The Abandoned International Mall - Arlington Heights, IL

[@chrischristoferson1191]

I worked out at the XSport for over 15 years on and off. Thanks for the flashback. It closed at the start of Covid. So many memories.

[@BrettJackson1]

I drive by here all the time, lived in Des Plaines for 3 years, and just a few weeks ago I actually looked at it and saw huge it was. I couldn’t believe that such a great piece of real estate could fall into disrepair like that.

[@Slebo_19SeventySomething]

don't worry, they will put up multi-living units with shops. 15 minute city

[@silverload3622]

Walmart killed main st America and Amazon crushed all the malls

[@rond1475]

No , Walmart killed Sears ,Bradlees, Caldors , K Mart ,Ames ,Jamesway and others because their stores were old and and never updated .What killed the malls was social riots from certain ethnic groups ,overbuilding and the pandemic . I could go into Walmart because they sold food and buy clothing during the pandemic but not a Macy's or Gap at the mall . I could shop for housewares on Amazon where 300 people worked in a facility and have multiply people handle my item but not go into a Sears or J C Pennies and pick my own item and possible self check out

[@Five0]

Plenty of cities and small towns like mine have Walmarts. Illinois taxpayers should recognize that taxes and regulations are the root cause to people fleeing to red states. Just do it and take back your life from the corruption, quit electing hooligans.

[@texmex3343]

In fact, a 2023 study shows that Amazon has caused more than 50% of the world's supermarkets to close. When you see that you can order practically anything on Amazon and even have it delivered in 1 hour, that's the result.

[@robertramirez3832]

Absolutely right

[@unpopularopinionpodcast24]

I’m not sure I agree but I get your point. Amazon and Walmart aren’t stand ins for what you can get at the mall. Especially when it comes to clothes..:in my opinion

[@martyjoe8534]

Demolition began a few days ago at International Plaza in Arlington Heights. The owner decided to take the buildings down rather than continue to rack up fines due to code violations, which were in the tens of thousands of dollars.

[@A_A_Skates]

Yo is it fully demolished yet?

[@laurenhall1070]

He did them a favor get rid of the eye sores!

[@matt5721]

Yep empty buildings had rats and that cheap bastard wouldn't do a things about it

[@matt5721]

​@@laurenhall1070No he was at bastard who destroyed the small businesses of multiple hard-working Americans through his greed and laziness. Objectively he was human garbage.

[@StreetDrivenDaily]

A lot changed from the late 90s at that intersection. McDonald didn't exist

[@rosemarythyme8595]

It’s so heartbreaking how many wonderful small businesses that I loved in Northern Illinois that were ruined and shut down after Covid…it just makes me sick to my stomach!!😢😮

[@pattypierce2772]

My parents are buried in Arlington Heights Cemetery and I can remember when the racetrack was there and dad always said he could watch the races after he passed. Man I miss mom and dad so much but I don’t miss the hustle and bustle of the city life.

[@Dolly-Days]

It's so sad to see all the malls closing. When I was a teen that is all I remember going to every weekend. Illinois is sadly taxed out, and cook county is all corrupt. I live near Carbondale, IL.

[@LindaZeno]

I was stationed at Scott AFB. (Many years ago)

[@campsmmy9]

😂 why do you think 🤔 they call it Crook County 😳

[@Dolly-Days]

@@campsmmy9 I agree with you! Sad isn’t it?

[@alecfoster4413]

The mall closed there also! I have fond memories of it when I went to SIU-C in the 1980's.

[@Dolly-Days]

@@alecfoster4413 good times right?

[@Stosh126]

My crew paved the parking lot when this mall was built in the 80s. Sad to see it like this.

[@Dranreb865]

We don't believe you

[@newby_tradr2883]

That place where you saw the motorcycle inside used to be where the Korean Karaoke bar. I brought my family & friends there when the new owner bought it out. Soon after, they closed down. This was about 3 years ago. There was a Korean Rest to the right of it where we used to eat all the time. They moved to Glenview over a year ago. That plaza has always struggled to attract people. It's sad what's happened. It seemed to have so much potential.

