like to see people doing their walking in here. The mall is clean. Fields cookie store used to be here. Yum 😋! The food court is still pretty good. Just watch your surroundings you’ll be fine. Grand Rapids is a friendly little big town. College town. Church town. I like to shop here during the day but at night , no way. I think the low wages have kept people home and shopping 🛍 used to be fun with friends and family but now too much social distancing is killing everything. I am not a fan of outdoor malls like the one in Byron Center , if it’s raining or snowing your basically screwed. When it’s freezing out it’s just not worth it. I’d rather walk around in a mall in comfort and have more teenager type stores. Pay the employees better. I love going to Swarovski and seeing the Paris man ! He is so fun ! You can seriously have a good time anywhere if you want to. Great town !
Growing up near there, we didn't go there much. It's been a few years since I've been there, but there was never much appeal to going there. Rivertown the "new mall" was always better.
@@UrbexAPeakInside There's no way that another company leases out that building, especially given the economic climate. AMC is the only other chain operating around here that might snatch it up. My guess is that it sits vacant for awhile until the mall decides on something else to put there and demolishes it.
This mall is ok, but rivertown is better. I’m from the east side of Detroit , where East land is the Death Valley !! Of a mall ! Both gr malls are like SOMERSET! Compared to eastland lol ..
Rivertown isn't better IMHO. I live in GR, I'd rather go to woodland over rivertown any day. River gets waayy too busy. Also they don't have the other stores me and my wife go too.
@@UrbexAPeakInside It generally is, but the area is not so great. There have been fights, and even gang related shootings in and around the mall. I recommend checking out RiverTown Crossings mall in Grandville, MI. It's not too far from Woodland, and is in a much nicer area. The mall is also larger.
@@UrbexAPeakInside The wealthier parts of GR including Ada, Cascade, and East Grand Rapids are closer to Woodland than Rivertown, which is why there are more affluent stores at Woodland overall (as well- lululemon, Anthropologie, etc. are at Breton Village which is a few blocks northwest of Woodland.) While I wouldn't say Rivertown is dead, it's already down one anchor (Younkers) and it's only a matter of time before Sears closes. They've lost some larger stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap which took up a lot of square footage. Rivertown is pretty much the same as it was when it opened... in 1999. It's nice, but getting more and more dated.
Haha. Zombies. I read somewhere that many years ago foot salve was added to the traditional pasta sauce. When it was named "foot salve sauce" it didnt sell. When it was renamed to pesto sauce. It finally became successful.
Кино
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I’m a simple man I see my city in a positive light I like the video
The city core city of my family. We all live in or around it.
I live in GR. This mall needs better stores...so does Rivertown mall
they need to remodel woodland and make it bigger
@@jamoreibutler8035 they already made it a bit bigger but I agree
Yeah woodland is trash
They add new stores and its better
The mall has had many great new additions. GR is lucky Preit can keep a mall full!! I hope they’re hanging on.
I worked at a store the first season the mall was opened. 1968. I was in college. Good memories.
I grew up in the '70's hanging out in this mall with my friends, love it!
Heard there were lot of good times attached to it. Thanks for watching.
Yess!!
This is my serious stomping grounds for over 25 years. Some of my fondest memories of my late Aunt and Grandmother were here, on Friday afternoons when I could get a cookie and was allowed to wander and look around. Lunch at Olga's. Nothing like Walden Books, KB Toys, Gadzooks, Sam Goody, Marshall Fields, Sears, the Learning Store. A million and one stories of this place. Still go here regularly, it's awesome.
Sibleys use to have the dope wallabies n tims eddie Bauer j crew yeah the toy store used to be the shit but I remember them days💯🤝🏾
I love eating at Olga's. It's one of my favorite restaurants. I've been going there since 1991.
The Merry Go Round store
before the pandemic, this mall could get crazy on the weekends. Love coming here! The food court though is really good!
Was a nice place. Hope it recovers.
Yes it would. Showed that many people were always spending money.
Luke Strobel hi Luke! Long time no see
The food court at least some of the places I have really jacked up the prices to the point where a basic lunch that used to be like 8-9 now cost almost $16 ridiculous better off going to Applebee’s
Back in the mid 80’s they built a log home inside the center court of the mall. It was decorated two ways modern and rustic. This mall is a big part of my childhood. Went there every Saturday with my parents. Got my first job there too.
