DEAD MALL SERIES : Fairgrounds Square Mall

[@ThisisDanBell]

Attention! Completely remastered episodes of the Dead Mall Series are now being archived in 4K at kzbin.info/door/fCM_TfrSDMkkMpKuLNWuXA. The remasters have gone through an extensive AI Enhancement process as well as proper sound mixing and colorization. This Dead Mall Series Remastered project has been made possible through viewer support on Patreon. Go over now and watch in glorious 4K. ENJOY!

[@bassrawkers]

When life hands you lemons, leave the lemonade machine on

[@christyme6395]

+bassrawkers When life hands you lemons Get mad, then yell "I don't want your damn lemons" demand to see lifes manager, burn down their house....with the lemons.

[@fixman88]

I'm pretty sure that whatever is in that machine isn't lemonade...any more.

[@zacharylegaspi7594]

Christy me "I DON'T WANT YOUR DAMM LEMMONS, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THESE?!?!"

[@mcgibs]

I bet it used to be crystal clear lemonade, but now it's reduced to liquid mold circulating through the fountain.

[@ChrisLynch-MrHumor]

yea, who wants moldy lemonaide? I wonder if the malls drinking fountains still work?

[@griffinartandairbrushing3174]

Some of my stories... I may have posted this before, but I worked there in 1987. My first job out of high school was at the DEB Shop. I believe DEB was at this point in your video 4:34. Straight ahead (all glass store front). It looks like it was updated or changed to something else. When I worked there it had ugly mirror-like square bubbles all over the front and big purple lit up DEB in the middle. I remember being told to go dust/windex them once a week. So way back when, the store had yucky purple shag carpet that I vacuumed diligently almost every day. We had a pay phone to make calls because the owners didn't trust us. Seriously, we put money in the pay phone to call customers etc. and put it on a paid out log. Chains hung from the ceiling for purses to clip on with S hooks. We received more cash back then than credit cards. Credit cards required a phone call for approvals. We used knuckle busters to imprint the cards. There were no bar codes only sku numbers on the tags, so everything was hand entry. Some of our biggest Christmas shopping days, brought in $6,000.00 in cash or more. Lori and Dori (Reba) the conjoined twins liked to shop at our store. I helped them a few times. They were on Sally Jesse Raphael once. Oh, we played a local radio station for music through the speakers. Stores don't do that anymore. My car was rear ended in the parking lot there, a guy had put his mother's car in reverse stepped on the gas hard, and crammed my 1969 Oldsmobile right into 2 other cars, then took off. Police found him, never got a dime for it. Nice video thanks Dan! Sad that times change...and malls have to die.

[@mountainmeowth2991]

Excellent short story. Two thumbs up!

[@bashclassof04]

there was a deb

[@draconiusultamius]

Runninghorse Gallop lol, lots of stores in my area use the local radio stations for music. I feel like things like this may just be a problem in America. In my city, we have 4 major malls, 3 or so minorish malls, and a bunch of really small indoor shopping areas. None of them are as dead as this. Even malls that were virtually dead have gotten much better in recent years, even with our bad economy. One mall in my area, Westbrook, was virtually a dead mall when I was virtually a dead mall when I was younger, but it's becoming less dead and recently, a false wall that had been up since I first came was turned into a Mark's. Another mall, Deerfoot mall, would virtually be dead now if it didn't have 4 anchor stores. It always had a Winners and a Sears, but the Sears closed down. A Walmart Supercenter was built in he mall's parking lot, followed by a Cabela's and a Canadian Tire (relocated from nearby).

[@TheGreatMoonFrog]

I enjoyed reading this. Thanks.

[@TvshkaHumma]

Runninghorse Gallop Thanks! I enjoyed your story.

[@tomfeister]

That fast food restaurant was an Arby's. I ate there with my Dad after we saw Superman 2 at the theater. Arby's was giving away posters of Superman carrying the American flag. Same theater I saw nearly every one of the great 80's movies I grew up with. The record store I bought my first Sex Pistols album was there. I spent a ton of money at Golden Eagle Comics and the toy section of Bocov's while I waited for my Mom.

[@bell_a22]

@@mayhemmike1789 I know it's been two years but was it a first date or was she an employee?

[@grant8164]

Sex pistols? Is that a Jojo reference

[@confirmationofinformation7714]

@@grant8164 a band stupid kid... Google it

[@sarkaztik3228]

@@confirmationofinformation7714 r/wooooosh

[@djexplorations578]

Sex Pistols suckkk

[@BenSmith-eh5zp]

Long after the roaches have become extinct you will still be able to shop at GNC and Bath and Bodyworks.

[@WolfpackEntertainmentYT]

@olemissfan91 Our GNC in my local mall is dying fast.

[@moesyzslak2939]

The net was created killed these type of businesses all shop on net or enough and with a straight face people are like 😧just like that fake ass immigration promblem the samé people complaing about it was the samé people hiring so called illegals

[@BasketballBeaner213]

@Ivan Alexander surprised they're still around they are really expensive and there's lots of websites with more affordable options

[@Muerte_Anunciada]

@Ben Smith I read your comment to my bro... He almost passed out.

[@sergeantbigmac]

@@BasketballBeaner213 Thats exactly what I was thinking. I just placed an order on VitaCost during their last sale, and cross referencing everything, most products I bought were like 20-30% less than what they were selling at GNC. I dont get it. Maybe people think theyre saving on shipping? But even with shipping its still cheaper overall if you do the math. LOL maybe its because most people dont want to to do the math and arent savvy shoppers.

[@TwilightKillerX]

2015: Let's not recommend this to anyone 2020: Now's a good time

[@dragerdet]

I actually looked this up

[@MrMeoow91]

it's depressing tho...

[@Graz190]

because the the Demolition of the Fairgrounds Square Mall will begin in March 2020 XD

[@Mjosephx]

😂

[@jennyswinson444]

I always wonder how old the candy is in those candy machines.

[@MasaomiKida251]

The world may never know...

[@forestine_]

Me too. As a kid I'd always beg my dad for ancient M&Ms from the machine at NAPA. They were probably ancient.

