Mall Restaurants That Have Disappeared!

Over the years, many of us have grown to love some of the restaurants that are in mall food courts. Unfortunately some of those beloved places have faded away. In this video we will have a look back at some of the mall restaurants that have disappeared!
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#nostalgia #memories #mall

[@po2313]

Who all remembers when Radio Shack was in many malls?

[@Thedominoeffect0630]

I do!

[@noahhyde8769]

Possibly -- I'm not sure. I do remember B. Dalton Booksellers, WaldenBooks and Media Play.

[@theargus73]

Man I sure did love the food there.

[@edgarwalk5637]

It was my favourite hangout as a kid.

[@Smellslikegelfling]

Or not that long ago, K-B Toys!

[@nypinstripes2388]

I wish I could go back to this for 1 day. The malls in the 80’s were a golden age.

[@byteme0000]

They were great in the 60s and 70s, too!

[@whenthemorningstarssangtogxrxs]

Same

[@Todd.T]

For those of us that grew up in the 80s a mall was a peaceful place. No parent supervision, no bad weather, games, food, candy, clothes. Parents could drop you off to get rid of you and pick you up whenever they felt like it. The sounds, the smells. I still live in the same area I grew up in. When I go to the mall, I still see some of the same people and while some of the stores are gone, others are still there being run by younger family members. Some new ones are actually being run by school friends.

[@RhettyforHistory]

The malls were excellent and it's great to hear it is being carried on in your area. Some places aren't so fortunate. A lot of it probably comes down to poor management shutting them down. Thank you for watching Todd!

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I was a teenager in the 80's . Going to the mall was a who's who of our town ... My favorite was Cinabun .

[@noahpartic7586]

😯Talk about longevity.

[@kootybear]

Completely agree. I unfortunately was not old enough at the time to hit the arcade. When visiting grandpa and grandma, aunt took me to the towns mall to see her friends at the arcade. The sights, smells and sounds were of mythical. By the time I was of age, they all went away. Such a great place to meet your bbuddies while being able to get something good to eat and drink.

[@thomasmurphy3021]

​@@RhettyforHistory I remember Furrs cafeteria but it is gone

[@davidkreutzer4778]

Any mall in America during Christmas was magical

[@jenniferburchill3658]

I would visit certain malls and stores just to view the decorations.

[@abril417]

Back then the mall was a magical place.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Yes it was abril417! Thank you for watching!

[@rjo8500]

Especially during Christmas

[@ivymay4604]

the Mall was the place to be the place to be seen!

[@csw3287]

Miss the neighborhood malls The 80's were Incredible

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching csw3287!

[@kat35lulu88]

They sure were. I had a job at a department store at one of our malls. It didn't feel like "work" because it was just a fun place to be. No anger, no crime, no problem!❤ I miss that time so much.

[@juliemcarthur3004]

Yes

[@fixpacifica]

My favorite decade.

[@autismworldtravel]

Don’t forget the 90’s. I was a teenager in the 90’s and going to the mall was a regular thing. We went every weekend as we could walk there 😂

[@markyville]

The Orange Julius location pictured at 5:18 (the neon lit sign) is the one my parents owned from 1999 to 2015. It was located inside the Westgate Mall in western San Jose, CA. It was a great little business to run but my folks decided to close the location because DQ (Dairy Queen) wouldn't renew the franchise agreement unless massive changes to our menu were made. Changes that would have cut our sales by almost a third.

[@TruthOverAgenda-u7o]

If there was a flavor that described the 80s, it would be the Orange Julius 😜

[@jaywade3242]

That's freakin awesome! I loved Orange Julius!

[@j.d.e.7416]

@@TruthOverAgenda-u7o Or the Mrs. Field's chocolate chip cookie.

[@j.d.e.7416]

DQ does have a nasty habit of screwing with its franchisees. In my dad's hometown the broasted chicken and potatoes were hugely popular, but when DQ went to its 'Grill and Chill' idea, they expected the restaurant to dump the chicken broaster altogether in favor of hot dogs and burgers The restaurant owner dumped the franchise instead and 'The Q', an independent restaurant, was born. It serves the same menu that the hometown folks always loved, broasted chicken and all. Sadly, though, it's only open seasonally.

[@Forever_Laura]

yeah prob best to shut it down since your parents were selling diabetes in a cup

[@colleenkeefer2545]

In the 70’s and 80’s, malls were a great place to hang out. They had everything. You could eat, go to the movies, play in an arcade, check out the latest music, visit a pet store, get your hair done, get your nails done and shop for clothes. Hours of fun all in one place.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

We also bought custom iron-on t-shirts and got our ears pierced at the mall (Plaza Pasadena in California). My favorite shoe store, The Wild Pair was at the mall. We usually ate at Hot Dog on a Stick because they had good lemonade.

[@bluebonnet1014]

Yes! Oh how I miss you 80’s!!

[@meganc769]

​@@user-mv9tt4st9kyes! Wild Pair and Bakers were my 2 favorite stores to find my cute chunky heeled shoes in the 90s 😆

[@ladynikkie]

I honestly miss malls even though I went during the early 90s

[@j.d.e.7416]

When I was a kid, you could also go ice skating. The rink was in the mall.

[@ConstantCompanion]

The biggest thing I miss is the department store cafes. Nordstrom's had a really nice one.

[@fromthehaven94]

Lazarus stores, which were primarily in the Midwest, had a sit down restaurant, a bakery/deli, a burger joint, and a candy stand.

[@ronhilton9614]

It's been several years, but Nordstroms at Horton Plaza in San Diego had 25 cent coffee (in the 2000s!) and a tiny balcony. You could sit there and view the famous Coronado bridge.

[@iangarrett3308]

Don't forget SEARS Department Stores!!! As a south Florida resident, I remember those restaurants inside SEARS like it was yesterday!! Hollywood Mall, Hollywood Florida, 79th Street Shopping Center, Liberty City Florida, and Westland Mall, Hialeah Florida.

[@heartofjesusdj]

McAlpin’s Copper Kettle restaurant

[@heartofjesusdj]

I remember eating at the Woolworth’s lunch counter area. Kmart also had a good cafeteria

[@ExpertgamingMw]

The good old days are truly gone, I'm grateful I got to experience some of these great brands.

[@npenick66]

Dang, now I feel old. I remember most of those places. The 70's and 80's were a great time to be a kid. One of the best things was the freedom, no cell phones, everyone meet at the fountain at 4, etc. The malls were the town square of the 70's and 80's. I feel sorry for the kids and teens these days just sitting in front of their phone/computer/tv screens all day with limited face to face social interaction.

[@hectorlabbe]

I still read and I am not a slave of technology like 99.9% of people on the bus or train. We do have options and if you decide to be glued to your phone or tablet hours per day then you’re addicted! If you don’t feed your brain with some reading, you will become empty! Today’s generation are tracing their own destiny. Cheers!

