Dead Malls Season 4 Episode 14 - Concord Mall

On the northern tip of Indiana in the Michiana region in Elkhart lies the small Concord Mall.. Concord Mall, oh my god, where do I even start? Constructed in 1972 this was one of 3 malls built in the same relative area. Upon opening its brick facades and storefront themes wowed visitors. Towering palms complemented recessed seating bringing the whole mall and its golden glow together. And today, it has remain unchanged, yeah, literally. Today join me as we explore and tell the brief story of Concord Mall and how it’s 70s vintage charms have stood the test of time..
Music used
Squash Remix (The Mighty Five) - Don Muro
Mall Muzak of 1959
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#northcdogg22 #deadmall #deadmalls #northernfilms

[@misterbean971]

You're right about that being an Aladin's Castle. It's the mid-90's decor, when they had adopted a "Chuckie Cheese" model catering to small kids and families. The last I remember of the good A.C. was when (for example) Race Drivin', G-Loc, Aliens, Klax, Pit Fighter and Super Contra were features. After that, it became kiddy land. Earlier on, any mall arcade I went to in the Pittsburgh area, for example, had a much cooler vibe: like a dark pool hall vibe, but for young adults. As I recall, the A.C. at the Steubenville Mall (Ohio) had pool tables in the back, with curvy archways, mirrored wall highlights, burgundy colored walls and carpet, and an almost disco vibe. I don't recall the year, but there were still many "bronze age" B/W Atari games, vectors, and more than a few ancient electromechanical games. As I recall, Beaver Valley Mall in Beaver County, Pa had TWO awesome arcades, but I mostly remember "Arcade 2000", before the food court was added. Arcade 2000 would've been a collector's dream: Star Wars vector cockpit, other "environmental" cockpit games, Tron, Dragon Slayer, Cobra Command (fps cell animated vcd helo game), Battle Zone, Elevator Action, Moon Patrol, Frogger, Atari Fire Truck, Qix, all the usual big titles and then a bunch too obscure to even remember... Oh and that "old west" scrolling shooter with the encoder knob to aim the rifle. You know, converting one of the missing anchors with a massive arcade might even help revive a vintage mall like Concord (as a sort of theme experience). People travel the country for that sort of big vintage arcade.

[@NorthCdogg22]

This is an amazing comment, thank you so much. I seriously wish I could’ve been alive in time to see these memories in their prime..

[@JamesOwenLowe]

Can confirm. I lived in the area and first visited the mall in 1988. I looked forward to visiting Aladdin's Castle.

[@Anonymous-ld7fb]

It wasn't an Aladdin's Castle, it was a Time Out.

[@adventurelogs]

Digging the intro music 🎶 🪩

[@NorthCdogg22]

Hell yeah man😎

[@roguelily7957]

This is in my hometown and in the 90s this was the place to be. Sad to see what's it's become.

[@gravijiga]

A vintage gem

[@leannefenster6626]

Love the aesthetic , wish i could back to the day of a busy happy mall, eat a sweet treat under the trees ......a girl can dream

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi Leanne 👋🏻

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

Gonna be honest.. teared up a little. Christmases at Concord Mall was magical, the christmasland village.... a lot of happy times in the 80s here. So sad to see it like this.

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

I worked at the Sears at Pierre Moran, 96-97 . It was a very weird little place

[@amandalehman1333]

This is my local mall. My friends and I used to walk from our high school to the old arcade almost every day - especially after DDR came out. I used to work at the Hobby Lobby after I graduated and take my lunch breaks at Enzo Pizza. I love this mall. It used to be magical at Christmas. I hope someone saves this from inevitable decline.

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi 👋🏻

[@Spooky_G647]

I love the concord mall! Have visited several times with my husband and I I love it every time. The 1970s vibes are immaculate 💚

[@michaelgrow8630]

It's a gem. Wish I could wander about myself.