[@ffddbp11]

Perhaps old enough to chip multiple teeth with one bite 😉

[@js3617]

@@ffddbp11 lol!

[@b.g.bbeezo100]

B4 Christ old

[@KapitalP73]

Dead Mall Directory: 1. GNC 2. Bath & Body Works 3. Radio Shack 4. Nail Salon 5. Subway 6. Gum ball kiosk

[@brindamarie]

JCPenney

[@hebesky6355]

Radio Shack....

[@ryanmason9320]

Don't forget the shoe repair and tailor shops

[@coffeekills5174]

Dont forgot Shoe Department (idk why it was one of the last to close in a dead mall) And Lenscrafters

[@Londonfogey]

Also: 7. Social Security Office. 8. Karate/Tai Chi/Krav Maga studio. 9. Creche/childminding place.

[@SnickasBah]

Dan has a very soothing voice. If there was ever panic and chaos in a mall he was in he could get on the PA and diffuse the situation.

[@ianrjm969]

🤣

[@juniorcasemiro]

Geez, Bath & Body Works is a staple on Dead Malls, it's been in almost every dead mall video you've done!

[@bubsmith1067]

I think it's because no matter where they're at, they'll get business.

[@Baldmaxx]

Don't forget GNC. Literally will be the last store standing until they padlock the mall for good.

[@ESS03019]

+Junior Casemiro sears, jc penneys and macceys

[@DeeBhadest]

+Baldmaxx YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT!!!!

[@Bellerose1608]

It's a staple of malls in general.

[@HardChuck365]

GNC is also a dead mall staple.

[@k.g.alatore355]

GNC, Burlington, Bath & Body, ironically sometimes Radio Shacks as well, considering they're basically running on fumes as a company. If Burlington is your anchor, you're screwed lmao

[@pp3k3jamail]

the most dead staple is JC Penney

[@mjg263]

Lens Crafters. There always seems to be a Lens Crafters. Here in Central NJ / eastern PA we have sooo many malls on the brink of death. Now that Sears and JC Penny are going belly up the last of the anchor stores will be gone, soon comes the plywood and eventually Dan! Times change, the Internet replaced 'em. Turn 'em back into farmland!

[@sireugenecourtney5797]

These dead indoor malls will be excellent places to grow medical mary jane in Penna. Too bad most of the licenses will go to the politically privileged.

[@Automedon2]

Chinese chair massages and tacky Chinese art and furniture

[@Larry]

It does seem a lot in these US malls as soon as JCPenney and/or Sears leaves the building, it's pretty much the nail in the coffin for the place.

[@BeemerTwelve]

***** It's Elvis' fault, he set the trend.

[@boopityboopboop]

The anchors are what keep the mall afloat. For most, if their anchors go, they're screwed; they usually go in order of highest to lowest price. Stuff like Dillard's goes first, then Macy's, then JCP, then Sears. Sometimes one of the anchors is replaced with a discount store or outlet or a furniture store like in the video. Mall can't sustain without at least a couple anchors, when those die, the mall does. Major, MAJOR source of income.

[@Larry]

It does seem rather alien to me as most UK malls don't really have an anchor. They usually all have the same stores, occasionally a massive one like a John Lewis or a Boots, but if they go, it never affects the place.

[@zetametallic]

+Larry Bundy Jr Depends on the mall (shopping centre) in the UK. TJ Hughes and Tesco left Bootle Strand near where I used to work and it is now struggling very hard to survive with a 'dead wing'and the ground floor as quiet as this mall is. I remember it busy about 10 years back so it is shame because the area is economically deprived and so it needs the mall for employment etc.

[@Larry]

***** Aah, yes. In the UK malls are built the complete opposite way, with smaller stores surrounding all entrances and the bigger chain stores located in the center. So you have to walk past all the other stores to get to the ones you want.

[@memesandgasoline]

Most of my happy life happens here, but that's long gone, and I'm crying, I grew up here...

[@Bellerose1608]

+AIDS SKRILLEX A FUCKING WHITE MALE

[@JackieG8991]

I know how you feel. There’s a mall I grew up at going every single weekend with my family and I went to check it out a few days ago and now it’s dying. There’s barely any people now. Many of the stores I used to see are gone. I really hope malls become popular somehow again so my mall doesn’t become one of these malls but I’m already seeing it happen. (I think JCPenny closed their doors.) Next is Macy’s and Sears. I’m already seeing Sears struggling with customers.

[@gregorygoelz698]

I use to hang out at this mall all the time as a teenager. It was such a great place back in the 90s. Fun fact, the mall is supposedly haunted. Some people have claimed to see an old race car driver wandering around underneath that odd clock.

[@youdontwantit5231]

sp00pu

[@1nnu3ndo]

"This is something you don't see every day, but here we are... seeing this". That cracked me up.

[@GovernorRiffRaff]

Makes me sad when I see the elderly walking through these dead malls. It’s just signifies the passing of a generation. One day things we all hold dear will be gone and the memories in our heads will die with us.

[@ThatKarmaKid]

So many dead malls in Pennsylvania damn.

[@pp3k3jamail]

seem like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Texas has the most dead malls

[@Channelaz1500]

Kelly Holcomb A LOT of malls in Eastern PA are going under either because of crime or because of extreme competition from the King of Prussia Mall- that mall is absolutely gigantic.

