*PERMANENTLY CLOSED* Stratford Square Mall - Bloomingdale, Illinois | Mall History and Tour

[@dylan-fnaf1679]

I remember when I used to go there with my dad back in 2011-2018, My favorite places to go was F.Y.E, and the Round 1 arcade. Farewell Stratford Square Mall, you were one of my favorite malls to go to....

[@marvelousme5]

I am so so sad this mall is closed!!! I love the aesthetics!!! I wish they could have saved the beautiful interior even if it wasn’t a mall. I just love the wood and beautiful interior. Thanks so very much for the wonderful video! Take care and have a wonderful Sunday and weekend!!!! 👍🏻😃

[@rachelrivera91]

Agree with you. They should try to preserve the wooden architecture & aesthetics of this mall for planned redevelopment. Revitalize the mall would be better option. Repurpose it. This is ultimately sad. I guess demolishing it would be cheaper. But I’ve known of malls that were repurposed and not face the demolition process.

[@goingplaces2274]

Its sad to see this mall go. When I first moved to the US and lived in Illinois, this was the first mall I visited in 1992, had my first Arby's on the 2nd level, tried bourbon chicken at the food court, watched a movie, sat by the fountain, and frequented Zany Brainy, among other stores in the area. I moved to a different state since but always visit the Illinois often since my sister lives in the area, but sad to see my former haunts closing one by one. Now the mall itself is closed. Bittersweet memories.

[@rattatootii]

I miss it so much, my middle school choir teachers would take us on field trips here during the holiday seasons to perform songs and it was the best thing ever

[@sillywes]

This mall was a staple of my childhood, I never thought a small town mall would be featured in anything other than a video talking about the area. We will miss you Stratford Mall.

[@TheBigro43bat]

At 7:27 in the video, there exists a hallway in between the food court and Kohls. You can only make out the exit sign above the hallway. It leads to a restroom and has a wall of small tiles that were hand painted by children. Each with their own messages and simple paintings. They are dated to around late 90's to early 2000's. Makes me wonder what will happen to them.

[@jpendowski7503]

My kids had tiles on the walls. It was sponsored by the Bloomingdale public library to fund a computer upgrade. The Library worked with a contractor to remove and conserve as many tiles as possible. The tiles saved could be claimed on a few days near the closing. Over 90% were rescued and we went to claim our tiles. Bittersweet.

[@indubren]

I remember this wall. it was a real snapshot in time. there were a TON of pokemon on it. a window into the life of a kid back then.

[@TheBigro43bat]

@@jpendowski7503 That is so cool! Glad to hear that you got them.

[@rachelrivera91]

Thank you for showing some love and appreciation for such a beautiful and aesthetically appealing mall. Will be remembered as one of the most beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing malls in history. Too bad there was not an active effort to save this mall before it faced its demise. This massive structure was such a work of art for the community. Why not preserve its amazing architecture for historical preservation? Re use it as a museum to store local art, for offices, shops, indoor park and recreation. It’s a loss of great architecture to just demolish this. In my opinion, it’s by far regarded as one of the most beautiful and aesthetically appealing malls I’ve ever seen on the internet. Thank you for making the effort to preserve a part of history at a time when the malls of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s and even before that in the 60s & 70s, were all cherished. I’m thankful that we can preserve historical moments like this because of people like you who make the effort to do so.

[@bouncypear_net]

As someone who lives in the area, we all wanted to see it saved! unfortunately, the management company that bought out the mall in the years leading up to its closure really just ran it into the ground, probably intentionally.

[@donttalktome4696]

Didnt expect this video to bring on the wave of emotions it did. Ive had meals with at least three people who have now passed, at that exact food court. Great, informative video!

[@ningboy3274]

It's crazy to see this mall like this, I went there pretty regularly for years. I remember it in the 90s when I was a kid, and all the changes it went through throughout the years. In my younger days, it always seemed so timeless in a way that made it seem like it would go on forever. I have so many memories from this place, between all the people I went there with who have passed away or drifted out of my life, to all the times I spent there just trying to make money, or kill time stranded in the suburbs. As I left for the city everything would change back in the suburbs, more of my friends would lose their lives, people would move away never to be seen again, the landscape itself developing into more identical strip malls full of stores that weren't there when you were growing up, the places of your origin no longer resembling that places that sculpted you as a person. But Stratford was always still there, seemingly immune to the change the rest of the world experienced, noticeably adapting to the mounting change, but still being the place you recognized from all the time spent in your formative years. Its fitting to me that this is what's left, as I've left the state and no longer have many ties to the area, it's like this dead mall is a metaphor for the life that didn't work out for me back up north. All my hopes and aspirations that were closed and shuddered by circumstance, just like this building. The empty husk of a temple to access now nothing more than a fleeting memory, only dredged up while surfing for true crime videos, an entire world away. This may be the last time I ever even think about or see this place again, in a video made by a stranger, telling me about this place that I once knew so well...

[@christosgeorgiafentis4825]

I remember going to this mall a couple times. I never really thought it would die. It looked so appealing.

[@keel1376]

Thank you for making a video about this mall! I went there quite a bit growing up and really miss it!