[@stevebayt145]

OH Well...Silver medal this week

[@scottDchicago]

Awesome episode and totally a time travel back to the 1970’s! Perhaps no surprise, but that mall was completely empty. Eerily so. Well maintained and sparkly clean yet twilight zone empty.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right!

[@juliehoot3916]

Beautiful!

[@kitw76]

I heard about this mall….I’m a Hoosier

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi Kit 👋🏻 😊

[@sunsetrecords2548]

Literally made me cry seeing this beautiful mall it reminds me of the old times that I just want to go back to. Great video

[@pepsi_man4962]

Same man….

[@scottDchicago]

Carson’s @ 10:15 brought back plenty of memories.

[@madmatt574]

I just came across this video. I’m in South Bend. I loved Scottsdale. So sad it’s gone. Concord is a gem though

[@jonathangamer7606]

Talking pit..... awesome.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right..

[@Peajay007]

Ok. I’m gonna be honest. I’m an incredibly jealous of you. Coasters and dead malls. My. Sister and I dreamt of a life like this as kids. And here you are. You’re so lucky. Don’t ever take it for granted. ❤❤ keep up the amazing work.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you so much!

[@Peajay007]

@@NorthCdogg22 you're welcome

[@ROBSROCKINHITS]

This mall is incredible! Wow. I absolutely love how retro it is, it's perfect. Great Job!

[@markbajek2541]

I do wish the National park service would turn this into a historic landmark or monument and save it. Every time I visited Goshen I'd wander through this masterpiece. I never saw it in it's glory days but I did see it towards the very end with Elder Berman still functioning and a few in line tenants kicking around. And I certainly used the nice restrooms near the food area and grabbed a Ben's soft Pretzel every time I popped into Concord. There have been some restaurants come and go through the food court, last one I ate at was a Mexican place on taco tuesday. And there's Enzo's pizza across the way but that looks shuttered in this video (it's only average pizza) I visited University mall last summer which has an odd mix of customers ranging from typical suburban, urban and a decent amount of Amish and Mennonite. As I was rounding the food court and just happened to pass the exterior entrance door in a counter clockwise walk through the food area a shooting occurred just outside the doors and into the parking lot, I heard a pop but didn't realize what it was until I saw almost everyone scatter towards the restrooms and towards the opposite side of the food court all except a group of Amish women standing in line at some food court vendor . I sort of ducked behind a pillar for a second and assessed WTF was going on and then a shooting victim was brought into the food court from the exterior door area and assisted by a customer putting pressure on their wound. Not sure if they ever caught the person who shot him.

[@justinankeney6344]

I'll second Orchard in Benton Harbor

[@pamelaaverrett5848]

It would be soo nice to be able to actually shop in a mall like this. Instead in south Alabama we have “lifestyle centers” where I can sweat and dodge wasps as I load my kids in the car to go to another store…. Anyway, thanks for sharing! You do such a good job covering these malls!

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi 👋🏻

[@Peajay007]

Anyone here from Melbourne Australia??? Coz I’m getting northland vibes!! Then Doncaster coming in as the big villain!

[@lm1169x]

This was where my mom took me to see Star Wars for my birthday in November of 1977. THIS was the mall of my early childhood. ❤

[@ERA_Productions]

Great video man!!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Andrew!

[@anabarth9117]

All these preserved seating areas & planters are amazing!

[@roguelily7957]

I spent so much time here as a kid. I could name almost every store here. I spent my teens, the mid 90s, here all weekend. It's so sad to see it empty.

[@warmbeerfreezone]

My favourite so far… what a treat

[@Saymeow_Kay]

7:42 University park mall***

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yes** thanks for the correction!

[@rolanddoe950]

An absolute gem of retail history! Excellent video.

