RAINBOW CENTRE MALL - THE FORGOTTEN GEM OF NIAGARA FALLS

RAINBOW CENTRE MALL - THE FORGOTTEN GEM OF NIAGARA FALLS
My exclusive tour of the long forgotten Rainbow Centre Mall in Niagara Falls NY
IG - @ACESADVENTURES1

[@sarahdiane359]

I’ve been growing increasingly nostalgic for the 80s and 90s lately in many aspects. I find comfort in the memories and these videos help my anxiety. Thank you for always taking us back ☺️

[@andrewevans5750]

You know, the day when the average person could afford a home on a h.s diploma. 2000s would be a college degree. Today masters are too far in debt, and everyone else is basically working class without STEM work experience. Thank god I have the latter but 100 hr weeks suck. Health benefits aren't even guarunteed anymore.

[@JJ-wk5wy]

I am always nostalgic for those times. Love watching old clips and commercials from those eras

[@JJMHigner]

Mine too!

[@notone4029]

@ Sarah Diane , Yeah, the anxiety of Total change from our Great Past to the “New Norm” of impersonal Digitalization is NOT how I thought our future would play out! Totally understand where your coming from. These videos are like “A Linus blanket “ (ie. Snoopy/Peanuts) to me in a way. 🙂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BuffaloNyBornRaised]

Same here born and raised in Buffalo New York but Niagara Falls visited many many times. I missed the Festival of Lights I miss going to WWF wrestling at the Niagara Falls Civic and Convention Center. I miss messing around on the elevators at the Winter Garden I miss that beautiful fountain with the elevator going up at the rainbow Mall I miss Maple Leaf Village. And soon I will begin to miss Fantasy Island Grand Island so many wonderful things taken away

[@jmhave825]

I remember going to this mall as a child and teenager during the festival of lights. My family would make it a annual get away and stay overnight. It was wonderful. I remember in winter garden one year my dad was able to get a bird to eat from his hand! Thanks for sharing your memories!

[@doke5851]

I live in Texas and have never been to this mall, but this video makes me miss the mall. lol

[@KrazyKeith4]

Same

[@itsJoshW]

This mall (in particular) was one of the iconic pieces of Niagara Falls history that had been forgotten and quickly washed away in our history. Niagara Falls had three key malls: Rainbow Boulevard (Rainbow Centre Factory Outlets), Factory Outlets (later renamed as Fashion Outlets), and Summit Park. Rainbow was the first to close. This was rumored to have happened when the Canadian dollar went to a higher cost, and the foot-traffic turned less and less of a profit. Stores were pulling out of the mall and new stores, sometimes locally owned, were taking it's place. The mall was a beautiful sight, and my mother actually worked here when I was a child in the 90s. I remember countless of times running through the halls, or hiding in coat racks. I remember sitting by the insanely tall fountain and viewing off a balcony at the sight that was a masterpiece. This mall was iconic for numerous reasons, and a lot had to do with the design. The mall wasn't designed like the other ones in the region; It was unique. Rewinding to the Winter Gardens. This structure stayed intact for just over a decade after the mall. It rarely saw foot traffic, and wasn't up-kept. It was a sore sight into the depressing history that is this city, and instead of funding to rebuild (which knowing the cities horrible expenses, would have been a hundred-million dollar project, I'm sure), the city opted to tear it down and allow for this to be a road. Looking into the past, I can see the Wintergardens being an amazing idea at the time. Today, although it would have been perfect -- It wouldn't have fit into this current day city. One that lives impoverished and couldn't even afford fireworks for the 4th of July. Besides the Rainbow Mall, there was the Summit mall. This is one that was less known. It didn't have plenty of unique stores in it, however it did have a lot of locally owned stores. This mall was small, with a decent food court to match. I'd have to actually argue, the food at this mall was some of the best local Mall food in this region, and some of the pizza places still exist today. Slowly, the mall got less traffic due to the stores in this mall. Stores left, and the mall could barely keep afloat. A decade or so ago, this mall completely closed...but kept two outside outlets open. They eventually went out of business, and the mall -- what was once home for "Cruise night" and various events, is now an abandoned wasteland. The third and latest mall: The Factory Boulevard mall...now labeled Fashion Outlets. This mall was once a small rectangle with a very quaint food court. It had a few brand stores, but it was quite smaller than the other two. It was on Military Road, which at the time didn't have anywhere near as much traffic as today. It was, however, closer to the High School (which up until 2000, was around the block from this mall -- later moved a walking distance away). It had stores for everyone, and it's major benefit was location. Since it wasn't "at" the border, it wasn't always busy, and it wasn't hard to get to (even with traffic). It was just a little closer than Summit, with brand-name stores. This mall was the only one to survive, and I'd have to argue it was due to the location. A little less than a decade ago (or maybe a decade ago?), it expanded and gained dozens of new outlets, allowing for multiple stores that were only exclusive at "The Boulevard Mall", which was down in Amherst NY (about a 20-30 minute drive down Niagara Falls BLVD). The Rainbow mall isn't just used by 'the culinary center'. It's owned by the City of Niagara Falls and shared with Niagara County Community College, much like the TROTT building is. Part of the parking garage houses police. Part of the building is used for storage for the multitude of tax-free stores that reside off Niagara St at the tourist center. And the rest is vacant. The mall wasn't 'allowed' to die. It just did, along with the other ones. From corrupt owners who pocketed money instead of fixing or helping, to the city overtaxing or overall being corrupt. As for today. I think this mall signifies this city. What was once a prosperous mall, full of excitement -- turned into a cosmetic dump utilized to funnel money into the hands of the select few. Welcome to Niagara Falls. Enjoy your stay.

