Seaport Village: Dead (ish) Mall By The Sea | Retail Archaeology

[@stereomonovici5796]

Influencer Boutique really gives it a "how do you do, fellow kids?" vibe

[@Norritt7167]

I also like music/band

[@johntaylorjr4344]

My grandfather, who was a cement finisher and a San Diego resident helped build Seaport Village.

[@Gaming2-j8m]

I'd love to chill here, what a great vibe this place has. CA's outdoor malls just hit a bit different.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Close to the water is a big + 🏖. To see it at night would be cool.

[@agenericaccount3935]

People with suitcases: “Please help, we really are trapped. We have been here for days. Seaport is consuming our essence. ” Like some weird Twilight zone episode.

[@petemavus2948]

That's what the ocean said

[@SynxItax]

Seaport Village is incredibly meaningful to me. I would go there every time my family and I visited San Diego (almost yearly since 1992, which is also when we lived there for a year). I have wonderful memories there and loved riding the carousel. Also, getting a hot chocolate from Upstart Crow is a tradition of mine. It would be tragic if this place disappeared. Edit: I just learned Upstart Crow closed. Now I'm actually sad. :(

[@TyrantWeedle]

Not Upstart Crow!! It was the only place I enjoyed in that area :(

[@SynxItax]

@@TyrantWeedle sadly yes! Now there's really no reason for me to go.

[@thefeistyone7178]

Ah man, I really loved Upstart Crow... :((

[@TyrantWeedle]

@@SynxItax Same, there's really nothing else that interests me there except the view. But you can walk up and down that area without needing to go to the village. :(

[@larrycj4382]

Whenever I would visit San Diego, I would always make time to walk through the village. Always stopped @ Upstart Crow bookstore! Their cafe had very tasty things, so it was a nice place to stop for a coffee and yummy snack and of course pick up a great book!

[@lvrboi92]

Top notch intro logo animation!

[@celluloidfreak]

Wow, that intro animation really gave me chills hearing that jingle over and over again watching End of Evangelion! Very nice!

[@lmao2703]

The flag store reminds me of that guy who sells stuff outside of the local dollar tree. Man has every flag flying at once, he's got his confederate flag next to his Biden flag, next to his Recall Newsom flag, right by a pride flag, and it's a sight to see tbh

[@cantinadesigns1]

Lol Merica 🇺🇸

[@larrylaffer3246]

"America What A Country!" Yakov Smirnoff

[@johnnymichael1804]

You know you love it.

[@fwir711u2]

Newscum must be removed

[@dindog22]

I remember a cool book store that was there. I think it was called Upstart Crow or something weird like that

[@josepharagon4424]

I loved that bookstore. It had great cards and gifts as well! Sad that it closed. 😔

[@larrycj4382]

I was last there in Sept 2019 as a tourist & am sad to hear it closed.

[@nicolazportillo]

I live 10 mins east of there. My wife and I used to walk the whole Embarcadero area all the time. Also, ducks love snails. Instead of poisoning them, gather them up and take them to the local duck pond.

[@blackhammer_928]

LoL local duck from made me laugh

[@archieames1968]

Theres actually some controversy about whether or not its okay to feed bread. Its definitely not the ideal health food for ducks but we don't really feed the ideal food to any other wild animal wandering around so its a bit odd to single out ducks to be concerned about.

[@petemavus2948]

Escar to go

[@petemavus2948]

@@archieames1968 heck we humans can't even eat what's best for us

[@Zeronautic]

That Star Child logo is the best one yet!

[@foxyfoxington2651]

I half expected the video to open with cicadas and power lines.

[@MrPeteykins]

"Influencer Boutique" definitely made me vomit a bit.

[@larrycj4382]

I think it had a different name when I last passed by 3 years ago.

[@petemavus2948]

How to win friends and influence sheeple

[@pascalschnyder3482]

The last time I visited this place was in 2006. From the looks of it, not much has changed here.

[@josepharagon4424]

Growing up In San Diego I loved hanging out at Seaport Village. They had some great little shops back in the 80'-90's. A Magic Store, Book/Coffee Store, a video arcade and yeah lots of random touristy stores! Also took a lot of High School club photos there .. ie ASB, band photos, student council etc.... loved it!!!