[@ForgottenMuscle67]

I lived across the street in the early 2000s, I used to go to the Garibaldi's Pizza in the far left corner that used to be there. That mall was packed with business then sad to see it look like a ghost town

[@alextellez2948]

Me and a buddy used to go to a place there called I think, 'CCC' , it was like an internet Cafe. You paid and they gave u a card and you could hop on one of their many computers. Back in the days of AOL.

[@tedrusniak5058]

Garibaldi's.......man I miss that place used to go there in 1999-01 might be this one I thought it was Golf -n- Arlington Hts Rd I was living off Gobbert at the time and wasn't from the area. If it was this one I missed the whole mall :-)

[@tedrusniak5058]

Crazy I just looked at maps I had no clue that was that big as I only went to Garibaldi's. I use to go to Gino East and Pappadeux which both seem to be gone according to maps :-(

[@alextellez2948]

@@tedrusniak5058 yeah that Pappadeaux is now a Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant. I worked at both years back. There is a pappadeaux in Westmont on 83 and Ogden Ave.

[@ForgottenMuscle67]

@@tedrusniak5058 Yeah me too in Tanglewood

[@thezfamily989]

At 330. That section was a place where teens used to go and play computer games, especially counter strike, It was one the main favorites. You purchase a card with hours to play. Fun times!

[@YaWantTaters]

I played that game for about twenty minutes. I was like 3 kills 12 deaths or somthing terrible lol

[@milesdyson]

I am typing this on an original iMac keyboard from 2000. My friend dropped one of those iMacs thru a glass table. The table didn't survive, while the iMac remained functional like nothing ever happened. The old CRT iMacs were incredibly well assembled as they were designed to be portable/mobile for home and schools.

[@YaWantTaters]

Computers back then were built more solidly weren't they? More durable. If a bear crashed thru the window you could beat it away with the keyboard and as the bear ran back out the window if you listened closely you could hear the keyboard laughing.

[@danielkosta3134]

​@@YaWantTatersSo true with a lot of things. Not just computers.

[@timmycue]

I was in Bloomingdale mall in Dupage county some months ago and couldn't believe all the empty stores. That will be leveled also in the future

[@deborahbaker4770]

You mean Stratford Square ?

[@timmycue]

@deborahbaker4770 yes Stratford Square

[@alisong2328]

Arlington Park Racecourse closed in 2021 and the land sold to the Chicago Bears. On March 11, 2024, the Bears announced that the team had decided to commit $2 billion to build a new stadium in Chicago, leaving the future of the Arlington Park property uncertain. The Bears had run into issues concerning the value of the Arlington Park land, which had been contested by the local school districts in Arlington Heights. So, lots of problems in Arlington Heights!

[@MartVale1]

I knew the Bears wouldn’t go to Arlington Heights. It wouldn’t be convenient for them and other teams or fans. Being in downtown is more convenient for outsiders and has more attractions. Arlington Heights has some fun stuff…..

[@alecfoster4413]

@@MartVale1 Chicago proper is getting a bad rep for high crime, etc. I think the bears moving their stadium to Arlington Heights would be a good move.

[@sroevukasroevuka]

Arlington heights govt screwed up,now they lost all that tax revenue from ticket,food,liquor,and other sales.

[@redsky8763]

Love it when someone tries to play their silly games with anyone they disagree with. The lousy Chicago Bears dont want to move to AH, never intended to and never will. It's the only real game the McCaskey's and Halas's know how to play .... using and screwing people.​@alexlindsey6446

[@4crazycathy]

I drive by it everyday for work, ots massive. I remember there used to be an Ulta & Party City there. That Sports apparel store is incredible & very reasonable.

[@AlexBrandon.]

Born and raised in Chicago, tried to open a small business in the city, went to city sponsored small business classes for two years to help the process.. in the end the regulations and tax burden the city wanted to hang on me to open shop were too much to bear.. taxing the sign that hangs over the sidewalk?.... seriously? Not to mention the money I would have to shell out to the alderman's "special fundraisers" and I was out .... Living the salt life in Florida now ...and oh the weathers just fine here

[@whatsamattayu3257]

I, too, was raised in Chicago. Everyone had a hand out and if you didn't pony up, in came the "inspectors" looking for violations. Saw it first hand at my father's business from 1968 - 71. He finally gave up and sold out.

[@AlexBrandon.]

@@whatsamattayu3257 The entire aldermanic neighborhood thing has to end ... 50 aldermen with their hands out for the money grab...oh, and you better be voting democrat in every election also or you will be run out of town.

