The Mall Boronia - A 1970s mall under the mountains

Welcome to Boronia's classic 1970s-era mall.
Big thank you to Laurie for giving us permission to film this mall, and to everyone who provided us with information about the place. We hope you enjoy this video and look forward to bringing more content in the future.
You can support our work on our (soon to be updated, I promise!) Patreon here: / stormo

[@johnneill9740]

When I was a boy, we used to go there on a Friday night with mum and dad, there was a waterfall there under the stairs, and above where now the turntable stand is located, there was this huge hanging light display with all these tiles, all brilliant shades of red.

[@Godspeed1970]

Yeah, I remember the water feature (and the smell of chlorine). They should bring it back.

[@Ozvideo1959]

The opening of Knox City spelled the end of Boronia Mall as a shopping hub. Now it's just $2 shops and the like. I can remember when we used to go there every Friday after work, now people shop at Kmart and Coles but rarely shop in the mall.

[@timberwolvesxx7250]

i grew up in The Basin in the 80's so this mall gives a few flashbacks. it looks frozen in time, like a suburban decay you would seen in America.

[@myunknownland9272]

I grew up in the basin too and went to the basin state school, later to Boronia high school. Memories. I worked in the movie theatre which is still. there

[@mattyo30]

Hope this mall doesn't get demolished, it should be preserved

[@volgrencr221]

the mall it self is heritage ;listed

[@nevillemills9517]

I spent my early 20s here in 1980 81 82. Great times. Fun times for a young fellow back then. 🙂 My girlfriend now my wife bought me my first set of six sidchrome spanners from the small speed shop there. I still have those spanners today and use them most times. And we took our first son there too. We have been back there a few times over the year for memories because we now live about four hours away in the country.

[@tracer7898]

We cycled to Boronia Mall in the seventies as kids to play the pin ball machines, got my ears pierced with studs in the chemist that was on the lower level, got a watch for my sixth birthday at the jewellers - lived there lol and we always left our bikes out the front, never stolen. Celebrities and entertainment was on that rotunda/stage, got called up there a few times as a kid for winning prizes and stuff lol.

[@TheSandy011]

I got my ears pierced there too when I was 16 - many years ago. I passed out when they did the first one so they did the second one while I was out to it then they brought me round LOL SO many fond memories but it looks awful now

[@tracer7898]

@@TheSandy011 OMG that is just hilarious.

[@TheSandy011]

@@tracer7898 Small world! Was fun there in the 70s - the town hang out. Glad those walls can't talk!

[@eddcoomber]

This place must be preserved. Dad worked for the local paper around the corner and I remember it well. It'll take some pretty bold concept to bring it back to life - but I hope the best of the 1970s brutalism is retained.

[@umitgezer8171]

Love it. The music, the camera work, the voice over and writing. Perfect.

[@skatedd2451]

Yes bring back Boronia mall people have a lot of fond memories of This Place I grew up in that place❤❤❤

[@leerowe280]

omg bought my jeans at just jeans and my very first bra at venture it was purple and i loved it

[@TheSandy011]

Also bought clothes from Just Jeans and started my very first bank account at Bendigo Bank when it first opened. Its changed immensely and not for the better sadly

[@APH1991]

Millions of stories must've been told by the walls and the floors at Boronia Mall. It always takes me back to another time does the Mall.

[@theduffster1985]

Needs to be restored!

[@APH1991]

Though not as big, Vermont South Shopping Centre still has a similar era decor.

[@theduffster1985]

Don’t forgot the sloping floor lol

[@APH1991]

@@theduffster1985. Admittedly I haven't been there in ages, does Vermont South SC have the sloping floors?

[@dunkestinzadukenstains5202]

Northcote and Lalor plaza are similar as well

[@Techno-Universal]

It still has a very cool and classic feel to it that even feels more well built and safer than many recently redeveloped shopping centres as many more modern shopping centres have had significant issues with crime in recent years.

[@IDontTalkToCops]

I grew up in Montrose, another suburb at the foot of Mt Dandenong, not far from here. I remember going there in the 80’s as a kid. Thanks for the upload.