Hello fellow Michigander and fellow Grand Rapids friend I grew up going to this l mall also I should do a video of the oldest mall in grand Rapids Rogers Plaza but I love the Woodland Mall I live right down the street from it
i live in gr and rivertown mall hit different
Omg love this comment, YES
@@bissum4227 thanks!
love grand rapids and your videos, love the music.
awsome mall to visit went there last weekend they have pretty good sales price and they place is well keep clean and sanitize. 👍🏼
Amen! So grateful this mall isn't dead! People have got to have a place to visit
This is the mall you go to if you actually want to shop instead of peacock around. It's utilitarian rather than social, and that's probably why it has survived despite the existence of River Town.
River Tow n is almost a ghost town now
Love quality shopping
This is my old stomping ground 25 years ago. Amazing to see how it has changed since I left to pursue my career in New England. It's not the same mall! I am glad, though to see it is not dead like so many others. Some day, I will pay this place a nostalgic visit.
Great video I haven't visited for years last time back in 1990's I took my son's when they were little to see Santa. I remember as a young girl going with my dad walking into Sears and seeing the bulk chocolate in the candy case always getting some on the way out. This mall was packed with people. Nice to see it's still around. When Rivertown mall was first opened it took a lot of the people away from Eastbrook mall too.
Great tour, very nice Mall. Thank you very much for sharing!
I really enjoy your videos, plus I appreciate the historical photos interspersed.
I grew up outside of GR and moved away a couple years ago and this video gave me a some serious nostalgia and I thank you for that. It’s been too long since I’ve walked these halls and seen the City❤️
Nice looking mall. I like that it's not full of kiosks in the hallways.
True true.
I believe one of the anchors in the beginning was Hudson Department Store.
Your right. :)
You are correct. That was my first job.
I miss the good old days of Suncoast and Sam Goody being up in there.
Loved Sam Goodys
I was raised in Grand Rapids.. Moved year's ago Their's Roger's Plaza also on Wyoming! Rivertown in Grandville is a nice Mall...
Plan on visiting those 2 other malls in the future. Thanks for watching.
Roger's Plaza is dead. Pretty much run down only a few stores. Once Rivertown was built it was game over for Roger's Plaza (I still go to it though for a few things since I live like 5 minutes from it) otherwise I go to rivertown.
This mall is beautiful 😍
The mall is doing well compared to many nationally. Grand Rapids city Michigan downtown is the ultimate place to go now including for shopping
That mall brings back memories
Looks like a nice mall. And no carpet thank goodness lol
No kidding right. At least Hull didn't get there hands on it.
River town has gotten super cool to hang out at but woodland just needs a couple more good stores
I worked at that Sear's in the 80's when I was just out of high school; that mall used to be wall-to-wall people. It was THE place to shop, before box stores and strip malls moved in. Glad it's non-dead, but it sure doesn't look too busy any more.
Yeah not as busy but still had a fair amount there. Glad its still hanging on.
It gets fairly busy on the weekends
Yes, The Limited, The Merry Go Round, Wet Seal
Been going here for years. The atmosphere is bright and inviting
This is the 1st time visiting was surprised by how nice it is. Well be back again to film Rivertown Crossings.
Woodland was almost a completely dead mall during the 2010 age. It and it's sister mall, Centerpoint, located across the intersection completely renovated and saved themselves.
actually theres 3 enclosed malls in GR, and the 3rd (Rogers Plaza) is absolutely dead!
OMG. Didnt know that. Will have to check it out. Thanks for the info.
If it wasn't for the Secretary Of State i wouldn't even bother going there.
In what way?
Not a problem, and the only things that are accessible from the inside of the mall at last check are the secretary of state office (our dmv), the post office, driving school and a knick nack/tshirt store. Theres dozens of empty shops and all the former anchor spaces that were connected have been sealed off and only accessible from outside. The stores that are sealed off also happen to be the more popular ones so the inside is a dark, dirty cavern. One of the anchor stores closed last year too.
@Kevin Corbat Thanks, like one of the malls that I used to visit back in the late eighties that was a completely dead mall. The Valley fair mall in Appleton many say that was the 1st mall in the United States and definitely the 1st dead one ever.
🕊️Beautiful Mall
🕊️I worked at Macy's
🕊️Thank you🌹for Documentary 👍🏽
THEY FINALLY HAVE A CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!!!!!
In my opinion I feel like woodland has better stores for shopping than RiverTown. Woodland has the kinda clothes that I wear but RiverTown also has stores that Woodland doesn’t. Idk I like walking around RiverTown but Woodland is better clothing wise.
I agree. Woodland is for shopping, Rivertown is for killing time and people watching
Yes
Practically lived at the Woodland Mall in the 70's but haven't been there in 10-15 years at least !!
Haven't checked the rest of your videos yet, but a dead/dying mall nearby is Muskegon, MI. I grew up with that mall. I was in high school when it opened in 2001. Would be cool to see a video on that one!
Thanks for the tip. Will see.
Do you know the name.
