Thornes Marketplace: A Unique Mall You've Probably Never Heard Of.

[@ernestcruz6316]

When I lived in Springfield, I went to Thorne's nearly every time I went to Northampton. They had a CD shop on the lower level where you could get used or new CDs, plus a great selection of blues and jazz music from lesser-known artists. And of course, Herrell's ice cream...looks like the mall is doing about the same amount of business as when I was going there way back in the '90s. Edit: Nice to see Booklink is still in business.

[@BeanieG82]

Acme Surplus went out of business in January 2024. I worked there actually, I’m in your video. Captain Candy closed a few months later. That vacant space you’re seeing was previously Assemble. They moved up onto Main St.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Oh no! Those were the two stores I liked the most!

[@caseykasemrocks]

Thanks for coming to Northampton, MA to visit Thornes' Marketplace. You may want to go back to Hadley, MA to visit Hampshire Mall again because the building might be on the verge of being foreclosed on the end of June '24

[@AEvans36963]

Some might find that place a little too claustrophobic but I think it's an interesting use of space. At least the space is being used for something and not being left to rot. You can get a lot in there😊

[@anncromarty2590]

Have lived in Northampton years ago. In the 80s that vacant space was a bar called 88's. A piano bar. The adjoining space was a pizza place. in the 90s I think it was a shoe store. Its nice to see a few of the businesses are still there from back then like the cedar chest, Paul and elizabeths, and the book store. Sad that acme surplus closed.

[@llovethe80s]

I wasn't crazy about that mall but it was interesting especially the layout of the mall. But it was still a very good video 📸 thank you for the entertainment.👍

[@Lainer1]

I used to ride my motorcycle here every weekend. Loved the whole area, and Paul & Elizabeth's Restaurant is good there. Many restaurants and the most artisan stores per square mile anywhere. Booklink was a different bookstore back in the day but they closed.

[@Foxonian]

There used to be a great used record store in the basement of Thornes called Dynamite Records that sadly went under almost 20 years ago now. Used to shop there a lot back in the 90's.

[@ernestcruz6316]

I remember Dynamite Records. It was a regular stop for me every time I went to Thorne's.

[@ambsat]

I've shopped at Thornes since the 90's, when my mom and I would go to Northampton to the Paradise City Arts Festival, and also shop at Thornes. We'd often go at Christmas time too...in search of the "anti-mall" experience, always, and unique stores, we loved it. Still do. I went back this past February for a weekend getaway. Was glad to see it still thriving, some of the same stores there, other new ones. It's a unique type venue...I don't consider it a "mall." This type boutique, conglomerate of stores in either a University town, like Northampton is, or tourist type town could work in many places...vs. the cookie cutter, big box malls that are dying everywhere. Also privately owned, wonderful little boutiques vs. the big box brand stores aka LOFT, Old Navy etc...which are all switching to online business. Nice to see you do a video here.

[@EsoterikMoon]

I remember buying a Hello Kitty mug in that candy store when I was on holiday in the US back in 2019. Absolutely loved Thornes, miss it greatly.

[@SSNESS]

Where’s the pizza?

[@BoratWanksta]

This is so a mom and pop mall I'd love to visit, if i was ever in Northampton(don't know if I spelled the town name right). I really like this mall, and thanks for uploading a video of it!

[@beverlymerkel6522]

Fascinating mall concept! Interesting how they repurposed this building. Glad to see still thriving! Thanks for sharing.

[@SSNESS]

I’ve heard of it because I’m so wonderful

[@davehodge5276]

Hey Tom Love all the vids ! Hard to tell from the vid but I remember a great bead shop .that was in that empty store back in the late 80 s and early 90 s . FYI lol delivered the Journal Enquirer in Enfield back in early 80 s a big chunk of my rout was in the Enfield Square back when they had big planters and a fountain in the center across from L expos . Keep em coming ! Thanks !

[@elevatorproductionsbymaxpassa]

Both Thornes Marketplace in Downtown Northampton and Eastworks in Easthampton are both my go to shopping centers since I live in Downtown Easthampton. Please do a walking tour of Eastworks in Easthampton sometime soon!!!

