DEAD MALL SERIES : Schuylkill Mall (Vintage Retail Gem) **DEMOLISHED**

Love Dead Malls? Check out Dan Bell’s entire Dead Mall Series here : • Dead Mall Series
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Photographed and Edited by Dan Bell

[@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!

[@littlesister3477]

i was a tractor trailer long haul driver. in 2006 that mall was a saving grace and home to about a thousand stranded tractor trailers when we were hit by a severe blizzard while i wad going thru PA on I 81 north bound, the highway was closed down and the state police diverted all the rigs into the mall parking lot which was right off the highway. we were stranded for close to a week. the towns people were great .they came and opened up the otherwise closed mall and fed ud, showed movies in the theater ,the Holiday inn,hooked up a CB to their van and you could radio in and they would pick u up and let you use the showers,and stuff, the guy in the rig next to me died of a heart attack, it was a sad was to go. thanks for the memory man, good vid but eerie for me.

[@shaqueljohnson4697]

I

[@GabrielSantos-tl1bp]

thank you for sharing that sorry. amazing

[@nancyhicksgribble9799]

Very cool story. Those were the days!

[@fostercat751]

Your story renews my faith in humanity, and Americans. Thank you!

[@leighahmke]

My family is from there. It is an incredibly poor area, but I never have a bad time going back. They are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Glad they helped you out.

[@stefb85]

This is so relaxing. Just slouching here, before bed, taking a slow tour through a quiet mall, elevator music humming, Dan Bell's soothing voice. This is heaven.

[@emilykemp8865]

I can relate to this so much.

[@yarixzamendoza6314]

check out asmr if u havnt already it's awesome

[@bigh414]

Totally

[@LaurenHelene]

me all the time

[@mehkarma2772]

Lol imagine him doing asmr

[@thejess521]

I worked here at this Kmart for three years. From 17 years old to 20 until I moved to CT. I'm from Ashland PA, next town over from Frackville, and this is sad. It was once a thriving place but I think soon every still will close and the whole place will go with it. Drugs and violence run rampant in this area because our livelihood is long since forgotten. Thank you for putting this on KZbin though. It will be nice to remember when I'm much older what it used to look like.

[@esw01407]

thejess521 Just about the only work left in there area is at the Warehouses that have been built heading southwest on 81 at Highridge Park.

[@evelien135]

SPAZE PARANOIDS !!!! ! Yes, because Obama stepped into office in a country destroyed by the systems George W. Bush put in place. The recession had nothing to do with Obama. The country’s economy getting healthier had everything to do with Obama.

[@dakotaknorr5981]

I'm from ashalnd as well such a tragic loss

[@amazingadrien]

Ashland? As in the place next to Centralia?

[@annemary9680]

@@evelien135 Lmao, imagine being delusional enough to think they both weren't responsible for helping destroy this country.

[@CattyMintgum]

Imagine living the life of a Toy inside a Claw Machine inside a Dead Mall.

[@tigerburn81]

Metaphorically, that is my life.

[@nixonhoover2]

what a loser.

[@GeoAl09]

Catty Mintgum That would be a interesting movie

[@colinschabel]

Master Sashimi toys aren't alive

[@AchivementHunterz]

This could be the plot for a movie

[@davidmaglioli7048]

K-Mart itself is a dying breed. There is one about an hour from where I live in NJ and its awful. Its messy, all the items are on discount, the cash registers and computer systems haven't been updated since the 80's. Its a real sad sight. They still had advertisement signs up for the original Xbox, which at this point is a decade and a half old

[@baysidethrills3322]

What town is the KMart in?

[@Karmy.]

ik all of the KMarts here are dirty nasty and have rude employees or are closed eyesores

[@leighversteege7636]

K-Mart Canada closed all it stores way back in the mid-90's. It was sold to the Zeller's corporation (Subsidary of The Hudson Bay Company) and now Zellers has permanently closed their stores back in 2011.

[@cloud9productions816]

+Leigh Versteege im Canadian too. Can't believe Zellers closed that long ago. One still exists, in my Grandfather's mall and all they sell are clothes, furniture and miscellaneous items. very sad

[@Keyscool]

+David Maglioli Weird, our K-Mart is pretty decent and up to date. That said I've never been a huge K-Mart shopper anyway.

[@HelloNewMoon]

When you aren’t there but you know exactly how a place smells

[@Nina-vo6vv]

auntie Anne's pretzels, Cinnabon, & Hollister/Abercrombie cologne

[@slideandslip25]

🤣🤣🤣

[@carsons.9166]

My father was the mason who did the brick fountains, and flower areas.

[@ThisisDanBell]

Fast Freight Productions That’s so cool. So many people are into 70s and 80s era mall fountains now. There’s not many left to admire as most malls remove them to avoid maintenance and insurance issues. Your father’s work has undoubtedly been admired by many, many people over the last several decades. That’s pretty awesome.

[@carsons.9166]

He also did the outside curbs and sidewalks and used to do the landscaping when they had real plants inside and outside. I live not to far and the only reason I still come to the mall is for my local train club which is in the mall.

[@ThisisDanBell]

Fast Freight Productions It’s a shame what is happening there. Hopefully they can turn things around.

[@digiprez77]

Fast Freight Productions He did a great job, with a bit of scrubbing they would all look good as new...

