Maplewood Mall (Maplewood, MN) - alive with a dead Sears

Come check out my childhood mall! I loved running up and down the ramps and attending birthday parties at Circus Pizza.
I've held off making this video as Maplewood Mall is very much alive. People have told me to check it out as it wasn't doing well. I thought it was healthy in January 2021 and on my return in October 2021.
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[@NWAWskeptic]

I was born in 1974, this was our go-to mall of my childhood. I definitely remember the ramps and the food court sunken in the center where the merry-go-round is now.

[@allthatjazzspaz95]

My childhood mall too! I was a Vadnais Heights kid so it was always maplewood for me and occasionally Rosedale.

[@brooksrownd2275]

Another nice mall tour. Maplewood Mall was my teenage mall. 40 years ago it had most of the things a teen would want in a mall. The only thing it was really missing was a good hobby store like Har Mar and Northtown had. I remember having to walk through the upper level of Powers to get to Circus from the inside of the mall. The cool 1970s ramps and decor will always be missed.

[@taramisu9978]

Powers! I remember those stores!

[@aaron74]

I used to work in Maplewood Mall in the early 90s! The "computer stores" mentioned were actually software and console game stores Software Etc (where I worked, at 7:24 in this video) and Electronics Boutique (4:58). Suncoast Motion Picture Company store was across from EB (4:48). Yes, there was a "switchback stair" (same type as the others throughout the mall in this video) located closer to Kohl's before, and there used to be very large openings between the food court and the stores across from it upstairs with railings. Back when the mall opened through the later part of the 1980s, the food court used to be in the center of the mall where the elevators and merry-go-round were, but this is before my time. I didn't grow up going to Maplewood Mall, but I do have fond memories of it as a teenager for both work and shopping. What absolutely _amazes_ me is that the storefronts of both Software Etc and Suncoast are _still_ there! Only the tenants and how they decorate the space has changed!

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

Thank you for confirming my memories of the staircases! I loved playing computer games at Software Etc and EB when I was a child. I swear it was in Maplewood that my sister and I were watching a computer game demo when some older teenagers cranked the computer’s volume and ran off. An angry manager ran over and turned it back down.

[@TooBokoo]

The absolute best mall ever. I was born in 1981. I lived about a block outside of Maplewood in Vadnais Heights. I used to bike up to the mall several times a week. It's amazing how packed this place would be every night. Mall owners nationwide really messed up by not evolving with the times over the last 20ish years. My buddies and I would come up here to Circus Pizza and Aladdin's Castle and spend hours in the arcades. You're correct about the slightly spiral staircases. There were a few in different spots. At 7:09 there was a Software Etc and a hair salon on the opposite side where they've covered that entire hallway with walls. And there was an Electronics Boutique upstairs at the corner opposite of Kohl's.

[@pierrecusmybladdersempty1938]

I used to go there a lot as a kid. I don't remember any ramps, but I remember going to the Stride Rite shoe store and begging my mom to let me ride the carousel. I went there recently and it was nice to see stores still open and running, but sad seeing some of the spaces in the dark. Great vid!

[@rareform6948]

I grew up in Maplewood, this is my mall. I remember it used to have 2 movie theaters in 2 separate buildings on each side of the mall. Maplewood cinema 1 and 2 This brings back memories

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

I think I saw Land Before Time at one of those.

[@aaron74]

Totally remember those two theater buildings on opposite sides of the mall. I think I remember the movies I wanted to see always landed in one of the buildings much more often than the other.

[@deantodd8103]

When Marcus Oakdale Cinema opened, I think that it drew away too many of the moviegoers and that killed the Maplewood 1 and 2 theaters. It's too bad, because while I like Marcus very much, I had a lot of good memories of the Maplewood 1 and 2. I used to see a movie every payday in 2000 when I lived in Oakdale.

[@Kermit-The-Smaug]

This was my childhood mall from the 90’s until I moved out of n.s.p. In ‘14. It never had ramps from what I remember. I would always try to sneak away to Aladdins castle or radio shack. So many great memories from here.

[@raynebenson9040]

The barns and noble at this mall use to kick ass I use to go there with my dad all the time I got some of the first manga I read from here

[@DaChooch24]

Wow, I need to go to Maplewood. It looks so nice inside, but the problem is I live kind of far away…

[@monkeywkeys3916]

There's lots to see all around

[@thisislogout]

I have a love/hate relationship with shopping malls. The really big malls from the 70s and 80s were very nicely constructed and decorated with plants, fountains, waterfalls, seasonal displays, nice seating areas to chill, and nice, feel good happy background music to sooth and escape from the days hard work.

[@GamingGameplay]

I used to work there for 6 years as a janitorial. My last day was jun 6, 2020, i quit because the mall will file a bankruptcy, so i will not wait to get laid-off and after a year I was right. Every co-worker i had from my team housekeeping from mall management, all the way to security, was laid off 😢 sad

[@bethpeters3477]

I just subscribed to your videos. I was born and raised in Minnesota until 1971 when we moved out of state. I still have all of my relatives in Minnesota. I visit there at least every year or two years. I love the mall of America. On occasions as a child. I went to the Maplewood mom great mall. 🛒

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

Thank you for subscribing! I love going to the Mall of America's food courts when I'm in the area on a weekday.