It’s The Lakes Mall
Lol this is great-- first time I've seen a non dead mall video
I film many dead malls but I have a big section of non dead mall videos. No one else does it.
Cool video ....who remember the fun factory and the 2 $ movies thou.....that was the spot
Great video as always
Thanks!
Muskegon mall had Sears and JC Penny as anchor stores as well. Was that common?
Who builds a mall (Eastbrook) next to another mall?? I grew up going to Woodland in the late 80' & 90's. It was awesome. Sbarros, Merry-Go-Round, Kaybee Toys, Hudson's, American Eagle, and it was the place where I discovered Orange Chicken. It blew my teenage mind. :D
Miss Grand Rapids...love this City.
Me too.
Love this Mall
The only thing keeping woodland alive is the Apple store and lush.
Check out the rivertown mall in Grandville MI. Been busy my whole 21 years of life. Hopefully it’s not going anywhere
Yes I'm planning to check that 1 out shortly.
The sears was demolished a couple years ago and now a newer part that includes Von Maur is in it's place. It's pretty hard to tell where the old section ended and the newer one began, the lighting is different slightly but the floor is exactly the same. Sears had two floors. I never knew there was a plan for a Lord & Taylor here. Is Barnes & Noble considered an anchor?
That they did a really good job at merging the old with the new so you can tell where the new started.
I think the VanMauer is located in the former Younkers space
Kat B There was never a Younkers here to my knowledge
@@QuarioQuario54321 oh you're right there wasn't...I got it confused with the Rivertown Mall in Grandville
Just started school at gvsu in gr I'll have to check this place out
Great video, I have not been in that mall in at least 20 years it looks nice, but it’s all good I hate traffic so I shop on line!!! 😩
Thanks for watching!
beautiful mall
It was a joy to visit
Urbex- A Peak Inside yes
my mall
Jamorei, how do you like it?
Never been here but I have been to Grand Rapids other mall Rivertown Crossings I was suprised at how big that mall is.
Then there once was surprised also for how big it was. Hope to be back to film.
I actually worked at the childrens place in woodland mall (largest children's place store in the region) for a year and left 3 years ago... Interestingly enough a lot of these changes have happened in the last 3 years
Nice mall!
Haven’t been to a mall in years.
I live in grand rapids. That mall is wack
Is that for good or is that for bad. Thanks for watching.
Urbex- A Peak Inside I live here too and I have no idea what he’s talking about. It’s a mall with all the regular mall stores. not sure what people expect.
@@Patch_616 It will pack out again
Grew up with this mall!
The only thing that’s really throwing me off is that music it sounds like I’m I’m in some sort of murder discovery series😂😂
Where did you get all the info?
I’ve noticed a lot of movie theaters have been closing. Becoming empty shells.
I live in Grand Rapids however I moved away for college. News to me the celebration location closed permanently however I’m not suprised
Yes, due to Covid
I think the mall right now is good how it is
Yayyy GR!!
I remember when Woodland and Eastbrook mall across M-37 were built. Eastbrook is now center point. Both have changed with the times. Woodland is still a very nice place to shop or dine at the restaurants on it’s perimeter. IMHO Eastbrook had 2 things against it. The zig zag interior and no real big name anchor stores.
It’s also a great place to work.
I live here too, it needs livening up in the center and walkways.
My home 👑
Its a nice place. Modern also.
this mall is close 2 my house 5 10 minutes and they changed allot ever since and it is good thing if they wanna keep it alive and allot resdence live here off course is busy peremetlly movie closed i wounder when they open i thought was closed for until this corono passes away i feel really bad right now thats really sad day for me right now
I like this mall you can get a lot of shopping done and as long as you leave by dark you will be fine.
Macy’s changed their coupons and sales, you could get some really great stuff there if you watched the ads. But once that all changed, it lost its base.
I like to see people doing their walking in here. The mall is clean. Fields cookie store used to be here. Yum 😋!
The food court is still pretty good. Just watch your surroundings you’ll be fine.
Grand Rapids is a friendly little big town. College town. Church town. I like to shop here during the day but at night , no way.
I think the low wages have kept people home and shopping 🛍 used to be fun with friends and family but now too much social distancing is killing everything.
I am not a fan of outdoor malls like the one in Byron Center , if it’s raining or snowing your basically screwed. When it’s freezing out it’s just not worth it. I’d rather walk around in a mall in comfort and have more teenager type stores. Pay the employees better.
I love going to Swarovski and seeing the Paris man ! He is so fun !
You can seriously have a good time anywhere if you want to.
Great town !
We have entered the twilight zone.
Ha! This is right up the street from me right now!
He missed Black Rock Restaurant and didn’t show Macy’s wing.