[@tracysroberts]

You missed out on the other main feature of the Mall, the cylindrical chandelier that hung over the stage. It was a huge array of hanging glass discs. I grew up in the area and went to tech school in Boronia in the 70's. Boronia shoppingtown was the place to go. That, and the old Electra cinema, which was eventually demolished for the double theater that replaced it.

[@stormofilms4415]

Yeah I just plain forgot about it. I even had footage of the roof where it was that I didn't figure out why I had it when I shot the video. Oh well, if I ever do a follow-up I'll be sure to mention it :)

[@Detroit8V92tta]

Yes I too remember the cylindrical chandelier Tracy. It was orange(ish) if I recall correctly and quite large. I was wondering if anyone else remembered it. Glad I'm not the only one. Was there a small watergarden there too under the stairs or am I confusing that with somewhere else?

[@tracysroberts]

@@Detroit8V92tta Yes, orange and yellow glass discs. I think you are right about the rock garden under the stairs on the right as you came in the front door. I can't remember if it was a water garden.

[@Detroit8V92tta]

@@tracysroberts I think it was a water garden rockery. I was born in 74. My earliest memories would have been 77ish.

[@Detroit8V92tta]

@@tracysroberts I was just thinking why they took the chandelier down. It was one of the coolest features of the mall. Then I think I vaguely remember it would blow in the wind. Do you remember that Tracy?

[@alexnosek1066]

this is exceptional work. love your attention to detail, soundtrack and your obvious affection for the genre of suburban malls. the memories are flooding back! thank you.

[@Loughlan]

Great work mate. Thank you for helping to preserve this in digital form. Stumbled upon this place when trying to find a mobile phone repair shop online. The dude there is quite friendly.

[@mattyo30]

Yes this is very good video for the future preservation. I would love to see a 1970s mall back in the day filmed like this back at the time for us to view now. Nice work!

[@Loughlan]

matt smith, this mall is pretty damn near close to an untouched, 1970s mall.

[@mattyo30]

@@Loughlan Yes exactly but it would have been nice if people filmed the buzzing malls of the 70s back in their heyday with people dressing in the style of the time, but the technology wasn't there to do it really

[@lngridmoore1489]

I grew up in Boronia and the Mall was a big part.I sung on the stage with Boronia primary school. I remember Kylie Minogue being there

[@lindarella8456]

I am a Boronia resident and I actually learnt quite abit from watching this video. So thanks! You should do videos on Bayswater Shopping Centre and also Croydon Market. Cheers

[@justmemimi7338]

Brilliant video. Very interesting, thank you..

[@icascone]

Cool! I mean I gess at the moment looks a bit dated, BUT In this world of constant re-modelling it's great to see something remain as it was!

[@CameronCrichtonVFXArtist]

Great video. It’s a shame the owners won’t lower the rent so they can fill up those vacant stores.

[@GeordietheJoiner]

Great video and information well done. I visited the mall after not being there for decades and it is very run down, shops closed and excavators broken ect ect. I really wished it could be brought back to a modern standard because as you stated the building itself and architectural design is still very relevant and modern to this day, it just needs renovations and upgrades.

[@nigelbeaverhausen2559]

awesome video, i love both this and the terrace so much and i frequent them quite a bit. recently i visited the hub arcade in dandenong and it really reminded me of those two with the 80s aesthetic and derelict shops. it would be awesome if you looked into doing a video on it.

[@pavementpounder7502]

Thanks for the detailed and informative tour mate. The fact that it's mostly independently owned small stores instead of chains makes it kind of interesting. MetroWest Footscray is quite interesting in being small and multi-storey too, I don't think they're actually that rare, but still definitely not that common. Sad what has happened to it though.

[@stormofilms4415]

A friend of mine who lives in Footscray has promised he'd show me some places around that area that would be good to make videos on, but we've had to put those plans on hold due to the lockdown. Once that's over with then I'll definitely head over there and check it out.

[@pavementpounder7502]

@@stormofilms4415 yeah you should! Be also happy to show you around if you're interested.