[@themustafagoldenboy9008]

Glad you left the state. There's no future here for many people alike. I am looking to move down to Florida or Georgia soon.

[@mrleafbeef634]

And thus why Americans are armed.

[@vickilockeby3172]

From Illinois too and cannot wait to move to a different state! FJBP!

[@corneliusva]

There's truly many such cases. It's not just taxes but certainly that did contribute to this area where this is at

[@louisbertaux5193]

🇺🇲 Fond memories of Lakehurst Mall in Waukegan, IL, as a kid & teen, gone now, and redeveloped years ago... Then Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, IL; barely hangin' on

[@stevenpiehl6199]

Grew up in Arlington Heights when I was about 10 years old the population was about 12,000 that was about 62 or 3 still there am 7 2 now it’s always been a great town great place to grow up. Lots of great memories. Thanks for the video. It’s kind of weird to see your hometown.

[@amandasaysthings13]

Sat at the McDonald’s across the street and watched the Demo last week, such a wild sight to see

[@richardm3023]

WOW! You can afford McDonald's?!?

[@JourneyWithAustin]

U trying to hook up 😂

[@richardm3023]

@@JourneyWithAustin is that some kind of homosexuals comment?

[@aniolcanet]

what did you order?

[@alexisbaumann1631]

We are currently retired and imprisoned in Lake county Illinois, With property taxes on a single family home on small lot is higher than the mortgage payment...cannot sell since people cannot afford to buy with taxes doubling the mortgage payment.

[@michaelgleason980]

You voted for it.🤣🤣🤣

[@amyboone125]

@@michaelgleason980 How do you know how they vote?

[@ajohn-gn7bp]

​@@michaelgleason980this saying is getting old and not always true

[@TakingonSocialism1776]

That mall has always been 50% empty back to 1990s. Just never took hold big time

[@jazzcatt]

At 13:37 on the shop that has the motorcycle inside it says karaoke in Japanese over the door. All of the other businesses had Korean writing.

[@benjamintaylor4402]

That is why they failed.

[@johnfisher9816]

Amazing and sad, given its size and disuse. Excellent video!

[@marc2383]

I live in Chicago & all you see is empty store fronts. It’s really sad. Privately owned businesses have been decimated. I feel it’s by design. Remember….You’ll own nothing & be happy

[@JoeSmith-fu9yx]

It’s called Collectivism, those unnecessary lockdowns a few years ago helped speed up the process. Wouldn’t want those small businesses taking profits from the big corporate stores now would we. Progressivism is pure evil.

[@benjamintaylor4402]

So who designed this, Mr conspiracy theorist.

[@JoeSmith-fu9yx]

@@benjamintaylor4402 you only need to see who benefits from less competition if you’re thinking about conspiracy theories. Places like Amazon and wayfarer doubled revenue during the pandemic and have kept that growth pretty steadily. Stores like macys JCPenny and kohl’s not so much and then the mom and pop stores died by the thousands. It’s pretty obvious when we had the largest transfer of wealth ever seen happen in an 18 month period. But hey the media said it was necessary for the survival of our democracy that rich got even wealthier.

[@passionatepatriot7272]

Sure is by design

[@peanutdecided6256]

@@benjamintaylor4402globalists. World Economic Forum. Agenda 21, rebranded Agenda 2030.

[@4crazycathy]

I really enjoyed this video. This is my #1 favorite video of yours. 😢 Thank you.

[@jameschanin]

I used to stay in Arlington Heights & never knew this mall was there.

[@chrispersinger8659]

Exactly.... Where in Arlington Heights was this

[@NirvzHD]

@@chrispersinger8659 Southern edge of town, Golf Rd. Arlington heights is very long (north/south).

[@garysprandel1817]

Arlington Heights has been after the land for about 15 years or so. Roughly about 2006ish they talked about using eminent domain for the Mitsuwa property for high end residential and retail but Mitsuwa has enough clientele from all around Illinois and surrounding states they were able to repel efforts to take the land. Once it was clear Mitsuwa would fight tooth and nail Arlington Heights announced interest in redevelopment of the International Plaza property and suddenly started finding code violations in sufficient number that it just began to cascade into a self fulfilling prophecy. Add progressively higher taxes and the lockdowns and you get to the point now where the mall is being demolished so the land owner will be free of the continuous code violations.

