Dead Mall Update: Enfield Square Mall. It's Literally Falling Apart! October 2022. Enfield, CT.

Join me as I take another look at Connecticut's deadest dead mall, the Enfield Square Mall in Enfield, Connecticut.
This is an update to my video from 2021.
Believe it or not, this mall is getting worse! More stores are closing and some of the building is actually starting to collapse!
This video was filmed in July and October 2022, around 2:00pm on a Sunday.
If you liked this video, please don't forget to give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel. I plan to have more dead mall videos in the future. Thanks for watching!
Source of information:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enfield...
www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/l...
Music Credit:
Local Elevator by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
and
KZbin Music Library
#deadmall #deadmalls #mall #connecticut #enfield #shoppingmall #shoppingmalls

[@OriginalNethead]

I used to go to this mall sometimes, 30 years ago. There was no Panera yet to go into the mall, or out for that matter. Shopped in the Macy's every so often. Churches rent mall space when the malls are mostly empty and begging for tentants. It's cheap and there's a lot of parking. It's a sign a mall is going under, unfortunately.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Sadly, that's not the only sign that the Enfield Mall is going under.... Thanks for watching!

[@pahriia]

Back when I was in high school, we used to go to the Enfield Mall on Friday nights. We are talking 2008. The place was absolutely flooded with kids. So sad to see it essentially abandoned.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yeah, I remember going in the early 2000's and seeing all the emo kids at the Hot Topic! I think it started to die around 2012 or so, give or take. Thanks for watching!

[@carolyncasey8960]

In the late 80’s I worked as a secretary in West Farms in CT, and it was packed with shoppers. The US Marine Corps Band played a concert at Christmas, there were fashion shows, choral groups, and product demos. Amy Grant sang there. Now very quiet and only a few shoppers. Still a bit lively on weekends. I think that the many shootings in large public places have made people afraid to go to malls. Too sad. I used to go walk the mall and loved the ambience around Christmas. More fun than online shopping. I hope the malls have a comeback with boosted/up security to prevent tragedies. Thanks for this video.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[@dennis3351]

carolyn thank jeff bezos amazon for this.

[@DRealPk3]

​@@dennis3351ya never blame the flood of poverty and violence immigration policy and tax press on the middle class. People never wanna blame politicians just people.

[@GhostMop]

In college my girlfriend live in Enfield and we frequented this mall and Kenny Rodgers Roasters which was nearby. I moved away from New England for 25 years and when I moved back, I settled nearby and now frequent the Enfield area. It feels pretty strange to be back in this part of MA/CT after so many years away.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Where was Kenny Rogers Roasters? That must have been in the mid -1990's , right? I think those have been out of business for at least 20 years. Thanks for watching!

[@doctordoom5066]

The Kenny Rogers roasters was located across from the mall where the dunkin donuts is now. In front of the ocean state job lot / former best buy location.

[@elketerbentzadik]

@fleabittenadventures Prior to the Kenny Rogers that location was actually a Roy Rogers chicken and burgers joint. Roy Rogers was the best restaurant to grace that address.

[@fartemisfartmallow8647]

I used to sneak snacks from that old dollar store into the movies….

[@fleabittenadventures]

Ha ha. Nice. Thanks for watching!

[@pickledkatify]

Wow. I spent my youth here in the late 80’s early 90’s when the mall was really the place to be. So sad to see it completely dead.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yeah, it's about as close to dead as I can imagine. I'll keep everyone updated if anything else closes. Thanks for watching!

[@RayOutThere]

Great video! This is a really cool looking mall. I was able to make a visit here in late September. When I walked inside I saw a mouse scurry across the floor into a hole. Great dead mall to explore.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'm glad you liked it! I feel very luck to have a dead mall like this so close to where I live! I hope to be there filming when the wrecking ball comes. Thanks for watching!

[@seanrodgers553]

Great video! I have so many memories here, sad to see what it’s become. I’ve bought a good bit of stuff from that game store, one of my favorite places in the mall!

[@fleabittenadventures]

Glad you liked it! The only reason I would go back there to shop would be for the game store. There's really nothing else there actually. Thanks for watching!