[@Ducks-are-cool1]

Fast Freight Productions hmmm it good i like it :D

[@kdw75]

What gets me is how the malls are closing, yet they open the outdoor strip malls. Like I want to trudge through freezing rain and snow to do my Christmas shopping. So I gave up and shop from Amazon for the most part.

[@tjp2109]

+kdw75 Exactly. Outdoor huge mall complexes are becoming so popular as opposed to indoor? I don't get it. I'm just going to guess that you can park and move your car in between shopping. We have an outdoor mall where I live and it's so popular, they are planning additions. I think they are doing better because you get access to box stores like Lowe's, Target, Petco, REI as well as smaller stores all in one are. They plan them out to look like little towns and residential areas so it's quite new and appealing.

[@KiloByte69]

+kdw75 You want the luxuries of a climate controlled mall with the price competitiveness of online retailers. Ain't gonna happen.

[@grayharlequin]

+kdw75 I don't know about other places, but outdoor places around me are growing popular (in Michigan of all places!) because many of the stores allow you to take your dogs in and around all the stores. Partridge Creek is a mall in SE Michigan and it's insanely popular, especially in the spring and summer, because it gives pet-owners a place to socialize their dogs while also doing a bit of shopping, the only place you can't take your dogs into are the restaurants. Though admittedly they do see some closures in the winter (this winter saw 3 different stores shutter), as it's hard for those retailers to survive the cold Michigan winters. They'll fill back up, but it's a gamble.

[@Windsweptzariel]

One of the reasons for more outdoor shopping plazas vs. indoors is because of the cost to heat and air condition the buildings. I was at Granite Run Mall just after the actual mall was closed, but the Boscovs was still open. I was asking an employee if they were closing and he told me no. He said the cost of heating and air conditioning the indoor area contributes to the high cost of rent and why they were basically turning the mall inside out.

[@timramich]

+kdw75 It's because the trendy young ass-wipes of today just see a style they don't like ('80s, '90s) and just get it in their heads that it means a place is dirty and the products are going to be crap. The same ilk of idiots pay more to go to a store like Wegman's because they think a place like Redner's not having modern lighting and old VCT tiled flooring means it's dirty and so is the food.

[@goodeggproductions]

You videos are amazingly depressing. I used to live 2 miles from the Berkshire Mall in Reading. I moved about a year after the Schuykill Mall opened but I remember it being so much bigger and cooler than Berkshire. I don't know why your videos are so compelling, but you do a masterful job of mixing the music to make it sound like what is pumped out of a mall sound system. well done.

[@LarrySybrandt]

I want to buy a Dan Bell dead mall soundtrack album!

[@grunclestan3233]

I live a half of a mile from the berkshire mall and can you believe it is still alive and kicking !

[@NSachs-tx8xb]

Music is called vaporwave

[@matildeschower4772]

@@grunclestan3233 It's incredibly popping now :)

[@xtlm]

Turns out the Victoria's Secret (and Bath and Body Works) was open till the very bitter end. Lasting longer then virtually every other store.

[@carsausage]

It seems to be a trend with dying malls.

[@breakingtheicepogo]

There was a rumor that the anchor stores didn’t have to pay rent if the mall was making less than 1 million dollars.

[@realisticmentality]

Females be shopping

[@TheMM1215]

The outline of that old Spencer's sign just blew my mind. I haven't thought about their old logo for years. I worked at one during my teen years. I wish your series had been around 10 years ago Dan so you could have toured my area's old mall. I would have liked to have had some kind of video record of it before it got demolished.

[@mirinbrah739]

Thank you for documenting these visually before they get closed and torn down. They are a part of history.

[@katieburak93]

Seriously, what's up with dead malls and GNC, Bath & Body Works, and Radioshack?

[@katieburak93]

MrJohndoakes It's just really strange that every other dead mall has some combination of these places.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

MrJohndoakes Who in their right mind would own a Radio Shack?

[@pcmikefl]

+James Bond Maybe back in '78

[@juniorcasemiro]

+Katie Burak (Queen of Failure) AND Victoria's Secret!

[@damitzdesign]

Funny how you mention those three stores, which kinda reminds me of Marquette Mall in Michigan City, IN.... I was there probably 5-6 years ago just to reminisce my childhood (live in Chicagoland) and it's a dying mall... I recall those three stores opened, along with a few others.. Sad, but these are the times we live in..

[@MikeGodlewski81]

There's more money flowing in the fountains than there is in the registers...

[@Mother_of_Dogs_82]

These vintage malls with their 80s decor trigger so much nostalgia for me, being born in 82 and I remember going with my grandmother and mom every week to the mall as a kid.

[@virusgaming0013]

I'm from Pottsville originally... so when I had heard of this mall being demolished, I was devastated. It was a cornerstone of a lot of our childhoods, and now it's all gone... thank you, thank you so much, for documenting it when it was still standing.

[@Blitz350]

The four pillars that surround center court are actually deactivated water fountains. Water would flow from nozzles in the disk shaped parts up top and drop down in a circular curtain.

[@timramich]

Malls ought to start taking the fountain money and keep it for themselves.

[@Yyyyyy5]

Most dead malls like the one my father runs no longer use the fountains. I asked dad why they don't fill both fountains with dirt and make them flower planters he said," what for? The same reason I don't spend money to fill the pot holes in the parking lot.....this place isn't gonna be open much longer."