[@R32R38]

Its owner, Triyar Realty, also owns the Gunspoint - sorry, Greenspoint - Mall in Houston. Presumably this one is safer.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Much much safer😭 I really hope I can see gunspoint someday

[@Catstuff91]

@@NorthCdogg22I grew up going to greenspoint definitely check it out before it's demolished, last I heard it's almost completely abandoned 😢😅

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

Great video as always North! I love this mall since it has not been changed at all except the fountain 🤬. I do agree with you that the mall may not make it much longer even though I would like to believe so as since 2020 when I first found out about the mall. I’ve watch over countless videos several stores like JoAnn Fabrics, Bath &Body Works, GNC, and other small businesses vacate and I am sure the town wants the mall redevelop like it’s sisters.

[@chrissasandlin8344]

Brick seems more welcoming (at least to me) but I can see this as a museum of mall history, which would be a cool place to visit. Refurbished neon, murals of stores, and examples of era-appropriate appliances, clothing, etc. If you worked in the history of branding, distribution, and marketing, it could be a fascinating education in consumer culture.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I would love this, if I ever won the lottery I would build this

[@jackietatum2245]

love it!

[@mollyheffernen]

This was interesting.

[@misterbean971]

Well done. 🙂 11:30 The sound of kids, bustle, and the water fountain are so nice. I can add a couple unusual elements for you from 70's and 80's malls: First, the distant sound of a pro electric organ demo from the organ stores was just about ubiquitous. Second: an unexpected, strangely pleasant aroma that's a blend of candied buttered popcorn and just a little cigarette smoke. It doesn't *sound* like it would be pleasant, but it was!

[@lukecrowther-streeting3806]

Love these videos. Sending praises all the way from Australia! Amazing to see these malls in America. We rarely have malls (to these massive scales, that fail). I guess America fell harder and never recovered after the 2008 GFC unlike Australia that bounced back.

[@johnmeyer3802]

Looking forward to your journey to the Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor! Watch out for all those sea gulls!

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Absolutely Fantastic job 👌👍💯

[@garethfidler389]

Great job! This place oozes character and nostalgia. Keep up the good work. Your videos are quality

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you!

[@Idelia412]

Great video and history of the mall.

[@jenniferburchill3658]

This is a step back in time!

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi Jennifer 👋🏻 😊

[@jenniferburchill3658]

@@nelsonanthony1560 What is your point in that reply?

[@NWIndianaElevators]

Great video, man! I enjoyed this mall's character as well as the fact that it has NEVER been renovated! The next mall up is The Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor, Michigan, am I right?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yes sir! Great job! And IKR, this mall was easily one of my faves

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

The Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor, Michigan is my guess. I’m in mid-Michigan and our local malls are dying here too. But the Orchards is really dead

[@hipoint40cal39]

I miss my Parmatown Mall; it was a great place in the 1970s, all the way through the 90s. My fondest memories are: Roy Rogers, Sakio Japan, Sbarros, the malts and pretzel wagon in May Co (70s), Mortal Kombat III, Killer Instinct, Hollywood Video, etc..... But now its torn down and replaced with "The Shoppes of Parma" Lame. But this is how the world goes....shopping downtown was the thing to do until malls caught on, and eventually what killed malls is shopping online. Just like Semisonic's lyrics: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end".

[@HenryRoss-wu4lo]

More memory of these sensitive days ahead of death of these gold mines 😭😭😭

[@ultraswank]

That’s a real 1970s Time Capsule right there, not many of them left.

[@QuintusAntonious]

Look at all that incredible 70s BROWN. I wonder if some of these dead malls that have maintained their "character defining features" (as we say in architectural history) might not have another day in the sun if they can survive long enough to become hip again once some of the others have died off.

[@drscopeify]

Your videos are so well narrated and filed! Excellent work.

[@theposse96]

Unbelievably amazing aesthetics in that mall; vintage and beautiful at the same time! I'm really surprised that that JCPenney store is still there and that they changed their minds about closing it. Any idea why the gate was there keeping you from going down the Carson's wing completely? Didn't look like there was any kind of water damage or anything else that they wouldn't want you to access. Once again, an amazing job; love watching your content. Coasters and dead malls; great combo! Into coasters as well (as I mentioned when you were around KI and Cincy). Going to these types of malls is something I hope to do in retirement years. Thanks so much for sharing everything as usual.