[@seanrodgers553]

@@fleabittenadventures Yeah, I only went for the Target and the game store. If it weren’t for Target, that mall would’ve shut down long ago

[@deepwoodguy2]

WOW, I have not been to this mall for about 2 years.. Sears was always the best draw for me .. At that time.. i felt the Mall was going downhill ...and the water damage to the Macy's , not good just found your channel, looking good and subbed. 👍👍

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'm glad you liked it and thanks for subbing! Yes, I used to go here all the time for the Sears and the Lens Crafters! Now they are both gone. There's really no reason to go here anymore, other than to film dead mall videos.

[@damaraoneill7091]

I used to go here as a kid in the 80-90's as my Grandmother lived nearby in Somers.

[@fleabittenadventures]

It used to be a pretty good mall back then. Thanks for watching!

[@tylersalter9133]

My grandfather used to bring me here every Thursday back when I was a little kid in the early 2000s. I remember buying PS2 and GBA games here. I did a couple of midnight releases at Gamestop too. It was doing really well until sometimes around 2008-2012 when businesses started leaving and they stopped renovating everything. I go here still but just for the theater and Target.

[@katiepetrosky4297]

I was looking up malls in CT and Enfield popped up. Not even a hot topic, torrid, spencers, victoria secret or really any other anchor store other than target. I was dumbfounded when you said this was filmed on a sunday. I thought this was like 10 am on a wednesday or something while everyone is at school or work. The Meriden Mall has more traffic than this.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I believe that the Enfield Mall is the deadest mall in CT, currently. There used to be a Hot Topic back in the day though. Back before 2015 or so it was doing much better and had way more stores.

[@domrat7257]

that movie theater is actually better than the one in West Springfield MA in my opinion. more open and less crowded. But when a popular movie franchise comes out it gets busy

[@nancydarling4918]

Interesting video. Thanks.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@ledgerbartholomew8674]

I would recommend taking a trip there on any Sunday, there is a a regional Market going on in the Macys men’s building and there is much to see

[@fleabittenadventures]

There is? At the Enfield Mall? What kind of market? This is the first I'm hearing of it and I've been there on Sundays.

[@thomashynes4042]

8:36 Empty STore front - used to be Radio Shack 8:47 Training Center - used to be Pet Towne 8:52 Rainbow - used to be a Florist Shop for many many years - My mom still has a plant that I got from that store and gifted to her Lia Autogroun used to be Walden Book Store - that place was always busy The store with the roof collapse? That was the G.Fox then Fielenes The store with the Christmas Trees ... that was JC PENNEY Hair in the Square storefront right before TARGET us to be Sabbaro Restaurant the CVS used to be a KB Toy Store

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks!

[@zoeazsss5035]

Wow, amazing how downhill this has gone.. I used to love walking through this mall. They had great dancing background music goin on..

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yup. I used to go to this mall a lot back in the late 90's and into the early 2000s. It was much, much busier back then than it is now. It's been pretty dead though for at least the last 10 years.

[@dingbatpaltry]

A dismal place to be sure. The only draw is the Target anymore. This mall used to be okay a long while back-- I miss the book store that used to be in there, it was an interesting place with many discounted books and a few other odds and ends in it. This mall is especially jarring when you consider one exit over on 91, the businesses on Hazard Ave seem to be doing fine. The Stateline Games store relocated to Holyoke Mall.

[@bigpoopcomin]

The target is one of the worst I've ever entered! It's so bad.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I remember that book store. It was like a Half Price Books, as I recall. Remember Waldenbooks?

[@fleabittenadventures]

@@bigpoopcomin Yeah, it's not great.

[@jasonwebb5964]

@@bigpoopcomin the checkout extends all the way to the groceries on the weekends. It's ridiculous!

[@sped3989]

@@fleabittenadventures I remember Waldenbooks! There used to be one years ago in the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, MA

[@guyfrattallone6029]

This would be the 2nd time this mall looked this way. Back in the 80s there used to be a flea market in it. There were tables and dealers every Sunday. Somehow the mall got built back up all to have it come crashing down again. The only anchor store is Target.

[@elketerbentzadik]

That was actually the old mall on Hazard Ave. where Aldi and Old Navy are. It got gutted and turned into the strip mall it is today back in the late '80s. This mall was a vibrant shopping destination in the '80s.

[@CTjacob13]

I used to go here with my high school girlfriend in the early 2010's. I cannot believe how far it's fallen in 8-9 years.

[@elketerbentzadik]

Walked through this mall back when 'Avengers: Endgame' came out. It wasn't quite as bad then. But that area where the "stage" is used to have a huge fountain back in the '80s.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I don't remember that. I didn't start going there until the 90s. I usually went to Westfarms or Buckland.