[@jackwilliams5223]

I thought they were going to do something with it

[@Sam21998]

@@jackwilliams5223 they wanted to turn it into an indoor Waterpark like Canada's Clifton Hill has but we all know how niagara falls is sadly, lived here all my life and it's been going down hill for a very long long time. I think the lowest of the low is either now or 5 years back after recovering from the 2008 crash but this covid crash is definitely worse, many more businesses will keep closing too, pretty soon western NY will literally just be a dump and it's sad because I has good potential to be so beautiful but the corruption is out of control.

[@Catmannj1]

Sad this mall was allowed to die like this. Guess many renewal projects fail. The earlier video by the janitor was awesome. He didn't realize he was paving the way for you and other urbexers in the new century. Thanks for all your.hard work

[@Cre80s]

Catman Mark Blanchard Yes, that janitor was ahead of his time.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

When this mall died -- the rest of American Falls died along with it. Especially after the September 11th, 2001 attacks and also the Great Recession of '08. Although I think it is slowly (KEYWORD: "slowly") making a comeback; but I'm pretty sure it won't be as great as it once was... Speaking of iconic Niagara Falls landmark buildings [like the Rainbow Centre Mall and its wintergarden]; I wish they would do something with that cool, yet cute looking turtle building down the street from it.

[@RichV20]

@@NathanDavisVideos The mall officially closed around 2006. You could only go in if you were going to OTB or you'd be yelled at if you tried to walk around inside. Summit closed that summer too.

[@HelloMello4221]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video. My mouth actually fell open when I saw the title and I've never clicked so fast. This was something I had very foggy memories of, since I was born in '94. My family took me as a youngster a few times to the Winter Garden and the mall. My younger brother and friend who were both born in '97 have no recollection of this mall, and honestly seeing the footage from the 90s made me emotional because I never thought I'd be able to re-experience it.

[@jackwilliams5223]

Wow you're a kid LOL! I'm about 20 Year younger than you and I wish I was born 20 Years even earlier to be able to see all this stuff!

[@agirlfromnewyork2074]

I miss the mall, the winter garden, the festable of lights. We even had a splash park many years ago as well!!

[@oophelia46]

I got married at the Wintergardens.

[@scottr3484]

So did in 1987 by the Mayor of Niagara Falls

[@northsidediva6465]

I went to that mall a bunch of times with my parents when I was a kid in the 1980s! Take me back!