[@mariusbabii]

PRETTY SOON NO TV/CELL PHONES(BECAUSE OF CRIMINALS USE CELL PHONES TO COMMIT CRIMES WITH) AND NO MORE INTERNET COMPUTERS JUST A LITTLE, THINK OF THE 50S-70S COMPUTERS,..........MARIUS(PUNK RULES).

[@49erfan160880]

I am so glad I grew up in the ‘70’s & ‘80’s. The mall was a fun place to hang out and meet friends. We spent hours playing in Aladdin’s Castle, hanging out in the record/tape store, going to the food court and see all the girls. It was the best three hours you could have on a Friday and Saturday night. I only wish my kids could’ve experienced what I did during that time.

[@ydne]

When big box Off-Price retailers started taking the Mall Store's discount rack mark downs, the kids could no longer afford to shop in the malls. When the kids couldn't afford to buy anything anymore they became a nuisance. When kids were no longer welcome in the malls, the moms stopped bringing them to do their own shopping. Thus, the overall decline in malls.

[@thepianist7084]

I forgot all about Aladdin‘s castle!

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Indoors malls was the greatest hangout place ever

[@I_Am_SciCurious]

Yes, same! I grew up in the southwest where summer heat is brutal. Can’t imagine life without the air conditioned mall as a teenager.

[@luisreyes1963]

Going to the mall was the best part of living in the 80's & 90's. A shame that a majority of those food court icons are just distant memories.

[@ericbond5276]

Pleasant memories at that.

[@johniii8147]

Didn't like them even then.

[@FigmentForever]

Hard relate - born in 84 & all the parts that made up my childhood & teen years, be it restaurants or shops we frequented, makes me nostalgic for that era of time. The original Disney Channel, Orange Julius with my dad, PAC Sun school shopping for clothes, PS 1 & 2 gaming, my emo phase & hitting Hot Topic on a Saturday, and concerts that were affordable. Now, I’m a pushing 40 woman who has nothing but those little memories to cling to as I spend my days watching these videos alone & disabled. But man I’d give nothing for my childhood & teens (outside of the school system & it’s toxic environment).

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Forgot the 1970s malls hangout ❤️ 1970s music& movies 🎬 & 📺 TV shows

[@Dave1854]

Malls were like a slice of heaven for a kid in the 80's ... so many fun times at the mall with my friends and cousins! Safe and wholesome!

[@helloitsmehb]

Actually crime was much worse back then.

[@Dave1854]

@@helloitsmehb Maybe in your part of the world…

[@spook75a28]

You know what I loved about Hickory Farms? The strawberry candies that were wrapped in cellophane to look like a strawberry, and had a gel like center? Yeah, those things were great, especially when they were a little old and the semihard shell turned soft. The sausage and cheese was "meh".

[@davidcosta2244]

In the game World of Warcraft, they have a Christmas type holiday, and have vendors that are based upon Hickory Farms. This version is called: Smokywood Pastures, and have references of "homstyle goodness, " and " from our farm, to your plate." It has more meaning to people that actually went to Hickory Farms.

[@vonboldler5219]

Beefstick

[@jackmercer4244]

OMG same! Never cared for the cheese, especially now that I know what real cheese is supposed to taste like. But I gotta admit, gov cheddar cheese has a special place in my heart lol

[@christinehutchins123]

You can still find the strawberry candy, dollar store sells them.

[@VeteranCapybara]

They still have the strawberry candies in their gift boxes, but I only see them around Christmas time

[@renkane3086]

I really do miss the traditional malls with the fountain in the middle and a central food court. Love this video. Thanks for taking us on a trip down memory lane!

[@johnw8578]

Haha -- you just reminded me of the time as a kid that I threw my sister's little purse into the fountain because I was mad at her something dumb.

[@kristinwood8884]

Last night I went to an old timey mall, I am shocked it is still open. I am from South FL. where everything is constantly renovated or torn down and built new again.(I miss our old mall vs the new one) A flood of memories came back to me, I didn't know these malls still existed. This one has a Bass Pro as the one anchor store. The other stores are nothing you would see in a mall of today, other than a small theatre and a nail salon, a bank and a few other specialty stores. It even contains what appeared to be a thrift store (? Maybe ?) It seems this was a very cool mall once upon a time, but like many that have already died, is most certainly on life support. 😢

[@AnthonySpencer-ub6ce]

How about the older people walking around the mall in the mornings? I worked in a small mall in the early '80s and there'd be the same older people sitting on the benches every day. This mall was in southern California and the summers were hot.

[@blue81blue81]

@@AnthonySpencer-ub6ce Ha! Yes you hit home with that. After we kids were grown and gone and our parents retired they would go up to the mall and walk the length and back. No weather issues or traffic to worry about. They did that for a long time.

[@blue81blue81]

@@AnthonySpencer-ub6ce Ha! Yes you hit home with that. After we kids were grown and gone and our parents retired they would go up to the mall and walk the length and back. No weather issues or traffic to worry about. They did that for a long time.

[@bethbatt2081]

My first job in my teens (mid 1980s) was in a big mall. Strangely, the food court didn't have any chains...all independent and local. The owner of the teriyaki place was so kind; he had an off-menu special just for us young mall workers. You'd get a teriyaki sandwich (beef, slivered celery and carrots in their great sauce) on a toasted kaiser roll, steak fries and your choice of green or fruit salad. For $3. It was such a pay day treat! The mall is still there, heavily remodeled, with NOTHING but chains now.

[@kevinmach730]

The malls I grew up near- about the same time as you- didn't really even have food courts. There were just restaurants spread around the store, but not like one large part of mall where most of the restaurants were congregated.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

Did the independent Asian place have anything spicy? Teriyaki is OK, but it's a little sweet for my taste. I prefer the savory and spicy side of Asian food menus. But that was a good price. I would have bought his special too.

[@peterjv8748]

What was the mall? Where was it?

[@bethbatt2081]

Alderwood Mall, Lynnwood WA. It's still there and in fact is the 2nd largest employer of Snohomish County in Washington (the largest is Boeing).@@peterjv8748

[@Sparkina]

Indeed!!! All the food court stands were independent and served wholesome, innovative, delicious food. Now it’s all franchises serving the same old crappy products

[@jannydots3870]

There is one common theme throughout: as soon as the restaurant chain changes hands and goes through a buyout things start to take a turn😮loved Farrells ice cream back in the day. To go to Farrells was a rare treat.

[@RhettyforHistory]

I really loved Farrells as well. It was a unique place and the customer service was top not. Thank you for watching!

[@mariahsmom9457]

@RhettyforHistory oh Farrells was the best! I had forgotten all about it but the fries were outstanding . Thank you for all these memories. 💝

[@jamessatterfield7667]

I remember visiting the Farrells located next to the Montclair Plaza in Montclair,CA. It was a delightfully crazy place to celebrate birthdays!!!

