Lakeview Village: A Beautiful Dead Shopping Center | Retail Archaeology

[@dindog22]

your videos are always so soothing. between your voice and the music you use

[@berniecolling3697]

Yes, he could be a radio talk show host

[@atreyu6976]

Agreed... These videos are so relaxing. I haven't lived in the Valley in over ten years . It's nice to see the familiar spots

[@MJA5]

yeah, these videos are entertaining, in no small part due to the commentary.

[@owllymannstein7113]

As someone who lives in the rustiest part of the rust belt where everything is run down and old and ugly you wouldn't believe how foreign a place like this looks to me.

[@JD-dq8zn]

I live in a frumpy suburb and it looks alien to me as well, ha.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Orlando FL has sections like this mall area. Some are upscale. People with gated communities & HOA who want a weekend meal or a sports bar. Nail salon, coffee lounge ☕.

[@groton27]

@@DavidLLambertmobile I've noticed the same in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens also. I've stayed at the PGA national resort a few times while with friends for concerts in WPB and there is these centers/strip malls that are dead or nearly dead surrounded by all these macmansions and very expensive condo's

[@azblueauthor8081]

My grandparents were going to build a house in a gated part of Val Vista Lakes. They never did, and eventually sold their lot, which over 15 years later is still the only unbuilt lot on the entire block!

[@akaoni7946]

Your videos are always so relaxing! With that aesthetic music and soothing voice, this is on bob ross levels of chill!

[@CristianGouget]

Okay, I'm officially addicted to this channel. It's the one I've watched the most so far in 2020. I even turned on notifications and I rarely do that lol

[@RetailArchaeology]

Thank you so much!

[@IaconDawnshire]

I wonder how cheap the rent is for these places. Would be a great place to open up a gaming shop for D&D and such.

[@RetailArchaeology]

I've often wondered that too.

[@Shiftx07]

So not exactly the same, but I live in Las Vegas and there's a few really dead plazas similar to these (in design and deadness). A couple friends opened up small arcades and game shops there with out large anchor stores and they told me it was something around 1500/month in just rent. I can imagine spots like this may be similar or cheaper depending on what the surrounding neighborhood is and the anchor stores there that kind of set a price point.

[@jeffphillips6795]

It was an ice cream place and that was a kids party room

[@RetailArchaeology]

Thank you!

[@BoxOfFeet]

"That blue ceiling fan is tacky as hell" My parents have that exact fan in their game room! They put it in while I was in high school and in the early 2000's, I thought it was awesome.

[@onewaydk]

My friend lived in the housing complex to the south. When we were 10 yrs old we were aloud to ride our bikes to the frys to get his mom grocheries and buy us some candy. It was my first taste of freedom! Thanks for the video!

[@jwb52z9]

If I remember correctly, Tuesday Morning started in the 90s and for a long time their celebrity spokesperson was Lauren Bacall.

[@JD-dq8zn]

What!

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

That retail chain is so bizarre to me! What the %=÷× is it? I went in a location years ago & was still not get it. Retail chains come & go. I miss Linens & Things, World Market.

[@ERA_Productions]

Fantastic job, this place looks really nice

[@RetailArchaeology]

Thank you 😁

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

Yes, A Dead Shopping Center Video Tour. I love it

[@Trakstar]

anybody remember goin to the front for pc gaming back in the day?

[@EricFarrow]

In case it has not been mentioned here before, reguarding the Shoots & Boots store being closed on a Saturdays. According to the sign on the door it's for the sabbath. Saturday is the Jewish sabbath and on that day they cannot work in accordance to Jewish oral tradition and law. Not all Jews keep the sabbath. Also just found their Facebook page and they posted a happy Rosh Hashanah post. thanks again and I enjoy every video.

[@BreakTime10101]

Eric Farrow It looks like it was closed on Fridays and Saturdays?

[@rosebaby808]

The Jewish Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. Some Jewish businesses close early on Friday.

[@SynchroSk8]

Wow. That is nuts how large and empty it is. Looks well maintained, interesting that it never got traction. That dirt area was nuts! The Frys looks very outdated and dark.

