Swansea Mall, MA | last days at a dead mall before it’s abandoned during redevelopment | ExLog 111 

I worked at this mall for roughly 15 years, and worked at both Sears and F.Y.E. when they shut their doors there. The amount of memories I just relieved watching this video are wonderful and heartbreaking. And your right, some of the best conversations I've ever had took place in that conversation pit during my lunch breaks!

Sal, I’ve worked in a Sears that unfortunately had closed on the most shiftiest way possible. The mall was looking to “rejuvenate” itself for younger mall goers at the time. The problem was that the Sears was in their way. However, this very Sears was one of the bigger sales makers for the company at the time. While Sears Holdings was facing a series of closures, my mall had decided to end the lease the company had at the mall. Now while this Sears wasn’t on the initial list for stores to close (because it was actually doing the best sales), Sears actually agreed to the termination of a 50-year lease they had at the mall because the company was in dire straits. Fast forward to the final day and it was the saddest time I’ve ever experienced in my life. I literally watched the doors close at 6pm on a Sunday for the final time, surrounded by friends and family I’ve met in that store and knowing that I’d likely never get to see them after that day. Sal, thank you for all you do documenting these places. It’s not about “dead malls” but ensuring that we still have a piece of nostalgia to hold onto. I wished you could’ve seen and recorded our Sears before it closed on its last day; it’s truly a moving experience. Take care Sal and I look forward to the next one.

I worked at Papa Gino's, American Eagle and the arcade over 25 years ago. I even met my wife while working there. Good memories all around.

This is so sad to watch even though I don't live near this Mall I'm still drawn to these videos. Having worked for 35 years in our beloved Sears Clearview store in Metairie , Louisiana. It closed in 2019 and it is still hard to look at the construction going on at the present time. Ochsner Medical took over where Sears was and apartment buildings are going up behind Ochsner. It is difficult to get in a car each time to go from one store to another, especially as you get older. Malls had the convenience of stopping to get something to eat, to rest a little before you move on to the next store, bathrooms everywhere, etc,......how things have changed. Now it's basically about the internet and gift cards.

I worked in the mall at Macy's my friend worked at Bath and Body Works we were always there after school it was strange to see the mall decline from the time I was in high school to the last time I was there in 2010.

I moved to south coast MA in 2001 for college, when I was still a frequent mall shopper. I went to all the malls you mentioned back then, and if you asked me to guess which one would still be doing well 20 years later, I wouldn’t have said the Dartmouth mall. But, I was there today and it was lively! Hope they can move forward with plans in Swansea soon!

Thank you for this memory I grew up in this mall going to get pictures with Santa and the Easter bunny! I miss this mall!!

We have a dead mall here in Jacksonville Florida (regency square), that refuses to die. It's been largely empty since 2008 lol. At this point, there are 21 stores left, which are closed more than they are open. The obligatory Bath and Bodyworks of course lol The mall has an obstacle course of rainbarrels, which are everywhere, as the roof leaks so bad that a couple days of nonstop rain would set the mall afloat lol. Crazy thing is, this mall was one of the highest dollar per square ft malls in the country prior to the 2000s. It was almost double most malls. 3/4 of the mall has been closed off and there is a dillards clearance center that used to be accessible from the mall, but is now opposite the side of the few remaining stores. The mall food court had been renovated in 2001, so it's in good shape, but the rest of the mall is decaying fast due to the water damage. I don't know why this mall is still open. I would imagine they have to inspect malls for safety, and I don't know how the hell this would ever pass. I mean there is roofing drywall dangling everywhere. Everytime I go there, I expect to see closed signs, but alas it's still open

This used to be my weekend hangout as a teen. I remember way back when they had a old school pet store with puppies. They also had a smoke shop that specialized in tobacco pipes and tobacco. That store smelled so good.

Watching from a dock near a spooky “ haunted “ home. Thanks for what you create and share 🎃

I met my wife at Swansea Mall. She was a wonderful lady. That mall was the place to be in the early 80s. Looking back at the dead mall it brings back memories. Asking the girl I would marry to go out on our first date. Smoking a cigar at the pipe den when she went shopping. And getting a new suit to wear to her funeral. She had cancer. Good and bad memories. I show my grandson the mall now closed forever. That is where I met Grandma.

Nothing says RIOT like a good dog bite to the crouch!!!! LOL

What I remember most about malls from the late seventies into the late 80s, is all the massive Christmas displays. Up here in the Pacific Northwest we had a mall called the South Sound Center in Seattle Washington. The Christmas displays were massive, they were animated and they were extremely lit up. The mall used to just feel so magical. I remember fishing out coins out of the fountain, knowing I wasn't supposed to be doing that, but did it anyway. Some malls had incredible water features and fountains. I remember the music that used to play. Definitely good memories being at malls when I was a kid. I'm 53 years old now so I definitely enjoyed the Heyday of the mall.