[@Dadsezso]

I remember having to make a business trip to Washington DC in the 70's and someone took me to a Farrell's. First time I ever heard of or saw one. I have to admit it was a fun place to be when there were birthdays and especially when someone order a Zoo. Hope no one expected a quiet place to dine when they went in there. Great memory Rhetty.

[@gracieb.3054]

@@RhettyforHistory *Notch.

[@randyprice1831]

Having grown up in the 70's and 80's the mall was where teenage kids hung out and worked! Many fond memories!

[@BerryBerry1465]

Now adults work in fast food restaurants wanting a liveable wage. Drives prices up and lower quality.

[@meadowsproductions981]

​@@BerryBerry1465 you say it like it's a bad thing

[@WarHawk-]

I remember every mall seemed to have a "See's Candy" store. I can still remember the smell of warm chocolate wafting throughout the mall, and occasionally, they would offer a free sample.

[@jackmercer4244]

I never liked See's candies, but we were given at least one box every Christmas lol

[@kellylappin5944]

I love See’s candy! I found one in the airport in Seattle three years ago.

[@FoundSongs]

See’s is definitely still around - it seems like they’re expanding. I haven’t seen any mall location close.

[@boxerblvd3514]

This just tells you how much better life was then compared to now. I'm so glad it was part of my life.

[@DeadFishFactory]

We were very poor growing up, so we rarely bought anything at the mall. But my parents took us all the time to look at stuff.

[@snacktivist]

I'm a minimalist and I hate "stuff" ... I buy nearly everything second hand. But I still have fond memories of going to the mall, even just to "window shop," and I still do it at Christmas time. Really the only time all year I will set foot inside a mall. It's nostalgic

[@diandian9827]

Great memories. I guess those days are gone. But glad to have lived through them.

[@RhettyforHistory]

It may depend on where you are at. The food court is still in the serving malls but some of the restaurants have changed. Thank you for watching!

[@sarafreeman5073]

I agree with you. The eighties were the Last of the innocence of everything!

[@Angel-xd9lt]

I was Generation X and I grew up in the late 70s 80s 90s early 2000's nobody would even think that shopping malls would be dying and they would last forever... until the internet came... RIP to all the shopping malls across the USA and the world I miss those days when going to the mall and seeing a movie and hanging out would be fun. Anyone remember Tower Records Sam Goody, Waxie Maxies, Radio Shack, Who new the 21st century would suck and the new generations coming no nothing*** Thank god I grew up when I did..

[@TraciEaston-hs5xe]

The mall-music stores in TX was musicland, before it swithed to sam goodys

[@texadonkey34]

Houston has great shopping malls. Baybrook, memorial city & Galleria. There isn’t much in Texas. No gambling for sure. I think people like hanging out abs people watching or casual shopping. 👍

[@phildodson6141]

Yep! I'm 49....malls were a weekly routine with my family....had everything you needed!

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Wow, took you a while to grow up I see. I was born in 68' and was pretty much a grown man by 1986...at least the USMC thought so 🙂

[@claytonjones8358]

I remember a Hastings in Victoria

[@hertzair1186]

As a child of the 60’s …I remember many of these and it was a treat to eat at them, as our family rarely ate out.

[@MSinistrari]

Soon as I saw Farrell's, I could hear the siren that'd go off when someone told one of the staff it was your birthday and they'd have a old style band rush out to sing happy birthday.

[@RhettyforHistory]

They really were outstanding on giving everyone a great customer experience. Thank you for watching MSinistrari!

[@alexsherel3344]

Always thought Farrell was unique to my mall. 😂

[@Knards]

yep, had that happen to me in Flint Michigan about 5 years in a row

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Yes! I just posted about that. If you ordered The Zoo or Mount Whitney (both fed several people), the alarms and bells would go off while two staff members ran all over the restaurant with the order on a big tray before landing it at the table. The Zoo or Mount Whitney would serve six to eight people and we loved the ruckus, which my mom hated. I remember ordering the Pig Trough and sharing it with my dad and brother. The Farrell's in Rosemead, California had one of the best candy shops for miles.

[@DavidWilliams-xl5cx]

I remember going there with my brother and he ordered the "Pig trough" a giant sunday loaded with Ice cream. When he finished he told me he had no money. I wound up paying rather than causing an issue.

[@MP3DK76-kn1op]

I remember Picadilly, a cafeteria style restaurant. Good times!!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Those were good and they were around for awhile. Everyone could pick something they wanted. Some of those took the spots of the Morrison's Cafeteria. Thank you for watching!

[@sandybruce9092]

I still miss cafeterias!!!

[@faithshort5715]

Thank you!! I was trying to remember what took over the Morrison’s spot in the mall! It was Piccadilly!

[@darin8587]

I worked for Morrisons and when Piccadilly bought them worked for them til it closed that's when food was homemade

[@chacharealps91]

@@darin8587 I believe it. I know someone who worked at Piccadilly and she can cook 💕 Morrison's and Piccadilly were the place to go, especially Sunday after church.

[@gwenaguilar7049]

The 80's mall scene was so special. It is unbelievable that malls are heading towards the same demise as the 8track, record players and cassettes. Sure they are reformatted for today's consumer, but nothing compares to the original. I miss it all. We have mall where we live, but the stand alone locations is where it happens now. I now get the nostalgic feelings of the people who reminisce about the 50's and 60's. Never thought I'd be one of them about my era.

[@jimkeskey]

Its weird seeing deserted malls now. There are two malls near me and they just sit there and rot with big old department stores that don't exist anymore. I don't know how they are still hanging on.

[@cindytrayer4279]

Yep, I’m at that reminiscing age too!

[@DruinStLouis]

Another 1970’s wonderful mall restaurant was Houlhans! Lots of wood, brick, brass and hippieish decor - like the colorful fabric that was actually draped up on the ceiling in swirls. The food was so delicious & wonderful, especially as very young teen who usually ate at homes during this era. The one I used to go to was in Indianapolis at the Glendale Mall. Such simple times- how I miss them.

[@JescaML]

Hershey has a Houlihan but it wasn’t in a mall

[@meganc769]

Reading all of the sad stories of people's local malls closing makes me even more grateful that my local mall has never stopped being popular. I was just there yesterday and will probably be there 20 more times before Christmas 🎄

[@djr6876]

Where is this at?

[@meganc769]

@@djr6876 Deptford Mall Deptford, New Jersey

[@NightimeInDeepSpace]

A mall near me is so jam packed you have to walk sideways in some stores. I think since they shut so many down people are missing them. Teens still like having a safe meeting place. I bet there will be a revival.

[@MaryS2022]

The mall I would go to with my family members throughout my childhood on special occasions (Apple Blossom Mall in Virginia) is also doing well. I miss the Cinnabon that was there as it got replaced by a bubble tea stand.