[@mayhemmike1789]

Kelly Holcomb every state of the country! not only PA

[@BoratWanksta]

Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana have a few as well. In Michigan and Wisconsin, a lot of the dead malls are either in the northern part of Wisconsin in very small towns, or in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For example, Rice Lake, WI, Iron Mountain, MI, Houghton, MI, to name examples. Nebraska, Iowa,and Minnesota have a whole bunch, that haven't been documented very well sad to say. Think like in isolated small town population centers like Fort Dodge(IA), Spencer(IA), Worthington(MN), Fairmont(MN), Ottumwa(IA), Marshalltown(IA), to name examples. Not in the Upper Peninsula, but I really want to get to The Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor, MI sometime. I've heard a LOT about how dead that mall is! And not super dead yet, but Regency Mall in Racine, WI is starting to show a lot of signs of greatly struggling. I'll probably finally get to Regency in a month or 2, I hope. I'm WAY overdue in finally visiting Regency, since I live not too far south in the Chicago area. Ditto with The Orchards, at some point. Wish I could've gotten to Marquette Mall in Michigan City,IN before that shuttered, though I might try to peek at the dead mall entrances and the old mall entrance areas of Sears and Carson's, to see what I can see inside the now closed mall area. Penney's pulled out of there in 2015. Regency has lost Sears and Penney's IIRC, and Orchards lost Sears some years back. A Sears Hometown store opened in Orchards after it lost its full line Sears store, btw.

[@CommodoreFan64]

+Michael Gillette Yep every state has at least couple of dead malls, dead strip malls, and/or dead mini malls. Here in the SC/GA border area alone with have 1 dying mini mall being the Aiken Mall in Aiken SC, and one that's been long dead in Augusta GA being the old Regency Mall that died in the late 90's, and is so overgrown with trees, bushes, and what not, that you can even really see it from the highway anymore, and it's sad as both of those places in the 80's, and 90's where a bit part of my childhood where I would go with family, and later on hang out with friends at the arcade, Chinese Wok, or EB games store. Thankfully we still have the Augusta Mall that went under expansion, and renovation a few years back, and is still doing well, but nothing like it was in the 80's and 90's that's for damn sure.

[@0ater]

I live near there and I went there as a kid, around 2000-2003, and I absolutely loved it. It was huge and full of stores and neat displays and such, I used to ask my mom to take me there all the time, and now its completely dead. I went a few years ago, I think the same year you shot this, it was so empty I wasn't even sure if it was open. After about 5 minutes of walking around, I decided to go to the Berkshire mall a few minutes away, which was much more cleaned up and actually had stores. I honestly couldn't believe the place I so adored is just barren and dead.

[@ErinBerlintop10]

I worked here at Boscovs during my high school and college years. The mall was built onto Boscovs, which was freestanding for many years prior. The Reading Fair was held behind the mall for quite a few years. It is sad, because this was once a busy, bustling place and one that I have very fond memories of during my high school and college years. I can probably answer any questions as to what certain empty spaces once held. Very interesting series!

[@BigMatt202]

I have a medical issue and I'm stuck to a recliner for the time being. I've spent all day watching the Dead Mall Series by Dan Bell. These are some really good videos. I'm about to head on to your abandoned playlist. Thanx Dan

[@gravijiga]

Your videos are great! I love the whole presentation of them, the camera angles, the commentary and the distant seeburg sounding music just ties it all together.

[@ThisisDanBell]

gravijiga Thank you very much!

[@turbo1997hsm]

This sums up the quality of the videos

[@criticalmass181]

The dynamics of this situation are amazing....and a bit perplexing. There has to be some kind of 'tipping point' where the vendors, one by one, left but were not replaced by fresh businesses, causing an eventual landslide. The only thing that seems to come to mind, is that the complex owners got too greedy and cut their own throats. It's highly unlikely that the entire patronage just decided to never come back.

[@Automedon2]

+Marty Smith As a failed retail store owner, I can tell you a few things. One major expense is that, in the mall I was in (I imagine it's general), the costs for heating and cooling the mall are divided among all the tenants based on square footage. Obviously, with all the stores open faced, you couldn't calculate just your own usage. So, that is a huge expense, in addition to the lease, which is much higher than at a storefront property.It is a house of cards. With many stores operating on a very close margin, just a slight drop in traffic can put you under. Once the tipping point is reached (as you mentioned), A-list stores are not interested in risking the considerable investment in locating there. The low end stores that would never have been allowed to lease are suddenly welcomed with open arms, creating an instant look of 'cheap' that attracts no one to the place. The final step is when even the all-for-a-dollar and off brand sneaker shops can't generate even enough to pay the rent, and then that's it. Once the place is half empty, no one in their right mind would risk the tens of thousands it costs to open a store there. They might as well kick the last few struggling bastards out and shut it down.

[@criticalmass181]

TheLeatherChannel Thanks for the explanation. I'm sorry that your business failed. Best of luck in the future.

[@ThisisDanBell]

+TheLeatherChannel This is a very interesting bit of insight. Thank you for sharing. I’ve actually been to malls that have cut off their heating and A/C. Owings Mills did in their last few months. It was a sauna in there. My latest video of the Rehoboth Mall, management turned the heat off in that building. It was freezing. Just unreal.

[@mrtodd3620]

+Marty Smith Spare us the g-word. Malls go under for a number of reasons. Changing shopping patterns, economic changes in the area, anchors going bankrupt, nearby buildings going vacant, competition from newer malls being built. It isn't always the landlord's fault. The greater the value of the land, the more choices the owner has for the future of the location. I have seen malls being renovated, daylighted, or completely torn down and rebuilt. Sometimes an area is so valuable that a shopping center revitalizes without much effort (like University Village in Seattle, which once was rather dowdy, and now is a go-to destination for the area). Nearby me a mall was shuttered, torn down, and a Walmart installed in its place. Another shopping center wanted a Walmart, but the city leaders pulled the SJW thing and put in a Lowes, which closed down a couple of years later and sits empty.

[@armydude441]

+Marty Smith The reason this particular mall went under was the multiple hikes in rent over a short period of time. I had friends who owned stores in this mall and they had to pull the plug when the rent went up a fourth time in 1 year. The fact that the Berkshire mall a much MUCH larger and overall nicer mall is about 10 minutes from this also helped kill the local need. For years many companies had storefronts in both malls but over time they just weren't needed in the Fairgrounds mall anymore. This mall was dying for the last 15 years. About 10-12 years ago they built the biggest and nicest movie theater in the area on to it, but that also lost it's appeal as bigger and better places were built. My point being that they tried over the years to revitalize and refresh but it just wasn't enough.

[@ashleyswshr]

Like sand through an hourglass, these are the malls of our lives

[@themightyparthos]

Excellent, but the song was "The Young and the Restless". The irony of the song though.

