Forest Fair Mall Pt. I | the $500,000,000 "Great Experiment" | Expedition Log #30

[@stalkerstomper3304]

I drove that vehicle several times as a security guard for the mall one summer season I had off from college. The truck was called vehicle #2, or Bonnie, because of the little red riding hood sticker inside on the glove compartment. The vehicle's registration was dated 2008, but it hadn't been driven since early 2007. It didn't stop being driven because of employee lay offs either. A drugged out homeless couple died in that vehicle, and after the police investigation ended, we got used to driving the other 3 vehicles instead. Besides, nobody wanted to drive Bonnie again anyway. I mean, would YOU after 2 people died in it? No thanks. They nicknamed the truck from Bonnie to Boney instead as a joke, but truth be told, it wasn't funny, and everyone had the creeps about driving it again. Sometimes people try to hide their fears thru humor and making light of things. Still, it was tragic and thus creepy to want to step back into that damned thing again. Yup, like I said... no thanks. Weird seeing it just sit there tho now. Wow the memories.

[@sal]

Omg I love this memory!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[@gabenegron2373]

I did not know this, and considering the fact that I snuck around without knowing that story creeps me out now. Do you know how they managed to even get in the truck?

[@deendrew36]

I wonder why the security firm didn’t sell the car? Or something...seems like a huge waste to just leave it like that.

[@deendrew36]

I am also surprised no one stole the plates yet.

[@NayokeHenji]

Thank you so much for commenting this! It's so cool to hear about this.

[@cincybrick9202]

In 2000 I received a lifetime ban from this mall for putting 2 gallons of liquid dish soap in the fountain....... Went there yesterday. Looks like I won that one

[@sal]

lol wtf kind of idiot puts 2 GALLONS of dish soap in a mall fountain??? This is why we can’t have nice things

[@cincybrick9202]

Ha ha a 12-year-old idiot, I believe the mall was sold shortly after the bubble incident so I continued to go. In all seriousness Great video! I don’t really think about it much having grown up here 10 minutes away so it was kind of eye-opening to hear it told from an outside view. Another mall (tri-county mall) just minutes down the highway is very close to the same fate I believe they close the entire food court a few weeks ago

[@sal]

To be honest, if I saw a mall fountain spewing bubbles everywhere I would die laughing. And then I’d play in the bubbles lol

[@cincybrick9202]

My mom actually just admitted a few years ago that she had to wait to get me at security because she couldn’t stop laughing. I would’ve never thought that at the time LOL

[@williestyle35]

Awesome story. There used to be a decorative civic fountain in a near by city that would get the bubble treatment for homecoming and graduation and just for fun. The fountain was in a micro park at a major intersection, it was cool seeing the soap bubbles spilling out all over the streets. (:

[@243wayne1]

When Burlington Coat Factory pulls up stakes and moves out of your mall... *IT'S GAME OVER!*

[@HeyLookAtTheMoon]

GNC as well

[@SacredFire777]

And Wicker City.

[@meb4324]

Right

[@popcultureaddict733]

As long as they have a check cashing store and a nail salon they will be OK.

[@zachk2216]

BCF was the last surviving store at the Great mall in Olathe KS

[@Larry]

This mall always reminds me of the set of a '90s Nickelodeon game show.

[@burdturd69]

I subscribe to your channel. Didn't expect to see you here.

[@blizzmuzic]

Fun Fact: the screens at the playground played Nick shows

[@Lupin-kf1fy]

HOW ARE YOU IN EVERY COMMENT SECTION?

[@robertobrien7102]

@@blizzmuzic that playground is so sketchy these days

[@therandomarchive2183]

Hello You

[@AlienBarbers]

By far the most amazing feature of this mall is that the building is still open, since the few businesses of note can be reached from outside. The mall has been almost completely dead for the last 15 years or so. Despite the lack of maintenance, just paying the electric bills must be daunting. It has gone years and years and years without them ever even completely changing the signage from when it was Cincinnati Mills (I think they renamed it 'Cincinnati Mall' so they only had to repaint 2 letters on the signs) and they have never even changed the sign boards out front. This mall was ill-conceived in most every way. As others have said, it was positioned between two other malls, and those malls each had McAlpin's, which at the time was the #1 traditional department store in the region, Lazarus (now Macy's), and Sears. So those weren't available, and 4 of the 6 anchor were brands Cincinnatians had never heard of. On top of that, the highest growth areas and highest income suburbs were on the northeast side of town or farther north along I-75; this mall sits miles west of 75 on the 275 circle highway, so it wasn't well-positioned to get business from growth areas in Butler and Warren County. The sheer size of the place meant that inferior (low-volume) tenants were part of the picture from day 1. So the kind of tenants you see in dying malls today were present in this place at a time when prosperous malls had higher-traffic retailers. I remember for a while there was a store that sold insects; it looked like an insect hobbyist had set up the store for a couple thousand dollars because he only had to pay $100/month rent. And that was when the mall was relatively full. There is still a fair amount of business in the neighborhood outside this mall... the 3 largest grocery chains in Cincinnati are within a mile or so, and there are a decent number of restaurants near the mall. But that's a far cry from indicating the kind of market that will sustain 100+ stores or 1,500,000 square feet for much of anything. Especially since the neighboring malls, though still open, are in a state of deterioration which won't be helped by Sears closing in both of them.

[@UrkCMH]

As a native Cincinnatian who was there when it opened, I had only three words to say to the developers: Kenwood. Town. Centre. It dominated then and dominates now, ranked, I believe, amongst the ten most prosperous malls in the US in 2019.

[@fbtool]

And June 2022 it's still open, I was there last week!

[@cindyOC1]

@@fbtool wow !

[@susanholbrook4185]

a0a

[@cecilemoore2007]

The Titanic of shopping malls.