[@kaydublin5164]

@@meganc769I’m 45 minutes from the KOP mall in PA.😊

[@stanford-nf4jk]

As of November 2023, my local mall has lost: Hot Dog On A Stick, Subway, Sbarro, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, Cinnabon, and Starbucks (though it was in a different part of the mall). It’s sad to look at the empty spaces that they once occupied in the food court.

[@aaronball4700]

Ours literally just has a Spencer’s 3 shoe stores a movie theater and the only people there are elderly using it to exercise in a place with a/c.

[@FigmentForever]

Same here Aaron! Our mall is such a sad place now.

[@qv43v]

It's sad... But truth is nobody goes to those malls anymore. It's sadly a culture shift.

[@danamichelle1290]

Our closest mall closed due to violence.

[@stanford-nf4jk]

@Thecharliesruiz Update: 2/24/24 My local mall is slated to be redeveloped into housing but the deal keeps falling through over the amount of affordable housing units. The developers want 95% of the units to be “luxury apartments”, codeword for regular apartments that charge a small fortune in rent monthly. There’s Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, Hot Topic, the Vans Store, AT&T, Metro PCS, and Famous Footwear. Stores lost: Verizon, Five Guys Burgers, Aeropostale, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Justice, GameStop, Victoria’s Secret, Lane Bryant, Sears, Border’s, Payless Shoes, The Disney Store, Pacific Sunwear, Zale’s Jewelers, Helzberg Diamonds, Sweet Factory, Lids. *Will update if anything changes*

[@sarafreeman5073]

Morrisons was absolutely one of my favorite places to go eat in the 80's and early 90's. I never had a disappointing experience there. The food was Awesome!

[@RhettyforHistory]

The best part about it was that everyone could get what they wanted and it was a healthier and better tasting option. Thank you for watching Sara!

[@MsSaraKirkpatrick]

I miss Morrison's. We had one in Seminole and Saint Petersburg if I remember right

[@donia1]

I was just writing the same. I really loved Morrisons Cafeteria. We also had so many options there.

[@tabithamashburn8786]

@@MsSaraKirkpatrick I remember a Morrisons in St. Pete

[@tabithamashburn8786]

I remember a Piccadilly in the Johnson City Mall, that was one of my family’s favorite places to eat there

[@lindadorman2869]

My first job was at Orange Julius in 1975 in St. Louis. New hires started as bussers and dishwashers, then moved "up" to making drinks including the signature beverage, then to fry cook making burgers and fries, and finally to cashier and assistant manager. I learned a lot about serving customers, working with people and the discipline of being a good team member. The mall food court was a great place for teens to hang out and enjoy the variety of affordable food. Now at age 63, I still love going to the mall but mostly in other countries especially in Asia!

[@samueledward5078]

314 in da house😂😂😂😂

[@brianshelton1583]

Roy Rogers and Arthur Treacher’s! Ah, the memories.

[@FourSeasons04]

Arthur Treacher's, yum!!!

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Brian!

[@CraigP-n2h]

@@FourSeasons04 Met my wife of 40 years while both of us worked at Arthur Treachers.

[@FourSeasons04]

@@CraigP-n2h Lovely! My parents would treat us to a weekend dinner there. I miss that place!

[@ericad8616]

As a GenXer who grew up in the 70s and 80s, I spent a large part of my childhood in various local malls and while I don't remember all these restaurants , I clearly recall some. I haven't thought about Morrison's Cafeteria in years, but hearing it mentioned in this video, brought back memories of eating there with my parents when we used to go to a local South Florida mall called The Skylake Mall. The food was kind of meh, but I remember it always being quite crowded when we went. I guess it was popular at the time because it was affordable and offered a large variety of foods.

[@frankrizzo4460]

I used to live in South Florida at that time and went to the Broward Mall it was the place to meet up with my friends from school on the weekends. It had a restaurant I think it was named Houlihans but not sure. And also the Galleria Mall in Ft. Lauderdale was popular too.

[@phantommeister7504]

As fellow south Floridian, my childhood malls was 163 st mall at north Miami beach which had sbarro and westland mall near Hialeah, which I don't remember having a food court. I have fond memories going there with my older siblings and mom back in the 80s and 90s, I now live near pembroke lakes mall which used have a nathan's which I miss their hotdogs, chicken nuggets and waffle fries.

[@FigmentForever]

I miss Morrisons greatly. It was our Sunday lunch goto & always had a nice variety of homestyle food. I’m considered a millennial despite being born in 84 & consider the late 80s-mid 90s the time I have much of a stronger nostalgia for. Turning 40 this year & seeing what our mall/area has developed into with all the chains & stores that don’t offer anything for a woman of my age really makes me feel bittersweet to that bygone era.

[@rhondaott8463]

I grew up just a couple blocks away fro Skylake Mall in the Seventies and Eighties. My Family and I ate at Morrison's numerous times through the years. My favorite though was going to Carvel for an Ice cream cone dipped in chocoate. I loved going to Skylake Mall as well as 163rd street mall. Great memories!

[@henryperez606]

@@rhondaott8463 What about ranch house and Gary’s deli

[@laurastone6578]

What about “The Original Cookie Company” stores in the malls? Many times you could buy a chocolate chip cookie that was still warm from the oven and were so ooey-gooey good!

[@dennyhouse7717]

Remember the giant 12" cookie they had behind the glass counter. I'd always salivate as I passed by it. Good times.

[@laurastone6578]

@@dennyhouse7717 For sure. Too expensive for my parents’ pocketbook though. 😁

[@BonesBrigader]

Mmm...especially on a nice cold day. Loved that place when I was a kid

[@bigcahuna42366]

One of the most memorable indoor mall restaurant chains of my childhood was York Steakhouse, which was similar to Ponderosa. My family used to dine there in the 80s. It started to sprout around American malls in the mid 70s, and stayed strong until the late 80s. Last summer my dad and I ate at the last surviving York Steakhouse location in Columbus, OH. The inside decor and set up of that restaurant was frozen in time to the late 70s/early 80s. Brought back fond memories of my childhood.

[@deeanna3335]

Was it on Broad St?

[@bigcahuna42366]

@@deeanna3335 Yes, it's across the street from that corpse mall on Broad St

[@deeanna3335]

I thought Westland closed already. We used to go there a lot. I heard Eastland is gone too. Too bad all these places are gone now.

[@edwardkulcsar4040]

I've been to that Yorks Steakhouse many times, when I lived in West Columbus it was really good

[@raptor7869]

@deeanna3335 Yes Westland mall is gone. So far they've bulldozed all parts of the mall except for the old Sears and JC Penny buildings.

[@SunCoastFilms]

As a teen of the 80s, I remember many of these food places. Most were fantastic. Such a simple time, not much drama. People were chilled and having a good time. Yeah I had a pair of parachute pants lol.