[@spectroman71]

Aww, haven't been here in ages. Glad it's still there and I hope it stays. These "seaside centers" often get bulldozed and turned into uber modern centers that look nothing like the area in which they sit, so I hope this one keeps it's nice charm.

[@TheBlashMusic]

Less than 10 years ago, one of those tacky modern centers you mention was added right across from seaport village lol. It’s called “The Headquarters, at Seaport”

[@foxycritter]

San Diegan here! I love this place even though it's a tourist trap. It has great food, and it's fun to walk around the shops. They sometimes have good live music and street performers as well. I always come here during Comic Con to take photos, since it's a short walk or trolley ride from the convention center. . I'm interested in why you didn't talk about or show the carousel! It's incredibly historic.

[@abc12345678299]

Very nice place to visit

[@BarnabyJones07]

Im from Florida and recently visited San Diego last month and just happened to visit this place, it was vey nice. I remember this place being packed when I was here, never expected this to be considered a dead(ish) mall

[@sonicmoremusic1]

Great video Erik

[@thefeistyone7178]

I grew up in San Diego and always loved going to Seaport Village. I always enjoyed riding the carousel. Crazy Shirt and Swings and Things are two stores that I remember being there when I was a kid. There used to be a shop exclusively for left handers there when I was young, but I imagine that is long gone.

[@Timmah73]

I've been going to San Diego for years for Comic Con and I've been to Sea Port village like twice in all that time. Both were just to go to a restaurant someone recommended. It's a really lovely area but the problem is the Gaslamp is even more convenient for the Convention Center and has tons more options for food and bars than Seaport Village. It could really benefit from more dining options and less tacky tourist stores.

[@labtechsuperstar]

The area looks beautiful. The tropical feel with blue water fountains and white buildings...It looks like a nice place to spend an afternoon.

[@groton27]

The flag , Kite and Toy store all been there for I'd guess the whole time it's been around. I remember visiting my Uncle as a kid in the late 80's and also in the late 90's early 00's when I lived there. They also had or have a Left handed only store.. As for Kite and Windsock store being anywhere else my area of Eastern CT is vary tourist focused and we have a outdoor mall much like this that also has a Kite shop also has a flag shop and a mom and pop Toy Store. so there is a formula for these

[@emocobra666]

hey fellow ct person

[@Galileo430]

When I was in SD for my wedding in 2019. Seaport Village was half empty. Dead mall walking. I was pleasantly shocked when we went down to SD this Aug (2021). It looks just like this. It somehow has gotten more populated.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Seniors & tourists like to roam around upscale places. Some have music 🎶 or live bands. Rent, staffing & other logistics seem to be issues for merchants.

[@ericxpenner]

Man, I used to come here when I was really young. It's probably been 25 years since I've been there, what a blast from the past.

[@trulyAmatulHaqq]

As a local, I've always loved Seaport Village. So many memories of cosplay meetups, inline skating around the Embarcadero, just enjoying the scenery, getting high and wandering around the kitschy shops.... I recently moved out of state and miss this place very much..

[@jamesarguello7560]

Seaport Village always gave me mixed vibes. Despite being a tourist trap, it does have some cool spots to check out like the Hot Licks, Geppetto's, and that one tile store (My wife loves this place). In a time where malls have become so generic and uniform in store selection its sort of a throwback to when malls had more variety. BTW, despite the gross-out gimmicky name, Professor Phardtpounder's Colon Cleaner is actually a nice spicy mustard sauce. Goes great with sausages or hot dogs.

[@seoulalone2420]

I can't believe that I've never heard of this place..... and I'm in the SD area.... I'm going to have to go check it out...

[@sjoneil]

Thank you for this one, finally one I use to frequent on my many trips to the San Diego area in the 80s/90s, still have a picture made from shells hanging in the bathroom. Keep up the great work.

[@johndornoff]

I have been to San Diego dozens of times but I have never been to Seaport Village but I have always heard about it. I am supposed to attend a conference in May that will be at the Convention Center so hopefully I can check it one finally.

