Pandemic-era West Edmonton Mall was an Empty Ghost Town: A Reflection on the 2020 Pandemic Closure

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It looks like WEM is back on the rebound, as are many local businesses. We have a long way to go, and many steps to take.
I originally wanted to release a video of West Edmonton Mall completely empty, closed, and deserted, but I felt it was too sensitive of a topic, considering all the local businesses and people who were struggling because of what's going on right now.
Now that we're seeing things opening up again, I think it's easier to look back. Stay safe everyone!
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[@BestEdmontonMall]

Back in March I visited the mall, and took footage of it empty. I decided to hold off on releasing the video until things were looking more promising. I'm happy to see things starting to slowly and safely open up! :)

[@Gerardnetworks]

Thank you for the videos. I miss the mall. This has been one of my refuge when I feel sad. Used to work in edmonton for 7 years until CIC closed doors for my residency because of my son's medical condition (autism).

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Thanks for the vid! They don't exactly encourage walking around and loitering right now... more like, come in, get what you need, and go home. But it is what is! Baby steps. I can't wait for Chapters and Sunrise Records (I still call it HMV, heh) to reopen, they're my favorite stores.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Glad to see Jon Pickering's reply got deleted. It was an extremely unfair statement.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

This vid legit made me tear up. Stay safe, friend.

[@tiffthenerd]

as someone who has lived within blocks of WEM their whole life, this shutdown was so eerie. To drive by and see the parking lot empty...it was never like that even on Christmas Day.

[@cainonvandale6685]

Fun fact best edmonton mall is the best youtuber ever

[@kotomiichinose2929]

Anyone notice how the massage machines by the waterpark have basically stood the test of time?

[@Decade8Media]

The guy who owns it looks like he blew out of the '70s.

[@LakeNipissing]

They have been there since my first visit to the mall in 1987.

[@CanadianGuy2004]

Massage Machines?

[@LakeNipissing]

@Kidtracker 69 - They are like a 'coffin' with water jets in the lid that massage your neck and back in programmed patterns through a rubber membrane, so you stay dry.

[@CanadianGuy2004]

@@LakeNipissing oh yeah I remember there gone now aren't they

[@ahstrix]

So I work In the waterpark and With the Closure of The Mall and the attractions over 300 employees have been temporarily laid off, and hopefully soon We can all go back

[@LakeNipissing]

^^^^ 33 years in a row going to the WWP !! Don't plan to miss a year now... get Blue Thunder refilled, and get that place opened up!!

[@quackityalt7213]

Hey, thanks man. Just be glad you're not forced to go to work, you're probably going to go back soon.

[@LakeNipissing]

@@quackityalt7213 Consider many of us have never had a day off during the 'lockdown', and in fact have had to work overtime.

[@quackityalt7213]

@@LakeNipissing In West Edmonton Mall? I don't think a lot of workers had to work during the lockdown in WEM

[@LakeNipissing]

No, I live in NE Ontario. Don't work at WEM !

[@scottysoften]

It's emotional seeing something we like so much suddenly become unusable and almost broken. From the empty wave pool and motionless rides in Galaxyland and dark, still closed arcade at the Rec Room there's a little bit of hope as the stores start to reopen. Not just a hope things will return back to normal but also a greater appreciation for things like searching for a parking space on a Saturday afternoon, the lineups for the slides and rides, the crowded the halls when you're running to the theatre before showtime, and when someone takes your seat in the food court before your food arrives. We can now look back to this moment and remember a time the attractions stopped, the theatres and arecades became dark, and the stores and restaurants shut down as the mall turned into a ghost town.

[@LakeNipissing]

And we all have to collectively say: "Never again."

[@scottysoften]

Lake Nipissing Exactly!

[@LakeNipissing]

@@scottysoften Instead of knee-jerk panic, we needed common sense logic... and didn't get it. Now the world economy has collapsed, businesses have failed, people have become bankrupt, divorce, abuse, depression, suicides are all up, with people imprisoned in their homes and small apartments.

[@scottysoften]

Lake Nipissing Not to get too political or anything here but I think we all could have handled the situation better. There's a lot of negative things that happened with the government and public decisions. I just hope we focus on the positives and how we can become a more kind, caring, and patient people with eachother. If I'm honest with you it's frustrating to think things may never be the way they were pre-pandemic. I get it but it also bothers me thinking that everyone around me could be infected. I used to pat some of the cleaning staff at the mall on the back and tell them things like "thank you for making the mall a beautiful place to visit". Touching may be a big no no but kindness like that should remain the same if not become more often.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Agree 1000 percent! Btw, I think KZbin deleted your reply to Jon Pickering...

