Dead Malls Season 3 Episode 11 - Alton Square Mall Revisited

Across the river from the St. Louis metro lies the small town of Alton, Illinois. And hidden behind the bluffs lies the Alton Square Mall, a Hull disaster.. once being the home to 3 huge anchors and over 60 in-line tenants and beautiful 70s aesthetics. The mall now has nearly nothing left, being completely walled off, covered in a bland carpet. This now boring, she’ll of a once beautiful mall is left to stagnate. So come take a tour with me as we explore the Alton Square Mall in Alton, Illinois.
Music used
50//50 - Vantage
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
Mall Musak
Don’t You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
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Links
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Patreon - / northernfilms

[@Starshyne9]

My hometown mall -- just a few blocks from my house. I grew up going to Alton Square. I have great memories of that mall. Now the only thing to do at the mall is walking. Four times around the top is 1 mile. I might go to Slackers, Bath, and Body or Hallmark or the library -- but that is it. It makes me a little sad to go in there.

[@hanonondricek411]

This was my high-school stomping grounds back in the 80s! The one interesting thing I remember is the branch library that used to be on the second floor had to move to the bottom floor because as they expanded into two shopfronts the weight of the books and bookshelves were concerning for structural integrity. The first floor library took the place of what was originally a restaurant called York Steak House.

[@NorthCdogg22]

That makes sense, on the first level of the mall know there’s a library, funny thing to find in a mall😂

[@hanonondricek411]

@@NorthCdogg22 Actually it was kind of good for the area because it transformed from a retail space to more of an indoor business park with some government offices that had the library, a telemarketing company, market research, a few coffee and food shops. It also provided a year-round indoor social space where residents of Alton could walk some morning laps and meet each other and have coffee. During holidays they'd fill the interior space with artisan/craft carts and sell woodworking and jewelry and paintings... This was maybe 10 years ago; it does look a lot more sterile now. The one slip up in my opinion they made is not putting in a movie theater as soon as they could. Alton's one operational twin cinema a couple miles away shut down and never got replaced with anything and Alton Square would have been the most logical place to put one.

[@NorthCdogg22]

@@hanonondricek411 I agree, a movie theater as soon as possible would’ve been a crucial move. I wish I could’ve seen it as you described with all the offices and shops, seems like it was a great community space other than just retail for awhile

[@KY_77]

York was on the other side, on the end where Ross is now.

[@lecuyerdooley1084]

It actually is in the space across from JC Penney on the lower level -- it's taken over what used to be 5 or 6 different store spaces (Kay Bee Toys, Waldenbooks, the card shop, the music store, etc.).

[@laurenleclaire9512]

back in 1983 . my now husband, was in a 24 hour danceathon right in the area that you first walked into the Alton Square entrance. Ross was not there then. His mother worked at Famous Barr for several years in the interior design department.

[@willcartoons]

I get they have to put giant pictures up on walls in these dead malls where they wall off unused space, but it makes them look more like freaking museums.

[@NorthCdogg22]

😂😂that’s legitimately what I thought the first time I came here

[@jswets5007]

The shops are definitely waiting behind the walled up sections. Where they are waiting for new life is yet to be seen, and has a dim outlook...

[@markstrouse3101]

Without a doubt, you are the true Dead Mall King. Great video

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you!

[@sleepycritter]

❤the best part about the mall is that it's a safe, well lit walk path -- people of all ages often use it to get exercise 🎉 coworkers would go their on their break ❤

[@patrick39432]

If you're going to have a dead mall, at least this one is attractive. The walls, trim, pictures, banners etc. are certainly more attractive than closed gates at closed businesses. Love the carpets and skylights too!

[@retroryan838]

I wish more malls would keep the brick floors they originally had. It gives the mall more personality instead of a bland carpet.

