40 Years of West Edmonton Mall: 1981 - 2021

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On September 15, 2021, West Edmonton Mall celebrates its 40th birthday. Way back on this date in 1981, the mall opened its doors for the very first time. Quickly becoming the world's largest mall, and still the Largest mall in North America (though, that title is now under contention).
We've seen a lot of great memories over the years. Fantasyland to Galaxyland, The World Waterpark, Submarine Ride, Pebble Beach Mini Golf... Here's to the good times, and here's to the future, WEM! Happy 40th Anniversary!
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Matthew “That BEM Guy”
PO Box 42013 Millbourne
Edmonton, AB T6K 1P0
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[@judithwallace2091]

A shopping mall is actually a magnificent creation. I really appreciate how much you understand this. Great post.

[@mpaulm]

My favorite part ever about that mall was Playdium. It was so fun and huge.

[@lethview]

Happy birthday, West Edmonton Mall! Thanks for all the great memories -- past and future! :)

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Them: "What is your favorite WEM Memory?" Me:

[@meghan9436]

1993 isn't so long ago To West Edmonton Mall we used to go The City of Champions I didn't reside Rather near the Red River that caused panic nationwide A few years after 1997 ended, I went to WEM and thought it was splendid Following a big move across the plains Was a time of discovery and growing pains At West Edmonton Mall I used to play At Circuit Circus I spent my free day Sanrio Gift Gate was my favourite store Near the food court on the ground floor My high school days during the millennium Came to an end with a tuition premium After my university courses began I studied history and the language of Japan To West Edmonton Mall I stopped going With readings, assignments and papers overflowing Instead of walking through West Ed's hallways I spent my time studying on weekends and holidays After I graduated from university Flew over the Pacific I went to see One of the countries I read about Mixed feelings of excitement and self doubt It's like I blinked and it's five years later Teaching children about alligators You can take the woman out of Edmonton But you can't take Edmonton out of the woman Here in Japan I write this story As I remember West Ed in all its glory Even though we're an ocean apart West Edmonton Mall will remain in my heart

[@LakeNipissing]

First visit, Winter 1986 : Walking into WEM at Entrance 52 (FLH), and being overwhelmed by the Santa Maria, the Lake, the Subs, the Dolphins... and then seeing the waterpark though the huge viewing area windows. We bolted down to the basement, and we were in the waterpark until it shut... then walked through the arch fountains in the food court, explored the bronze whale, Ice Palace... Fantasyland... just endless sensory overload. I had been to many theme parks, but WEM was next level.

[@thecat6062]

Takes me back. So happy I had a chance to go there in the early 90"s while it was in its glory.

[@codylabelle1705]

Happy birthday west edmonton mall

[@BestEdmontonMall]

🎂🎂🎂

[@codylabelle1705]

@@BestEdmontonMall 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

[@strangenorth]

Man I love your videos, great quality and I enjoy seeing the history of the mall - a place that has had a big impact on the city but tends to be ignored a bit by locals. I especially appreciate all of the old videos and photos you include in your videos. I'd love to see your take on other places in Edmonton as well!

[@sabrinamiller3671]

That was awesome! A great tribute! Happy birthday, WEM!!

[@rukified]

I love your channel and all the nostalgic clips. I too grew up in Edmonton in the 90s and so many of those clips really bring me back. I wish more people understood how amazing the mall was in the 90s 😢

[@HoosierCanuk]

We went there from Ontario in 1992. It was a pretty cool experience.

[@nathanh8708]

The FantasyLand Market Place - I thought I was making that little place up. As a kid it was so creepy and dark but now as an adult I just wish it was still there to be experienced. Didn't it have an escalator that went from fantasy land up to the first floor of phase one or two?

[@satire5373]

Imma watch this again! Makes me remember and feel young again. Love the time put into this🤟🔥🔥🔥

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Hey, thank you! :)

[@sabrinamiller3671]

This still makes me cry. So beautiful, Matt.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Aw, thank you! ♥️

[@jamesodenbach6876]

This is so great! Fantastic job. Thank you for all your fantastic videos!

