Wasnt there a Popular Restaurant at the Mall back in the early 90's, but on the 1st floor right as you Walk In the Entry of the Mall. Does or can anyone Name All the Stores, Tennants and Restaurants throughout its History. Thanks.😎🌴👍🏻
This was once a great mall full of stores. Online shopping was the kiss of death. Americans are lazy and can't be expected to put on clothes and drive to a mall. Jeff Bezos saw the potential and ran with it.
I am from the UK but visited Chicago 4 times between 2002-2004 to see my then girlfriend and now wife of 21 years (she moved to the UK in 2003). We went to Gurnee Mills Mall at least 3 times (usually once per visit). I remember going to Outdoor World as it had a unique frontage and we don't have anything like that in the UK. I also remember in hallways they had those vibrating chairs, which they seem to still have in the video (although I am sure they are not the same ones). I don't remember much else as I suppose all the shops have changed. We last visited in summer 2004 and I got some Timberlake boots, guess the store has gone now?
Damn this is the first time I have laid eyes inside here for nearly 20 years, so a lot of nostalgia. I am from the UK and went on trips to Chicago 4 times between 2002-2004 to visit my then girlfriend and now wife of 21 years. During each trip (usually lasting 2 weeks) we would go into Hip Mall several times. My wife lived in Logan Square and her family are still there but told me its changed a lot. I imagine most of the shops have changed but I remember we would go into a Spencer's Gifts. My wife moved to the UK in 2003, we visited a year later in 2004 but have not been back since, have 3 children so very expensive flights. I would like to go back for nostalgia but fear its not the Chicago I remember. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for this. I was wondering what the old Sears side looked like, but im still too salty about it being torn down. Lots of irreplaceable memories went down, when that building did. Itll never see any of MY money.
I am surprised it isn't doing better. Everytime I go past it I see a fair number of cars in the lot but not too many people inside. At least there is Barnes and Noble that is the one thing left that is keeping coming here.
@@SweatpantsCyclist that is true however I have gone by there around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. That's not prime lunch or dinner time it's unlikely the restaurants would be busy at those times.
@@SweatpantsCyclist true but without a mall enterence it doesn't really help the mall by them being there. I would think they would be required to have a mall entry.
This used to be my favorite mall over Woodfield because it was much quieter. Even in the 80's! Did none of the escalators work? Looks like you were the only one there. Even the stores were empty! That would've creeped me out! lol They're closing April 22nd. My childhood gone!😢 This is just sad. I remember that axe throwing was on our local news! They'd made a big deal about, being at that mall!
Only one set of escalators was on, the rest were not moving. Apparently I somehow got in and was able to record *before* the mall was actually open? Dont know how that happened. Im sure its not much busier during the evening, though
I used to own a nail salon there when it was grand avenue mall! The good old day! 😂 After I sold the business. I never went back to the mall!. Last week my sister said that mall you call grand avenue mall have turn to eateries place. lol That why I google RU-vid videos to see what it look now! Thank for the visual tour! 😁
Thanks for checking in! This is the exact reason I started posting these videos, its great to give people an opportunity to check in on the places they used to be frequent visitors of
This really brings me back but it's depressing. We were here all the time as kids and teenagers especially. This was the hangout in the 80s and 90s. Memories around every corner for me. Such a great place. It was always crowded. I loved this place. I should post some video from back in the day. Thanks for filming. I need to make a trip to see it, maybe.
Its still open to visit, at least at the time of me sharing this comment! Theres nothing much to do though, the only major stores you might want to visit are FYE, Kohls, and one of those shoe outlets. Besides that, it would be one really fun place to play paintball
I'm kind of curious what used to be i that Bowling Ally place. I never really went to Fox Vally until I was an adult, with my own car, and even then I only went a few times and never got a really got feel for the layout. It was always large and tangled.
I remember this place growing up.some malls should have never been enclosed.back in 1985 when it became enclosed the only major reason is they wanted a food court to compete with the picnic concept At Randhurst.
At least they didn't put drywall up over the empty stores, I think it looks better to be able to see what once was there. Still how strange and melancholy it is being a child of the 1980s to see these Malls that once were packed with people (especially this time of the year/December) now completely empty and silent. No more Santa, no more photos with Santa and no more shops or smells of foods/candles. One day Malls will come back, it won't be in my lifetime as I'm getting ready to turn 44, but they will eventually come back and the downtowns wll empty out again and so will the outdoor shopping centers. All of that of course if America holds on that long and our economy gets better, people had more disposable income in the 80s before things like NAFTA and the Democrats killed small town jobs/industry. Sure you can buy a TV or Bluray player for cheap now and they used to be over a grand in the 80s for similar tech, but what good is cheaper stuff if you have no jobs to work to get money to shop?!
I think they have a chance at revival sooner than we think. Malls as they are right now definitely aren't sustainable, but they thrive in Europe and Asia. Taking what works from over there is the first step, but I definitely wouldn't recommend designing your mall with a Sears cutting it in half
Im sorry if I make you feel old with this, but I wasn't born yet! It still has the feel of an outlet mall, but theres more opportunities for smaller shops to set up as well