[@airaero5473]

I don't really watch your end screen that much (who really even does that) and I realized just now that you kept the older logos for the social media site what a nice touch :)

[@sew_gal7340]

dude the music is the BEST part of these videos...love it.

[@justinbeard2024]

i lived in the Mesa/Gilbert area for 20 years until i moved away in 2014. Thanks for bringing back some memories 8)

[@bassfan71]

Dana park is dope. I head to that guitar center some times.

[@MJA5]

Tuesday Morning can be a cool place to buy things for your kitchen. They buy upscale things that didn't sell, maybe they are a year or two out of color, or what have you. I have bought baking sheets and loaf pans there.

[@louisetraxler3188]

this is a beautiful mall i wish it would open up again

[@markpalio4411]

Even Though I've Lived In Gilbert Since 1977-I've Never Gone Around This Shopping Center! Thanks For The Tour!

[@pinball541]

Great video Erik! As soon as that Fry's closes, this place will be the next Cooper Village. Stay safe & healthy, & thanks for shopping at your Bashas' family of stores (Bashas', AJ's Fine Foods, & Food City). Where You've got a friend! 👍

[@jacobian4368]

Hello! Long time viewer, first time commenter. As a Val Vista Lakes resident, It’s sad to see the strip mall go away (With the departure of Fry’s to Higley/Baseline). The bar you mentioned was Crabby Don’s back in the day.

[@Salvaging-in-Az]

I worked at that’s Fry’s for about a year after they opened. It was really busy back in the day. Me and my friends used to fish in the lake, but security would always kick us out 😩. . We used to catch som pretty big carp out there.

[@interwebtubes]

goldshieldmobile you know what, That FRY’s sign looks identical to a FRY’s electronics/ computer store which I thought was a nATIONAL retainer??; Possibly that fry’s sign is reused from some place else?? Just my thoughts??

[@lazysmurf7168]

Magikarp!?!

[@Dyaxxis]

@@interwebtubes Different businesses but same family.

[@dirtypigeon1017]

So I believe the J-140 (the one with the overhead hanging lights) was a sandwich shop. They hired those with intellectual disabilities or autism to run the place. It provided jobs for learning organization, social skills, and overall basic work skills. It was a pretty good sandwich from what I remember. The store next to it, was this like cooking kitchen. I think you could go there with a group and learn to cook for the night or something. It could have also been a catering. I walked by it so many times, but could not figure out what it was; it was weird.

[@sgthugostigiitz5935]

That is right, it was called Not Your Average Deli. They moved several years ago.

[@jakp8777]

This place is just begging for a Halloween store and a planet fitness.

[@JJ-wk5wy]

GNC too

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Planet Fitness 🏋🏼‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️ & GNC chains are 📉 now in 2020. They lose $$$.

[@Dyaxxis]

10:16 My favourite part of this video! For me, something relaxing about watching water foul relaxing along waterfronts.

[@BlargGargle]

The Fry's looks exactly like the neighborhood Kroger I went to in the 90's. I think they're owned by the same company

[@damianvonderharr2195]

Yes, Kroger is the parent company of Fry's and Fred Meyer where I work. If you have a Rewards Card from a Kroger owned chain of stores, I believe it will work at any other Kroger owned chain.

[@Jay-uf6sf]

Thanks for the new weekly vids, always looking out for them!

[@AmbientWalking]

There's always something to see and to experience whenever I watch your videos. Always a great feeling. Thank you! : )

[@MrZachBlack]

The shop at 8:12 was a comic book/ video game store in the 90s. Next to that was an ice cream shop. On the left side of Fry’s on the corner was a video rental store

[@MrZachBlack]

I’m sorry 9:02

[@punchfisttop]

nice to see you again!

[@justin_online]

Vaporwave for a video about an old abandoned mall works perfectly. Well done

[@BryceMcSherry]

The building you were inquiring about was a thai restaurant with a separate area for the bar, if I recall correctly. Though, I will note, I haven't been there in about 8 years.

[@Qce-i6d]

That classic grey, faded asphalt with strings of black tar on it is strangely comforting and familiar. We get that in California too from the desert sun.

[@mikegrazick684]

This was a good episode; I liked the store fronts and how much potential there still is there. Sad that it is dead.

