It feels good to be back. I’ve finally reached a place of peace. I’m so excited to be working again. Two things. New videos are going on the FILM IT channel. Go over and subscribe. Also, new exclusive content at www.patreon.com/thisisdanbell. Love you guys so much. Thank you for being by my side during my difficult days. You have no idea how much it meant to me. Okay, go watch some videos! -DB
You look better, you sound better, your moods are fully back to a good place and I’m just happy that you’re in such a positive place. You took care of you, and we were all ready whenever you could come back. Can’t wait to see what you do next, this was a fantastic episode.
16:37 Dan, those boxes are tactical rackmount cases. I used them in the Marines. They are used to store rack mounted IT & communications equipment such as modems, servers, routers, switches, and the heaviest things were the Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) with their batteries. They are used so that you can make IT & communications equipment portable, and bring them out to a field environment. We would stack those boxes up, wire them together and usually to an external antenna of some sort, and you would then have full network capabilities out in the field. If you’ve ever seen a server room at an office building, it’s like that but portable. The UPS were indeed quite heavy, and would require many hands to move lol. Don’t know how those things ended up in an old Chuck E. Cheese, but that’s what they are! Also, glad to see you back!
Not military but I know a server case when I see one 😆 Probably dumped by that same guy after he got a load from an army surplus container and they were flagged as hazardous disposal due to use conditions and he was unwilling to pay the dump fees. Probably hoping they would be missed in the demolition when the entire property gets scrapped and scraped because of biohazard contamination.
To give you some information about the two businesses that were in question. The Diamond Point Furniture store was originally a Sam's Club store. It closed in the early 2000's when the larger new Sam's Club opened at the Golden Ring Plaza. The building was never taken over by any other chain store and has had many different tenants over the years. The restaurant was originally a Roy Rogers, changed over to a Hardee's and finally back to a Roy Rogers that served Hardee's burgers. The Ames building was originally opened as a Zayres Department Store until Ames bought out Zayre in the late 1980's. Hope this helps you out.
Thank you for the info. I tried going to google maps and see older street view. That restaurant had red roof with some yellow and a couple of flames on it.
@@marterion80 Yes it did. That was the logo of the ' new ' Roy Rogers. When Hardee's took over Roy's, longtime customers were very upset and boycotted Hardee's. The solution was to bring back the Roy Rogers name, sell Roy's Roast Beef and Chicken BUT have Hardee's flame broiled burgers where Roy's burgers were fried on the grill. It still wasn't successful in the end and all locations closed down within 3 years
Thanks! Do you remember what the buffet was? It eventually became a Best Buffet but it was something else before that. Wasn't it a Kings Court or Old Country Buffet?
Dan, I'm not sure that you will see this comment under the inevitable wave of positivity that you will receive on this comeback video, but I just wanted to express that we are all proud of you for not only being vulnerable, but bouncing back and doing the things that we love, and make us happy. You are an absolute King, and I love to see you thriving. Please keep doing what you're doing - we're all rooting for you! -C
I worked at Sally Beauty Supply in this shopping center from 2002-2004. At that time, Ames had been closed for some time and the only other active businesses were a Chinese buffet, which was awful -- I watched the employees attempt to lure seagulls into the back of the business as I was taking trash out one evening 😬--, Sally's, a Chinese "dollar store" and Chuck E. Cheese's. The Wire had just started Filming next door, in the Sam's club, when I started working there. The makeup artists from the set would come into our store occasionally and keep us up on what was being filmed and even invited us to come in and watch sometime. I never went. I didn't believe that a show about Baltimore would be interesting to people who weren't from here. I was wrong about a lot.
I went to ONE great Chinese place in Alabama of all places. I was blown away by how good the food was that I sometimes contemplate driving hours and hours just for that great Chinese. But then my wife pulls out her hammer and she says “you know where this is goin” and I say “sorry sorry I’ll eat gull from our local town Chinese.”
