Brass Mill Center Mall: Is It a Dead Mall? Signs Point to Yes! Waterbury, Connecticut.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Join me as I take a look at the Brass Mill Center Mall in Waterbury, Connecticut. Is it a dead mall? What do you think?
This video was filmed in December 2022 on a Tuesday around 2:00pm.
If you liked this video, please give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel! Thanks!
Source of information:
en.wikipedia.o...
www.nbcconnect...
www.nbcconnect...
www.msn.com/en...
www.wtnh.com/n...
news.google.co...
dirtamericana....
#deadmall #deadmalls #mall #connecticut #waterbury #shoppingmall #shoppingmalls #retail
I own a multifamily in Waterbury, and I lived in it from 2012-2016 while I renovated and brought it up to premium condition. I would say that there is no place in Waterbury that isn't horrible. It's a lost and unrecoverable city. I sincerely do not know how any business that is commercial in nature lasts there. But in all, I would say the mall felt like the safest place to be, though that may just be an illusion. The only times I went there were for Christmas shopping. Also, haven't been there in almost 6 years. That recognizable storefront that was closed, that you asked about, was a Hollister BTW.
I went to school in Waterbury for a year and that city is depressing everything is either run down or the streets are littered with druggies
Connecticut is a cesspool.
I grew up in the North End- I won't drive through the neighborhood I grew up in, even during the day.
The whole state of Connecticut is a lost cause. Has been ever since they introduced an income tax.
@@Kiki-D-Kimonoare you black
Ok, so I can tell you everything you need to know about the third (and fourth) floors as I ran that movie theater for longer than any person reasonably should have. The third floor was entirely for the movie theater. The back area you face when you first come up the escalator was originally a coffee stand which Regal got rid of when they took over in 2005. They segregated the section off and it was intended to be used for Birthday Parties, but that never really took off, it was largely unused storage space. It had 12 auditoriums, 12 and 1 were the largest, 4 was the smallest. There’s a stairwell in the back behind a locked door which led to the break room, managers office, roof hatch, and projection booth on the fourth floor (mezzanine level). Only 4 auditoriums had mezzanine seating, 1,2,11, and 12. They were intended to be handicapped accessible but eventually they just designed handicapped seating in the auditorium which made them superfluous (they were too far away from the screen anyways). Someone from mall maintenance must still go up there as it’s the only roof access for the entire mall. As far as accessing the third floor, the elevator had the ability to be disabled with a key so that’s likely not an option. Those gates are a death trap, and would be conspicuous to try and get around. However, if you can sneak into the back area over by the bathrooms in the food court, you’ll eventually make your way to a service elevator which might still go up there. There is also a stairwell which leads up there, but those doors were usually one way, but they didn’t always close all the way, so it’s possible that’s an option as well.
Ok
I remember going to get a coffee up there before seeing a movie as a teen. I snuck into so many movies there. So many classics I watched there. Titanic. Lord of the rings the star wars prequels. So many more
Hollister Co is the store with the cabana front! Brings back memories as a teen 😢
One hundred percent. Only store that I remember even remotely similar looking was Abercrombie and I dont think it was even in ever this mall or at least not that spot.
OK. I've seen a ton of those stores, and they are all empty, except for the one at the Auburn Mall in Mass which has an anime themed restaurant in it.
When I was a kid, my dad would always take me to this mall! There was a lot to do and look at! They had a carousel in the food court, little rides for little kids, a trampoline thing downstairs, and much more! I loved the clock theme the mall has. I don't know why, but I always thought it was cool! I went back to the mall yesterday with my dad, and the nostalgia hit me like a truck. It's such a shame that all the good stores and fun things are gone.
same here it is literally so depressing
The clock theme is because the old Scovil brass mill that was originally there used to make watch parts, possibly for the Timex company. During WWII the mill was repurposed to make things for the war effort. Several generations of my family worked in that mill.
My family has been driving through Waterbury for decades to Boston and we stopped by when the mall opened. One visit was enough and it was doomed from the start with so many sketchy locals wandering around.
I wouldn't say I ever felt unsafe going to this mall, but there were certainly areas I avoided. Outside the Sears used to be a bus stop that I hated going near, people would always catcall. I also tended to avoid the top floor of the parking garage but I don't know why, I just never went in that area.
The number of stores I've seen come and go... You were correct about the location of Filenes/ Macy's. It was gigantic.
