THE DESTRUCTION OF THE IRONDEQUOIT MALL - ONE LAST LOOK INSIDE 

I managed that Ritz Camera back in 2001-02. I actually recognize some of the photos still hanging up in there. Thanks for the memories.

Wow an entire skylight roof. That really is something spectacular.

I have never understood the mindset behind malls being so close. I will happily drive the 15-20 miles to visit a mall. It is an experience after all most of the time.

I have a lot of great memories going there as a kid. This mall will be missed.

Ultimate 1990s aesthetic eye candy happened between the 10-12 minute mark where he's in the basement with the wide atrium and glass windows. Amazing how the mall has stayed in tact given how long it's been abandoned. Nice to finally see something happening to it.

The pictures of women from the 90s are quite striking.

I’m blown away at just how beautiful and pristine this place is, omg! I’ve seen operating malls nowhere even close to looking like this one, much-less sitting abandoned 11 years. What an absolute travesty for such a newer mall to fail so fast and so miserably. RIP 😔

And there she goes, my friend. In all of her royal blue, mauve and teal splendor. Another one bites the dust. RIP Irondequoit, you never let us down geometrically. We pray you are not replaced by a mere square of a structure with decor featuring various shades of beige.

Some of the signage and such is historical and should be saved and reused in the new development. History connects people to the place they are at

I MISS STEVE AND BARRYS! And just glad to see the building being reused instead of being demolished.

A mall like this could be converted into a beautiful conservatory with a massive collection of plant life. A few restaurants and stores could be optional, and community events, weddings etc. could be held here throughout the space or in reserved halls. It would be a massive amount of work but it seems like many pieces are in the right place in terms of layout. Especially with that glass ceiling. I go to malls today for the atmosphere but I rarely buy anything. If the focus was shifted to the interior space rather than stores, I'd gladly pay a small fee (parking, membership, donations) in some form to have access and I'd like to think other people would as well. Maybe someday this idea will be implemented in a mall of similar style....

I can remember in the 1950’s when malls were first being built, people saying, they hated to see them built because they felt it would lead to store closings downtown. And they were right, main streets across the country began to die in the 60’s. Then when Walmart came on scene, people started worrying about the malls dying, but it wasn’t so much Walmart, it was the over population of retail shopping, or retail greed.

The internet and internet shopping was still in in its infancy when malls like this one was built .Brick and mortar stores are still rethinking the way they do business!

I'm so glad you got to see the Irondequoit mall before they do what they're going to do. I love this Mall because it brings me back to the 90's when I was a kid. Thanks Anthony! P.s. I'm glad the Irondequoit Mall/Medley Center is getting new life and not sitting and rotting out.

What would really top it off are the smells from the cookie and cinnamon bun places.

I remember visiting Rochester a couple years ago. I was driving down the highway and off to the side is this huge mall, and in the window is this carousel, sitting there forbodingly. The parking lot was empty and I could tell the place was abandoned, but the fact that that carousel was still there for all to see was absolutely fascinating. The building also looked to be in surprisingly good shape.

I like your point as to why these malls trigger emotions from our youth. Keep up the great work and stay safe.

Another great production Ace! I grew up in Rochester in the '80s-'90s. I remember going to this mall with my parents when it opened. I was 9 years old, turning 10 in a few weeks. Absolutely amazing mall. I was used to Long Ridge, Greece Town, and Marketplace, so to see the incredible amount of natural light and bright white walls and cool '90s colors was awesome for even a 9 year old to take in. I agree with your comments about malls bringing back emotions and memories. When you walked into that Ruby Tuesday's I was taken back to 1990 when my parents and I had dinner there at what was then called Stash 'n' Stella's - a '50s themed restaurant with jukeboxes on every table. The mall's 2-level Italian built carousel was dismantled and sold to a collector in China for $245,000. Another thing I do remember about the mall was early after its opening there were rumors around the area that the mall was sinking...and that all the big trucks driving by on Route 104 were making it worse due to vibrations...nothing seemed to have ever came of that. I do remember my first trip there feeling the railings and floor of the upper level halls shake.....don't know if that was caused by all the people walking or the trucks (probably all the people)! Keep up the great work!

That mall opened the same year I was born, that's cool, just too bad it's now gone, another great video! P.S. The "Ride my Bike" song is now stuck in my head, love the '80s sound

I was 9 when it opened. I can still remember the sights, sounds and smells! This video is bringing back a lot of memories. I grew up in this mall. Amazing video!

