Dead Malls Season 4 Episode 15 - The Orchards Mall

Right along Lake Michigan in the small dying town of Benton Harbor, Michigan lies The Orchards Mall. The Orchards is notoriously the worlds filthiest mall, as it’s literally covered in a thick layer of seagull poop.. But what I see in this mall is a depressing husk left behind by its residents. Photos tell stories of the lives once lived in here, the color and vibrancy it held, and the people that I called it home. So join me today as we tour The Orchards Mall, and tell its story. To hopefully rekindle what it once was like in this once beautiful shopping paradise.
Music used
Flip the Switch - Stevia Sphere
MIDNIGHT MALL - Civic Type R
Mall Muzak of 1959
E Mean Street - MJ Esq.
Compact Disc - DEAD SEARS
d d r r e e a a m m s s - Combo Reseller
motel_six.zip - Pizza Hotline
ONLiNe - EarthNet
Snails Pace - Stevia Sphere
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Links
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Patreon - / northernfilms
#northcdogg22 #deadmall #deadmalls #northernfilms

[@pepsi_man4962]

Once you visit all the malls in the States you should make a tribute video to all of the American malls that made us. Us. Just to sum up the end of that beautiful normal era of the United States.

[@angeladawson8424]

I just hate to watch these dead mall you tube channels but just found yours so checking this video out. So depressing that all of us who grew up loving these malls this is all we can do but watch shows like yours to relive great past memories of them.

[@richardm3023]

"This is the seagull's mall now..." Seagulls: "MINE! MINE! MINE!..."

[@Mike28625]

That collage was intense. This mall is a necropolis of happy memories.

[@jormundgandr2069]

I remember going here during it's heyday back in the 90s early 2000s. I grew up in a small town 20 minutes away, so BH was the shopping center of choice for us. We never had a Hot Topic or Aeropostale/A&F, but we had enough of the quintessential mall stores that it was worth going to, and I've got tons of great memories there, from KB Toys to FYE. But now? It's been an eyesore for nearly 20 years, and I'll be happy to see it gone. Lot of talk about converting it to an apartment complex that's gone nowhere for years. Also, AMA about the mall/area.

[@Technatorium]

One of the two malls i grew up going to. I travel here often to the Meijers nearby. Tons of memories going there. Singing Christmas carols with my school, annual Arts and Science Expos were held here, Art projects from school would go up for display. I bought my first NES games here from the KBToys. Sigh sad to see her slowly dying.

[@pktomega1]

Brilliant Dead Mall. Thanks!

[@Synth_Dragon]

Please go back for the tiles to add to the museum. The tiles to me, are the most memorable thing about this mall. jumping between different colors to play floor is lava as a kid, the pink and teal contrasted against white really stood out even back then in my mind. It's the most iconic piece you could get for the museum from this mall.

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

Went here once as a kid! There was a little ice cream shop, I think it was a Baskins Robbins, that sold dipped cones. Only other memory was my dad blowing a fuse over parking, place was sooo busy that day. Amazed that its still open.

[@chiefamylee]

Great video, thank you!

[@sunsetrecords2548]

Once a mall for the people and now a mall for the Segal's. It is sad what happened and the the decline for this beautiful mall. Thank you for capturing the memories

[@l_Live_In_Oregon]

I moved to Western Michigan in the early 80s and it was pretty nice. Pretty sad to see how the mall has fallen on hard times. I left in 1995 and what surprises me now is that Fairplain Plaza is doing well with many new stores.

[@kewkabe]

Fairplain plaza was bulldozed long ago (1990's) and the new strip mall isn't doing that well, actually. About 50% vacant.

[@chrissasandlin8344]

That shot of those white chairs like ghosts among the others...that just gave me shivers (along with a glimpse of an old So-Fro storefront.)

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right! It was like ghosts sitting down to eat in the nearly abandoned mall..

[@BREN153]

Great work on this video. Really sad especially with those pictures damn this was just sad to see how the place is these days.

[@kitw76]

Amazing how the birds have taken over!

[@j.j.q1379]

Seeing all those pictures are sad, it’s like a moment captured in history.