The store with the roof front that you thought was a restaurant was Hollister. I'm surprised to see the Spencer's upstairs, it used to be downstairs. The Eblens is pretty new too, that used to be Gamestop. The Kids Place used to be Rainbow, and several other things.
Next to the Verizon used to be Steve and Barry's, it was one floor. The Verizon was previously an "As Seen On TV" store. I also remember a Christmas or holiday place in there. The H&M used to be next to the JC Penney's.
The Food Court used to be much grander, you can see some of the old gear decorations, it used to be all over. The Cinnabon seems fairly new, I remember an ice cream place and a burrito place. The pizza place used to be Sbarro. The BK has been there as long as I can remember. There was a smoothie place in the middle, nearer to the Sears.
The Shoe Dept Encore used to be a media store, I don't think it was FYE, something else. There used to be a pet store next to it. At one point there was a DMV storefront too, I think you could only renew your license there or something. There's a 2nd Tmobile downstairs? That used to be a different cell phone store. There was of course Payless shoes, I think it was where the arcade is now. Next to it used to be the Spencer's. There was also a children's store. FYE at one point had been next to the Dentist. There were two separate FYEs, one for music and one for games. The games one used to sell Ramune soda and Pocky.
Next to the current FYE was the Old Navy. In the center was a coffee spot, it changed names several times. Ardene's was a store that began with E... before that I remember several places, one of which was one of those "East Asian" themed stores that sold cheap table fountains, swords/knives, and other stuff like that. Near it at one point was a candy store too.
There was an Orange Julius in the middle, kind of near Finish Line. Foot Locker used to be upstairs. That used to be Forever 21. There was a DEB and a Rue 21 and a Pacsun in that area too.
The center near JC Penney's had a lot of jewelry stores. There was a chocolate store, maybe Ghirardelli's? Later on it was a purse store, and I think also a Things Remembered -type store.
There used to be a Ruby Tuesday's where the IHOP is. Next to it was Olive Garden. Kids used to spread rumors that someone had gotten arrested for "adding their genetic data" to the salad.
Next to the 90s Nails used to be a cell phone store. That nail salon and the hair salon across from it have been there a while.
I'm sure there's a lot I'm missing. I have been going to this mall for a very long time, probably 20 years at this point.
Oh! After the Steve and Barry's, it became a Burlington Coat Factory at one point. That's when it expanded into two floors.
Yeah, I have memories of my old local malls where I grew up as well. What used to be there, what’s there now, etc.
Shit I didn't notice the lack of the gears before you mentioned it. That's a damn shame that the newer owners removed them. Brass manufacturing was so integral to the Naugatuck valley.
Wow! Thanks for all that info and thanks for watching!
I've been there more recently and the BK is now gone. Also I believe the smoothie shop had upsized before it disappeared too (I want to say it was where Charley's is now). And the E was an Express!
I haven’t been there for years but have several good memories. I had to go there for the first time to buy school uniforms for my son. We also lived about an hour away and also went to the food court. We fell in love with the free samples being passed out by Sarku Japan one of the Asian restaurants in the food court . Like I said, it was our first time there so it was like an adventure.We had a lot of fun and had to return a few more times to buy more uniform pieces and every time we would eat at the same place- Sarku. My son is grown up but to this day he still loves that place whenever he comes to Connecticut. Anyway that was well over 10 years ago maybe more. I’m very sad to see that it has fallen into decline. My son will also be sorry to hear this.
The movie theater takes up the entire 3rd floor in an open floor plan....there's no doors at all. The escalator and elevator lead directly to the concession stand area.
So the only way mall management can keep people from going into the empty movie theater is to completely disable access to the 3rd floor itself. There's a set of stairs leading up to the 3rd floor at the mall's main entrance, but that's also blocked off by chain fencing (you can see it at 0:25 on the left).
It sucks....it would've made for a nice video to look around the empty movie theater 😀
Yes, my feelings exactly. Oh well....
Worked there around 2001/2002 and it was pretty wild. On the weekend it was pretty common to see cops there walking around and people getting arrested. Saw FYE get robbed once. Granted that was when it was in its peak.
I remember Hoyt Cinemas had pretty decent arcade. Always remember playing silent scope.
As a former mall rat and former employee of many stores in that mall it's crazy to me how far downhill the mall has gone. I remember when the mall first opened. I was all of 12 or 13 years old at the time. Tons of stores, lots of food, entertainment options, tons and tons of kiosks and crazy foot traffic. Looking back then I never would have guessed that we're likely only a few years away from that plsce being shut down. Even when I last worked there which was 2015 it was still busy..