That is a beautiful looking mall. Shame they couldn't spare the building.

It's amazing how good of shape this place is, and it's also sad that a lot of these store we'll never see again. At least they are starting to work on this place and use the property for something. Just think if moonbeam got their slimy hands on it, it would be another rolling acres.

I used to go here with my Aunt and cousins when I was like 5. I remember going to the store by the food court that has the slanted storefront. I think they had a helicopter ride, but I was too young (I can't remember the name of it). My family grew up in Irondequoit and strongly opposed it being built, mostly due to lower income area. It would have seen success if it was built in Webster (the town to the east), but at the time it was undeveloped and young. I would give anything to ride that blue elevator again or just walk inside again

God the Grand opening of the mall looked SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!! When grand openings were actually fun and there were happy people all over the place and lots of balloons. I was 9 months old the day it opened and my mom took me but I obviously don't remember, ugh why couldn't I be born 20-25 years earlier, then I would've gotten to enjoy it as an adult, but noooooooooo.

Malls definitely bring back all my childhood memories, and man did I have a lot of "firsts" there too. Your videos and music bring back that 80's vibe. Love it man. I am glad I grew up in the 80' and 90's when malls were still in their heyday! Thanks for putting out this content man.

Wow! This place must have been gorgeous in its heyday-such a beautiful fountain and layout.

I remember skipping school in the mid 90's and going there. Great times!!!

Once again my friend, an amazing video! Everyone gets better and better. Stay safe!

15:45 - all together now... "GOOOOOODBYE RUBY TUESDAY'S, WHO COULD HANG A NAME ON YOOUUU-UUUU"

Irondequoit Mall has a similar design to Walden Galleria before it was expanded and remodeled.

Another great video! I’m so glad you were able to get in!

Wow i am a fan of your Dead Mall Haunting videos. I want to thank you for the dedication you put on this videos and specially the soundtrack you use for them. Those are tracks used on the malls during the 80s and 90s era. I am a 1982 baby and 90s teen. This clips are as nostalgic as they're sad to see this malls go.

This was the first mall I went "dead malling" at. I arrived in Rochester in 1998 it was fairly full. It is amazing how fast this one emptied out. In 1999-2000 you started noticing a bit too many empty stores. About 2004 I stopped in to see what was left. About 75% empty and that spooky feeling.

12:30 Okay we all know K.B. Toys is long gone but i hope to god those workers to tear down that logo. it's too perfect and iconic, as if to say yes this was a mall and this was one of it's tenants.

I grew up going to this mall every weekend to race slot cars with my father, I was only around 8 or 9 years old at the time but I remember walking through as it was emptying out. I wish I could've had a chance to walk through one more time. A lot of great memories were had there none the less. Thanks for the great video and digging up some old memories I had stored away!

The real death of malls is cause by the rise of social media. Malls were built not just for shopping, but where the local community can gather. Strip malls are made for just shopping. Now that a lot of people are substituting the internet for a good portion of their social life in that sense the idea of a mall can be viewed as a dated concept.

(Vaporwave fans shed a single tear like Iron Eyes Cody)

I used to go to this mall when I was a little kid before it closed. I'm from that area! I used to go on the carousel and ride it. I couldn't remember much about it since I was kid, but I do remember the elevator. So it's sad to see this mall and the carousel go! But luckily I'm very glad they are doing something with it turning the property into a community center. :(

As I watch this video, I keep thinking that it's a 2 floor version of the Fairgrounds mall in Reading, PA. All the white, gray, teal, and huge skylight ceiling. It feels like massively open space. I can't help but wonder if the designer was the same person for both places.

Awwww, remember all these commercials for these malls in Rochester playing North of the border in Ottawa Ontario😢. Amazing work Ace!👏👏👏

Great content as usual. Hope you stay safe, be careful. Always enjoy you. Thank you.

Crazy seeing this now knowing that Greece Ridge and Marketplace (other malls in the Rochester area) are likely going down this same path. Back in the 2000s when Medley Centre closed, we thought it was just an anomaly, but when you walk about the other malls now it’s the same feeling. I remember at 7 walking in Medley with my Grandma (rest in power) and thinking “damn there is nothing in this mall.” Now, I’m thinking the same thing about Greece Ridge at 19. RIP shopping malls.

