Dead Malls Season 6 Episode 5 - Westland Mall (IA)

Season 1 is often an era of this channel I like to forget, for obvious reasons..😭 However, one mall I covered way back then, was one I remembered being so fascinated in. One that was after released, quickly forgotten about.. In the small river city of Burlington, Iowa still lies that forgotten little mall. Still open, and barely kickin.. Westland Mall lives on! How much longer can it though? After a recent departure of its junior anchor Marshalls, Westland just lost one of its biggest draws. In this footage Marshalls was still open, and just about the only life the mall possessed.. The rest consists of dozens of dead 90s styled storefronts. All waiting for a future. Join me today, as we explore and tell the story of Westland Mall in Burlington, Iowa.
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#northcdogg22 #deadmall #deadmalls #northernfilms #urbanexploration #urban #history #archives

[@cmmiskovic]

I grew up in Burlington and spent soooooo much time at Aladdin's Castle playing games while my parents shopped. At 14:55, it was a Sears Portrait Studio.

[@jazzagerecords7932]

I always go to Westland when I'm in Burlington, just to walk around. Thank you again for your great videos!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Glad you like them!

[@Evans_explores]

I am a local to the area, and this hurts my soul! Great video!

[@emilyjacobs1500]

So am I. It's heartbreaking

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

Hello to both of you. I don't think I've ever been here. It's nice that a couple of locals decided to leave a comment. Thanks. 🙏🤎

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Knowing that game room was an Aladdin's Castle back in the day makes me sad. Miss the heyday if the arcades. So much of my parents' money went into arcade games @ Aladdin's Castle. 😁

[@DOUGHBOY420.]

You should have 100k by now your vids are such a vibe

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you! We’re on our way!

[@eiguajardo]

another chanting time travel episode, is very surprising theres some open stores from the good old days. thank you for another gratifying dose of nostalgia. just the right amount.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidburrow5895]

I grew up in Mt. Pleasant, the next main town west of Burlington. Westland Mall was in its prime when I was in high school. I remember going to Musicland, Spencer Gifts, and Waldenbooks at the mall. There were also tons of women's clothing stores in the mall, and the food court was full of national brands like Orange Julius and Wendy's. I left southeast Iowa to go to college in the early '80s, and it's fascinating to see the empty shell of the old mall in this video.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Sounds like it used to be quite the place! I wish I could’ve seen it all back in its prime!

[@BreakTime10101]

I see Bath and Body Works is doing well. 😂 Great video as always. We love your content. 😊

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

Yaaaassss! Started right up with one of the best Kmart reel to reel jams ever!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@NorthCdogg22]

The Kmart tracks never miss!

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

@@NorthCdogg22 certified slapper!

[@ERA_Productions]

Great Video man!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Andrew!

[@Guard-og5cl]

Well this was a get away Mall for me after I got married until the divorce. Along with the Sandburg Mall. If I remember correctly I was last there right after JCPenney closed and the cinema had just moved to the center court. Shame to see it like this.

[@JoshYT1]

Thank you for making my night nice and calm with this 70s gem of a mall, with that oh so sweet muzak! 😊 That section on GK development and the stock photos zoom-in had me dying 😂

[@NorthCdogg22]

The stock photos are classic😭😭 glad you enjoyed!

[@Beef99]

Regarding Woolco, the chain remained active in Canada until it was sold in 1994 to rival Walmart, which was looking to enter the Canadian market.

[@seabee73]

That is a nice looking mall. I love the clock tower. The music you pick always fits with the mall. Iowa looks like a nice place to live compared to overcrowded floriduh. Thanks for another great video.

[@NorthCdogg22]

It was quite the nice peaceful atmosphere! Thanks for watching SeaBee!

[@nick_stuff]

Rue 21 Clare’s and Bath and Body Works not surprised to see those three left

[@Guard-og5cl]

Younkers had two stores at the north end along with a huge furniture store. RadioShack was at the Younkers wing also on the west side of the hallway.

[@slackingpacking]

Wow! I love the aesthetics of this mall! I’m loving these malls in the far west. There just something about them.

[@kevinstatz]

I would shoot some pool and play some arcades in that game room for sure. The game room has some oasis liminal space vibes though, might end up in the backrooms...

[@flawed1]

I’m not exactly sure why, but all the power cords going straight up into the ceiling in plain sight just screams “I’ve given up”. I can’t imagine it was like that back in the mall’s heyday

[@jakesawesomevids7908]

I love watching your vids! :)

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Jake!