[@madamhummingbird]

This is one of my favorite videos in your collection of works to date. I really enjoyed all the content. The original images of the casino/mall are truly spectacular. The ride up in the retro elevator to reveal the neon paradise in its glory days was a beautiful shot. Well played, Ace :D

[@amyf5240]

My best friend and I would walk there in the late 80s and then walk across the bridge into Canada with NO ID (good old days!) to Maple Leaf Village! My ex husband & I took our daughters (now 27 & 24) to the Festival of Lights on the American side and would go to the winter garden and eat in the food court...I miss all of this. Thank you for this trip down memory lane!

[@mtaylor220]

This was such a beautiful, majestic, awe inspiring place! The mall, the winter garden, the festival of lights made this city not only beautiful but special. So many good memories! Too bad. Dont think the city will ever be the same!

[@Davidjon1946]

I just love playing on the elevator in the Winter Garden when I was a kid then going to the A&W food court concession stand in the rainbow Mall. Then walking through the winter garden through the path with the lights leading to the Niagara Falls Convention Center to attend WWF wrestling at the Niagara Falls Civic and Convention Center it would always come during the Christmas time the 26th the 27th and the 28th of December but always ask for tickets for Christmas and make a day of it spending it at the Festival of Lights before the matches so many great memories here

[@kelly3014]

I remember this mall! I remember the Winter Garden and thinking it was the coolest place. I had never seen anything like it. I remember eating at the Burger King, and waiting for something. It felt like we waited forever (of course my parents couldn’t remember what it was). I remember going to an outdoor laser light show, though I don’t remember if it was at the mall or not. Good memories of this mall!

[@Bubblun1]

Great find, that janitor is the real hero.

[@pooppy101]

When I was a kid, me and my cousin's would hang out here almost everyday. HV so many memories of this mall. The winter garden was connected to it, ppl would come from all over to get married in it.we would HV the festival of lights every X-mas, the entire downtown would be lit up. My mother would take me to see Santa Claus every year at this Mall. Definitely miss this mall😔

[@dcoop6979]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I live in NF now and it's so sad to see how the once beautiful mall has become. The Winter Garden was so cool. You truly could not understand how much this video meant unless you lived here. BEST VIDEO EVER!! Thanks again.

[@christinestange4813]

This was one of my favorite places to visit in the 80's through the early 90's. It was one of the first places we visited with our newborn son in 1988 taking in the Festival of Lights and the Wintergarden before heading into the mall. My children's favorite place to enjoy the treat of dining out was eating at Burger King and watching the crowd from a table near the well laid out steps near the end of the mall. I recall them exploring the various levels of the Wintergarden skipping from step to step through its water pools. The 100's of Poinsettia plants that adorned the Wintergarden at holiday time were spectacular. It's hard to believe it's gone. We all still morn it's demise. And for what? Old Falls Street? How's that working out? A visit to the area today reveals .... not very well. Sadly, Niagara Falls, NY is it's own worst enemy. I keep rooting for its revival but it seems that is a fruitless effort. This area .... the Wintergarden .... the elaborate Festival of Lights ..... the Rainbow Mall that attracted 1000's from near and far is now only a distant memory. Appreciate your effort to keep that memory alive. It was one of the best.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

I REMEMBER BURGER KING!!! I actually ate there once when I first went here back in 1997!

[@jib3015]

No truer words spoken. Being from Buffalo, I've seen blunder after blunder with NF. Sure do miss TFOL. It was a WNY tradition and I miss it. I hate getting nostalgic but Thank You for your comment. I'm not the only one that misses this. 😢😊

[@EpicHelios83]

I miss the Rainbow Mall. I live in Niagara Falls, NY. Me, my mom, and Grandmother went to this mall almost every weekend. I loved the arcade and just sitting at the water fountain in front of the elevator, throwing pennies in the water. Also, me and my cousins loved running through the Winter Gardens and stopping at BurgerKing, that was directly attached to the Winter Garden, for lunch. It's a Shame the Fashion Outlet Mall put this mall and the Summit Park Mall out of business.