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

The shopping mall of Titanics.

[@Tuhueleamierda1991]

The shopping titanic of malls

[@MamaToFive]

@@Tuhueleamierda1991 The Mall of Shopping Titanics!!

[@ajbucher1201]

Am I the only one who loves to take naps to these videos. The music and his voice knock me out. In a good way

[@RyDawg084]

Nope..I nap to these also..in a good way eyes closed but still listening.

[@robdudley3867]

I loved Forest Fair. I bought my wife's engagement and wedding ring there. Loved playing in the Virtual Reality place by the food court in the early 90s. Also spent a lot of evenings playing NTN Trivia at Burbank's.

[@Stockholmray]

Stop getting into elevators which have not been serviced since god knows when.

[@GiovanniCloud]

This comment is one of my favorite comments ever!

[@GameparkGames]

Dude had some big balls doing that

[@Karmy.]

I rode in that elevator a couple times in the past year and it's incredibly sketchy

[@craigbathurst9839]

So why don’t they turn these malls into affordable housing with grocery store, Drs offices, etc.

[@martykeller1234]

@@craigbathurst9839 I would love to know that myself. This mall is in between my house and my parents.

[@MelvisVelour]

That underwater inspired shot you took is outstanding. There's are LOTS of photos ops in that building

[@mstiefan6996]

To see how bad a mall is, all it takes is an abandoned, dusty, trashed security car that hasn't been used possibly in over a decade to tell you.

[@missmoxie9188]

MSTie Fan love your Tom Servo in your profile picture

[@joejones9520]

imagine making it your life's purpose to fully restore that car, make it legal again and use it as your personal vehicle....so depressing to imagine!

[@NickanM]

"Accounting irregularities" Going to use that one next time I'm asking my hubby for extra shopping spree money.

[@tripplec9889]

I used to hang out there as a teen when it was Forest Fair Mall and Cincinnati Mills. We were excited about the new and improved mall BUT then all of these ridiculous dress codes aimed towards teens started being strictly enforced for example "No hats" "No sagging pants" etc. Needless to say that caused a lot of controversy and pretty much put an end to the weekend mall hang out. Ever since then it's been a down hill slope. We still would stop by occasionally to shop at Burlington or attend the fair outside the parking during the summers but that was about it. Oh I also used to go to the night club (Metropolis) every so often. It was fun.... Other than that I haven't been there in years, I moved to Kentucky. Surprised it's still standing. Great video!

[@ridcomics9364]

This shows how materialistic and shallow the world we live in has become. We build huge mega structures with millions of dollars just to watch them simply decay and fade away.

[@mariosoberal3342]

That's capitslism work. Let built it and see how is work.

[@gravyboat2370]

People don't intend for it to happen . They give it a go rather than doing nothing

[@trevorb7645]

Not the world..Mainly..America

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

you make it sound so evil, there are folks out there who build things to bring people together, yes, make money while at it, why not? If it's affordable, whats so bad about keeping currency flowing like blood through veins! but our enemies have come in, feeding the masses with what youre talking about right now, LIES~. Thats sad. So we should just be shoved into a box to live only to worship the state?!, systematically go to work for a certain amount of time then return to the box we are allotted to repeat? That is Disgusting.

[@SerPouncealot]

You should look into why it's like that now.

[@Orange_Laowai]

The $500,000,000 Nickeldoen stage set.

[@UniCommProductions]

the most astute description of this mall I've ever read

[@jj7958]

haha yes, nickelodeon would be proud.

[@cammymc1982]

My sister and I had that same thought. :D

[@PeterGriffin11]

Why Nickelodeon?

[@sal]

Clearly you are not a 90’s kid, Grandma

[@Frankyouknow]

This mall is beautiful! Hopefully it can be used again. I worry though now with all this social distancing people will just online shop. Sad 😔

[@destroyrebuild1387]

whoa i just called the number on the security car and some dude just answered lol. Im in california and its 3 am

[@lindsaya7086]

No you didn't! 😂 well, did you chat with him or what?

[@nanaloka3056]

I just called the number and there was a guy that answered !!

[@weareworkingonit]

Everyone call that number!

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

ask them how much for the security car! lol

[@torimachele5670]

😂😂😂 i started to call it

[@pizzachu2281]

I went up here yesterday for the still-active arcade. My parents lived close by after they got married. Nothing changed except for dwindling business. And also, I'm pretty sure those janitor buckets were in the same places. Less of them, but still.

[@loganhormann9972]

Arcade Legacy

[@brandonconstantine3853]

Wait.. the arcade within the mall is still open?! Is anything else still open within the mall?

[@Hubjeep]

Wow! Amazing to see a mall that shortly after opening was failing even back in the late 80's! The voice-over history is awesome, thank you!

[@sal]

Thank you for watching!

[@hiridavidfeign]

Without people in them, these spaces are so haunting, even when they're so cheery. The creative design of this mall is really good, and in surprisingly good condition. Thanks for this.

[@larsulrichfeetpics]

Ikr. It's just so odd to think at one time so many people were there having fun, and now it's so eerie and lonely. Sad, and creepy.

[@dmaxsba]

It will never cease to amaze me how many times this money pit has be bought and sold. These investors must be using this place as a money laundering service or have so much money to burn they need to spend it somewhere and if that is the case how do I market myself as a piece of shit mall and them toss millions of dollars my way? I promise a 0% return for their investment which is what it seems they are looking for.

[@laraoneal7284]

dmaxsba Excellent observation. Money laundering. Yes there are so many questions on these failing malls. I’ve thought there is a hidden agenda here. We are lied to in this country ABOUT EVERYTHING so why would this be any different.

[@brianvice1144]

It is used by private equity firms for write offs. If I'm not mistaken, the same firm that sunk Toys R Us owned this mall.