I remember going to this mall when it first opened, it was packed. Kind of sad to see it die this slow slow death
Malls were where you went if you wanted to go out back in the 90's. Those were the good old days!
I remembered where I came here around 6 years old, and all of stores was opened before close. :) it was my childhood until I came to ride fun cars, park, arcades and shopping ❤
Popped in here for last second Christmas sneaker shopping last week. Even during Christmas season, this place lacks shoppers. Almost all good stores left over the last few years i.e Macy's, Sears, Old Navy, Spencer gifts, Olive Garden, H & M Clothing, and more. Just a crap load of shuttered store fronts. The store you asked about was a clothing store. Either American eagle or Hollister and Co. A trendy store though. It looks like they've recently gated the two stair cases to the cinemas. You can clearly see them when you first walked in and out on both sides, just inside of the doors you came into and out of the mall. The escalator you came upon when entering seems to be the only way up there now.
Yes, I really wish I could have gotten onto the third floor. If I had just filmed a few months earlier.....
I believe that dark corridor to between the old Sears entrance and the Brass Mill Convenience was a small DMV satellite where you could get license renewals for a short time.
I was 7 when this mall opened, and I remember a few years after it was built it had 2 gamestops and an EBgames. It used to always be bustling and I personally never felt unsafe, but I was always with a guardian.
This mall was always packed from 2003-2009 when I would go there. I remember when you could pay a couple of dollars to use the internet on a computer in one of the stores.
I lived in Waterbury for 14 years! There was always something going on in this mall which made it dangerous! Not to mention the mall has gone from owner to owner and all have failed to maintain it or make it better. This mall won’t be around for long if I had to be very honest. It’s a shame! I used to hang out here a lot. Now I’m in the Navy so it’s been a while since I’ve gone back home.
I liked the old Mall in Waterbury, that's where most of my memories are. Never cared for the the new brass Mill center.
I worked on the signs when the mall first opened. I was art director at the Lauretano Sign Group. The mall had a reputation for being dangerous from day one. Rumor had it that punks were hiding under cars and were cutting woman's ankles. We were told to carry a hammer. I told my family to stay away but I remember they did check it out. Who knows how much was rumor and what was true?
Never knew this mall existed - was born and raised in central CT - before this mall was built in 1997, my family went to the Naugatuck Valley Mall right near Rt 69 - we lived off that road but near the Burlington town line. Needless to say, the drive up there was enjoyable, even for a kid. Back in the early 1970's it was the closest mall to us, then Westfarms Mall in West Hartford opened in 1974. Loved the Naugatuck mall though, the Walden Books store, the candy store, Sears, J C Penney. Highly enjoyable memories.
When did the Naugatuck Mall close? I don't think I ever knew about it. Walden Books was one of my favorite stores, right up there with Sharper Image! Good times!
@@fleabittenadventures It closed in 1997 and was torn down in 1999. I think because of its location a lot of people from my hometown of Bristol went there frequently to go shopping. That part of Waterbury was relatively safe back in the 1970's.
It was G Fox not JC Penny’s that was in the Naugatuck Valley Mall
@@fleabittenadventures Naugatuck Valley Mall represent ! Saw "Jaws" and "The Song Remains The Same" there....at the midnight showing!
@@vincentsolomitajr4029 G Fox was the sh*t at one time in CT.
Kohan now owns it. Enough said.
It had the misfortune of losing an anchor before it opened. Lechmere, a Boston-based hardlines retailer owned by Montgomery Ward, was all set to into the Shopper's World/Burlington Space when it failed just a couple of weeks before the mall's opening. It took several years to fill the space, which was sort of prophetic.
Lechmere! That's a name I have not heard in a very long time! Thanks for watching.
Haven't been here in years. I worked in this mall from 2000-2003 in a chain. Did you still have your catalytic converter when you got back to your car? From what I hear, they get stolen there a lot and security never has footage. 5:07, When Spencers opened, they hired a bunch of young people from a local training program who were all excited to get jobs to help open and stock the store. Then when they were done, fired all of them. 6:38, It was Hollister, a clothing store. Always dark and musky in there. 10:02, That Sicilian Delight used to be Sbarros.
New subscriber here. My family was from Waterbury Ct so your video caught my eye when it popped up. Had to watch it.