[@josiptito9412]

god that winter garden would’ve been so cool to see!!!

[@RichV20]

It was glorious.

[@stupid5pin]

This mall was basically abandoned by the late 90s. It's actually where I used to go when I'd skip school, I'd go wander the Wintergarden or the virtually abandoned mall itself. But in the late 80s, early 90s, this place was hopping. I bought many a Transformers toy at the KayBee Toys on the second floor right outside of the Burlington Coat Factory when I was real little.

[@RaveSacks]

Thanks, Ace. This one hit me in the feels. Lived in WNY almost my whole life. This wasn't the closest mall to me but I have a few faint memories of going to it as a kid in the 80s/early 90s. I remember buying Candy at the Rite Aid, Hasbro WWF figures at KayBee, as well as spending a little time in the small arcade. Hearing that retro bubble hockey sound in the janitor dude's old video produced quite the flashback for me. Wanting a time machine is right... siiiiigh

[@basshead2003]

Amazing video, Ace! You really outdid yourself this time. Like a tribute to a long lost friend, straight from the heart.

[@29brianjames]

I miss the festival of lights. My family and I looked forward to going every year as a kid. I wish they would bring it back. Thanks for the video

[@moparedtn]

Ace, I do believe this may be the best content you've created to date sir. Congrats on a job well done - and obviously done from the heart in this case.

[@quinceyhall1276]

Thank You so much for making and posting this video. The WinterGarden and Rainbow Mall were my favorite buildings in the Falls. I truly miss those days of old and I'm glad that you helped to bring back so many memories of those times. THANKS again.

[@heatherconway4975]

The plant observatory footage was the best dead mall therapy for me today! Thanks for this!

[@jib3015]

Thank you so much for this video. I spent many years visiting this Mall at Christmas time in the 80's. Loved the Wintergarden at night. Malls in general were a staple in teenage culture back then. I miss that terribly. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. so much.

[@frederickleo2386]

Awww!!! Love that somebody made a Rainbow Centre/Wintergarden video!! That was my hangout for many an adventure when i was a teenager. I also worked there at Beauty Fair USA for a couple years, on the second floor, right next to Claires! Loved and miss that mall actually. Thank you so much for producing and sharing this video... what a wonderful blast from the past.

[@meepthirteen]

A magical instalment! Much enjoyed!

[@JJMHigner]

Loved this building. Miss it greatly!

[@JJMHigner]

Especially the Wintergarden. Many in WNY and Canada remember it well. This complex replaced a rich mix of older buildings lost forever.

[@CC-lt5cu]

That footage was amazing! I remember going here in the early 90s.

[@JM-kq7rn]

Wow..miss those days..if only to go back 😞

[@ka1133]

I certainly recall going over the river ... from Niagara Falls, Ontario ... to visit the Rainbow Centre for many years. In the first few years it was exciting and offered a complete indoor shopping experience close to the border. Some of the highlights I remember was shopping at Beir’s and one store I believed was called The Green Onion. It was a specialty store selling crystals and fine china and for me it was the start of my collecting Hallmark Ornaments and the Department 56 North Pole Village collection, which I still have to this day. One of our favourite stops at the food court was a place that sold baked potatoes that were HUGE. You could order them with a variety of delicious toppings including chilli, sweet and sour pork ... which was my favourite. ... and so many more. Then there was Santa at Christmas. This mall Santa was the best I’ve ever seen bar none. He had the children, including my daughter just thrilled . One of the things that stands out was him giving the true believers a little brown envelope filled with coloured sprinkles that glowed in the night lights. He told the children to sprinkle it on the sidewalks in front of their house on Christmas Eve so he could find their homes easily. What memories over the years. And of course another lost Mall we visited often was the Summit Park Mall on Williams Street. Tons and tons of memories there as well. Especially the Toys-R-Us store where we bought a lots of our daughter’s Christmas gifts for many years.

[@michaelaurban4120]

Its so neat seeing this mall! I honestly forgot about it! We used to walk across the bridge from Canada and to go shopping over at that mall on the New York side! I very much remember going there shopping and going into the Wintergarden! Its so crazy its gone now! How the times have changed, and how I miss my time in Canada . . . .