[@tardwrangler]

yikes

[@elyseeblackstone4597]

😆

[@loditx7706]

The leaky roof problem might be why the trees are doing so well.

[@ThaMike]

A few other comments... Thanks for showing how sad this mall has become. It was the place to be as a kid in the city of Reading in the late 80's and early 90's. They did refurbish the movie theaters there a few years ago and they are pretty decent and do get some good traffic. Muhlenberg township is pronounce like Mule en berg. Finally, it's not the township that supported this mall with customers, it was the city of Reading (pronounced Redding - think of monopoly and Reading Railroad) that supplied this mall with a constant influx of customers when their were stores like Footlocker, Spencer's, Radio Shack, Burger King, Arby's and a ton of other chains. The Fairground Square mall is a reflection of how broke the city has become over the years with little to no jobs. There was also Boscov's there which is a PA based store like Macy's. As well as many others. Quite sad to see it so empty and leaking. You're right though, that is the worst parking lot/road I've ever seen. So many potholes. Thankfully the Reading Farmers Market next store is still doing well.

[@martinhodge921]

For those wondering, music in this video is "Song Sung Blue" by Neil Diamond, and "Nadia's Theme" by Henry Mancini.

[@gwendiffenbacher1695]

Nadia Comaneci: I remember.

[@michellerenneisen2963]

I went to visit this mall today...had to see in person how bad it has become since my husband and I used to run a store in there...we left back in 2002 because we saw the mall struggling back then...the store we ran there closed 4 years later. The fast-food place you wondered about was an Arby's when we were there...they were one of our competitors and the place with the crazy fence-like gate was another competitor of ours, Taco Casa. It's really sad to see what has become of this mall...it had a lot of nice shops when we were there. There is still one food place in the mall though...in Boscov's there's a restaurant called "The Greenery"...you can get to it from the outside or through the infants/girls section. Also wanted to say...the mall is even more dead now...THE ARCADE HAS CLOSED. But amazingly the mall had more people in it then when you did your video... most of the people I saw though were in Burlington Coat Factory, Boscov's, and the Comic Book Store...the Comic Book Store actually had an overflow into the food court. By the way, you may want to do one of these videos on the "Designers Palace" at the VF Factory Outlets...only 1 store in there...Reading China and Glass, I guess the Philadelphia Outlets took away a lot of the business from that building .

[@jacktherripper]

Man that was a depressing arcade...

[@stefb85]

No loitering? Isn't that the whole point?! Stand around socialize, play a game here or there. I expect that kind of structure in North Korea, but not an american mall arcade

[@SFCityKids]

At least they got Time crisis 3

[@johnbecker334]

The arcade in this mall was small even its heyday. It had relevant games but not much overall. Oh, the skeeball memories with my wife though... ☺️

[@harryprice208]

Remember when Timeout was in the front? Back in the 90's if you're local!

[@Londonfogey]

But at least no teenagers were riding on the kiddie rides.

[@gregoirewoore6535]

Love the Muzak version of Song Sung Blue!!! Takes me back!

[@LauraIsPink]

Gregoire Woore I'm sooooo glad someone else noticed that. Love me some Neil Diamond, this version of Song Sung Blue is quite unique.

[@ShadowFudo]

My family always took my brother and I to this store when we were young. The restaurant in question was an old Arbys! There was also a comic book store I went to as a tween in the early 2010s to play competitive yugioh. It's heartbreaking and amazing how whenever I think that mall is dead, it manages to die even more. I hope when the mall eventually shuts down, they don't let it rot away...

[@ThatsMe4723]

Haha Golden Eagle!!!!

[@bodasactra]

All the contactor work that goes into these malls is amazing. The tile/stone/wood/electrical/HVAC/ceiling/glass/painting/plumbing and design. It is sad to see that work waste away.

[@elvisneedsboatsbennett2455]

I have always thought an old mall would be a perfect college or school. That would be a great secondary life for these spaces plus the school districts could save millions by not building new and picking these up for pennies on the dollar. The infrastructures are there, too.

[@BalooUriza]

That's what happened to the Dixie Square Mall.

[@UserHorologium]

The small mall in my hometown did exactly that. When the large mall opened, the small mall (which was at the busiest intersection in the entire city--about 35,000 people passed through it every day) failed, and after it was foreclosed, was converted into a very successful charter school. The area next to the JByron/Upton's became an 85,000 sf branch of the county library system, and served as the de facto school library as well. The layout of the mall was conducive to creating quite a few classroom areas, all converging on the center court (which was where the food court and six-screen theater had been located).There is a plan to move the charter school into a new purpose-built structure, and the community/state college moving in to the old building, which had opened as a mall in 1978.

[@donnadreyer2580]

Elvisneedsboats Bennett why do you millennials want to turn everything into a school ??? You new generation suck ! Its A damn mall ! You don't turn a Mall into a school !!

[@mrshitfacemcgee]

Donna Dreyer jeez chill out dude you dont even know them

[@donnadreyer2580]

quiet prince FREEDOM of Speech.people are dying for these places to close down so they automatically turn it into a school. I know how kids are, and they all think the world revovles around them.

[@Syllacrostics]

That empty arcade place was incredibly depressing.

[@dixienormous6969]

k smith yeah, looking at it was kind of disturbing in a weird way, something doesn't feel right about it

[@Guanjyn]

This is the only mall vid I’ve seen on KZbin where some security guy on a power trip didn’t tell you you couldn’t film here.

[@BeemerTwelve]

@7:12 - $0.75 for a refill? No wonder the mall is dead.

[@EndlessFunctionality]

John Wilkinson hehe, they are trying to make up in as many places as possible

[@Deevon]

When subway first came to the mall there used to be free refills lol I guess at the time they needed all the money they can get lol

[@tytinfinity9782]

+John Wilkinson That was when it was already closing. I actually used that like three times.

