The Mondawmin Mall in Northwest Baltimore, MD | Jim Rouse's Resolute Labyrinth | ExLog 71

[@sal]

How sick is that spiral staircase and fountain???

[@QuietJ0Y]

I loved how open the railing is with glass panels. You can see everything at the base. The quotation from the cordial invitation “tropical paradise.” Made me wonder how it used to be decorated and colored.

[@jenniferloving9054]

Very.

[@isthatatesla]

Thoughtful architecture unlike a lot of the stucco and Styrofoam cookie cutter crap today. But then again, the third floor does have the glued on pebbles going on.

[@davidm3maniac201]

I was thinking the same thing. Stunning. Would love that in the UK

[@katinawitherspoon2888]

I remember going to the mall on Saturdays..and decending that staircase like a runway model...which ironically was also used for concerts and fashion shows..going to the Great Cookie, Mama Lucia's pizzeria, and visiting the balloon vendors...great memories....

[@klezy]

I'm from Baltimore and I never knew the history of Mondowmin Mall. Great videos.

[@saffirechanning7286]

YES, this video about Mondawmin Mall was very informative! I really wish that I could've seen it back when it was an open air mall, known then as "Mondawmin Center'. It became known as 'Mondawmin Mall' after the roof was added. I gotta say, I really miss the record shop FYE, which used to be right next to the Burger King on the second level. I LOVE the subs and pizza from the eatery, Mama Lucia's, which is also on the second level. According to the mall's current general manager, the Esquire Barber Shop in the basement is Mondawmin's oldest business! When it comes to the oldest retail shop, that honor goes to DTLR! According to my boss, the oldest eatery at Mondawmin is.....drumroll please.....Mama Lucia's!! Mondawmin Mall is a west Baltimore City landmark! Even after so many transitions over the years, it's still goin' STRONG!!!

[@DannyManny98]

What a coincidence! I am from Rockville.

[@BrwnSugr410]

Me either. I worked in Mondawmin in high school. All of my school friends said I was crazy for working there but I loved it

[@295g295]

@@DannyManny98 Two malls either side of Rockville are gone. White Flint and Lakeforest ... Rockville doesn't like malls. .?

[@HKim0072]

I think most cities end up being "regional". You mostly hang out in your own region / area. If you are from SE Baltimore, it would be a waste of time to go to NW Baltimore or even know much about it.

[@sirc625]

Thanks for this video. My grandparents lived in the Penrose neighborhood, so Mondawmin Mall was a few blocks away. I used to DJ house parties growing up and used to go the The Metro record store to get the latest 12" singles. I also used to shop for clothes at Cookies and Robert C Richard's. Good memories. Unfortunately I wouldn't step foot into it today ☹️

[@whumanbard]

Wow, I did the same things you did but I grew up in the county: Metro, Cookies, Robert C. Richards, Siefs because there were no decent clothes stores (particularly dress clothes) unless you wanted to look like a prep. I forgot the department store's name where you can get a photo set taken with your friends or significant other and get it the same day. Also there was a hair salon run by this guy named Walter. Lots of memories!

[@Libertà_sulla_vita]

I have a question for a bmore dj, ive been trying to find a old baltimore club track from the 90's. I think its called stretch marks or spelled stretch marxxx. You know who produced that track?

[@jaenboston2683]

Yes, absolutely correct. Mondawmin has been renovated and revitalized. I also made a visit in July of 2020 and was pleasantly surprised of what I saw. It was spotless and there was an array of stores selling all types of merchandise. The ambience and atmosphere of the mall was very relaxing and maybe that is because school is out. I have been going to mondawmin Mall since the 60s and I remember when it was the place to be when we were young . Everyone would do their shopping at mondawmin and socialize with their friends. During the 60s ,'70s and maybe mid-80s there wasn't much negativity to speak of. I cannot speak of what happened to mondawmin Mall in the success of years but now it is very nice. So I agree with the narrator it definitely does not get a Scarlet letter for being a dead Mall. It is revitalized and if you haven't been in a while I suggest you go you will be pleasantly surprised.