[@yerabbit]

some malls used to give it to charity. i remember at my local mall, back in the 80s and 90s when they had different charities for each fountain. but nowadays any mall still operating a fountain would probably need all the help it can get

[@DowNair]

I lived in Danville, PA most of my life. I would visit this mall occasionally in the mid and late 80's. Ironically, I would drive through CENTRALIA, PA, on what would later become known as the "graffiti highway' to get there! How times change!

[@grahamstrouse1165]

I noticed the Route 61 signs…

[@briantracy1324]

Radio Shack , The first name in third rate electronics ... Radio Shack , You have questions ... We have vacant stares...

[@colinschabel]

Brian Tracy at least they were expensive

[@GodWeenSatan]

Brian Tracy laughed so hard at this! Every one I been to same thing

[@izzimichaels2892]

and for the last decade or so they did NOT sell radios.....

[@davidtosh7200]

1980: Schuylkill Mall is open. 2020: Schuylkill Mall is no more.

[@Trainy2]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. I'm fascinated with dead malls, and you do a great job with these. Probably the best ones I've seen on KZbin. You always have quality footage and good info. Nice job, man!

[@ThisisDanBell]

***** Thank you so much! So glad you’re enjoying the videos!

[@OptimusBananas]

She is closing. republicanherald.com/tenants-schuylkill-mall-to-close-by-end-of-year-1.2190628

[@robs7640]

Who could forget the thousands of teens here on a Friday night. And the senior citizens who made this Mall their second home? Now it’s all gone and was replaced by a huge warehouse complex😢

[@breakingtheicepogo]

Do you remember when they decorated for christmas??? It was beautiful, but the santa was fake as hell

[@SilentServiceCode]

i would have never guessed that's how "schuylkill" was pronounced

[@Len1977gt]

+SilentServiceCode not that hard

[@SilentServiceCode]

+Larry N you must be from there

[@SweetPizza3]

people around here always get that lol! #skook

[@julosx]

No wonder why this mall is dead : no-one could pronounce its name.

[@OptimusBananas]

welcome to the coal region

[@pisces198402]

I live less then 7 mins away from here. It's sad... all that's left is the leather strore, this and that, movie theater (which also has a outside theater in the summer as well) a pretzel stand, fye, subway, Dunhams, wine store, the pizza shop, a soap and candle shop, att, arbys, shoe department, urban hair salon, a photo place, a little store that sells already made crafts, h and r block, a temp agency, two telemarketing companys, Gertrude hawk, mastercuts, the antique store/auction place, bonton, Victoria secrets, bath and body works, radio shack, Dunham sports, then right out side the mall is a McDonald's, holiday inn, and a cracker barrel. Sorry if I miss anything I don't think I did though... but that's a updated list as of Dec. 2015 for you.

[@pisces198402]

Also it has two nail salons a passion nails and a nail art

[@ThisisDanBell]

+Christina Wellington Thanks, Christina. I was wondering how things were looking out there. Not good apparently.

[@pisces198402]

Nope! Unfortunately not good. Walmart took over a lot after walmarts started coming into the area. But rent is supposedly extremely high at this mall and they expect the stores to heat the entire mall in the winter. This mall used to be great. Now it's lousy roofs leak and all... it's a shame especially getting that awesome movie theater in there it's a real shame. But I think that movie theater keeps them in business.

[@pisces198402]

+This is Dan Bell. also gnc is still there

[@erustownsend9790]

+Christina Wellington walmart didn't really have much to do with it. Piss poor management, multiple sales of the property, excessive taxation on the property which they up every time the locale can and excessive rent makes it shit.

[@PhoenixAngel429]

I remember that Arby's. Went to this mall back in 1999 for a beanie baby show. It's been awhile

[@bg147]

Maybe the Dept. of Corrections should buy up the malls and turn them into prisons. The stores would have a captive audience..... yea, I know.

[@DKulich44]

+bg147 The spot where this mall is was originally designated to be a prison, many believe the lay out is the same as the layout for the prison that was intended to be there.

[@georgewilliams1470]

The State prison is nearby.

[@craiggillett5985]

You know? That’s an amazingly smart idea!!

[@SnowBunneh]

I dunno why I find these super relaxing.

[@dphcmmd3641]

Snow Bunneh Same.

[@tommyXraver]

The music you play is so great!! I have worked in Malls for 20+ years here in Nashville and we have seen a few Malls go under just like the ones in your videos.. Love watching!!

[@rebelrailz.]

Aw man. You got that jingle stuck in my head now... 'The Schuylkill Mall, We're Better Than Ever For You!'

[@leeli1674]

I literally just wrote this!

[@leighversteege7636]

Nice to see a little more life in this soon-to-be closed mall. Lots of cheery sun-light, clean, shiny floors and happy little water fountains. :)

[@sm1else]

Thank you for teaching me how to pronounce 'Schuylkill.'

[@WeLsHMeLlY]

I loove your voice its quite soothing..you would be awesome reading stories for audio books like stephen king etc :)

[@esw01407]

Mall has now declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

[@MrSuperBrite]

republicanherald.com/news/schuylkill-mall-owner-files-for-bankruptcy-mall-won-t-be-sold-at-sheriff-s-sale-today-1.2108798

[@OptimusBananas]

shes officially closing republicanherald.com/tenants-schuylkill-mall-to-close-by-end-of-year-1.2190628

[@LoonZoomBoo]

OptimusBananas That's sad

[@pardyhardly]

The mall declared bankruptcy.