It’s so sad cause I grew up going to this mall it was the closest mall for a lot of people about 15-20 min drive across various towns but now just to go to the closest mall you have to go almost an hour out of your way. It’s even more dead just 6 months from this post filled with trashy dollar stores and VERY budget clothing stores. All the stores have left because renting out a lot is to damn expensive for businesses to even want to stay. The very fancy looking storefront used to be a Aeropostale I believe. You know the mall is dying when the MOVIE THEATER has left the mall 💀
That is what the locals can afford nobody in their right mind would go shopping there with the choices that are available
It’s a beautiful mall… sad to see time is not kind.
Yeah, it's a classic 90's mall design. It will be sad to see it go, but most of them are.
Years ago I went to this mall and I noticed a group of 3 teenagers were following me. I turned around and went the other direction to make sure, and after a minute they were still following me. I went up the escalator to the food court and went into the bathroom. I stood inside of the bathroom on the side of the entrance and waited for them to walk In. THEY DID! As soon as they passed me I walked right out, and from there they knew I was aware of them following me. I left the building immediately and made it to my car safely.
Recall the Macy’s being nice and the staff was already super helpful.
It's not a dangerous mall per se, but before it was built Waterbury was one of the cities where you would hear about crime. From the 80s to the mid-90s, the news broadcasts would always have stories about burglaries or gang violence. When it was built some of that stuff actually decreased a bit. Unfortunately in recent years, it's gone down a lot. It's almost halfway between the Danbury Fair Mall and Westfarms Mall, two malls that are doing much better and have more attractions around them. A lot of people in Waterbury will actually drive out to either of those rather than shop in Brass Mills these days. The pandemic years seemed to exacerbate the troubles. As for the cinema, I believe (Someone may correct me if I'm wrong) Regal as a company hasn't been in the best of times so that's probably less an issue with the mall location, and more the company needing to close locations to try to stay afloat.
I pretty much agree. I would guess that most people that go to the Brass Mill Center Mall either live in Waterbury or very close by.
6:36 that facade I believe belongs to what used to be a Hollister Clothing store. I live close to this mall, it is definitely on the way to being a Dead Mall. Took my daughter here a few months ago on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't well-trafficked. There's another mall in the much more upscale suburban area of West Hartford (WestFarms Mall) that is doing significantly better even though it is smaller. Waterbury is a dump, lots of nearby crime so the mall has suffered greatly. Many of the shops in Brass Mill remain shuttered.
I wouldn't say it's dead but it is on the decline for sure. I have heard malls in the NE have been hurting more than in other parts of the country. I am thinking this was due to stricter covid lockdowns and more expensive rent.
Yes, if I were to categorize this mall, I would say it is a "dying mall".
This is definitely not a dead mall. Sure it has vacancies but when you still have businesses like Burlington, JCP, FYE and only one vacancy in the food court still there. No shortage of cellular stores minus Verizon. This is not what I would consider a dead mall maybe borderline dying. And to me that’s pretty good foot traffic for a Tuesday. Also weekends have daytime customers as well not just evenings. Peak times would be evenings m-f and all day sat & sun.
One last thought concerning the forbidden third floor. There is one possibility of getting footage… flying a small drone. This would take two people. One person to launch near the center opening and another to operate sitting on a bench with a privacy screen on a phone or a tablet. You could use a store shopping bag to sneak it in. Hopefully there are some that are whisper quiet drones that you could use. If your just feeling bold and adventurous one day 😅 Loved the video btw ❤ I’ll look to watch more from you later
Its on life support
At the very beginning of your video at 1:27 there's The Fix. That is where a GameStop used to be. I worked there as a key holder for a few years. The cinema upstairs is where I watched so many movies I lost count. Every hit of the late 90s early 2000s. A lot of memories in the place, mostly good.
COVID hit this mall pretty hard. It was doing just okay before, but afterwards it was VERY noticeably empty in spots. I've heard of smaller incidents happening from my sibling who worked in Macys (Backstage was located at 24:21) before it closed too. I've grown up around this mall and it's never really struck me as particularly dangerous, just a lot of shoplifting and petty things. If it were to ever revitalize (given the low low chance), it would need something really interesting and feasible to draw people in.
The whole third floor is the movie theater! In the last days before it suddenly closed without warning, all tickets were purchased through concessions when before it was done in a separate ticket window. Then there were less concessions employees and ticket purchase through a little machine. A part of that third floor was never used/never accessible as far as I know, though the opposite corner had arcade machines for a bit.
it was dead long before COVID. I worked in the area in 2016-2018 and went to the mall often to kill time and it was dead then.