[@mattchalucha894]

This looks like an interesting location! Always happy to see a new video from you!

[@skyt4133]

I loved walking around seaport village when I was there 10 years ago. Nice to see the Cariloha store still open. Their sheets and towels are fantastic, expensive but fantastic.

[@blasta42]

Was here a few weekends ago and the place was packed. Lots of people at the restaurants, live music, etc.

[@petemavus2948]

Flash mob?

[@ZeroAnalogy]

You know when a place is a tourist trap when you find Pressed Penny / Elongated Coin machines.

[@ZeroAnalogy]

I finished typing that just before it was actually discussed at the end of the video.

[@petemavus2948]

LOL we used to just have them run over on railroad tracks

[@Metalthrashingnate]

Was happy to see a brand new RA for the first time in a minute. I'd been going through withdrawals, lol.

[@Star_sweeper]

I’m from Phoenix and went to San Diego multiple times growing up. We always went to Seaport Village. I wish you had covered the carousel, that’s my absolute favorite part of the mall. I also still have Sally Huss paintings hanging in my childhood room that we got at Seaport Village!

[@RetailArchaeology]

I wanted to film the carousel but there were to many kids, I definitely do not want to film other people's kids.

[@Star_sweeper]

@@RetailArchaeology makes perfect sense! You’ve got me wanting to go back to San Diego just to take it all in before they “redevelop it”. I love how kitschy and weird it’s always been.

[@gaialanzer81]

Went to Seaport Village once in my younger years. Family vacation with my grandparents and uncle's family. Memory's a bit hazy but do remember eating pizza there with the fam, an arcade that had the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time cabinet (likely dating my trip there to be around Summer 1991), and a magic store that sold fart powder. LOL! Good memories!

[@raymondblasee1048]

Oh man! I'm really shocked about the possibilities ofSeaport Village being torn one day!!!😬 From 1985 to 2003, I must have gone to San Diego 15 times on vacation, I love the place so much that during those times it has been my "second home". I've been to seaport village tons of times and I loved it there. I ate there, bought a kite, flew it on the grassy banks nearby, and bought refrigerator magnets, coffee cups and those fabulous penny smashers !!! Its a fabulous place to hang out while out there by the ports where they have the convention center, the bay excursion and the Fabulous Anthony's Fish restaurant that I hope its still there! It seems a bit sad that the COVID has diminished everything and San Diego is no exception. Watching your video on Seaport Village kind of shows me that the place is holding on ok but when I last was there in 2003 it was a bit more a bustling place and I'm glad for the most part it has kept its sparkle today. Thank you for showing this video. San Diego has been very dear to me, a very beautiful place!

[@slebdad]

Truly a nice looking mall!

[@SCU3A_S7EVE]

8:44 - Is that Ian from “Ian’s Happy Handhelds?!”

[@RetailArchaeology]

Yup

[@laurajames8071]

I lived in San Diego from ‘85 to ‘91 and Seaport Village was much more lively then, definitely more of a shopping destination than for food. My favorite store sold seashells.

[@misszee007]

I went on a date in summer of 2006 and it was beautiful. It was right at sunset and I remember them having cool shops that sold beautiful jewelry, i bought some teal shell earrings with a silver inlay. The shops were pretty hip and unique. The best part was seeing the man o war ship that was taking a sunset cruise around the harbor. I kept thinking about this place over the years and wondered where it was and the name, I’m glad to see u did a vid on it💙💙💙

[@travisdavis5182]

I was glad to see the hot sauce store is still open. I used to go to Seaside ever summer as a kid. They used to have a gag/magic trick store I loved! Didn’t see it in the video. I also loved the videos on the other malls in San Diego. Mission valley used to be the bomb! The fashion valley mall is depressing to see. It was the place to be in the 90s! If you ever wanted to see thriving malls go to UTC in Sarasota, if you were up for a trip to Florida! Huge place always pretty busy.