[@TaliaIGhul]

Can you imagine how crowded this place was at it's peak? I wish I could have seen that. Kinda sad how this is on the way out.

[@sal]

It was incredibly successful at grand opening...but it quickly fell off due to the oddball stores Hooker brought to the table from Oz.

[@lct8954]

I grew up near this mall. It was awesome. This mall had 2 night clubs 2 movie theaters. Was PACKED on holidays.

[@hamiltuckyparanormal5423]

It was definitely an awesome hangout and opening day was crazy packed

[@michaelabney3486]

Was right in the middle of it all.

[@katiemaryeprice7180]

Sal, this is just excellent. The time and attention you put into your research really shows. Keep up the fantastic work. I always look forward to your videos.

[@sal]

The research is what sets it apart....I always look forward to the research bit, and I can't wait to show you the next one :)

[@Angelfams]

I appreciate the research as well. It's thorough enough without being too long, and the old commercials rock. What is your methodology for determining the total investment into the mall? Every time the mall changes hands through a sale, that is not necessarily an added cost because the seller is recouping some of the original investment. Also on a technical note, it'd be nice to see more stability in your shots as you pan left and right; a more consistent audio mixing between your narration and background music.

[@sal]

Noted.

[@sal]

Thank you!

[@chrislaws4785]

You know, its actually sad how malls all over america are being left to fall apart. Because sure, we have online shopping now. But with online shopping you never know what your really getting, if its clothes if its the right fit, if its technology if uts even the real thing or actually works, you never get to hold and look at the product first, then you have to wait for days sometimes weeks to get, then if its the wrong thing you have to mail ot back and wait for a replacement. Id much rather go to a store, look at a physical item and if its the wrong thing or doesnt work or doesnt fit, be able to take it back and get a replacement ALL within the same day. But thats just me, id rather go to a store then shop online. Ive even driven hours just to get to the nearest store just to be able to get what i wanted that same day and be sure its what i want.

[@occdoc8423]

Me too.

[@curbkink76]

Maybe if people weren't trash it would be easier to get out, who knew? This is why we can't have nice things, trash has outbred quality and those with money would rather just stay SAFE and sane at home.

[@theerepenterakatheecomfort277]

not everyone is as logical as you are sir

[@alexander2685]

I review and have a idea what i am getting online never have i had to return anything and for the price i am willing to take a chance.😆And hi chris.🖑👍🤘

[@mootpoint7053]

Much less compulsive buying online though. And it's cheaper usually.

[@DubsEqualOpp]

Agree with Brian as an early subscriber and supporter its really cool to be a part and witness the exponential growth you have made in this channel and your exploration. Always top-notch from Sal! And thanks for the heads up for my trip there next week. Will make sure to see the infamous Security Car and get a picture to share in the discord chat! Excellent work Sal. I know this was a fun experience for you!

[@JReaLBiz86]

Being on the outside looking in, the issue I see with this location is that it must have been placed somewhere it wasn't needed, where there was no demand for a large retail/entertainment venue. I don't know what surrounds the area, I've never been to Cincinnati... but I know the Hanover, MD area needed a good space for retail and entertainment, and Arundel Mills (and now Maryland Live! Casino) are thriving in this area. I really hope someone takes this space and makes it something people appreciate and enjoy visiting. This is one of the most beautiful malls I've ever seen the inside of, it seems like it's so well done. Shame the condition it's in now. Thanks for the video!

[@angelawillis5084]

Ronald Wright Jr. this mall site in between two other malls that are less then 15 min away from each other

[@Turkeyslam]

I'm seeing so much more of this place in your video than I saw when I personally visited it in August. This is extremely well produced, thank you. This is the holy grail of dead malls that are still open. Absolutely fascinating and a must-see.

[@Karmy.]

Yeah it's pretty interesting

[@Turkeyslam]

It wasn't intentional, but I just realized the t-shirt I'm wearing is advertising Arcade Legacy, the only remaining internal tenant. Haha I was surprised you didn't acknowledge it, as it's likely the reason that entire mall space is still accessible to the public!

[@Jamesbond22855]

@@Turkeyslam I've been there recently and they have a gym, arcade legacy, some jump zone like place and maybe one other store, can't remember, didn't video anything, regrettably

[@jomama5186]

Whoa, thats a whole lotta mall. This stuff really breaks my heart. Thank you for recording them before thry are gone and your great story telling. Always a beautiful job.

[@justdane2720]

It looks like Orson Welles sampled the product a bit too much before he did the commercial LOL😅😅😂😂

[@vinesauceobscurities]

Which could actually have been the case. Lunch carts were supplied before shoots and Welles would often ask for Paul Masson cabernet. What a life.

[@ArgyleGroove]

I was going to say, his eyes say "I hate doing this kind of crap."

[@barrag3463]

@@ArgyleGroove to me, his eyes say "just let me drink in peace."

[@pika23]

This is a very famous out take segment! As soon as I saw it I was like Ahhh the French!...wine

[@rainscratch]

Welles was in financial trouble at this stage of his career, trying to finance a movie so he had to do demeaning jobs like this ad. Its sad to see a great talent wasted, and seems like he was wasted as well.

[@Wilma.Flintstone]

25:38 - wow, 'Steve and Barrys' is a name I haven't thought of in years! Used to love it and was sad when it closed. Amazing that the place still looks so clean and well taken care of, despite no one being there regularly.

[@zaccds]

I live near this mall and use to go there all the time back in 05-06 as they had a great retro game store. This place had a ton of problems though, for one rent was really expensive so stores would come and go in no time. It would attract a lot of problem youths and had little security to deal with them. There were also a lot of pop up stands that would yell at you to buy things. So you could hardly go anywhere without some kids doing jack ass things or an Indian guy yelling at you to buy his bootleg systems or a phone case. Not even a year after it's relaunch it was pretty much a ghost town.

