Exploring an 80's Time Capsule Dead Mall During its Final Days - Chambersburg Mall, PA

[@RaceLine25]

I met Santa a number of times in this mall as a kid. It was incredibly magical and I loved the place. I remember seeing Star Wars: Episode I and many other movies here over the years. I loved it. Sad to see it go.

[@MrChrisville37]

"When I get old will I become a mall walker? And then I realized I already am one." Nice quote! Totally cool mall, It's awesome you were able to document and preserve it's legacy on video forever.

[@RayOutThere]

Lol it was a real revelation I had in the moment

[@webvideofan]

The mall of my youth in the 80’s and 90’s before I moved to central Florida in 1998. My Mom worked at that Bon-Ton in the 80’s and later worked as a manager at the Fashion Bug in the mid 90’s. This mall was our taste of civilization and pop culture. It still holds a warm place in my memories from back then.

[@jnightingale1918]

I first visited this mall in 1995 and last visited in March 2022. The Chambersburg Mall did well from my perspective until around the time Value City left in 2008. By the time JC Penney and Sears closed in 2015 it was failing. I'm surprised in stayed open until June 2023. It was a nice mall and it's a shame it failed. I'll miss it and am glad people such as yourself took the time to show it before it closed. Thank you too for highlighting the Mall's great plants. The giant plant near the JC Penney is beautiful. I hope they found good homes when the mall closed. The mall staff took great care of them.

[@jeremy_wolfe]

Thanks for doing this one Ray. I grew up a few miles up the road from this mall. My first date was at the movie theater in the Chambersburg mall. One of my first kisses happened just outside the Mall theater entrance. So incredibly nostalgic watching this. Note: There were local rumors / legend even that shortly after the mall died but before it closed, a family of coyotes moved in and lived in what used to be a JC Penneys. There were many reports of coyote sightings.

[@Autumnspumpkin]

Loved the fun & upbeat 80’s music you paired with this tour! It made me see the vibrant former glory of this mall, rather than its dismal abandonment. I appreciated the special attention you gave to the indoor plants. I was looking at various modern mall photos yesterday & was gutted to see how none of them had plants. My favorite aspect of 80’s malls are big leafy greens thriving beneath the skylights. I don’t remember the last time I saw mall plants. I unfortunately never saw them in the 80’s either, because I wasn’t born then.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you! I wanted to use some sentimental 80's rock tracks rather than they usual vaporwave/synth

[@ShevaiAsan]

I still live in Chambersburg, PA, I'm 41. This was the place to be growing up; the Aladdin's Castle arcade was always fun; there were a lot of nice places to dine, tons of clothing and shoe stores from the era, even a Fries Etc for a quick bit of deep-fried chicken strips/home cut fries, or a hotdog on the rollers, etc. Also, make no mistake; that mall was always busy. You were walking down one side with lots of other people going the same direction, and people coming from the opposite direction in equal numbers; and then on the other side you had the same 'two lane traffic' thing happening, which is to say nothing of the people sitting on the myriad of benches and even on the stonework at all the plants. Chambersburg itself is a micropolitan in size, it has always had a lot of people, we're just spread out. I live in ACTUAL rural PA on the outside of Chambersburg, but that never stopped us from taking the 15-20 minute drive to the mall atleast twice a month. What actually killed the mall was Amazon and Walmart; as they have with most malls around the country. Cheaper prices, one-stop shopping; delivered to you or in a single large department store. Malls just had too much overhead and couldn't compete; despite offering a FAR better overall social experience. As the saying goes "Welcome to Walmart, get your shit and get out." I'll note that initially, Walmart had 40 check out lines that were always 10+ carts deep; now they're down to MAYBE 5 and a self-checkout area. Next to the Bonanza Steakhouse(ate there maybe four times, always great), the pizzaria was Brothers(Bros) Pizza, the guys that worked there were always exceptionally nice and pleasant and the pizza was nothing amazing; but it was always perfect; you know how commercials have that melty gooey cheese? That's exactly how that pizza was, they never skimped on the ingredients. Even as a child, I LOVED the architecture of the mall; everything just felt so well put together and thought out. The indoor fountains, the planters were always well taken care of for the plants within, the thumping music in the different stores and how the acoustics changed to a nice, calmer music when you made your way to the main halls. When you walked around; you always felt invited and comfortable; you never once felt 'at risk' or like someone was going to harass you. It was obscenely chill and relaxed. The holidays were ALWAYS amazing aswell, they went all out for each one; and even if you went there on an average mid-afternoon; it was always a joy. I miss that mall so much; my mom, sisters, brother and I would walk through and bounce around to all the stores and just spend a day or an evening there; just enjoying being out and about. Sadly, I hoped I'd be able to still spend atleast one day a week enjoying 'the loop' as you casually walk around and check out each store; not even looking for anything until you see it. I wish they'd renovate these and turn them into open community centers. For the gamers: I remember walking into the Electronics Boutique and being mesmerized by all the computer and console stuff for the first time; and the 30 year old manager walking around the store personally to talk to everyone and helping them find something, sparking up a conversation about the newest games and the industry in general. Sadly when EBGames pushed in, it all went downhill because it turned into edge-lord teens who ignored customers and never really cared to do anything out of the way, then you'd get 40 year old managers who just hated their lives and brought that to the job.