[@OptimusBananas]

there are only 2 stores left and they have til the end of september to leave

[@MCRgirlforever1]

The Dead Mall series really reminds me of Union Station in St. Louis. When I was younger it used to be super popular and I would LOVE to go there. Unfortunately, it's really gone downhill.

[@keithbowerman8069]

Well done. That was my "home" mall growing up. It's just depressing as hell to see the state that it's in. There were 2 arcades...A small one next to the movie theater and another one a little bit past where the empty Chinese restaurant is. It may have been a Space Port originally...I don't completely remember. There was a little kiosk down near the Waldenbooks that sold vintage records, and near it was another one that sold rock t-shirts. I understand that eventually became a large store itself before getting shut down. Oh well. If you're still in the area, you might want to have a look at the Fairlane Village Mall on the other side of Pottsville. Same story.

[@audreydaly1136]

The Fairlane Village Mall is so sad nowadays. Boscov's is the only anchor store inside the mall, and everything in the mall is basically gone. I remember when we first moved up here, and the mall still had a ton of stores. After Value City shut, everything seemed to tank. It's sad, knowing it's probably going to shut down. My parents end up going to Lebanon most of the time for shopping because it's so empty. The only thing we go there for is Boscov's and to go to the bank.

[@shanenice5380]

I go down reading other place is busy!there's nothing in that place village mall,they have stupid crafts Michael's and they just put outdoo,it was waste of time.I hope they close it,there's nothing in it,super shoes never have sales.

[@TheCroutonman]

The series is amazing! Thank you for making it! I've noticed that in a lot of these videos that these large malls are in really small towns, less than 25,000 people. There just doesn't seem to be the population density to support the malls.

[@robertwarf3316]

The fact they had at least one fountain in operation was a shocker. But five? Unreal! That old Spencer's front was really cool, too. I don't think I've seen one like that. If I have it's been so long

[@ThisisDanBell]

Robert Warf The fountains were unbelievable. Also, that was an original 1980s facade on that Spencer’s Gifts. I have never seen one of those except in a B&W photo. This mall was amazing. The best one I’ve visited so far.

[@RyanBonnecarrere]

The music is great. Really fitting.

[@mintycbo]

I remember this mall when I was a kid/teen in the 80's/90's..The place was insanely busy. There was a U/A movie theatre in there that moved out and a person bought and renovated around 2012. Now this mall is going up for auction via sherrif's sale. Black Diamond is moving out of there this weekend of Friday the 13th. Most of the ceiling leaks throughout the building as you noticed the ceiling was missing paneling/sections throughout. (Rainy day in the Schuylkill county area? take an umbrella with you to the mall.) There are 2 other nearby malls similar to this, the Fairlane Village mall in Saint Clair which is gemptying out as well. (has a Kohl's, Boscovs', Michaels's, Subway and Super Shoes for it's main stores.) Was another fairly busy mall getting close to the Frackvill Mall's demise. The Cressona mall in Cressona is fairly empty as well.. they has a surgery center, Staples, Ollies and Autozone as their anchors.. (inside of the mall is pretty much completely vacant, these are stores outside of the mall..) Thanks.. Now I'm going to miss going to these places..lol

[@katy5664]

Same here. I always shopped at these places with my family.. It's so sad to see them empty like this. :(

[@JoshuaBishop93]

I remember how busy these used to be too. I thought they were the biggest malls around and loved playing the game demos at Kmart. I just stopped there this weekend and the one entire wing almost has nothing now. It's kind of scary cuz I can picture my memories in those wings and how crowded it was. Dan should do a follow up now

[@sonicdash3818]

I remember as well, back when I lived in Williamstown, which was around when the twilight saga was becoming a huge thing, the Schuylkill mall was still pretty busy, lots of the stores open still, especially around the holidays, it was the busiest. Ornaments and gift shopping along with the usual activity you would see some teens and others out just hanging out in the food court areas, sitting on benches while having fun here and there in conversation.

[@TheScienceguy77]

I lost my virginity in the Spencer's at Schulykill Mall.

[@tackyman2011]

LOL your hand doesn't count.

[@lobesmcgee]

How does that even work?

[@lovablevietboy]

@@lobesmcgee You never had sex in the movie theater or bathroom?

[@annemary9680]

@@lovablevietboy No, because some of us aren't gross...

[@manorguys6995]

In the 80s, I took a few road trips into Pa from central NJ. This was a big visiting stop for me when I found it.

[@leighabrown2992]

The cheery, upbeat music with no one around just makes the mall that much more depressing.

[@classiccool2548]

Hey Dan, interesting video . This Mall was my childhood, I remember going to KB Toys, Kmart, Etc. I work at the Laurel Mall in Hazleton Pennsylvania. It's one of the few malls that is not dead, has some traffic and at 98% occupancy. Though it isn't dead, it would be cool if you stopped by here! -Tyler

[@Rayven_cat]

@4:09 - The guy with the shopping cart! What are you going to fill that thing with?

[@tiichanmartin]

this hopes and dreams

[@stardustdynamic1867]

He's a homeless guy, he is up there often.

[@jonb8669]

Since that mall is closed, probably copper.

[@MommyCassReborns]

he's probably homeless and stays here to get out of the cold?

[@gregtodakonzie6168]

Thats his car

[@sixfr0nt]

It's been 2 or 3 years since I last watched this. The song is still stuck in my head... it's worse than the O'Reilly song 😂

[@Twisted_Adventures2]

Many memories from going there with my family as a kid, to hanging out with my friends when we skipped school during our Senior year in 99 lol. Its sad to drive by now, and see warehouses

[@TiberianFiend]

Built in 1980 but still very 70s with all the globe bulbs and octagonal planters and fountains.