[@gordontaylor2815]

The shopping center seemed to have been built on the premise that the traffic from the suburb dwellers alone would sustain it, which simply did not happen.

[@seanrath4510]

This place looks really nice! I used to have therapy in the lab medical building, it was always really strange always go in there when I have to go to therapy. I have been to that Fry’s though, and even go past this positively sport or six times even if I’m driving in that area. I’m glad that I live in a neighborhood that has a busy fries, beautiful lakes I guess. Anyway, great video! Keep up the good work!

[@MyDreamIsAStory]

I always forget about Tuesday Morning. The one we have is located behind an Ashely’s Furniture and a book store that was turned into a church. I only remember it when they send out an advertisement. But in the past I have found some cheap puzzles and card games there. They have good deals on some brand name items like kitchen appliances, etc. But you usually have to go early right when they go on sale.

[@sonjat1724]

Christina 🖊📖 you wouldn’t happen to live in FS. Its-behind the Ashley’s there too , I think

[@gordontaylor2815]

Tuesday Morning just declared Chapter 11, so you probably should be keeping an eye on that store in case the company decides to shut it down.

[@mmichal]

Instead of having that dead shopping center, they should tear it down and turn it into a park. That lake is gorgeous!

[@gordontaylor2815]

More likely is that they'll plant grass in the dirt area and turn it into a small park that way...

[@lo1bo2]

11:15 Nice vintage Sonic the Hedgehog music! SEGA!!!!!!

[@RetailArchaeology]

You're the 1st person to mention it 😁

[@missalphabet87]

I caught it too. Absolutely brilliant.

[@aadilaa8948]

Also got it, loved it, took my right back to around 93' and my game gear with the coloured screen, such a novelty back then.

[@ccateni28]

@@RetailArchaeology everyone knows it, why bother mentioning.

[@cyberi4a]

The store with the white hanging lights and the room with windows in the middle could have been a restaurant. We have a pizza joint here that has a room like that surrounded by dining area, and it has arcade games inside it. Great place to send the kids so the parents can have some peaceful time.

[@kateg7361]

The cubicles in 9:29 look like they could have been for a licensing business. A business that does hazmat, concealed weapons, and even tsa precheck licenses and paperwork. I recently went to one and it looked very similar.

[@comfeefort]

Phoenix area is still doing it's 10 year cycle thing, Boom Bust! Boom Bust!

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

I'd like to visit. Many people on the eastern 🇺🇸 know little of NV AZ NM.

[@rosebaby808]

DL Lambert, you should definitively come for a visit. AZ is a gorgeous place and the people are much more friendly than they are back East. I moved to AZ from NJ back in 2004

[@thebluetarp]

Why are abandoned/deserted shopping centers and malls so Fascinating?!

[@robw5741]

7:14 was a payless...... 9:20 was a plasma center?

[@sonjat1724]

They’re closed for the Sabbath (at least that’s what the sign read )

[@ChrisShadowens]

A surprising lack of bird crap while walking the perimeter of the shops. What's their secret?!

[@jasmirris]

It looks like they have bird spikes along some of the inner column ledges.

[@tolentarpay5464]

I believe a lot of these older places were designed prior to the intro of modern vehicle emissions controls, so the back-to-front design aesthetic was intended to help cut down on smog/fumes & especially NOISE-pollution from passing traffic. You said it's alongside a major roadway? Is/was there a lot of heavy-vehicle traffic? Maybe there's an industrial-area or big distribution-centre nearby?

[@tolentarpay5464]

Noise-control measures would also explain what's up with the big concrete fence-line running alongside the road; vehicle-sounds can be reflected & amplified off store-fronts like you wouldn't believe! I've known people that had to move house due to measurable health-problems caused by round-the-clock, 24/7 traffic-noise impacting on their medical status...

[@matthewschoerverth4566]

Great video & good footage

[@markstrouse3101]

Love to watch your videos. Great job.

[@ShannonBrownauthor]

The town reminded me of a place called Discovery Bay not too far from me. I swear there was a shopping center by the bay with a restaurant we ate at and some cute little shops. When we went back a few years ago there were no more shops just a harbor.