6:36 That store used to be an Abercrombie and Fitch. Used to be a very popular store at Brass Mill.
Its very depressing but the world is going thru a major change
It appears so.
Not in the Dominican Republic. Their malls are packed the same way malls in the u.s. were packed in the 1980s. People in America have become less social and less family-orientated.
@@deepstate3358 im happy to hear 👂 😊
I always felt safe there during the day. At night it turned into a freak show with some very strange people. For some reason I don't remember the food court, but it has been 20 years since I have been there.
We had a Boutique on the second floor across from Victoria Secret from the end of 2008 to finally closing in 2010..we had one location next to Macys and then management moved us to a large store across from Victoria Secret, was very busy for a while until the Financial Crisis hit in 2009..pretty much stores were closing..Friday was very busy and of course Saturday’s, we tripled sales when we moved to the larger space..was okay for awhile..not dangerous when we were there..Steve and Barry’s was 1st floor, huge store..
It is rumored that JC Penney will be closing at this location. That will essentially mean that there are no anchor stores left to keep the mall afloat (Macy’s and Sears are long gone). There is a lot of theft and criminal activity in this area. Somehow the mall management seems to keep the activity out of the news and newspapers. The mall management does offer the ability for you to have security escort you to your car for safety reasons if you desire. The closed restaurant you mention was an Olive Garden. The elevators are programmed so so that they do not go up to the level where the Regal Cinemas used to be. Steve and Barry’s was only a single floor location. That location was originally slated to be a Lechmere store that never came to be as they filed for bankruptcy at the time the mall opened. Bridgeport was a city that always got a bad rap in Connecticut. Bridgeport has made great strides and improvements over the years. Unfortunately, now Waterbury is viewed as the “new” Bridgeport. It is an area that most people will avoid unless they have to go there for something that is an absolute necessity. I worked at a Pep Boys location in Waterbury for about 10 months and can attest to the fact that is is not a good area to be in. I no longer work there.
Thanks for all the info! And yes, Waterbury does have a bad reputation, as does Bridgeport. In fact, most of the big cities in Connecticut have pretty bad reputations when it comes to safety.
Interesting. Thanks for watching!
What do you expect from a city that hires John Roland right out of prison lol 😂
@@alienvampirebusterswhoyoug8257 very true! I can’t even imagine who thought that was a good idea! I’d love to know their thought process or if there even was any thought process….LOL
I loved going to the mall mostly Waldenbook, Barnes & Noble, and Fry's. Shocked that the theatre close last year. I loved going to the movies every month.
I used to love Waldenbooks! That was the big book store back in the day, before Barnes and Noble, I think. Thanks for watching!
I used to do service for the HVAC at this mall, its old, and run down. Also, the brass carpeted elevator smells like dirty socks
Nicely done video. Is Burlington Coat Factory only on the 2nd floor? I read they are trying to get offices and residential units to possibly occupy the empty spaces, and it looks like the occupancy is really declining now.
Thanks! Glad you liked it! Yes, I believe it is only on the 2nd floor. I wouldn't be surprised if they are trying to get any businesses they can to move in. It definitely appears to be in the dying mall category.
It's been years since I've been to the mall and only recognized two stores...My sister who hates and never feels safe, stopped in for something recently and while there, there was a shooting at the food court...She will never go there again...There's very little in the downtown section of WTBY now also...Not only is the mall dying, so is a once good city...
A dollar store moving in is not a good sign. The only bigger death knell is a military recruiter leasing space or Bed Bath & Beyond leaving. Imminent demise is signaled by the vending machines being the only food sources, or the plants being untended. Or both.
I agree. Thanks for watching!
I didn’t know that theater closed. It’s a shame to see all these places close.
Yeah, I think it closed in September 2022? Just a month or two before I filmed there.
The theatre was my favorite part of the mall after Waldenbooks closed.
I noticed that the Brass Mill Center Mall has the most Volta Electric Vehicle charging stations that I've ever seen at a mall. I think I counted eight of them. Here in California, the malls have no more than four at a mall. I wish Tom would sneaked up the escalator to the third floor and explored it. 😪
It's amazing to have experienced in my lifetime (yes, I am old) thriving downtown retail, it's decline, the rise of the suburban malls, and now the decline and demise of them.