[@saffirechanning7286]

Thank you, thank you! I'm thanking you on behalf of myself and my co-workers at Mondawmin Mall, who serve in the janitorial department. We clean that mall on a daily basis. So when you said the place was clean during your visit, that was a compliment to all of us, employees of Millard Mall Services, an outside cleaning contractor. Again, I thank you and WELCOME you into our mall anytime!

[@barbibutton9619]

OMG!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS SHOWED UP IN MY FEED. We moved to Baltimore in early 69's from WV. I was very young; had never seen a mall b4. We lived close to McDawmin mall so naturally, it was my first mall ever. It had a 2nd floor and I was scared of heights but couldn't voice it and I plastered my little body against the store front glass on the second floor much to my mother's chagrin (and was probably every shop owners nightmare) and just cried. I did it Everytime we went to the 2nd floor of that mall until my neighbor explained to my mom (from an outing I had went on with his family to a scenic overlook) that I was afraid of heights. TY for bringing back good (and bad) memories. Now, into the video, there's the 2nd floor where u could see down onto the 1st floor....no terror in looking at it on video, lol.

[@sal]

Glad I could help bring those memories back for you!!

[@jerryrichards4300]

Sal ,this is a true gem. Your stuff is the best. I love the drive ups and your history. That must take a lot of work. Cheers

[@sal]

Hey, thanks Jerry! The work is totally worth it. Thanks for watching!!

[@Starscreamlive]

The Jack-in-the-Box training video was awesome!

[@peterstean2138]

Wow that third floor was amazing - I remember those building styles from when I was a little kid.

[@timothys2666]

I remember when the mall had brown brick everywhere. I used to shop for tapes and cd's from record town. Always had to stop by great cookie. Shopping from Robert C Richard's. I used to use the grey bag as a book bag for school. I can't remember the name of the pizza place but the pizza was so good. Awesome videos, I love the history aspect. I haven't been there in years so this was the first time I saw the new renovations. Still has the spiral staircase as I remember walking down as a kid but colors are bright now since they got away from using brown everywhere. Good videos, I subscribed.

[@tamikajohnson238]

Omgggg definitely used that thick plastic Charlie bag for my school books back n the 80's! Those were the days!

[@terryabrams604]

Somes parts of the negative parts of the video is exaggerated.

[@sal]

Nothing is exaggerated.

[@Bulldog-mi3om]

I have been binging all day. LOL. I love learning and the nostalgia 😊.

[@sal]

I love you for binging my series

[@soulstrong]

You rock, Sal! Happy to see your visit. I haven't been to Mondawmin in a year or so, so it's nice to see your COVID visit.

[@klimb22]

Sal, loving the Baltimore videos. You missed a major a point about the Motor Vehicle Administration leaving Mondawmin in 2011 after 40 years. Mondawmin is also the only mall that I know of that had a liquor store inside. Also, 'insiders" say the Target closed mainly because of internal theft.

[@billybarnett2846]

It had two liquor stores with check cashing services. After the sale, alcohol was banned from the mall. We didn't find out about the internal theft problem until they closed. They also used to have a Waldenbooks and a Radio Shack.

[@usedbyjesus]

@@billybarnett2846 yea but RadioShack was going to close anyway cause ppl shop online more

[@mystica-subs]

@@usedbyjesus radioshack closed because of bad focus and mismanagement at the top. If they stuck to their 80s calling, maybe didnt expand as much, and kept making massive profit on private-labeled electronics (10x+ markup on batteries; packs cost a dollar and 22 cents, sold for 11.99) theyd still be around in more than an online storefront.

[@LeighKramerCMD]

There was a liquor store inside Reisterstown Road Plaza near the Food King before the renovation in the early 2000s.

[@AlyKatIvy]

There's still a liquor store in reisterstown plaza. The owner is a nice guy.

[@kathypearl5108]

Hi..when I got out of the Army, I didn't have my driver's license. Public transportation in Europe was fantastic! My Dad took me to Mondawmin to get my learner's permit. I remember we also got a cone at TCBY which I'd never heard of before. I ended up getting my license through easy method driving school and tested at Mondawmin. Took me two tries (almost hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk first time).