[@JD-dq8zn]

Thank you for this excellent video, and for the great music link!

[@sonicmoremusic1]

Thanks for the great video Erik, these are the ones I like, lots of sunshine and dead AF 😂 #staysafe Joe Cornelisse from Orillia, Ontario, Canada

[@azrailfan2717]

Very cool videos. Especially when you cover malls here in Arizona 🤠. I have been to this one numerous times before. And that frys is the reason why it’s still open 😆

[@TheNikolaiwolf]

need to open a store called boots and pants that just sells beatboxing equipment

[@nightreader1264]

I like that you are playing,"Mall Music."

[@BreakTime10101]

As always great video. I hope you keep the videos coming. ;-) And didn’t you mention in your original video from 2019 they were going to tear it down and build condos there?

[@DazedNConfuzed58]

If I remember right, the Val Vista Lakes shopping strip had interesting lighting to it at night. I lived not too far from there.

[@ItsBekahh]

Good video! Always like watching your content🙂

[@MotohideTheBrave]

You got a real stable hand, without the reflection i'd almost think you have a setup to keep the camera steady

[@southwestAZ]

was it a go pro camera he was using ?

[@soesterbergblue]

There used to be a paintball place near that closed sports bar several years ago.

[@wolfgang1097]

Since you mentioned Tuesday Morning, I should point out that one that was about a few minutes away from where I live closed down on January 5, 2020.

[@gordontaylor2815]

And now (May 27th, 2020) they've just declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If there's any locations in RA's area, they should prioritize getting there ASAP!

[@sounddude177]

I used to shop at that Fry's, but they built one closer to me, so never go there. Last time I was in that center was to go to a medical lab.

[@Mrcruisefever1]

I Miss your live streams of dead shopping center !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beanboy89]

I remember the livestream you did of this place a few months ago!

[@CJ-rf9jm]

When I watch these videos I always wonder what it was like when it was new before they really emptied out.

[@alyneorleans5018]

The work boot store you were wondering about why it’s closed on Saturday: there’s a sign on the front door, “Closed Saturdays in Observance of Sabbath.” The owners are Jewish.

[@DebitAdams]

You should do Otay Ranch next time you're in San Diego, it's in Chula Vista and similar look to this mall.

[@midievalcat7770]

After all of this COVID crap is over, it would be great if you could do a video on a retro game shop named Fallout Games, it has multiple locations around the Phoenix metro area, and a shop near Gilbert

[@IaconDawnshire]

Surprised Bethesda didn't try to sue for trademark infringement on the name Fallout. xD

[@thevacdude]

Very cool, hey, at least the Fry's have plenty of fireball, more for me, oh, and a puke bucket to boot. Thanks for the tour.

[@Craig_Spurlock]

I love seeing these communities and shopping centers with man made lakes. It would have been nice if they would have built the place the right way 'round. Also, I got a sense of Deja Vu, then I remembered your live broadcast on RA2 last year.

[@Lucas-qo5go]

I think the place with the colored walls you showed was an airsoft arena type place. I remember around 2014 going to that bar next to it and I stood outside and watched kids play airsoft thinking I wish I went there when I was kid

[@gordontaylor2815]

12:38 Speaking of Cold Stone Creamery, aren't they headquartered in Scottsdale? I'm surprised there hasn't already been a video about that...

[@ronsmith9992]

There was an insurance agent in one of the spaces and an H&R Block office.

[@nightreader1264]

We have a cool walking mall like this in the Austin, Texas area. It is doing very well. It is in the rich area- ladies that shop...

[@GeorgeWBush-ch8bh]

Tuesday Morning was where the airsoft arena is now, it closed in 2013 and was located near that empty restaurant at the beginning of the vid.

[@sgthugostigiitz5935]

That was a restaurant. I can't remember the name, as it closed about 15 years ago. The Tuesday Morning was further down, next to the Fit Body place. You can see it @ 4:51. Further down, next door to that, was a short-lived store called Shopper's Outlet. Which was the same business model as Tuesday Morning, but way crappier products.

[@sakuraglenn]

I like the blue ceiling fan...