You were wondering what the store front that looked like a house was, and it was a abricombe and fitch store. I removed walking past it a lot
I once heard it said that the best view of Waterbury is the "rear view". I live about a couple hours away in Rhode Island.
Is not that the actual mall is dangerous, its the vicinity of the mall that is a shitty location.
The mall was recently sold to a developer for $44million. Hopefully this developer turns things around.
@from9539. Not likely. This state is so not tax friendly
I would be shocked if they actually turn it around. Most of these developers seem to want to tear the malls down and building condos or apartments.
@@fleabittenadventures And besides, the developer is Kohan Realty, the corpse-scavenger of malls.
that store at 6:45 used to be Hollister
Thanks for the info and for watching!
I could almost do a commentary track to this video. I'm flooded with memories of what used to be.
The mall is worse now. All the stores he's showing in this video are closed down.
This was actually a really nice mall when it opened. Malls will make a comeback, but I think they’ll be more of an open air concept that you see down south and on the west coast.
The WOW arcade is in the original Spencer Gifts, which opened in that spot with the mall but has since moved upstairs. The green neon in the back of the arcade is original to Spencer's.
Cool! I didn't know that about the Spencer's or the neon!
a few years ago my daughters car got broken into there but that can happen anywhere. most people i know honestly went to Meriden
I've only been there that one time, but I would definitely avoid it at night!
Worked there in 1997-1999 and worked at the Hoyts Cinema 12 on the 3rd Floor, cool place AND WHEn Waldeen books still exsisted and where that game stop was was Electornics Bountique. Those were high school/college days.
This is the only mall where I had my car broken into, which happened about 15 years ago. To this day I swear that the 18-year-old "security guards" were in on it. The police told me I was on my own and refused to come out. The parking lots are also littered with folks going car-to-car asking for money. So yeah....not the safest place.
That's what I heard before I went here. I think if I had gone later in the day I may have seen more of what you are talking about. Thanks for watching!
Yes I encountered the bums when the mall first opened. Its unnerving having someone following you to your car to beg for money.
Trumbull mall had the same issues back in the 90:s. Car jacking, abductions, car theft and vandalism were most of the issues at the Trumbull mall and that mall boarders Bridgeport, go figure.
Not dead but dying slowly- needs more time to determine the direction
I agree. It's in the "dying" category now. I give it 5-10 years.
That store you said you thought was a restaurant..it was a clothing store called HOLLISTER
Yes, I finally figured that out. Thanks.
Hi I saw possibly 6 closed locations with the rolling fences or gates down as well as one long stretch of placard saying thanks for the memories. That you walked by without comment. I'm not sure of the premise of your visit to the mall if you are not pointing out those closed stores.
Steve & Barry's only took up the 1st floor. It was a grwat store that was comparable to Old Navy except with more inexpensive clothing.
When this mall opened up around 1997, it was a big deal. It was exciting and looked forward to going often. But as time went on, it started going downhill and fast. It wasn’t as dangerous as people say it was. It still isn’t as bad as but it’s so desolate now. I used to go to FYE Games for random video game tournaments, of course EB and GameStop, but when Filene’s was there I would get my concert tickets there (or at Strawberries (here’s your major nostalgia trip). Regal was Hoyt’s… I remember watching Star Wars Episode 1 about 6 or 7 times (I was a nerdy loner teenager and Darth Maul was amazing to me). They’re trying to keep it alive, but it’s on its deathbed
Online shopping is killing the malls in US this is sad 😢
It is true, also china is trying to destroy US economy, one way or the other. They have a dirty war against US economy, using as low prices as possible, believe or not,
I remember when this place opened and it was nice in the 1990s, But I think an issue is due to how easy I-84 makes it to reach Danbury the mill was always kinda seen as second fiddle to the Fair Mall. and if you were west of waterbury going to Danbury meant avoiding the traffic on the Mixmaster.
There is a freight elevator in JC Penny that may still go up to the third floor. Back over the summer their main elevator was broken for months so the only way for persons with disabilities to get to the movie theater was to ride the freight elevator.
Interesting. I wish I knew about that, I would have tried. I'll bet it's not accessible that way either, or it's at least "off limits".
i started to work there during high school right when it opened. it was a really nice mall when it was packed w people during the holidays. of course amazon and online shopping has made the malls quiet. during the week its always dead. not sure this mall will last another 5 years and the mall was not dangerous. i grew up in waterbury and nothing really happened there, just the normal punks thefts. also since the movie theater was there we got lots of young kids walking around on the weekends.