[@madera7272]

I used to pay the BG&E bill (electric) bill there in the late 90s on what is now the office area. Let me tell you the mall was really dated before the 2000s renovation. The barbershop as I remember used to be in more of a fishbowl with just glass on multiple sides I believe. Yes, the guard towers existed, I might have a pic of them, but I have to shuffle through stacks of pics to find it. If I can find, I will share.

[@marianforeman8865]

Appreciate the history. I grew up going to Mondawmin. I really miss THAT Mondawmin and that Baltimore. GREAT CHANNEL....Just subbed!!!

[@sal]

Thanks Marian!

[@barbibutton9619]

Me too...went to Arlington Elementary and we got our school clothes at this mall.

[@saffirechanning7286]

CONGRATS to the Mondawmin Mall retail clothing store, Mad Rag, which very recently opened its newly expanded second floor location! Their window display is FANTASTIC, you can see everything! I can hardly wait to get shopping in there!

[@rachel-nicoleu8546]

Great job! Thank you! I visited the mall 2 weeks ago and I felt safe. No one bother me at all. I remember going to Sears with my mother to get a hotdog once a week. That was our neighborhood outing. Great memories! People keep giving this mall a bad reputation. It’s not crowded at all. Again great video!

[@sal]

Thanks Ray!!

[@Molly-fk3ey]

Thank you for your unbiased look at Mondawmin! Anyone who has actually visited the mall knows it is a perfectly safe place to shop.

[@sal]

It’s a great mall...as a Baltimore city resident, I do what I can to right the wrongs of how my city is perceived.

[@daquila00]

I got my first haircut as a little boy their, I remember being really scared 😨 I also got my driver's license back in 1986. My cousin and I would ride the subway non stop when it first opened...Good times.

[@281cobracar7]

Thank you for this video. I was a kid in the 60's and Mondawmin Mall was my destination for Christmas shopping with my parents and my destination for the model car/plane hobby shop. The owner of the hobby shop had no problem selling me models and glue. But he wouldn't sell to my friend because he knew my friend only bought glue to sniff it to get high. This so called friend would come to my house just so he could sniff glue. He try to get me to try it but turn him down. He stole my moms gold watch and my mom confronted his mom and told her that if she didn't get her watch back she would call the cops. She got her watch back and eventually we ended up moving to the suburbs. I still took a bus to Mondawmin to visit that hobby shop until my interest turned to real cars.

[@Cristini8]

I loved this video!! I loved the fountain and the stairs! So original and clean! This mall is clean and it looks nice!! Thank for the vid sal’ looking forward to the next one!! :)

[@1980msamERICA]

Part of my childhood. I lived over east so I took the 22 to mondawin to shop and chill. Then I went to BCCC so that was my everyday stomping grounds. I been gone from Maryland almost 13yrs my city looks different every time I visit.

[@catrinag.9262]

Great video as always Sal! Love the vintage commercials and all your history research. I feel this mall will survive covid. It's a nice mall and ppl were still milling around even now. Thanks for putting forth the effort still to keep us entertained right now.

[@muminaharris81]

I use to work on the 3rd floor years ago. And remember coming here as a child. My uncle use to own a stocking and sock store called for legs only next to the donut shop where Forever 21 now is. Boy oh boy I could cry at the memories I hold in our sweet beautiful ugly city. 💙💕🙃

[@kevinknotts6337]

Great review of the mall. I too did not know a lot of the history of the land and early mall. You got into places there I never even thought about going when I used to go there in the 70's - early 90's.

[@getalongva]

2:32 couldn’t help but think about what happed at jack in the box in 1993.

[@mybigfatpolishlife]

Me too

[@kgrubb9398]

Me too.

[@emonij1647]

What happened ?

[@Stevie_B_0828]

New sub here.... I'm sitting here, binge watching ur dead mall videos, never thought about dying malls before, and now I can't stop watching.

[@theworldwidehistoryofhisto2868]

An amazing mall! Great to see that the spiral staircase and fountain are original to the mall since the 1960s. It's beautiful and I would love to visit it in person!