[@benjaminsmith3151]

When my town's new mall opened in the 80s, there was at least a half dozen restaurants that I never saw anywhere else. There was a place called "Sam's Subs", "Happy Wok", and a place with corn dog nuggets that I remember. Other than those, I can't remember the unique ones. There was an Arby's, Burger King, and Sbarro too. I thought it was great that our whole family could eat together, but get our food from different restaurants.

[@lindacsmith13]

In parts of New England Friendly's restaurants were abundant, including the mall. I'll never forget shopping with my mom and then stopping for lunch to get a coffee Fribble and a big beef cheeseburger. It was made like a grilled cheese. Great memories to have now that mom has passed.

[@joeheid2776]

Just had a Friendly's close here in Williamsport, PA about 6 or 7 years ago. Now the mall that they were in is getting its last rites.

[@michaelanthony508]

There's a Friendly's still operating in AUBURN MASSACHUSETTS. Summertime & weekends they still draw a huge crowd.

[@lindacsmith13]

@@BigBadJohn7 but is it the same one that makes the ice cream? kind of a red theme?

[@chuckraymond7743]

Loved Friendly's. They had the best fried clams and clam chowder. The ice cream was outstanding. We had one in our local mall but it closed several years ago. I think most of the free standing stores are also gone.

[@Madness832]

Tryin' to remember. But I think there was a Friendly's inside The Museum of Science, in Boston.

[@AJDIYNetwork]

Malls were safe during its time growing up in the 80’s. I always went with my family while I was young and soon after I went alone as I grew older. It was always busy and rarely any empty stores for rent. As I go to the malls in upstate NY, they are much emptier these days due to online shopping. Gone are the days from how I remember. Thanks Rhetty for another trip to memory lane.

[@sandybruce9092]

Here in NC we have a couple malls in our sort of area that are more or less alive but I will not go to them as I don’t want to be shot!!!

[@darrellludlow]

@@sandybruce9092 Whenever you see a gathering of unaccompanied "teens" as the media likes to refer to them, keep your neck on a swivel.

[@cherrygummybear1132]

The Jefferson Mall in Louisville Ky. is trying to make a comeback. The crime is going down and new stores are opening. There might be hope for the next generation who adores 80s culture. We’ll see.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

@@sandybruce9092You should not think that. You can get shot or not regardless of where you are at. I will not let fear like that stop me from doing or going where I want to.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

@@cherrygummybear1132I really hope so as they were saying the malls have to be more than just shopping and minor eating restaurants. They need to be entertaining and all too to attract people to want to come instead of just shopping online.

[@lilitharam44]

As a 90's kid, I almost forgot Gloria Jean's Coffee. I remember they had a great Creme Brulee latte that was out of this world.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and sharing another one with us lilitharam44!

[@lilitharam44]

@@RhettyforHistory Always a pleasure to watch your channel! You're in my top 3 favs!

[@LoyaFrostwind]

We still have a Gloria Jean's. But there's also a Peet's on the other side of the mall.

[@Smellslikegelfling]

It's so interesting to see pictures of people enthusiastically supporting some of these chains that no longer exist. You can tell they were good times and people were having fun. Looking back on those times, they seem so care free. I think it puts into perspective how much things can change, and do change constantly. The good times must end, eventually.

[@AribellaAC]

I miss malls. Growing up in the 90s and 00s, it was so much fun. Especially because our mall had a movie theater, a skating rink nearby, and other things. Malls are a shell of what they used to be and it’s sad.

[@TheMormonPower]

Everytime I go to the local.mall, it just becomes more and more depressing. A once amazing peak modern super high end luxurious mall built in the mid 80's, now only has dollar stores and imitation perfume stores left. Just unbelievable 😮

[@jimkeskey]

Yeah, I was at this mall on the other side of town and like yours, all it has is imitation perfume stores, cheap stripper shoe stores, and a Walmart that is supposed to close this year because of lack of business and theft.

[@jenniferbuchanan6562]

Hard to believe Amazon and on-line shopping killed malls so quickly. Some of the towns that have nice individual shops in central locations are fun to go to now but aren’t as easy to find parking and you aren’t indoors in bad weather when going from place to place.

[@krisfrederick5001]

Well, they disappeared because malls did. Kids today missed out on so much. Parents didn't have you tracked on GPS and you could actually go out and explore on your own until the sun went down and it was dinner time to go home. Going to the mall used to be an event when were kids, going to the food court then the arcade with a few bucks from Mom for the token machine. Amazing. Saying things like is how you know somehow, you got old. 🤦🏼‍♂

[@ShadeATV]

I think the problem is that malls are starting to actively ban unsupervised teenagers, which makes me, a modern teenager, furious. I don’t remember but I think the local mall banned any unsupervised person under 16 from entering the mall, but I might be wrong.

[@katie7748]

​@Smithgoneviral69 That's cuz too many of them "pooped in the pool," so to speak. In other words, poorly behaved hooligans ruined it for everyone else. I loved going to the mall after school in the early to mid 00s. I got to experience the last handful of years of good mall times before it started to really go downhill. And while online shopping is part of it, v!oL3nce and cr!me is a *huge* part of why stores pulled out and it "gradually, then suddenly" (Hemingway quote...look it up) started to die. The malls I went to as a whippersnapper are on life support now. No amount of movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, hip n happenin' restaurants, or any other gimmick is working to bring them back. The crap economy since the late 00s plays another part. Only people with money to burn and/or those who don't give a fig about debt shop like that now. Sigh. Meh.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

I was in the mall this week and have to say - it was a very serene shopping experience. So quiet and empty.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

Which mall is this?

[@abqmalenurse]

That's mostly because consumers don't have any money to spend. If the mall is empty, it won't be there for long. Hundreds of malls have closed in the past few years.

[@bbrcummins1984]

​@abqmalenurse it's not the money, it's the criminals

[@BerryBerry1465]

Amazon

[@margotconway8605]

Too many people shopping on line ruined everything. I for one don't care to buy anything on line. I want to see what I'm getting especially clothes and and shoes

[@Kelly-ml5tl]

I remember some of these places. Hard to believe malls would ever go put of business.

[@CeeCeeB.]

Oh man...this brings back SO many memories...!!! Orange Julius, Woolworth's, Taco Viva, Boardwalk Fries...shopping at Sam Goody, Art Explosion, Hallmark, and many others. What a wonderful time...!!! ❤🎉😊

[@loocpoc]

We still have some Orange Julius stores in Philly. One of the best mall restaurants I grew up with was the York Steakhouse. It was a cafeteria style restaurant which was pretty reasonable in cost. I used to get either a hot dog or hamburger with french fries. We also had some mall Roy Rogers restaurants here in the Philly area. Had my "Buck-A-Roo" card which allowed me a free small soda

[@RhettyforHistory]

We had Roy Rogers here as well and I loved them. I remember being upset when Arby's took over all the locations. Some of the Arby's used the old signage of Roy Rogers up until the last year or two. All they did was change the lettering. Thank you for watching and letting us know what is in your area!