[@1000huzzahs]

+IDevuhstate Yeah, franchise owners can set certain prices I think, as well as wages, and being a franchisee can suck and be a real drain. It's pretty obvious they took that measure to make up for lack of income elsewhere :-/

[@BeemerTwelve]

+Riff Chick Valuable insight. But nowadays when pretty much everyone offers free refills charging for something that can be obtained for free is telling the customers: *"GO AWAY"*!.

[@Ray_Rhoads]

I used to work at this mall from 1995-2002 during summers in high school and college. I worked at the Keyboard World. At the 9:00 mark, the fast food restaurant was an Arby's. Funny story, I actually worked there for all of 2 hours. On a break, I went over to the piano store directly across, and sat down and played (I actually was going to college for music performance) and the guy who managed the piano store offered me a job for .50 more an hour than the Arby's did. So, I went over and quit the job at Arby's and basically got paid to practice the piano all summer.

[@Gizzard4400]

Malls nowadays are basically an indoor exercise track for old people

[@HungNguyen-lt9dy]

I agree

[@Tuperrahefa]

Dizzle definitely true. Almost every mall here in the bay is. Even the crappy ones

[@tgordon8136]

Lol not in Jersey. We love our malls here!

[@lizardwrangle]

"The Young and The Restless" TV soap opera theme gives it the feeling of good times lost and only memories remain.

[@Emuface77]

Dan Bell has a unique talent of making something out of nothing. Why did i watch this? No clue. I've been to these places.

[@theresatrauger5241]

😩 I used to hang out here every day with my friends. I used to work at the redners across the street. This mall is home.

[@Zapruderfilm1963]

I used to work at Met-Ed/First Energy which is very close to this mall. I watched as it slid into oblivion. I never lived in the Reading area however, I commuted from the Allentown area, 35 miles northeast. Our mall, The Lehigh Valley Mall is actually doing extremely well and is over 90 percent occupied. Reading, PA where this mall is located was declared the poorest city per capita in the country by the federal government in 2012. Reading proper reflects this fact.

[@ThatsMe4723]

Facts lol

[@nicholasshade1366]

I love the tiling, I love the stars. 🌟

[@TheRealDipStick]

Old people: "i come here for the music."

[@marxshtv]

Grew up in Berks Co., that JC Penny's was actually an outlet, and Gourmet Pretzel had the best pretzel bites I've ever had. Thanks for the nostalgia trip!

[@ProtoMario]

LOL 75 cents for refills, I promise you Subway is the grimiest, most greedy place I ever encountered, they are sneaky and sly about it, but they treat their employees terrible, their managers worse, and their practices are borderline illegal.

[@joebob311]

Stay away from Europe, then 😂😂

[@joebob311]

Stay away from Europe, then 😂😂

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

All of their "artisan" breads are soggy and sponge-like too. Their promotions suck big time with their stupid "Free Cookie" incentive. How about just $1 Off your next combo meal?

[@wow42022]

Fan Made Videos subway doesn’t have a lot of things to buy so it would make sense to give away a free cookie.

[@Nostalgicguy2242]

just for your knowledge, Mario hails from Italy....

[@DeL-sm8bl]

gotta love the young and restless music

[@BEANZI3xTFMx]

I think that was the saddest arcade I have ever seen.

[@thor-ps5qs]

Man... the music... sure makes these videos!

[@SRMkay]

Some of these malls depressingly remind me of what was once the main mall in my area. They opened in the '70s and did really well... until a bigger mall opened about 10 miles away in the early '90s. Slowly, the old mall lost more and more tenants, and the ones that came in to replace them got lower and lower in quality. The last time I was in there before it closed, they had what almost looked like a flea market table set up in the middle of the mall selling discount watches and other junk. The newer mall is still doing well enough, but I worry that won't be true 5 years down the line...

[@fonzo2525]

these shows are oddly addictive,but still can't put my finger on why i keep watching them.

[@MissShey89]

Nostalgia lol

[@Cybrsk8r]

Man, that lemonade @ 8:20 looks nasty.

[@chet6286]

I live in the area of this mall on the other side of Reading, PA in Wyomissing. Where I live is basically walking distance from the much more successful Berkshire mall. The Berkshire mall (we normally refer to it as the Mall because no one goes to the fairgrounds and if you're going to King of Prussia you call it that or just K.O.P.) is an old building but is always busy and never sparsely patronized. There are a few closed spaces a few of them are old fast food restaurants that closed down during the recession that I think chick fil a owns and won't sell but I'm not sure if they just use the windows as advertising space. The Berkshire mall used to be a little nicer (a Disney store was there) but that was before I moved here in 2006. The anchor of the Berkshire mall is a boscovs a department store chain which was founded in Reading and actually saved itself after the recession and is still family owned. It was front page news when the son of the founder and CEO, Al Boscov, died. There are upper middle class and upper class people in the Reading area although the urban area of Reading is one of the poorest cities in America and hardest hit for decades. We were hit tremendously by the recession because right before the recession we were named an "up and coming" real estate market. (I was only a little kid when this happened). Parts of downtown Reading are like an abandoned mall, there is a nice part with a statue of one of the Boscov's. So there would be people who would go to a new mall with stores for higher income people but we just go to KOP. The fairgrounds always sucked I used to go there for my school uniforms as a kid and the place creeped me out because of how empty it is. The uniform place moved to West Reading (not part of Reading closer to Wyomissing in wealth) which has actually gotten a lot better since we moved here. I went there to see a movie last year. the theater was almost empty. Anyways I only ever go out to that area when my parents buy stuff at this pet store which I think is in that area (could be wrong) or I want to eat at bojangles or checkers, which is really rare, I've only been to each once.

[@sarahkrause4270]

The closed fast food place was an Arby's. This was "my mall" growing up. That Subway was a Chick-Fil-A, then a random Mexican place too.

[@usachristmas5433]

They tore down a great dirt racetrack, Reading Fairgrounds speedway to build this thing. Track had a storied history. Legends that raced there were Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Gerald Chamberlain to name a few. Tear down the mall and put the track back!

[@jerryweinerlicker4938]

can anyone tell me why in some of his videos of abandon malls, there is people walking around aimlessly?