[@bwayne448]

If you ever saw those yard signs that say “JB Pritzker SUCKS the life out of small businesses“ there’s a great example.

[@EricCartmanProductions3410]

The taxes are insane here in Illinois 😔

[@charreed8727]

And... Kamala Harris is thinking about making him her running mate for VP. Omg... 🤯

[@NirvzHD]

This mall was dying for awhile. I used to workout at the X Sport there in 2019 and it was the only relevant business there and that was BEFORE Covid...

[@SILSpring]

We lived in Arlington Heights on Vail St when we were kids. I also remember Randhurst Mall.

[@doolally1478]

❤

[@TheLedonne3]

Hey! I lived on Dunton. My parents owned the 7-11 on Central and Arlington Heights Road from about 81-90. I used to rent movies from Prime Time Video.

[@lindaatteo409]

Randhurst is struggling today even with the new facelift of new stores. I worked for CBRE and they are the realtor and said. No one wants to be in that mall

[@forthedoggiesguitars2277]

Town and Country? Grew up behind there back in the 80s - 90s.

[@tanyastiver9428]

This is the video of yours that I have ever watched. Very good video. Even though things have already been destroyed, I really respect how well you treated it. It is sad enough to see so many places go out of business for any reason, but it is almost like as soon as something closes and sits empty, it is like a big sign telling people that it is okay to spray paint graffiti and smash everything in sight. It truly is sad that people do that. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@theempoweredlife4415]

I lived there over 18 years ago. It looks nothing like I remember. It's so sad to see the state that place is in now.

[@Phil-ey6yh]

Elly's had decent breakfasts. The Asian mall (mitsua) up the street at Golf and Arlington Heights gave homes to some of the places from here. So much of the NW burbs are strip malls and other brick and mortar retail. In a digital world, it's all going away.

[@johnl2727]

How many carry out Chinese restaurants, dry cleaners, insurance offices, hair salons, etc. does one city need. Too many strip malls.

[@jeffreywood924]

I worked occasionally in this mall in the late 1990's - early 2000s. My company had a photo studio there for a few years... on the same side of the mall where you found the motorcycle, kind of tucked into one of the corners. I was shocked to stumble upon this video at random!

[@melvinglick9446]

So many people work so hard to eke out a living. It’s sad.

[@tlpricescope7772]

I know this area well. There is a ton of shopping and other malls around there, including Woodfield mall, that this mall can’t compete with. It primarily had a lot of Korean shops, but with giant Mitzuwa Korean mart and popular Tenduke Japanese grocery store nearby, it’s hard for other Asian marts to compete. Yes, taxes suck in Illinois, but this mall was doomed for a long time.

[@angeloturner4574]

Mitsuwa is not korean. It's Japanese.

[@SpartanONegative]

Every city, every shopping center

[@YaWantTaters]

Is it well subterfuged communist plots ruining life for lawabiding americans? Is it purely greed? Wth is goin on man; what is wrong with people!? I think people are why people can't have nice things...

[@TheTSRush]

Okay your videos convinced me. I subscribed. Also I'll try to find that online sports shop. Thank you for letting him represent his business.

[@robertmailhos8159]

High tax rate in the state of Illinois 🤬😡😡🤬

[@raultavizon9538]

I agree high tax and workmans co cases driving factories out also

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@raultavizon9538 thanks for the info on this matter of the high tax rate in Illinois

[@MikeLastt]

It everywhere in the state Biden sucks

[@alanh1406]

We have the same high tax BS in Connecticut. It’s ridiculous.

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@alanh1406 ouch that is not a great thing ☹️😕🙁🫤

[@JamesCook-u9h]

My Dad raised 3 kids in the sixties and seventies in Kankakee Illinois We had a beautiful home a great education and 3 weeks vacation. He had some side jobs but i can't remember him charging more than $1.75 a haircut

[@yonyvladimirovichaguilarov1680]

kankakee looks like a war zone...

[@MartVale1]

@@yonyvladimirovichaguilarov1680It’s sad how it’s changed but it’s still cheap.

[@EndTheIMF]

U.S. dollar has lost about 98% of its purchasing power since 1913.

