Golf Mill: A Mall on the Edge | 2020 Mall Tour

[@JohnAckerman31]

I remember coming here when I was little. My mom and I would mainly go to Harlem Irving Plaza since we lived right by it, but we would come here too. I remember a lot of the stores like Sears, Kohl’s, KB Toys, Spencer gifts, and Target. It’s just sad as to what has happened to this mall. The main problem is that these developers don’t know how to spend money to give the mall a modern look. Another thing that is affecting the mall is the shift from plain and simple to luxury. Today, people are into high end fashion. I’m a plain and simple guy. A little while ago, my friends and I went to Nordstrom. I saw a pair of jeans on a rack for 200 dollars. I thought who would want to spend this kind of money on clothes? It’s just unbelievable as to what people want nowadays. Another thing is online shopping. Amazon is hurting most retailers who are trying to compete with them. It’s tough these days for small retailers to compete with a multi billion dollar company. I just wish some of these retailers would come back, especially Sears.

[@misterhot9163]

There was a Waldenbooks right across from the Ross. I worked there in 1995. I came back to visit back in October for the first time in 25 years, and I wanted to cry when I saw what it’s become.

[@ProspectElevators]

Just getting sadder and sadder each year, you can tell this mall may very well be on it's last legs, for the interior portions anyways

[@mitchellkelly3955]

Yeah because they lost Sears in 2018 and they recently lost Kohl's

[@LostDepartments]

I was amazed by how far it declined since the last time I was here.

[@DalmationProductions]

@@mitchellkelly3955 it actually called Sears not Sear's

[@williampavichevich5608]

Where does One Start and End with this Mall❓, is the Best ❓ If it were not for the Office units, in the Golfball shaped Tower and the JC PENNY, this Mall would have SHUT DOWN by now. I enjoyed this Mall when it was happening.Who could blame anyone. This Mall could have had and still could have Hope to it had they, or should they add some Ice skating Rink Inside the Abandoned SEARS Property, followed by ,with a NEW Food court. The current Food Court, with the Loss of McDonalds years ago, and Sbarro as well as Great Steak & Potato, really drove the Food Court to go South.👎🏼 They Should have added either a Popeyes or KFC, a WING STOP, even a TACO BURRITO KING (TBK) . For Pizza, A Loalmanatis etc. The other major problem, is that the Exterior of the property looks very Beaten down and Outdated. No signage on either The Entrances/Exits of #8, 6, or 4. 👎🏼 JC PENNY Building needed remodeling years ago, and both the Front Entrance/Exit and Side Entrance and Exit remind me more of doors youd Open and Close at your Local Post Office, rather than a Galleria or Plaza. The Western side of the Exterior of the Mall opposite to the Foodcourt, Looks Uninviting and Never well Marketed. They should have gotten Rid Immediately of that OLD Outdated Signage on both the Western Side and North Eastern side of the Mall. 'WELCOME To The MILL' Is what the Signage should have read to attract Patrons. This Mall had chances to grow despite nearby competition, but it was due to Improper Upkeeping or Pure Laziness. Theres a reason why GOLF MILL MALL finds itself on these DEAD MALL Series videos. My 2 cents.😥👎🏼 I still walk through this Mall Plaza from Time to Time.

[@earthling1984]

I feel like that Gloria Jean's Coffee has been there forever (If I remember correctly). I was born in 84 and hung out at this mall all the time. I wasn't into coffee, but I think they also sold some chocolate and other snacks. I remember being in there.

[@NMG161]

Sprint and T-Mobile recently merged, so that’s probably the reason for the two stores-they’ve yet to sort out which one to call redundant.

[@kekameme]

I remember the Disney Store here!

[@BoratWanksta]