[@maryannschweikert4495]

The mall is no more. It was demolished I think in 2018. There is construction going on there but I don't know what is being built. Sad to say that malls are going the way of the dinasaur. You are an excellent videographer. Take care.

[@uncleelmer]

This Mall even as recent as 2000 to 2010 was more animated. The collapse of the Mall was fast. It has hair stylists, Chick-Fil-A, record store, mall walkers, lots of old folks sitting mid mall shooting the breeze. Pharmore Drug Store, Roy Rogers--but it all fell apart really fast. I liked going there and went many times as I was in the area for work reasons. Nice people. Friendly. One of my favorite places to visit in the region I served.

[@CarnelianClout]

I was living in Pottsville Pennslyvania as a kid. I moved there in 2007, at least if memory serves me correctly. I used to go there with my parents and my dad and I would hang out at the fountains and flip coins into the water fountains. I was always amazed at how much coins there were in the bottom of the fountains. I also remember watching some of the movies in the theaters there, I think I watched Happy Feet and the Penguins of Madagascar there when they came out. I also remember checking out the appliance stores and radioshacks there, and begging my parents to let me get the new Hexbug nanos at the stores they had there. Quite the memories, really. The name "Frackville" will always have a place in my memory, especially on the exit signs on I 81.

[@pmcpmc8005]

A Pennsylvania mall that has been on life support for years will finally close its doors. Schuylkill Mall tenants were given 60 to 90 days to vacate, according to a report

[@DementedDistraction]

~*shudder*~ That jingle at the beginning would make me refuse to enter that mall purely out of spite.

[@_Cato_]

f1lthyb4con You sound like a very negative person.

[@DementedDistraction]

Oh...I totally am, lol.

[@marybethsmith350]

I remember the opening day of this mall when I was a small child. It was a bustling place and teens loved the movie theaters. The owner kept increasing the rent and stores moved out. Sad what greed does isn't it? Currently it closed and now is a distribution center for large box store.

[@rabidsmiles]

As a girl who was born in the 80s and grew up in the 90s, malls were a sacred space. Makes me sad that we're moving on from hulking building filled with anything your heart desired from books to Hickory Farms...to the almost soulless way we purchase things off the internet. I have a fascination with dead malls, love the series!

[@Nickersons-Theme]

Is it weird for you when you go to busy stores to buy stuff? haha

[@whattheflimflam]

trash by curb, check cat boxes cleaned, check glass of cola nice and cold poured, check TIME TO WATCH SOME MOTHER EFFING DAN BELL YAAAS!!!!

[@simonfea2]

Awww I went here when I went to Penn State Schuylkill in 2000-2001. Its so sad to see it empty, it was bustling when I was there. So sad.

[@katieluksa8143]

I grew up going to Black Diamond for day trips. Such good memories there. My aunts found my grandmother’s high school year book there. Miss it lots. :(

[@laineyfabriccio5984]

love the cheesy elevator music lol classic

[@2snowgirl520]

I think I would like to play it in my car. It's soothing, might help with road rage.

[@laineyfabriccio5984]

lol or psychosis hahahaha love the though

[@leeli1674]

@@laineyfabriccio5984 lolololololololo

[@bladerunner2434]

This mall is now gone. Everything is dug up including the blacktop parking lot. Real sad, wish I had pictures of the original movie theater. Seen so many movies with my friends growing up.

[@shanenice5380]

I go there alot!now we have these stupid strip malls cresona,there not good,I miss Kmart fye black 💎

[@Rossturnerphoto]

What a beautiful vintage mall that place was. I never got to visit but saw many pictures from the days when it was still open and when it was hanging on as a dead mall. I was sad to hear about its closure and demolition.

[@chrispayne919]

7 years later and that song is still stuck in my head

[@sleepytimebedtime6089]

Your mall videos are great, but they are sad at the same time. Thanks for the tours.

[@samjohnstone1356]

the fountain outside the kmart was quite crap

[@nancyhicksgribble9799]

I miss Dan doing dead mall tours. His voice was soothing.

[@MegaMouse30]

This was an amazing video Dan; I love anything that has a fountain attached to it, there was one video you presented with an elephant and a small boy on the back; that was one of the most beautiful fountains I've ever seen...you really bring out the emotional loss of these spaces, I feel saddened when you present a video of the once glorious mall and then it's loss and your very respectful farewell to the space...you truly are an artist and every mall that is closing, should have you as the person to bid the final farewell...great work Dan

[@bmstylee]

Sears and Kmart. wow. could you find 2 more irrelevant stores for anchors?

[@BoratWanksta]

@Doomie Grunt I dunno about that, sadly enough. Kmart and Sears are both controlled by Eddie Lambert, who is closing stores for both chains at a noticeable rate, plus burning through cash quickly. Lambert YET AGAIN loaned money to Sears/Kmart earlier in August 2016, to keep operations of that company going! Like that'll stop the bleeding of that company, when we know it won't. I've said it before in the past and I'll say it again. I will be the most surprised person, if K-Sears(as I jokingly call that company) lasts more than 2-3 more years before they go bankrupt.