[@ThisisDanBell]

+Sam Fleek I have wondered this myself. It’s creepy sometimes.

[@AlfredHawthornBennyHill]

+Sam Fleek People do it because of memories from when the malls were crowded and some do it for exercise.

[@LauraIsPink]

Many elderly people walk the mall for exercise because it's a safe environment. It happens at all malls even if it's not a dead mall. The mall I work at is far from dead and in the early morning hours there are elderly people and moms with kids the walk the mall.

[@k.g.alatore355]

+Sam Fleek It's actually a pretty good way to exercise by walking. Steady terrain, plenty of room with no people around, and it's usually quiet.

[@k.g.alatore355]

I love mall-walking, honestly. No one ever bothers you.

[@thepartyexpressdjs]

I was just there a few days ago. even more vacant. Back in the day, it had a huge center fountain and also smaller ones near boscovs and penney's. Place was still hood in early 2000s. fast food you mentioned was arby then next place, taco casa

[@HappyQuailsFarm]

They are playing the theme to Love Story... a song from the 70's about tragic loss

[@christianblade2052]

+HappyQuailsFarm Dan adds the music in post production.

[@EphemeralProductions]

+HappyQuailsFarm I didn't hear that, but I think you were noticing the song that was pretty high volume near the end. That song is actually "Bless the Beasts and the Children" which later was renamed "Nadia's Theme" and was used for YEARS as the Young & The Restless (soap opera) theme song. LOL

[@patsflysfan2]

I cannot believe this has happened. Just 4 years ago, I was there and there were people. I live closer to the Berkshire Mall so it's not that much of a loss, but I really did like this place.

[@ericles]

The mall of my youth! I could tell you what many of those stores were back in the day. Only 3 or 4 stores that I saw have been there since the early days. The cinema, pretzel place, arcade and "Your Bet" are all original but that wing had a life of it's own thanks to the movies. Boscovs at one end next to the GNC and a Chick Fil-A. The mall had three jewelry stores at one point. Kay's is now "K's" Gold/Pawn apparently. Very depressing but thanks for sharing.

[@ivyreignn]

My mom worked in the one hair salon here for many years. I used to hang out here all the time and it was definitely a happening place. It’s so sad to me to see what it’s become, especially because of the nostalgia of it all. Used to hang out in the arcade all day. I visited 2 years ago and it was a ghost town. RIP

[@Deevon]

This used to be my main mall . its was the best on in Reading PA . its so sad to see how it is now from your vid . I miss Taco Casa & the Arcade 😖😖😖 & btw the ceiling damage is from the serious hailstorm we had , the glass shattered on the roof . now the main mall is Berkshire Mall

[@Deevon]

best in*

[@egosomnio]

+IDevuhstate Confetti Arcade over in the Berkshire is owned by the former manager of Time Out (before Namco made it an unmanned arcade).

[@Willthecow1]

Berkshire is always so packed :(

[@1981jaded]

Was Taco Casa where he said if anyone knows what fast-food restaurant was here let me know?

[@Deevon]

1981jaded nope. it was an Arbys

[@padawanfox6213]

I live only 5-10 minutes from this mall. The arcade, New York Department Store, and Payless closed. Schuylkill Valley Sports relocated outside the mall. You were right, Subway and the other eatery were walled off.

[@davidreadinger1579]

I recall this mall being built. The area was very different back then. As the years went by the clientele went down hill and no one with money to spend wanted to be here. Those with money went to the Berkshire Mall. Now that this mall is dead, the unsavory clientele are infecting that mall too. The whole area is a victim of the cancer that is Reading - which is ironic because the malls were blamed for killing the former downtown shopping district.

[@1515cando]

Another racist Trumpster shows up and regurgitates his ugliness. The internet killed the malls you ignorant racist fuck, not minorities.

[@joescomedyclub7482]

SLAPCHOPshamwow yikes bro, that was a pretty cringe comment

[@defenestrator3900]

@@joescomedyclub7482 you managed to top it

[@joescomedyclub7482]

Defenestrator of Prague you don’t know irony when you see it

[@defenestrator3900]

@@joescomedyclub7482 :)

[@padawanfox6213]

Former stores in the mall include a Chinese restaurant, Foot Locker, Spencer's, Hallmark, Deb, and Waldenbooks. Of all the malls in the dead mall series, this is the closest one to me. It began to struggle around 2013 and is just getting worse. Although the new owner, Hull Property Group, is planning to revitalize the mall.

[@charlie.hubbard5463]

One thing I've noticed while binging this series: it must cost nothing to run a B&BW because all these malls on their last leg seem to have one

[@AleesaDellaRobbia]

I think its also the appeal they try to have with the BBW. Lots of people like the store and everyone needs soap so I suppose they try to coax people in... I'm sure theres only one person working the store at a time.

[@sailorsenshi4504]

Can confirm was just at this BBW last week.

[@peaceisourprofession3677]

Just drove to the AMC at fairgrounds, nothing left but the Boscovs, movie theater, and Super Shoes. They bulldozed the rest.

[@macneoh7418]

7:13 "Song Sung Blue" by Neil Diamond

[@stevemyers3082]

I used to go to Kutztown University in the early to mid 2010s, which is about 20 minutes from this mall. My ex and I used to go here to go to the movie theater because it gave student discounts, and then sometimes walk around the mall afterwards. It was such a weird sight seeing it so empty and devoid of activity. And what Dan said in the beginning is true- I have never seen a parking lot with so many potholes. It was treacherous just to navigate it. It's very surreal to see this mall in such a popular KZbin video. This video is truly the mall's legacy.

[@Wingnutcaseman]

I was just there today (July 19, 2015) and I wanted to add a few observations. As already noted, the Family Fun Center is now closed. Also, the lettering from the closed kickboxing gym has been removed and the closed Subway and neighboring eatery have been walled off. Pretzel Gourmet is still in business. But despite a schedule saying they are open Sundays they were closed today. I guess it's just open whenever the owner feels like it. You can smell cigar smoke outside the cigar shop. I totally forgot to pay attention to the trees and that clock up on the ceiling. Finally, I saw no buckets or wet floor signs despite last night's thunderstorm. Did they really fix the roof??

