Lynnhaven mall NOT Dying!

Dying is not a word you can use to describe Lynnhaven Mall. It’s weathered the pandemic and preparing for hopefully a good holiday shopping season.

[@mazzycollins9856]

Thank you for this video. This was my mall! Got my first job at the KB Toys there when I was just 16. Met my hubby there and out two older children remember that beautiful carousel well. We lived in the area until 1999. Will always regret moving away from there. Such a treat to see such a quality tour of this place.

[@DyingRetail]

You’re welcome. I am glad it brought back fond memories for you. :)

[@Ryan96se]

I'm glad to see this. I know that standing in line isn't on the top of everyone's list but online shopping has it's own problems. You can't replace being able to try something on before you buy it.

[@DyingRetail]

Clothes especially.

[@RETROGEMS]

REALLY love your channel. I grew up in Norfolk & Virginia Beach & most of the malls you've featured were big parts of my childhood, especially MCM & Pembroke & including Lynnhaven! I remember when it was multiple levels & they had a *gorgeous* old-school carousel. Loved that mall & am so happy to see it's still doing well!

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks Victoria. I’m glad it’s helped bring back good memories. It was nice walking around Lynnhaven because it felt like malls did in the 90’s. Before all the Covid mess especially. I hope to have MacArthur Mall not too long. Trying to figure how to record and not get booted 😃

[@beachbrovlogs]

👍

[@Secret4u2hear]

Navy Brat here with same story, pleased to meet you Victoria & Thank You D. Retail for the memories.

[@DyingRetail]

Glad I’m able to help :)

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

I remember the second level with the food court and kids play area. Kinda miss it.

[@JohnLusher]

Last Christmas 😂 Excellent video, Keith! Lynn haven is a huge mall.

[@DyingRetail]

Yep. It’s big :)

[@stephenplatt5048]

Hi Keith! Sure it wasn't April 1981? I graduated from Kellam HS in 1981; after opening the mall management asked the Kellam Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform at Center Court, which we did (I was playing french horn). That was in the spring before school was out. Miss the upper level. I was a regular at Aladdin's Castle video and pinball arcade. There was a salad bar upstairs opposite the AMC Cinemas. There I discovered garbanzo beans! AMC had screens upstairs as well as downstairs. I was also a regular at Radio Shack, which is now where Far East Trading is located. Where the future nail salon is was originally a piano store. The early days the mall had a janitor who was entertaining to watch! 73.

[@DyingRetail]

Always possible the information online is incorrect. It was what I was able to pull when when I researched. I will check again.

[@njaneardude]

It was 81 and I remember the ensemble :-) I was a janitor at the food court, working with Dancing Dave the famous janitor lolz. Good times.

[@DyingRetail]

Then one of the news sources was incorrect. Went back and looked.

[@DiscordedHaru]

I miss the second floor like you wouldn't believe... ;(

[@DyingRetail]

I have to fight to remember what it looked like.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

same :(

[@frankoakes1394]

Aladdin's Castle

[@JasonMHoyt]

I graduated from Great Bridge High school in 1992 spent many hundred hours here!!! I moved to the Smoky mountains in 2005 I kept waiting to see the caracal with the escalators to take you up to the food court but didn't realize they had remolded it. Thank you for the trip down memory lane!!

[@DyingRetail]

You’re welcome. How’s mountain living?

[@JasonMHoyt]

I ride an e-bike to and from work it's beautiful !! Miss the beach but I'm enjoying the mountains for now. Thank you.

[@jj18057]

Hey jason! This is j. Petty imagine seeing you here lol

[@DyingRetail]

What is the actual appeal of the e-bikes?

[@liteyear76]

Great Bridge 94

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

Thanks for posting this. We live pretty close to this mall and we're happy to see it still doing well.

[@DyingRetail]

You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed.