[@Retrodude1985]

Happy Anniversary to WEM my most favourite shopping mall ever!!! 🥳

[@plhought]

Woohoo! Been a while since a new Best Edmonton Mall vid!

[@kevbot96]

Fantastic video! Happy 40th to WEM 🥳🎉

[@thegraphicone9298]

I like how you do your Dr. Seuss rhyming

[@Pepper-pe2uy]

The intro do be hittin different

[@austinmurphy3232]

Happy birthday West Edmonton Mall

[@pawprintheroes8408]

They are trying to modernize the mall but while doing so I find they are ruining it. The mall used to be a never ending new experience. There was always something cool to see but now it's all being taken away in replace for more stores. It's losing its magic

[@iamwhoiam9030]

Me too brother! Man i remember those much dance rides every friday night. You'd go there friday night after school and just ride and listen to the latest hits from much music. Man those were the days.

[@RandomRoulett3]

Rock N Ride

[@adamscarf6803]

Lots of great memories at Fantasyland & West Edmonton Mall. It has had many entries in my life and is a part of who I am!

[@ShawnStack1]

That was terrific, man!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Thank you!

[@Nyteshayd78]

(currently pausing your video @00:10 just to comment) BRILLIANT......You've captured the spirit of West Ed Mall's last 40 years Awesomely. I'm 42, and I still remember the awe and excitement in 1982'--1990' I felt knowing there was a planned trip to West Edmonton Mall.....(and Fantasy land ). I haunted that dollar theatre in my teens from 1992- closing. It was the perfect place to catch movies before they'd hit Blockbuster rentals. lol and I still remember the commercial and jingle on TV. (too bad you couldn't play that here)

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChristopherLeeTech]

The submarines, koi pond & the old Burbon Street are my fondest memories. My mom worked at the restaurant in Zellers

[@sweethindi]

Happy Birthday west ed!. I loved my job at cosmic city and seeing eiffel65 at reds

[@travissnaychuk6603]

Omg that's awesome seeing your post! Eiffel 65 at Reds was my first concert ever with my brother. Great night!

[@sorchas4679]

Wow. I used to visit in the late 90s/early 2000s and this is bringing back so many memories. I used to think this was the coolest place in the world!

[@itsxianschannelxianlee6211]

i dont get why youre not super famous haha youre content is literakky the best!!!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Hahaha, thank you! 😂

[@OriginalPineapplesFoster]

This is a beautiful creation. ❤️🍍

[@rontychynski5208]

Great Vid 👍🇨🇦🍺🍺

[@rob_at_shop]

Although I may not be quite as involved as you are , my love for this mall is the same. I was there for opening day and everytime I get the chance to go I'm just as excited inside as the day it opened 40 years ago. It's just a mall people say. No sir it is not.

[@GoatMalp]

Amen brother. I went there 3 times in my early to mid teens (probably the perfect ages to have the most impact on me) in 1993, 95 and 96. Man, what I'd give to have GoPro footage from those days....

[@origPrincesstefer]

Poetic! ❤️

[@crystaleggen2452]

Miss the old mall

[@takeshikaga7211]

I feel like the clip of the santa maria is a filter, shaw mobile ad gives it away since it's relatively new

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Of the giant lake I'm "still" so fond, meaning I like it today. Filter was just for effect to match the rest.

[@chonkeyshonkey]

Best day ever for the best place ever!!

[@LakeNipissing]

Excellent work. Great rhyming!!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

TY!!

[@jbowkowy]

All right. I'm going to need to know what was blurred in the pool at 2:15

[@BestEdmontonMall]

It's just the back of a sign

[@naderzein2435]

Here's to 40 more years! :')

[@johnbrisson7780]

I know the 2 movie theatres in Phase 2 but not sure when each first opened as nothing really mentions them as when they were part of it originally or later as I'd seen many films in both the upstairs theatre and the basement ones in phase 2 both of which have been fully retooled for other uses now (Upstairs was the dinner heater till the casino expanded and gobbled it up)

[@lindsay1065]

woohoo!!

