I hate that this lady stopped you because I used to work in this mall in the late 80's and love seeing what it looks like now. The food court in this mall is like no other.... It was truly the best. And the carousel was always so popular. I worked at Contempo Casual.. Fun times!! Thx for the video!
I was in middle school when the storm hit and they shut down. We used to have so much fun here as kids. Thank you for this, it brought back amazing memories.
this was the GREATEST mall and overall hangout place in the early and mid 90's. I miss the way Memphis was back then. now it's just a ghetto town. Even this area which was a nicer area back then is now a dump. I lived in an apartment off Knight Arnold Rd within walking distance of the mall back then. so sad. breaks my heart because i LOVED the area, the mall, and memphis.
Some of these security people piss me off. There are NO LAWS against taking pictures or video. There is no criminal intent. It seems to me that there are more important things they can worry about.
Actually if they post at the doors ''Mall Rules'' and one of those is ''No cameras/filming without prior authorization from Mall Management'' they can tell you to stop filming/turn camera off, and escort you out. If they really want to get nasty, they can call the cops, and Mall Security can swear out a trespass warrant on you, which bans you from the mall. Most malls simply don't care about filming, even if they post ''no cameras/filming''.
I used to be a mall security dick. It is legal to shoot video and still in a public access area. You CAN"T be arrested for shooting video. The mall doesn't want you scoping out security layout ( cameras, motion sensors, maintenance access). Some store owners don't want their copy written logos photographed without some type of compensation. This is another grey area. I know the Cinemas would get all sorts of bent just seeing a camera in front of their space. Nobody (security, management , business owners) can take your equipment or ask to view your content. Now with all that being said, keep in mind that mall property is private property. Them asking you not to shoot photos on their property is kind of like telling strangers not to shoot photos inside your house. Security is not to blame as management makes the rules and makes security do their job.
Also, the owners don't want pictures of their shithole getting out and making them look bad. The LLCs that usually take over these places damned well know they are trying to keep the needle jusssst above what would get the property condemned. But no more than that. It's a delicate balancing act they'd rather the public not see. "But isn't the MALL public, Moopheus?" Yeah, but the owners aren't really counting on anyone going IN there. It's open so you can walk in the door but the places are made to flat out discourage people from coming inside in other ways. Wrecked bathrooms with no toilet seats or soap, iffy lighting creating a real sketch factor for anybody going alone, etc. And of course no stores. Obviously The owners don't want you coming inside at all but 'for reasons' flat out locking the doors to the public would cost them far more money.
I just tuned in on your dead mall series,I like your style( you take your time and show the different shops and tell a little history about the place). A word of advise, invest in a pair of spy glasses if you can, you won't draw any unnecessary attention to yourself no matter where you're at..... Thanks for sharing...
Just visited this mall well I filmed the entire thing no problem until I was finishing up outside filming the abandoned arcade. Then I was questioned like I was a criminal. I was polite and got in my car. Funny he thought he could pursue me in a run down subcompact car. I finished up filming the exterior with him chasing me and left
I feel your pain. I went into Midway mall in Ohio with a massive 1980s VHS camcorder with a car battery in my backpack. I thought nothing of it. I spent about 30 minutes in the mall, filming the dead storefronts. I then walked down one of the corridors and filmed what I thought was a dead storefront. Turns out it was the security office. The security guard comes running out, asking if I was filming. I said yes, I am making a music video and need footage of a mall. He then asked if I had permission from the mall. Of course I didn't, so he escorted me down to the manager's office where I would need to get permission. I came in with my bulky camcorder and immediately I knew I should have left it outside because the look on the secretary's face was like she'd seen a ghost. I asked her if I had permission to film the northern corridor and she said I could go to jail if I kept filming. At this point I could either push her into explaining me the legality of the situation, or just pretend to leave the mall but secretly keep filming. I took my chances and filmed for about 15 more minutes before running out the door. I don't believe that I could have gone to jail, I just think it's something they say to scare us off. Either way, great channel, keep it up
Great story! And thanks for the compliments. I think you're spot on about the legalities of the situation. If you search up other videos of this mall, most are about girls fighting inside of the mall or something similar.