[@TheMM1215]

I have many fond memories of Seaport Village. I would go to SD almost every other year for vactation and would stay at the Hyatt right by the mall and often walk across the parking lot to visit it. My elderly mother would love to sit and feed the ducks. We went and bought a bag of duck feed pellets from a pet store located in northern SD. My Mom gave pellets to several children to feed the ducks. I don't remember ever seeing that sign about the ducks though. I haven't been to Seaport in about 8 years but it seems that it looks the same. Lots of the same stores are still there. You're right about the restaurants. It's the clear draw of the mall. Lots of them are really good. The Harbor House has some excellent seafood!

[@HorologicRannygazoo]

Used to love going to this mall in the early to mid Aughts. Lots of great kitchy shops back in the day, an awesome coffee house, and there was a good fast food seafood joint. And you're right -- I usually don't like outdoor malls. But San Diego's outdoor malls had perfect weather.

[@nolanbradford347]

This brought back so many memories! I used to love going here when I was little and hadn’t been since. I very much remember the toy shop in your video. Thanks for the nostalgia trip

[@ShanGamer1981]

Reminds me of seaworld back in the day, would make a nice walking park

[@SoCalPat]

Used to visit Seaport Village and Horton Plaza in the 80’s & 90’s since we used to work retail and both of these locations were unique. Always bought a T-shirt from Crazy Shirts and saw a movie upstairs at Horton Plaza. Oddly I quit retail got sick of mandatory Saturdays and day after Thanksgiving and my employer now is based in downtown San Diego while I work out of the Los Angeles area.

[@greggirons67]

We use to go to Seaport Village whenever we were in San Diego back in the 80s. The Marriott next door opened in the mid to late 80s. Fun to watch the harbor traffic too. There was a good arcade there too ...

[@BrettHornby]

Did visit Seaport Village in San Diego but that was back in late March 2001 during spring break from school with my family. Probably was a different place then but it did remind me of Kensington Village where I live in Calgary where there's several trendy shops but this was along the cost. Did remember a hot sauce store where you saw various kinds and 7000 tacky bottles of the same blend. Did also remember a flag store and a sports store that had everything from the four major leagues and all teams. Did buy a miniature San Diego Chargers helmet from there as the Chargers are my NFL team. Need to go back to San Diego sometime.

[@amirmoradi9595]

Ghipetos is not a mom and pop shop. It's a chain. There's another one at Fashion Valley in San Diego.

[@brianb.8295]

Fellow AZ resident here; I reside in Yuma, so I make the jaunt to San Diego quite often. Seaport Village has always been a place that I check out when I'm in the area. I agree that it isn't what one would call dead, especially when there are events happening nearby. When you drove into Seaport, you likely saw the construction taking place on the corner of Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive. That is for Manchester Pacific Gateway, which will be one of the most lavish resort hotels in the world. When it's completed (whenever that may be), I can't help but think that it will be a factor in getting business back up for Seaport Village.

[@e815usa]

Wow I haven't been there since 2010! Thanks for showing this.

[@rpimjada1549]

Been there. Every time we have conventions in San Diego. It is (a lovely) tourist trap!

[@danielluna1818]

I enjoy your travels and the nostalgia

[@nancied4955]

Love this channel so relaxing and I am a fan of Malls for sure. The new film Jasper Mall is great.

[@Gia_Marie]

This is definitely designed to be a tourist attraction, however many locals still came here, at least when I lived there 14 years ago. I remember they had a year round Christmas store and a carousel that has a historic story to it. Seaport and Oldtown were great to bring out of towners to.

[@AmbientWalking]

What a trip. So much fun. Love everything on your channel. Always looking forward to the next one! Thanks!!! 😁

[@marthafoglesong1266]

I was there with my family for lunch on a Wednesday in mid July. It was crazy packed and busy. Wonderful summer concerts

[@boomhaueroo8703]

I think the penny smashing machines are the only felonies I've ever committed .