I didn't. I only showed what I could show in 10 minutes because I don't want to do longer than that.
Urbex- A Peak Inside oh I see. I’m a foodie so I’m always looking for the eats. 🥳
woodland and rivertown!
Growing up near there, we didn't go there much. It's been a few years since I've been there, but there was never much appeal to going there. Rivertown the "new mall" was always better.
River town better but woodland is still really good. used to live in Kentwood and woodland was always cool.
It’s nice, but not like it used to be, and the area it’s in is pretty run down. I don’t there unless I have to. River town is already on the decline.
What was the name of the cookie place that was in this mall years ago? Anyone?
Mrs Fields?
Janies
OC
Man i aint been there in a min damn
Sad to say I worked at that theatre only 6 months ago... 😥
Sad. I'm not from around there do you think thou come up with a new movie theater
@@UrbexAPeakInside There's no way that another company leases out that building, especially given the economic climate. AMC is the only other chain operating around here that might snatch it up. My guess is that it sits vacant for awhile until the mall decides on something else to put there and demolishes it.
Is in 28th street
Some shoes must’ve been dropped there was a line for jimmy jazz
Lol
This mall is ok, but rivertown is better.
I’m from the east side of Detroit , where East land is the Death Valley !! Of a mall !
Both gr malls are like SOMERSET! Compared to eastland lol ..
Rivertown isn't better IMHO. I live in GR, I'd rather go to woodland over rivertown any day. River gets waayy too busy. Also they don't have the other stores me and my wife go too.
Why not do a Dead Mall episode on Centerpointe mall that's just right across the street? That's the most depressing place I've ever been
Woodland is in Kentwood by the way, not grand rapids.
Its mentioned in the film of it being located in Kentwood. I spelled the title as Grand Rapids to make it more searchable in the database.
i live in grand rapides
Grand Rapis is Grand Rapids
The Hoodland mall, as some from the area call it.
Whelp I'm black and I've never heard that term. Must be an inside joke for the uppity.
I don't know. It's a pretty safe mall from what I saw.
The mall is pretty upscale. Seems absolutely safe.
@@UrbexAPeakInside It generally is, but the area is not so great. There have been fights, and even gang related shootings in and around the mall. I recommend checking out RiverTown Crossings mall in Grandville, MI. It's not too far from Woodland, and is in a much nicer area. The mall is also larger.
Plan on checking that one out too.
You wanna see a dead mall? Go to the lakes mall muskegon
I took driver's ed at Sears before they tore it down
Why don’t we have an ikea
This mall looks dead to me!
This was filmed during stay at home order when mall first reopened
Go blue
Can pretty it up all you want, but the riff raff keeps people away. It's the walmart of malls
This is my channel. Please keep the comments positive and focus on the economics behind why malls are failing.
You'll love River town
That mall is now a ghetto so is the area
This mall is lit but nothing beats Rivertown ❤️
Happy to say it's a decent local mall. Von Maur gives me major 90's fancy dept store vibes. Love it
The 90s look is nice. It's a great place. Reminds me of the upscale malls in Chicago.
Hoodland
Rivertown is dead. Empty stores everywhere
Thats a shame. Considering East Grand Rapids is nearby and is the segment that wouls tend to keep a mall alive. What are your thoughts.
Thats a shame. Considering East Grand Rapids is nearby and is the segment that would tend to keep a mall alive. What are your thoughts.
@@UrbexAPeakInside The wealthier parts of GR including Ada, Cascade, and East Grand Rapids are closer to Woodland than Rivertown, which is why there are more affluent stores at Woodland overall (as well- lululemon, Anthropologie, etc. are at Breton Village which is a few blocks northwest of Woodland.) While I wouldn't say Rivertown is dead, it's already down one anchor (Younkers) and it's only a matter of time before Sears closes. They've lost some larger stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap which took up a lot of square footage. Rivertown is pretty much the same as it was when it opened... in 1999. It's nice, but getting more and more dated.
@@The_Midwesterner yep Sears closing now
I work in this mall why they lying he said “there’s 100 stores” 😂😆😂 the lies
"Thriving", might have been a better word choice.
Using non dead mall for searchability. If somebody typed dead mall, that mall would still show up in the search.
@@UrbexAPeakInside I see. It just doesn't sound as inviting. LoL
Like the Gizmodrome song "The Zombies are at the Mall".
Haha. Zombies. I read somewhere that many years ago foot salve was added to the traditional pasta sauce. When it was named "foot salve sauce" it didnt sell. When it was renamed to pesto sauce. It finally became successful.
@@UrbexAPeakInside Better to eat zombies than have them eat you I suppose! 😂
Gun Ru
The food court was the spot back in middle and high school