[@nondescriptlovebird7112]

it's so strange to watch ur hometown mall slowly deteriorate. i vaguely remember the last few years it was a "normal" mall in the late 2000s, i got my ears pierced at the claire's and went back to school shopping at the jc pennys. once the bath and body works moved the only reason people would go was for the joanns, but they moved too a few years ago and now it's almost truly abandoned. and the seagulls... my god. i don't even like going to the meijer across the street because i feel like im in a hitchcock film. anyways... great video dude, weird to see our mall like this, but cool too.

[@robertm680]

I’m surprised this mall is open still, thought it was on deaths door ten years ago. Nice video 👍

[@Desslok20]

I love that boxing/wrestling ring!!!

[@matthewschoerverth4566]

Great and awesome video tonight.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Matt!

[@GaM3oRdI3]

Great Vid, I just recently went there. Super quiet. There was an old lady who did give me the rundown on what is left and what has happened. I also loved the photo collages that showed you what once was. For the next mall are you going to Lakeview Square in Battle Creek?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Nope! But good guess, and thank you so much!

[@johnnystall9683]

Thank you ever so much for the wonderful content!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Your welcome!

[@noahvoris3637]

Great video! It’s super sad yet very beautiful at the same time! I’m guessing the next video is Northfield Square? That’s the Kankakee area. That mall popped in my head as soon as you said south of the Chicago metro. I believe that opened in the early 90s just like Illinois star centre.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Yes sir you got it! And thank you!

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Love the music selections especially the first few, it's crazy how music can add feeling to a video, Thumbs Up!

[@PinkAgaricus]

I think one of them was sampled (starting from around 8:33 or so) for Everywhere at the End of Time by the Caretaker for many songs from that. Good old fashioned 1930's ballroom music. I thought a part of one of those songs sounded familiar.

[@jackg5266]

@@PinkAgaricus 8:33 is track 9 - Moonlight and Shadows in Mall Music Muzak 1959 on KZbin. It is the same song the Caretaker used, but this is a different version. I think the previous song is also from Mall Muzak 1959

[@davidkendrick4453]

While watching this, in my head, I kept hearing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." I remember the original White Flint food court quite fondly. It was called "The Eatery," was on the second floor, was at the parking deck exit, was cut in half when the mall began to decline, and in the original incarnation didn't have "name brand" vendors but different areas named for the cuisines sold there. There were other quirks at White Flint like the "Georgetown" area, which was supposed to be an area reminiscent of the alleys there filled with shops, which was completely empty. I moved away from that area when the D&B came in, but that Georgetown theme area was replaced by D&B.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Omg I can totally hear that too, so fitting..

[@phoschnizzle826]

Used to come here in the 80's, mainly for the arcade, music, and book stores. It was already on its way downhill (quickly) in the 90's, and its current state could only be improved by a 'mysterious fire'.

[@JoJo-ie8sl]

So eerie. Lots of liminal space shots in here.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I know right

[@cynthiaj.simmons870]

Another great very, very great mall video!!! 🤗🎞📽🎬❤️ I love that malls had themes to them!!! And every single one of them are very unique!!! This is why I love being a KZbin urban explorer get to see so many once was cool malls and re so sadly all closing. ☹️☹️☹️

[@MitchZro]

There’s a deep symbolism in this kind of content. 2006 was the last year. Burnsville was going to be the next big suburb. Lots of people, tons of potential, economic hope. Once the 2007 crash hit, and as online shopping exploded, these malls stopped being a “third place” and devolved into desperation. That desperation persists into what remains of even the most successful malls.

[@Mike28625]

I once worked a summer as the cashier in the Starcade Arcade in the Signal Hill Mall in Statesville nc. That place used to be lively but now it's a ghost town.

[@kewkabe]

I spent my teenage years at this mall in the 80's. It didn't die because of Benton Harbor crime (most patrons were from St. Joseph, across the river, plus Benton Harbor isn't really that crime ridden, just impoverished so never really shopped there). It died for the normal reasons so many malls have died. Online shopping, big box stores, and much better "things to do when you're bored" besides going to the local mall to see and be seen.

[@Mike28625]

Home Video games got better and malls evaporated.