[@theworldwidehistoryofhisto2868]

@Marshall W Thanks for the info.

[@isthatatesla]

1956

[@hollybeary]

Lived in Balto for about 13 glorious years. Graduated UMBC (no, not U Must Be Crazy) University of Maryland Baltimore County undergrad, and University of Baltimore grad school. Oh, how I miss it. Sort of. I hear The Buttery is gone from Mt Vernon Place. Sad!

[@prettyacct]

Fellow UB Alumna here.

[@QuietJ0Y]

Deadly Dangers was a hoot! This is a true gem from 1956! The outro was awesome! 😎

[@roseprevost8081]

I had to watch videos like that when I worked fast food, but they were never that funny!

[@QuietJ0Y]

Rose Prevost , Sal works his magic.

[@garyowen9044]

Loved the sentinel security platform on the roof. Very Prison Industrial-esque. We used to call Harbor Place “Mondawmin by the sea”.

[@lakeabrown5061]

My mom always talks about this Mall..she grew up in Baltimore, Maryland in the 70’s I guess it was fun back then!

[@BWItoATXF]

Mondawmin always had some abstract history. Thanks for encapsulating all of it.

[@mazzycollins9856]

Another top notch production, Sal. Thanks again for all of your hard work and the piece of your heart you put into every production.

[@sal]

Thanks Mazzy!

[@TheHow707]

shopped, played and even took pictures with Santa here.... great memories. Also brought my 1st 100.00 sneakers here....thanks dad!!

[@295g295]

14:11 - The first IKEA store in America opened Summer 1982 between Plymouth Meeting Mall (Rouse built) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

[@shortliner68]

I remember when Mondawmin first opened in 1956 when I was 6 years old. We didn't have a car (no biggie when living in the city) but my aunt and uncle drove us over there from where we lived off of Edmondson Ave. My mother liked the Sears store and would take a taxi over to Mondawmin to shop at Sears. The only other Sears store was on East North Ave. at Harford Rd. on the eastside of town. Mondawmin and Edmondson Village were the two main neighborhood shopping centers our family did shopping at, in addition to the downtown department and 5&10 stores along Howard and Lexington Sts. Miss those childhood days....

[@outkast40]

Great video but Mondawmin Mall once had the highest cash sales than any Mall in the area . The level of violence has been a problem for over 20 years. Myself and co-workers have been held at gun point on the Douglas High school side of the mall. The Target couldn't handle the large amount shrinkage at that location and closed. I don't recall any mall other than Mondawmin that gets its Jewelry store robbed on a Sunday! The Freddie gray riots started at Mondawmin by mostly Doughlas High School students and had nothing to do with the 600,000 people who don't break the law in the city. The area is at its best between 12-6pm and should be safe to visit. The Mall may suffer after the first of the year when bus and train service will be cut more than 20% and lines discontinued.

[@c.keefer332]

Awesome as always!!

[@saffirechanning7286]

Oh, PLEASE make MORE informative videos about Mondawmin Mall. Since I've worked there for over a year now, I'm fascinated over Baltimore City history. I've heard from some reliable sources that Mondawmin Mall will soon be getting NEW retail shops and eateries!

[@ThaSwitcherTayTay]

Can’t remember the last time I’ve been here… used to frequent it a lot when I was a teen but only because I lived a five minute walk away and spent my allowance at the GameStop that used to be there. I remember getting a bad haircut at the barbershop downstairs and never going back (to the barbershop).

[@chrisaragon4232]

That staircase and fountain are treasures. Beautiful...I wish my malls were like that lol Ok, Deadly Delights or whatever the Jack in the Box thing was had me seriously howling

[@skyking6333]

Born & Raised In Baltimore. Moving to Texas was the best decision I’ve ever made.

[@SaintThomas410]

🗣I'm from Baltimore City. This is an excellent documentary. Thanks 💪🏾💯

[@josephschroeder7778]

I been there a few times back in the 80s, but my moms mall of choice was always the Golden Ring Mall.