[@jkd2817]

Where in Philly is an authentic OJ not the DQ doppelganger bullshit?

[@roseharrell1021]

I worked at Orange Julius in 1985 ( High school). Best drinks ever!!

[@inkey2]

OH YEAH.....York Steak House they were sooooo good

[@loocpoc]

@@jkd2817 they're all apart of the Dairy queen chain. The one in Franklin Mills is a franchisee

[@eigrp]

Oh boy, Ferrell's. One of my earliest birthday memories is being stood up on a chair in the restaurant while sirens blared, lights flashed, and they ran to our table with a gurney full of ice cream. Terrifying.

[@mikehigh5982]

The Zoo...lol

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

😂😂😂 Farrell's was the best. Every kid wanted to be THAT table. We went for several years of birthdays when we were kids. One year mom said no to ordering The Zoo. We ordered Mount Whitney, which was as loud and crazy. The look on mom's face was priceless, her eyes were narrowed to slits. 😂😂😂

[@eigrp]

@@mikehigh5982 Haha, I didn't know it was called that. Yep, I got Zooed.

[@VeronicaReveles408]

I had my 4th birthday at Ferrell's.

[@feleciakline8793]

I loved the restaurant but HATED being stood up like that. As a very shy child it was torture!

[@jonbeckman9566]

Hickory Farms smelled so good just walking by. I named a male orange tabby cat Julius after the Orange Julius.

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is a good name for a cat. you're right about the Hickory Farms smelling good just walking by. I always loved getting the free samples. Thank you for watching!

[@tedlawrence4189]

Hickory farms "Beef Stick" was yummy.

[@katezajac6730]

My first cat was named after the orange Julius too!

[@cityhawk]

My favorite was a place called Pennsylvania Dutch Treats in Paramus Park. Their Funnel Cakes were so addictive and so good. Loved it.

[@moquilla1]

I remember going to the mall with my friends and just walking around, going to the movies, going to the food court, and looking at all the weird stuff in Spencers. We wouldn’t really even buy anything in the stores but had fun just looking around. Things were a little easier then and there wasn’t as much hate. I miss those days.

[@gregggoss2210]

Man, I miss Harvest House. My parents took us there a lot during the 70's. The Cherry Hill Mall still exists, but the Harvest House is long gone. Strangely enough, Kenny Roger's Roasters used to sit along the main road in front of the same mall. I managed to eat there once before it closed.

[@RhettyforHistory]

I never got the opportunity to try Kenny Rogers Roasters. It never was in the area I was in and it didn't stick around long enough. Thank you for watching gregggoss2210!

[@Pubslife]

Harvest house was my first job at 16 years old. I worked with my best friends and met my husband through those friends. It was hard work but I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything.

[@jacksons1010]

Oddly enough, Kenny Rogers Roasters still exist in Asia and the Middle East.

[@gracieb.3054]

@@jacksons1010 Yeah, that sucks b/c I used to love me some Kenny Roger's Roasters in the '90's. It was so much better than fast food. I would get half a chicken, cornbread (and xtra cornbread), and any number of other sides. It was a real, hearty meal, with real meat, not frankenfood. If they brought that back, I would buy it all the time. Boston Market, if they're still around, is terrible quality. They were pricier which is probably why they went out of business here. I know b/c my parents complained about the cost b/c I liked eating there over McDonald's.

[@MissAnitaManbadly]

@@Pubslife OMG I said the same thing. Working at Harvest House was definitely hard work!

[@inkey2]

I just LOVED the old """ YORK STEAK HOUSE """ that used to be in malls. It was great food at a reasonable price.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and sharing one that you loved.

[@cordeliachase5241]

The York Steak House in my local southeastern Virginia mall disappeared overnight. Later read in the paper that the employees hadn't received checks for a couple of pay cycles and I think the restaurant also may not have had hot water!

[@MU93N_POW3R]

I definitely miss the weekends at the mall in the 80s and 90s.

[@MarkPeterson2023]

I miss the mall days. It was so great. Arcade, food court, back to arcade. Them were the days

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Mark!

[@StevenMcsweeney-k4e]

I was born in 61. What a great narration of all these restaurants. Fantastic job!

[@jimkeskey]

Really? It sounds like he's talking inside a shoebox.

[@TheComicRelief9001]

I miss Orange Julius and KarmelKorn, there was a period of time where those stores were so widespread that we assumed the name of the store was also the name of the product that they sold

[@RhettyforHistory]

You're right about that. Thank you for watching and sharing what you miss!

[@joykoski7111]

Did 0range Julius actually sell burgers in the past? I am Canadian and only remember hot dogs and many fruit drinks.

[@TheComicRelief9001]

@@joykoski7111 I think that they sold burgers for a brief period in the 70's. I was born in the late 80's, so I only remember hot dogs and fruit drinks

[@KatriceMetaluna]

@@joykoski7111 The way I remember it only some Orange Julius places served hamburgers. I definitely recall one that was in a mall that doesn't even exist anymore. But most of them only served hotdogs.

[@katienovota8870]

Wait, are you saying the drinks weren't called Orange Julius? We always said "let's get an Orange Julius", lol

[@jakealden2517]

I'm not really sure why the preferences of shoppers are now with the outdoor "town square" style shopping centers. Now that malls are disappearing, I miss them. It's a great idea, to be able to shop and eat and walk around without having to go out into the elements. Maybe times will change and malls will make a comeback.

[@miniprepper8284]

I think you it's more the stores that want to only have responsibility for their own utilities and upkeep. One deserted mall close to us dragged for years with roof issues. The anchor stores closed after keeping the degrading edifice afloat for years. It was a great place back in the day.

[@curiousyeti2338]

So many birthday parties at Ferrell's. So many amazing memories. Who can forget "The Zoo"

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching curiousyeti2338!

[@Auryanne]

Yes! Farrells was where we always went for birthdays.

[@elgatogordo9523]

Worked at Farrell’s during the early 80s. It was a blast 😎

[@DarkMessiah499]

I can almost remember the recipe. My personal favorite was the Pig Trough. The Hot Fudge Mountain was also pretty awesome. As an employee, you learned subtle ways to control sugared up brats. Good times good times

[@DarkMessiah499]

​@@elgatogordo9523which one?

[@Merle1987]

I love how oldschool this guy sounds.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Merle!

[@frankleespeaking9519]

Arthur Treachers….. hello… anyone…

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching and mentioning them frankleespeaking9519!

[@tripthelightfantastick6035]

Anyone remember Furr’s Cafeteria or Showbiz Pizza? 😃 We frequented those places in Colorado Springs.