[@strengthtostandalone7131]

Ditto! Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@NoahHarbaugh]

It’s awesome! I got to walk around inside with my ex girlfriend before it closed down. This man is not lying when he says it’s like stepping back into the 80s cause it’s literally like stepping back in time! 😢R.I.P Chambersburg Mall!😢 (1982-2023)

[@Thomas-yr9ln]

Reminds me of when I was Teenager.

[@chrissasandlin8344]

Those plants were amazing and the mall itself looked like a great place to just walk and think.

[@RayOutThere]

That's why we need places like this, somewhere you can just go and vibe

[@thomastaylor1268]

J&K Toys wasn't really a toy store. They sold sports memorabilia, primarily NASCAR diecasts. The signs for the mall walker distance actually existed long before the mall's decline. I grew up very close to this mall and remember first noticing them in the late 90's to early 2000's. What you identified as a "pretzel stand" was Flamerz Burgers and Chicken. I worked there for about 10 months in 2006. The owner had three stores in the mall at one point, as well as opening a (still open) store at the Valley Mall. In 2007 he closed this location due to struggling profits and challenges with managing multiple stores. That dead wing was, surprisingly enough, the last prominent wing of the mall. Burlington moved in in 2009 when all the other anchor locations were still occupied. The mall declined a lot through the 2010's and they shutdown in 2018. There was also a Gold's Gym there that only existed a couple years. The owner passed away and no one in his family wanted the gym.

[@RayOutThere]

This was such a beautiful mall, I wish I could have seen it in its prime.

[@88Doug]

KB toys, was that the toy store there first maybe.

[@LikaLaruku]

I love the ceiling & the brick floor.

[@george.h5530]

So many Malls that have left the plant situation go and the fountains. I go to Oxford Valley Mall mostly every Sunday to walk since my heart attack and I’ve seen so many changes and even though it’s still a major awesome mall is sad to see how much has changed. Ray ,Happy Thanksgiving and many happy Thanksgiving Memories to you and your family. Happy Thanksgiving ALL! Thanks again, Ray for another great video.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you and happy thanksgiving to you!

[@GeeEm1313]

You too, good sir!

[@penguin4booz]

I grew up at this mall my wife and i would go on dates here the center of the mall was awesome they would have concerts there its sad to see my memories dwindle away

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

Great music choices! Also, this the was “mega chill Ray” voiceover edition! 🎉🎉🎉

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you! I wanted to try some sentimental rock tracks instead of the typical vapor/synthwave. I was kinda forced to do voiceover because the mall music was so loud. I hope it turned out alright, its not something I'm used to doing yet

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

@@RayOutThereit was great vid! It’s good to change up the normal flow and try your own style of the Dan Bell method! 🎉🎉🎉

[@RayOutThere]

I love Dan Bell and his work. I'm always trying to find ways to differentiate my videos from his and other creators. It's hard but I'm trying to find ways to be original

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

@@RayOutThereI think you really nailed it without being like others. Your style of random discovery and commentary without being fake corny or over the top is very good, stay with it! I hope you get the views, but even if you don’t, you still need these in your lineup! Have a good holiday!

[@tt6217]

I like the video‘s soundtrack. Thank you!

[@BlueJay6441]

Nice video Ray, I really enjoyed how you changed up your style, with the very smooth narration. Relaxing! This mall made me feel sentimental because it reminded me of the mall I grew up with, which is now closed. Thanks for taking us along again! Some of these places are real gems.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you so much! Voiceover is not my preferred style but some videos need it, and I will be using it for some of my future videos.

[@BenChod3]

Sad to see a dead directory. Pretty cool to see they didn’t update much and kept that 80’s look.

[@LikaLaruku]

Best untouched time capsule I've seen sine the Old Town Mall in Reno, NV.

[@ERA_Productions]

Great video! This mall was absolutely gorgeous, but also surreal. I still remember when I visited shortly after you. It was weird being the only one in there. Sucks to see another 80s Crown American gem bite the dust.