[@jakesawesomevids7908]

@@NorthCdogg22 np mate

[@sunsetrecords2548]

Honestly not a bad mall but im surprised since the 90s they couldn't nothing about the glaring issues. I guess if the had owners who cared it may have been a different story. But unfortunately the reality is what it is and westalnds time is almost up. Great Video!

[@gleemm5596]

Been so busy haven’t watched ur vids in a while I forgot how much I love these thank you 🥲

[@James050]

I NEED a playlist with all the music you use in your videos. You pick the perfect tracks

[@NorthCdogg22]

One day I’ll have to throw together a playlist featuring all these tracks, one day!

[@WhittyPics]

Clares. Now there is a major mall draw

[@stevebayt145]

you should do an update on what used to be cityview center in garfield heights.

[@QuartiyoPasdevHerjiKreuz]

The bon-ton logo looks edible.

[@marvelousme5]

I LOVE LOVE THIS MALL!!!! I really love the aesthetics!!!! I wish this mall was as busy as The Mall of America was last week!!!! The aesthetics are the best!!!! Thanks so very much for covering this mall North!!!! Like someone else said it hurts my soul to see these dead malls. Thanks again so very much for filming it!!!! Happy Holidays!!!! 👍🏻🙏😃🎄☃️

[@mwigton05]

when you had mentioned this mall and southern hills are twins-ish, they really do look very similar but in their own ways. bc southern hills mall was my go-to mall when i used to lived in sioux city when i was baby to 6 yrs old, that's the mall i would go to with my little play mate when i was younger, my cousins and my parents.. from age 6 to present live in omaha and we have a dying mall call oaks view mall, used to be the best mall to hang out in the 90's and early 00's now slowly stores one by one are leaving/moving or went out of business and few name brand food places are still there. but Dillard's will be leaving to go to the old younkers at Westroads mall that is basically taking over as the only indoor shopping mall and Jc Penny's might be leaving as well not sure on that one. but it is very sad to see what was the coolest hang out spot in 90's/00's slowly disappeared.....

[@mollyheffernen]

Great idea! A diamond center court? I wish I could guess this. Red banners? I wonder if it is Southern Hills Mall.

[@nicktheturtlenerd]

Southern Hills was also one of my childhood malls. It’s really starting to show some dead mall signs. Especially near and in the food court. Hope you can cover it again.

[@tannerlariviere]

Love your content i Always look forward to Saturday nights

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you! Glad I can give you something to look forward to!

[@Guard-og5cl]

The Marshalls is where the cinema was originally.

[@TheBlackkat91]

So the old Younkers wing had a lot of places. The store next to what was foot locker was a radio shack. The store next to the DMV was pearl vision then a local insurance agent. The across from Maurice's was McGregor's the furniture store. And whats now Iowa works, the previous store was another Younkers, but HomeGoods version.

[@QuintusAntonious]

I love your dead mall content, I hope you won't stop doing it. However, you mentioned in a video a few weeks ago you experienced a bit of burn out. Have you considered maybe broadening what your doing to perhaps cover the history of some of the stores in these dead malls similar to what Company Man or Bright Sun Films do? That'd give you something mall related that you could still do while you're at home to give you a break from the normal Dead Malls production. You do such a good job that I'd definitely give any content you produce a chance, even if it went beyond retail!

[@NorthCdogg22]

I may very well expand into new content categories soon, I’ve been wanting to now for awhile!

[@weasel2htm]

Every time I saw that area with the high ceiling, it reminded me of Capital Mall in Jefferson City, MO. That mall was dead 20 years ago, if you're going to be in central MO, it might be worth checking out. Interesting is that 40min away, Columbia Mall in Columbia, MO, is doing pretty decent, at least by mall standards.

[@markstrouse3101]

Great video as always. I feel like I'm inside a Kmart with that music in the beginning, absolutely love it. Happy holidays

[@NorthCdogg22]

Happy Holidays to you too Mark!

[@thetinggoBOP]

Thank you for another classic!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks for watching!

[@missingremote4388]

Our mall opened 10 years earlier. 1967 Brookfield Square, Wisc. 1st indoor mall Still in business

[@chrislemaster2695]

At least this mall is not a walking mold and health and public safety hazard. Cleaner than mots mall you visit

[@benb8407]

GK seems to keep their dead malls clean Lakeview Square is clean haven't been since Aug 2016 right before Macy's & Penny's closed down in 2017 was surprised that Sears was last anchor to close in Jan of 2019.