I'm so glad that you're back with new original content, Dan and that you decided to continue the Dead Mall series. It's always been one of my favorites. I saw that the furniture store has a bunch of going out of business signs up, so I guess it's finally closing. Unless its one of those places that uses fake "store closing-everything must go!" signs in order to draw in business, but considering everything else around it is long gone, I would think that it really is about to shutter. I'm actually surprised it was able to stay in business as long as it did.
Never have understood how furniture stores make it, in a place near to me we have a Grand Home Furnishings and then an Ashley Furniture opened up. The Grand's been there years and barely hung on, now there's two. It's like how they also opened an ORiely's Auto Parts across the street from an Advance Auto and we keep getting pizza places. People with money to open up businesses most places must have more money than sense LOL Furniture stores I don't see how they make it thou, my family keeps the same furniture decades as do most people around here, so how they stay in I dunno.
Great video like always! Just confirming some of the stuff you mentioned… - the restaurant was definitely a Roy Rogers - the warehouse used to be a Sam’s Club - when the buffet closed it was Stacy’s buffet, it had been about 3 or 4 different Chinese buffets before that - yes, Ames was always the anchor It’s so weird seeing the shopping center I most frequently went to as a kid being a post-apocalyptic hellhole now but thank you for documenting it
Great Dead Mall explore Dan!! Those military looking cases, General Dynamics is a defense contractor, and those appear to have held sorts of computer/communication related equipment for the Army, based upon the contract number displayed. The case of the tag you zoomed in on closely appears to have been made to house a UPS battery rated at 1kW. The contract was awarded in 2003 and looks to have ended in 2013... not sure how these ended up there, but I'd wonder if it's possible that they were sold as surplus at some point, and someone else was using them as very strong cases to hold something valuable other than the original military equipment.
Hi Dan 👋. I made so much money at Diamond point from 2015- 2019. Every weekend we opened the parking lot as a flea market. It was ran by mother & son. I haven't been there in some time now. The last business that was still open then was Chucky cheese (where a kid can be a kid 😀). Right up the road is east point mall and it's starting to show signs of going out of business as well. My childhood was fantastic because of these malls. We had to fight for our lives at Ames back in the 80's just to get a Cabbage patch kid doll 🤣😂. Good times ...good times. Thanks for the upload.
@@flipptripz1067 up the street from Diamond point we have North point Blvd flea market and Potapsico flea market. They are open every weekend. I'm not sure if Diamond point flea market is still up in running.
0:59 - 1:16 "Fallin' For You" by Colbie Caillat (Possible false positive, but the sample sounded like the song) 1:17 - 1:37 Showstopper American Dance Championship Theme by Keeth Stewart (Pitched slowed, no full cut on RU-vid strangely enough) 1:38 - 1:54 "Wired" by AGST - Legit laughed at the sped up motion followed by nothing and then Dan just leading in with "Okay here we are..." 27:51 - "Doing the Twist" by OTE I love how at 6:00 the shot almost says "KEEP OUT DAN" as if it's some sort of foreboding message. Thanks for the upload as always Dan. Hope Ames makes a comeback.
I love these, but they also make me really sad and nostalgic for my own past. I was totally a mall rat in the 90s. I hung out in them, shopped at them, and even worked in them. It’s like watching my personal civilization crumble before my eyes.
Ditto I love seeing them but at the same time they make me sad almost depressed and longing for the past because we lived it and had good times in them.
On that note, I feel like I am in some parallel world because I have never heard of Ames and everyone is talking about it as if everyone knows it (grew up in the 90s in PNW)
General Dynamics is a military technology company that manufactures (amongst a lot of other things) kit like satellite uplinks, ruggedised computers, military radios and the like. I would say those cases would have housed communications equipment, cabling, power adapters, uninterrupted power supplies, portable servers, monitors, and things like that. I guess whoever dumped the cases there stripped any copper, nickel or steel out of them and discarded the cases.
A couple of the labels mention ‘UPS’. So yeah I’ll go with an Uninterruptible Power Supply. The cases would hold the heavy lead-acid batteries for the UPS…
As a young person (turning 20 in march!), it can be pretty easy for the older generations to criticize others my age for not going outside like they used to in their youth. I think what they might not fully realize sometimes is that for a lot of us the places they used to go to "get outside" are either like this or have been turned into warehouses. It's surreal seeing a chuck-e-cheese abandoned like that considering it's somewhere I used to go. The one in my town got turned into a tire place. Thanks as always for the videos, I'm glad to see you're back at it! 🤙
It's because America's society is doing away with providing for & nurturing children. Instead, they are ushering in an absolute consume & throw away society.