[@bethpeters3477]

👍

[@jenniferroseholterhaus7261]

This was my childhood mall: Sbarro with orange neon lights and cheeses hanging from the ceiling. Mr Bulky for candy and novelty pencils. B. Dalton bookstore was cozy and comforting. Au Cotton had all the best baggy shorts and t’s. Skeeball at Circus. And the sunken lounge with the red-orange carpet ramps was the absolute best!! Thanks for bringing back some sweet 80s memories

[@aaron74]

Mr Bulky! WOW! Memory unlocked!!!

[@baxtronx5972]

The food court in the 80's was in the center of the building. You walked there via gigantic curving ramps. Baskin Robbins was down there. Sbarros was on the 2nd level near the food court. That hallway where Kohl's is located didn't exist.

[@tgustafson85]

You’re correct about Kohl’s, it went to where that row of small square lights are. I’d seen behind one of the doors once and it is simply former Kohls space. At some point a large indoor accessibility-minded playground was going to open in this area but never seems to have happened. I liked the old fountains they used to have, but the updates restoring the natural light were much needed. The Miami Vice look was dated pretty quickly

[@tgustafson85]

As a kid that Kohl’s hall was my favorite; it had a Games By James store and a CD/record shop. Also a Stride Rite. We would stop upstairs at Fannie Farmer for chocolate for a treat! My memory doesn’t include those big hut things like that in the center court, I remember mid 90s onwards with the weird metal slat ceiling that blocked all the skylights

[@ohglobbits]

Thank you for sharing your stories and all the hard work you put into making these!

[@kristaseyler654]

This was my childhood hang out in the mid 70s to the late 80s when the food court was on the bottom floor in a circle and there was alcoves to hang out and chill I miss them days I heard it's gonna close down sometime soon .

[@ericsandstrom5372]

I remember Circus Pizza, but it was NEVER where Barnes and Noble is. It was an add-on on the north side of the north anchor, and that space no longer exists.

[@Zoyx]

This was my Mall. The food court used to be in the main area in a pit (center court?). They moved the food to the Kohl's wing and filled in the pit in 1988. I mainly went there to play video games. Aladdin's Castle and Circus were the two places I hung out in. I did go to the music stores, Spencers, bookstores, and Sears.

[@BuffaloChicken]

I worked at Southdale mall at Ms Frills and Games by James. I enjoy your content!

[@minnesotajames1]

7:55 I totally remember that red carpet and the ramps!

[@jakel2692]

Thank you for making this video. This mall was a large part of me growing up, I had my 8th bday party at Circus Pizza, beat House of the Dead with my bro at Aladdins Castle. KB toys was my favorite toy store, and I got my favorite coat from the Macys at the mall. I saw Men in Black and Tomb Raider at the theater that used to be where the transit center is now. It bums me out to see whats happened to this place.

[@dustintheblindminnesotan]

Like how you’re going personal in this video. Please continue with your videos.

[@jeee1074]

Pretty nice mall. The configuration of the mall reminds me a lot of Ingram Park Mall in the San Antonio area.

[@taramisu9978]

Another mall I spent a lot of time in, mostly in the 90s and 2000s. I see the merry go round is still there, looks like it's still doing pretty well. Good video!

[@Kat-pe3gq]

Omg this is amazing. This is my childhood mall. There’s a petting zoo there now I’m going to soon.

[@andysorensen1737]

Speaking of Centerplace Galleria/University Square Mall, that’d be a fun one if you ever make your way to Rochester.

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

I wish I wasn't so busy on weekends this month. I really wanted to make a mall / creepy doll exhibit trip to Rochester.

[@monkeywkeys3916]

@@YodelingLoonRetail The galleria was revived years ago. Very slick upscale. But the Best Barnes & Noble ever created has closed after about 20yrs. It was in the Old Theater connected to The Galleria. I Believe the Chifolis family (Raddison Hotel) held the lease to that building and for some reason??? B&N did not renew. There's tons of medical patience and staff that patronize the DT. It makes no sense. But may be worth researching for your u2b channel productions. Thanks Awesome interior. Coffee on skyway level. I always stopped there. Oh yeah... If you traverse the skyway toward the hotels you can drop into the tunnels/subway. More retail, cafes, hotel lobbies and connects to the clinic.

[@leannefenster6626]

Great mall, thanks for what you do ...and I stayed till the end : )

[@jamb5057]

1993 I use to work at Only Deals bottom floor right side of Kohls directly in front of Kohls was a huge water fountain and across was mall security we use to watch them bring shop lifters back

[@dvferyance]

Snow in October wow.

[@minnesotajames1]

The mall used to have two movie theaters in the parking lots. Maplewood I and Maplewood II. I think they went away in the mid 90s. When I was a kid going to Circus Circus or Showbiz were the pinnacle of life! Recently, I went there with my family to go to the safari. It was pretty cool but the mall itself was a mere shadow of itself. The demographics have certainly changed and I didn't feel entirely safe there.