[@skatedd2451]

Wow have the same Boronia mall for a long time that brings back some memories when I was a kid wow

[@patrickcleary2316]

There seems to be a common theme with all these malls, Coles owns several of the properties in these malls...they are content for them to be vacant

[@mickgatz214]

@00:45 I remember the Pinball machines down there where the Public phone is. :) To the right of them was a Unisex Hair Salon. Those chicks knew how to give you a great haircut. To the left row of 'Pinnies' there used to be a water feature I think. This was around 1975. Up top (to the right), don't remember exactly but there used to be the infamous Just Jeans Store The entrance where you came, to the right i think there's a ramp but as you walk in on the corner used to be a tabboccanist. It was just a little shop. We used to ride our BMX bikes thru there creating havoc. hahahah To the left around the corner used to be a butcher shop. (Chicken wings were FREE back then!) Ahhhhh what memories. :)

[@satanssandwich5389]

how i wish they were still there.........we need to restore the joint to the former 70s glory it enjoyed. Pinnies and all.

[@mattpowney741]

I am a 1962 model and I loved this place when it first opened.

[@Prieze868]

The whole shopping centre around with buzzing in the 1980 was full of beautiful clothes shops and it was so busy with people

[@TheSoundBarr]

I worked at Keyboard corner for a little bit and one Christmas they rented a vacant shop at the Mall and I was playing Xmas carols on the keyboards ha

[@adellarose6371]

It is almost a mini original Doncaster Shoppingtown, complete with ceramic wall.

[@mattyo30]

Wish there were more photos of old Doncaster Shoppingtown or if it were documented like this video for preservation. Would have loved to see it.

[@Davofromdownunder65]

I love going to that mall when I stayed at my sisters house just up the road

[@gav240z]

The Colesworth Monopoly on shopping centre locations mentioned around 11mins in, is why we pay so much for Groceries here.

[@myunknownland9272]

My dad built the woolworths that is now the RSL CLUB. They shortchanged him when it was finished. 😢

[@Hero.Lone-Wolf]

Its a perfect place for the retirees to hang out during the day ... !!!

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Similar story to Forest Hill Chase Mainly senior citizens during the day 😄

[@skatedd2451]

Remember going there with my very first Paycheck of 47 dollars bought three records Jean jacket the carton of smokes and still have $25 left over

[@lozinozz7567]

I spent my teenage years hanging out there. Could buy cigarettes for 5 cents each from the smoke shop.

[@mavv0589]

This really is an excellent video. Unfortunately the future really is grim with rumours of the auspost shutting down which has been an anchor for years. Worth noting also that whilst Westfield Knox had more shut stores, they were preparing for a well overdue major renovation to strengthen its western wing. Plus there are still many major stores at the shopping centre despite its issues. Boronia mall is still dying ;(

[@shoutykat]

I haven't been there for decades although I spent a heap of time there in my childhood.

[@derhampaul1117]

I used to go there all the time when I was young

[@Hero.Lone-Wolf]

Those fresco on the walls must be heritage listed immediately !!!

[@Prieze868]

I hope they keep it like that

[@Prieze868]

The Hub arcade in Dandenong was a bit someone still has that bubble linoleum on the floor with the little circles really from the 70s and treasure way removed and then have food court 80s food court upstairs

[@aft-fishing90]

This mall and its looks reminds me when I was in Belgrades international airport, terminal one.

[@fourtwentyhellions7185]

Dude what a strange place... How are those shops still there?

[@dunkestinzadukenstains5202]

Northcote and Lalor Plaza are similar as well

[@Prieze868]

The mall Boronia hope they Heritage list and keep it as it is raw 70s maybe even with shops with shag carpet in and everything

[@artyfhartie2269]

This place has soul. Lacking in all those big shopping centres

[@Ozvideo1959]

No it doesn't. It's a building, that's all. I grew up in Boronia and I used to visit the mall once a week throughout the '80's. It's as dead as Moses now. There is absolutely no reason for its existence any more. If it's so wonderful, how come there are no major retailers there now?

[@artyfhartie2269]

@@Ozvideo1959 That building has soul. You don't

[@bobstar2683]

I remember going to see empire strikes back at Boronia cinema when I was very young and then going to the mall for a slush puppy (brightly coloured frozen drink).