[@butterboiii9810]

Is the next mall the Orchards Mall?

[@ChristheShrinerdawg]

This looks like an in-remodeled version of the Grand Teton Mall in Idaho Falls, ID.

[@abbywelch6332]

My boyfriend grew up in Elkhart. He said he remembers the Tiger King going there for a meet and great 😂

[@gianmariavolonte4315]

The fountain was closed because it leaked, burned out pumps from clogged lines of the heavy lime content of the water and tenants near the fountain complained of the noise and from the lime dust from the fountain. My and sister went to opening day of the mall in 1972 and this mall was a huge deal. Throughout the 70s, we often had to leave because the mall so crowded and unbearably hot and stuffy in there. This mall went downhill fast throughout the 90s. The US20 bypass that opened in 1992 made University Park Mall much more accessible for residents and the owners of the mall from that point forward did absolutely nothing to attract or retain stores. The 'food court" opened in 2009 was a failure. Subway only last a few years and the other food vendors barely stayed past 6 months. The malls HVAC system is broke and the power gets cut off a couple times year from non-payment. This mall was built on a former waste dump site and it coming full circle again.

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi Gina Maria 👋🏻

[@jeremyud]

I got excited and then realized you meant the one in Indiana, not Delaware. (Worth a visit if you ever hit the East Coast.)

[@NorthCdogg22]

Oh yeah don’t you worry I’m planning a trip over there

[@BoratWanksta]

I'd love to see the Delaware state Concord Mall, one day. Too bad one of the mall slumlords(either Kohan or Namdar), bought that mall.

[@michaelaugustine6271]

I thought the same thing?

[@rwdplz1]

Wow a JC Penney still around.

[@justwar76]

Grew up going to concord mall

[@autofox1744]

God it's like a time capsule! I really hope the owners don't try to ruin a good thing; nice to see those "coming soon" signs!

[@jongriffin6004]

Oh man, I loved Concord Mall. I always preferred it over the much busier University Park Mall. I always wondered what exactly happened. I remember it always being busy, but eventually they lost all the big stores. I know many people prefer online shopping, but UP mall is still doing fine, so I guarantee if this place could get some big name stores back in there,it would be successful like the old days. There’s still a demand for Malls. Great video!

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

I dont know if it was ever Aladdin's Castle. I know in mid 90s it was called Time Out---little hole in the wall arcade.

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

that storefront Family Fashions & More was the Chess King. On teh JC Penney wing, I can still see the Walden books and Joann Fabrics on the right.

[@almond6520]

My guess for the next mall: The Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

[@JonathanKine]

Would love to purchase it and rebuild it one store by one store.

[@BoratWanksta]

This mall died even more, vs. early 2018 when I visited while Carson's(nee Elder Beerman) was closing. And yeah I bet JCPenney retracting Concord Mall from their June 2020 store closings, is probably the biggest reason the inside of this mall is even still open. Have this bad feeling that whenever JCPenney one day leaves this mall, that I fear that the inside will get sealed up. Btw, I'll guess your next mall is The Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor, MI?

[@NorthCdogg22]

I 100% agree

[@elevatingmetrodetroit7072]

It’s pretty amazing how this place manages to survive another year. We’re going to need to see if this place can make it another couple years.

[@carlahubbs8833]

Lotta malls are turning to ghost towns online shopping at knocked it out but that's the part I don't like I always thought going to the mall it's a real treat to go down there it's a lot of fun.