[@horseathalt7308]

I bet at one point when they were building this place they did envision boats docking and shopping. It makes perfect sense

[@alexandermckay8594]

I would think that once Fry's closes somebody will pick this up for a song and turn it residential.

[@herbquintana4807]

I worked for Stanley steamer , did a couple jobs in Val vista lakes . Did they get the smell under control ?

[@taiofmine]

That first unit you thought was maybe a restaurant (after where Crabby Don's was at the corner), was! Not Your Typical Deli used to be located there. They moved to Gilbert Town Square, but they are a very yummy deli that hires servers who are on the autism spectrum. Highly recommend. I know this footage is old though, because The Meeple's Board Game Cafe moved into that space a while back. :)

[@Metalthrashingnate]

Sounds like Erik The Hedgehog got the invincibility power-up in the vacant lot zone.

[@Oyashirochama13]

nice, I'm early, granted it's 11am here in Guam.

[@Oyashirochama13]

The nearby mall is like straight out of 80s it's interesting and ironically can't die due to this being a remote island.

[@LovatoLover22]

Im in love with the music in this vid! You really make me want to pick up and move go Arizona 😁

[@JJ-wk5wy]

We had Coldstone Creamery come to Canada. They partnered up with Tim Hortons. I don't think it even lasted a year here. I heard it their ice cream was very good, but expensive. We already have Dairy Queen and our surrounding ice cream parlors such as St. Albert's and Baldersons.

[@gordontaylor2815]

Apparently Coldstone's partnership with Tim Hortons ended (at least on the corporate level) when Tim Hortons merged with Burger King (under the same corporate parent) back in 2014. Fast fact: Coldstone Creamery is headquartered in RA's backyard of Scottsdale, AR!

[@JJ-wk5wy]

@@gordontaylor2815 makes sense that they would pull out after being bought by Burger King. Tim Horton's hasn't really been the same since.

[@nancydarling4918]

Good video.Thanks!

[@ItsPlungedYT]

Great video

[@RetailArchaeology]

Thanks!

[@melissasharma3662]

Good for Shoes & Boots observing the Sabbath. God blesses those who keep his commandments, so not surprising they were still open, at least at the time you uploaded this. Good for them !

[@ScottSuaso]

It was a restaurant called My AZ Kitchen. Yeah. About as exciting as you would expect with that name.

[@srod8818]

I would of build some condos on that empty part of the shopping center

[@Marcusianery]

Don't know why but some of those odd brown colours makes me think of woodgrain and the 80-90's.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Never heard of "Tuesday Mornings."

[@interwebtubes]

GaslitWorld f. Melissa B I had a female relative who used to work for that company, If I remember correctly their headquarters is over in Dallas Texas?; My relative told me about some of the outrageous things that that company did to their front-line workers as well as some of the shenanigans that was done to their first level as well as their second level managers; My impression is that Tuesday morning is on very shaky ground??; I’ve personally never been inside one of those stores; If anyone is interested about Tuesday morning stores, You can probably find a television commercial for them here on the KZbin’s??; Take care everyone and please remember to keep your hands washed up at all times in order to help prevent the spread of germs, Peace out ✌🏿

[@iheartmiho]

At least the Seed Shack is there. Best place to eat in Gilbert. The only reason I drive there from Tempe!

[@Justin-Hill-1987]

The mission-style architecture reminds me of Taco Bell.

[@cw50must]

I stopped into that frys not long ago and its pretty outdated in there,

[@Avelyn_Band]

Wow so cool

[@JazzyBabe56]

is Val Vista Lakes a man-made lake or natural to the area? it sure is beautiful and yeah - I"d love to live there too but very strange that you can't moor a boat there....a good way to reduce traffic congestion! thanx for this - very interesting! ♥

[@rosebaby808]

It's man made

[@TrainmasterCurt]

I think if they put in stores that upscale yuppies would go to, it would do well

[@sparksfly13]

Possibly what they could do to pull in more people to shop, or alteast in the parking-lot is to take all that un-developed space and turn it into some type of recreational space, like a park with a small beach on the end. That could clear up the ugly view for people who see that mess of space, and give then something to do, that's quite close.

[@Musashiden]

In Puerto Rico were turning some dead malls into high to middle class apartments this make a good candidate for something like that.