[@vapete1237]

Sad end to a once thriving area .. It looks very much like what a zombie apocalypse would be 🧟‍♂️ 🧟‍♀️

[@pamelakoester734]

What about all the leftover inventory ? Is it going to be donated to reputable charity organizations, or better yet some could be divided among shelters that house abused women and Children !

[@Dolly-Days]

The parking lot pictures, that looks to be around a 1996 Honda Accord a 1998 s-10 and a 2004 Lincoln LS would be my guess.

[@Fletcher6183]

I passed by this centre recently, they are in the process of tearing all of it down. Very sad to witness.

[@WolfofLawStreet]

When I was a kid...I lived in Mount Prospect, Illinois...right next to Arlington Heights.....I visited this mall quite often with my parents....that pancake house was the best

[@ItzMeJay_83]

And the Burger spot use to be Blockbuster. There was another small strip right next to it that was torn down many years ago. This video makes me feel old lol

[@ItzMeJay_83]

I still live walking distance in the same area Mount Prospect crazy to see a abandoned video of this place on youtube

[@v8slimfast523]

100% hitting up burger baron for lunch tomorrow! great vid!

[@StringerMedia]

Nice folks!

[@Skottravels]

It went out of business, sadly.

[@adriansalas1007]

It’s gone already, they’re tearing down the plaza

[@jadetheprootlol]

@@Skottravels When did they close (if you know)?

[@Skottravels]

@@jadetheprootlol According to reviews, a few months ago. Look at Google maps.

[@annie_xo]

I’m Swedish and it’s so strange for me to see so many of these huge dead malls in the US. Here malls are still quite popular despite how online shopping is booming. It’s 90% big chains though, small businesses were struggling even before the pandemic and for many of them it was sadly the killing blow. I do most of my shopping online so I get how convenient it is but if you want these small businesses to stay open you need to shop there.

[@allergictohumansnotanimals5671]

Malls are also very popular in the middle east and east asia

[@Sebastian-Draegon]

We can't afford the prices of the stores in malls anymore. Any surviving mall is half empty only supported by the movie theater and either big corporate stores or franchise stores with insane prices to compete with online shopping. We do have small downtown areas with small businesses but a lot of the small businesses are also high priced just to stay alfoat and only the stores that have sweets/coffee/retro candy have customers We have more empty strip malls than we do corn fields at this point.

[@YaWantTaters]

I think maybe the leaders in your country are smarter; that they actually LEAD - whereas in America we have a rotating cycle of clowns with funny papers ruining everything.

[@poatalplace2285]

Amazon is killing America big box shopping mall. I saw even high schoolers( future consumers) order through Amazon. Save gas, time, one day delivery, no deal to talking with others cashier, etc. so many benefits.

[@HistoricGentleman]

The street lamp was robbed of its copper wiring, and realistically that’s why a lot of windows are smashed for the same purpose. Sadly this is happening a ton in our area and is most definitely a sign of bad economy

[@MikeJMarine]

I worked construction for 30 plus years. 1984 on. All of us would stop at places such as these at least 3 times weekly. We worked all over Chicagoland. We left hard earned dollars in fine establishments like this all over Chicagoland. My son is still in the trades, it’s harder and harder not to leave our money at mom and pop businesses according to him. It’s turning into all franchise garbage. These businesses appreciated us as we appreciated them. A little e tra fries, or something at no charge. It was appreciated. Hell now you get half a box of fries at MCDS and they tell you to pound sand. It’s literally the death of America as we know it.

[@BlockchainMoney87]

That picture was in 99 early 2000s

[@pilotgrrl1]

Valli Produce used to have a store there.

[@xladydriver]

Valli produce does well in other areas

[@pilotgrrl1]

Sometimes. I used to live behind a Valli, now it's Tony's Fresh Market.

[@TECHNOLOlC]

I live near Arlington heights and it was weird seeing the place go empty and I always wanted to go and explore some abandoned places and my sister and I really wanted to go to some places before they torn it down but if your ever around here again and planning to go to another place I would be happy if I could come with you guys

[@wentworth2475]

I love how respectful and sweet you boys are.