[@madmanmike1980]

7:03 Professor Phardtpounders Colon Cleaner Original Formula Flushing Agent!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 And I wonder what the estate of Johnny Cash and June Carter would think of the mustard to the left? 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@aquadragondavanin6745]

oh i was just there a few weeks ago! the weather was very nice and i would have liked to stay longer but it was at the end of a long day and we were all pretty tired. i saw that influencer boutique and had a similar reaction to you lol, i ended up getting a nice little souvenir shirt from one of the many souvenir stores though. got a cute fridge magnet too. a few years ago i was here and stayed at the hotel that's right next to the property. very lively, lot of people at the time. i'd say there was a similar amount of people when i went there last month to what were in your video. love your videos! happy travels!

[@Camquarters]

These videos are amazing when you’re faded. Keep it comin. You should do some in California. Westminster mall by me is pretty vacant and totally 90s

[@GaryMaxwell]

We visited in December, 2020, just before the second lockdown. It was pretty darned quiet, but the setting is great and I hope they can make it a better destination area. We stopped in the Hot Sauce shop, and we ran when we saw the flag shop. It doesn't help that the high-end Headquarters at Seaport sits between Seaport Village and Downtown. The Headquarters probably takes away the few luxury shoppers that would consider Seaport Village, as well as tourists walking from Gaslamp.

[@DavidBrown-fs7ml]

I used to go there in the 90s. It was mainly known for the restaurants. Today, it's definitely for tourists.

[@belikejohndoe101]

I was just here on Monday and it was packed! Definitely not a dying mall. Mike Hess Brewery had some awesome IPAs to enjoy while looking out on the ocean.

[@scottbeldi5826]

30 years ago it was a very busy happening place. 25 years ago it looked just as it does now 4 or 5 stores doing okay 5 struggling 5 closing sometimes some places just refuse to die lol , long live the mall historians 👍

[@MrDan708]

3:00 Interesting, I ended up coming across a toy/game shop something like that in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware last summer. I picked up a couple of board games for my two brainy grandnieces.

[@shereekern6801]

Omg the water … sooooo beautiful ❤

[@loriegabidel]

Ocean City, MD, has a dedicated kite store, which makes sense. There might be one in Rehobeth, DE, as well.

[@marygracecoquia7091]

I lived in San Diego from 1997-2001. Sea Port Village was one of the places we often went to. Even back then the shopping section was kind of dead but the restaurants, snack shops, and carousel were always busy. People did just go there mostly to eat and walk around. I go to Seaport village every time we visit San Diego. I was last there in April and I noticed they had renovated a bit and some of the restaurants were different. My favorite Greek restaurant was no longer there 😞. It was pretty busy. Probably because it was around Easter .

[@rjjone2]

I highly enjoy your vids. Thanks for the consistent content.

[@danielg.93]

Me and my spouse went here a week ago. It was lovely and still very busy for a Sunday. It's a tourist trap but it was really nice.

[@sakuraglenn]

Yay it's Friday another RA video ... wait ... what the hell ???!!!???

[@indyrollz74]

I used to live in SD for about 12 years back around 2002ish and used to enjoy just walking around this place esp aft we had a meal at our fav restaurant beside the USS Midway. I remember that hot sauce store and love the walkway by the water.

[@chaddentandt9868]

That's cool there is a TV station broadcasting there. One of our malls used to have a local radio station in it.

[@user-is7xs1mr9y]

Too bad it is Televisa, the most infamous mexican TV network. Maybe that Influencer Boutique is owned by the company, wouldn't be surprised.

[@JazzyBabe56]

I like that place....seems very restful which is not what places like that have in mind...they want you up and in the stores....LOL - enjoyed this....

[@JonathanLeeRulz]

I myself have seen one store dedicated to kites and wind socks. It’s in South Padre Texas. So now there’s 2 at least!

[@sirekumasutra7022]

Borderline in the background. That might be my new fave song ever! :3

[@carolynhunt7333]

For a really beautiful very much alive outdoor mall in San Diego, visit University Town Center. The Macys is pretty pitiful with its perpetually out of order escalator, but the rest of the mall is great. There’s even a speakeasy with a secret entrance. It’s called Raised by Wolves.

[@mykreevesofficial]

Ian from the CUPodcast. Awesome to see him in one of your videos.

