Dead Malls Season 4 Episode 10 - Eastgate Mall

Tucked away along I-275 along the southern eastern edge of the metro lies Eastgate Mall. After years of delays this 80s mall finally opened among the dozens of other Cincinnati malls, and over the years it held its good run. Being modernized, remodeled and added onto to stay relevant. And here it is today, it stands as one of the last while others have bit the bullet, Eastgate stands ailing. It features many stores fronts and crowds of people, yet when you go in further then the surface you find the mall is dying and empty. Storefronts of the past and vacant massive big box anchors hamper growth. Join me today as we explore Eastgate Mall and tell its story and how the end may be coming for this modern mall marvel..
Music used
Crossing Borders - Mindserver Unlimited
Mall Muzak
Pizzicato - Stevia Sphere
Crystal Cola - White Bat Audio
Polar Bears - Stevia Sphere
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[@housewifehoneybee2784]

Man, i spent my childhood up untill my early 20s in this mall. It used to be packed! I remember being able to find Christmas presents for everyone of my family and friends in one day in that mall. Good times.

[@Brahbrahbrahbrahbrahbrah]

This was my mall growing up. Hung out here with a lot of friends, took a few dates here and even did fun Halloween and Christmas events here. So sad to see it slowly wither over the years...

[@justin5743]

Eastgate made a comeback in 2017-2018. I remember an H&M opened in the center court near Kohl’s, they had every food stand full, and a full service restaurant on the right when you walked in. The Sears wing was still desolate but the rest of the mall was always heavy with foot traffic! 2020 of course tarnished a lot of those great advancements.

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

A mall in decline but not a dead Mall. Thank you for the documentation of this mall. I like the editing and maps and overlays. Keep up the good work.

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

I think most malls are done for. As retail goes digital more and more and the pandemic raged on these big format shopping centers are finding themselves less and less relevant. It's a shame, would go to malls like Blue Ridge Mall, Chesterfield Mall, and the others in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas and marvel at the size of all of them and the crowds of people shopping there. Now they are ether gone or on their way out, replaced by Wal-Mart or just nothing. For those born in the 70's and living in a town with a small Wal-Mart, going to these places was a wonderful experience, one that can't really be replicated.

[@NCHLTII]

In London I've only ever seen a handful of dead malls. Most of them are doing well. Westfield and Bluewater are some examples

[@petrberanek4230]

Some shops cant go digital - something you need to check in person before putting into shopping cart like food, pets, gardening tool, home appliances and other stuff. What is strange, mall owners in USA did not want stores that lure customers in their malls - where is big food store? That is why Walmart is full people, they sell food. Big hobby market in mall? I dont see any. There is simply nothing that can lure people - cheap dollar and outlet stores can lure customers if there is something like big food or hobby store - but not alone. I dont see any pet shops or small food stores like farmer's market. People love to buy healthy food, in Europe, next to big food store in every mall there are several small healthy food stores - all full of people.

[@mindyelliott9545]

I walked that mall in the late 80's and late 90's.....I Loved going there with my friends❤

[@crowmigration8245]

Just wanna say you make excellent content! People will notice over time.

[@blackviper354]

I’ve never been here despite living in Cincinnati. Great video and I should make a visit.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you, definitely worth a visit!

[@sunsetrecords2548]

It's a shame to hear videos are being copyright stricken due to a certain amount of music being captured. Keep on fighting and keep on making these awesome videos as always

[@demultiplexdfunc177]

As you get older the chore of shopping at a physical place becomes less appealing. Look to Amazon, Instacart etc to take over this chore for you. These malls will be converted for other uses or abandon to nature. It is okay. We shouldn’t be sad or be critical of malls. Look to historic downtown to make a comeback, not for shopping but for entertainment e.g. theaters, restaurants and wine/bear/distillery boutiques.

[@mindyelliott9545]

Who wants outside stores? It's sad, my daughter who is 23 walked through eastgate mall too with her friends. I think they need to stay open and theses outside malls..you got to be indoors and enjoy everything!

[@misterbean971]

I like that you're finding positive things to say. Most dead-mallers talk so badly about these places, I'm left wondering why they bother exploring... But Patrion knows the answer to that question.

[@Fartnoker]

The last major renovation was 2003 I remember having to walk through a temporary tunnel as they built the food court. The celings and removal of the in ground seating areas and fountains were removed as well in the renovation. You can still see small pieces of original architecture at the kohl's entrance.