[@samkwak5722]

I used to live in this area. And as a Korean American, i actually been to many of those stores in high school. Many of those were Korean businesses back in the day. In fact, i literally had dinner with my family last summer in one of the restaurants in the mall. Sadly, many of the korean population moved up north to Vernon Hills and Northbrook. That meant businesses lost their customers and declined all throughout the 2010s. And then Covid came and accelerated the decline of those businesses.

[@grama9094]

Illinois ruined my family financially back in 1976. I would never go back there.

[@p.a.r.6991]

In New Mexico I went to a outside mall it had very few visitors but the stores were in good shape in 2006 between alburquerque and Santa Fe..

[@shesbananas]

I passed this a few weeks ago and my abandoned radar was going off. I made a note to go and check it out sometime. Thanks for investigating!

[@LovelessFascinations]

WOW! I know exactly were this is! I really enjoy your videos and would love to shadow you all/tag along for the adventures and volunteer my time and skills. I have a DJI mini pro 4 and would say i have decent skills as well as video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, Blackmagic ultra studio, Sony Vegas and lastly DaVinci Resolve. i also love the look and feel of many of your videos. keep it up!! i am in a northwest suburb called Park Ridge.

[@alangrant5684]

That art store breaks my heart. Now that it's fully publicized have someone contact owner right away and collect it for him to resell online!

[@SnowMcCall1]

OH WOW ❤❤❤ same...i say it every video too!!!

[@achotrod]

Once Garabaldis was gone I never went back. The Burger Barron was good too.

[@JoeSmith-fu9yx]

You should see Stratford mall in bloomingdale, it’s like a ghost town.

[@alextellez2948]

I read that is closing soon too.

[@amyboone125]

Springhill mall in Dundee just shut down. Only the Kohls remains.

[@944clogue]

They were supposed to tear both malls down . W dundee wants Springhill gone....

[@poundcake88]

They should build a warehouse there instead of losing a residential area.

[@ShettikkaWoods-jl8iq]

That's so sad 😢 The struggle is real 😔

[@blazefairchild465]

We have two this size that shut during Covid. One is now partially re-vamped into a futuristic medical specialty offices. The waiting room is set up like a large airport….lots of space between seating groups. As if families can sit while social distancing. All the offices are for Dr.s of non contagious illnesses right now,but you can see it’s a great design. So much space it was once the largest mall in the area.

[@1974Muzak]

Social distancing is over, so is covid. Weird comment that has nothing to do with the video..

[@blazefairchild465]

@@1974Muzak Sorry you missed the point of my post. Malls are not relevant anymore because during covid people learned to order everything, use e-commerce if you will. Now malls are being revamped & turned into apartments or Dr, offices with a new design of very large waiting rooms. Because Covid only taught us ,how to prepare for the next pandemic.

[@Faceman2000]

You might want to make it perfectly clear in your description that you are only there to document and do not take anything, valuable or not. You might not be breaking, be you are entering and I'm not sure of the legal ramifications of posting a video advertising a location online. As a journalist simply documenting the decline of Americana, I don't want you to get into any trouble. (Edit) I should have waited until the end. I see that you did delay the release of the video, or at least took it down for a spell. Thanks for being responsible.

[@U.D.Espinosa]

Wow! I can't believe they left a little of their signage in the old X-Sport Gym! It is so surreal! I used to workout at that gym late at night in 2018! I wonder if that Super Heavy Duty bag is still hanging in the back! I hope it still isn't bandaged! 😅 Even though I wasn't as big, I still miss seeing the big guys! I felt a bit bashful when one of them noted I was doing my form correctly on the Squat Press machine! Although 900 lbs. on an isometric machine isn't that impressive, I was so happy somebody noted I had kangaroo/goat legs! Thank you! I wish I can be a big as you dudes! I am smol scrub! Oh well! 😅

[@danwentz]

Stratford Square closes this month... sad to see all this happening.

[@YaWantTaters]

Aw I miss that place; eatin' that terrible yet delicious sbarro pizza hahaha

[@calciumrods1779]

I'm close to Spring Hill, I feel your pain of a closed mall :(

[@amyboone125]

​@@calciumrods1779Me too

[@pepper3712]

Always walk around with caution do floors could be rotted when you're walking into a building and fall through to the basement also always watch glass don't ever stick your head between there if you would have took a stick and touched it you would see how fast it came down

[@gAIL-w7r]

You do a great job with your videos.