fyi -It's not specifically against the law to take pictures/film in a mall. However, it is pretty much universal across all malls that photos/filming is prohibited and they almost all have signs posted. The legality falls into trespassing. If they ask you to stop and you continue, or if they ask you to leave, and you return, they can have you arrested for trespassing. In most jurisdictions it's a civil infraction. But, in some cities, as a means to deter loitering and gang activity, trespassing can be prosecuted as a crime. The no film rule has been in place since the 70s. Mainly, it's for security reasons. Thieves casing malls to plan heists. It's also in place so radical elements can't film and make plans for mass chaos, etc... There are also trademark issues with individual stores. Most mall stores also have a no film policy and some are quite anal about it. In an active mall, security will likely pounce quick if they see active/obvious filming. In these dead malls, most get away with it, because there's nothing there to protect, and there's just no security to enforce it or care about it. Back in the 70s they had no thought of GoPros or iPhones. The best tool to use if security looks to be a problem would be a phone in a shirt pocket or even holding it like you're texting. Security won't make you leave for having a phone. But any kind of camera they will, if the mall cares to enforce the rule. I can only imagine the size of a camcorder. Would love to actually see a video about the camcorder itself. I love the idea of videos from an old VHS camera. My grandparents still have a VCR. haha
I used to live in the Hickory Hill neighborhood in the 90's and this was the mall we went to frequently. It sad what it has become. We used to go to stores in the mall like Camelot Music, Waldenbooks, The Gap, plus anchor stores like Dillard's, Goldsmith's, and Sears. There was this really cool indoor amphitheater in the middle of the mall with a "natural" creek water feature and fountain. They did a renovation in 1997 to compete with the then new Wolfchase Galleria mall that removed all of that, sadly.
Do you recall the name of the music store by Sears, Waldenbooks and Kaybee toys? Was it Sound Shop or Sound Warehouse? Went there many times in the 80s.
I grew up in the neighborhood right behind this mall. Ridgeway estates, moved there at age of 6 in 1975. When they cleared ground for the mall, they ruined our bike trails. But I did watch it get built, roller skates all over the slab before it was built up. I loved this mall, arcade was in back... barrel of fun it was called...I do miss those years.
@@MidsouthRAs ok thanks. I remember the pop tunes across Goldsmiths near Target but wasn't sure if it was pop tunes or Cats. I still recall buying a McCartney Spies Like Us 45 from there in 85.
An unfortunate situation for sure. I'm sure that there was more to see and film. But like you said, "it is what it is". Excellent footage and historical account of this dying complex.
This was my go to mall after they shut down Mall of Memphis. When they built the Wolf Chase Galleria out east of I240, everything in Memphis pretty much died out.
There's so much irony here with your experience, but I'll keep my trap shut on that. There are no shortage of rule signs in that place. I know there are no filming/camera signs. haha Too bad you didn't get to do your own Jailhouse Rock video. haha I think what you ran into is the exact reason why this mall won't succeed. Especially with all the rules, it's exactly saying "Stay Out" and with a nice smile. As you mentioned the folks out front, who probably should have been escorted off the property, they nabbed you. The problem here is really the problem for all of Memphis. It's no longer inviting, at all. Memphis used to be music central and such an exciting place to visit. How can a city go wrong with Elvis? And it has intensely segregated itself so more than it ever was before. Memphis has always had a criminal element, and different neighborhoods, but even a 15 years ago, it was so much more melted together. This mall got hit with a tornado. Other parts have been ravaged by flooding, and there's a lot of empty space all over town. But the city puts a lot of kibosh on new building, especially anything that may attract people, unless it's a national box. The amusement park by the Coliseum was not doing bad, but it's been raised. Mid South Coliseum is a ghost monument, and really could be saved and used. But it's better to be quiet now in Memphis than have the possibility to attract crime. The music scene has died so much. And sadly, all this vacancy is exactly what's attracting and growing bad elements. If this mall welcomed in young people with their iPhones and GoPros, and others with a much friendlier visage, the criminals would be forced to leave. Activity/Life scares away the darkness. But as long as this mall is kept "clean" and "dark" with "Keep Away" signs posted everywhere, it won't work. It's really too bad, because it is in decent condition and this area could use a retail center. This would be such a great place for an event center even. But really, all of Memphis is slowly darkening, all the while crime is not diminishing at all. It's become a Heartbreak city. Loved the video though. Hopefully you get a chance to see some of downtown too. Parts of it, they're trying to revitalize. Other parts are the shell of the past and kinda neat to see what was. Although, there are some scary parts around there too. Don't be there after 6. Even the touristy areas can be risky at night.