[@andrewr.2507]

😭 I'll never forget you Stratford square mall!

[@QueSara1111]

I love the woodwork aesthetic... it's back in fashion again it seems. Always the cycle I guess. Love the black mosaic wall too. If you changed the railings and some other bits, it's not a bad looking mall!

[@Funatic_Asylum]

6:07 there used to be a train station for kids, it would drive around the mall and play songs such as “chugga chugga choo choo” by choo choo soul I remember going on it as a kid.

[@danc2581]

This was so crazy to watch! I grew up in a few towns over, and we all went to this mall. And now it's gone. Thank you for making this video. It sure brings back memories!❤😢

[@Ohsnapsitskevin187x]

Wow , bittersweet , i remember going there as a teen , only malls thats exist now i believe are woodfielf and the mall down 83

[@deathmachine4583]

Always went here with friends and family in middle school and early highschool. Actually worked at the kohls and currently work at the woodmans right next to mall. It was sad to watch this place crumble and wither. Just such a tragic tale that many malls face these days. I don’t blame Amazon or anything anymore. Places like wood field and other malls show that this style of shopping still works. These just needs to be run by competent people to stay afloat.

[@amydarling9715]

I remember going to this mall all the time when I was a child and my fave store the disney store and eating at the food court. I only went a few times as an adult and it wasn't the same as it was in my childhood so I was not shocked that this mall closed. Its so sad that a lot of malls around here have shut down

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

I actually remember going here as a kid with my mom! What I remember most is the playplace at 0:44. I definitly remember the yellow corvette, the big tree with windows, the roads, the ladybug, that pickup truck, and I think there was even a police car and fire truck with some Dalmation in there too. Other things I remember was that there was a mall train, arcade machines (Stacker was one of them) and coin operated ride-ons, including one that was meant to be a roller coaster. They also have some like trampoline attraction that put you in the air while you were attached to a harness? Not fully sure what that was. Thanks for making this video, it was great seeing this place again!

[@hkr321hkr]

When I was a kid we poured detergent in the waterfall. Yes the fountain used to be a waterfall

[@nickp.4915]

Sad to see for sure. Honestly never thought that Stratford or Woodfield would ever die. Woodfield is still going but its really sad to see Stratford on this list and to watch this video. I have seen many many abandoned mall videos on YT and it's really a different feeling watching one where you recognize the location within the building of every single still picture or scene in the video. So many memories in that building as teen-aged mall rats in the mid 80's like walking underneath the big waterfall that seemed magical into the Plitt Theater entrance to see Rocky III. Looking through the glass to see the water falling down, or the lunch or dinner you had just before or after a movie in the most interestingly designed multi-level Mexican restaurant, Carlos Sweeny's where you and three friends would split the most amazingly delicious and huge Mexican pizza followed by deep fried ice cream for desert or all the times you had a slice or two at the Sbarro. Even the memories in the mid to late 2010's meeting a group of friends on a Saturday night, all now in their 40's & 50's at the Red Robin for a Royal Red Robin gooey burger with egg on it and all you can eat fries and Root Beer Floats. Yep lots of memories in that building over thirty plus years!

[@kennypalermo9071]

This mall makes me want to cry

[@stevenhickey326]

I always thought this was a really nice mall , also always wondered why it was built with the massive , well-known Woodfield Mall close by.

[@jpendowski7503]

Our family spent so much time at the mall, shopping , movies and play spaces. It is sad to see it go as much retail cannot sustain. Lucky the remaining stores have moved to local strip malls. Visited at the closing, retrieved the tiles my kids made for the wall and walked the empty halls. Sad to see this beautiful space no longer viable.

[@NickMichalak]

Once the theatre and the Sbarro's closed, I knew the days were absolutely numbered for Stratford. It's a nice location, but I've seen this sort of decline happen in good eras. The old Orland Park Place Mall in the late 90's it was near empty. I actually preferred it over the Orland Square Mall across the road, but it just lost ground with too many anchor stores going away such as Montgomery Ward's. Fortunately, someone was smart enough to redevelop the plaza into a bustling place of commerce as a regular shopping center with no mall interior. Hopefully, Bloomingdale can manage this here now.

[@PunmasterSTP]

I never thought about mimes as being people you'd hire for a mall grand opening, but I guess it could work! In any case, it just seems nuts that so many events were held and renovations made but after all that the mall still died. I guess every living thing has to go sometime...

[@Rattler808]

i have sooo many memories of that food court...my friends and cousins spent a lot of time there in the early 90s....especially between movies. i can still see my uncle waiting for us at the top of the escalator waving at us to hurry before the movie started. rip stratford. 🙏

[@UnhingedPikachu]

NOOOOOOOOO!! I LOVED THIS MALL SO MUCH!!! 😭😭😭

[@zerrodefex]

Wondered when I'd finally see one of my own local malls on one of these channels.

[@nikolasborsilli6553]

Started to go this mall with my college friends in 2015. Even then we knew the mall was dying. When they got round 1 in there a couple years later, we thought it could actually save the mall. Alas, COVID happened and now there is now no mall anymore.