[@Jyzra]

its nuts driving past it seeing all the buildings demolished. so many memories.

[@Foreststrike]

That was nice of them to leave ol' Pedobear in an abandoned shopping center.

[@frenisii]

Do you ever prepare for the case that a place has mold in the walls?

[@anonymous3738]

It’s fun exploring an abandoned mall because you can enter any part of the building as long as it’s structurally safe because there’s no authorized personnel to stop you. The only problem is the possibility of criminals hiding inside but other than that, it’s an extremely exciting adventure. You never know what treasure you might find.

[@starguard4122]

More people are leaving Illinois than any other state in the U.S. Sad, but True!

[@KINGRODP]

**California has entered the chat**

[@keithpodhradsky1314]

Did you know while 700k went to Florida,500K left? Fascist Paradise.

[@davidlp6510]

@@keithpodhradsky1314 If they went to Florida they will be back or gone somewhere else. Florida is the number 1 State with people leaving. (I tried putting an URL from the Dept of Commerce saying that)

[@tommanning7337]

New sub here, yeah man I live in Illinois, grayslake area, so crazy how this shit keeps popping up. Love the videos man!!!!! 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@phildressel8865]

I remember when that back right corner location was a Powerhouse Gym back in the early 2000s....

[@lindasovey7093]

🤣🤣🤣" I've never seem an iMac that old" my 36yr old self feels old AF rn..... I had one of those in high school 😢

[@NicCageCDXX]

Looked this place up once they finally started tearing it down, apparently they had permits to start demolition for months, but the owner dragged his heels so long the village started fining him again, so they're just getting around to tearing everything down now. I drive past it every couple weeks and there's rarely noticeable progress. Burger Baron were the last ones to close up shop and it was still several months after they closed and any sort of demolition began. Apparently Arlington Heights has wanted to redevelop this spot since the mid-2000's, lost out on a Target going in because the owner wouldn't budge. It's not even like it's some altruistic urge for the tenants, as that parking lot has been crumbling for at least a decade. I can only assume the owner is painfully stubborn, as even with what would presumably be relatively high demolition costs, that massive plot of land in Arlington Heights is still worth 7-8 figures.

[@usuhuuts_]

I used to workout at the xsport over there 11-12 years ago, great memories, sad to see the mall torn down.

[@NOTREALLYHANKAARON]

xsport suks. thieves. fact.

[@peterburi2727]

Ill-annoy hates it's residents.

[@papabird4425]

I hear the career criminals get along just fine. Have you considered that vocational path?

[@gorillacookies3171]

@@papabird4425so a politician?

[@papabird4425]

@@gorillacookies3171 sure, if you've got the right psychological makeup for it

[@pepper3712]

In your video one of the guys put his head under that glass that was broke that is like a guillotine he's lucky sometimes just a little vibration will shake that loose loose loose loose he could have lost his head Horace hands Horace hands

[@poatalplace2285]

I saw that place was demolished one month ago.

[@doggiemaina11]

Elly's Pancake House was a staple of my childhood. My family would go there every weekend to eat as it one one of the few places that my dad would eat at. We were there enough that the staff knew us and I remember one year we went on my birthday and of the waitresses brought me to the back to let everyone know that it was my birthday and I got free ice cream with my food. It's a little hazy due it being so long ago for me, so I could be getting some details wrong. I have been wanting to go back as an adult for nostalgia's sake, but never got a chance. And now I never will...

[@EricCartmanProductions3410]

Your videos are amazing cause you check out abandon places you just gained a subscriber Keep up the good content. 👍

[@patbelski]

wow- weird. i grew up very nearby. i used to skateboard around that plaza as a kid. there was a very popular internet cafe for CS gamers on the eastern side of the plaza. The burger baron used to be a pizzeria, and next door was a blockbuster. This plaza started going downhill quickly after the blockbuster left. A lot of the businesses were centered around media/technology prior to the internet boom. At that time, it seemed building maintenance stopped. I remember any fixes in the terrible parking lot were just cheap fills/fixes. Also, the Korean population expanded East down Golf rd towards Niles, as as such a lot of the business followed. (edited- west to east)

[@Someonelikeyou-ml7nx]

As of this week, Ellys pancake house and the last two buildings hit the ground. Word had it that the management was not keeping the place for more than 20 years and that for that reason, some of the tenants left, which began the avalanche. The keorean population is moving west, Hoffman, Schaumburg, etc. There used to be a Korean restaurant on the corner of Golf and Arlington hts. Rd but they tore that down 20 years ago and its still grass. Malls and ethnic residents, you've really got to watch the tea leaves, Malls are a bygone era, and no one should be surprised. Ethnic clustering changes about every 20 years. Change can be sad.

