Dead Malls Season 5 Episode 20 - Northbridge Mall Revisited

[@AnthonyRyan8282]

The store you’re looking at when you ask to identify the fronts was an On Cue in the 90’s and then a Sam Goody in the 2000’s. I worked there in high school, and it closed my senior year. I could probably name a lot of the other store fronts during that time too. Might have to revisit the video soon and see what I can find. Great video by the way! For an extra nostalgia rush seeing my childhood mall.

[@AnthonyRyan8282]

The arcade was actually in the food court across from theater. The room with the dark windows firstly across. A LOT of good memories there.

[@Velofps3]

yeah after what anthony said it got a bunch of random no name stores then more recently was that rent to own store that scams people, forgot the name but owatonna has one too

[@KingKRS1000]

It’s sad to see how many stores are leaving this mall, when I was I kid I loved going here to play in the arcade, go and look through Dunhams and Shopko, and watch movies with friends here. Now the only times I go to this mall is when I am driving by and decide to eat at Plaza with friends.

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

Thanks for the shout out! Another fun video! You've captured something I've never seen on my visits - people eating in the Mexican restaurant. :D It's always closed when I visit. Next time you drive through Albert Lea, check out the "mini mall" in the former Herberger's. They now have a sign on the door encouraging mall walkers to visit, so I did. I believe that the restrooms in the new area are the original Herberger's restrooms, but remodeled. (Either that or some joker placed Herberger's stickers on the hand dryers.)

[@NorthCdogg22]

Sounds pretty interesting! I’ll definitely have to check it out, thanks for watching!

[@RockyBergen]

Such professional work! Those before and after shots are expertly shot/matched. Not an easy thing to do. So subscribed and Minnesota rules!

[@Manaaniwanderer]

I grew up here, born the year this mall was built and seeing a video about it is surreal as hell.

[@Manaaniwanderer]

6:02 was a Sam Goody for a long period of the late 90s and early 00s for what it's worth.

[@Manaaniwanderer]

Arcade wasn't down by Shopko, it was across from the Theater and called the "Skill Mill".

[@scottDchicago]

Awesome episode! (Commented from the ICONSIAM mall in Bangkok, Thailand!)

[@NorthCdogg22]

That’s sweet! Thanks Scott!

[@JoshYT1]

Just imagine your on your daily shopping trip, its late but you need to run out to get some groceries. You pull up and enter this mall, into the bright neon with a warm and vibrant atmosphere. You get what you need at Shopko, perhaps grabbing a bite in the food court; while seeing others walk around and kids play. You decide to just pop in Herberger's and end up buying something nice, as you let your temptations get the best of you. Your feeling great, and suddenly remember to grab a card at hallmark because its a family members birthday. You had a great night well spent, and drive to your rural home as the mall closes for the night; the gold glow of the mall dimmers. In the back of your mind, you can't wait till you do it all again. Its calm thoughts I get like these when I watch these videos, and its sadly something we can never experience again. I do love how when you visited, after the rain the gold glow from the sun was present! Perhaps it's a sign of the storm passing for this mall and golden years will be back one day soon. (I sure hope so at least lol).

[@NorthCdogg22]

This! That’s exactly right, those are the exact same thoughts I have while trying to compile these videos.. is capturing that mall magic of just and average day in the 1980s. Thank you for watching Josh!

[@JoshYT1]

@@NorthCdogg22 Glad to see that you share the same thoughts of times gone by!

[@MicheleJean]

So, i can absolutely imagine this. This was the mall we all went to as kids growing up in AL. Even in my time as a teenager 90s, there was usually enough going on at Northbridge to keep yourself busy for a while, and all the store fronts too. The Anytime Fitness 24/7 was popular with a couple people a knew after we hit 18, as they would go in really late and be able to use the gym almost by themselves. There are a lot of memories here.

[@gadpivs]

The carpet is giving me strong public library nostalgia, in a weird way. I loved going to both the mall and the library as a kid in the 90's, so this is like the perfect combination of both. Nostalgia overload for sure.

[@NorthCdogg22]

100% agree, giving off The End Backrooms level vibes

[@nancydarling4918]

Really a vintage gem of a mall. Thanks for filming.