[@chefbran1]

And now that very same jcpenney is liquidating and will be permanently closed by may 2023 😪. What a beautiful mall, hope it can get saved somehow, but seems likely that a redevelopment will be on the table. Thank God for the internet that can cherish great memories like shopping malls

[@jasonhughes3481]

They've closed Concord Mall down and are redeveloping it as a "business park". It's not really clear what they plan to do aesthetically to the interior, but I assume they will gut all the character out of this perfect time capsule. It's sad. I loved this place although I never got to experience it in its heyday. It was a great place to visit during the pandemic ironically, because there was plenty of space but barely anyone else in sight. I spent several afternoons back in 2020-2021 sitting in those conversation pits and just wandering around. I'm sad I never got to take any real photographs here while it was still pristine.

[@jasonhughes3481]

Also another note about the area. I feel like the mall must have been managed poorly to have some of the stores move to other places nearby. Just down the street are several stores that obviously used to be in the mall that are now built into strip malls. For example there is a Spencer's Gifts and a Bath and Body Works in strip malls a few blocks away. It's the only time I've ever seen either of those stores outside the walls of a mall.

[@davidbrothers3788]

I'm from mishawaka and the university park mall is still open and thriving

[@elizabethlisak2598]

They need to turn them into Homeless Shelters help people out

[@LethaWolfStudios]

#everycommenteveronadeadmallorabandonedbuilding

[@ceoofmemes1967]

Yes and no. That would be great, but this property is privately owned and companies aren't made to help people. The government cannot do it because they simply need the money to do so which would cost a lot to repair, restructure, and clean up the malls.

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hello Elizabeth 👋🏻

[@Sweetbry22]

You need to do lakeside mall in Sterling heights Michigan before it gets demolished

[@NorthCdogg22]

Don’t you worry, I stopped in a few months ago on my Michigan expedition ;)

[@brendansheehan7714]

I just find these videos so interesting. Each one a little piece of Americana. I really am interested in the reasons for decline of each store. I also love reading about the decline of the Roman Empire / Late Antiquity. I think I just like the decline A E S T H E T I C. I am from the outside looking in being Irish. I am really interested in the reasons for decline of each store which you always give a good stab at. Correct me if I am wrong but in this store's case it seems as though it is due to simply mall overcapacity in the area. I doubt lack of modernisation had much to do with it. Out of all the stores you've shown this one needs a preservation order. In a general sense I think you mention factors for decline that are not covered by mainstream media. For example in other videos you mention that fear of gun violence and being in an enclosed space is driving people to big box stores. Your focus is on malls but are big box stores declining also? Is price of goods a factor where the big box /online stores are undercutting the mall model? If online is the problem is it due to the cost of owning a car or is it a preference to stay at home and not interact with society physically i.e. the further atomisation of society? Is it just simple economics and demographics in the areas where these dead malls are located? I know your focus is on a more light-hearted, aesthetic and nostalgic observational documentary and you may not want to influence what people take from your videos through too much commentary but these are the underlying questions that interest me. It would be interesting if you could put a 'reasons for decline' checklist in the description. In Ireland our experience with dead malls is a bit different. Some were more like delayed birth malls where the 2008 crash delayed the mall's stores being filled with tenants. I am thinking of the CHQ building in Dublin. It took over a decade to actually get up to speed. Other older malls (we call them 'shopping centres') follow the more typical pattern of decline. IMHO online shopping is the biggest reason for decline over here. It is the book stores and smaller clothes shops that have closed here. Anchor tenants have tended to stay. A factor that helps reduce the impact of decline is tighter planning to keep activity in town centres and encourage mixed use i.e. accommodation/shopping/entertainment in town centres. This results in a more anti-fragile model. Obviously demographics and economics helps as well with a fairly young population and a fairly stable economic model since the crash of the Celtic Tiger. Obviously though everything is on a bigger in scale in the USA including your dead malls 😀!

[@nelsonanthony1560]

Hi Brenda 👋🏻

[@ChristheShrinerdawg]

New subscriber here!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Chris!

[@DrMadDog88]

My local mall being from new Paris and driving there for car meets and shows

[@Darrid100]

Also, it is "University Park", not just University.

[@OrangeGod-wy8dh]

I remember walking in this mall and there used to be 2 arcade now there 1

[@mignaultj]

13:22 face reveal.