[@lisakain4414]

That developer hopefully went in and got this stuff out. Especially in that one store. He would be crazy not to.

[@Kat-fw9se]

So sad seeing many businesses closed because of the pandemic. There is a mini outdoor mall near me which drew many customers to their small retail stores which included a mom & pop grocery store where the owners knew customers by name giving kids a lollipop when leaving. The grocery store being in business for over 50 years also shut it’s doors.

[@davidgilbert8614]

I grew up in Niles, eventually bought a place in unincorporated Des Plaines, and used to drive past this strip mall off of Golf all the time as I headed out to Schaumburg where a lot of family lived. I recall this mall, about 20 years ago, there was a place in there that my mother frequented; where she and some of her friends played bingo once a week. Joined her a couple of times myself. Back then it was a thriving upscale destination. I remember when the PowerHouse was there; it was still open despite the one near me that I frequented (in the old Four Flags strip mall) having gone under. Cannot believe the level of decay and how devastated it is now. Truly sad to see this happen all over. Same thing has happened at Golf Mill Mall, the mall I went to as a child. But at least they have plans on totally reviving Golf Mill. Looks like this place needs to be demolished now, far too much decay in so short of time.

[@YaWantTaters]

I started going to school in Schaumburg but only for like one month - they bussed us from Carol Stream cause of population explosion - then my mom had enough of the overcrowding and moved us into rural small town, instead. In hindsight I guess I'm glad but it was a trauma to my mind to change my surroundings so drastically. Yes it seems to me like suburban infrastructure and function isn't planned very well. I don't like it... wonder if I should join a monastery somewhere or something like that, maybe find a way to get revitalised in my life because I feel deflated😮‍💨, but I'm not even 50 yet. Feel like I'm 48 going on 70. The only thing I remember about Golf Mill is there was a Ford dealership there or was somewhere near. Probably still there.

[@davidgilbert8614]

@@YaWantTaters The Ford dealership is still there and has been there for decades. It is on the East side of Milwaukee Avenue across from Golf Mill and is still called Golf Mill Ford. Ironically on the West side of the mall, the former Best Buy has been converted into a Chevrolet dealership. As for the Ford dealership, I once tried to by a car there but was treated so rudely by the salesman that I will never consider. Ford product again. Instead I dropped $18 K on a Buick Skylark GS.

[@YaWantTaters]

@@davidgilbert8614 Ah yep Golf Mill Ford. I never went there myself but I remember I used to hear ads for it in the radio lots of times. "Push it. Pull it. Tow it to Golf Mill Ford." that was like a radio jingle they had. O yeah we grew up with Buicks in our family. Grandpa always had one, and one Caddy.

[@dawngallegos5396]

I grew up in Livingston county, it was barren in many smaller places. So sad many many repeat over every state.

[@ljiljanaradic8771]

This place is demolished now. You can see bunch of people and machines working. Someone is going to build something new here.Finally!

[@DenoKeller]

You should come to Bradley Illinois mall , same thing , everything closed and only a few stores left

[@ricj7517]

Good video Stringer 👍 Was the food good ?

[@StringerMedia]

Very!

[@tayzonday]

You REALLY should not be in there without a respirator since there is likely mold and asbestos.

[@Crazyjimbo1906]

What’s the address where is this? Please put the address and name of the places you’re going to in description. Thnx

[@bordereau1]

Why was inventory left behind?

[@ajohn-gn7bp]

I'll never forget it and many of you going along with it like nothing

[@SnowMcCall1]

Oh grab that antique plate.... I know you are s respectful to theplaces and owners...but dang that antique store has so many treasures. I cant stand all that going to waste.❤ and grab those monopoly games and that damn hot wheels set. Smh! Smh! Smh!

[@STAR-RADIANCE]

Apocalypse vibes all across the US. Most of the country will probably look like this in another decade or so.