[@ryedogg2602]

i still live in alton been to this mall all through the 80s and 90s. in the late 90s most the ppl here would drive all the way to st claire mall or even to jamestown mall cause this 1 never had anything. kinda sad to see how dead it has become. our arcade called tilt has always been small but i remember when it would be packed in the 90s 🙂

[@stevebayt145]

I love how you do the past and present pictures from the exact locations. what iis that song from the 1980's,,, thompson twins, i'm guessing.

[@greffex]

North C, awesome work, and to reiterate what others have said, the part where you had the current and past images together was my favorite part. You have covered most of my local malls so thanks for that as well!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Anytime! Thanks for watching!

[@krullntherakrore742]

Many times I've thought about how the mall concept could change to keep working and I think I came up with an idea watching a documentary about Japanese lanhouses. The Japanese lanhouses are something close to a mall, with the difference that they have a constant public (malls are going bankrupt due to lack of public). The Japanese counterpart of the malls offer rented rooms with a gamer/youtuber/streamer set. The rooms are small and there people spend the day playing or working and even sleeping at night. There are also areas with arcades and pinballs along with snacks and soda machines. The audience is big because it's a mix of gamers / aspiring internet celebrities / people who work with the internet and all of them want a cheap place to live and work. The price is immensely cheaper than anywhere you can get ready in the city (there are laundries and gyms in these places - in the gyms you can work out and take a shower). This remodeled mall would have inside it a small village that would consume and produce right there. The movement itself would attract more public and stores aimed at the “inhabitants” of the mall.

[@NorthCdogg22]

@@krullntherakrore742 that is seriously such a cool idea, I’ve never heard anything like this before and it makes a lot of sense, it would keep people in the mall and give them something to call their own. They should try this out somewhere, would be cool here

[@butchfletcher5694]

Grew up less than a mile from the malls location. Went fishing on a lake on the property. Had my first job at Burger Chef, later Hardees. The store room you looked into was where the Hardees was. In the service hallway in the rear of hardees was a basement area that actually extended out iunder the parking lot that had a ladder with a hatch that opened up accross the street, by the exit there. Not many knew it was there. They always kept it locked up... well, most of the time.

[@jeee1074]

Great update, the fact that a core of stores continues to survive is what keeps this mall alive. They really need to get something upstairs. It looks like the last 2 food outlets do good business despite being on an island upstairs.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right, I really hope they are able to get more business back upstairs I think it could put this place back on the map

[@jeee1074]

@@NorthCdogg22 It is strange that they basically gave up on refilling those businesses and sealed them off. In the malls I have been to, they give potential tenants tours of the spaces available.

[@vamobee]

Your dead malls videos are the best 👌🏼💯❤

[@adrianmontelongo9707]

I am enjoyed your video about dead shopping mall. Some years I do watch some dead mall whatever states and see empty. Look scary walk in. Great day 👍 ☀️

[@myu2k2]

several of the upstairs "walled off" stores upstairs are only accessible on the outside (the side where the entrance to Oglas and the Cookie Factory is on... basically the new "food court") and are now doctor's offices and other healthcare provider services.... there isn't any plans to turn them back into shops. Where Ross is built used to (mostly) be a Rex. the Slackers use to be across the street by Applebees, and the Gamestop moved out of the mall into that same strip mall. The 70's were when Alton and Woodriver had it's big 'building boom' and it kind of limped along afterwards and only in the past 20 years did they finally get the Interstates hammered out in the area, connecting 255 with 267... so the farmlands are only now turning into suburbs filled with 200K-500K houses. (Madison County has a "thing" about not wanting new low-income housing being built and are trying to kick out what is already available)

[@breakingames7772]

Wait dude I saw a radio shack! I thought they were all gone

[@otakubullfrog1665]

I wonder if they could reopen some of the old stores upstairs and convert them into rentable offices for lawyers, real estate agents, insurance salesmen, banks, etc. so that the first floor could be a retail floor and the second floor could be a professional floor. Maybe bring back the tile for the first floor, but keep the carpets for the second floor since they would fit that theme.

[@Poppa_C_McD]

Great aesthetics and architecture in this one. Even after the renovation, it still has a very 70's feel.