[@melgon25]

Ugh, that’s the worse. Our mall (in a city not far from Milwaukee) is trying to revitalize. Their first order of business was to get out all the kiosks and no-name places. NOBODY wants the kiosk people harassing you! I have my doubts this will work but at least they’re trying.

[@fieldy69420]

Well considering the mall is in forest park. Not really the best of areas either.

[@mrmysterion5533]

I remember there was a knockoff Build A Bear in this mall during the 05-06 time period.

[@adimple79]

I actually went to this mall quite a bit back in 1998-2000. It was amazing back then! That nightclub you saw, I've been to under two different names: Bourbon Street, and Metropolis. It was really cool because there were like four different sections, each with a different theme and music type. I met one of my former boyfriends there at Bourbon Street. While we were dating, we used to meet up at the mall for dates quite a bit, because he lived on the far west end of the Cinci suburbs, and I lived on the far east end, and it was a neat place to meet in between. The food court had a bunch of different restaurants to choose from. There was a discount movie theater there. And there was a HUGE arcade area. Like, there was a central area with a mini golf course, and that was surrounded by arcade stuff, then there were three or four rooms of MORE arcade games. It was incredible! There was also a ferris wheel in the mall (I think where that bouncy thing is now). We thought it was the perfect place to have dates. I loved that place so much! I took my kids there last year to explore, and I was just so sad seeing how empty it is now. It breaks my heart! :'(

[@VandalDecaProductions]

Hey Sal, congrats on the 10k subs (one of your initial 500 here!) and this video is just so atmospheric and stylish. You did a fantastic job on the direction, the ambient score, all of it. That decade-old security vehicle is just chilling; the whole mall is like a pocket universe where a distant, post-collapse future is playing out in real time. Keep up the great work.

[@sal]

Isn’t it such an incredible place??? Thanks for the support, Brian!

[@Loader2K1]

Cincinnati, Ohio resident here. Forest Fair Mall used to be SO awesome in the 1990s. This mall used to have everything for everyone. While I didn't visit Forest Fair Mall much in my lifetime, I did enjoy it when I did. Seeing it empty now is making me think of the Willamette Mall from the video game Dead Rising minus the zombies and businesses.

[@EdgedShadow]

Time Out on the Court there was pretty much my friday nights as a teen in the mid - late 90s

[@melgon25]

Weird how it never made it to full occupancy though. Well, what I mean was, did that seem odd as a patron? Seeing empty stores during even its “hey day”?

[@Loader2K1]

@EdgedShadow: I remember that they once had those Virtuality games there back in the mid-'90s when there was a small push for virtual-reality entertainment. I played it, but the headset was heavy as hell. @Mel Gon: I can't answer your question because I honestly don't know.

[@allenschmitz9644]

@@Loader2K1 last time i was there 96' THEY HAD A WACK-A-MOLE GAME...and there were lots of people there.

[@Loader2K1]

@@allenschmitz9644: It was some good times up there back then.

[@sal]

EDIT: Nov. 5 2018 - 9:43p - At the 28:30-30:00 minute mark, it seems the audio encoding got carried away and it may be difficult to hear me. I’m sorry about that!!! I didn’t catch it until recently, and it takes nearly a whole day to encode from Premiere Pro, upload to KZbin, then let KZbin encode the footage itself...which it takes another day to get to 4K...it’s a lengthy process and it’s a bit too late to upload it again. Sorry about the glitch and I appreciate all your understanding!! Edit: As of Nov 2 at 12:30a EST we are now getting HD quality...but 4k still isn't in. Thanks to everyone that roughed it on 360p! I'd give it another look! You all rock!!! For some reason it’s only showing in 360p as of Nov 1 9:31p EST. If you could check back in a bit later to watch, it’s much more enjoyable in its native 4K, and I would only want you guys watching this in its best resolution. If it’s still not at 4K by morning, I’ll pull it and re-upload. Thanks :)

[@wilkiedriver]

As a matter of fact I will stop watching right now and wait for the 4k to come up! Congrats on 10k!

[@sal]

Thanks!!! It never usually takes this long for youtube to catch up...I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned.

[@crowmigration8245]

I enjoyed it. It's like watching a VHS which only increased the aesthetic.

[@sal]

It’s just embarrassing, though. I only want to produce quality content for you guys, and this just looks bad on the channel. I can assure you that it will kick into 4K, and if you see the difference, you’ll know why I’m this upset at youtube for dropping the ball

[@crowmigration8245]

@@sal Don't worry I plan on rewatching in 4k on my big screen TV tomorrow evening! Hopefully youtube gets it's act together by then.

[@lucybush9541]

Great job, seeing all these places, dreams lost, with great financial devastation, saddens my heart : (

[@collin4215]

Amazing video! This mall was nothing but a failure from year one. I appreciate how in depth you went into researching this mall. I can't see this mall succeeding as a retail center. Retail has failed so many times here that anyone with half a brain wouldn't try to stick a store into this building. Although I feel that rather than keeping count of how much money was spent her, people should keep track how many times the owners tried to "revitalize" it. The amount of revitalization attempts her is astounding. The mall appears abandoned with the amount of graffiti and disrepair. Great work :)

[@dbrown6941]

This was a terrific mall. Loved it back in the early 90's. Nightlife was great, there was a whole wing of bars, a piano bar, sports bars, dancing. They had it all.

[@jasoncarskadon6809]

Sal this the best one yet. It's crazy how big this place is and it just never went anywhere.

[@awesometylerable]

omfg I *love* that goddamned commercial *AAHHHH THE FRENCH*

[@sal]

orson shall serve no wine before its time :). and before he gets to the bottle...