[@fleabittenadventures]

I was thinking about it, but the photos online make it look like it's mostly restaurants. Is there an indoor section, like a mall, that you can walk around? Thanks.

[@YourBoiSlifer]

The prodigy indoor mini golf and video game areas on the bottom floor next to the skatepark are really cool! Would recommend checking out eastworks sometime ​@@fleabittenadventures

[@plinger1]

We loves Cedar Chest. I never knew that market had a name but we visit every time we go to NorthHampton. Usually walking off a visit to the Tunnel Bar.

[@ambsat]

I love The Cedar Chest too!

[@timothyryan7234]

Hi Tom, I enjoyed that type of mall it’s unique. It’s pretty cool looking and that’s cool that it’s Scott would you say five floors? And yes I agree about the floors I think I like this type of video if you can find anymore I know they’re probably isn’t that many around we don’t have any but it’s just really unique but I also like your other mall videos and flea market videos. Again, thank you Tom keep up the good work.

[@deirdretaylor3105]

Love it !!! These types of shopping collections have unique items.

[@hypersphere]

ooh, you were right in my backyard! I love Thornes, great to see it captured on your channel! It's a neat selection of shops, I like that everything is local, and, I don't know, just good vibes there!

[@SSNESS]

Floors are too noisy

[@OldeHadleyVintage]

Hi Tom! I’m so glad you and your mom enjoyed it unfortunately I’m not sure when you went but I do know that the Acme surplus is going out of business sadly that’s one of my favorite stores in that mall. The other favorite is Cedar chest upstairs that’s a absolutely wonderful store. They have some really great unique gifts in there. The store that you mentioned that was completely vacant on the bottom level, I believe was a Childs or babies store they sold baby clothes, baby toys stuffed animals for like little infants. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name. And by the way, Paul and Elizabeth is a great restaurant. It is all vegetarian, but it’s absolutely delicious and they do have some fish selections.! ❤ hope you got ice cream at Herrells mmmmmm

[@rachelm2734]

Been going to Thornes for over 20 years, was just there the other day :)

[@madmerlot841]

Cute collection of stores. It reminds of Faneuil Hall in Boston before it became whatever it is now.

[@tammyblack2747]

The magnetic bookmarks are like a long strip of cardboard folded in fall long ways. They go over a page, and there’s a magnet inside each part that sticks to the one in the other half.

[@danielflynn8530]

I lived in western Mass and didn’t realize this place existed but North Hampton is a really nice town I loved to visit. It’s very close to Amherst which is home of UMass.

[@cairnmom3228]

Cool place! Nice reuse of the building.

[@PatSimmons-g4r]

I really enjoyed this video. I really liked the style of this mall. Loved the book shop and the candy shop. Thanks for the 'virtual' tour.

[@shannonyoast6906]

As always great video 👍

[@melissahurt317]

I absolutely love that you take your mom along with you so often!!! How was the cookie?

[@fleabittenadventures]

The cookie was amazing! Thanks for watching!

[@tanikokishimoto1604]

Didn't know Thornes was the name. I go there occasionally, but basically for the ice cream. The ice cream is top notch!!! And yes, i have browsed and bought at the bookstore! Never really thought of it as a mall. But yes, it qualifies.

[@dumasz544]

Herrels is indeed top notch. Didn't see him visit it in the video, it's a must if you're in the area again.

[@melevonne]

I love that place. I found it last month when up in Northhampton for a bead store. That place was packed when I went on a Saturday. I also just realized that I definitely didn't even see the whole mall when I went.

[@Stylez4men]

That Mall looked like a trip back to when people were more honest and displayed products openly. The hardwood floors were beautiful., that oatmeal cookie look good.

[@loretta5ue]

Thorns had an open air cage style elevator that was super scary. I forget when it was replaced.

[@JDonahue79]

I think like the Witch mall (or the museum place mall), I have to say it’s like a locally small business owned mall catered to small businesses.

[@Steve.Cutler]

I love old buildings with the creaky wood floors too. Like the floors in old country stores we'd find in the 70's. We had a "junk" store like this one in our mall years ago but I don't remember what it was called.