[@naimcardinal]

I recently moved from Edmonton 5 months ago but I lived there for 18 years and “the mall” was a huge part of my life as an Edmontonian. Even before I moved to Edmonton it was a huge part of my life. It was the place to go and I made so many good memories there. It was sad to see the mall like that with the people not there. The people-your people or strangers-are what makes the mall “the mall.” Thank you for this video. I miss Edmonton and West Edmonton Mall so much.

[@Catsjamify]

I remember a time before WEM was built. I remember when it was just Phase 1, and where the hoarding went up while they were building Phase 2. I remember how excited I was when the massive HMV opened in Phase 4. I used to always attend the Rock & Ride parties in the 80s, and was there when the Mindbender crashed. Another time, my friends and I were hanging out waiting for our ride to go home and a peacock jumped out of its enclosure and ran up and down the hallway. I remember doing evening skating practices with my Precision team in the early 90s. I remember all of the movie theatres, and miss the dragon from Silver City. I pushed all of my kids through the mall when they were little in strollers. I've taken them all down the slides in the waterpark, and on every ride in Galaxyland. Seeing it deserted for the first time in my memory is certainly jarring, and I can't wait to get back over there (when things are a bit more normal.) This is a great video; Nice work!

[@LakeNipissing]

Thanks for sharing so many of your memories !!

[@meandyourmom69_]

It’s so empty. So empty. It’s scary, thats literally not normal for me. This video made me cry so much. 2020 is by far the worst year ever

[@markalexmclennan]

You made the very right choice to release this with the original audio, well done. I look back at some of the memories from before everything went to hell and it is good to remember how things felt as we were heading into this weird time.

[@coreyanderson32]

On the Sunday afternoon after the NHL shut down (March 2020) I took my son for a driving lesson. We stopped by the mall and this was the moment the pandemic became a reality to me. Store after store was closed, WaterPark closed, GalaxyLand closed. The only stores open were the T&T and hat stores. It was strangest feeling I had ever experienced and in that moment I realized my world was about to change. Thanks for posting this video as a reminder of that important moment,

[@StarAssassin52Z]

I work in the mall and throughout the shut down I was still able to work, mainly shipping out online orders. It is still one of the weirdest experience I have had, showing up at noon and barely seeing anyone. I even took the chance to ride my bike through the mall and from one end to the other and I didn't see a single person. But it has already changed so much, now the mall feels alive again, even if it's only a fraction of what it was.

[@jameswiese3812]

Thanks for all the great videos over the years, gold star for catching all 3 of our sons favourite malls (WEM, Millwoods TC, and Millbourne Market Mall :)

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Good eye!

[@SebastianDeRossi]

This channel is awesome! I can't help but feel we take this mall for granted :D

[@abdolhakwik5255]

Looks super weird being empty. Kinda creepy but yeah never thought I'd see it like this. Really miss the waterpark. Now is their chance for a deep clean all around.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

I feel your pain. I rarely went to the mall as a kid, but I've been making monthly excursions there since 2002 the year I graduated high school (although, sadly, I rarely go to the waterpark or Galaxyland because I find them too expensive). It's always been my home-away-from-home, and I always love planning my next visit. Being a lone wolf, I always go by myself. Then in early 2017, I got cancer, including a tumor on my spine that forced me to learn how to walk again for the past two years. I'm fine now, but I need a cane to get around, so I started going to the mall again last summer. Then this shut-down. I've always been fascinated with history of WEM myself, even though I haven't been regularly going as long as you, Matt. But I do share your passion and fascination. I am extremely nostalgic for the old food court, the dragon, old Fantasyland, the puppet shows outside the main FL entrance, the ball machines, Rock and Ride, Johnny Rockets, Comic King... Your channel brings me a lot of joy, and I've learned so much from your videos. I would love you to meet you at the mall some day and shake your hand. My mom and I regularly go the Jubilations dinner theater, and we hit the mall early before each show to walk around, and I always tell her what I've learned.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Thanks for sharing this Sabrina. Once things calm down a little further, I'd love to meet you and say hi. I'm glad you're doing well.

[@kelseytaylor6170]

My husband and I have had a room booked at the Fantasyland for our anniversary in July since before Covid 19 was even a thought...hoping we will feel comfortable to go by then. Everything is so up in the sir right now but seeing some stores reopen is reassuring.

[@carolechamberlin4952]

Wow! What a crazy sight. Another well-done video! You reminded me of when I spent grad night at the fantasy land hotel! ( A story for another time maybe )

[@mrdss]

Very nice video. I haven't been back to Edmonton since 1988 and yet my heart still ached to see it so empty. Be safe my friend and keep up the good work.