[@BananaPoodle2]

Sorry, another comment! When you mentioned the 2008 license plate, it reminded me of how my brother noticed the elevator license expired in like 1997 or something crazy like that.

[@yuranicelady]

You have a nice narration voice and the music adds a nice touch. So unsettling to think how much went into making such a massive structure only to be left to ruins. Kind of feels like a metaphor for the world. But as long as we’re still here, we’ve got something.

[@LindaFromSeaAtTull]

A sad, yet beautiful mall.

[@Karmy.]

Agreed

[@bruno8241]

Boy, this place was awesome in its day! we hung out here every weekend in my high school years '86-'89....The movies were only $1.00 at the theaters...

[@Joe2Jamarr]

This is still my favorite place in the world. It’s only 5 minutes from me and I still come and walk around at least once or twice a month.. spent all of highschool fucking around In this place

[@amywalker3684]

I worked at Parisian, in this mall, for about 4 years. Business was pretty good, circa 1990. Then it went down hill fast. This place is huge. I'm sure there are spaces there that were NEVER filled. They seemed to think a snobby, upscale mall would go over. But it flopped big time. I do have many great memories of working there, though.

[@BethanyB86]

I lived in Ohio until 2010, when I saw that license plate I knew it was at least 11 years old. It was registered in February 2007, expired February 2008. I had that plate style on my car I bought in 07. I’m about 10 minutes in and it’s just depressing the outside of it. I remember Steve and Barry’s I worked at the one in Chapel Hill Mall in Akron Ohio in 2007 for a few months. Last I heard that mall is dying too. Congratulations on 10K subscribers!!!

[@melgon25]

I think every mall ended up with a Steve and Barry’s briefly.

[@lincolnchiller1274]

Beth 1986 i live in the akron area and visited chapel hill mall over the summer and sadly yes, the mall I remember thriving as a child is dying. The fountain was shut off and all i can remember is around Christmas time seeing the huge snowman and throwing change in the fountain

[@DBradshaw25]

I've been through Ohio and frankly most of the state now appears to have dwindled away. I think a lot of people have moved to other states for better opportunities. I wonder how it will look in the next census.

[@cumulus1234]

DBradshaw25 From what I read other states don’t have better opportunities and no proof or evidence,and I know people are moving to Ohio from West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky for jobs such as welding and engineering. Malls have nothing to do with the economy. People are shopping differently . They should have used that space for something else.

[@dsouth7754]

Here's a chunk of my childhood right here. In the late 90's, my mom worked at the Bigs hypermarket there. The mall itself was gorgeous and huge (but when you're a kid, everything seemed big). The mall's main promenade was like a carnival with lots of arcade cabinets lining the walkways, mini-golf, bumper cars, a ferris wheel and a carousel. Oh, how nostalgia often gets grounded by reality, though. Thanks for this video.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

OMG You just had to put "Macintosh Pro" playing in the background starting at 19:00! LOL That song is such a meme now!

[@Joe2Jamarr]

Awesome to see you made a video on my favorite place! Spent my childhood shopping here with my family, and for the better part of 10 years now it’s been abandoned like this. All through highschool me and all my buddies would come here every day after school to just walk around, or skip class and come walk around in the mornings, even though there isn’t a store open in the place we loved coming here. You can still sneak into the movie theater and go into every empty theater room and see the screens, and all the old history left behind.. I still come here and walk around a couple times a month. Love this mall!

[@Joe2Jamarr]

5:44 there was an extremely violent homeless man who used to live in this staircase and if you open that little trapdoor in the wall there’s a whole empty shelter/room that he used to live in. We would come visit on the weekends after midnight and leave him food until he screamed “YOU WANT TO GET STUCK!?” And came flying up the stairs, and we ran to the car and took off. We saw him standing at the doors as we drove off and from that point only stopped by to start shit with him. Not proud of that, but that’s what we thought was fun in highschool I guess. So many memories in this mall, i have a million more

[@khunopie9159]

Dude, this is great! You really are the Christopher Columbus of expeditioners! The Dali of loggers! The Mozart of dead malls! Mad respect bruh!

[@sal]

I love this comment so much

[@rg444]

Following you through "Forest Fair Mall" my mind was flooded with the awesome possibilities that all of the wasted space presented, Can you imagine if the right team of developers would put their heads together , the possibilities are limitless, all types of private apartments, offices, recreational opportunities,supermarkets, eating establishments of all kinds, day care for the tenants, even church's and a school and on and on...with the rights heads together, it could be developed owned and operated by the tenants themselves. what a thought, I don't suppose that anyone thought of that themselves...again Sal, great job!

[@sal]

There are so many possible uses for these spaces...I so wish developers would make better use of them!!

[@Karmy.]

Orson Welles in that clip reminds me of Dan Bell Also R.I.P. Comp USA :(

[@ArgyleGroove]

A friend of mine met Dan, and noted how incredibly rude he was. I was honestly a little shocked and saddened to hear it. I keep telling myself though that maybe he just met him on a bad day, of which everyone has at least one.

[@sal]

:(

[@mrmysterion5533]

@@ArgyleGroove I've heard other people say he was kind, so your friend may have indeed met him on a bad day.

[@rouka120]

Orson looked incredibly drunk during that commercial. He has obviously taken a few sips of that champagne before he began.

[@cordeliachase601]

Seeing this mall, and knowing all the teens in the 90's who hung out here after school or weekends, parents shopping, etc. It's really sad.

[@Clay3613]

Theory about the theming, Cincinnati is right on the river separating it from Kentucky, with the Newport Aquarium being on the other side.

[@volkischfrau2957]

I love the colors and aesthetic of this mall, it's very whimsical and soothing to me.