[@willcartoons]

East Gate Mall is definitely seeing its fate, but the people still seem to love it. And those ceilings are the coolest ones I have seen in a mall! Looking forward to seeing your North Gate Mall video next time!

[@margaretfogler1848]

Eastgate serves some rural areas without close mall access. That may have helped slow the decline.

[@ItsaRomeThingEverydayallday]

All my childhood malls are nearly all gone now except southdale, Fantastic Vid!!! Liked

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you!

[@nancydarling4918]

Great video! Thanks!

[@pepsi_man4962]

Great video! Like always

[@patrick39432]

As a Cincinnati resident, this is certainly the least dead mall of the malls you visited in Cincinnati.

[@ESiler]

There are usually this many people down there- there are a lot of people that live by and frequent this location

[@carda6679]

My first job was actually in this mall, Dillard's back in 2017. Worked there 2 years. All the stores were packed and holidays were the worst! Loved the varieties though. It's a shame it died so quickly.

[@jessicaspecht]

Most of the malls are really good for getting some walking in during bad weather outside. I still go there occasionally, when it's snowing outside.

[@joshbean39]

I Really need to go to Kings Island, It's just super out of the way for me 😭, Least I've made it to CedarPoint!

[@Wesley_C]

This mall has Ghost mall for now, this is national treasure.

[@jeee1074]

Excellent mall, really like the designs here.

[@dothex]

A+ job broski!

[@Emuface77]

I loved the elevator music. It sounds like it's playing at the mall. I had to remind myself that the camera was changing every minute. Nice video!

[@AniJudaism]

It’s so sad to see these malls die. But I think malls will be a resurgence in 10 years after many (most) close for good. They are a reminder of a better time, and just like records are making a resurgence I think malls will have their day as well. They will not come back stronger than their peaks in the 80s but they will be sustainable, though there will be far less of them of course

[@petrberanek4230]

There is no reason to go to shopping mall if there is Walmart nearby, selling everything in one store. Like malls doomed small downtown shops, superstores will doom some shopping malls.

[@jessicaspecht]

@@petrberanek4230 Wal-Mart is not the answer. The unfortunate truth is that shopping is happening mostly online or in niche stores.

[@dvferyance]

@@petrberanek4230 Superstores have been around a long time. They are nothing new.

[@markstrouse3101]

A glass of wine and your videos, a great combination

[@jakesawesomevids7908]

Great vidddd

[@ChrisSl8]

Crazy to see this place a decade later as a dead mall. After college I had a job that had me training in Milford, so I drove out from NYC and spent six weeks living in the Holiday Inn you see in the parking lot of Eastgate Mall, that mall and surrounding suburban wonderland being my neighborhood for most of July/August of 2012. Thanks to that I have an odd nostalgia watching this as we frequently went into the mall to walk around and eat, and I do remember that cool early 2000s minimalist style as well. Great video, thanks for bringing back memories to this aging millennial lol

[@Chandasouk]

Without giving away your previous employer...did HR people used to say BS fake words like being "voluntold" to do something and the letters ILP means something to ya?

[@ChrisSl8]

@@Chandasouk 👀

[@rustymuffler420]

I love the greenhouses in the parking lot

[@iworkout6912]

Maybe tearing down most of the mall itself and converting the space to recharging stations for the people who can afford a electric car. But that is pretty far away from today, despite what the government says. Many won't be able to afford an EV. But if they can, they will need something to do while waiting for the car to charge up. And the recharging stations could be in a protected area, as vandals seem to want to steal the copper in the wires if they are unguarded.

[@sarcadam88]

Your “Suncoast” was actually Musicland 😊and yes, the refurb of the mall was in late 03/04 with the creation of the food court. Thanks for the memories!

[@joshuakeller7525]

i remember going to suncoast to buy dvds, before i started buying the movies digitally

[@ehnnepeacie2698]

I used to go to Eastgate a lot when I lived in Cincinnati. So weird to see so many vacant stores now.

[@alternatebazaarart]

Good content!

[@alternode6697]

i grew up going to this mall but left for texas, this was fun to watch.

[@krozareq]

Most of these malls likely worth a lot more money torn down, an avenue going through the middle of it and individual lots sold along it. A mix of residential and stores may work as well and has in many areas.