[@NathanDavisVideos]

I REMEMBER THIS MALL!!! This was like my most favorite mall OF ALL TIME!!! I was here all the way back in the fall of both 1997 and then 1999! I still have a photo of me sitting in front of the main fountain that was in the mall when I was I think 7-years-old. Oh the good old memories I had of this place. I'm glad you documented it! And I also had a sneaking feeling that some of the original mall (or what remains of the original mall) still existed in one part of it. I guess I was right.

[@michaelaurban4120]

I remember walking across the bridge from Canada to go to this mall to shop. I bet you a dollar you can’t do that these days! It’s so crazy seeing this place! I spent a lot of time there! It would have been in the late 80’, into the early 90’s . . .

[@ThatsRadd]

Definitely one of the most exceptional videos you have made.

[@conniecrawford5231]

I loved the Wintergarden- such a beautiful serene place!

[@Muonium1]

I have incredibly fond memories of this place from my childhood in the late 80s / early 90s. Not particularly of the mall proper, which was fairly unremarkable as far as malls of that era go, but of the Winter Garden, which was truly one of a kind. I can never forget the wonderful and indescribable feeling of walking around Niagara Falls at night in the piercing extreme frigid cold of a Western NY winter and into this enormous glowing gem of a building. It was magical. The instant great warmth and high humidity of the air, the amazing smell of the plants and soil and ponds, the warm glow of the sodium lights throughout, the bright red painted iron railings and stairway screens. I absolutely loved everything about it. I would visit again with a friend in the early 2000s, again in freezing cold winter, again at night, but this time we were literally the only ones in the entire building. We would wander into the mall itself to take some pictures of how empty it was with a then newfangled "digital camera" we had, but were yelled at to "get out" by someone from the OTB. All the sights and smells and feeling of the garden were still there, but it was dying; the plants, the life of the place. It was a deeply melancholic visit and I knew it would probably be the last time I would ever see or experience it again. And so it was, with the demolition coming a few years later. Now all that remains are the vivid patterns etched in memory, as it seems strangely, almost disturbingly, there are barely a dozen or so images of the inside to be found anywhere on the internet. The interior video clip shown in this video is the first video I have ever seen of it since being there. The American Falls' long and sad descent into derelict decrepitude continues.

[@stevexray6253]

I love the vintage video and commentary and seeing the remnants of the old mall. That's just good stuff. 👍 😆

[@jasoncarskadon6809]

This was a great video, love all the original footage you got of this place. I can't there's still part of the mall that still stands.

[@flaco171ac]

Thank you for doing the Rainbow Centre Mall. I'm from Buffalo so I've been there many times. It was always the best during the Festival of Lights.

[@ryanshevlin_Holy_Diver_Van]

Wow, this brought back so many memories and thoughts from when I was very little - I remember the huge fountain in the center of the elevator, and going to Burger King through the garden...

[@thesuppcollector]

Thank you for this, I'm from the area and faintly remembered this mall but this video brought back so many memories

[@thomasschmidt2394]

Lived down the street.. we had it the best as kids.. the mall,winter garden,splash park,the falls,pizza hut, festival of lights, FREEDOM!!

[@shangrilola]

I LOVE this!! I wrote about (and took pictures of) this mall for Deadmalls.com. This was the family's top hangout spot when I was little - I remember it well and still have things that were purchased there. I hate that it's gone, and I love that you featured it! Thank you!!

[@NostalgiaUnicorn]

Wow. Amazing video! I liked this one

[@AcesAdventures1]

Radiant Paladin i would love to see those photos

[@seeniebear3234]

I live in the falls,it's crap now and when I was a kid and lived elsewhere we would come here just to hang out in rainbow mall,also the winter garden

[@sawatisbillings8759]

Yes it is...CRAP. abandoned, boarded up bldgs. Murders etc etc. I was in process of movin out of here in March. (lo and behold: Pandemic!)