[@RayOutThere]

I love the Crown American malls, they felt like a trip back in time. I used to go to the Phillipsburg Mall, which is where my dead mall fascination started. I think there's only two left in my area

[@markstrouse3101]

I've seen 100's of videos on this mall but yours is the best. Went to Chambersburg several times but never got to go to this mall I always went to the Kmart.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@jackietatum2245]

this just may be your best video! love it!! thank you for sharing..

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!

[@NostalgiaFix81]

What a find! Such a great time capsule of a mall 👍

[@RayOutThere]

Yes it was!

[@bw2273]

Beautiful mall and thanks for getting out there. I tell people that Pennsylvania has so many spots like this that are trapped in time. I've been having a blast myself visiting them. And it's true: you CAN travel back in time; your video proves it. If you ever come back to Western PA/Northern WV/Western MD, I'd be happy to share some with ya!

[@jrcrum22]

I grew up in Chambersburg. Back in the 90’s this mall was the place to go to meet friends, buy cassette tapes and play in the arcade. I had a lot of fun there. To bad the younger generation won’t experience that.

[@JoeV-k5r]

Hi Ray another great video!! you never disappoint Enjoy thanksgiving!!!

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you, you too!!!

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

This was awesome to see, Ray. Stunning little mall. Such a shame that it's had to close.

[@RayOutThere]

It really is a shame. Thanks for watching!

[@taracluck8589]

One thing to note is that this mall is/was in a dry township. Each township in Pennsylvania has its own laws on alcohol. Maybe it may have been a sustainable mall if there were an "anchor" restaurant or two that sold alcohol. Prime example, consider the Valley Mall in Hagerstown, Md, not far away. They have several restaurants that serve alcohol. That mall is still thriving. As to the plant situation, you have to wonder with the way the world ("going green" concept) is that there were more plants in malls.

[@george.h5530]

There is a huge flea market on rt 30 going into Langcaster PA , it’s indoors and so nice many things to trigger memories and smiles.

[@RayOutThere]

I will have to check that out!

[@mbrooks5555]

Really enjoy your mall tours! North Hanover Mall in Hanover, PA is a soon to be dead mall, but it has a Black Rose (it moved from across the mall parking lot into the mall pretty recently). The mall itself has some past controversies and even a fire in a former Penney's. A Rural King moved into the old Sears about 2 years ago. If you haven't already, check it out!

[@RayOutThere]

I will have to hit that sometime in the future!

[@nobleinnovations4235]

Love ur vidoes bro! I'm only 25 but I remember going to the mall as a kid in the early 2000's.

[@RayOutThere]

thank you!!!

[@littlescavengercoyote173]

That big plant reminded me of the "mini jungles" that existed near the fountains at my local mall. My mom had to grab me as a little kid because I wanted to go exploring and vanish into them. And since it was the early 90's it was pretty much a giant, leafy ashtray 😅

[@RayOutThere]

Gross! But yeah I miss mall plants too, its rare to see good ones anymore.

[@dylansousa5571]

That Mall looks amazing

[@RayOutThere]

It was! Shame it had to close

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

Nice video Ray!

[@menace6741]

Looks like the West Manchester Mall in York, which was also a Crown American property,

[@TonyPunkRock]

You said that the antique mall was in the old sears, that entrance reminds me of Service Merchandise. The arched entrance.

[@RayOutThere]

It really didn't look like a Sears but apparently it was

[@leejtam0914]

my grandparents were mall walkers in the 90s and Id go a few times. I mostly remember the movie theater. I saw Mulan there. I remember there was a comic book store there, and I went to the gamestop

[@greeneyedbaldy]

I hadn't been to a mall in a really long time, but a couple of months ago I went to a nearby mall with my nephews. I was actually very surprised that it was still very much alive and kicking. There was a lot of people there and most of the storefronts were occupied. In a weird way I was sort of disappointed because after watching so many of your videos, I actually want to walk around a deserted mall on the brink of closure.

[@ckrtom2]

Such a retail wasteland we have everywhere!

[@deathproofmike8357]

Wish I could've made it to this one before it closed. I had no idea there was a Black Rose Antiques there. I live about a mile from the Phillipsburg Mall, so I used to spend hours there. I was kind of a mallrat in the 90s, so it's both nostalgic and a bit depressing to see these places closing.