[@ThisisDanBell]

Wingnutcaseman Weird about the roof. Do you think with everything else here they actually spent the money to fix the problems? Maybe they did. Sounds like from your observations things have plummeted even further down the tubes for this mall. And seriously, what’s up with Pretzel Gourmet? If they are so blasé about their hours, how do they afford to keep the rent paid? It’ll be interesting to see where this mall goes in the next year. I don’t see a bright future. BTW, was Limerick Furniture still open?

[@Wingnutcaseman]

This is Dan Bell. No idea what the deal with the Pretzel Gourmet is. Their rent must be minimal and the mall feels a part time food offering is better than none. Of the three most well known struggling malls in the upper reaches of the Schuylkill Valley (Coventry, Fairgrounds, Schuylkill), this is the emptiest. But one could argue that Schuylkill is leasing to a lot of non-retail tenants. whereas Fairgrounds is not. Anyway, Limerick Furniture is still open in the former JCP.

[@ejRecording]

This is Dan Bell. fuck the mall, what about the people? sounds like every ones poor as hell and cant afford mall bullshit? peace

[@pricklypear1643]

The music. THE MUSIIIIICCCC!!!

[@somacruz7759]

Why was the theme song from The Young and the Restless playing in the background? XD

[@jonathanjamesphoto___282]

Because.

[@somacruz7759]

@@jonathanjamesphoto___282 :)

[@melbagarcia-ventura]

Update: keyboard world, gnc, payless, prepaid store, family fun, half the kiosks (Only 2 left), N.Y. store, Schuylkill Valley Sports (moved down the street from the mall), cigar place.... all left. Only Burlington, Boscovs, AMC theater, bath and body works, massage place, and Baja beach tanning remain. Owner is looking to demolish the inside and leave anchors soon I heard.

[@elliotmock8391]

This was one of my two childhood malls. The other was the nearby Berkshire Mall, and although they’ve gained the advantage over the Fairgrounds Square Mall, they’re also beginning to decline, particularly due to the loss of anchor stores Bon-Ton and Sears, which left only a few months apart from each other. Unfortunately, they’ve mostly demolished this shopping mall, though I remember visiting here countless times. Golden Eagle Comics & Cards was definitely among the staples, and once the mall closed, they simply relocated to just outside the complex. I recommend that you all check them out, as they’ve got some nice stuff. Also, the once space that Dan Bell questioned was formerly an Arby’s. Also, the Family Fun Center was once the home of the comic book store.

[@robertwickstrom902]

Last I visited Berkshire Mall (X-Mas 2020) it looked like it was on it's way to follow Fairgrounds. Sad in a nostalgic way but I guess this was all unsustainable in the long run.

[@rubies200]

Love that "Nadia's Theme/Young & the Restless Theme Song" @ 9:22. Vintage, truly.

[@pizzaspy]

Every closed store is a crushed dream

[@elliotmock8391]

I have been to this mall so many times. That restaurant you were questioning was once a Burger king and even before that an Arby's. I visited this mall about a month ago. I counted and only about 10 stores were left. GNC, New York, Suit Fashion, SV Sports, Le's Nails, Payless ShoeSource, and more have closed. But happily, a kind-of antique shop recently opened in the former FYE.

[@tonycalp]

That "abandoned fast food place" was an Arby's back in the day. Since they left, they haven't reused it since.

[@sweedy6647]

9:39 "No teenagers on kiddie rides" ≥20 year olds: ( ͡✪ ͜ʖ ͡✪)

[@NathanDavisVideos]

LOL!!! The Young And The Restless theme 9:21!

[@ThisisDanBell]

Nathan Davis It was a popular muzak selection. haha

[@PAWSUP199516]

I noticed that too ! Love the young and the restless.

[@ddjmfan]

Nathan Davis It's actually called Nadia's Theme but most people know it as the Young and The Restless Theme. It's a very pretty piece of music.

[@ds-ns5tn]

Lemonade anyone?

[@christophercoleman1895]

This is Dan Bell. Cool stuff Dan how many malls have been closed in the last 10 years ?

[@KokNoker]

Reading PA resident reporting in. Somehow the mall is still open. The Golden Eagle comic shop near the beginning and the Boscov's are pretty much the only places keeping that mall open. The tabled you see in the jewelry store are used for Magic: The Gathering events when the comic book shop needs space. Also, the fast food place you asked about was an Arby's

[@Automedon2]

what do people DO any more? Malls are deserted, parks are empty, bars and nightclubs are tombs. Apart from major league sports, school sports and minor league teams draw small crowds. Actually the whole country seems to be living in a fog of depression. People seem to just go to work and then home.

[@Plasmacore_V]

+TheLeatherChannel work so they can afford to go to work tomorrow

[@julieerin115]

+TheLeatherChannel seems like more people are becoming homebodies and are hooked up in their own little worlds

[@Mentorcase]

+TheLeatherChannel This is what happens when you ban smoking, a lot of the exciting people won't go there then the rest just follow because the place is too boring.

[@Automedon2]

Mentorcase I think you're right. When you treat half your customers like they're unwanted they don't go

[@shannonm75]

For one thing entertainment used to exist mostly outside the house, now you can play video games or watch movies on a big screen TV. People shop online, we are becoming an anti-social, reclusive, nation at least in the U.S.

[@Bunny-pr8gw]

LOL "be smart prepare I think that's a good message for anyone who has a business in this mall" that got me

[@morpheustek]

at 9:00 I'm almost positive that used to be a McDonald's. My grandfather used to take me there when I was a kid.

[@jsivco3sivco785]

You are POSITIVELY wrong. It was Arby's. No McDonald's has seating like that.

[@mainmustardmenace5010]

The mall is closed completely now. It's sad to watch the mall of my youth come to a close, but I'm glad it's documented for all to see

[@okrajoe]

The march of progress? My old city had a large, open-air shopping center. Which was then driven out of business by the new enclosed, air-conditioned mall. Which was then usurped by the new mall in a better part of town. Then the old mall expanded and remodeled, and became popular again. Then both malls were bankrupted by new, open-air shopping centers. So we're back where we started.