[@elketerbentzadik]

@fleabittenadventures It was definitely still there in the early '90s. It had a wide parapet that you could sit on. People used it as a wishing well and would throw coins in it. I'm pretty sure Buckland was still brand new at this point.

[@SeanCrockerscovers1995]

The mall is coming back now . The previous general manager of the mall was horrible and wasn't leasing any stores.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'll have to take a look again. Thanks for watching.

[@TRJ2241987]

In the 90s I used to go to this mall a few times a year, my Dad and I specifically used to stop here because it had a Funcoland store which Holyoke never had. The last time we went was probably 2003, by then Gamestop had bought out and ruined the Funcoland brand and concept, but the mall was still alive and well, I would say not a single empty store at that point. I went back about 15 years later with my girlfriend and was absolutely stunned to see the mall had died. It was the first time I ever saw an anchor store completely sealed up with no hope of a new tenant.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yes, this mall has been truly dead since at least 2016 or 2017. Sealed off anchor stores are sadly a common sight at malls nowadays. Thanks for watching!

[@macmillies237]

what a throw back use to ride my bike there in early 2000s, champs, FYE, finishline, EB games, Funco land before gamestop, KB toys, radio shack, JC pennies sears, macys, use to be really go pizza place in there back in 90s

[@dvferyance]

The signage looks just like that of Midway Mall in Elyria OH. Another dead mall that should close. I wonder if the 2 are related in some way.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Could be. A lot of these malls were designed by the same people and are owned by the same companies. Thanks for watching!

[@Maxtacular66]

I was at this mall yesterday to see a movie and it was a very sad sight to see. Almost 90% of the mall is abandoned. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole place gets demolished in the next 5 years.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I agree without question. I'll bet that theater closes sooner though. I think they have very limited hours for the movies too.

[@AnimeJSaysBah]

Both Mall of the Bluffs in Council Bluffs, IA and Crossroads Mall in Omaha, NE had churches in them. Both malls are gone now.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Interesting. It's the first church I've ever seen in a mall. Thanks for watching!

[@camrobison2676]

Lansing mall in Lansing MI has a church in it along with Rivertown Crossings in Grandville MI

[@Pheidias_Tom]

Regency Square mall, in Jacksonville, FL has a church inside now.

[@johnsarian_cu]

My guess is that malls are able to make their last gasp by targeting Friday night and weekend traffic. They are becoming pseudo baby sitters where someone drops off a minivan of kids and comes back a short while latter or something. Enfield is unnecessary when most can either drive a little farther up to Holyoke or down to Buckland Hills for more serious shopping choices.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I agree. If any parents are still dropping their kids off at the Enfield Square Mall on Friday night, they may need to take a parenting class! Sounds like a punishment to me. Thanks for watching!

[@hellothisis4u]

Out of all the malls I have been to this has to be the most dead one

[@fleabittenadventures]

It's definitely the most dead mall in Connecticut. The only one that is kind of close is Hawley Lane. Thanks for watching!

[@billlamont817]

The Place In Enfield That Was Nice Was Enfield Plaza. Kresges,First National Grocery Store,Friendlies,Enfield Lanes

[@laattardo]

I remember this mall in its heyday. The Julio Ceasars with its orange drinks. So many visits to Santa was made here. It's been in decline for years.

[@Dave-zl2ky]

Enfield was over-retailed so no surprises. The local population and income could not justify all the stores.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I agree. Malls in general are an outdated form of retail. They don't really make any sense with Amazon and Walmart, etc. Thanks for watching!

[@sped3989]

The Bath & Body Works is planning to move out of the mall to the nearby Enfield Commons plaza soon.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I can't blame them. They can't be doing very much business there.

[@aleks1939]

Here in metro-Atlanta I've seen churches in strip malls now and then. Most are non-denomination or Hispanic. I just think it's cheaper to lease that space than to purchase an existing structure or build something new. But I've never seen one inside of an actual mall though.

[@Dauwis]

I remember Child World there back in the day.

[@meghanszczepanek5045]

This mall is close to me so I visit Target . No idea how it is still open .

[@dannoneyabiz1277]

sad to see that mall so empty. I lived there from 89-2017. Amazon and online retailers killed these places all around the country

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yeah, it's pretty crazy. I don't live too far away, so I should be able to post updates every once in a while until it's gone. Thanks for watching!