This is so close to my sisters house in Webster NY near off Bay Road. I have fond memories taking trips with her to this mall when I was younger. So sad to see this mall in disarray, but glad it's being repurposed. Thank you Anthony for getting these in vivid detail videos to help us reminisce.

Wow this a beautiful mall. I hope some of it is still around after the renovation/ project.

Great video. That mall is huge!

Fantastic as always!

Ace you do the very finest work in dead malls.

Thank You so much. Rochester is my hometown. I’ve not seen the inside of that mall since the 90’s. Even the local news wouldn’t show the inside even though they had a new story about the fate of the mall for the last 15 years

That elevator was EVERYTHING when I was a kid! 29 now 😅 Look at the TV's!!!! 🤯 Timeout!!! Oh my godddd!!!

Love those fancy columns

Great video Ace, good example of a late 80’s/early 90’s Mall

I love your videos. Your are an excellent documentarian, Ace. Landmark Mall in Alexandria, Virginia was my hometown mall where I frequently shopped and I was devastated when it failed and ultimately demolished. Not only did I shop there, I was a local commercial producer and I produced many commercials in Landmark Mall. Your documentary on Landmark Mall was superb. Thank you for all you do in preserving our history. ❤️

I used to work in front of the mall at TJs Big Boy on East Ridge Rd. At the time there used to be an old Concrete Company at the mall site back in the day. When I left there, they were just breaking ground for the Mall. Never been in it but I guess this is as close as I’ll ever get. Nice job Ace! Another good one.

Great video! Thanks.

thank you for documenting this man.

Well worded. Malls were a very special place of my youth. Let's not get into Macross Plus....Not to mention begging my folks for an Orange Julius. Ya know my thoughts of the Lakewood mall. So miss the arcade and shooting gallery.

The First Video you did of this place is MY FAVORITE on your channel!!

You mentioned Greece Town Mall, I remember as a kid in the 70's when they had the oil string display there. Very unique and I was always intrigued as a kid by the oil running down the strings! I always went to Long Ridge Mall too. I have a picture of me and my sister sitting on the big wooden horse with the steps going up it, and the touch board that made sounds when touched! I love reminiscing about that stuff and glad to hear someone else talk about it! :)

I am so sad this mall is being torn down!!!! It is 90’s beautiful!!! The aesthetics are overload!!!!! It has wonderful aesthetics!!!! Thank you so much Anthony for documenting it!!!! It really takes me back to growing up!!!! Thanks again so very much!!!! Thanks for the awesome music in your videos too!!!! I love your music and song selections!!!! Take care, stay safe and stay awesome!!! 👍🏻😬🙏🏻

that brings back memories. I used to bring my daughter there all the time. wow.

This was great fun taking a step back in time to a simpler time. That looks like it was one swell mall back in it's day.

So many memories in that mall. I worked in the food court in the early 90’s and I loved it. I was always there even when I was off. It was a young person’s hangout. I’m so glad I grew up in that time.

I worked at that subway. I loved it there, that mall was beautiful.

I lived 3.5 miles away from there during a short time when it first opened. Was a great mall and busy!! I later moved to Ogden about twenty minutes west of there. Shopped at Marketplace Mall as it was closer and a better neighborhood. Sad to see this. I moved back to the Cleveland area in 2001, where I'm originally from. Thanks for sharing!

great video! RIP Irondequoit Mall :(

Drove past this mall on my way home from Kodak Center last December, it was hard to see at night through the snow - but it was easy to recognize the large, empty mall. I remember coming here a few times when I was younger, sad to see it go.

I've never even to this mall but its stuck with me since the first video I saw of it. The skylight, the carousel, the salmon and turquoise color scheme, it feels so familiar. I'm glad its remained unvandalized despite being vacant for so long.

By far this is now my favorite video because everything reminds me of what the mall looks like in my country. Same interiors especially the skylights [though with the pandemic, the last time I was at that mall [March 16], I saw the entire 3rd floor being closed up including the skylights]. Stay safe everyone

When you initially said American dream was going to fail I didn’t believe you but now thanks to Covid I believe you

I lived in Rochester 1989-1995 when I was a little kid, I remember this as Irondequoit mall, while it was still a happening place. I think its gradual demise started long after we moved away, it’s like halfway eERIE (CANAL NEARBY!). I visited town for the first time since we moved away in spring 2019, my best friend and I drove by the place and still recognized it! Weird memories.

lots of memories going there as a kid on that playground thing with my grandma. crazy bro thanks for the vid

Excellent video!