[@user-nu4ms6hh9w]

Another great video,wishing you all the best for Christmas and the new year🎄🎅🏼👍🏻😊

[@ItsaRomeThingEverydayallday]

Liked❤as always 😊

[@chrislemaster2695]

Sandburg Mall (Galesburg IL)m off of US 34 and Carl Sandburg Mall was bigger and 35 miles away and then you had NorthWood's Mall (Peoria IL) was was bigger two story mall over 180 shops and only 35 miles from Galesburg and 80 miles for Burlington IA

[@wesleypeters4112]

It is pretty amazing that the clock is still in this mall. I can't remember if the clock is still in the one in Sioux City.

[@Karalainee]

The outside of the mall reminds me of a long gone mall in Springfield Mo called Northtown Mall. It had the same brick and blue metal awnings. I had to do a double take when I saw that.

[@allent7118]

Great video!!!

[@chrisexplores1]

LOVE THIS VIDEO! Can't wait for next week's video.

[@AnimeJSaysBah]

That mall was so seventies I was looking for the disco ball.

[@jenniferburchill3658]

I often wonder what's behind those walled-off areas. I wonder what remains of which stores could be found?

[@karmartdave]

I love this stuff!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks karmartdave!

[@heidiproudfit2041]

Dec. 11 an article came out, and You may have already heard, “PREIT” has filed bankruptcy. I don’t know how many malls they own, but our hometown mall - Woodland Mall of Grand Rapids, Michigan is in their list of assets. The mall still operates but it’s not what it use to be, nor full of stores anymore. I’m guessing there are others on the list.

[@benb8407]

I was never crazy about Woodland Mall was an alright mall haven't been to Woodland 8 or 9 years. Seems like it's still doing good having Von Maur, Versona just opened , they closed where I live The Crossroads Mall Kazoo. Abercrombie & Fitch just to name a few, was surprised they have an FYE never saw it when I was ever shopping at Woodland Mall. I hope no slum lord buys Woodland if PREIT sells the mall. Rivertown is where I shop if I go to GR get up there after Christmas Rivertown is my favorite mall in West Michigan.

[@uglyewok6715]

I grew up in the 80’s and early 90’s… It was truly the golden age of the powerful American consumer economy. We are a nation in decline. So many cultural institutions closed…Sears, Toys r Us,etc. I feel so sad for the young generations who will only see the decay of what once was. The end of the American Empire.

[@Shades_99]

Sandburg mall is up next?

[@NorthCdogg22]

3 minutes in and you already got it! Nice job!

[@robertmiller2104]

When GNC leaves a dead mall not good sign your right lose last 2 anchors and other chain stores dome for

[@fratzgame8272]

Malls are always dying, im scared if future people wont have the experience to shop in malls.

[@chrisexplores1]

is the mall the abandoned Sandburg Mall?

[@arobb4481]

RIP Guido's Pizza

[@timgerling6060]

I was just there today 😂

[@pluto7571]

hey man! late night and stumbled across your channel on accident while looking for some old Westland stores. really applaud the studying and effort you put into these videos. one question though! I worked in Westland from 2022-2023 at the Buckle. I know that specific Buckle location has been in the same spot for 20+ years. It may not be an anchor store, but Westland would definitely be much worse off if Buckle closed as well. is there any reason you didn’t make mention of it in either of your Westland episodes? either way I hope you’re doing well on your well deserved break. ps: Westland actually very very recently got bought out by yet another company named 4th Dimension Properties. Their portfolio of past work on dying malls is pretty great. Thought you’d find it interesting!

[@HenryRoss-wu4lo]

Another one

[@GEFMFost]

What is the beginning music being used? Love all this audio flavor.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thank you! The song at the beginning is the first track of the Kmart October 1989 store tracks album, it’s a delightful listen!

[@GEFMFost]

@@NorthCdogg22 that's so specific! Thank you buddy.

[@uglyewok6715]

Even Marshall’s is moving out of that mall…they are moving to a strip mall further into Burlington.

[@Alex.Culkin]

Your going to jasper mall in Jasper Alabama merry Christmas northclogg22

[@nick_stuff]

East hills mall St. Joseph Mo

[@bige8423]

Is there a site which has old directories for this place?

[@denial987]

Is the mall two weeks from now gonna be a Mills owned mall?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Nope, but I see why you think that! good guess!

[@VladMoneybagsThundershlong3rd]

This hurt to watch.