[@sandybruce9092]

I remember both - we had them in Phoenix!

[@LISA.R.2112]

Oh my gosh Rhett, I completely forgot about the Woolworths restaurant. Best patty melt I ever had in my life 😊👍 great channel, thanks !!

[@massiahgrom]

Best fries !!

[@LISA.R.2112]

@@massiahgrom 🙂👍

[@bruceh4180]

Our local mall had a Walgreens with a restaurant, same idea.

[@LISA.R.2112]

@@bruceh4180 cool 👍

[@jmromero6381]

Good pizza too.

[@TeddyStrongBear]

Yes, Morrison’s and all of those cafeteria-style restaurants were very prevalent at malls…. I’d love to see these cafeterias make a comeback!

[@akingwithwords2144]

Such a simpler time, a beautiful time…

[@susanstamboulian646]

Indeed it was. If I could spend eternity in one decade, it would be the 80s, in my local mall, with my Mom and beloved Grandma.

[@salemslotandmore8278]

At Kings Plaza Mall in Brooklyn N.Y. during the 1970's through the 1990's there were a few different restaurants: Eddie Arcaro's, Bun n' Burger, Cooky's (then it became Chi-Chi's), the Crepe & the Pancake, Sbarro's Pizza, and Orange Julius.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Sounds like they had some good ones. It's always sad to see these places go if they are good.

[@johnlopez3996]

It was always a treat to get free samples from Hickory Farms when they had stores inside the malls. You then walked over to Orange Julius for something to drink. It is amazing to see the menu prices from those indoor mall restaurants. Thank you for your video presentation. Take care.

[@jackmambawitsin]

Parents of a friend of mine ran a hot Sam's pretzels in the 80s and it was tiny, maybe 10 foot wide. It was right next to the arcade. Was always fun to grab a pretzel and play video games while my parents were shopping. Thanks Rhetty for bringing back that memory. You're really good at that 😊

[@Ih8GoogleandApple]

Hot Sam mascot looks baked!

[@stevenlitvintchouk3131]

Some malls in the Northeast featured York Steak House, which had a cafeteria ambiance with fast-food speed. You placed your order and got a broiled steak real fast. I used to eat there a lot. It largely disappeared around 1990, although one has continued operating in Ohio to this day.

[@BrianMcKnight68]

There’s a York Steak House still in business? Wow! Grandpa used to take us there every Sunday after church at the Northgate mall in Cincinnati. York Steak House was very popular.

[@exiledfpv]

I was hoping to see York Steak House mentioned in the video.

[@sandradee1579]

​@@exiledfpvI agree. I loved York steakhouse but I think it was primarily a Northeast chain? Many mall restaurants differed by State so I'm unfamiliar with many in this video. Friendly's was everywhere in New England.

[@lordr0808]

I know it is not a restaurant but that shot of Hickory Farms brought back an instant memories of the gorgeous smell passing by that place. I particularly LOVED their smoked cheeses. ❤😢😢

[@KnuckleheadParker]

The Oldsmobile’s are out early this year This mall has everything

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching KnuckleheadParker!

[@bishopman2308]

Blues Brothers, great movie.

[@chrislaustin]

If time travel ever becomes possible, an 80's mall is one of my first stops, and it would either be Del Amo Mall or Old Towne Mall both in Torrance CA. Del Amo for the killer arcade that had a race track that I barely remember, and Old Towne for it's just absolute bonkers theming, it had 2 dark rides in the mall, how cool was that? It was like a renaissance fair where certain shops made wares while you watched, some of the coolest stuff I've ever seen.

[@vilmararias4695]

My first job was at a frozen yogurt shop at Old Towne Mall. My second one at a different frozen yogurt shop at Del Amo Mall across that rad arcade! Good times.

[@garygolfer3243]

I remember Old Towne!! When time travel is available, I’ll meet you there 👍

[@healthyamerican]

malls are so beautiful i dont understand how we went from outdoor malls to indoor malls back to outdoor malls. as if we forgot about rain and cold and heat and snow and wind.

[@gracieb.3054]

Yeah, and now more than ever, with climate being hotter and more storms and stuff, we need enclosed malls. Why would anyone want to walk around outside in 100+ degree heat?

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

My guesses are 1) laziness- people can now pull right up to a strip mall store. Much less walking. 2) greed - landlords didn’t want the headache of all that non-retail space being used for people to just walk around, socialize, or eat while possibly spending little money. Yet they still had to pay for stuff like maintenance and security. Now the only unused space is the sidewalk out front.

[@honeybdream]

Retailers want customers walking directly through their doors. They also didn't like the mall fees they had to pay.

[@Ease54]

@@gracieb.3054 Warm in Summer, cold in Winter...just like always.

[@geoffreyturey]

One favorite of ours was A&W. There was a location in a mall that we only went to on special occasions since it was the third furthest from home, which made it that much more special and enjoyable.

[@20PINKluvr]

They had an a&w in the abandoned mall in the one episode of last of us with ellie and riley

[@SDS-ee9js]

The mall near my house still has A&W! I’m in Canada.

[@cassandrafine6373]

Once I finished my chores on Saturdays during my teen years in the 70s in suburban Chicago, we went shopping in the mall with my mother. Loved the variety of stores, especially Ferrells's Ice Cream. I remember going to larger malls downtown for a different experience in my early 20s.

[@JeanineSinger-s1e]

I loved Farrell's, it was a birthday tradition for my friends and I growing up. We ate many a "trough" and took home our "I made a pig of myself" ribbons!

[@girlgamergear3260]

We had roasters here. They were really good! They were in a building we refer to as "the place restaurants go to die". There have been so many short lived chains in that building!

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is interesting how that happens. We had one of those where I am and they finally tore the building down a couple years ago after it had decades worth of restaurants and clubs in it. It's just an empty grass lot now with the billboard structure still standing. Thank you for watching girlgamergear3260!

[@MaxStax1]

It's the wood that makes it good.

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

I remember those days. Mall restaurants consisted of REAL food 🍱!! Yes, it was the 1970’s. I really do miss what the malls gave us back then. One ☝️night in 1978, I and my stepsister sat down at a mall restaurant. I can still remember looking 👀 at Montgomery Ward’s across the way!! Your friend, Jeff.

[@ZMAN_420]

The malls where great. A whole different experience than now. Your content is awesome for us Retro folks. I remember smoking in the mall it was legal in 1 store, Sabraros Pizza. This was in 94,95.

[@TrixBlowhard-jt3qv]

I grew up in Portland as a child. I have many fond memories of Farrells. Nothing like getting a giant bowl of ice cream on your birthday.

[@billbeliakoff5589]

The biggest thing that I noticed in this is that the small individually owned places that get bought out by big corporations usually go belly-up shortly after.