[@BeifChesterfield81]

Did I just hear the "Young and the restless" theme? Hahaha awesome

[@zisira2469]

Does anyone know why bath and body works is popular in dead malls ?

[@khunopie9159]

Bath and Body Works offers a solution to people's problems - We're dirty and we stink

[@carrara9000]

cheap manufacturing/charging high prices?

[@BoratWanksta]

I'm not sure, and honestly I have no idea how true this is. I think GNC has the same setup for their leases in dead shopping centers and malls, too! But I think someone on the facebook group Dead Mall Enthusiasts said they pay rent on a sliding scale, based on how few stores remain in that mall. With Payless Shoe Source finally filing for bankruptcy, I wonder if Bath and Body Works or GNC will ever file for bankruptcy? I'd bet a lot more that GNC files, since they're in MORE dead malls vs. Bath and Body Works. I would say there is a rare point where they pull out of even dead malls, though! GNC did finally pull out of the super dead Charlestowne Mall around 2014 or 2015, but I dunno the exact month it occurred. I know it was there upon my first visit in 2012 or 2013(can't remember exactly the year it was, I'll have to check the time and date stamp on those older pics I have), but it had closed as of my 2nd visit there. Bath and Body Works already wasn't in Charlestowne, as of my 1st visit back in 2012 or 2013. And yep you can totally figure out the old B&BW storefront, when you walk inside Charlestowne. :) And if I recall correctly, GNC closed at Lincoln Mall in Matteson, IL, a little before Bath and Body Works did in the very final years of that mall. It held on till like 2014 I think, and that mall finally closed in January 2015. Demolition is going to start on Lincoln soon, btw. For now, it stands abandoned, and sadly is getting trashed to a little less of the extent, that Rolling Acres sadly got up till when Rolling Acres was demolished at the end of 2016. :(

[@maddyandhank]

I used to manage at bath And body works and I know that when they sign leases they sign them for as long as they can so rent is super cheap, so even when they are doing minimal business they are still turning a profit. I have been told that is what gnc does too but I can't fully vouch for that because I've never actually worked there.

[@BoratWanksta]

Ah, I see. Thanks for confirming what I thought! Now that explains a lot, why often you see Bath and Body Works and GNC hanging on at a lot of dying and dead malls. LensCrafters must do this at times too, since they hung on at Lincoln Mall(Matteson, IL) till its end in January 2015. And are still open at Charlestowne Mall, believe it or not!

[@emilysward2020]

When i was younger, they has bouncy houses and I went on them everytime, then they got rid of them. The mall used to ALWAYS be packed. There was an Orange Julius and I got smoothies there every time. Ever since the bouncy houses left, to me the mall had just been losing more a more business. There is still a Burlington Coat factory, Boscovs, Super Shoes, and I think the gym is still running but idk, and the movie theater. The movie theater is pretty nice and I suggest you check it out if you are in Reading, PA.

[@johnyapple8447]

When you see Radio Shack (5:09), you know this mall has been struggling to get new businesses in its doors.

[@noahchapman4196]

My favorite part of these videos is seeing people reminiscing about how they used to go to that mall.

[@AleesaDellaRobbia]

Have you ever been to Midway Mall in Ohio? Its a pretty dead mall. It still has two anchor stores but they lost Sears. Theres quite a bit of small places open but there is also a lot of them missing. The attendence alone to the place is sad. Its mostly always empty and there were even rumors of having it be torn down after it was bought for a childrens hospital of some sort. The mall has passed the rumor and still is here but walking in it is really depressing. It isnt super outdated but its dead. If you ever have the time you should go. Unfortunately its close to the lake so it'll probably be far. Its in Elyria, OH though!

[@4exgold]

always seems Sears and Macy's are the last 2 anchors standing when these malls start dying

[@DarkroomMedia007]

1:25 😂😂😂😂 *"Parking lot has more potholes than the mall has stores"*

[@ajp9009]

Is it just me or does the music from somewhere around the 9 min mark til around the weird lion store sound like the young and the restless theme?

[@christianblade2052]

+Thomas Power It is the theme they use for that soap.

[@EphemeralProductions]

+Thomas Power That's cuz it is. LOL Nadia's Theme, it's actually called.

[@shannonm75]

I think it's called Laura's Theme for Y&R soap. I used to watch it! Quite suitable for the loss of this mall.

[@somacruz7759]

+Thomas Power That's because it was the theme song from The Young and the Restless xD

[@alphamone]

was just checking the comments to see if anyone else noticed. I heard it and right away thought "I know that music".

[@sarahbrown3858]

I used to work at JCPenny before it became an "Outlet" JCPenny. Those cash register stands are from the Outlet days. That area used to be the Jewelry Counter. I was in LP and loved it but quit when I heard it was changing over to an Outlet. Such a shame....Glad to see Golden Eagle is still hanging on!!! Comics!

[@demonicgrinch]

I’m in love with your dead mall series thank you so much for making them!

[@1515cando]

This makes me so sad. I lived just across Rt 61 behind the WAWA off Reading Crest Blvd. I took my daughter to her first movie at the Cinema Center to see Aquamarine. We raised her there in Muhlenberg Twp from 02 to 11 before moving away. My daughter died in a car accident in 2016. She was 17 and in her senior year of high school. Seeing this mall video really hits me hard with a lot of bittersweet memories.

[@FarnsworthOfDM]

"The carpark has more potholes than the mall has stores" Tbh having half a dozen potholes isn't that bad.

[@yankeegirl5175]

The tile with the star design in front of the anchor stores is beautiful!!

[@jimterryh1983]

Ever notice a bank of gumball machines in many dead malls you visit? When the keiosks show up, it's time to vacate.

[@mono-no-aware.Lem.]

I live about 15 miles from this mall, and occasionally when I don't have anything to do I just like to walk this mall for a little while, almost as an escape. I remember as a kid even 10 years ago or so, this place was always busy and still relatively full of stores. And now it looks like this