Me too! And also it makes you wonder what this country will look like with all this abandoned junk real estate no one wants in about 10 years (or sooner).
Your channel was what got me interested in abandoned buildings/urban exploration. I’m glad to see a new post from you, stay strong, my friend! One of my closest friends also suffers from bipolar disorder and it’s quite the rollercoaster for her. Just remember that you’ll always have fans ready to watch your videos, no matter how long you haven’t posted for! Don’t feel pressure to keep us constantly supplied with videos, that’ll take a toll on anyone.
Really great to see the Dead Mall Series and you back. I remember shopping at Ames, Hills and Jamesway as a kid, loved going to those stores. Can't even imagine what the mold and how bad it is in that Ames now if it looked that back 7 years ago in 2016, especially with it being all sealed up now. From one video editor to another keep up the great work Dan, love your content.
Dan thank you so much. My dad passed away a few years ago and your videos kept me in good spirits during that very bad time. I'm glad you've found a good place for yourself and so happy to have these videos back in my life.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard: "Hello everyone, this is Dan Bell". So awesome to see you back Dan. I have been watching your live videos off and on and often do a Dan Bell marathon and rewatch all of my fave Dead Motel and Mall videos but it is terrific to see a brand new video presentation with all of the famous "Dan Bell" style. So happy that you are feeling better in your self. You're a terrific person, incredibly talented and entertaining! I could listen to your commentary for hours and hours! Thanks so much Dan! Sending love from West Aus! xx
Wait WHAT?! I watch these old dead mall serise videos almost daily, usually in the background (it's a weird comfort thing lol). Seeing a brand new one is SO EXCITING. Welcome back Dan!!!
I'm glad there's a group of us here who find this to be comfort viewing. Cancer treatment is absurdly jarring but I watch these exploration videos and feel better - why my s.o. and mom (as examples) don't get it is beyond me lol. Anyway, also here to say I'm overjoyed to see that Dan is feeling well and working! Watched the live on Saturday and Dan sounded so good!
Donna good luck with everything. These are great for comfort viewing haha Dan’s original Dead Mall run helped me through a very depressing time in my life. His voice kind of lulls you in and takes you on a journey.
Dan's back!!!! I'm so proud of you Dan for taking care of yourself and being vulnerable with all of us. You have no idea how so many of us look forward to hearing your voice and spending time with you. Welcome back !!! ❤️
I still go back and watch some of your old videos such as the meat factory, mothman, another dirty room, etc. It's a way to get Dan Bell content when you're working on videos, and enjoying life. Thanks Dan for the amazing content!
From the UK, I have an obsession of watching abandoned places it’s so fascinating learning about the stories and life journeys, I gotta say Dan Bell has the best content for this respect you for going out their by yourself to film this for are entertainment. 🙏🏼
Other accounts have started Vaporwave-infused Dead Mall video series,' but yours are still unique in how they find the small moments of liminality, and especially, the found-footage 80s/90s montages you edit together. I hope you'll make some more. Also I can't believe that Ames is still there. What the hell.
I’ve been watching you since I was 14 (I’m 20 now) and I got SO excited to see you uploading again! I’ve been watching and rewatching your content for years, it’s comforting. Best wishes ❤
Hey Dan, those Cases were indeed Military Equipment, General Dynamics is the 5th largest Defense Contractor in global Arms production and sales, they make Missiles, Abrams Tanks, and they also run one of the two facilities that build Submarines for the Navy (GD Electric Boat Co.). Those Cases were labelled to hold the Battery Supply and Charger Unit for some kind of System, or cross-platformed Devices. That was very strange to see those piled up there, but then again you can find all kinds of crazy things at Flea Markets. That was a LOT of mold in there, eesh. Glad you're back man!!!!