[@garynutbrown9211]

Really enjoyed the video you speak from the heart I really enjoy your channel keep making the videos ok lol !! And stay safe yourself!

[@bdarlene22]

I am so glad someone made a video of this...I am from Saskatchewan and make the trek every year to visit the mall,( have done so since 1986) and I literally was wondering what it must have looked like all empty. Thank God the mall has opened up again, so we are coming again soon for our yearly visit.

[@Oilerator_]

Now we just need Edmonton Oilers hockey back.

[@CanadianGuy2004]

Nope

[@peytontanghe1891]

NO.

[@trinzy3000]

Thank you so much for this! I can’t wait for the mall to be back to normal (or as close to normal as we can get) again!

[@meghan9436]

Late to the party, but wow. I too, teared up a bit watching this. As an Edmontonian, I’ve been an expat in Japan for the last three and a half years. Yes, the staple locations at WEM are the same, but I can’t help but feel like the mall has completely changed since the last time I was there. It will be bittersweet, once I return. As I said a while back, I think that one of these years it would be fun to shoot a reaction video of my return. I noticed that there is a new UniQlo location, as well as a new Garden Bakery location in your footage! If they open a Book Off, LOFT, Tokyu Hands, and MUJI at WEM, I would be all set. As much as I miss Canada, Japan has become a home away from home for me. As a side note, the plus side of the closures is that now you have the perfect opportunity to film that zombie apocalypse movie if you wanted to. I get some Left 4 Dead vibes from the footage ;)

[@Blendeture]

It’s been decades since my last visit. But by far my greatest sensory memory is the smell of ionized air near the bumper cars.

[@LakeNipissing]

Thanks for uploading the Mindbender news report video from 1986. Surprised "GP To Enthusiast" who uploads rollercoaster accident videos didn't have the great news footage you provided in the Mindbender accident video he uploaded a month ago.

[@Blendeture]

Lake Nipissing : No problem, I’m very glad to have rescued that. Thanks for watching!

[@kingchris-xt9lf]

have you ever thought of doing a video of londonderry mall and its history?

[@internetexpert8153]

Wouldn't get enough views to satisfy him im sure

[@ruwatching3818]

@@internetexpert8153 Its a dead mall

[@internetexpert8153]

@@ruwatching3818 yup

[@gargwinvinesnake6961]

@@internetexpert8153 he's done the history of Heritage Mall, a mall torn down years ago, so never say never.

[@HawkEye3366]

Great video. It’s so surreal to have walked through the mall before the full shut down. Didn’t feel real.

[@carn0830]

Well then, I guess I can go there tomorrow with my family. I really appreciate these videos. They want to go get a bag, I hope the place is still open. Stay safe, Everyone!

[@LakeNipissing]

Luggage Unlimited ?

[@carn0830]

@@LakeNipissing Yep

[@michaelgray3002]

Hi I live in Calgary but I usually try and make it up about twice a year to visit the mall as it is indeed a great place to go to. Seeing it empty made me very sad but it was the right thing to do for a couple of months for our safety and health . But now like every mall in the province they are starting to Re-open slowly and I think in time things will get back to normal but with that being said I also agree with the new restrictions as well to keep everyone safe. I will try and come up for a visit this summer as my 19 year old daughter has never been and would like to see the place. Keep up the great work and I love this video as well.

[@status101-danielho6]

With the Ghermezians in financial trouble with their other mall properties, there's the possibility that West Edmonton Mall may one day be CF West Edmonton Mall or simply Simon Edmonton Mall.

[@55Berg]

You should do a video on those super loud horns that are used in the world water park to signal that the wave pools are turning on. I always found those pretty cool.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Oh gosh, me too!

[@henrypham7717]

Wonderful video man, we share the same sentimental values :)

[@albertaoglifer1132]

I remember coming to the mall from Tumbler Ridge and my favourite store was KOKI clothing, best West Beach wear ever!

[@storethings7632]

Love the meditative tone and your focus on the personal mythology of WEM, it is shared in the collective consciousness of edmonton.. keep looking under the hood of WEM

[@dasupalouie]

Beautiful video.

[@Suzikuznetsov]

Such a nice feeling that life is slowly getting back love WEM best mall in the world

[@mitchellries256]

I know how you feel. I was looking forward to the opening of all the stores and restaurants at American Dream Meadowlands two months ago as well as the DreamWorks Waterpark, SeaLife Aquarium and all that other stuff. Then out of nowhere, this happened. It would be fair to say I can't wait for next year. Things should be back to normal by that time.

[@TrickiVicBB71]

I've been seeing a lot of videos on TikTok of people walking around empty WEM. Weird feeling.