That mall was booming back in the day..so sad how all these malls are closing. I blame social media, people dont have to meet up and hang out to talk anymore, now they just put their phone on.

I'm from a local town in and (in the late 90s) highschool our concert band would have little Christmas concerts in that conversation pit. We'd get dressed in tuxes and play for a few hours in mid/late December. The three you mentioned were the trifecta of malls in the region. We'd go to Swansea, N. Dartmouth and Silver City in that order and they were PACKED on busy days, it was a great place to hang out as a kid, the call someone's mom to come pick you all up.

Oh man does this bring up memories. Somewhere in my parents photo albums I know exists a pic of me and my sister getting our picture taken with the Easter Bunny at this mall. I used to go to Caldor and Electronics Boutique all the time when I hung out there (especially the arcade) as a teen. It's easy to blame retail giants like Walmart for this Mall's demise but it's more a tale of corporate greed and mismanagement with companies like Sears, JC Penny, and Service Merchandise (it was down the street just before the mall, where Dollar Tree is now).

The dome skylight is pretty.

So sad. I spent many hours grazing my hand over the tiles of memories in that mall recently. Got a ladder out from the maintenance closet and climbed high to the ceiling tiles and spoke to them and the memories they saw. I remember freddy kruger and pee wee herman in this mall. Echos of nostalgia spoke to my soul. Forever remembering the 80s.

I miss this mall very much, I remember when my brother got a game there and we went to a restaurant and went back home. I wish it opened back up. Yesterday, I passed the building and remembered the good times in that building.

I spent so many weekends there growing up! Major nostalgia vibes with this one! Sucks to see it go!

Unfortunately the current situation for the mall structure is still in limbo, apparently there’s a ton of conflict between the developer and the town now. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole structure gets demolished sometime soon

My most missed mall would be the Hanover mall in MA. I worked there my wife worked there and all our friends when we were in high school. I also always went there with my parents to hang out on Friday nights when I was little. I loved that place and I’m glad that I was able to go there with my son many times before it closed.

Gosh dang it WalMart, STOP IT! That kind of rule agreement should be illegal (it should have been rendered invalid after the mall got bought out and demolished) at this point since it got sold to a new owner who shouldn't be required to follow the previous owner's rule agreement with Wally World.

Happy Halloween, Legion! Gruesome devoirs and dark greetings to all of you... Looks like Marna got drugs in her candy :( Sub and join my discord: discord.gg/dmod

I think that might be my favorite Marna segment ever. 😂 great job on this one. Two thumbs up great Halloween family fun

I grew up going to this mall. Heartbreaking.

Wow I don't think I've ever seen a neon and stained glass combo like that. Amazing. Such a shame.

Dartmouth Mall isn’t as great as it may seem on paper. Unsure if you went there on your trip, but I worked there in 2007, only a few months, there was a stabbing and I was threatened as well so my company moved me elsewhere to the Hanover Mall (also demolished recently). Dartmouth is a wavy floor weird mall, but it is full at least. Our store in Swansea at the time would often have negative money after doing no sales but having a return so I helped plenty of folks not knowing how to close the store. Kingston mall south of Hanover also has been on its last leg for 15 years or so, mostly empty and half demolished to create apartments. Such a sad state of affairs. The GOOD malls are not being taken care of either sadly, like the owners just expect the problems to go away. They lie to the news when things happen, I’ve worked in almost all malls in the south shore of Boston, and a ton north of it as well. I know them all too well.

That conversation pit! So awesome, but had me thinking I had drugged candy with that still water 🤣

Thanks for covering some Malls in Mass, Sal. These are close to home. There are several others here including the Auburn Mall (Auburn, Mass.) which still operates, yet on the way out slowly. Greendale Mall (Worcester, Mass) which was dead a couple years ago and may be gutted or even gone. Thanks again dude, and great work. Take care! Greendale Mall

You should check out Emerald Square, Mall in North Attleboro Massachusetts

Its too bad you never made it to Silver City Mall in Taunton Ma. It was a huge mall that had a very short lived life for sure.. and had a horrible history there of a murder that happened to a hero civilian that was killed saving other people from an attacker.

Thanks! I grew up going to this mall.

I can still remember going to this mall during the days when it was dying. Had lots of memories there that I will never forget.

I went to the McClain (Simon property) mall in North Little Rock yesterday, while it has a thriving bit of business, it is starting to die off. It is also so much smaller than it appears.

Looking forward for the video. 💜Thanks for the notification💚💛💙🎯💕💕💕

Great work! Loved the video,thanks!

Great capture... hadn't been there since the late 90's or early 00's....

thank you for another new uploaded video

Miss this place so much

I’ve seen development take place here recently. A new CRUNCH gym was opened and they’re currently repaving the entire parking lot.