[@GalvanizedArt]

I've sold at a convention that was located in a hotel in this mall's parking lot before, but I never actually went inside the mall. It's interesting to get a look at it, and nice to see it's not DEAD dead yet. That convention opted to shutter after 2021, so sadly I won't be back any time soon.

[@margaretfogler1848]

That hotel is an interesting time capsule 😀

[@gwynethcaudill]

He has been dead, but it has slowly getting back onto it's feet, it is getting more stores and I'm thankful it's getting better

[@corvettez06usa]

Every Saturday I spent so much time outside that JCPenney because as you face it, to the left, there was a Walden's Software which later became FuncoLand/Gamestop. Used to go in and look at all the big box PC games on the walls, wishing I had more than a 486/DX2 to run some of them in the mid 90s. @14:14 I don't know what it was after, but through the 90s that was a Music Land. Suncoast was actually on the other side in the Dillard's hallway. Center of your shot @5:17

[@suzied4270]

This is beautifully done ❤ I used to live right by East Gate Mall, and I grew up near Forest Fair Mall. I love this music 🎶 could you please share the song playlist? Thank you 😊

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

Awesome video! Your next video is definitely Northgate Mall!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yep!

[@kennyevilmonkey]

Thanks for making this video, was curious how the place was looking on the inside. Living in Florida makes it a bit difficult to check out.

[@stot2614]

Let me guess... Northgate Mall is next? 😉 😄 I like the way you said, "As the late 90's reared their butt.", around the 8:00 mark! 😆 Yes... that old storefront did look like an old "Suncoast Motion Picture Company" unit. Thanks again for entertaining both the mall appreciator and vapor wave lover in me. 👍👍

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks man! And I’m glad you could enjoy it, also yes the next one is Northgate!😉

[@mrbutros]

Not dead yet! Anyway my childhood arcade of choice was in this mall, Aladdin's Castle. I had some birthday parties there and felt like a king with my neon fanny pack sagging full of tokens. Also saw Home Alone in the theater that was in the parking lot, (and Rocketeer, Dick Tracy, Hook...) A great Toys R Us was there too.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

There was also an Aladdins Castle at Lincoln Mall in Matteson Illinois

[@tiegrumble]

So right at 12:00 the sofa and the plants are used to be like a below the ground area. But they removed it a while ago.

[@WolfgangXP65-67]

YO YOU ARE A COASTER ENTHUSIAST TOO!?!?!? AYYYYYEEEEEE

[@NorthCdogg22]

HELL YEAH

[@WolfgangXP65-67]

@@NorthCdogg22 LET'S GOOOO

[@WhittyPics]

Dillards clearance center is a dead mall sign. If they have the mall entrance open, they have to man it. This actually looks pretty busy for a dead mall

[@Theasiancargirl]

Florence Mall in Northern Kentucky!

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

shame you never got over to the michiana area. Very weird Pierre Moran mall, the loooong suffering Concord Mall that just will not be put outta its misery....University Park mall starting to die off...

[@NorthCdogg22]

Actually I’ll be up there very soon! Concord Mall specifically

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

@@NorthCdogg22 OH LORD, i grew up there and it was such a beautiful place. I hope you got some photos of that beautiful old art deco fountain they had before it was torn down. They had these beautiful little seating cozys near the anchors, lovely live plants...all long gone. Poor place just cannot get a dignified death, people keep dragging it out

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

The food court was never anything special but they had an MCL Cafeteria which was a nice little buffet place, all the older after church crowd there on sundays.

[@switzcheez2]

I found your channel recently. And after watching many videos I think I hear you’re coming to Michigan next? Well it’s not dead, but dying, but the grand traverse mall is my local mall and it’s been dying, my favorite pub and stores have pulled out, the food court is mostly abandoned. There’s walls and walls of closed off stores and even an entire dead wing or 2. I have been hoping someone will take a look at it and make a video.

[@NorthCdogg22]

You’re right I will be in Michigan next but sadly I didn’t get to look at grand traverse mall, but I will definitely check it out when I am there!

[@R32R38]

Dillards Clearance might be getting a rent reduction for not having a mall entrance.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I wouldn’t be surprised

[@blandmalls]

They likely own their own building, and if anything they would get a reduction for having the entrance open to improve foot traffic in the wing.