[@jenmichigan]

Good response here - I'm also a local and I cringed hard at the reference to the "changing demographics" being responsible for the mall's demise 😬

[@eky336]

Nice content very like 👍

[@johnmeyer3802]

Have fun at the Northfield Square Mall in Bradley, IL. I lived in West Kankakee 25 years ago. It's anchors were Sears, Carson Pirie Scott (2 of them with womens and mens/home shoppe) , Venture, JCPenney, and the ten screen movieplex.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I hope you’ll enjoy it also!

[@alitheretrokid]

Oh man, this one is pretty close to home. I live about 30 minutes from Benton Harbor and pass through it all the time driving to Chicago

[@techguy9548]

damn sometimes I wonder why people leave dead malls open? anyways your doing a good job with these dead malls get up the good work:) Shannon-Teachguy95

[@scottDchicago]

Awesome episode!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Scott!

[@chiefamylee]

For sure!

[@Saymeow_Kay]

The actual reason as to why the JCPenney wing of the mall was blocked off was actually because somebody went inside the JCPenney and vandalized the store, in which the person also jammed the store gate, so as the JCPenney gate was basically stuck in its place, and since nothing was in that wing of the mall, they blocked it from the public. I enjoyed this so much and in my personal opinion this mall should've been a Sam's Club

[@NorthCdogg22]

Huh, that’s interesting I had no clue that happened, thanks for sharing the info!

[@Saymeow_Kay]

@@NorthCdogg22 np

[@benb8407]

Ace got inside the JCP looked like someone got into JCP and also got into Carson's which still had Christmas decorations up and storage as well. Ace went into the arcade that was still in business at the time surprised that was still open when there was nothing in The Orchards Mall kinda like what used to be West Main Mall in Kazoo. With The Fun Factory and the movie theater, the only thing at the mall was that place was a dead mall in the 80s when I was just a kid. The only anchor store was Zehrs then Ames which closed in 90. West Main Mall did get a second life becoming a strip mall just like Maple Hill Mall across the street why West Main Mall died along with The Crossroads Mall.

[@ERA_Productions]

Great video man!

[@NorthCdogg22]

Thanks Andrew!

[@heyshadyshay]

Can you do RiverOaks Mall in Calumet City, IL or The Village Shopping Center in Gary, IN.. it would also be nice to see Southlake Mall be done too since it’s such a major staple in Northwest Indiana.. the history of that mall is never spoken about.. if you could stop by the office and see if they would provide you with some pictures of the malls past or even a Mall directory for the stores that were there in the 80’s-90’s.. I would love to see that! Thank you so much.

[@R32R38]

Let's all make appointments to shop for mattresses!

[@NorthCdogg22]

😂😂hell yeah!

[@stevebayt145]

gold medal this week. first view is me.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Very epic Steve

[@Noah_Boat_n_em]

I remember when I used to go for the arcade

[@QuintusAntonious]

I was thinking this whole time "Why do these big companies keep buying out malls that they have no real chance of reviving?" Maybe because they realize the land is valuable even if the mall isn't. It's probably a good way to scoop up large swathes of land that can be turned into other things once the mall is demolished. I can't see why else they'd purchase these places only to not pay the bills or keep up with maintenance.

[@NorthCdogg22]

The reason as sad and scummy as it is, is to basically buy a dirt cheap property, get as much rent money as they can from the dying tenants and then sell the mall when it eventually is closed down and then move on to the next mall

[@AUChamps]

Namdar Kohan Moonbeam needs to become 1 single company (call it, NKM) and have the grimreaper as the mascot.

[@MrBlackretreat]

My home town mall ...wow #bentonharbor

[@stot2614]

So... what do you think Alfred Hitchcock would say about the exterior of this dump mall? 😉 Would love to see a mall museum like you dream of... needs to be one in every state for all the neo capitalistic system of today to see where both people and shopping came together. Dang it I miss the malls of yesterday all filled out with plenty of places to see and people to take care of all customers instead of the chat rooms of today. Retail is so sad and introverted today.

[@EvilKaNegro]

Wait. They leave it unlocked? Like you can legally just go in there. That would be so cool. I would respect the property.

[@WhittyPics]

It is a wonder the mall isn't totally locked up? I don't see one business operating in there?