It's like Sears it's history you'll never see again

This mall is literally up the street from my house! I drive pass it almost every day. Truly miss this mall! 💗💗💗

Thank you for sharing your awsome video contents Anthony I am very much enjoying your video's. So very sad to see the Mall's close due to unforeseen circumstances but however we are so very fortunate enough here in Australia our Mall's (shopping centres as we know them as) are doing alright but some shops have closed due to the Pandemic.

I see this mall everyday and have never been inside, and I'm sad to see this place the way it is

They can put some weed shops in there, shelter for homeless people, adult book store, some more sneaker stores, maybe can use it as jail holding area. All in one stop.

Really liked the foreword you gave on this one, awesome work 🙏🏻

Giving me feels to The Galleria Mall in Johnstown PA

Hopefully this will have a better future when repurposed

this is such a trip. i used to go here all the time as a kid with my family and now im watching a video of some guy walk through it app abandoned. wild.

I used to work for the Maintenance and housekeeping crew in that mall, when it was Wilmorite. 20 years ago or more.

My favorite mall you’ve captured besides Finger Lakes! I left you a comment over their too.

Hey Ace! Doing Route 66 is an excellent idea! I plan on doing it too, it's on my bucket list.

Haha, you said that you don't become sentimental "per se" and then went on to say that you're the definition of that sentiment! These places drum up some sentimental and wistful feelings- our senses aren't immune and it's ok to feel and remember the good times of feeling a larger world than us with friends and family and a large dash of consumerism.

I'm glad you love waterfront dining as much as I do

I grew up with a mall a short distance from my home and rode my bike there then drove there thru school. Lot of memories made there .

I miss the old days of this mall. I went here opening weekend, it was pretty awesome. I think that was the only time I rode that carousel. Later I even got to compete in an art contest at this mall which I remember fondly. But the Rochester area had a million malls as mentioned and this is the one we happened to visit least.

Awesome

Wow. I live in Canada and the commercial for this mall rang in my head as soon as I saw the name.

If you do your trip across the states you should check out Eastland Mall in Bloomington IL. It’s right next to part of historic Route 66. It has sadly been declining the last 10 years or so but really has gone downhill the last 4 or 5 years and probably has less than 50% of its stores left. There used to be 5 anchor stores and sadly there’s only one left, with another one being turned into a couple different stores. It has a pretty cool history and it’s the mall I grew up going to my entire life.

This was such a beautiful mall and I am devastated it's gone even though I never went it would have been a great place for photoshoots and music videos

I was helping do some demo on this place a few months ago. It was my first time inside an abandoned Mall it's so odd seeing places like this without any people or anything in it almost seems apocalyptic in a way.

WNY represent! 🤚👍

I remember when this mall first opened and begging my mom to take us to the “new mall” opened the same time the carousel mall in Syracuse opened. What a shame what happened to it! East view mall was always a dump with its green carpets

I grew up in west irondequoit only ~5 minutes from this mall. It was so tragic to see store after store leave until there was only a few left, and then none at all. I’m glad to know something will be done with it, but I’ll be sad to see this preserved example of 90’s nostalgic architecture and decor be destroyed.

In 2000-02 I worked for Wilmorite as a security guard at Irondequoit. I had transferred from Marketplace Mall. I was in my early 20s and using that experience as a stepping stone. I left Irondequoit in February of 2002, just as Wilmorite was selling to Madison Marquette properties. Most of the stores in this video were closing or had closed, such as Bakers shoe's, 5,7,9 Victoria's Secret and Bon Ton. It's amazing to see that they are completely frozen in time as they were when they closed down. I wasn't there to see if headway had been made, or if any other stores filled those units. Obviously none ever did. It was a great place to work at, I gained a lot of experience and met a lot of people and even made a few life long friends who were both employees of Wilmorite and some were store employees. As you traveled through the mall, I could even remember some of the more impressionable security calls at some of those stores. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. PS. If you get back in there before they completely demolish it, myself and another guard, just before leaving, placed a Wilmorite security patch in one of the cinder block openings next to the Sears roof door in the NE roof door stairwell.

Looks just like the Danbury Fair mall did when it opened.....amazing.

That KB logo was epic.

I dated a girl back in the mid-nineties from that area. I spent so much time and money at this mall. I loved the nineties.