If you didn't know, Subway actually closed for good at the end of September 2020! Sadly, that's how bad Golf Mill is getting, if it can't hold onto Subway. BTW, Subway was the only food court tenant that bothered to move from the south food court part(torn out for Ulta), to the north part. All the others either moved out, or moved to an outparcel or a nearby strip mall not too far away(i.e. Panda Express). I jokingly call the Sears wing(between center court and up to the old Sears, NOT the separated unrenovated north wing going to Value City Furniture and etc) the Gloria Jean's wing, due to the fact it obviously seems to have a local niche of customers(some older) who always order drinks and snacks there, each time I've visited here. Also eventually(due to hearing word Niles approved it), Chick-Fil-A will soon be building a standalone restaurant and drive-thru location just north of Target, on the southeast corner of Golf and Greenwood. Within Golf Mill's parking lot. Finally, you were talking about the renovations of Golf Mill and Woodfield, at the part of the video where you walked near the AMC theater. Golf Mill used to look more interesting on the inside, and didn't look as bland before that 2006/2007 renovation that was done by General Growth/GGP. Woodfield did a 2010s(forget exact year it occurred) renovation, where sadly a LOT of the Taubman company charm was annoyingly scrapped. And seriously, what was with Simon getting rid of the Taubman era center court elevators? Back to Golf Mill, the way the mall looked in that north wing from Value City Furniture up to where Kohl's was till October 2020 was the look for the entirety of this mall. Also, I seem to remember the center court had the kid's playground area, before it was moved west to be closer to the movie theater. I'd say the catalysts for this mall getting a LOT worser, was when Sears pulled out of this mall. Once that happened, a lot of the national chain tenants that held on despite how slow this mall was(i.e. Express, The Children's Place, Finish Line) finally pulled the plug. I'm amazed both Claire's and Bath and Body Works, haven't yet pulled out. And honestly I'm EVEN more impressed, Bath and Body Works bothered to renovate their store here. Check out my Instagram at prfsnlwannabe , where not long ago I posted some photos of Golf Mill. Funny to think even one of the businesses here(Le Sucre Cafe), even follows me on IG as well! I wonder, do you have an Instagram account? Right now I'm not making any videos, but maybe one day I'll try to do some videos. If I may ask, what video editing program do you use for your videos? I still need to post my pictures inside the (then) closing Golf Mill Kohl's, over my 2 visits here. I haven't yet done that. And I have this weird feeling that the Ross here may eventually follow Kohl's and relocate to Sawmill Square in Morton Grove, but not sure what will happen with Ross in the end.

[@LostDepartments]

Thanks for the history described here! Now to answer your questions. - I do not have an Instagram Account but I probably should just create one at this point. - I'm using Cyberlink Power Director 14 for editing. I kind of want a new software though.

[@BoratWanksta]

@@LostDepartments Okay, thanks for mentioning you use Cyberlink Power Director 14. I had been hoping to find one that works on PC computers, and hadn't found an ideal one I most like to use yet. Maybe I'll try some videos, one of these days.

[@BoratWanksta]

@@Hybridatomsk Yeah, I also couldn't believe they closed. Niles recently did a village council meeting about the future of Golf Mill back in either January or February interestingly enough, and they hadn't said anything about tearing down the inside of the mall and doing a demalling project. Though I've kept having that weird feeling, that one day it'll be announced it occurs. I suspect Sterling would try to do something, especially if JCPenney and Ross ever jump ship at this mall. I keep worrying even the AMC theater may not hang on much longer here, since it was one of the first theaters in the Chicago area they downgraded from playing movies 7 days a week, to only doing so 3 days a week.

[@markmatuga2595]

I’ve recently had a chance to revisit Golf Mill.see the situation is also a delicate one.a lot of senior and housing developments are nearby.so something we forget is they like to gather here especially near Gloria Jean and what’s left of the food court.their is development on the outparcel near target.a chick a filia is coming and the former kohl’s is being redeveloped into a Burlington that will be moving from its current location down golf road.as far as the interior the value city furniture is going strong and as far as Ross and JCPenney and the AMC showplace time will only tell.the AMC showplace is down to operating on the weekend.to be honest its time for a new idea.the limited access to the former Sears doesn’t help matters.the sterling organization hasn’t done much even though promises were made.I believe its important to do what you can by what you have.look at old orchard only 6 miles away for an inspiration.redevelopment is essential for the nearby community of Niles,Glenview,Northbrook.even the latter is going on at northbrook court which I’m so sorry to say is already at dead mall status in my eyes.

[@DalmationProductions]

It's interesting how some malls didn't have Sears at all that gets me an uneasy feeling though it's considered a forgotten retailer

[@DylanR99]

I guess… but I guess they also use this as an opportunity to get to the office tower that is apparently part of the mall (it has Otis Touch Sensitive Lexan elevators).

[@jackraclaw9888]

Great Video I was waiting for this, also happy thanksgiving

[@LostDepartments]

Thanks You!!!! Have a Happy Thanksgiving too!!!!

[@jackraclaw9888]

@@LostDepartments you’re welcome

[@retailadventures6]

@@LostDepartments Even though it is dead, if they do keep part of it it is going to be the wing with JCPenney. I think they could easily demall the other side. I kinda feel like they might keep the JCPenney end because there are still some tenants but the other end should just relocate the 3 business and demall that side.