[@adriaandeleeuw8339]

My mother worked there in 1974.she used to bring home fruit pies from the shop.

[@loyalroyal]

The records I bought at Clements changed my life.

[@tsutsuji1]

Save our small, idiosyncratic malls. Our shopping experience doesn’t always have to look and feel like Southland and Chadstone. Let there be diversity!!

[@stevewilliams845]

Went to Chandler Road Primary School and played recorder on The Mall Stage, i also remember going to a political ralley there, I think it was Gough Whitlam.

[@aaronmcgoldrick2439]

I'm surprised it hasn't been boarded up to be honest. With only the cinema and external shops(around Boronia) still having a pulse when I lived in the eastern suburbs in 2016, I only saw the malls slow demise.☹

[@TheSandy011]

Back in the 1970s that little cinema was owned by actor Barrie Barkla who, at the time, was playing Max in the tv series "The Box". Great funny man. Had dentures and accepted the mintie I offered him. of course it got stuck and he disappeared for a long time. Was my mum, myself and Barrie had it to ourselves that day watching Ted Neeley in Jesus Christ Superstar. My poor mother couldnt cope with that film

[@volgrencr221]

5:26 wow its 826 the transbus Dart slf bit rare for a lilydale midi to run a nox run

[@Andersonstree]

Would like to know what the future holds for this mall given the dilapidated state it’s in?

[@anthonyscully2998]

I used to shop there in the 1990's. The mall is very plain

[@CFox.7]

You doing all melbourne metro malls or limited ?

[@tom-vx1lp]

Heaps cool kiddie rides

[@Noosa21]

A bit like Oakliegh Mall in some ways.

[@Prieze868]

It was obviously made by the same people that made Doncaster shopping town

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

I can't believe the CD shop is surviving! Who buys CDs anymore It's great though, hope the mall doesn't get flattened destroyed

[@leesaward]

Has that music store been there since the 1970s? ;)

[@leesaward]

@DJ Kombatbunni That's still pretty cool! Love finding shops like that, that have been there for decades, and thinking about all the people that have been there before me.

[@kw5716]

I used to buy my records there when I was 15 - 31 years ago!!

[@satanssandwich5389]

@Robyn Gardam I don't know how....I have seen no evidence of a customer in 6 years! The stock is firmly rooted in the late 90s early 2000s. Whilst endearing , it has puzzled me for a long time. He must have got a great rent deal , prior to strata ruination.

[@pristinemoment6231]

Before being Sight and Sound it was a retail chain called Brashs which was also a Music store.

[@derhampaul2182]

I met Tina long at the mall we nearly got married we lived together for a couple of years in different places that was a long long time ago 1991

[@kallistokaos1]

It is not Heritage Listed it needs to be made more inviting.

[@island_hammock903]

This mall desperately needs to be renovated, gutted from the inside out and completely modernised. Doing this will attract vendors to open new stores, entice people to return and breathe life into the centre. It’s basically a relic from the 1970's and is quite depressing in its current state.

[@salvatorelanni5126]

I think i won a Baby Contest there in 1973.

[@Sept1973]

It's so redundant.

[@jasonschubert6828]

So because of "accessibility" an entrance that can be used by the other 99% of the population gets closed, making entry harder for everyone? It is this sort of (probably government) bureaucracy that destroys historic places like this.

[@derhampaul2182]

It's a shit little mall bad memories for me

[@Jules2468]

For sure, I have bad memories of having to go to Boronia high school, or Boronia Hole as it was rightfully called.

[@craigwilson4439]

Hey, I went to Boronia High too. Hated school but the Mall was the place to hang around on friday nights, that was awesome for a teenager learning life. Made a lot of good mates at school and around Boronia, and some amazing girls. Like every ones youth there are good and bad memories. Cheers.

[@monogramadikt5971]

they should legalize weed in boronia and turn it into the premier bong smoking cafe mecca of australia

[@derhampaul1117]

1972

[@derhampaul1117]

I was born

[@jkelectrical]

There is one in Dandenong.

[@vandalsavage1]

There's a boronia mall in Dandenong