[@edwinboden5934]

I love it It truly is the first place I recommend Going to if you visit! 😍🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@sawfreak1264]

Happen to know if mind bender is open?

[@GoogsMindbent]

that pepsi bottle man.... should maybe get that thing appraised! LOL

[@RandomRoulett3]

I miss the sound of water at WEM.

[@hiro0500]

were u on the 630 ched radio today?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Yes.

[@lovelinendem3525]

My husband went there the day after the 50th birthday

[@wandaborowy9400]

I got see Princess Diana 's wedding dress . It was amazing.

[@dylanthomas8961]

I remember doing the bungie jump. Sadly, the souvenir VHS tape they recorded it on is nowhere to be found ...

[@LakeNipissing]

I also jumped... in 2003. Back when they would pick you up in an inflatable boat. They gave you the choice to hit the water or not, or jump with the waves going or not. I jumped with the waves going and got full submerged! Still have the VHS tape.

[@dylanthomas8961]

@@LakeNipissing I remember the rescue boat and hitting the water but not the option to jump while the waves were on; that sounds awesome. Wish I still had the tape and a VCR for that matter :)

[@FNHot]

This video was great, but I would strive, to go back in 95. In 93, about twice a year, the mall we'd see. Then we went and moved away, when visiting family at the mall we'd stay. Theme rooms in the Hotel, access to the mall, galaxy land, the sight of it all. For hours we'd roam, my brother and I, in our second home. It was a great time to be alive, the memories, the moments, in 95.

[@idkwhatimdoing86]

I are here now

[@yashmin786]

My dad was part of the building team...I was born then

[@Inlinetodie]

Started development in 1978, funding was stopped twice, my dad built WEM, Robstar General Developments LTD with Allsop Engineering. Later Poole Construction LTD came in to develop the 2nd and third phase. I like your channel, but maybe someday, you'd like to discuss the real WEM, how many people died, building it and being a patron of the mall... As well, you've never discussed the Gas Explosion, the Robberie, was the biggest Bank Robbery in Canada's History and the people who were assassinated at WEM in the 90s along with the Triads who took over WEM... Common knowledge to everyone who worked, lived and frequented WEM every day like my self. My dad built it, so we had to visit often to coordinate with all maintenance and further developments. I've mentioned this several times to you on other videos you posted, is it because you don't want the truth about the mall on your channel, or is it because you don't know about the real WEM?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Honestly, when I hear someone say "discuss the real WEM", followed immediately by "how many people died","triads", "assassinations"... well, it just doesn't sound like the type of content my channel has grown to be focused on over the past 5 years. As an example, there are lots of Disney Parks channels which are about what I am: Nostalgia and Attractions. Just like mine, their content is no less valid because they don't focus on negative history. Thanks for the repeated offer, but my channel isn't about those things. Even if a couple of my earliest videos covered some of those topics, it's not what I do now. I'm focusing on nostalgia, fun, and what's new - and if I may say so: that's allowed.

[@PotterSauce]

i have pooped in this mall more times than I can count

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Do... do people count?

[@AlexElectric9001]

LOLOL nice one bro

[@erichulsein7549]

Happy Birthday. Memories. I remember watching the Edmonton Oiler practice at the mall during their heyday. Also remember one of the autograph sessions after practice. Jari Kurri gagging like he was going to throw up when a fan took off her running shoes and handed them to Jair to sign. Also, Joan Collins (from Dynasty) bailing out ½ thru an autograph session. People started making comments, along the lines of ‘So you are a bitch in real life as you are on TV’.

[@Benhojka]

93 was a good year. I was born that year so I'm a bit biased.

[@TheTyisawesome]

I wasn't even born yet in 93 but I still love the mall but clearly not as much as this guy!

[@vrax6482]

I miss the dragon...

[@williamm.buttlicker3870]

All the money you spent at that mall.

[@sdsfgsty]

The dragon burned my hair once when I was standing on the stairs halfway. I really liked it. Maybe some safety freak voted it to be taken down.

[@pianorelaxingmusics]

Overall Canada used to be a much better country...now, it's really very very far from good