Duyvenbode TSV what a wonderful comment. Not sure where to start. Believe me, the irony was not lost on me either. In my mind, there were probably people being shot and stabbed somewhere on the mall property, and yet they were focused on the guy with a 15 year old daughter walking around with a camera. I tried to shed some positive light on this mall, but I was treated like a common criminal. While leaving this mall, a group of young inner city kids were trying to draw attention to their fundraiser for a car wash or something. There were literally 8 year old kids in the middle of a busy road screaming at cars to pull over. One kid was beating on my car to get me to pull into the car wash. The area sucked to be honest, but I was trying to be nice. Memphis needs help, but as long as it chooses to segregate itself willingly, I don't see much hope for it.
Had to comment again. What struck me in your video really, was how you described her offense at the term "dead mall." And how the church wants this place portrayed in a good light. And yet, look around and outside. If this is how they define life, how can the problem ever get fixed.... So indicative of the whole problem.... You really nailed it on this video.
We're on the same page here. There some malls in Louisiana that are also owned by churches and they're in a similar state. Does anyone believe the church is going to have the know how to bring in new businesses and transform this place into a cultural Mecca of learning and transcendence? Of course not. This place is going to slowly devolve into a crime ridden hell hole until they stop paying taxes on the property and the city takes it over. In my personal belief, churches need to stick to what they do best and leave real estate to the professionals. Nearly 900,000 square feet of space makes for a nice tax write off, but they just simply don't have the business knowledge to help transform this mall into what this area desperately needs.
It's also the city government. It's no exaggeration to compare it to the Venezuelan government. The old Muhammad Ali Theater was shut down because of violence. OK. Since then, folks with real money have come knocking wanting to fix it up and restore that end of Beale St. But the city has just put up so many hassles and roadblocks, it's easier to keep it vacant, which brings in all the homeless vagrants and drug dealers to loiter around there even more. And what's happening, it's like a blob slowly growing down Beale. But yeah, the church there is keeping up the inside of the mall pretty well, which means it's got to be draining them financially, and it's too bad. The good news- the Sears is separately owned and is for sale. I believe if that sells, it's likely the church would sell the rest of the mall. They already have a huge campus nearby too. If they had actually moved to the mall, might have made a little more sense. But paying bills on both huge properties with no money from the mall coming in, can't work for long.
RESPECT MY AUTHORITIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
It’s owned by a nearby church. It’s not really a mall anymore; it’s more of a community center now. This is Dan filmed there so maybe that’s who she saw.
Hickory Hill is my home. I live damn near across the street from this mall. See..World Overcomers church owns the Mall. Now it's a christian based Town Center. The reason the church hasn't had any success as far as shopping is because their rules and regulations are too strict. I can't have my Boo-tiq there because it may draw unwanted guests?!?!..which is totally irrelevant and defeats the purpose of being in the "MALL" if I don't have customers. Although it's open to the public..it's owned by a Church. So look at it from that point of view. Me personally. I can't stand it. It is what it is..A DEAD MALL and a waste of space. That has nothing to do with the area..that has nothing to do with MEMPHIS. You said yourself the storm came through and demolished it and that is exactly what took this Mall down under.
It's amazing that a nonprofit church can afford to buy an entire mall! Just kidding it's not surprising at all and they should have to pay taxes like everyone else.
Funny they care so much about people filming but not about low life people right outside the mall. They should focus on getting rid of the riff raff if they want more business.
Cell phone. I used my phone for the first few videos, but then my phone's camera went crazy and became unable to focus. I suppose I'm due for a new phone soon.