[@NorthCdogg22]

🤫

[@theonionkid9905]

I was at that arcade all the time to play Soul Calibur 2

[@benb8407]

Nice looking dead mall surprised that the mall isn't in bad shape and has kept the mall from falling apart with a leaky roof. Shocked to see Champ Sports is still open and JC Penny not closing the store why an about-face?

[@stot2614]

What do you edit these videos on? Great transitions and audio leveling! Yes... this was quite a retro treat of a mall and thanks for bringing "us" along. Happy Halloween to you as well... Wow; like another of my favorite channel producers says, "There is more ahead." I do look forward to this legendary really dead mall you mention at the end... hmm, I wonder what it could be? Not at all familiar with your mall territory, so I will find out this time next week. 😁👍👍

[@NorthCdogg22]

InShot editing software, and thank you! You’ll love next weeks video!

[@davidbrothers3788]

You should of been there when Scottsdale mall closed around 2003 I think the mall was open but the montgomery ward at the end was torn down so when you went to that end of the mall all you seen were these giant dirt piles it was very odd

[@lauraforrest6204]

the brick place with the french windows was mcl cafateria ate there with grama and loved book store and for the family was an arcade place

[@tarajoe07]

It probably would have done much better if it had been renovated in the 90s. I live nearby and its a lot easier to get to form many locals and now University Park Mall is just overwhelming because it's really the only one left

[@WhittyPics]

You know it is bad when Bath & Body Works is closed?

[@armron94]

Scottsdale Mall South Bend Indiana gone University Park Mall Mishawaka Indiana active

[@NWIndianaElevators]

The Elkhart Planning Commission has approved plans to redevelop the Concord Mall site into residential and light industrial space... So, this mall is on the chopping block to close for good.

[@arturocuizon69]

I'm guessing the next video is University mall?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Nope but good guess!

[@mikehollandsworth2147]

Does anyone remember the name of the old clothing store at 4:04? It was back in the 90's and they sold Mossimo and Stussy clothing.

[@Darrid100]

Scottsdale was always superior to Concord. I do miss the big fountain they had. It was on of my favorites when I was a kid.

[@keithatkins9783]

This must be a different concord mall the concord mall I know has a boscoves in it and a Macy's and it use to have a sears and I think they do pretty good still

[@NorthCdogg22]

I think your thinking of the one in Delaware

[@keithatkins9783]

Yes I live about 45 mins north of the concord mall in Delaware I live in pa on the border of Chester County and Lancaster County pa

[@armron94]

I did a video on the Concord Mall on my KZbin channel but I didn't do good

[@mattgray666]

15:12 I know an organization that would LOVE to rent the space... you're not a Septim though, are you?

[@MrRobertRue]

The backrooms.

[@taddtroxell7567]

The fountain you speak of consisted of 3 or 4 spires of increasing height with the final, tallest one, nearly reaching the top of the domed ceiling. Each spire puked water which fell into a pathetic pool at the base. My parents used to let me throw change in there and wish for luck, had I any sense I’d have wished that the mall would promptly burn to the ground. As a local resident I can tell you that Lowes and Home Depot don’t have enough buckets between the two of them to catch all of the rain water that leaks from that mall’s ceiling tiles and that the parking lot is so cratered that no one even bothers cutting through it anymore. I’m glad that you got to document it but I personally can’t wait for this eyesore to be dozed and sent back to the hell from which it came.

[@Noone9227]

Unfortunately, this was going to be the mall in the South Bend metro to die in the retail apocalypse because it is in a blue collar area. Business goes to where the money is…..close to douchey nouveaux riche.

[@maryduska]

Theirs no body their what ashamed so what's going to happen here are they going to tear it down or let it go to pot

[@sKid-ez7zn]

Was that an open restaurant?? With all the chairs and tables?

[@NorthCdogg22]

I’m not sure.. in a lot of old store in this mall they seemed to just leave everything