[@fleabittenadventures]

@@hillbilly71 I always figured that the very few stores that are in the Enfield Square Mall are there because the rent is cheaper than other places, but I honestly don't know anything about it. Thanks for watching!

[@fleabittenadventures]

@@hillbilly71 I agree. I don't think there is really anything they can do to save it at this point. What I miss the most about the old style malls is the water fountains! What happened to all the water fountains?

[@randysatarsky1789]

Airport terminals are becoming the new malls! Jet Blue terminal at LaGuardia is exactly that!

[@fleabittenadventures]

Cool. Hopefully I can check it out someday.

[@generichumor]

Denver Airport had a mall in their terminals as well.

[@Lkendrick]

Regency Mall in Jacksonville seems to have a lot of similarities. Church in the Mall ✅ One anchor store keeping the mall alive ✅ Both malls iconic to my growing up ✅

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'll have to check out that mall if I'm ever down in that area. Thanks for watching!

[@stumpybear60]

The last time I was there was around 2018 or 2019. This woman was walking her somewhat big dog in the mall. The signs say no pets. Her dog just stopped in the middle near some of the seating and left a huge pile of poop. She just went on walking and left the dog poop there.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Wow. That's crazy! I wish I had that on video. It might go viral! Thanks for watching!

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

When was Enfield constructed?

[@fleabittenadventures]

Check out my first Enfield Mall video for more of the history, but I think it was built in 1971, so it's on the older side for a mall. Thanks for watching!

[@kristinachandler1499]

i haven't been to the enfield mall since 2017 , it's a shame it's rundown and there isn't really anything there now .

[@fleabittenadventures]

I think 2017 was probably the year it really went down hill. That's when the Sears and a few other stores all closed.

[@kristinachandler1499]

@@fleabittenadventures it's just said that all those stores closed at one point enfield mall was really bringing in business and now it's just practically abandoned

[@frankmann2899]

There was a church inside a mall in the St. Louis area. Unfortunately the mall has closed

[@fleabittenadventures]

OK, so I guess churches in malls are more common than I thought. I'm assuming the rent is cheap in these dying malls, which probably makes them a good choice. Thanks for watching!

[@adecentmeal]

The target should move to a strip mall and they should close the rest of the mall. The movie theater could just go out of business as there’s the theaters in west Springfield and Springfield which are just in better locations. Everything else could easily locate as Enfield has plenty of vacant strip mall stores, this mall loses so much money and there’s no way they’ll ever get the anchors back.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I agree. That's probably what will end up happening. I'll try to do an update video if anything major changes. Thanks for watching!

[@generichumor]

I think Target owns the building they are in and not the mall.

[@somewhereinspace2166]

I found the shops in this mall to be interesting. I'm from California and my local mall is filled with pop stores like Hot Topic, Spencer's, American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, etc. Not CVS, Party City, an eyeglass store and a church. That seems like a weird mix to me. Do you think that's normal where you live or are they just unable to get any pop culture stores to rent spaces due to the low foot traffic? Malls have always been targeted towards youth but this mall gives me a middle age person out to run errands kinda vibes. If I lived in the area, I don't think this mall would attract me other than to come stand in an eerie awe at how dead it is. Even good malls are in decline due to online shopping and economic problems, but this one in particular screams management issues to me.

[@fleabittenadventures]

This mall is not typical of the other malls in the area. There used to be a Hot Topic here up until a few years ago though. The Party City and CVS are not super unusual though. Thanks for watching!

[@MrCraigblaze]

The new parnera bread is much bigger..It is. Near the Home Depot !!

[@mallsandfansandmore9945]

Why does the floor remind me of cloverleaf mall in Virginia

[@fleabittenadventures]

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are owned by the same company or were built by the same company. Thanks for watching.

[@AloeEmporium]

Newark Ohio's Moundbuilder Mall has a church.

[@GeometryWars]

I wonder how their owner can afford to keep the place open.

[@fleabittenadventures]

No idea. It's got to be losing money just from the electricity bill. Thanks for watching!

[@jasonwebb5964]

It's a tax write off for the company that bought it.

[@briansaxby5357]

Ive got plenty of ideas for dead empty malls like this one

[@heysoulsista567]

we used to come here all the time and eat at the halal food shop!

[@R32R38]

Owner by Namdar Realty, the bottom-feeders of the mall industry.

[@fleabittenadventures]

That's what I read online too. It doesn't look like they are trying very hard to maintain the property or add new tenants. Thanks for watching!