[@lylewitcher8110]

I remember growing up at this mall and working in several of the stores. Fond memories but somewhat a sad ending to a place that was so vibrant.

[@butchfletcher5694]

Aint dead yet.

[@R32R38]

Looks pretty much beyond hope.

[@loris5000]

Wow this brought back so many memories. Spent a lot of time here in the 80's until I could drive lol I couldn't walk in a door without going to Musicland and Record Bar. My grandpa would take me to York steak house often. My best friend lived within walking distance so we were there a lot. We'd always go up to Tilt to see if we knew anyone hanging around. Then all the way down to Hardees to see if anyone was there. Usually hit Spencers for some childish giggles. Sometimes eating at Sbarro's. I loved Jean NIcole. I remember Foxmoor? Merry go round, Lerner, the limited, Hallmark, The Tinderbox, Gift Horse?, a one hour photo place, 2 book stores, The Wild Pair, a couple jewelry stores, etc It makes me miss a lot of friends I had back then.

[@staceygarrison4979]

I worked at that Famous Footwear store from 1998-2001, interesting to see that its still there and hasn't changed much at all. The mall was definitely a lot more fun and interesting back then when I worked there - having a library to relax at on break was really neat, and the cookie factory and olga's were definitely the best restaurants, so I guess it makes sense that they're still there!

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

All the retro ads in the begin were awesome! You don’t get ads like those anymore. Great video as always North!

[@ferrarriohh]

Subbed. Suggested this video at random, and it's definitely one of my odd interests as a 45 yr old. I grew up outside of DC/Baltimore & that area has a had it's share of rundown to straight up derelict shopping malls at times, to the point where I believe the Owings Mills Mall even used for lower-to-mid level budget movies, as a set. For $1.2-2m, i cannot believe that some studio hasn't had the idea of purchasing a mall like this in some remote area for multiple purposes! its an easy place to remodel over and over to accommodate movie & tv production needs.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right! Just 2 mil for the whole property, even from a land perspective I feel like it’s a steal

[@terria4698]

Sad. I remember the excitement of the era when it opened in 1978 and my many shopping/date experiences at the food court and Olgas. Something I've NEVER understood is why people have regained favor with strip malls containing the typical Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, Rack Room Shoes, etc. In those places, you have to park and then walk from one store to another by exiting into the open and weather. Sadly, I recall the downfall of many malls when they became the hangouts and fight sites of unruly teens and thugs. One in our area began instituting a curfew of 6pm for teens and set a rule that they had to be accompanied by an adult. That REALLY killed the mall.

[@namebrandmason]

It’s cheaper to build and run open air malls. Property owners don’t have to pay for climate control outside of the stores.

[@stevebayt145]

Finally the first.........all right..... lets get started after last weeks really long st. louis malls.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Congratulations Steve!

[@dolnick7]

I just ate at that Olga's a week ago.

[@ItsaRomeThingEverydayallday]

Took me a few days but just watched this one. Pretty decent conditions. So sad to watch these go empty.and become like Jamestown. Liked

[@robertlam-qd1xb]

Andy’s moved in to the Sears Auto Center and now Andy’s is in the old Rothmans Furniture store. Olgas is the only reason I go to the mall. The stores are not appealing to most people. The NGC Cinema is a nice theater to go to.

[@stevebayt145]

and now you add another dimension no one else does... the cliff hanger for next week...not knowing to wonder all week long; I'll have to think of the song. all night long.

[@andyherrin]

Grew up at this mall.worked there too. Was so busy back in those days.

[@turtleislandlac1490]

This mall was already mostly dead when I left the area in 2016 but they still had the Macy's at the time. I think Ross for Less gave it some new life but then they lost the Macy's. It is cool to see that Slacker's has moved in though. I would go to this mall just for that store.

[@ElijahMask13]

Awesome!!!!

[@ooze1982]

It's really surprising how the restaurant upstairs can still do business. I wish they were also moved downstairs where most foot traffic happens

[@alternatebazaarart]

Fantastic content!