[@BoratWanksta]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Just I see a lot of Sears nowadays(the rare times I've gone into them in recent years), and it seems the ones that are still open often feel like ghost towns when you go inside them. I sometimes wonder if Sears would've closed a lot more stores, if not for the fact they sell appliances? And I believe I read they were starting to sell Kenmore, Die Hard, and more such items at other stores like Kmart. Plus heard a rumor that they were considering selling them at more stores like Lowe's, Menards, etc. Regardless, you are right about your surprise of Kmart being still around. I know a year or 2 ago, I noticed K-Sears eliminated selling video games at all Kmart and Sears stores. :(

[@bmstylee]

***** they did. I bought Finally Fantasy 7 at the Sears in Randall Park Mall when it came out.

[@bmstylee]

***** in all fairness that would have been around 1997

[@bmstylee]

***** basically the same thing that killed Rolling Acres.

[@thevealchop68]

The American dream did not fossilize. some communities just died. In your state, some towns are booming, no? Am I wrong? urban renewal rotates to different cities and towns.

[@Candiecane908]

thevealchop68 change is scary for some.

[@kathleencherry4383]

Wow!! Amazed to see a 'Deb' sign - used to be a Deb/Joy shop in the Seaview Square Mall years ago that was in Ocean Twp., NJ. Haven't seen a Deb Shop in ages!! The Seaview Square Mall no longer exists, sadly, but it was a great little mall! It slowly became a dead mall with only a few retailers holding it together. After Sterns and Steinbach's went out, that's when the mall slowly starting dying. Sears was its only remaining anchor store. Sears is still there, but the mall is gone. The only other store left (which used to be the old Sterns or Steinbachs store) is Value City, which is also now abandoned - has been for quite a few years now. A Target store and a few other smaller stores are there in place of the mall. Thanks for sharing - love all your Dead Mall vids!

[@BoratWanksta]

+Kathleen Cherry Deb closed all their stores last year, in case you didn't know. Not sure if the name was sold off to some company that'll end up using the name as an internet only business(i.e. Montgomery Ward, Hollywood Video), but you never know!

[@NateGerardRealEstateTeam]

My first job was at Arby’s in this Mall. Saw countless movies there, bought lots of tapes, and of course bummed around at Spencers with friends.

[@kikoonthemove]

I live in New Mexico and there's one mall you should really check out, I love the area it's in but financially this mall got screwed over for years. It's called Winrock, all there is is a Dillard's and I think that's it. It's beautiful in my opinion but didn't get the finances it needed to keep nearly all the stores open.

[@jooleepadoolie]

They turned it into an outdoor mall?

[@myboringadventures]

Kmart closed it's doors this past weekend.

[@baysidethrills3322]

Yup. Kmart went bankrupt

[@bi_moose_91]

+TheBl4ckknight the town I live in the Kmart is still open and the one where my dad lives.

[@benbuurman254]

They're going really well in Australia

[@veovis523]

RIP Schuylkill Mall. I guess now if you wanted to become incredibly depressed, you could visit literally anywhere else in Schuylkill County. Actually, all of Pennsylvania north of I-78 is pretty much equally depressing. I live in Lebanon and it's almost the same. Rust, decay and heroin. It's damn shame.

[@nicolesowers9224]

I am from this area and remember this mall. When I was young this mall was thriving. It is sad to see it gone now. It is a reminder that nothing lasts forever. I am glad that I have positive memories of this place!!

[@DhaniNMarie]

My mall used to have an Arby's too, but it closed in 2007. Im surprised the Chickfilla closed but the Arby's didnt :p

[@hippiefreak66]

Black Diamond antiques is now closed. Sadly, being someone who grew up with this mall, I am bummed out by the death of this mall. many childhood memories came from here.

[@katy5664]

sammeee..

[@hippiefreak66]

I was recently at the mall, maybe about two weeks or so ago. Boy did I let out one, giant, depressive sigh over how dead it is up there.

[@katy5664]

+hippiefreak66 That's so sad.. . I always loved that mall because of all the memories I had there with my family.It's just so sad to see all of these malls in such sad shape like this.. even the Steamtown mall , I never saw that coming as it was basically packed back in 2007.. it was even hard to walk in there then. I can't believe all these malls are basically becoming dead..

[@maryanncrochunis8494]

It's really sad what has happened to the Schuylkill Mall and so many Malls across the Country, it's a sign that people are shopping on their computers anymore .

[@natanaelrodriguez9580]

Oh god, soon enough the Rogue Valley Mall is going to be on one of these videos

[@CathPresbyter]

I hope not, I grew up in Rogue River and I used to love to go to that mall back in the day and hit the long dead theater there, and if it was a weekend, Fat City to party. Now the only magnet to that place is In N Out.

[@elizabethleee]

Every kid who went to this mall in the '90s will tell you its coolest store was Nirvana's Closet!

[@Theoutdoorproject80]

I live about 30 minutes away from there and i can say with complete certainty that you are in the region of all thing that are abandoned its a dying coal region and there are so many abandoned buildings so close to the place you shot this footage.

[@ThisisDanBell]

Hey. If you could, DM some suggestions to my FB. Always up for checking out new spots!

[@Theoutdoorproject80]

Sure

[@harporocks]

I live about 15 minutes from the Skook Mall,and can you believe they have a mall manager,who,whenevre a store closes,is quoted in the paper as saying " we hope to fill the vacant spot blah,blah,blah" There is another mall in Reading,Pa (The Fairgrounds Mall) which is just as bad,if not worse,than the Skook Mall,you should check it out

[@zadescrivner]

"Their only remaining anchor is Bon-Ton." I shook when I heard that. That entire chain has gone under since this was recorded....