[@joes.8500]

The pregnant pan handling lady out front is going to give birth to an 8 year old child. She's been holding the same "pregnant and homeless" sign for many years.😂 That mall is pretty nice.

[@RaveSacks]

My old school regional "junk store" was called "Odds-n-Ends". They even had decent toys sometimes if you were a kid in the 80s.

[@NoahSmith-gb5go]

That's a nice mall video I really injoyed it

[@harryk316]

Love this place...such a shame that Acme Surplus went out, but that tends to be the running trend for Northampton, and lots of great towns all over America...FACES and Dynamite Records (I think that's the name of the place) went out, and so went some great memories...I'm very happy that Raven Books, Spoleto, Herrel's and Paul and Elizabeth's is still around...generally, I've always loved Northampton, it's very much a good vibes, very open-minded sort of town...Thorne's Marketplace is fun to peruse, but the whole town is a good time...take a walk through Smith College, it's really quite beautiful...have respect for the houseless (don't be a dick) and spend some time in a fun place...Western Massachusetts, in general, is very under-rated as a region if you want an inexpensive place to visit.

[@monkeymanstones1]

Part of the problem you'll find in Northampton is any business you like will be where you find it the day you find it, but will be someplace else a week later. Then will be elsewhere a month after that and so on. I live only a few miles away in Holyoke (barely off Rt 5). If I had known you were going to be there I could have shown up to tell you the item you keep walking by and could have given you my telephone number to call when you come across the next one so we could both make a profit potentially.

[@DrewSoucy22]

I just went here today and guess what? Acme surplus and the candy store were completely empty and vacated… :(

[@WowThingsThrift]

Great video 🎉🎉

[@kanna-san.]

Love this place!

[@georgef551]

I would say the one dead store, like any other mall, was the Sears. Very tiny Sears.

[@Madness832]

The Acme store reminded me of Friendly Family Center. Anyone, from Boston, remember that chain?

[@tammyblack2747]

Gonna get some ACME roadrunner hunting gear like an anvil? Like Wile E Coyote? LOL

[@justinforrest1613]

Looks like a great place to have a vintage toy and games store. Assuming there wasnt already one in there

[@ernestcruz6316]

There was one there in the '90s when I used to go there regularly. Don't know if there's still one there though.

[@eaglerider1826]

I watched it twice . When you bought the cookie I didn't hear sales tax added to the price . Did I just miss it ?

[@fleabittenadventures]

I honestly don't remember. I assume they charged me tax. I filmed this last fall. Thanks

[@eaglerider1826]

@@fleabittenadventures Thanks for the reply . I was wondering if you were in a state that didn't charge sales tax .

[@DanT271]

Such an awesome mall My wife would get lost in there and I would go broke LOL

[@fleabittenadventures]

It is a nice mall, but definitely not cheap.

[@raptor2264]

This mall looks nice.

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

Caption Candy is a diabetic's super villain! The store with the whoopee cushion reminds me of Dogpile at the Lake of the Ozarks minus the pride flags because Missouri. This mall reminds me of the little mall we use to have in Moberly, Mo in the 80's. It was unsuccessful but had a neat little video store in it. It was a former Montgomery Ward, and now it's vacant like 70% of downtown. Now even the radio stations KWIX and KRES are vacant as of a week ago no thinks to Alpha Media. As for this mall, it's fantastic! I want to go to it!

[@lazyautomation3481]

I miss noho so much

[@emocobra666]

I been here a few times

[@kandy-fv3ir]

Seems to be doing just fine

[@fleabittenadventures]

I agree

[@mark3464]

That’s a great mall.

[@wendixdlov3]

Same here..

[@coolmoon4382]

Why did you blow off going into glimpse of Tibet?

[@Luigitime2015]

😢😮

[@davidg813]

This must be where the other people live there's no way I would pay $4 for one muffin I can go to BJ's and pay $6 for eight huge blueberry muffins that are fresh from their Bakery

[@Davidhodges93]

Bruh that child needed a proper parent looking like that