[@BmoreQueeze]

Northeast Baltimore Golden Ring is a bunch of shopping 🛍 centers now. It’s not a mall no more 💯💯💯🤟🏽

[@tommycscat]

Hi there! Great mall documentary again! Just a quick note about Target. I'm quite familiar with Mondawmin Mall's ups and downs following the 2007/2008 renovations. (I consult for Brookfield, and before that GGP.) Unfortunately the mall was affected by the late April 2015 riots. There was some looting that did occur which negatively impacted occupancy and tenet relations. National chains and insurers were not impressed by local law enforcement's and the mayor's response and feared future lax policing in Baltimore city due to political pressure. Although most chains are pressured into "we're with you" sloganeering, asset protection (risk management) is paramount. Not only did insurance costs rise, greater attention was focused on loss prevention. Trends were noticed regarding shrink that were found to be more of a problem than originally thought, even prior to late April 2015. Target's sales weren't the issue, however customer and employee theft far exceeded other locations. By 2017 it was apparent that proper intervention would run the risk of seeming insensitive, so the only solution was to close. It truly was (and still is) a major loss for the area. However, it's just not feasible to operate with that much shrink.

[@troytroy9958]

I grew up over northwest Baltimore, liberty heights Mondawmin mall.

[@sirc625]

Reisterstown Road Plaza would have been closer to you right?

[@troytroy9958]

@@sirc625 I used to live on park heights they both was close to where I lived.

[@usedbyjesus]

@@sirc625 If Liberty Heights ...then Mondawmin Mall would be closer..but yeah both are close

[@johnhartley4721]

I enjoy your videos so much. With all the crap going on in our country right now they provide a nice little escape. Please keep them coming...

[@jasminehill6312]

I absolutely agree!!!

[@markdening9549]

great presentation once again Sal, thanks.

[@VandalDecaProductions]

Always struck by how perfect the music is in your expedition logs.

[@Dvinecreations7]

My City!!!! It may not be the best but it sure is home to some of the most creative and talented men,women and children! My city All day long👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@sw01237]

This was a great one! I grew up going to this mall and so did my parents. I have many fond memories. I agree I have always felt safe at this mall.

[@morriganwitch]

That pool and spiral was very zen xxx

[@jenniferloving9054]

ikr.

[@trainguy1017]

I had to switch out trash dumpsters at that mall when they did a massive re-model and expansion around 2009. A few of the dumpsters were in that underground area and were a total nightmare to load and unload because of the low clearances. Was a total nightmare of a project.

[@trainguy1017]

My error it would have been '06 and '07. People aren't necessarily judging the mall. What they are looking at is the community surrounding the mall. That area has been notorious for it's crime level for many years and a lot of people will avoid it as they are concerned about their safety. In it's day Owings Mills Mall was incredibly safe and had a ton of shops for people to enjoy. As that mall steadily bled to death with tenants leaving as their leases were up, it became nothing more than a hang out for the locals and for those that were taking advantage of the Metro to shoplift from a neighborhood other than their own in Baltimore. There were many incidents of people getting robbed in the mall and in the parking lots and as such people stopped going there. Malls in general are fading out as people no longer have the time or the energy to hike through a mall to get the one item that they need. They are tending to lean more toward the old style open shopping center or variety stores (Walmart, target, costco etc) where they can simply park their car and run in to get what they need and get right back out to their daily lives. Typically they can also get what they need for less at those stores as those have stronger buying power and can offer better prices than mall stores that have a high overhead due to ridiculously high rents. We may disagree one these points, however, that's what makes America great. We have the freedom to disagree with each other. Thank you for your mall tour vids! They are really interesting. It is sad to see these centers slowly dying off as I've been around long enough to have seen quite a few of them from when they were built to now, that they've closed, been torn down and redeveloped.

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@trainguy1017 we all misremember things at times, so no worries.

[@ravenaider]

Charlie Rudos was the place to be in the early 80s

[@klimb22]

Charlie Rudos had the best bags. We used to use them as book bags for school.