[@stevebayt145]

The question I have for you, aces, dan, unicom, etc. is why do malls have to have anchors.....? I don't get it.....customers will shop at a store wherever it is,,regardless of whether it is in a mall with an anchor or some isolated place.. I don't understand then need for anchors.

[@mariebelladonna437]

Okay, this is a very long comment, but bear with me here, and I'll try to explain it. I'm not a content creator. But I'm a huge dead mall enthusiast who has watched hundreds of dead mall videos, and done lots of my own research as well. Plus, I'm a child of the 80s, so I lived it, lol. The answer to your question, is in your comment itself. Customers will shop at a store no matter what. So why not put other stores around it, that will benefit from that traffic? Why build just an isolated store, when you can build a whole shopping center around it, and make even more money from it, by renting smaller stores to other companies? But the whole thing is dependent on having that anchor, that big store lots of people will shop at. The anchors are the big stores with big names, that brought the people to the malls. Originally, the anchors were the big, recognizable companies everybody knew. JCPenney's, Woolworths, Sears, Bon-Ton, even Kmart and Walmart were anchors at some point. All long-established, big, mostly all-purpose department stores that people used to go to all the time, constantly. They were go-to places to shop, because they had most of the things needed, in one place. They drew the foot traffic to the malls. The smaller stores, (called in-line tenants) especially back in the 60s and 70s, were much less well known. Even stores like Spencer's, Bath and Body Works, Claires, etc, that we all know now, were just starting out back then. Being newer and smaller, they couldn't draw nearly as much foot traffic by themselves, as the bigger, famous stores. By putting one big name store at one end of the mall, say, Sears, and another at the other, maybe Penney's (thus "anchoring" the mall), you'd get people walking from one end of the mall to the other, to shop, and stopping at the little stores along the way. Even if people only went to one or the other, having those big names was often enough to draw lots of shoppers, who then went into the mall because hey, they were there anyway, let's check it out. People spent so much time wandering around and shopping, that they got hungry, so food courts became a thing. And then, of course, in the late 70s to the early 90s, came the blossoming of the whole mall culture thing. Going to the mall wasn't just a shopping trip. It was a whole social experience. And it all starts with those anchors. But when the anchors go, so does a lot of the foot traffic. After all, if you're driving to a free-standing store like Walmart, which, after leaving malls, was something of a factor in their decline, why drive to a mall somewhere else, too? If you can get candles at Walmart and Funko Pops at the Gamestop in front of the Walmart, and lunch in the same parking lot, going to the mall for the same seems redundant. So after the anchor stores, places like Wicks'n'Sticks, comic book shops, and other specialty stores-smaller places with much less profit margin, and much less room for loss-start to fail. The food court goes. Then smaller places like mom and pop shops and bargain warehouses move in, but they could never do the kind of business that the original anchors and stores once did. Eventually, the mall ends up dead, and sometimes, abandoned. Some of this, maybe much of it, has to do with the shift in consumerism, to online shopping. But still, the bigger a store is, and the more it has to offer, the more people it will draw to it, and whatever is around it. That's why even dying malls try to keep their anchors occupied-even if that occupation is done by lesser-known names. Because the smaller specialty stores just don't have as much draw, and aren't going to bring as much traffic. No matter what. It was true of malls back then, it's still true to a point for malls now, and it's still true, in other ways. Think about that Walmart I mentioned earlier. I bet you have one where you live. And I bet it's surrounded by strip malls and fast food places and even little standalone stores in the parking lot, right? The Walmart is the anchor of that area. The strip malls are the in-line tenants. And the fast food places are the food court. EVERYBODY goes to Walmart. They draw TONS of business. So those other, smaller companies know if they build near a Walmart, they can benefit from that, because a lot of people who go to the Walmart will come to their businesses, too. Just because they're close. The Walmart is the whole draw to the shopping center. (Or at least the very biggest, and I'm not speaking strictly in terms of size.) The other places always come after. They probably wouldn't even have done that, wouldn't have even built where they did, for the most part, if the Walmart wasn't already there first. It's the exact same concept. Just a different way of doing it. The anchor stores in malls may be somewhat obsolete now. But it was once the very same way for them. I promise. Anyway, sorry this was so long, but I hope it helped you understand. Happy holidays to you! 😊

[@humanshrek1836]

What song is that in the intro?

[@NorthCdogg22]

It’s the first track of the October 1989 Kmart tracks album, it’s really a beautiful piece!

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

My phone service was off for awhile. But, I got it back on a couple of weeks ago. It's Christmas night, right now. I was missing uploads about dead malls. So, I thought come over and see what was going on.🤎