Hi Dan, Glad to see a new video from you. When i heard about your struggles with bipolar disorder it was sad to hear; but at the same time it was nice to see someone can be so successful with the condition. I myself have been diagnosed since the age of 16 and along with anxiety and ADHD have managed to make my way through life so far. Its like playing life on hard mode Glad to see your videos again.
Hi Dan..I want to tell you that I am So So Happy To See The Dead Mall Series Back Again. I know that you have been through some stuff, and Glad to see this come to fruition. This is the series that I fell in love with You and Your Great Work.. Dan A Sincere Thanks My Friend. Take Good Care, and Don't You EVER EVER Change.
Dan Bell, you’re my favorite youtuber. You have been my favorite youtuber. Your videos are so comforting and have felt like home to me for years now. I’ve grown up and gotten older watching this series and ADR, and I’m glad to see you’re doing better. Your videos are art, and I appreciate all the hard work you put into making your content.
Glad to see you back Dan. I want to thank you so much for having the courage to open up about your depression. I have had a rough three weeks, and have gone back to therapy to process some past trauma, and your words did so much to help me remember that I am not alone in this. I am glad you are doing better, and I love you.
The furniture store was a previous Sam's Club, and before that it was called Pace and before that Makro. All were wholesale food stores with Makro (1989) being a free walk in bulk store. I work for all three untill I left around 2000. Eventually Sams Club moved to where Golden Ring Mall use to be location.
The last restaurant was a Roy Rogers, I worked at that Ames in 1999-2000 and the Roy Rogers was close sometime during that period and nothing ever moved in as far as I know.
I'd find myself checking monthly to see if there were any updates to this series. And my RU-vid homepage made sure to show me that you were back today. It's so good to hear you again, see you filming, and watch you exploring to show us your adventures. I am overjoyed you're back with us, and I'm so glad to hear you're at least on some sort of an upswing. You're still my favorite creator on RU-vid, and I look forward to more! Thanks for everything you've done and everything you'll do! Take care of yourself! The Dead Mall Series would be nothing if there were no Dan Bell.
So happy that you are back Dan!! We have all missed you so much. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2023. It’s going to be a fabulous year for you.....I just know it!🤗🤗
I’m so glad to see you getting your spark back, Dan! I know it’s been one hell of a ride. I’m glad you took some time to address your mental health and that Dylan has been a huge source of support. I’m so glad you have him, and no matter the nature of your relationship, it’s apparent that there is a mutual respect and bond between you two. Your videos are always worth the wait and I will always be here for them. Xoxox
That large store was built as a Sam's Club. Later became the studio for the interior sets of THE WIRE. Back in the 1960s the entire property was auto junkyards.
Absolutely great to see you back! You are such a great creator with a knack for delivering such a surreal experience to your audience. Not to forget the geniune beauty you bring. Absolutely love and miss Another Dirty Room. Such a great time. Hope all is well and hopefully we get to experience life through your eyes more.
Those green crates looked unmistakably military. They are made by General Dynamics (apparently) who is a defense contractor company. I just want to know what they contained and better yet why they were dumped here? Maybe stolen and then tried to be "buried?" Edit: Now that I take a closer look at your footage, they seem to be for sensitive hardware. Likely sensors or electronic boards. We use special crates at NASA for transporting critical space items, and this reminds me of that. You can also see the sliding rail system on the inside of these. They are definitely well-designed and custom made for a purpose.
Omg, I'm so excited that you're releasing these dead mall videos again!! That was what originally drew me to your content years ago (although, to be honest, I love all of your work/projects)... 😀❤ Side note, I literally lol'd at you on the bench, doing that skit. Lol 😆Love your work, and thank you for this gem on this dreary January evening..Definitely made things brighter!😀
Nice to see you back Dan. Rewatched stuff over the last few months. That mess in the toilet was really quite something! No wonder it stank!! Can’t wait for ADR as well. Been excited for months now since I saw the instagram post. Love from Scotland 💙🏴
I remember this shopping place so well!! I live in Baltimore and came like 2 times to Chuck E. Cheese for birthday parties. The ball pit, the tubes, and the games... Truly miss this place
Hey Dan! I’m glad to see you back with the dead mall series and just back in general. I worked across the street at Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant for five years. I took photos of the outside of Diamond Point shopping center on my lunch breaks when I first started working there. I wanted to go inside to explore because I was new to Dundalk/Essex and I love old signage and decaying buildings but never have the gall to do so. The flea market was still going on when I left Back River (July 2022) but I can’t believe Amazon bought the lot. Anyway great work as usual and I’m glad you’re doing good.