[@novaumbreon-u1o]

I lived not that far from this mall and loved going to it every time I could even when I didn't have a license yet I rode my bike down to it in the last couple years it was open to just walk around or even check out stores I'm now 25 and it really sucked to hear that my childhood mall closed up after so many years, I remember when carmike cinemas was still their before AMC took over, the old gamestop and even some retro stores that still tried to make some cash in the mall, even when the antique store opened up I found a little wolf plush their that I still have just buying what I could with what little money I had at the time, I'm gonna really miss the mall as alot of my time with my parents grandparents and my older brother was spent their any time of the year, I really do hope that something comes around of that place but I do enjoy the video quite a bit^^ glad to see someone got what was the last few days before closing recorded for preservation keep up the great work

[@logdogs9974]

Is it still abandoned right now?

[@novaumbreon-u1o]

@logdogs9974 sadly yes from what I'm aware, nothing has been done to it but planning so far of what will be done to the building tho the entrances to drive in haven't been closed off I haven't personally been up their sense after they closed to see if anyone may of broke in or anything

[@R32R38]

The mall might be dead but Chambersburg is a major center for retail distribution and warehousing. Among other things it has big distribution centers for Target and Ulta Cosmetics.

[@RayOutThere]

That's probably what will replace this mall

[@Jones22_]

I really appreciate your channel and hard work, please dont forget to research abandoned factory in Mays Landing New Jersey, built in 1920 i believe and still standing today

[@RayOutThere]

I keep forgetting to check that out. I'll have to make a trip down there

[@tammyboykin5285]

Oh I've heard that so many times that old malls were going to be made into mixed use properties but nothing ever happens. My favorite mall that I used to work at and shop at before that is basically almost closed it's so sad and there's very few stores left and they keep talking about making a mixed-use place but so far nothing it's just so sad

[@vanye73]

Radioshack still has locations

[@RayOutThere]

Cool! Any in the Northeast?

[@vanye73]

New Holland Pa

[@graduationlover910]

Went here on 2022-08-14 and there was only a nail shop open. Gate was half closed

[@bb-gc2tx]

rumor is if you go that mall late at night you will see ghosts of teens from 1982 roaming the mall smoking ciggarettes wearing billy squier and van halen shirts on their way to the arcade to play pac man 🤣

[@edgarsaenz1565]

you should Check out Puente Hills Mall

[@RayOutThere]

That's a little far from me

[@edgarsaenz1565]

@@RayOutThere so is New York But I Went There

[@RayOutThere]

@@edgarsaenz1565 New York is an hour drive from me, California is on the other side of the country

[@edgarsaenz1565]

@@RayOutThere if I can Make it to New York from California so can you

[@Mark.Watson]

Hope the city gets a nice redevelopment plan.

[@shawnmyers1880]

Camelot Music

[@davidconrad3681]

Nice

[@RayOutThere]

Thanks

[@flashy2575]

The real thing is the old thing!

[@GeeEm1313]

I've stayed at a hotel there once.

[@LikaLaruku]

I actually know a youtuber who would buy that old can of pasta.

[@RayOutThere]

New England Wildlife?

[@BlizzyGT-i7e]

This mall kinda has a similar layout to the nittany mall in state college

[@BlizzyGT-i7e]

It is in pa and I’m pretty sure it was made by the same developer

[@chrismore5956]

Should see the Phillipsburg Mall it has been boarded which is ridiculous. As that mall seen better days and needs demolition. Seems like the Chambersburg Mall needs to be demolished and the property needs to be a new housing area seeing it’s in a rural location it would make sense for houses or apartments. For the property of the Phillipsburg Mall Kolhs should be in the Pohantcong Shopping Center to take the place of the Regal Cinnamas Theatre as that may close down being said. As it make sense for the property of the Phillipsburg Mall will become warehouses it would make sense for Kolhs to leave the area. Even though it has been roumering for this property to be a multi development a housing area may be the bigger option for the property.

[@Dfexnlife]

J and k was a collectable toy store, it was like nascar die-cast cars and not a toy store in the sense you think. Just collectable sports memorabilia

[@tammyboykin5285]

Kids today will never know

[@enigma02g]

I someone could explain why these are open? If every store is closed why keep them open for people to just walk around? Paying someone to maintain, open/close etc. Even if just a few stores are open just close off the mall except that section. The mall walkers aren't buying anything from closed stores

[@chm9935]

DEB liquidated not too long ago

[@RayOutThere]

Deb was cool! I remember the one in Phillipsburg looked straight outta 1989

[@chm9935]

"Mixed use" Smh Smh. Theyve been so hit or miss

[@RayOutThere]

Probably overpriced apartments and retail spaces that will sit vacant

[@chm9935]

Sadly the water damage did this mall in.

[@RayOutThere]

I heard that the Finish Line flooded badly shortly after my visit

[@MoviemaniaNick]

In 20-30 years Mall will be extinct!

[@RayOutThere]

Makes me so sad!