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

@DyingRetail yes and we literally went there yesterday. Happy Holidays

[@DyingRetail]

Happy holidays to you and yours also :)

[@tjsogmc]

Lynnhaven is anything but dying. It's a very popular mall and is full of retail stores and shoppers. It looks like you were there on a very slow day. It will be the only mall in the Tidewater area to survive the next 20 years. The worst thing they did was remove the 2 story carousel - that was a VA Beach landmark.

[@DyingRetail]

That was the purpose of this video to show it wasn’t. It was Thursday before 4. But even at its slowest, it has more foot traffic compared to the other nearby malls.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

NOOOO NOT THE CAROUSELLLL :'(

[@DyingRetail]

Yep. It’s been gone for sometime.

[@WhittyPics]

Even if you try to avoid the rent a cops they can still spot you on their video system.

[@DyingRetail]

Why I held my phone in portrait mode 😅

[@ceoofmemes1967]

@@DyingRetail a good idea is to have a shirt pocket and placing your phone there while recording. really hard to tell you're recording.

[@DyingRetail]

That’s not always the best way footage wise I have found out.

[@likebarbie2554]

Gang stalkers

[@JDubKillinKicks]

I don't live in the area anymore but its so crazy to see the 2nd floor food court gone. I got my new pair of White Cement Jordan 4s from the Athletes foot close to the carousel in 1989 and I couldn't be touched in Green Run elementary after that lol. Its crazy to see Aeropostale still open and I think still in its original location after 25 years. This will be the last traditional mall standing in Hampton Roads. Long Live Lynnhaven Mall.

[@DyingRetail]

The “experts” expect Lynnhaven and Patrick Henry to survive.

[@africanfufu]

I love the way you said “ 21 forever “😂😂😂

[@DyingRetail]

Hmmmm. Now I’m curious and will have to go listen. I’m finding I’m getting more comfortable narrating and that’s probably helping my speaking as well 😂

[@DyingRetail]

I am amazed I missed that in the editing! ROFL!

[@rob46711]

I have many fond memories of this mall. Spent almost every weekend here as a teen between 85-88. Was last at the mall in 1990. Happy to see it is still active.

[@DyingRetail]

Oh yes Lynnhaven is healthy. I saw not long ago retail “experts” predict Lynnhaven and Patrick Henry Malls will probably come through this fine. Guess we have to wait and see.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

THEY GOT RID OF THE UPSTAIRS NOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@DyingRetail]

Yeah. However, someone was telling me that there is a way to part of the old upstairs and a restaurants signage is still there.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

@@DyingRetail thats so cool how

[@DyingRetail]

That I have not found out but… when you walk out the doors where the carousel was if you look up there appears to be an area that could be where they’re talking about.

[@jayjay-bz3rr]

I remember when Lynn haven mall first opened. It was a big deal. There was a huge white spiral like ”Work of art” in the central downstairs area

[@DyingRetail]

I’m going to have to look for some more old photos. I’ve never seen that. So it was below where the food court used to be?

[@DyingRetail]

Guys my apologies. I set the time wrong. Was supposed to have been later so 4K stream would be processed by YT. Hopefully, 4K will be up shortly :) 🎉

[@cloudplays1]

Lynnhaven mall is one of the few malls here in the area I live that doesn't seem like it's dying or on it's last leg. Spent a lot of time as a teen in this mall.. it's changed but, still feels the same in a lot of ways.

[@DyingRetail]

The “experts” say Lynnhaven and Patrick Henry malls are probably going to be what’s left when all is said and done. Lynnhaven seems to be doing well.

[@CodyVondell]

so many good memories here along the years with family no longer with us. glad to see it thriving, and new memories being made

[@DyingRetail]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I am at Lynnhaven mall now. It was hard to find a parking space.

[@izzy2112]

was there the day it opened i remember when it was a cornfield before a mall

[@DyingRetail]

That was many moons ago :)

[@beachbrovlogs]

WOW!!! 🤔Really a corn field?? I will picture that every time I drive by there lol.