[@alancoker1459]

Wont be tore down. Just left empty like all the others

[@fleabittenadventures]

We'll see. If it is torn down, I'll be there to film it though. Thanks for watching!

[@alancoker1459]

Cell phone stores always look empty

[@fleabittenadventures]

They do, this one especially.

[@midnightrocker7]

this mall has been boring since 2000, now it's completely dead, the movie theater and Target are the only highlights of this mall left, this mall was pretty decent back in the 80's and 90's, after that it became dull and boring, I'm suprised this mall is still open after all these years, if it wasn't for the movie theater and Target, this mall would have probably closed years ago

[@fleabittenadventures]

I would say it's been truly dead since 2017 when Sears closed. That was the final nail in the coffin.

[@alancoker1459]

At least no grafitti

[@fleabittenadventures]

There is a little on the side of the old Macy's with the leaking roof, but not much.

[@nigelhughes7317]

Like most malls in America; very depressing and they will not be coming back.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I agree, it's too late to turn this mall around. They either have to completely revamp it or tear it down. Tearing it down would make a good video though....

[@tyler_m_sonic_merch_hunts610]

The video game store has actually reopened.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yup, I saw that. It's actually in the video. Thanks for watching!

[@Dauwis]

3:16 Lego Nintendo.

[@bigpoopcomin]

The kebab house is pretty good!

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'll have to try it someday. Thanks for watching!

[@SovereignZuul]

One of the best places to eat in town honestly.

[@fleabittenadventures]

@@SovereignZuul Now I'm interested.

[@alancoker1459]

Ads are so annoying. KZbins gotta be losing money on them cause nobidy wants to hear ot see them

[@fleabittenadventures]

They are, but they help pay the bills... Also, I have KZbin Premium myself. It's $10 a month or so and I have no ads at all. I watch a lot of KZbin, so it's worth it for me.

[@empressmarie4027]

These malls spend more in utilities than revenue. Just a waste

[@fleabittenadventures]

This one does for sure! I honestly don't know how they can pay the bills. Thanks for watching!

[@briansaxby5357]

The owners of this mall are probably going to let tne town take it for non payment

[@alancoker1459]

Another mall gone

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@marapeters9144]

Depressing

[@fleabittenadventures]

I see what you mean, but I guess I like depressing things.... Thanks for watching!

[@missytwist3705]

Your experience in the Mensroom. Is typical. The airport. Highway rest stops.. it's some kind of sexual thing. A public womans room would not have that same threat.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Luckily I don't spend much time in public restrooms. This was the first place where I really experienced anything like that. It's just not my scene. Thanks for watching!

[@missytwist3705]

@@fleabittenadventures I only know about these 'meetings places' very vaguely. I am just assuming that is the awkwardness you were feeling.

[@fleabittenadventures]

@@missytwist3705 I'm pretty sure you are correct. I was thinking "stranger danger!" Seriously!

[@marapeters9144]

Malls are history

[@fleabittenadventures]

They probably will be in the near future.

[@empressmarie4027]

Definitely a dead mall.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Without question.

[@michaeloptv]

So. This mall is doomed. Target will remain. Party City MIGHT stay open until Bankruptcy time (since it only opened in 2019!) Essentially waiting on Cinemark and GameStop to close. Neither wants to. But unless the town begins a reorganization or cuts corners to save what little is left their time is running short. When a LensCrafters closes it SPELLS DOOM!!

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yeah, there's no chance it will last more than 5 years, unless they do something extreme to turn it around. Thanks for watching!

[@itskittyakaevelina4225]

Lens crafters moved out recently

[@raydemos1181]

another woke mall bites the dust, bring back tiffany

[@fleabittenadventures]

A woke mall? How so?

[@marapeters9144]

Turn malls into homeless shelters

[@fleabittenadventures]

Good thought, but they would probably cost too much to maintain to be a good choice for that. Just my opinion. Thanks.

[@cameronheidelauf9623]

The original Nintendo entertainment system was built in 1985 over 37 plus years because I was born in 1985 in Australia 🇦🇺 here

[@fleabittenadventures]

You are correct. I don't think I had one until 1987 though. Thanks for watching!

[@DanCohoon]

A mall inside a church? Didn't Jesus throw the money changers out of the temple?

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks for watching.

[@j.j.q1379]

Uh 🙄 I think you meant the other way? If churches found it offensive they wouldn’t go there.