[@m.m.i.9586]

This looks like a beautiful place to shop and explore! I’m glad it’s not as empty as folks were saying. I also love Mark’s outfit. Refreshingly fun and stylish, after having to look at that tacky boutique!

[@glennscotti8891]

Just moved to Tucson from Virginia. Its nice to have a two story mall again. Sal did a video of our mall in staunton Virginia right before it shuttered. Absolutely a sad place. Anyway love your videos.

[@mathewmclean9128]

Thanks for covering this place! I've been here a couple of times, last in 2017. I've been in a few of the stores and eaten at a couple of different restaurants. Honestly I didn't realize seaport village was that big.

[@cringearoni5]

I went here on an interesting field trip in elementary school where we only had 5 dollars to spend on the ENTIRE AREA and I got some real cool stuff from there. 12 years later I went here with my sister and it was relatively busy due to tourists but what was strangest was the shop owners being surprised when we said we were locals. Even though at the time it was kinda busy, there were just really dead areas that broke my heart because I remember the shops that used to be there, despite me going there only once.

[@daehawk9585]

Loved the look of the toy store. Also the choo choo in chattanooga used to have a penny smasher. It would imprint the train on it. Me and my wife both got one. Think we both lost them.

[@jadenova]

9:46 Charleston, SC has a store called Kites Fly'n Hi.

[@VillaVelasco89]

Great to see your channel growing :)

[@cantinadesigns1]

Mark check out Frieght House Square mall in Tacoma, Washington. It's in my home town. It is the old train station that has been converted into a mall. Also Tacoma Mall is HUGE and definitely worth a visit. Neither of these malls are dead by any means. Also walking distance from Freight House Square is the LeMae car museum, a world class car museum that allows photos and filming.

[@swissmediastuff]

Have you been to the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine CA? It‘s also pretty neat.

[@tmiw]

That place honestly has pretty strong dead mall vibes; there's barely anyone there every time I visit. I guess the money from the gambling, concerts and the people staying at the hotel keep it afloat?

[@swissmediastuff]

@@tmiw Has the situation gotten worse? I have not been there since 2018

[@tmiw]

@@swissmediastuff there have been closures for sure and there were vacancies as of a few months ago. I haven't been there since then so I'm not sure how it is now.

[@ShanGamer1981]

Like the new logo

[@emocobra666]

this reminds me of mystic village in ct

[@foxyfoxington2651]

0:40 That moment when you go "That person on the right has no head!!! D:"

[@kristianneclemente9489]

I went to high school in downtown SD, and we ran a lot to Seaport Village. I miss the bookstore there a lot, it got replaced by Geppetto’s. Also, you get to see otters and sea lions swimming around sometimes :) Edit: One time when I was 13 my friends and I went to the chime store and the lady at the checkout counter was very mad at me for playing the xylophone in their store. Granted, it did say “Try the Xylophone!!!!”

[@chellastation]

I would have been interested in visiting this type of mall. This looks cool.

[@DebitAdams]

I love it when you do a place I been too

[@agirlsinger]

I used to love to go there all the time!

[@cyberi4a]

I was there many years ago. I believe I saw the Christmas store in your video, which is either another one, or the same one from years past.

[@TEZlovesPEZ]

Oh dang, this is the first time seeing a mall I’ve been to in here. I went in July and it was packed full of people, I’m surprised that people considered it a dead mall. My parents got me a hammock when I was a child at Swings n Things and I bought a newer more durable model for myself as an adult. My parents loved going to the Crazy Shirts and my Dad owns so many of those green money-dyed shirts. I think I remember buying some brush pens and stickers at one of the stores there too. My favorite fixture there is the cow couch in front of the Ben and Jerry’s. This mall is firmly associated with the smell of Ben and Jerry’s for me, actually. Last time I went though, I decided to try some birthday cake ice cream in a fancy cone from the fudge factory that’s next to the Ben and Jerry’s, and it was expensive but it was tasty.

[@casinoboyeric]

Did you visit the mini shopping and eating area just outside the entrance to Seaport Village? It is built in the former headquarters to the San Diego Police Department built in 1939.