[@izzy2112]

@@beachbrovlogs yep i grew up in carriage hill on gentry road all the parents used to send us kids there in the summer to grab some corn and the corner of lynnhaven parkway where the old farm fresh used to be that was nothing there so it was our playground way back in the day

[@DyingRetail]

Probably all they could for for a time. Then VB allowed development to encroach on to Oceania and almost lost it until they tore down a bunch of homes.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

@@izzy2112 oof do u miss the cornfield? or are u happy there a mall now? i moved to va beach in 2012 so no cornfield for me

[@BeaufortRyan]

I think the reason this mall is not dying because it used to have a second floor, a huge food court, and a huge merry go round.

[@DyingRetail]

It was far enough away from other malls to not take traffic away. It’s predicted this mall and Patrick Henry will survive. That will be them about 40 miles apart.

[@jaycunningham4215]

This mall looks great! I haven’t been here since the mid 90s when Lord &Taylor was here. Mall is healthy!

[@DyingRetail]

It’s doing very well. Only thing I could see cause problems is inflation and fed reserve money policy. Which is out of their control.

[@m.hreels9822]

❤❤❤❤ I live here!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Right down the street!!! This is my mall

[@tjsogmc]

How can it be "your" mall when it belongs to me! :)

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

@@tjsogmc COMMUNISM BAAABBYYYY

[@bwill357]

This is my home mall I grew up in va beach about 10 minutes from lynnhaven, I even worked at that AMC when it first opened when I was in high school 😂 I remember all of those old legacy stores and the old food court that used to be upstairs, I moved from the area in 2013 when I come back and visit lynnhaven I get turned around a little bit so much has changed

[@DyingRetail]

It is nice when it’s busy cause it feels like you’re back in the 90’s and pre Covid.

[@njaneardude]

I traded some posters from Tracks Records for tickets from one of the ushers at the upper-level theaters, was it you lolz?

[@sharoneuby-62]

Wow, such a huge mall. Beautiful. You want a laugh, look up the one in valdosta, ga. It is not even 1/4 the size of yours. Have a great day.!!👍🙂

[@DyingRetail]

I found a video online. It’s a nice little mall. You’re correct about the size.

[@lisagood5169]

That's a lovely mall. I'm glad to see so many stores up and running. I enjoy Fairlane Towncenter mall in Dearborn Mi. It has many vacancies. I can remember how it was in the 1990's. I also enjoy Southland mall in Taylor Mi. That one is smaller and has fewer vacancies. I remember when Southland opened in 1970.

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks Lisa. Glad you enjoyed. I will have to look up the malls you mentioned here and see what I find. Stay tuned. Working on another mall video now. :)

[@captnhoney]

It looks like when you have a mall just get ready for the holiday season

[@DyingRetail]

Well… it was the holiday season when filmed.

[@NuclearWintr]

Really love Lynnhaven Mall. Glad it's managed to survive the decline in mall popularity for now.

[@DyingRetail]

It’s doing very well.

[@TheRedDevil_NC]

really enjoyed this..thanks

[@DyingRetail]

You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed.

[@FESPerson2974]

Nice Vids it’s my favorite mall but the old mall was cool at first but it’s a nice Mall however I missed the carousel

[@DyingRetail]

I agree. It was a nice touch. Wish they had found a way to still used it. Maybe have moved it outside between the mall and the theater.

[@FESPerson2974]

@@DyingRetail agreed

[@FESPerson2974]

I collected Speakers and I long time ago Lynnhavan Mall has Atlas sound P900 speakers but they were replaced with Quam Speakers

[@DyingRetail]

+FES Person I bet they sound great.

[@FESPerson2974]

@@DyingRetail Quams Speakers look boring I don't hate them they are good speakers to be fair but I still like the P900 Speakers

[@firestormthereddragongamer4539]

I used hag out in this Mall when I was a teenager in high school in the 80s I went Kellam High school.