[@markmatuga2595]

I remember this mall.it seems enclosing it in 1985-1986.was just a very bad idea.they did it I believe because the public at that time wanted a food court because the former randhurst had one in their renovation.and old orchard at the time was getting one as well.some places weren’t meant to be enclosed.golf mill lost its charm especially after the closure of Sears .Sears was actually profitable here at this location.the auto center was always sold out.but after it closed the connection to the north side was no more.I feel bad especially for the senior population since there are many residents and residential across the street.it’s time for redevelopment.bring something that will complete and compliment the JCPenney and value city furniture since I believe the new rumor is the enclosed structure is in talks to be demolished.Ross is also rumored to leave golf mill since they are going to have a brand new store at sawmill station to join the kohl’s.

[@spidey677]

I remember cyberstation arcade here back in the 90’s. Daaaaamn the memories.

[@theelightbearer4254]

The name must’ve changed because in the early 2000s it was called Replay and I spent so many hours there playing Marvel Vs Capcom 1, Centipede, and MK4 while my mom would shop in JC Penny right across from it

[@spidey677]

​@@theelightbearer4254 It was called Replay after. I used to play MK3 on the big 60 inch screen they had there. They had Time Crisis as well on a 60 inch. That's also where I played X-men Vs Street Fighter, Marvel vs Street Fighter and Marvel vs Capcom 1. Tekken 3 was a major game there to play as well. Maaaaaan arcade culture was the best.

[@theelightbearer4254]

@@spidey677 replay was pretty much the only arcade experience I had as a kid growing up in the early 2000s besides this one place in Rogers Park that I think was called Dennis’ Place for Games. That place closed around 03 or 04 tho I think. Then there were arcades at movie theaters for a while but I feel like arcades totally died around the early 2010s. I didn’t see them in movie theaters anymore around that time. Early 2000s we’re a great time since I got a little taste of the 90s culture that a lot of lucky older people got to experience

[@spidey677]

@@theelightbearer4254 Im in my mid 30’s and still remember it like it was yesterday. There was diversions on the north side and that was pretty ghetto lol

[@theelightbearer4254]

@@spidey677 you remember the Dennis Place for Games??? Dude I used to live around the corner from it when I was a little little kid and remember going there once or twice, I have the vaguest memories ever. I heard it was one of the last retro arcades in the Chicago area

[@ERA_Productions]

Great video man, keep up the great content, sucks this mall is dying

[@LostDepartments]

Thank You!!!!

[@deeelle6567]

I live down the street and haven't been to Golf Mill in years! It's sad to see the state that it's in, but I definitely want to visit soon and enjoy it before it's gone. I made the mistake of not visiting Randhurst before it was demolished and regret not being able to see it one last time.

[@williampavichevich5608]

Randhurst is still up,and Running to my calculation.

[@deeelle6567]

@@williampavichevich5608 Randhurst Village was erected after the demolishing of Randhurst Mall in 2008. The mall has been gone for about 14 years now.

[@Indygenous]

Spent my high school years in this mall. Its sad to see it like this

[@markmatuga2595]

There are rumors that value city has bought some former art van furniture locations.

[@retailadventures6]

Well the Burlington is coming in the old kohl’s now.

[@mikebrown1906]

The kohl's there is now gone i believe October 31 and moved to Morton Grove

[@dominikz.1376]

Your dead mall videos give people an empty void that is like AIDs

[@Hugh_Jasol]

There's like less than 10 stores still open inside. The area is far from lower middle class so I don't know what this guy narrating is talking about. If they knock it down and build another mall it has to be spectacular or its going to fail because you got Old Orchard that for some reason is always busy even in the winter despite being an outdoor mall and Woodfield Mall 15 miles away.

[@josephgrasser3746]

Be like Stew and you'll save too. Push it, pull it, tow it to Golf Mill Ford.

[@jonasbanes7174]

should have documented how every popular restaurant besides subway left their food court one by one after taco bell in the 2000's.

[@YourLocalRobloxBacon]

The Last Time I visited The mall was kinda empty this was 2022 But the area where the sears is at was pretty Packed and there is a chick fli a at Golf Mall Now And It’s Really Packed

[@YourLocalRobloxBacon]

There is also a Burlington now then Kohls

[@YourLocalRobloxBacon]

The main mall it’s not that packed btw

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Here's something to note! Target has been renovated!

[@LostDepartments]

@@ssh_disney At this point, they arent even connected to the mall

[@denailedebohls6803]

It’s sad to see this mall go you cold call this the chasrells town mall of 2020

[@markmatuga2595]

Without kohl’s.well I think it’s time for a redevelopment.it’s a good area for investment.

[@chaseamin]

Btw Go to gulf mill Ford yall

[@williampavichevich4877]

This Mall Unfortunately Declining since the early '00's.

[@jonasbanes7174]

this mall is GONE soon sorry :(( I live in the neighborhood

[@thunderdailyyt6125]

I like going there

[@jampooop289]

I knew it was dying as soon as it removed gamestop