[@servantleader72]

There was an Ice cream place where they basically sold only ice cream bars. They would pull out a frozen stick of just ice cream, dip it in syrup and then roll it around in a big mound of nuts. So good but can’t remember the name and loved Wags!

[@MsGail61]

Similar to Morrisons was Piccadilly Cafeteria, which still exists in a few locations in the Southeast, but are long gone from the locations I remember.

[@josepherhardt164]

We had a Piccadilly's on West Broad here in Richmond, Va., that was generally good but did go through cycles of better and worse. When they first came out with their bourbon chicken, it was full restaurant quality. Then the sauce kinda deteriorated with cheaper ingredients. Still, overall, not a bad place to go eat. What the spouse & I miss are the casual steak places that existed, like Ponderosa and Bonanza. Now, to go into a steak place, you first go to the bank for a second mortgage.

[@timz9862]

Farrell’s was THE BEST place to have a birthday party as a kid.

[@RhettyforHistory]

I agree! Lot's of celebrating in several ways! Thank you for watching timz9862!

[@angelamoss5156]

"Hot Shoppes" Cafeteria used to be very popular in the 1970's and 1980's!! The one I used to go to as a child was located in Landover Mall in Landover, Maryland. The mall had all of the trappings of that era -- record stores, "Boardwalk Fries" and a wonderful "8 screen movie theater!!! Good times back in those days -- I wouldn't trade those memories for ANYTHING going on today!

[@djbille4283]

I worked at the Orlando Fashion Square mall when I was in high school towards the end of the 70’s. They had a York Steak House which was the best. It had a cafeteria style design where you could choose your type of steak/burger, side, potato and dessert. It truly was a great place to eat ❤❤ Truly missed!!

[@jeffreyt8bowman180]

There’s still one York left. It’s in Columbus Ohio. It still has exactly the same menu items and the decor hasn’t changed at all. But they moved and somewhat abbreviated the salad bar during COVID. It’s like walking into a Time Machine, the only thing that’s changed is the prices. I’m guessing maybe it survived because it’s in a stand alone building, not in a mall (although there’s a dead mall across the street).

[@lilitharam44]

Thanks for the memories Rhetty! I miss the smell of the mall, when you first walk in. In the Mall near where I grew up we had Blimpie, Chik-fil-a, Sbarro, Steak Escape (my fav), an ice cream place that was local (I guess) and two Chinese take out places but I don't remember their name. Further down the mall we had a Cinnabon, a Ruby Tuesday and a locally owned Cantina that had an awesome buffet. I also remember a Swensen's Ice Cream (at another mall) and The Great American Cookie Company at both.

[@harley0519PDX]

I was just thinking of Steak Escape as I was watching this video. Glad I'm not the only one!

[@jamessatterfield7667]

I remember visiting a Swensen’s while I was TDY in Saudi Arabia in ’87. It was located in the Shola Mall in Riyadh. I also fondly remember the Orange Julius that was a stand alone venue located on Foothill Blvd in Claremont,CA.

[@lilitharam44]

@@jamessatterfield7667 Before she passed, my Mom always said that Swensens had some of the best ice cream that she'd ever had. She liked a cherry flavour they had, but I remember their bubblegum ice cream (as a kid).

[@lilitharam44]

@@harley0519PDX They were SO good! Wish they were still around.

[@jamessatterfield7667]

@@lilitharam44 I loved Swensen’s! The ice cream was made fresh on the premises and the quality was beyond top notch. Thank goodness the original Swensen’s in San Francisco is still going strong and kicking serious ass.

[@travelingwithmikeandpam9074]

I still love going to Malls. Some are dying here in the Seattle area, but some are doing very well. Thank you for that ride thru some great memories Rhetty!

[@travelingwithmikeandpam9074]

@DaathielSouth center is one of those that's doing very well. I can't say the same of Seatac!

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

Me too and I heard some malls are still doing well too so there is still hope.

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

Yes, I’m in NJ and my local mall had a small slump but lately seems just as busy as ever. It was packed last Christmas. There was a smaller, dumpier mall in the other direction from my home that died but, it was always small, dumpy, and not very busy. I do wonder if landlord/chain store owner greed was a big contributor to malls closing. It seems greed has taken down industry after industry during my life - the music industry, cable tv, banking, real estate.

[@johnwhite3218]

I'd agree the 80s was the peak and it maintained until 97 when they started the decline and outside malls started to become a thing. Additionally I think the malls became cold and lost there charm when the malls started to remodel. I remember when Sabaro's had a sit down restaurant in the Burlington Vermont mall.

[@jimkeskey]

Oh good. You get to pay even more and tip a waiter/waitress for the same crappy greasy food. Great idea. Glad that sit down Sbarro's is gone.

[@susanstamboulian646]

@@jimkeskey Well, aren't you the life of the party!

[@AbsitInvidea]

I grew up in Houston TX. Sharpstown Center, as it was called was the first indoor mall. I don't remember where I read that, but I was from Sharpstown (class of 72) and so I have many memories of it.

[@Sarah_Kilmer]

I’m from Houston, we shopped at Greenspoint Mall. The food court was fantastic!

[@JeffSchwenke]

My nearest childhood mall had a Bresler's and Karmelkorn. We used to get so many ice cream birthday cakes from Bresler's. That mall also had a Morrow's Nut House, which I believe was almost nationwide at one point. Morrow's Nut House also sponsored my bronco league baseball team when I was 12, and we had jerseys with the Morrow's Nut House logo and brown and orange colors.

[@ttop64]

I remember when back in high school we would sometimes go to the Harvest House restaurant in our mall for lunch . It was much better than the other fast food places .

[@RhettyforHistory]

You really good get a nice meal from there. Thank you for watching and sharing your memories ttop64!

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Rhetty. I am from Manitoba Canada and when I was a kid in the 60's they had a restaurant at one of our malls called Caesars Palace. It was huge and the food was great.

[@RYAN799]

One of my first memories was seeing Ghostbusters in the movie theater in my mall. Afterwards we ate at the new food court that was just built and i had Sbarros pizza and an Orange Julius. Sbarros has been gone for years, but Orange Julius closed this year after 40 years. Crazy. I hate the way things are now.😢

[@smashpoundx8643]

I remember when malls replaced the department store. It was a fun place to take the family on weekends - so many stores and restaurants. And then came Walmart...

[@Coco81218]

I’m so glad to have lived in the early and late 90’s..those times were so special

[@RhettyforHistory]

Thank you for watching Tony!

[@jhonwask]

All I can say is that I miss the malls of the 1980's. They had everything in one place. Not much like that anymore, but we have Walmart. Yay! (That's bitter sarcasm.)

[@JohnWilson-wg4gk]

Our area used to have a freestanding Ames and a freestanding Jamesway, so when Walmart came to town, it was nothing revolutionary.

[@roxcyn]

We still have two malls in my town, it’s kind of nice to travel back into history.