[@Peacefuldragon9]

If you are ever out in AZ you might want to check out Metro Center Mall. It's not dead yet but definitely mostly empty these days where once it was quite the place to shop. It opened in 1973 and I know there was a scene in Bad Santa with Billy Bob that was filmed outside of it. Also, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure shot a scene there. Anyway, just putting it on your radar.

[@charlesbutler4646]

Well designed, or at least adequately designed Malls don't fail spontaneously. As are all institutions, they derive economic viability directly from their surrounding market radius. When that viability fails, usually for a variety of reasons, the stores comprising the malls lose economic viability, and the malls fail. A simple exaggerated example would be to construct a beautiful, marble faced mall in the middle of the Kansas Prairie. No people, no money, no market. The reason these malls fail is because their component stores, built to service the American Middle Class (which has existed since WWII). The death of the American Middle Class and its economic power is being reflected in the death of its stores, Sears, Penny's, and others. Their inability to adapt to new market conditions and new market technology will likely prove fatal as Dan is documenting for future researchers and scholars. There is a pathway to survival for these beloved old friends of our youth, but in all honesty I doubt they will take it. The pathway is one of real world acceptance not denial, reinventing and repurposing for alternative uses. Sears can be saved and made into a powerhouse, the opportunity and strategy exists, and they certainly have the asset value to do it. Sadly, however, it won't because their Ivy League executive team is a one trick pony, and will continue on as they have, and we will watch them manage the decline of Sears into the basement of oblivion. In five years, Sears will be a childhood memory, visible only on Dan Bells Utube channel. The death of America's middle class is the direct result of government policies and mismanagement by BOTH political parties over decades. We have only ourselves to blame. We as Americans must remember what Calvin Coolidge said: "The business of American is business." When Americans stop paying attention to business, this is what happens. The death of an entire economic class, and it's beloved institutions. So sad.

[@Longlius]

The American middle class is fine. It's just no longer interested in shopping malls. Millennials, who are just now gaining the earning potential to be considered middle-class, were never very keen on malls and even less keen on retailers like Sears and JC Penney. Online shopping is cheaper, easier, and more convenient. And if young people do want to go out and shop, they prefer smaller, more intimate storefronts over malls.

[@4got102c]

You've done your research, Dan. Frackville is home to a large prison, prisons replacing the coal industry as a major employer. Can't believe how late these malls had "grand openings"--1980? Oh, well it would've had about 15-16 yrs steady foot traffic before internet buying overwhelmed the retail market. Check out another money-pit-sinking-sales mall in my town--THE GREAT COLUMBIA MALL in Bloomsburg, PA. Actually, seriously visit as it surely is a "sinking ship" & taking no survivors.

[@ThisisDanBell]

Bob Laubach It’s on the list, Bob. Thanks for watching.

[@asodrick]

Bob Laubach also susquhanna valley mall in hummals worf PAanother sinker :(

[@lovelypastelpuppy1640]

At 9:00 the plastic animals on that kiosk were dancing to the music lol XD

[@kristinehammar1312]

So sad. We lived right by there, in Shenandoah, for four years from 1999 - 2003. Back then the mall was still thriving. We shopped in most of the stores that you showed that are closed now. That was back when Phar-Mor was there! The irony . . . the residents of the coal towns would lament that their downtown shopping areas had been destroyed by the coming of the mall. My elderly neighbor used to tell me of the "beautiful stores" in town where they would window shop while out for a Sunday afternoon walk . . . Now the big boxes have killed that same mall . . . I feel about the mall the way my neighbor did about the downtown . . .

[@ihaveheartburn2290]

Jesus when the music started I almost had a heart attack!

[@youtubegarbage7876]

Seeing that Subway made me think "Gross, that mall stinks of dog vomit" (the Subway 'food' smell)

[@J1ZZB0SS]

thanks for keeping this place alive dan as a schuylkill county native this place had a big place in my life. I got my diploma in this mall next to the black diamond at the lifelong learning center. before that me and all my high school friends used to hang out here after school and fridays. thanks for keeping my memories alive buddy.

[@MrBogswallop]

his editing is my favorite on KZbin I love the 80s flashbacks

[@Wistful77]

That bronze coal miner reminded me of my trip to Pennsylvania in 2000. I met a friend from the internet there and for days, we drove around Schuylkill county and other places in PA. Of course, had a root beer at Stewart's, toured lots of historic cemeteries, went to Carlysle and stood where george washington stood. Also spent a day in Amish country, went to blueballs, intercourse, saw quilt museum and candle factory. The purpose of my trip was muddled by meeting my friend, I really wanted to go to Pottsville, to look for the grave of a Pennsylvania soldier [1902 spanish american war] whose diary I have. Harry Shay was his name. [long story] anyway, the bronze! Finally went to Pottsville, to the little cafe JFK walked through, and there, to my surprise and happiness is a huge bronze of a Spanish-American war soldier. I never found Harry's grave [it's out in the country] but the statue made it worth it all. So my trip to PA was wonderful. country roads, covered bridges, 3 mile island, "the sticks", well, anyway, memory lane. I got to walk where two presidents walked, saw coal holes, Philly, and York. and the end of my photobook of my trip says "I'll never forget my trip to Pennsylvania!" And I haven't! And I know how to spell Schuylkill. hahaha. Thanks for the trip to the dead mall, Dan. have a great summer and I hope you are well and happy. :)

[@ThisisDanBell]

Leisa Irwin What a trip! I’m fortunate to live close to all of these places. The only thing I’m irritated about from this trip is that I didn’t go to Centralia. Didn’t realize that it was so close to Frackville. I’ll have to head up there again before summer is over.

