Golf Mill Renovation from Mill gardens to Golf Mill Shopping Center circa 1985

[@earthling1984]

I was born in 84. Lived a 10 minute car ride or 20 minute bike ride away in Park Ridge. Never saw it as an open air mall. But, I hung out here all the time growing up. Sad how malls are mostly all closing down now. Woodfield is the only local one hanging on and still thriving.

[@markmatuga2595]

Thank you for this trip back in time.they should have left the garden alone.some places weren’t meant to be enclosed.

[@johnceptsinc6300]

Coming from a guy that spent 15 years there every day, I disagree. When it was cold out it was miserable. That specific part of land has nothing stopping the wind which would make it worse. The mall was basically useless 1/4th of the year until they enclosed it.

[@stevemeinecke]

Wow that's crazy lots changed 😳

[@billymac72]

“Do you wanna get a spanking? Then shut up!” Lol! I love it...I grew up in the area. Golf Mill was never quite the same again after they enclosed the mall. Not sure when the construction began, but I do remember walking around in there when they were building it....specifically after seeing Stand by Me at the theater, so that was ‘86. It was nearly done by then. So interesting to see this. I don’t remember Main Street, but this structure is still there and is Kohl’s. I remember Herman’s as well. The comment is made that “they knocked down the Mill Run,” which was the live theater venue that was once in that spot (I remember Sha Na Na as regulars, but quite a few famous acts played there, including the Jackson 5). There’s also a mention of the Millionaire’s Club which was a rumored mafia joint (they found a body in the trunk of a car in the parking lot in the late 70s). Update - I understand that Kohl’s has now moved out of Golf Mill, so that spot is vacant. The old Sears has also closed. Thanks for posting, btw. I only wish you got a few shots of the old Theatres, but you did briefly capture the Bowl & Dine, which is long gone.

[@gm-zb1ft]

My dad would regale me with stories of Mill Run and Golf Mill being outdoor. Weird to see it becoming indoor in real time. It's a dying mall now, which sucks. Part of our history

[@jeffreyl.wiseman2597]

Nice job. Cell phone in 1985?

[@billymac72]

I think this was about the time the early ones became commercially available. There were other types of mobile car phones back in the 70s, but they had horrible reception (I think they depended on radio signals). The guy in this video actually refers to it as a “cellphone” I think, so we know he’s not using those older versions. Cell technology does go back to NASA in the 60s, if I’m not mistaken.

[@peruprofundodance]

This was the downfall of Golf Mill. If they would have kept it open air, it would have thrived like Old Orchard.

[@johnceptsinc6300]

I entirely disagree. I practically lived at this mall. 1/3 of the year the place was miserable when it was open air because of the freezing winds during the winter season. Old Orchard was guarded by the highway so that model would not work. I have seen the plans from the new developers whom intend to go back to the open air model. The designers are not taking the weather into account, and any business that will rent there will not be there long as the wind chill will drive them away. They are taking a California approach to a Chicago weathered mall.

[@billymac72]

@@johnceptsinc6300 My memories, as well as others, was that it was simply nicer, aesthetically, and more popular than it became. Most of the places I frequented there were easily accessible after parking. So yes, while weather made being outdoors there unpleasant much of the year, one shopping at, say, Sears, or going bowling or to a movie wouldn’t be contending with that kind of thing. People miss the way it was prior to the mid 80s. I was a teenager at the time and never liked that enclosed mall. It just became very tacky and less inviting, IMO.

[@johnceptsinc6300]

@@billymac72 I get what youre saying I just don't agree. I lived across the street and this place was my home.

[@billymac72]

@@johnceptsinc6300 Fair enough. Hey, thanks for posting this ancient video. We’re dinosaurs! Brings back a lot of memories. And long live Axle Roller Rink!

[@Unfiltered25]

That's pretty awesome you got some footage from Golf Mill back in the 80s... I'm doing a story about Golf Mill in a few months... I was wondering if I could borrow some of your footage of the renovation?

[@johnceptsinc6300]

Hi Mario, thank you for your interest in my footage. It depends what it is being used for, as I am a commercial video editor and charge by the second for my stock footage. Send me an email request, at johncepts at gmail with what your project is and where it will be shown etc.

[@Unfiltered25]

@@johnceptsinc6300 I'm thinking about doing a story about Golf Mill. From the being (1960) to now and how Golf Mill used to be popular back in the 80s before they did the restoration and what happen after the remodeling, how it started to go downhill.

[@johnceptsinc6300]

@@Unfiltered25 I disagree with your thesis. I do not give you permission to use my footage. I grew up across the street from this mall and practically lived there. Prior to the renovation, the mall was a miserable frozen hell hole of which was only usable and enjoyable two thirds of the year. That specific area has a wind gust- unlike Old Orchard from which was shielded by the highway and forestry. The wind chill was below zero during the months January through mid April. If you want an explanation of why Malls did not survive the internet age you need to look no further than the town square government incentives which were pulled from the mall owners. My friend works for the architectural firm who have proposed to the land owners to remove the roof, of which they have zero experience with the terrain and the problems the weather brings. In the late 90s the wind gust was so bad it ripped off half the center court and closed the mall for a week.

[@seungkim3829]

Kohl's became Burlington when Kohl's moved to Morton Grove

[@Miamieagle]

Was that a powered antenna phone ?

[@johnceptsinc6300]

Its one of the first gen motorolla car phones. Yes it had an antenna.

[@Miamieagle]

@@johnceptsinc6300 which year was this ? And was it you filming ? I watched back to the future movie at that theater. So many memories and so many feelings watching this video

[@johnceptsinc6300]

​@@Miamieagle 86 or 87 - Golf Mill Theaters, home to the largest theater in the Midwest which is now a gym.

[@davidpollak685]

If you had a car phone in 85, you were loaded 💰

[@johnceptsinc6300]

I mean you can say the same thing about one of these 1500 dollar iphones. It was in that ball park