[@MrWallace484]

Great video Edmonton mall is okay but was always too busy

[@dustfart466]

Well done , well said.

[@ruwatching3818]

Mall of America is in financial trouble and may not re open July 1 and I would assume West Ed (although barely open) is in trouble also as are most other malls , the worst is yet to come economically so buckle up .

[@Ultima2222]

A poignant moment of reflection and....vulnerability?...from the BEM guy. I get why you decided against posting the footy then, but I'm happy you did now. Good video.

[@pilotleader]

Great to see things opening again, however, there are reports some retailers will not reopen due to financial failure - there’s bound to be changes, but the mall will prevail.

[@ruwatching3818]

I highly doubt it the mall is in trouble as is mall of America

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Because of the Covid?

[@Jaydentremblay]

Song name

[@BestEdmontonMall]

In Peace by Sascha Ende

[@Jaydentremblay]

Best Edmonton Mall thank you so much great gideo

[@JennRenae]

We have reservations at the Fantasyland Hotel for the last week of July and planned to see the attractions and spend a few days roaming the mall. We don't think that trip will be happening if the attractions are still closed.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I hope you get to go!

[@craftyperogi.shorts]

I live in medicine hat just 6 hours away from West Edmonton mall

[@woodrobot8]

I must admit I paused video when you showed the swing of the century... to see my drawings.. Yep. I miss working in galaxyland. it feels like home.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Your drawings? Wait did we talk about this before?

[@woodrobot8]

@@BestEdmontonMall I know a friend of yours came by occasionally and told me I should speak to you regarding my caricatures at galaxyland. Yes, I have been caricaturing at wem for 5 years and everywhere else for 35 years. When Rob the digital guy moved to BC and Claude left I stayed on.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

@@woodrobot8 I'd love to hear more! Can you DM me on Facebook? BestEdMall

[@dylanc2057]

Not sure if you knew this or not but the Alberta movie fubar 2 used WEM as a filming location

[@GoatMalp]

I have a question; I visited the mall several times in the early to mid nineties (I live in Vancouver) and I have very fond memories. I’ve always wanted to go back, but the mall has changed so much, do you think it’d be better if I kept it as it is in my mind, or experience it again? Probably a dumb thing to overthink, but I’m slightly worried the way it is now might replace my memories of how it was....

[@laurenkimberly3937]

Don't go back. The mall has totally lost its's originality. I went there so frequently as a kid but maybe once a year now, and it's like what's the point?

[@hotboxrox]

My friend got drunk in Boston pizza and went to slide down the rail to the lounge and immediately fell backwards on to the table of the booth right behind the stairs! oh How I miss the mall lol

[@LakeNipissing]

I can include myself among those who have staggered back to the FLH from "BRBN ST" after spending a 'little too much' at the bar.

[@somalikanye8642]

Went there yesterday very different vibe

[@Followlostonline]

I saw a bandaid floating in the wave pool back in 91... I told those in charge back then, but they did nothing. I told them.

[@MrWallace484]

Gross

[@robertpierce7190]

I kind of miss going out places or seeing my favourite stores or seeing friends & family that I haven’t seen in a long time since this virus started I just hope they find a cure fast? don’t shut down everything completely and end up like a ghost town you see in magazines because Edmonton is my favourite city too? because it’s got historic past? 10 four and goodbye

[@thisiswhatbrianthinksadventure]

Sounds very serious.

[@kittychatalot]

Omg. So empty.

[@orangesoda6492]

What song is that playing at 1:50 and 6:52 ?

[@feel65]

YESSSSSSSSASS HYPE

[@gordonpenny6415]

Stay safe and stay strong

[@iancurrie8844]

Hello from the future. It will all be OK.

[@HippyMetalhead]

This mall has gone downhill. I miss how it looked back in 2010

[@user-kd9qk7ij2j]

Donatien Alphonse François Marquis de Sade agreed

[@gerryldionisio6125]

I heard stores like Victoria Secret and Bath and Body works are bankrupt and will be closing their Canadian locations

[@tiffthenerd]

bath and body works is closing 1 location in Canada. Victoria secret is closing 13 stores in Canada.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Yeah, the economy was in trouble before this whole thing started. Stores and restaurants across Canada were rapidly closing down. Now, well, hoo-boy...

[@michaelcooknell3486]

❤

[@nhatvu5574]

No sit area stupid idea

[@Kittenklawurbnxplr]

Edmonton

[@Kittenklawurbnxplr]

No

[@jonpickering4925]

I hope all those employees remember the government of Canada has made it clear you need 2000$ a month to survive. Stay safe stay home.