[@wildgreentrees]

Wow this is some amazing footage, and amazing to see a dead mall video tour from the 90s!!!

[@chrissnyder4439]

Wonderful to see this! My mom managed a store in the mall and my grandfather did security for the Wintergardens so I spent a lot of my childhood wandering that building. Also, was the church event the Niagara conventions in the convention center? Those were always a lot of fun!

[@iamheryani4580]

i was so sad as a kid when they announced it would nolonger be happening..talk about heartbroken..i looked forward to the festival of lights..every year..and i loved shopping at the mall and going to the wintergarden with my family..miss the old days..such a beautiful time.

[@TheM750]

The Winter Garden was one of my absolute favorites to run around as a kid. I thought it was the most amazing place, and explored every single inch of it. It was pretty depressing to hear it was torn down. The elevator and fountain, as well as the geometric hanging shapes will forever be burned into my memory as iconic mall decor.

[@rebeccachapman6950]

This was wonderful! Thank you!

[@grayhatjen5924]

I loved that place so frigging much.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Wowzzers! Incredible!

[@kingclover1395]

I live in Buffalo and I went there once with a friend some time in the '80s during one of my frequent visits to the Falls. I think it was only that one time, but I remember liking it. And I remember all the walkways and stuff connecting to other buildings and this big indoor garden with all of these huge trees and plants. I can't quite remember it exactly but I remember thinking it was cool.

[@sacvideo1998]

I've read that around 1990, the company that behind the West Edmonton Mall and the Mall of America was looking at building a similarly massive mall on some former industrial land in Niagara Falls. While that never came to pass, I can only imagine that it would have wound up as another fascinating dead mall, along with the Rainbow Centre and the Summit in Wheatfield

[@BruhMoment-oj8tn]

Can you send a link to me about it?

[@sacvideo1998]

@@BruhMoment-oj8tn www.nytimes.com/1987/04/12/nyregion/aid-offer-rescinded-for-niagara-falls-project.html

[@sacvideo1998]

@@BruhMoment-oj8tn www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-02-08-mn-1252-story.html

[@dougdays8095]

The winter garden and festival of lights were awesome! The mall and whole area was supwr cool for kids

[@southfla2003]

Awesome music and production

[@bgc058]

Great video

[@a90scircuit84]

Wow what coincidence; I've got old pictures out on the counter and one of them is my Grandma standing right in front of the "welcome to rainbow center" sign in the mall!

[@AcesAdventures1]

A 90s circuit i want to see those!

[@markmorlock2044]

Wow great video! I remember going there in the mid 80s

[@pilotgrrl1]

Who would be crazy enough not to install double pane windows/glass in an area that gets cold? All those 4 signs look like the markers used at crime scenes.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

@Bill Williams Also if you can recall; this was built during a time when we didn't really care that much about "energy efficiency". Let alone, the environment as well. So yeah...

[@sheepieniagara433]

@Bill Williams It was around $5 million annually to heat the Wintergarden when it was still around. This was a prime factor in it being sold off, converted into a fun center, resold, and demolished in 2009. That being said, the structure itself probably would still be standing today if it hadn't been built in the middle of the main street entering Niagara Falls State Park (it created a multi-block wall tourists had to navigate).

[@RichV20]

@@sheepieniagara433 I'd rather walk through the warm Wintergarden then walk down the blustery street it is today to get to the Falls

[@jamesryan2464]

Made my first credit card purchase in this mall in 1984...very cool video!

[@StephinOut]

At 6:10... total shock to the system! All those beautiful sights, and then here comes the harsh reality that it's not there anymore...BAM!

[@Doongie4ever]

It's amazing that old footage.

[@delphidae6610]

my favorite mall - loved the winter garden attached to it - would spend hours there at a time - now it's gone -

[@jettthefox2196]

I've only ever seen the interior from the third floor parking ramp windows. I can't believe you got into the interior of levels one and two!

[@superray21]

Dang. That was a pretty cool looking mall and the fountain was pretty dope! I really miss seeing fountains in malls.