Thanks, Sal.

Hooked by the first 30 seconds showing water feature, planters with built-in seating, skylights, and neon. Let's go!

Most splendid! Happy holidays 🖤

Only 15, but this mall was literally my whole childhood. I'd go there after school everyday with my grandma, but then I had to move to NH. When I moved, is when it was bought for redevelopment. I really hope they revive the mall I know and love. I love you Swansea.

My husband is from Swansea we go there every year since 2016. He went there his whole life. I drove thru there to get to Walmart the parking lot is loaded with massive holes. I was there in June 2022. I saw the storage place and what looked like an updated entrance to a medical clinic or something. Rest of parking lot was still a mess. It’s a shame at least I got too see the inside from your film. Thank you

did alot of work there over the years and did quite a bit of hangin out there back in the late 80s early 90s when i was dating a girl that worked there,seems like so very long ago,very good times,gone forever

Great video as always!

Great video and fond memories as well. Grew up in the neighboring town. Would ride my bike there to hang out. Go to Apex and buy some Bugle Boy jeans or shirt, check out the latest single cassettes at the record store (Goody maybe?) because I couldn’t afford the whole cassette. If concert tickets we’re on sale, there would be a line all the way to the end of the mall. We knew the people at the end of the line didn’t have a chance of getting tickets unless an additional show was announced (which happened often). I would walk over to the little store near the food court that had T-shirts with the cheeky iron-on pictures or phrases that I would hide from my parents 😂 Good times.

Great video! Thanks.

Was just there Sunday. There is a nice new paved roadway around what used to be the mall. Some store fronts are in place, but empty.

Thank you Sal and silent crew. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 2019, , a yr b-4 the shock that shook the World. Imo-only, THIS particular Mall that you're strolling through, seems a bit boring aesthetically, yet so clean ,inviting, ,I bet tons of memories for thousands of patrons ,kids ,teens, senior citizen strolling along~~~ yep all ages. You nailed it ,towards the end of the video. What once was . God bless❌⭕❌⭕

that whole place screams late 70s early 80s deco. Beautiful mall. Way better than the modern day African bazaar sets up all over the place now.

Nice video footage

I went to a school near by years ago. Coming to this mall on the weekends was my peace of mind .. Good memories 💕

I love a town over. The mall is in my hometown. They are finally fixing the parking lot. I created a shirt that was a dig at how bad the lot was and was covered in the newspaper. There is a storage unit, a church, a gym and the Sears will be a manufacturing facility. No word on the remaining spaces.

I'm glad you showed the Apex portion at the end. Before it was converted and renovated for storage, I was hoping someone got any pictures or footage of what it looked like at the time of the mall's closing. I'm sure it was pretty funky in there. That's all I wish I could have seen.

I grew up in MA mostly on The Cape. Was just back there this summer to visit Salem. The Witch City Mall is an interesting anachronism. It's in the middle of one of the busiest tourist pedestrian areas anywhere, and yet the mall interior is vintage and totally dead. I got lost in some awesome mall guts looking for a restroom. Small but worth a visit.

I guess we'll be seeing Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro Ma here pretty soon

My mom and I were always at this mall on the weekends, i got the worst haircut of my life at that mastercuts, and got most of my high school dance outfits there, christmas photos woth santa, and ate alot of the ruby tuesdays salad bar at this mall. Pretty sad for alot of locals when the mall closed, now its just storage space and some creepy church

There's Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers MA. It is basically a Mall that looks to be dying slowly. There used to be a McDonalds and Dunkin in food court now both of those are gone. If you go there it's basically a look at a Mall that I'm shocked is even still alive.

Patiently waited on some more content from you, glad you have something

Sal, this was an excellent video as all of your others are too and I am now a subscriber. I can`t wait for your to do one on the Eastfield Mall.

I live about 10 minutes away from there and it brings back memories to see what it was like just a few years ago. They're currently renovating all the facades and are redoing all the pavement in the parking lots. It's starting to look better than it was before. Other than the self storage facility, there's a gym and a church currently using a couple units while they renovate the building. I'm hoping it turns out to be a nice place once it's done, similar to what they did to revive the Fall River mall / now plaza. Thanks for the cool and informative video!

Good to see you do this one, Sal

Happy Halloween or Sam Haim(Druid Fath)🎃, Sal.. Thanks for newest x log.

Wouldnt it be awesome to bring a mall back to its original glory. Down to the items of the era when it was at its peak. Everything for sale just like a vintage store. Investors welcome😊

So they have added in a few things, redid the whole parking lot finally. So progress has resumed. I grew up in this mall in the early 80’s as a kid. My mom worked at wild tops on the side of the Hot dog experience. I roamed the mall playing with my RC car at closing time, hung out at Radio shack and watched Top Gun on VHS at Sears great memories.

makes me so sad to see this

Sal in my old mall! This place was the sh*t back in the 80s. So sad to watch fall like this. But the new developers are doing good things with the space.

