We photograph and take video of interesting retail, with a strong emphasis on malls. We take a more raw approach than some, providing as much of an in-the-moment sort of cinéma vérité documentation of these endangered places, that is we are not producing documentary shorts for the intention of an education on a property with a voice-over but rather I want you to feel like you are taking a walk with me through these properties. *DISCLAIMER*: This channel makes no money. We are not monetized and do not participate in the RU-vid Partners program. Our theme song, attached to every video is copyrighted by EMI Production Music and prevents monetization. We only want you to see what the malls look like. And maybe discover a few good tunes along the way!
Bridgewater Commons used to be owned (when it first opened) by The Rouse Company of Columbia, Maryland (suburb of Baltimore/Annapolis). The Rouse Company used to own the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne Township, Passaic County, NJ. It is currently managed by Trademark Property Company and owned by Pacific Retail Capital Partners.
I'm sorry you have your facts mixed up. The Rouse company didn't own/develop this mall, it was the Hahn Company of San Diego California who developed this mall.
This was my local mall growing up in the late 80's all the way until 2018 when I moved to Florida. The Hoyt Cinema and the Arcade were definite highlights. Only Subway is in that mall now from the major chain restaurants but Friendly's, Pizza Hut, BK, McDonalds and Taco Bell were all there. Kay Bee Toy Store was a must stop store because I'd cry all the way home if I couldn't just look inside for a couple mins lol. I remember buying all my CD's from the FYE that is STILL somehow hanging on there, bought my high school clothes at the American Eagle, sat on Santa's lap in the food court at Christmas time wishing for half the things inside the old Radio Shack and ran around that place like we owned it when I'd take all my friends there in my 1994 Ford Escort (my first car) when I turned 16. Hell, I took the girl I thought I was gonna marry there all the time and we'd always get the Friendly's slider burgers and a chocolate shake to share. Much like the Friendly's though, that's a long gone memory. I love that Sangertown is still full of stores and going very strong in the face of other mall closures, but it's just not the same today, even with the few stores I do remember from back then like the Spencer's Gifts, the FYE, Victoria's Secret, American Eagle and Dick's Sporting Goods. It really is sad to see this powerhouse staple of my youth fading as quickly as my youth itself. Well, I'm 39, my youth is officially gone lol.
I walked throgh that 70s office center with the tiles with my dad and it was so cool! He thought it was one of the connecting hallways between the "branches" of the mall, i didnt tell him it wasn't because i knew it would be something great!
This was our mall. Had many memories in there. Just wish I'd gotten the chance to experience it as an adult before it was shut down. But the child inside still remembers.
You have a really good memory. I used to hang around this mall in the early eighties. Sometimes we would sneak up on top of the roof and look down through the skylights at the people in the mall. I do remember Papa Gino's jukeboxes. Spencer gifts in KB Toys. I used to work at York steakhouse in friendly's at one time. When the minimum wage was $3.25 cents per hour. Do you remember the plastic furniture that had in the middle of the mall for people to sit down on. I do remember they had a music store that sold albums. And radio shack. I'm sure you remember strawberries records and tapes across the street, Add service merchandise. Thanks for the memories.😢😂
5 years later (June 2024) and there are no major (regional/national/international brand) stores left. The 99 Restaurant is the only big-branded anything left. There is still the movie theater, but that's been independent for several years now. There's also a bingo hall that seemingly has decent traffic in the evenings. Otherwise it's random alibaba clothing stores and amazon pallet stores (there's just boxes scattered around for you to sift through. There are two remaining small eateries in the food court, which I imagine can be sustained with the NYS tax center and the remaining traffic they have left for the theater, few stores, and whatever events they hold at the mall (carnivals during the summer, themed holiday events throughout the year). Comparing it to other dead/dying malls at the time this video was taken it still had a little life left but was definitely trending down, and the pandemic was the absolute devastating blow. It's on life-support now, I imagine it has a few more years left, but I don't think it can sustain itself without some sort of miracle tenant coming through, which I don't think I or anyone else really sees happening.
This was the mall I grew up visiting as a kid. We live like an hour and 15 minutes from McKinley so it was an all day adventure when we went. We did all of our Christmas shopping there. I can remember those snowy nights enjoying the arcade before we left the mall to go to dinner. I remember thinking in the arcade that I never wanted to grow up. I really loved this mall and the memories it represents for me. I’m 34 now and I can’t believe where time has gone. Seems like yesterday I was with my family laughing on the car ride to the mall, excited to get there and spend the day with the people I loved. It’s crazy though. My dad passed 2 years ago and these videos always make me remember those amazing memories. Back when everyone was healthy, happy, and I didn’t know so much about the world. Sorry for rambling on haha.
I literally just visited this mall yesterday for old times sake and it’s 😢 cool that it’s still around, but it definitely needs some love like lol a Target in the JCPenney 🤷🏻♂️ that might help out, but doubt any major retailers would wanna come in sadly
I remember coming here with my brother back in like 2011-2013 time frame. We would get our pay checks and come spend money at the new york jewlery store that used to be there. I remember payless being there, a chinese restaurant, a clothing store called urban trends...the movie theatre...working fountains, out front fountain worked too, i remember one year during winter it was all frozen lol. I just remember so much. Im happy its still open, but i get a little sad walking back in there , thinking back to all the old memories
It a shame no one has footage from the 80s The lower level where the food court had wooden floors tables and chairs and lots of plants it was so fancy then they ruined it by modernizing it.
i don't mind this mall i use to go there with a friend of mine 2019-2021 he had a movie pass for its cinemark and we went to random stores and restaurants from the food court i miss doing those things! now i believe monroeville is next becoming a dead mall due to lots of shootings! other than that i love the video as well :)
Great mall😇 i was there back in Oct 2021 and recently visiting New Dimension Comics and also Bath and Body Works it was Awesome! i love uncrowded dead malls looks like Pittsburgh mills is the new Century III... or is it?
So if Montgomery Ave in Bay Shore NY used to be where a Montgomery Ward used to be then maybe it's possible that Montgomery Ave probably passes through where the snack bar used to be of that possible Montgomery Ward location back in the day right?
it's crazy how dead this mall is 5 years later. my dad and i go sometimes because the lack of customers is good for mall-walking. it's a very creepy mall nowadays...