[@Monette7812]

The mall with wall to wall carpet for the mall walkers...lol

[@juliehoot3916]

Beautiful mall! IMO really bad idea getting rid of the charming brick flooring.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right? Essentially just took away all the charm

[@darealsavage3472]

I can confirm hull walls off all their empty stores, that happened to sears at victoria mall until now they are finally putting something there

[@curlyfries2964]

Internet ruined the good life. I was at the arcade every other day . Jeans wear and Arcadia were the shops back in the day

[@micawbersmu]

Grew up in Alton. Last in this mall was summer of 1982 just before moving to Madison WI for grad school. Ate at Olga's. Beyond amazed it's still there. Saw a girl I had a crush on in high school there. Last time I saw her but we are FB friends.

[@WhittyPics]

Don't you love it when they dry wall over empty stores?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Ikr, such an “appealing” look

[@sleepycritter]

😂also - I thought that's how everyone handled their snow piles?!?! I think it's a common site here 😂

[@burch2488]

The people or corporations that owns or owned malls are, were greedy . Greed is what killed malls. What a shame. Love going to malls.

[@dustinpurcell593]

Lol ok boomer

[@jenniferburchill3658]

You have to wonder what's behind those walled off storefronts and areas...

[@ERA_Productions]

Amazing video man! Really enjoyed it! Sucks what Hull property group did to here.

[@NorthCdogg22]

For real, looks like it would’ve been a beautiful mall

[@Starshyne9]

That door that you opened -- was it on the top floor near where Sears once was? There was a tobacco shop in that area since the mall opened in the late 1970s. Or was it on the bottom floor near the former Sears and close to the library? (which once was Musicland).

[@NorthCdogg22]

It was bottom floor to the right of the Sears, if it was an old Musicland I saw that would be so cool!

[@Starshyne9]

@@NorthCdogg22 To the right of the Sears was a place where you could develop film (Fox photo maybe it was called?) and there was also a little snack shop in that area too. I think you saw the place that sold snacks.

[@pshansey]

Background music was distracting.

[@moreoutdoors70]

Spent a lot of time there in the 80,s

[@Wahknight-ew5ml]

I go to this mall occasionally.

[@Imnumber396]

9:30 that’s my aunt 😂

[@kevspirited2722]

Anyone remember the burger chef where the food court was in this mall?

[@loris5000]

I remember Hardees replacing something.

[@Steve.Cutler]

When malls wall off store fronts, that means they've given up trying to lease that space. How can this practice end with a recovery? I wonder how these malls can even keep the doors open. Even poorly maintained malls are expensive to keep up. It does look like they gave up on this mall

[@jcabem]

There's a library and other government offices leasing in the mall. I think they can still lease the walled off areas.

[@Steve.Cutler]

@@jcabem you missed my point bud. Completely over your head

[@jcabem]

@@Steve.Cutler I really suggest fixing your word salad sentences then, boy. Plenty of the those walled off areas are still in use.

[@Steve.Cutler]

@@jcabem 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Steve.Cutler]

@@jcabem 😂😂😂😂😂😂 You're the one with brain damage bud.

[@babydory8980]

I actually live not that far from this mall it's so dead there

[@brentrubin]

Is this the actual music they were playing inside the mall? Who TF is running this place lmao

[@likes.of_oldcrows]

No. They play no music inside the mall. The music was added in post production..

[@slackingpacking]

I do not like Hull property group at all. They turn aesthetically pleasing malls into hallways.

[@Imnumber396]

It’s so ugly with all the pictures

[@peteman8160]

The horrible glitching music makes this video unbearable to watch. To bad because would have been a great video.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Sorry :/ I guess it’s just not for everyone🤷‍♂️

[@pepsi_man4962]

@@NorthCdogg22 don’t listen to the downers. You are making these videos perfectly. These people are just butt hurt they can’t make good content themselves. Good job bro😎 keep it up!!!👍