[@ERA_Productions]

Northgate mall!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Bingo!

[@chriscage2x]

8:13 The Roast of Dillard's

[@vosstrashman]

I remember the day of the grand opening on march 5th 1980

[@lcmayzl]

this is more lively than Mall of Monroe (Monroe, MI).... you should check that out.

[@justinankeney6344]

Off to Northgate for next week

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yes sir!

[@jasonkeller6082]

I suspect it will be the other gate Mall, Northgate.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Bingo!

[@edgarsaenz1565]

Next Mall you should Visit is puente hills mall

[@NorthCdogg22]

I’m California?

[@edgarsaenz1565]

@@NorthCdogg22 Puente Hills Mall is in california you find it in the City of Industry just Take The Pomona Freeway (I-60) Get off at Azusa Ave

[@rhondarichmond9259]

This mall is cool go every weekend there is just the right amount of plp there it’s cool

[@crccsave5088]

do a video on southbridge mall in mason city iowa

[@Therealadam520]

U need to come to Houston bc we have a dead mall but it’s super dangerous is green point mall

[@vosstrashman]

It was just bought by an investor there plans is to turn it back into shops and stores like it used to be

[@TheOneBloater]

So Northgate Mall next week?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yessir!

[@SittingBearProd]

1.5X 👍🏻

[@TreyWaylifestyle]

Look beautiful in side jus sad 😢

[@digentertainment]

Kroger has made plans with the township to demolish the Sears and build a new marketplace store replacing the current location across from the mall and the mt carmel pickup location. The new Kroger will not be connected to the mall. With the recent sale of the mall to the bank the current fate of the rest of the mall is unknown but the township is trying to put plans together on redevelopment or revitalization of the property and is looking at the current mall stores and Kroger on what to do. Dillards and JC Penny own their lots but Kohls does not. Kroger owns the sears lot. The area where the theater was has separate ownership from the mall. Most of the outlouts and the rest of the mall are now owned by the bank. Many residents want to see the property redeveloped with stores like Costco and menards along with new residential and office bu I'll buildings.

[@theposse96]

Yes definitely Northgate mall

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yep!

[@theposse96]

@@NorthCdogg22 glad to you to visit KI as well and knock off some coasters. Being from northern Ohio I’ve driven past there tons of times but never stopped to take a day or two at the park. I’ve been a CP pass holder since the early 90’s and been there well over 100 times. KI is definitely on my list of places to visit and I hope I can get there relatively soon.

[@NorthCdogg22]

@@theposse96 hell yeah man, I’d definitely stop if I was you, Orion and Diamondback are in my opinion worth the price of admission on there own lol, I can’t wait to visit CP hopefully soon

[@theposse96]

@@NorthCdogg22 oh yes I’ve heard that about those two coasters and I’ve wanted to ride The Beast for the longest time. CP is very impressive and I think you’ll really enjoy it when you can visit it.

[@spyrothedragon1319]

Northgate mall

[@NorthCdogg22]

Bingo!

[@arturocuizon69]

Is it Northgate?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Bingo!

[@trevormcintosh5564]

Make an update soon please there is new stuff :D

[@stefanleonard7947]

The next mall is Northridge Mall

[@misterbean971]

8:30 "Why do they close off their mall access?" Funny how international corporations seem to be working against their own shareholder interests these days, isn't it? Consider this: those malls might be big businesses, but they're still *local* businesses until they're driven into bankruptcy and purchased by an international investment firm who will make their money *from* the closure. The anchors, on the other hand, are largely owned by enormous international or national corporations. These organizations are playing for future positions; that's why their moves appear counterintuitive. They are colluding with one another to consolidate vertically. Then, you also have their cronies in government office, creating policies that allowed the international corporations to remain open through 2020, while local businesses were forced into unsustainable circumstances. Welcome to the ultra-monopoly.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Welcome to the corporate oligarchy.

[@Steve.Cutler]

All malls are on borrowed time

[@kendallevans4079]

Looking at these meccas to capitalism in the optics of 2022 it's a wonder they lasted as long as they did. They were ALL about coming here and staying here and spending your money on items, food, movies.....spend, spend, spend....

[@jannahugheshickey4114]

Cincinnati is very gloomy

[@Theasiancargirl]

Florence Mall in Northern Kentucky!