[@sunsetrecords2548]

The gold accent, exposed bulbs and mirroed ceilings reall did set off a welcoming vibe. Sadly i see no coming back for this mall but who knows only time can tell. Great video!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Fingers crossed! Thanks for watching

[@flawed1]

Imagine how cool it would be if people had documented roller rinks and drive-in the way malls are being documented. There really is important and awesome work being done here

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you so much! I do wish people would’ve documented things more back in their haydays!

[@QuintusAntonious]

You'd be surprised what's out there in thesis, dissertation, or book form. Roller rinks and drive-ins declined before the age of easily sharable information, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone documented some of these things in a photo book or academic research. I've seen all sorts of niche documentation that was published in small batches prior the the Internet.

[@TasteMyRainb0w]

I miss the roller rink. I used to be on the speed team when I was a kid. They had something called JO (Junior Olympics) I remember the races and dusting everyone lol When I'd go on school nights and weekends the staff would make me start the race behind everyone because they knew I was on the speed time and wanted others to have a fair shot at winning the race. I remember the snack bar having these licorice ropes that were like 3 feet long lol I remember going back to the rink as an adult. I'm so glad I did because they ended up selling it to some developers who demolished it to build housing. I'm glad I had that chance to go back and reminisce about the good ol days. I really wish they would have kept it open, though. A lot of the locals spoke out, but they went through with the sale anyway. A lot of my childhood was spent at the roller rink. Oh, one more thing...I remember the first time the speed team saw artistic roller skating. There was this girl and they gave her the whole floor to do her routine. I remember the first time we all saw her jump. She did like a double axel on roller skates. We were all like holy sh*t 😂

[@seabee73]

The gold celings are unique and to bad the neons were dead. That is a nice smaller mall. Sad to see it dead. I dont think it will ever come back to life. Thanks for the video.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you for watching Seabee!

[@ItsaRomeThingEverydayallday]

Good old Northbridge mall

[@ERA_Productions]

Great video man! Love the lights in those skylights! So 80s!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Andrew! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dansimon1100]

Now that is one rich old mall. I do remember somewhat mall's having neon And them But the Mirrored Gold ceiling tiles do remind me of apple blossom mall. Here in Winchester, Virginia. When it had it.

[@NorthCdogg22]

It’s absolutely stunning!

[@dansimon1100]

@@NorthCdogg22 Oh yeah Pretty cool being that retro. I do like neon in a mall.

[@jamescarr9862]

If you make it to Missouri check out the saint Joseph's mall it's only got 1 anchor store left with 7 or so stores left

[@dennismanbook]

Newton, Ia used to had an Leutholds clothing store on the east side of the courthouse square and owners retired and store closed up 20 years ago. Not sure if that be any relation to the Leutholds store that be shown in your video. Always had liked how I - 35 crosses over the Albert Lea lake while on the way to a couple camping trips at Kamp Dels in Waterville and also a few times visiting the twin cities in the past including going to the mall of America with mother and also with friend.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I do believe they were part of the same chain and had several stores across the Midwest, so that would make sense

[@R32R38]

"The mall office has moved down by Herberger's"... which has been pushing up daisies for years.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Lol

[@nicktheturtlenerd]

As a South Dakotan, I’m very hyped for next episode.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Your gonna love it!

[@Aaron.Michael]

Your livestream was heckin amazing! Was totally tuned in from Melbourne, Australia 😉

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you so much for being there!

[@Snookifan4life]

The gold square ceiling fixtures with the round bulbs are so heavenly, i wish they were still put in malls today.

[@chrissasandlin8344]

That intro! Just the perfect settle in & watch setup. Also, this seems like a cozy mall to enjoy a passing thunderstorm.

[@NorthCdogg22]

It really was, thank you for watching!

[@szgproduction6233]

Thank you for this! You capture some amazing footages and editing is on point. Let's not forget the narratives just wholesome.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you!

[@eiguajardo]

that food court made me feel like those movies where half of humanity disappears. p.s. I love that it seems like is always raining in the US, I LOVE rain .

[@donald1379]

loved this thanks

[@mrsjr78]

I love this series. Keep it up. I got hooked after you visited Northfield Square Mall in the town I grew up in, Bourbonnais, IL. I'm curious if you've considered doing a series on Malls that are actually still thriving. Do those even exist? A couple that come to mind are near me...Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL and Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, IL near Six Flags Great America.