I worked there oy one season during Christmas. Sad to know it is closed

I worked in this mall all throughout my late teens & 20s. I started at Apex at Xmas time in 1997 I believe it was, I can remember the Hallmark store, the Weathervane, hell I can even remember when Claire’s was near Apex BEFORE I worked there. I remember when Debs had their clothes hanging from bars & chains, & when Spencer’s was near the food court, & Cherry & Webb, & Jordan Marsh, & Structure, there was also a store named Bedazzled I think it was called it was right on the stairs as you came around where Walmart used to be, & my memory won’t let go of it, it was like a stationary card novelty store w electric neon signage. If anyone else remembers please send me a message to help my memory.

My grandma used to like shopping at Caldor's.

There is a local church, His Providence Church, that has moved into the former Macy's. They have been there and expanding for a few years now. Wonder how you missed that....

It's sad; seeing the malls dimesie all over the United States. Malls were the place to be growing up in the 1990s. Great video

The security guards that need that rush of power over someone will take any opportunity.

In a couple years you can go watch shopping with Producer Michael !! 😯

Sadly my favorite conversation pit in a mall is now under the parking lot of a Burlington Coat Factory. *sigh*😉

Nice job filming! I live in Cincinnati within 10 minutes of TWO dead malls. It's so sad. Why can't malls be reimagined as not only retail, but bowling alleys, dry cleaners, apartments, churches, what not! I don't understand. These treasures are pure Americana!

$10 million for a Mall today would be a bargain, you’ll pay that for one building nowadays😮

The conversation pit I remember best was at City Center Mall in downtown Columbus Ohio. Long gone now, unfortunately. I wish you could have made a video of it before it was gone.

Great video like normal. I thought you said in your video that this was only a few days from it closing? It doesn't seem like it is that dead per say or at least not what I expected it to be like with just one or two stores left open.

This could be a good rallying point for survivors of the impending zombie apocalypse

Pretty interesting. Considering I live in Massachusetts and really don't go to any malls around here. I go to New Hampshire. Appreciate the video Sal. As always they are top tier 🤘🤟

Hello Sal!! I hope you’re doing good!! We have another dead mall in Long Island, New York. It’s Sunrise Mall in Massapequa. All the stores there have been shut down except for Macy’s, Home Goods, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dave & Buster’s, and Raymour & Flanigan. I’m pretty upset that they closed the stores because that was the only mall close to my house. 2020 was the start of the downfall for this mall because when it reopened stores started going out of business. So If you ever have a chance to come to Long Island, New York again, would you come film Sunrise Mall. We Long Islanders would really appreciate it!!

Our mall is still hanging in there (Cape Cod Mall)

Sal my childhood ends November 20th just 10 days from now thanks to awful Mr. Kohan as my local mall in Clay, NY called Great Northern Mall closes for good. I grew up in that mall because I was able to walk to it from my home. Kohan gave notice to the tenants before hand that he was canceling the leases for all the stores left. He is just a terrible man. Part of me dies soon...

Not been to a mall in years

Those union boys didn’t mess around back then holy shit 😂

Swansea Mall closed but yet North Dartmouth Mall is still open? I figured all the malls were closing.

It was really stupid and sad that the security were telling you to stop filming so close to final closing.

Check out the Silver City Galleria.

Bruh, Crazy Taxi arcade? I hope they preserved it!!

23:45 - This was built as connecting 'mall space' .? ... - When Caldor was here, Caldor had an opening into the mall?

How on earth did I get unsubscribed from this channel? I patreon Sal for heavens sake. Hey youtube... fix your UI, don't unsubscribe me without my permission. Sal, keeping doing what you are doing. Love your stuff. What the heck youtube, fix your crap.

*ULTRA EXCELLENT AND GREAT 12YO BOY AT **7:12** AND COOL VHS ARCHIVE ! WW LOL 🤣😂😆😝🥰*

I get where you're coming from, but I don't co-sign the security guard comments. In a lot of cases security guards are contracted out by a centralized company to work at a property. A property can be closing in a few days, but failing to do their job can impact the security guard's annual performance review, future assignment opportunities and even job security at their parent company. All it takes is a mall representative (i.e. client) to make a call and report that security was going easy on people before the property closing. My mom has been a security guard for over 20 years. She has serviced all kinds of properties, but has worked for the same company the entire time.

Great video!

Have you ever had the urge to purchase or obtain signage with permission from a mall you visit that is slated for demolition like a "thank you for shopping chapel hill mall" sign or light fixture or some sort of memorabilia from a mall?

Always Like and enjoy your vids, do you know Northcdogg22? He has been doing a lot of vids of malls lately, you and him would be an epic collaboration, both of you are similar in style and both my favorites