[@Wistful77]

We didn't go to Centralia, either, but then, I didn't know about it in 2000. The best part to me was the beautiful historical cemetaries we visited. A few of the people in those are probably ancestors of mine, of the swiss Haps family. [hopper, hoppers] Harry Shay's grave is in old cemetary #3 of the catholic church in Pottsville. He was born there at home, and died in Carlisle while visiting his sister at college. A nice lady at the church went out to the cemetary and confirmed their plot for me. I got the diary from a friend who got it from a friend whose mother left it behind when she passed. it is a neat little book and one of my cherished possessions. "Diary 1902" is a Wannamaker book, with ads from the department store in it. Harry wrote every day from January 1, 1902, [mid enlistment]to December 31, 1902 when he arrived back at Philly by train, discharged. He was a soldier for 3 years, enlisted at age 17 [his father lied about his age so he could join] "Safe at home no more to roam. until the next time and after a few square meals." He was stationed in the Philippines, though saw no action there, in fact, he languished in the army hospital most of that year, from Malaria he contracted at boot camp at Ft Sheridan, Chicago. I have all his medical records from the national archives and as you can see, am totally obsessed with my soldier.

[@Wistful77]

I don't think we went to Frackville, but we might have. We stayed in the rural areas mostly, except for in Amish places, I had to go to town and see the buggies and horses up close. Such nice gentle people, I really had a great time visiting. Sad when it ended. So long ago. [15 years] My friend lived in Lancaster. Strange to say the best vacation I ever had in my life was to rural Pennsylvania. But it is true.

[@ThisisDanBell]

Leisa Irwin I actually filmed a video in the Wanamaker’s. It’s a location video for the movie, Mannequin. If you haven’t been to Wanamaker’s, check the video out. That place is amazing. It’s a Macy’s now. You have such nice memories of PA. I love PA except during pollen season. I’ve been all over the state.

[@Wistful77]

allergies? argh, no fun. I would love to see wannamaker's. I'll check it out. -I tend to ramble on about him, sorry. can't help myself. I've walked where he walked. Harry's sister sent him the diary [illustrated with ads] for christmas 1901. I have a few more of her books, ah, the sad part is, Harry didn't make it, he died in march 1903 of malarial fever, his sister wrote in the back of the diary [which he had filled entirely every day] on his birthday, "Harry- May 20, 19 years, poor kid" which took me several years to find out what happened to him after his arrival home. I got an obituary about his death and it is woefully sad. Later found out that his pension had been withheld, and his doctor and a lawyer tried to get it after his death, to pay the expenses of shipping his body back to Pottsville by train from Carlisle. But they never paid a penny to the Shay family. His father was a police officer, harry had like 8 siblings...but since he died so young I don't think anyone really remembered him except his older sister Ella who kept his diary after he died. Maybe someday the Shays could have their heirloom back, but at this point, it's still mine. ;]

[@cannycart]

Absolutely love your videos Dan! Commentary and camera work fantastic; also love the variety of malls you've toured. Do you do this for a living? Keep up the awesome work

[@ThisisDanBell]

cannycart Thanks so much, cannycart! I’ve been watching your vids for a long time. This is my living though I’m not getting paid for anything I’m doing on KZbin. I’m a filmmaker by trade. I love filming and editing. I like to keep busy so in-between paid jobs I produce stuff for KZbin. I’ve always had a thing for dead malls so I just decided to start filming them. I’m really enjoying it. Glad everyone else is too.

[@scottDchicago]

Quite the contrast between the uplifting Muzak @ 10:21 and the retail graveyard scenery! Extremely eerie! Well done.

[@smaashbro]

I grew up around 15 minutes away from here and even though I saw this video years ago, it hits even harder now knowing how many memories I had there even until my teenage years. It sucks because it’s a perfect representation of the area and many small American towns in general. It used to be a decent area and a good place to be raised but it’s dying by the second and is completely, except it’s left with addicts, poverty, and crime

[@Halpin2006]

Why can't that mall be turned into a giant flea market?

[@SeraphimRoad]

They could never afford the rent

[@this2464]

They rent shouldn’t be that high

[@Sylkenwolf]

I was wondering the same thing. Or at least something like an arcade

[@tackyman2011]

The giant fleas will have none of it.

[@lajya01]

Very small local malls do but they have permanent full time tenants along with the weekend sellers. A big mall could never run with 20$/day/table rentals.

[@williamhaynes7089]

they announced two days ago they are kicking everyone left out including movie theater, and closing mall

[@RustyNickels]

Hi, Dan Bell. This is Rusty Nickels and I have to say: Nice camerawork and editing on your videos. It looks great. Also, I like this mall music.

[@spokes5201]

I was just at this place the other day, and even though it has financial issues, it seems like it is coming back. Gotta be another 15+ businesses up there now. People say the rent is high. I'd imagine if they restructured the larger floor spaces for indoor storage, opened a skatepark, and an indoor pool with monthly membership dues they could make it a prosperous place again. Could probably save most malls that way. Efficiency truck stops with actual clean sleeping quarters would probably help as well.