[@Selfless72]

Yes indeedy

[@marianforeman8865]

You know it!!! i still have some exercise equipment from them and I still use it....

[@ravenaider]

@cozy Cool LOL...He was also a "City Knight"...

[@shaliea.richardson8394]

Old town mall

[@stuarthirsch]

I remember the original shopping center. As a kid I thought it was a wonderland. We didn't live far away. By the enclosed mall was finished we had moved out to the "country", Randallstown.

[@klimb22]

...and now it all blends together.

[@barbibutton9619]

Lol...we too, moved in early 70's to Carroll County farmland

[@justsomeonewithachiakipfp8092]

i haven’t clicked a notification so fast in my life

[@barbibutton9619]

I think I beat u on this one, trust me.

[@servicecorp8056]

I remember that there was Metro Plaza where Bay Island Seafood ,Lees Outdoor and Murray's Steaks was but Murray's was in the parking lot, Inside the Mall was of course Charlie Rudo's, Roger's Toys ,Mel Hayes(The Wig Shop)Barry's Pipe Rack, Earl of Sandwich, Modern Music House and there were 2 Supermarkets, Pantry Pride, and Big Value.

[@erpollock]

As a child in the early 60s I would go with my father to Sears at Mondawmin Mall. I have vivid memories - I only remember the Sears and none of the rest of the complex. Naturally, we never go near Mondawmin now. Even Towsontown Center is questionable and too - enclosed. And the garage is simply sinister. Times have changed, and people have lost a sense of morality. Or rather, we have welcomed and coddled behavior that would have been unthinkable in the early 60's.

[@barbibutton9619]

We shopped for our school clothes and yes, I mostly remember Sears but was there a Hershel Loons or something then?

[@jstarr7506]

Like Pryor said "Who you gonna trust? Me or your lying eyes?"

[@veevee9923]

Yooo lol, now this mall brings back the good days, Orange Julius ,after school flights, lil sister taking pics with Santa every year, music playing threw the mall and shopping for rider boots and city boots I love my city!!

[@sal]

Baltimore rocks. I’m never moving.

[@isthatatesla]

Kim Klacik wants to see it improve.

[@usedbyjesus]

@@isthatatesla I think alot of want that... including decent blks ...we go to Towson Mall and WhiteMarsh and have not ruined them yet so there is hope

[@rahkeemjones201]

West Bmore for life just in a different area code. My mother use to take take me and bro there every weekend and we loved it. If u make it there. You can make it any where. I love my City and some of the realist people in the world. I go back to visit my pp and dont think about the negative things. I'm a true Baltimorerian. Salute- 410 WB

[@rahkeemjones201]

Fear Allah

[@MrDan708]

14:27 How the heck do they get away with padlocking an 'emergency exit'? Yikes!

[@sal]

Yeah....kinda sketchy

[@mr.anderson5398]

Love your commentary! Very educational! Keep up the great work that you do my man!

[@usedbyjesus]

I saw a poster of a young Tupac and Jada Pinkett-Smith promoting Mondawmin Mall

[@richardjordan9684]

I was 16 when the Mall opened and years later I worked there briefly at Hochild Kohn

[@jackmeyers9291]

You didn't tell the people that Target plus many other stores were looted after the death of Freddy Gray. The merchants suffered severe loses

[@isthatatesla]

Free stuff matters

[@CommodoreFan64]

Yep they gotta push that leftist narrative that everything is safe, and nothing bad ever happened to these stores.

[@davidm3maniac201]

@@isthatatesla Lmao. One of the best comments i have seen.

[@franhayes4865]

If anyone remembers the mom in the yellow track suit that smacked the stupid out of her son during the Freddy Gray mess, it happened there out front by the bus stop.

[@ChampagneKnights]

That was the most convenient MVA in Baltimore.

[@wdchapman1969]

Although there are many reasons that retail locations fail, being located in an area with high crime is just a death knell to already struggling businesses. The people that live in the neighborhood and want these shopping options are apparently outweighed by those who want five finger discounts.