[@ShadowFudo]

I'm always afraid to go to dead malls at night, I always do my documenting during the day because of it. Excited to see what part two will look like cause I've never seen a dead mall at night!

[@sal]

I’m so excited to show you!!! I’ll have it out in the next couple days!

[@musebychloe]

wow, i grew up in this mall. my family and i would go almost every weekend. brings back so many memories

[@erikpotts1453]

I almost never watch long-form content because I get bored/distracted easily. This however, I couldn't bring myself to look away, so much interesting stuff going on. Thanks for the great video Sal!

[@sal]

Thank you Erik! This means a ton to me!

[@michaelbracken5049]

I like weenies

[@TheDoctorJC]

I'm sure this mall was in better shape when the gangs used to shoot at each other there from 1992-93. At least it was giving somebody shelter. Then the food court fire to give everyone warmth. Anyone else remember the good ol' days? ;)

[@TheDoctorJC]

@@watershed44Nope. You'd be surprised by how many white boys were in those gangs.

[@jameskettler9808]

As a resident of this part of Cincinnati I saw the mall buildt and crash into the condition its in right now. The restaurant in the upper level you were at was a ribs place with a bar. Across from it was a Ruby Tuesdays. All of the colorfull aspects of this mall were done in 2004 after it was remodeled the last and final time. It had one befor that …..and a partial before that. Forest park is a high crime part of town. It was put in the wrong area of town. Most people were afraid to go on there because of the gangs.

[@heraldo2881]

Great information

[@keldonmcfarland2969]

Durp! There you go. Crime and criminality is a major cost in the US in lost opportunity costs, sunk investments, higher insurance, the need for more security, and the cost of prosecuting and housing criminals. Very sad.

[@laraoneal7284]

James Kettler Very interesting. Thanks.

[@leegraves8878]

So the thirteen percent won again?

[@amygirl5678]

@donioshio Not to Mention Kenwood Towne Centre and Eastgate Mall also in the area though both are farther away. Unfortunately for Tri-County it's leaning towards ending in the same dead fate as the Cincinnati Mall. Northgate is much smaller so is still hanging on. Kenwood is probably the real winner of the Cincinnati Mall Race thanks to it's location near Blue Ash/Indian Hills and it's Higher End Stores (they just got the relocated Tiffany and Co store and a Louis Vuitton.)

[@tlh2188]

This was my family’s go-to mall as a child. I remember riding the Ferris wheel each visit. Saw Jurassic Park, Hook, Aladdin, Home Alone, and so many others at the theater there. Haven’t stepped inside since 2007.

[@cincy.a.l.w3219]

That place was thriving in the nineties. Time out zone, Cinemas, Biggs grocery store. Bass Pro Shop is the only thing at the end of that mall keeping it there. Once they go, it'll go. They are talking about turning into apartment housing . Sad, I remember good childhood memories in that dump

[@Wesley_C]

Hey Sal, this mall has not abandoned, these stores has retired, even that Game Store here is now opening, alive, great video.

[@scottonasch8819]

Wow, really cool. I love the food court concept as well. Very surprised they're keeping it open so far given how little seems to be left and how bad/dangerous some of the unused portions seem to be. Malls don't seem to be a concept that go over terribly well in Ohio, even more so than other parts of the country. The abandoned security vehicle was insane. Congrats on your subscriber milestone and will definitely look forward to part 2 and all your videos as always!

[@cumulus1234]

Scott Onasch Malls are not doing well anywhere.

[@Noone9227]

I’m from Cincinnati. The guy behind the building of this mall was insane. This originally started out as a highly upscale mall. The upscale anchors that were first in this mall didn’t want to be part of it. So, the owner bought controlling interest in the stores. First, Cincinnati is fully of cheap Germans. Such an upscale endeavor would never work here. Cincinnatians came out of the woodwork to visit due to the novelty but quickly starting staying away. Secondly, it was in a working class area of town. Thirdly, it was located in an area that was largely not easily accessible (not being along major arterial interstate highways). Also, it was close to two already well established malls, one of being the first major suburban mall in the city that went through a renovation and expansion to become the city’s largest mall around that time. The upscale version of the mall very quickly failed. So, over the years they tried various discount strategies. Temporarily, the mall would make a brief comeback only to quickly die again because of the mall being largely inaccessible. One of those attempts brought in a Saks Fifth Avenue outlet. They failed because of the outlet mall built in Monroe not long afterward, where Off 5th moved to. Until late in the game, the condition of the mall stayed in pretty good shape. I went up there around 2014 after not having been there in probably five years (there was no reason to go there nor was it very convenient to visit). I was surprised during that 2014 visit how quickly the mall had deteriorated.....cracks in the sidewalk, grass growing out of the cracks, deterioration and rust in the entryways. I used to like visiting when the mall first opened. My little brother loved the amusement park. Could have been a very good idea, but it was poorly located.....I doubt it could have been supported in any area of Cincinnati.

[@sal]

Amazing insight, thank you so much!

[@Noone9227]

Sal The mentality in Cincinnati is if they don’t see the word “sale“, they don’t come. I worked at a discount department store that is no longer in business when I was on summer break from college. It was called Hills. Hills had everyday low prices and never put out an ad. They bought Gold Circle in Cincinnati. They quickly learned their strategies did not work in the Cincinnati market and started putting an ad in the paper. However, the prices in the ad were the prices that the items were every day. Everyone that came into the store and referred to something in the ad referred to it as it being on “sale“. (Hills sucked, treated all their employees like thieves, and had managers that were flunkies, but that’s another story.)

[@cumulus1234]

John Smith I know that the land is valuable so somebody will want that land for something better

[@jeraldharden5098]

There was a ferris wheel and rollercoaster and other rides in forest fair mall in its heyday.