Absolute banger of an episode Dan, I missed how good watching this series made me years ago as it did now. So proud of you being in a much better place!
I'm not around as much on your channel because life. This video was so refreshing. You did one video at the Tri-State Mall in Delaware and I saw my cousin dancing in the mall from your footage. Surreal AF! I hope you're well and I look forward to the next Dead Mall Series video. ❤
so the fast food place at the start was a Roy Rogers, confirmed by the shape of the roof eves, Hardee converted it in the 90s then sold it to McDonald's later in the 90's .... Very glad to see you are back !
Great to see Dan back, feeling better and making new videos!! You have an awful lot of people rooting for you Dan and a lot of support. Brilliant to see you making great Dead Mall videos and other excellent content.
Those are General Dynamics uninterruptible power supply (UPS) cases. There were a ton of these up for bid on GovPlanet earlier this year. My guess is that someone won a lot and, unable to resell them or find any use for them, dumped them in an abandoned Chuck E Cheeses. Also - the former BJs was originally a Pace Membership Warehouse, and I went there back in 1991 for my very first job interview when I was 16.
That furniture warehouse I believe started as a Sam's Club. 30+ years ago, almost 40. And that fast food restaurant has probably cycled through most of them.
Fun anomalies spotted: - Geese honking as background for this creepy location! - Toilet filled with crap was developing an ecosystem. - A hand-drawn advert poster? - The Roy Rogers / McDonalds hybridization... - The mysterious green crates? Obvious Doom Med Kits transferred from the dimension of the video game. -“Moon Over Ames” (lol) - Unexpected Ames Moldy Retail Treasure Trove (TM)! - Portapotty Colony - Dan choking to death on a mall bench 😮
This has to be absolutely the deaddest dead mall you've ever filmed, bar none, Dan. If there is anybody who can film the aftermath of Apocalypse, it's probably you. Your style is inimitable and unique. Love the touches of camp when it comes to Marilyn Monroe and the touch of nature when it comes to the moon. Horrifying yet amazing video! You have done it again.
keep up the good work Dan , the dead mall series got me threw hard times many years ago and going threw some shat now as i recently got evicted form a place i lived in 12 years and can't afford current rents which are double the cost i pay now , so the new content and live streams on Saturday have helped a lot...
Welcome back! I’ve loved your content ever since discovering your channel and binge watching everything! Your video on Mothman and your exploration of the abandoned Poconos resorts were a couple of my favs. And of course the epic meat factory. We love you Dan!!!
I am so proud of you, Dan. I’ve been watching your Saturday live streams and enjoying them but I’m glad you’re at such a good place. Looking forward to seeing and loving your future work.
3:35 Lived in this area and often went to that Ames. My family and I remember this place definitely being a Roy Rogers. We don't have any memory of it being a McDonalds, but I have a distinct memory of going there after an Ames trip with my grandmother- they were handing out toys from Ahh! Real Monsters! with kids meals.
The outro scene 27:35 is an amazing shot. A dead store showing death of retail, the bright full moon showing how long lasting nature will be without us in the end, and then the plane flying by in the sky that brings reality back into perspective - that human existence is shifting to a high tech era of digitalized everything.. unique time in history but life will continue, just gotta try to make the best of it. Nice video.
I’m so excited you’re back, Dan! Your videos are so relaxing and are so nostalgic. I highly enjoyed this and everything you do! Can’t wait for more content!!!!
Hi Dan!!! I'm so glad you're doing well! I'm so happy you're feeling good enough to do your thing! Because I REALLY love what you create. I missed it AND you! Thanks for sharing with all of us. 😁