[@NorthCdogg22]

One day I’d like to do those malls! Thanks for watching all this time!

[@Velofps3]

the area penciled with "open soon" was actually remodeled into multiple other stores, you saw the harbor fright towards the end of the building but the remaining area that was once shopko has opened as 2 other stores big lots, and another dollar tree that it sounds like they are barely ever able to staff the food court does have random pop ups from food trucks during the off seasons, anytime fitness is leaving soon too so one of their biggest remaining places at the mall is leaving once they get their new place near the lake remodeled. With how much rent the owners of the mall want from establishments I don't think its very likely that it will ever be anything near what it used to be.

[@gwendraven7064]

That was my childhood mall in Albert Lea, MN. It’s really sad to see it now- this was a happening place- anchor stores were Shopko and Herberger’s.

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

Amazing Video North!

[@MisterMustardIsDumb]

i live by this mall and remember seeing how busy it was even when i was a kid, which wasn’t even near its prime, now it’s just so desolate, with only a movie theater being the only reason to even stop by

[@TrueDeadMallLegend]

Great Video! I remember in the last video you brought up comments that make you think, so this is what makes me think, If the malls killed downtowns, and online shopping is killing the malls, will something eventually kill off online shopping? Also another thing, when will the last indoor mall close, in 10 years? 100 years?

[@NorthCdogg22]

That’s actually a pretty interesting sentiment to think about! What will be the next big thing? And how long until malls and other big box retail are completely left in the dust?

[@R32R38]

@@NorthCdogg22 Malls as a concept are alive and well and in no danger of failing. What's happening is the inevitable shakeout in the industry, a consequence of too many malls having been built. My prediction is that around half of the existing malls will close by the time all is said and done, but the survivors will be stronger.

[@JohnJohnson-yl9of]

We need the outdoor outlet malls to go away, seriously they just could never capture the vibe of a brightly decorated indoor shopping mall. Pure nostalgia and core memories.

[@OLIFAB]

Fantastic video!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you very much!

[@WhittyPics]

At least there aren't any big puddles after that big rain. Looks like they kept it maintained even though it is about empty

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 😊

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you!

[@nick_stuff]

Have you visited east hills mall in St. Joseph MO

[@NorthCdogg22]

I have not yet, but I want to go down there eventually!

[@nick_stuff]

@@NorthCdogg22 it’s very sad

[@BreakTime10101]

Is that carpet on the floors?

[@jakesawesomevids7908]

Good video mate

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks 👍

[@jakesawesomevids7908]

@@NorthCdogg22 yeeee

[@darylbecker423]

Watertown Mall in Watertown, SD?

[@NorthCdogg22]

yessir!

[@rowleyma]

I hate to think how many people lost their jobs but I do love liminal spaces.

[@NorthCdogg22]

It’s a sad trade off for us dead mall lovers

[@mollyheffernen]

Pierre Mall?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Not quite but good guess!

[@ChatGPT1111]

Where is this Northbridge? Sounds like the UK, maybe Australia or New Zealand where they have a lot of lakes?

[@krissybartness6886]

Maurices, Vanity, Claires

[@BGNOLA]

If it was old country music playing, I would've dug it.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Same here, unfortunately this stuff was loud new country

[@Goochbot]

So, do people work in these malls?

[@NorthCdogg22]

I guess they do! Strange sight for sure

[@spencerchristensen1051]

Everytime I go to this mall I tell myself that they play these old country songs because just like in the songs, this mall has lost everything.

[@robertmiller2104]

When this video taken? Mall been closed for years now? They demo it yet? Is this another Northridge mall same name?

[@Velofps3]

this is northbridge not ridge, slightly different name

[@avag32]

Watertown mall

[@NorthCdogg22]

You got it!

[@ninbendoyt3203]

Hmm

[@xcl485]

P I Z Z A R A N C H !!

[@NorthCdogg22]

P I Z Z A R A N C H !!

[@andrewd511]

You know its bad when GNC leave.

[@Idelia412]

Time for the mall to close......people have moved on.

[@HenryRoss-wu4lo]

Story u all know!

[@PrimericanIdol]

Michigan > MinneSOOOta

[@NorthCdogg22]

😭😭