[@theMermaidRhonda]

Don't forget the ice skating rink that was also there..

[@carolynbonang2254]

Sounds like it was a fun mall

[@bladerunner1b]

@@carolynbonang2254 Oh it was! For about a year. Not sure that constitutes a "heyday" - but what do i know

[@aprilleerose]

And the famous dollar movie theater

[@charliestout2815]

What about the tace car driver and balls that would move up and down

[@bobfitzpatrick8952]

One of the things that hurt this mall was being so close to another huge mall, a more established one, Tri-County. I've been here a few times, but I think that was in the early 90's. My late aunt used to shop at Tri-County. Still sad though.

[@zudemaster]

I visited this mall quite often during its heyday back in the 1990s. If you could see what it once was you would be amazed. Inside in the center of the mall was a huge massive video gameroom, a ferris wheel, bumper cars, almost like a mini-amusement park inside the mall. Lazer Tag arena, Two different sets of movie theaters. I wish at the time I would have thought to take pictures of video of the inside as it was, but you really never expect something to turn out this way. I visit it a couple times a year now, its almost scary to walk through as it is alone. In the summer it is hot inside, in the winter it is cold. No power to the escalators, the elevator makes a loud clunky noise. in all fairness the place probably should be demolished now. There is no going back. Less than 5 miles away there is another shopping mall which sucked a lot of business away from this one. As it is now the land is probably more valuable than the building itself.

[@gussmedways]

I'm blown away by this location. I'm in the UK and the nearest "Mall" to me is the West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton. It has 800,000sq ft of retail space over three floors. A baby in comparison. What a shame the food court is redundant and out of sight / mind of so many. It is a work of art. Thanks for your fantastic channel and keep up the good work!

[@jessie4127]

I live in Cincinnati, on the west side, but I had been to this mall before. I remember a trip there with my father. The rides, the movie. Its interesting to see. Like surf Cincinnati. I guess I thought those things would always be there, when I was young.

[@doylebrooks9318]

I really enjoy your mall videos. The in-depth commentary is done very well. It astounds me how these mega structures sit empty.

[@SideshowRob]

Video just showed up in my suggested videos, and now binge watching your videos. Great chill commentary love it! Subbed

[@sal]

Glad my work found its way to you! Thanks for the sub :)

[@johnclark5502]

Considering how long it's been closed it's in remarkably good shape. There's a fitness center still open along with Bass Pro, the arcade store, Kohl's and a police training center. Seniors use it for bad weather exercise. The food court finally closed when the ventilation fans failed. The nightclub closed due to constant fights and police calls. The neighborhood is really not that bad, as I just bought a house in walking distance.

[@MichaelBatmanKeaton]

Smh the should just bring it up to code and make the stores into apartments or lofts that would bring in money quick

[@popcultureaddict733]

This mall is in a industrial area. Bad idea. They should bulldoze it.

[@dcaseng]

Nobody wants to live in an industrial zone.

[@pocketsizeforyourtravelcon3325]

I spent a lot of time at this mall as a kid, back when it was still Forest Fair Mall in the 90s. I loved the billiard ball sculpture that was across from Biggs, the grocery store that used to be inside. The billiard sculpture would constantly move and make fun sounds. I remember playing in the giant sand box they created in the middle of the mall, that was a lot of fun. My grandma used to take me in there and we'd play putt putt and ride the ferris wheel and carousel. I believe I saw James and the Giant Peach in the old Super Saver Cinema that was there. It was always lit up so brightly and fun to walk by. The mall may have faded, but my happy memories of what it used to be will not fade. It's depressing now, but back in the 90s and early 2000s this mall was so popular.

[@rickygreengiant]

Such a gorgeous mall. If that mall was here in Southern California, it would have THRIVED... I have yet to see a mall her that isnt always packed.

[@allstaraction]

I was there the day the mall reopened in 2004. It was such a beautiful mall. I live about 2 minutes from the mall and drive past it daily. Sad to see it in such rough condition when I remember it full of life. The odd thing is, is I drive by it and don’t exactly notice it anymore. Thanks for the video. Brought back tons of memories from when it was thriving.

[@artscollab]

😆 17:35 “I wonder if that dog has actually pooped in this mall before.”

[@mwmaster]

Much like the Myrtle Beach Mall in SC, BassPro is the only thing keeping the mall from going fully abandoned. Crazy. Great video, Sal!

[@samanthahicks3333]

I can only imagine The amount of mold inside the walls and ceilings

[@smokestackwriting4263]

Noticed someone else mentioned the arcade, which is a pretty cool place (all-you-can-play entry fee style). Last I was there, it also served as an indie used home game and console store. Also wanted to say that one store you mentioned, Dawahares, is actually pronounced "Daw-hairs." It was a fairly successful family-owned regional clothing store in the 80's-90's, started in near-by Lexington, KY (and colloquially called Doll Hairs). They are no longer in business. I went to this mall as a kid and was blown away by the sheer enormity of it. Went back just a couple years ago to go to the aforementioned arcade, having no idea it was housed in the same building. It hit me that I had been there some 20 years before as I was walking thru the main mall. Crazy nostalgia trip like none other. Thanks for the video!

[@michaelstorm7552]

I really want that old security vehicle that Ford Escape I want it with a passion

[@Karmy.]

Anything would be better than letting it sit there

[@UniCommProductions]

Not if I get to it first.

[@stevenboswell220]

Well we all can try, but who knows

[@timshelby2324]

Sat for 10 years neglected , wave it off Mike .

[@zudemaster]

It wouldn't be worth having. Sitting those many years with no maintenance or not running, everything would dry rot. The tires, all the gaskets, the interior. Maybe if you were looking for a parts vehicle to restore another one similar to it, but that's about it. You can buy those older Escapes a dime a dozen anyways.