[@sloppy905]

I remember going here as a kid when I was on vacation they had an awesome toy store there that I remember fondly.

[@nvmafia1117]

I really appreciate this video content is really nice!!!!

[@shawnz241]

Awesome video

[@lancelange9377]

It would be so amazing if this was still a mall. Awesome video! As a Canadian that loves to explore your side of the border. I've always thought something was unusual about this building.

[@SteveWoo-vj1ww]

Any chance you would put together a video doc about the old summit park mall in Wheatfield? Take me back to its hayday before the untimely and systematic closing of everything there

[@kanatapaw]

loving the music ♡

[@valsblackcatsrule8740]

I so remember this mall. It was a shame that the Winter Garden was removed. I had friends who got married there. Nice research on the place. Good but sad explore. Thank you for sharing a part of your day with us.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Wow, such a contrast, Liked

[@pauljamz7328]

This is where I grew up. This was my Disney land as a kid . So Sad of what it has become....

[@MaxximumRage]

I have so many memories of going to this mall when I was a child. I miss it and its too bad that the city and developers couldn't revive this mall.

[@JoeyBaldacchino]

Ha! I miss this mall a lot. Went there a lot as a kid- I remember getting some of those Pokeballs with the gold card inside at the food court there in 1999. I was a little kid, but I was so mad when this closed, lol.

[@chopper6470]

We used to go here yearly on vacation as a child. I also remember a 50s style diner that sat on the corner, I believe the hard rock Cafe now sits there. Anyone remember this diner?

[@hblock8029]

With a purple sign?

[@curtg7396]

Thanks for making this video and hats off to the man that filmed it’s decline so many years ago.

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

Looks like Dan Bell wasn't the first dead mall person after all! :P

[@ladytron9188]

Just goes to show there was dead malls back then.

[@craigfresch575]

The Cavages store manager gave me the Marillion "Misplaced Childhood" poster right off the wall..... used to spend hours sitting in the wintergardens

[@johnbedalov8731]

Great job on this video, I think this is your best so far! Amazing archive footage too. Are you mixing your own Vaporwave now too?

[@JohnHolik]

That elevator looks just like the one at Rolling Acres Mall.

[@lorettasal]

Very sad what our city has become. I remember a beautiful bustling city growing up here over my 60 years I can only hope that we will see that again someday. The falls are amazing to see sadly it’s just not enough

[@Sonic_1000]

That nostalgia in the outro music

[@sharichambers7333]

Wow so sad to see not much is left. Wish I'd had the chance to see this mall in it's heyday.

[@mknits8522]

I grew up going to this mall. Countless hours starting with hide and seek, progressing to just hanging out in the Winter Garden. Going to the Festival of Lights and the running through the tunnel that connected to the convention center. My first boyfriend worked at Burlington Coat Factory and he helped me learn to drive by going up and down the parking ramps. It was a really unique place back then.

[@nikkireeexplores407]

Wow! Very good job on this video,I am trying to get caught up on more videos!

[@maryw3643]

You choose the best music.

[@rjuzwiak71]

My first job I was a bus boy at the winter garden restaurant I was 16 working with all college students it was awesome we stayed drinking on the job lol miss the 80s

[@phootphetishphilip5551]

Ohhhhh yeah I remember that place when I went to Niagra Only there once but I haven't seen that since until this video

[@craigbeacock4227]

I remember seeing lights on the windows facing the Canadian side that were sycned with music for the festival of lights. At christmas time. We weren't from the area. I remember KB toys and the Burglinton coat factory

[@HiddenJackpots]

This was great. I remember crossing the border to go there as a teen and wondered what has happened to it

[@robswan4170]

I worked in this mall when they did the NCCC remodel I miss going to the winter garden during the festival of lights

[@Decade8Media]

Very cool.

[@ariyotheapbtservicedogintr6227]

My owner remembers that indoor garden place. 3:24 She and her family would visit this mall a lot in the '90s.

[@jefferybidell2079]

I used to come here quite often. It was a great place to come to. I loved the Winter Gardens, and everything else. It's a shame that it closed down.