[@nicrox2380]

Why do they even open the doors? There’s not one active business, the bird poop is a foot thick, and a crumbling floor. Seems more of a liability to keep the mall open than to permanently close it.

[@fdholley]

Do you think malls are done. Here near Detroit the 2 closest malls Northland and Eastland closed.

[@NorthCdogg22]

I believe malls that are unable to modernize with current trends are definitely done for. Sadly.. and I live in Iowa, but was recently in Detroit and filmed a few mall over there also.

[@fdholley]

@@NorthCdogg22 👍🏼👍🏼 it's so cool that you've been to malls all over and make a great page showing how things are...keep up the solid work 👍🏼👍🏼

[@adrianfederici5850]

All the people that used to work there, all the people that used to shop there, wear have they all gone. Wasn't it better to go to the mall for your goods instead of ordering off your phone. So sad 😞.

[@John-uv7zp]

Sadly I live 30 minutes from this mall my wife used to work here … it used to be a cool place this whole area needs a make over also the surrounding community

[@niklass1641]

I find it strange the way people constantly lament the complete lack of colour and style in the ultra-dull modern architecture, yet no one builds or "decorates" anything but square, stark, antiseptic white anyway.

[@nondescriptlovebird7112]

the last time i was there was in 2019, we could still see into the jc pennys and everything was still in there, very weird.

[@jeee1074]

This mall is very gross. I visited a mostly abandoned mall with a bird and bee problem a couple of years back that was disgusting as well. Great tour though, it would have been even better if they hadn't blocked off the JCPenney court.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Ikr.. that whole JCPenney area is so wide and empty I would’ve loved to see it, hopefully in my next visit!

[@Synth_Dragon]

@@NorthCdogg22 Directly next to JCPenny was a pet store when I was a kid. I bought a feeder rat as a pet from there when I was 6.

[@Average--Joe]

Used to hang out here all the time in the 90s. Now there's a lady living in the old zales with some dogs....so bazaar.

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

Stop by the abandon seers in Trotwood Ohio what used to be part of the Salem mall and you can get intact tiles from the inside of the mall just lying there

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

Your museum is a great idea. I didn’t do a mall museum because I figured it would be too hard to get enough memorabilia from malls, but I did do a retail one where I have the Kmart sign the checkout lanes from bunch of different stores. I have all kinds of memorabilia. I’ll have to make a video on it one day.

[@NorthCdogg22]

@@TiltedTripodMedia I’ll be looking forward to that! If I could get donations from all over people donating old mall and retail relics I think this idea could become reality

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

@@NorthCdogg22 yeah it’s hard to get anybody to donate anything. I’ve been trying for years. The only 2 mall pieces I’ve been able to acquire is a chapel hill mall banner and the tiles from Salem mall. I can’t even get people to support my content let alone donate valuable items. But you can always keep an eye on eBay or mall auctions when a mall closes. I do like your mall museum idea.

[@jbsmith966]

yeah that was once the place too be, too see and be seen. A decline in the local population did not help. Also killed the mall - Meijer's, Walmart, Target [now closed] , Fair Plain Plaza shopping, all literally across the street and all competing for a shrinking number of shoppers. last time i was there the "food court" was reduced to a couple of gumball machines.

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

S A D 😞

[@robertmiller2104]

This mall is still open? Looks totally abandoned from outside didnt see any cars in parking lot.

[@jeremybaldic2047]

So sad 😢

[@crowcaverns3095]

The gulls have claimed what was rightfully theirs. Back off and let them have it, or they will make additional demands!

[@LastActionHero1986]

Very sad, hard to say it at 36 years old because it makes me feel very old, but back in my day that was the place to be. My grandma worked at jcpenny there for 8 years, she took care of our clothes needs with her discount lol. I went there with my best friend of 30 years who passed away last year. We went to finish line and footlocker alot. Those were his stores. I remeber standing outside jcpenny us smoking cigarettes before going in, we thought we were cool. There use to be a petstore I remember my parents buying a $500 sun conur from there. I loved FYE there before it turned into a mini sears. I remember going to KB Toys looking for gta vice city for ps2 and it was sold out. I could go on and on.