[@herbiedefoe]

I live only 15 minutes away from forest fair mall and love taking walks in it and going to the arcade. It really takes you back to the mid 2000s

[@Ad_Astra_321]

I'd love to hear what a Feng shui specialist would have to say about this. There's a reason it just cannot ever get off the ground. Hmmm.

[@mb-ql1gb]

This is a wonderful Mall, so much detail everywhere, looks great

[@mrmiles1968]

wow, what a huge mall. Amazing mall, amazing expedition Sal!

[@sal]

Thanks, Frien :)

[@governmentscheisse]

I have so many memories from when I was kid at this place. Mini golf, the arcade, the Ferris wheel... it truly had everything and it makes me genuinely sad to see what was once a marvel completely empty.

[@sabrinagabrielle432]

I’m late but I stumbled onto this and my mind is blown. I worked here in 2010 when Claire’s was open. It was depressing then and even worse now. My mind is blown.

[@sal]

Such a massive, cold, barren structure...

[@sabrinagabrielle432]

Sal I used to be terrified when I worked there. I would work alone and have to close the store. It was a feeling of such an intense sadness walking through there. I had to get food at Bass Pro because everything else was closed. Thank you for doing this. I was just thinking about this place the other day! Edit to add: I’m from South Jersey. I wasn’t in Ohio long when I got transferred to that store. I could never understand why something so beautiful went to such waste.

[@sal]

Jesus that’s frightening. I grew up in south jersey (more central) too, and this mall was shocking.

[@MrButch-ls8vl]

Sal, I think this is the best one of your series. The story of this place unfolds like a Greek Tragedy. The architecture is interesting ... so unlike the bland and banal mall structures that are so commonplace. Okay, I am now a subscriber!

[@valenciasmith3608]

that Orson Welles commercial was a hoot! HAHAHA!! You sold me. I have totally subscribed now. This is my cure for slow work days at the desk. :)

[@sal]

Haha thanks !!! I have little secrets hidden throughout most of the ExLog series ;)

[@erichicks2978]

I have a couple of mall here in Indianapolis, one is the Eastgate the other is the Washington Square mall. I am sure they are both dying a slow death. Mostly due to the surrounding neighborhoods which are mostly terrible areas of town.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Superb, That comment, Drywalling Mishap, had me dying,lol,Full view and watching for that next log

[@sal]

haha what else could it be???? there's no way that someone designed that....it's hideous

[@melgon25]

Was it a wall put in after the fact? I know our mall, which is TRYING desperately to revitalize, put in walls for huge store to take over various wings. So, the mall just stops where you formerly used to walk down to say, JC Penney anchor store. It’s very odd. We had someone buy our mall and they are definitely improving things but I can’t imagine it ever being very successful. It’s sad but true.

[@unknown_guy5366]

The music at the latter half really shows the dramatic and rapid fall of this mall. Nice.

[@asherrivers3740]

The restaurant at the 34:43 mark, was Ruby Tuesdays. I remember eating there when I was really young.

[@MollyAnne79]

I think it was some sort of Japanese Fusion type restaurant after RT left. It was not there long. But it was remodeled for that.

[@jpmusik6969]

I used to go to this mall all the time... I'm sad nothing is left but I really enjoy walking here and reliving the nostalgia

[@joshuablair7691]

The club was called Metropolis originally and actually was 3 different themed clubs inside. I used to go there in my 20's.

[@fieldy69420]

Must have only been called the place to be for like a year or so once metropolis closed. Also went there in my 20's

[@dgardner7259]

What was the three themes? Live Music?

[@amishcar]

@@dgardner7259 Well i remember them having a Country Bar, Believe one was Dance themed music and the other i can't remember. Went there sometime in the mid to later 90s. Used to live in that around 1991-1992 i was there so much. The bar concept was really cool because you could walk thru it and wander into different music and folks who liked the different music. Oh it was DJ or jukebox music when i was there.

[@fana406]

I used to go there to get my mangina banged around! Those were the days!

[@RichardMNixon-zh6uz]

Bourbon Street. Aroo.

[@amandavalenza4548]

This looks like it would’ve been amazing to shop in. What cool architecture and such potential.

[@LegacyThoughts]

Arcade Legacy was going strong for awhile. It's still open in your video. Really odd because you had to walk half way through a dead mall to get to it. A lot of people actually go to the mall just to jog in the winter. The mall is practically open, with almost no stores left in it. Bass Pro Shop is still open and might be the largest store still operating out of that mall.

[@sal]

Correct. I went back recently to check up on the mall and I will have a new video at some point which showcases this enigma that is the lone survivor in a completely empty mall.

[@gggirl881]

LOVE your Orson Welles commercial.....I wish all video commercials were like this! I would gladly watch! Great Job!👍

[@justinrumsey6613]

You need to come down to Atlanta and do a video about Gwinnett Place Mall. It's on it's last leg and will properly be closed/demo'ed soon. Its also where the mall scene for Stranger Things was filmed.

[@andrewdiamond2697]

Whoa. I left Gwinnett Co. 13 years ago. Gwinnett Place Mall may have been the most popular in Georgia behind Lenox in the 1980s -1990s. But when Mall of Georgia and Discover Mills (now Sugarloaf Mills) opened, I lived closer to those and no longer felt the need to go to Gwinnett Place. Based on your comment, I'm not the only one who didn't return.

[@katec4369]

Justin Rumsey I can remember when they broke ground for that mall . Used to hang out on the bridge on Steve Reynolds that crossed 85, and party

[@MichaelGrabowskii]

Oh God was I in stitches at the Orson Welles commercial bit, you'd love "The Critic" it's available on KZbin in its two season entirety and they routinely lampoon the late Mr.Welles' commercial enterprises quite hilariously. Awesome video!