[@saffirechanning7286]

Hey, I really enjoyed this video about my workplace, Mondawmin Mall in northwest Baltimore City! I definitely don't think it's a 'dying mall' since it gains new tenant businesses as soon as others leave. It's just in what I like to refer as 'constant transition', like Baltimore City itself. It's well over 60 years old now and I hope it stays around for at least 60 more! Greetings to the general manager, Miss Romaine(Madam 100), my boss, Karen Holland(Madam 500) and my co-workers of Millard Mall Services!! As a native-born Baltimorean(1968) and I take GREAT PRIDE in my city!!

[@Idelia412]

Great video and history of it.

[@ayehotah3887]

Jack's used to be my moms favorite spot in the Westside Shopping center!!!

[@strictlyaesthetic9202]

In 1968 during the riots, the students from the high school across the street from mall " Douglas High " rioted inside the mall. The mall was never the same after.

[@barbibutton9619]

I sooo remember that - I also remember the sirens going off in the early evening and we had to be in our houses and they ff the streets. Very scary to a 5 yr old child. The Army National Guard was all over Baltimore then.

[@El-wv3uq]

I remember when mondawmin mall use to have a carnival in the parking lot an it was the only mall I knew at the time with a black Santa I remember something Good candy stand an the gentleman who worked there that looked like Santa Claus I loved the cotton candy an going to JJ Newberry to look at the fish in the fish tank

[@tracih.1952]

Mandawmin Mall had goldfish in the fountain at the base of the stairwell when I was a baby. 😀 At the beginning of the video, the driver used Edmondson Ave. and Gwynn falls Pkw. to get to the mall. The front of the mall faces Liberty Heights Ave. which is heading toward NW Baltimore. The mall is safe as the crime stats in NW Baltimore are much lower. The design of the area is more open. This was an excellent video! Please consider including some photos of the malls iconic front. Thank you for sharing this fantastic video footage and history. 😀💛💛💛

[@choptankfox6145]

Taught in the area for 7 years and was told by locals I would have a target on my back if I went over there because of my attributes, so I never did. Was told that employees stole more than shoplifters at the Target and that is why they left.

[@joshyyjosh]

I’ve lived in Baltimore for 24 years and have never seen the inside of this mall. Wow, the stairway is beautiful. Maybe I’ll take a trip.

[@sal]

It’s gorgeous, make sure to check it out.

[@SusieQinNewOrleansLA504]

Hi from New Orleans! Great video.

[@-NateTheGreat]

When you started to talk about the Algonquin history it reminded me of that Alice Cooper scene in Wayne's World.

[@kristenking669]

You should check out Manassas mall in Manassas Va, which isn't too far from you if I'm correct. They just have word they're closing. They had the beautiful teal and pink theme. I heard Amazon has bought the space.

[@ChristheShrinerdawg]

I love mall fountains.

[@jackiepeyton9344]

See if you can sneak-in to the Livingston Square Mall (mini-mall/baby-mall) in Fort Washington, MD. It needs to be documented before it's demolished soon. (PS Great youtube channel. I enjoy it a lot. Wishing you much success.)

[@sal]

Thanks for the kind words, Jackie. I’ll try contacting the owners for Livingston

[@tamikajohnson238]

This was very interesting...I lived here all my life and never knew the history on Mondawmin Mall...i don't shop there nowadays mostly because I live on the other side of town but that mall use to b the shit n a good way tho!

[@naniisrael1635]

This place is horrible. Research Donte Carter, the reason our drivers license was changed. You didn't research the crab house that was in the back of the mall- The kill spot. The plans for a movie theater that did not happen due to the violence. The BANK OF AMERICA ATM machine was ripped out of the wall. Do more research on this place. I live here and won't shop there, ever. It's over priced and sells fad clothing that will die out in a few months; nothing traditional. You cant even but a decent suit in this mall. Forget buying a book or school supplies. Plus this is the only mall where they sell drugs in the front. Not to mention the horrible Burger king full of addicts!!!! NO THANKS!!!

[@jonhernandez5499]

Dude your channel is mad cool fr and very informing !

[@sal]

Thanks!! Much more on the way!