This is so sad all theses malls are not doing well.
Yeah, the vast majority seem to be on the downturn. Who knows, maybe they will turn things around some day. Thanks for watching!
The first anchor stores were Sears, JC Penny, Filene's, & Lechmere, which entered bankruptcy protection shortly before the mall opened.
I argued with so many peiple who voted for the mall. They thought ot would bring in so many living wage jobs. The only people that made a living wage would be the store managers, mall management , and a scant few other positions.
I worked in the Naugatuck Valley Mall almost till the end.
6:42 it used to be a Hollister in Hollister used to have that design in the past
Cool! I just learned that very recently. Never been to a Hollister myself. Thanks for watching!
So glad I left. Good riddance but also sorry Waterbury is going through so much. If you see this comment and went to Crosby, hey 👋🏽
the store was Hollister a shootoff of Abercrombie which was booming in the late 90s early 2000s
The storefront with that Hacienda roof was a Hollister. Hollister is a clothing store.
The 2 floors where Burlington Coat factory originally from what I remember
I was here in 1998 .. OMG .. and now I'm living in Singapore ...
Seeing that vast under utiized space made me think it could be converted to a high tech manufacturing center (i.e. make chips, solar panels, electronics, MakerSpace, etc.) and wouldn't that be ironic since as Scovill industrial plant preceeded the mall/retail creation and get it to revert to something more productive rather than just eating and shopping. Also, go with green energy (sustainability, etc.) and maybe even convert excess buildings/grounds to some affordable, worker housing where people coud live-work-shop-eat all in one place in an area well served by public transit. The term for this is Transit Oriented Development (TOD). This former city planner, former mall cop (what a combo!) looking forward to thoughts, especially outside-of-the-box, creative thoughts because let's face it folks...we are never going to eat & shop our way to economic revival in the outdated wastefull suburban mindset. Last, but not least, the former Sears Auto Center would be ideal for a trade school, skill buiding facility.
Yes, if the stores in the mall ever left entirely, it does look like it would make a great office complex or factory.
There was talk about opening a school on the first floor.
I’ve been to that mall more times than I can count and there was never a threat. It was just like any other mall
I was there opening day back in 1997! This mall changed so much! Dying mall unfortunately definitely! Bad sign if they sealed off the anchors! I was there may 2022 and they set the fire alarm to get everyone out of the mall. I walked around for about an hour filming the completely empty mall. It was so strange.
Gentle Jungle, Rave, Afterthoughts, That railroad store with the train running through and outside of the store. I can go on and on!
In 2010 i was in a halfway house literally one block away from this mall. We weren't supposed to go there unsupervised but alot of us would get day passes to go places n jus hang out in the mall. We always had to b on the lookout especially around lunch or dinner time cuz staff liked to go to the foodcourt. 2 min walk n there's ppl fresh outta jail hangin out tryna bag chicks in the mall 😂
The weird thing about Waterbury is the city closes down at 6pm no stores are open in the center of town not even the Dunkin. Doughnuts
9:15 Wednesday morning July 18th 2023. This tour is upsetting to me. I started working Security for IPC International. When shebfirst opened she was such a beautiful structure. There wasn't a whole lot of trouble the year and half that I worked there as a Security Officer. She flourished like you wouldn't believe. Friday afternoon till close on Sunday it was packed. I was very proud to be able to work there. The building was owned by a company called G.P.C. This segment that your producing doesn't hold a candle to how it used to be! It hurts to see her like this. There's so many things that your not talking about, you should talk to someone who was there in the first 2-3 years and hear how great it was to shop and work there?
Lt. Johnson call sign 106
@Fleabitten Adventures. I live in the area, I've been to the mall several times during the day pre Covid and it didn't seem dangerous. Many stores have gone out of business I noticed the last time I was there. It truly looks now like a mall from a third world country sad to say the least.
The pandemic definitely didn't help malls in general. I also didn't feel unsafe when I was at this mall. Based upon what I read online, I was expecting to be in fear of my life while I was there.