[@rachelrivera91]

Just subscribed to your channel. Really appreciate your work on documenting our beloved malls. Great content for sure. 👍

[@gtmustang4me1111]

Rip Stratford 🙏

[@jshersher]

Oh my god the dinosaurs -that was deep in my mind bank.

[@Maxdekriek]

Verry nice job guy's..as always thank you for sharing .. greetsz from holland/friesland...max...

[@gracep2910]

:( I went to their Round 1 all the time. Feels like yesterday.

[@cherihill2003]

Beautiful mall! Thank you for the tour.

[@pilotgrrl1]

Grew up in Farnham, the same subdivision where the Pappases lived. Milt and his son were real jerks. It was rumored at the time that Carole ended up in the retention pond after having taken some medicine prescribed for dental pain.

[@Dragoncurse4]

It's always sad to see a mall close down. All the malls around me closed down years ago.

[@adachiandmarie6024]

Yooo that’s the dead rising mall 🤯🤯👀👀👀

[@andyandreson3989]

I used to live across the street from mall. Lots of time spent there.

[@beachdawgz]

Sad always liked that mall. It was less crowded than Woodfield and Fox Valley.

[@Alverant]

I didn't go here very often. But sorry to see it go.

[@Tim85-y2q]

Used to go there a lot. Sad to see it go.

[@dackbowland1876]

Was so cool as a kid

[@morgan01103AJ]

I spent my entire childhood in this mall. I grew up there, my friends included. Such a shame to see it go.

[@teddybear4020]

instead of RIPPIN IT DOWN . use could b transformed to apartments for handicap. with medical on site .for them .and or public

[@andyandreson3989]

Not a cost effective option.

[@sillywes]

You need to remember this mall is off the side of a highway. Not in a neighborhood.

[@andyandreson3989]

@@sillywes Stratford is right next to residential area. I used to live across the street from it. 90 and 355/290 are both a couple miles away.

[@greatcitysportaction2289]

Do you know the future plans for this mall after it gets demolished?

[@morgan01103AJ]

I hear they’re gonna turn it into an apartment complex? Or another strip mall with restaurants and stores. Such a shame

[@sillywes]

Daily Herald says either a strip mall or apartments.

[@greatcitysportaction2289]

@@morgan01103AJ In my opinion, Stratford Square Mall should be demolished for a large apartment complex with apartments that have at least five bedrooms, four bathrooms, one large living room, and at least one large media room, and amenities consisting of at least one fitness center, at least one indoor skatepark, at least one indoor pool, at least one indoor waterpark, at least one indoor basketball gym, and a food court with food places such as Mooyah Burgers, Fries, & Shakes, Popeye’s, Papa John’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Buffalo Wild Wings, Great American Cookies, and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream or it should be demolished for a live music venue with a very similar design to the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York.

[@teddybear4020]

i have seen others that transformed to apartments

[@henrycook6376]

Idk how River Oaks mall in Calumet City Illinois stays open. Soon to be abandoned im sure!

[@HaveGunWillTravel-zo3nl]

It really looks abandoned on the sears side. Sad to see these places go away. Amazon and walmart have forced these closures. Amazon should open a store in these malls and help preserve american heritage. Teens need something to do. I remember staying a whole day at the mall. Record store listening, cloths shopping, video arcade, food court and then go see a movie. Thats a full day.

[@henrycook6376]

@HaveGunWillTravel-zo3nl yeah me too. I'm 53 and without the malls idk what I'd have done as a teenager. One mall I used to go to was Woodmar mall in Hammond, IN. It was a good one. Carson Pririe Scott was the anchor and it had a great record store! There is a YMCA being built where it once stood. Biggest in the world.

[@JohnWise-vg3zj]

They could turn some of these into Housing for Veteran's and their families.

[@sillywes]

Bright idea! Areas like this in Illinois do need more spaces but the city seems interested more in a strip mall.

[@bren3347]

As much as I love online shopping, it's sad to see what it's doing to places like this.

[@hkr321hkr]

Long live Montgomery wards

[@g37_]

Wow so sad

[@allaccessshogun]

I would like to buy this property for 4.9 million. It’s hard getting ahold of anyone . If someone can direct me please do. Thank you

[@jpendowski7503]

It is owned by the Village of Bloomingdale.

[@allaccessshogun]

@@jpendowski7503 I already purchased a mall property in Michigan. Thank you and best wishes .

[@NatoBato_]

Was a great mall up until past few years. Was there at nighttime not too long ago and it was just infested with only annoying kids and teens running around and screaming.

[@jker2012]

Went there just a few days before it closed, it was wild. We were sneaking around, and unfortunately got kicked out. Of course we cooperated with security. All they did was escort us out thankfully. We got off easy I feel.

[@deathmachine4583]

Me and a friend did the same thing last year. We went around all the back areas to see what we could find. I really wanted to find a way into the movie theatre somehow but we also got caught I think right before we were getting to that area. Just shrugged it off and never came back. Still wish I could’ve gotten to see what that theatre looked like all abandoned.

[@Kermondale]

Church-System is[Babylon} is FALLING