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

I know I saw a movie at one of those theaters. I think I parked on the theater property when it was a park and ride in the early 2000s. My wife's childhood mall was the nice, modern Ridgedale, so she was shocked to see kids running around unsupervised at Maplewood when we went there for some winter exercise last month.

[@Kat-pe3gq]

I forgot all about circus circus until this comment then my brain was filled with memories!!! Thank you for this comment dude

[@minnesotajames1]

A little update. I ended up going back today and it seems to be a lot better than I recall. Most stores are open and it was actually pretty nice. Although it was Sunday morning.

[@chrisweiss9608]

Maplewood was always sketchy in means of crime. Not to say it hasn't gotten worse, but even in the 90's it had a be careful which hallway you walk down and what entrance you use type of feeling. That Circus Circus was awesome though! Except for that time the claw crane/grab game malfunctioned offering endless plays and I took them for every stuffed animal they had, then got 86'd shortly afterwards. But otherwise, truly awesome!

[@JStorm13]

Interesting how they used the old auto center as a covid testing area. When you went into that elevator in Penny's, I automatically thought of mervins. Penny's took over the old one in Rosedale as well.

[@PaleOpal21]

Penneys has always been in the same location in Roseville. The old Mervyns was gutted and turned into an entrance where Talbot's is now located.

[@Minnesotaqueen69]

i used to manage the Orange Julius there

[@YayAkiba]

Loon, you are a good local Ace. :)

[@kristaseyler654]

Before circus was showbiz it was the best hangout along with farrels

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

I don't think I ever got to visit Farrels, but I went to plenty of Showbiz locations!

[@kristaseyler654]

@@YodelingLoonRetail oh the food was delicious and the parties were so much fun . I watched your video on crossroads at roseville center did you they housed a movie theater on the bottom floor on the other end it was really nice then it was converted in to some type of department store .

[@kristaseyler654]

@@YodelingLoonRetail will you ever go to down town st Paul to town square galtier plaza the skyway system and on 5th street there was a small promenade mall that led to the q Cafe I used to walk it alot back in the day I do miss that alot !!!

[@jasonmartinson7758]

Why no in mall anchor access?

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

This is when things were more shut down due to COVID. The Kohls and JC Penney entrances were both opened when I returned in October.

[@CeliaCavalli]

Worked at the American eagle here. Dated my manager. Good memories lol

[@jasonmartinson7758]

If I am correct, there are very few ICINGS left Claire’s does own Icing

[@monkeywkeys3916]

✊ Word

[@AtticTapes14]

Good mall

[@saltfarmer4008]

Time to hop in the old motor coach now

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

Up for sale for about $6 million! You can own the whole place including parking!!

[@aaron74]

A one bedroom luxury condo in NYC is more expensive

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

Yeah, Sears going under was not good for Malls. I miss the Craftsmen Tools.

[@aaron74]

Craftsman really started shitting the bed in the mid 1990s

[@jasonmartinson7758]

Oh, the circus pizza location in Burnsville is STILL empty

[@YayAkiba]

I gave up going to that mall after buying a new Honda at the nearby dealership, and wanted a gyro. Nope, the gyro place was gone. This was last April.

[@buddybrandongc5063]

Mandela Effect: The Mall Video...

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

This mall is for sale for $6 million, if not lower price.

[@haloavp]

With all the malls around the twin cities dying, I wonder what the maplewood Mall is doing differently to survive.

[@aaron74]

It does seem to have remarkable resilience

[@deantodd8103]

My grandpa used to say that I kept it in business. And my friend Shawna once teased me, "You love to shop. You're worse than a girl." 🤣 But yeah, I used to spend a lot of time - and a lot of money - here. This mall more than any other holds a lot of memories for me. 😊

[@jeremyud]

False memories are interesting. I know people who claim up and down that the ChikFila at this mall was there in the 80's, but research told me that the first ChikFilA at my state didn't open until 1993.

[@onion6667]

yo i was just there 20 mins ago

[@allent7118]

Ham flambé!

[@WhittyPics]

There are a lot of people walking around if this video was taken in Jan

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

It was a really cold day with nothing better to do than warm up in the mall.

[@therethere7543]

Love your south dale vid. But the music here is very distracting.

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

Eh, it's an older video. I would definitely choose different music if I were to edit it today.

[@theverybestyoutubeaccount]

Doesn't every mall nowadays have a dead Sears? Lol also Maplewood Mall bathrooms are disgusting.

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

Yeah, good point. Many malls have empty Sears. I do need to check out the New Landing Mall in Kansas City, MO. Google reviews claim their restrooms are nasty.

[@livenotonevil8279]

Sorry, not feeling it. Don't know how those stores are surviving. I'll give it 10 more years max.

[@AtticTapes14]

This mall needs love and support

[@PaleOpal21]

Pioneer Press did an article on how this mall is dying. I don't think this mall will get any better. Nicer stores won't move in due to the demographics.

[@YodelingLoonRetail]

Thanks. I'll have to check it out. I'll keep the mall on my radar to see how it does over the next few years.