After you gave the run down on this malls history of crime and violence, I can understand why you walked so fast. I would have to 🏃
Yeah, that was part of the reason. The other part was that I am always worried about getting kicked out for filming. I figure if I move fast enough it won't give people enough time to focus on the camera attached to my chest. Another rule I follow is no eye contact.
the mall is fine no threat of danger, all things listed were isolated incidents
Last year I went to my local mall in Connecticut around Christmas time it made me so depressed it was totally empty with people and the few stores that are there were places I have never heard of selling shit from China. I remember going to the malls as a kid at Christmas time and it was a total sensory over lode it was so fun actually shopping for gifts that meant something. I don't like the way things are changing. The 1990s and early 2000 were great I miss them so much
I can’t speak to this particular location, but the Steve & Barry’s I shopped at was two story so it was entirely possible that one was too.
I've lived in CT for 40+ years and somehow I've never heard of Steve and Barry's until recently. It must not have been a think in northern CT.
I wrote how rhis mall was dying about three years ago and i got into an argument with a local, but after seeing this i guess i was right. This mall is dead.
Sketchy...lol what isnt sketchy in Waterbury, especially at night.
Lived in Waterbury 15 years and saw someone unlife his friend outside of our house, a high speed cop chase tore through our neighborhood mid day, and the quality of education is the worst in the state. Its a shame, because many of the neighborhoods try to clean up the problems. The issue is theres too many people and not enough jobs and no money.
Such an awful mall in an awful city.
I don't know enough about it to call it "awful", but I don't think I'll ever go back, except to film it just before it goes out of business.
@@fleabittenadventures Can you stop talking shit about my hometown? I live in the murder capital of the country (New Orleans), and Waterbury is NOT that bad.
Steven Barry’s was a 2 floor store. Smelled like plastic too.
Ouch, JC Penny’s is the anchor?! Not a good sign
That Boilery seafood restaurant sucks. It used to be a Bertucci's which was way better. Never trust a seafood restaurant at a mall lol
Sears also had an auto center location at this mall at one time. Sears and Macy's leaving really hurt this mall
I'm not a seafood fan in general. I wouldn't think mall seafood would be the best, but it's got to be better than gas station seafood, right? Also, if you watch to the very end, I have footage of the Sears Auto Center. Thanks for watching!
My car was hit at this mall. After 5 hours of calling and calling the police dept., they informed me that they would not be responding. SAFE?
DEAD AF!
Used to work in the footlocker when the mall first opened and it was poppin’ then…, now it’s a ghost town with everything overpriced.
I remember going to Charmz, was a anime import store when I was little with my mom. I wouldn’t go to that mall what so ever now. Literally get mugged or shot in the parking lot🤔
I worked there for years beginning in the early 2000’s …I hear it’s possibly becoming an Amazon warehouse … or whatever Amazon calls them
I find ALL of Connecticut to be sketchy!
Most of Connecticut is pretty nice. Your bad areas are Bristol, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Meriden. Litchfield County and Fairfield County are money areas with fairly wealthy people. I happen to live in Litchfield which is a well to do historic district in the Northwest corner of Connecticut. I think every state has one or more areas that are very much less than desireable.
The big cities, yes, but the suburbs and rural areas, which make up the vast majority of the state, are, generally, very nice.
Yeah, all states have good and bad areas.
@@fleabittenadventures That is EveryState, USA.
proffesional job!
Isn't a Tuesday around 2pm kind of unfair? I imagine most malls would have more foot traffic either directly after work on a weekday (between 4-6:30 pm or so) and anytime during the weekend (likely mostly around lunch 12-4pm).
However, have been there a few times and it wasn't particularly lively by any means. Sad.
Tuesday at 2pm may be unfair, but as I have a full time job and a lot of these malls are over an hour away from me, I go when I am able. That's usually on a "vacation" week or a Sunday afternoon.
Burlingtons used to be 2 floors shoppers wold is next door
That store u were asking about was pac sun
The mall is definitely on the down slope. Saw many recognizable closed storefronts like Hollister, American Eagle, & Limited Too. One to put on your watch list for sure!
I'll definitely keep an eye on it. It's only about an hour from me, so I can get out there if something happens. Thanks for watching!
Is the head shop still there ?
Yep, the one he asked what it was, I knew just by looking at it, it was a Hollister when it was open. That one is one of the more obvious storefronts. It's also interesting because it's one of the only more unique looking storefronts in a mall that's been kind of short of storefronts that have noticeable features like Hollister's roof and windows, the only other one I can think of is Abercrombie with their entrance and windows (the original appearance storefront, the one in the shopping center near me moved into an old Armani [which also musical chaired] space so it got kind of sterilized, but the original storefront is being used by something else [I can also still smell a trace of the cologne/perfume still]).