[@DyingRetail]

Back when we were kids you didn’t have a teen policy requiring an adult to be with you like they do now.

[@nsconductor2007]

This was an excellent Mall to kill a Saturday back when I was stationed in Norfolk from 2000-2004. Grab something to eat and browse and buy.

[@DyingRetail]

It’s got a laid back vibe.

[@kazeryu17]

Thus mall looks way cleaner now than it did when I last went there around 2009-2010. I remember there being soot on the cieling when the center court had a food court on the 2nd floor.

[@DyingRetail]

It probably helped the restaurants were moved. I’m sure all the grease and stuff from their stoves didn’t help.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

yes its much cleaner now.. i do miss the upstairs though

[@DyingRetail]

Agreed.

[@secretsquirrel63]

Great video! I lived in Virginia Beach from 1995 to 1999. Are any stores in the Lynnhaven Mall still the same or they’ve all changed over? Thanks for your time.

[@DyingRetail]

I think you have a mixture. The majority of the big players are still there. It’s the small shops that change over time.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

they also got rid of the upstairs.. no more big playground and lots of food just 4-5 places to eat now.. altho they did just recently open a popeyes

[@DyingRetail]

I was surprised to see Popeye’s there. At least in the mall that hopefully means clean establishment.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

@@DyingRetail we all were lol i remember when it used to be a taco johns

[@DyingRetail]

I could go for some good tacos 🌮

[@victoriaa1274]

I love the lynnhaven mall it's my fav❤❤

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked.

[@peterscully420]

haha use to go here all the time when I still lived in norfolk, was shocked when I saw the 2nd floor was gone tbh

[@DyingRetail]

I miss it too!

[@RicksTravelogue]

Even though the number of shops I would be interested in visiting in that mall have diminished over the years -- like the Brookstone, Suncoast Movies and Movies, WHRO World of Science, and a few others - seeing the mall still prosper is good. Many malls should try to decipher what is Lynnhaven Mall's secret in this modern age.

[@DyingRetail]

The two malls the local “experts” say will survive is Lynnhaven and Patrick Henry. One thing is they’re almost 30 miles apart from each other.

[@beachbrovlogs]

👍

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks for the like. Got to check your channel out soon. Looks like you got some interesting videos.

[@FESPerson2974]

I heard the Speakers Talk 10:47 8:48 I heard it play Last Christmas by Wham At 21:03 I heard it Play Hazy Shade of winter by Simon & Garfunkel

[@DyingRetail]

Correct. That was the mall speakers.

[@FESPerson2974]

@@DyingRetailYes I did a Speaker Tour in there

[@DyingRetail]

@FESPerson2974 what is a speaker tour? Was this something you did on your own or was there a group?

[@FESPerson2974]

@@DyingRetail I filmed pretty much every Speaker in that mall on my channel if you want to check it out

[@DyingRetail]

@FESPerson2974 I guess I will have to take a look at your channel sometime :)

[@thebigjmanjoe]

What!? Jc penny is there? Thought they all closed??

[@DyingRetail]

Nope. That’s Sears. Actually I think there are 20 some Sears stores left. They recently came out of Bankruptcy.

[@tjsogmc]

JC Penny's is actually doing quite well at both Lynnhaven and Greenbriar malls.

[@DyingRetail]

They wanted to stay at Chesapeake Square. The new owners didn’t want to renew the lease.

[@likebarbie2554]

I went to green run high school and plaza middle school

[@DyingRetail]

Very close to the mall :)

[@teresaschneider6726]

Does anyone know you couldn't shop on Sundays, because they had stupid Blue Laws . That was in 1985. I am so glad I moved away. I hope they got rid of the Blue Laws. Anyone tell me what you think .

[@DyingRetail]

Those probably have been gone for 30 years now.

[@captnhoney]

January 31, 2023 Baby Touhy Circle mall is close

[@DyingRetail]

You mean Military Circle? I know. Was there few days before closure.