[@DannyManny98]

Sal, I ❤ Spiral Staircases with Fountains.

[@TheAskTrixieChannel]

Went to Lehigh Valley Mall yesterday, a couple hours from Baltimore. That's made a very nice (masked) comeback. :)

[@isthatatesla]

Tried to find electric vehicle charging there a few years ago. Nothing to be found. Supercharger just up the road, top of the hill in Allentown.

[@cageary1100]

Hot damn, I used to visit that Target all the time when I lived in West Baltimore, especially the year I was in Bolton Hill (which was during the Freddie Gray protests). I moved away in 2017 and had no idea they closed. Kinda sad, but hopefully all the businesses that fled are replaced with more worthwhile ones. Here's to revitalization without gentrification! Also, it's weird to see so many of your videos, Sal, because I spent much of my adult life in Baltimore and Baton Rouge, two relatively random places you've visited with regularity, haha. Feels pretty uncanny. Keep up the good work! Compelling videos about a weird topic. :-)

[@vvspoon2792]

Excellent!!!

[@dennisedixon3307]

Great video! I remember the watch towers back in the day. They gave such a bad vibe made people scared of the mall. Also don't forget that during the riots the mall did get broken into and was looted by the time the police got there DTLR had no shoes left 🤣

[@sal]

I know...but I’ve caught some shit in my last few videos for focusing on the violence and stuff, so I skirted past the ugly stuff from 2015.

[@barbibutton9619]

@@sal that kinda stinks because showcasing the history of any person, place or thing, is to show/tell ALL. Geez.

[@sal]

I covered it in previous videos. My series has lots of overlap between episodes.

[@AngryBread]

I work for Target corporate and closing stores due to poor sales and shrinkage is normal

[@rogeradam7391]

Beautiful Sal...

[@jamesbatts9015]

I walked on the fountain stair case a few times.

[@Rahshu]

Holy shit! I'm am never going to work for a Jack in the Box. It's a death trap! If that's what it's like to work there, I can only imagine what the customer experience must be. :P

[@vox1966]

All beef hot Dugz with puckle relish back then was great

[@joshari9865]

Everything in this video is true Btw, there's a Ross and Dollar store near the mall.

[@johnnyalonso]

great episode. keep up the great work. love your content bro.

[@Mitch-Hendren]

Thanks for that, another Great journey from my sofa, 😁 love the fountain and open staircase . the 'elf'n safety nuts havent got to it. its a shame about reputations , i worked and lived in one of rhe most notorious and "crime ridden dangerous" public housing estates in Glasgow,Scotland the red road flats . (sadly now demolished) best years of my life spent there . always felt safe, media have a lot to answer for though. safe and secure doesnt make headlines,, no go area's do.

[@dy9278]

Try growing up by MM

[@sigsauer3719]

Target closed due to shrinkage. Not in business to give away the house.

[@saffirechanning7286]

Oh, do tell us MORE about why the Target store at Mondawmin Mall closed and left. As I recall, it wasn't even there very long.

[@robertwilliams5015]

Target at Mondawmin closed because it was unsustainable. The community couldn't support it. Walmart probably would have been a better fit. The shoppers in the area that did prefer Target over stores like Walmart simply went to other Target locations. It was a horrible idea to begin with. No one expected Target to do well at that location which makes me wonder if tje developers had more sinister intentions.

[@yoyo762]

@@saffirechanning7286 And your point is??????

[@scallopohare9431]

Well, lateagain! Nonetheless, here I go. 1. Rouse had no way to foresee the effects of desegregation. No one ever accused him of chicanery. 2. When the neighborhood changed, so did tastes. 3. It was almost certainly that 1963 reopening I went to with my father. I rode an elephant named Pinky, and since demographics are a part of Mondawmin history, I was the only white child. 4. In any public place, how you carry yourself matters. Gonna leave it at that. 5. The first enclosed mall in Maryland is in Roland Park. The building is still in use, at Roland Avenue and Upland Road. It was never a trolley barn, though it looks as if it had been. Morgan and Millard pharmacy had a soda fountain, which drew a lot of teens through college age.