[@sirekumasutra7022]

I visited here in May 2021 and it was so empty. I did like the photos showing the mall's history. I know their FB page was active until late 2021. They did get plastic owls to scare off the seagulls but that must've been temporary. Also the seagulls there are apparently a rare breed and are protected by local government.

[@mariebelladonna437]

You can see a plastic owl on the roof just to the left of the entrance, starting at 2:29, so at least some of them must still be there. I guess the gulls got used to them, and realized they're not a threat. Many animals are smarter than we realize And some are just dumb and stubborn, lol. Not sure which is the case for these gulls, lol, but either way, it looks like they ain't goin' anywhere, any time soon.

[@mikep2243]

I have watched many dead mall videos. The one store that is in that mall are GNC or Bed Bath and Beyond. Or am I seeing things?

[@maryduska]

Went did the mall close completely down and what are they going to do with this mall ❤😊

[@spyrothedragon1319]

What's with the boxing ring?

[@NorthCdogg22]

Ikr, would actually be pretty fun to “box” in a dead mall lol

[@Noone9227]

I live in this region of the country. Benton Harbor is totally ghetto! We made a mistake of stopping at the Walmart here because my husband needed to go to the bathroom. The bathroom was a pigsty. Someone had stolen a bunch of candy and smeared it all over the floor and walls.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Ugh that’s sound horrible! Yeah I always like to put these malls cities and towns in a good light but from EVERYTHING I heard, Benton Harbor is just a nasty dying town..

[@Noone9227]

@@NorthCdogg22 Ironically, St Joseph, which is across the river and its “supposed“ twin city, is very nice.

[@kewkabe]

Those weren't chocolate bars.

[@Noone9227]

@@kewkabe I know what you’re saying, but the packaging for a bunch of Kinder eggs were on the floor.

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

They sell the benches or other items there, yet?

[@doubledee88]

I've never heard of an open mall with 0% occupancy.

[@lauriesmith5008]

No open stores, why is it still open.

[@nole8923]

I never liked the dull pastel look of floor tiles of the 90s. The polished, sparkling marble floor tiles of the 80s was far superior. The whole white painted steel girder ceiling and bright white purgatory style of the 90s I thought sucked. 80s style was always better.

[@spenserstravalacci6200]

I’m surprise the mall is closed

[@benb8407]

I'm surprised that the mall is still open and why is the mattress store still open? If I was the owner I'd close the store for good I have heard the store owner has 20 space heaters as the mall has no heat or AC can't blame the owner not wanting to be at the store all day why you have to call LOL. I bet you could break the walls down to get into the JCP wing of the mall LMAO.

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

Has it been demo’d yet? What’s going in its place?

[@mr.sanibel3663]

It's still there and open

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

If you don't take care of your Mall it will be covered with birdie shit!

[@orlandowyatt3352]

Nice soundtrack can u link the songs

[@christianjames12]

River oaks mall please

[@robertreichel1984]

Hello Edward Moore

[@olliolivine9770]

Dead seagull at 32:40

[@iworkout6912]

I love your videos, but this mall video seems kind of slow and tedious to watch. Not seeing much of the interior and long pauses on some store fronts made me skip ahead. Maybe you just didn't have that much to show, and I love your voice, its so soothing to listen to. But I wish the best of your mall videos of a time that has passed in our life time.

[@NorthCdogg22]

thank you for the feedback! I'm always looking to improve my videos so this is very helpful!

[@billiemariec3395]

I have a bench from that mall. Do you want it?

[@cressi777]

Is a dead place people forget to mention the dissapearance of the middle class in america one of the reasons the malls are dead ☠️☠️💀. RIP.

[@bunnyayy6184]

Wow, the vibe of this place seems totally off

[@STBKSalty]

E

[@renardfranse]

Benton Harbor, home of HEATHKIT! Now any one really old like me that built test equipment has built one. Any one out there my age? LOL

[@cynthiaj.simmons870]

Om it reminds me of the movie The Birds!!!🐦🦤🐦🦤🐦🦤

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

I just woke up a little bit ago. I turned my space heater on a little bit ago. I had to get dead malls into my blood this morning.🩸 Have a nice day.🤎