What Does the Future Hold for Philadelphia Mills (aka Franklin Mills Mall)? It's Not Looking Good!

Join me as I take a look at Philadelphia Mills Mall (formerly Franklin Mills Mall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It's not looking good! Let me know what you think in the comments!
This video was filmed on a Monday at about 3:45pm in May 2024.
If you liked this video, please don't forget to give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel. I plan to have more dead mall videos in the future. Thanks for watching!
Sources of Information:
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www.tripadviso...
www.phillyvoic...
route1views.co...
www.nbcphilade...
web.archive.or...
bestattraction...
www.nbcphilade...
www.nbcphilade...
www.the-sun.co...
Pics:
www.bridgeandt...
www.reddit.com...
i.pinimg.com/o...
www.yelp.com/b...
www.bridgeandt...
www.yelp.com/b...
media.philly.c...
cdn10.phillyma...
#deadmall #deadmalls #mall #pennsylvania #philadelphia #shoppingmall #shoppingmalls #retail #nostalgia #malls #mallshopping #fleabittenadventures

[@imyanigmw]

Shout out to all the dying malls in Philly and surrounding areas like Cheltenham, Cedarbrook, Plymouth Meeting, Roosevelt, Neshaminy, Oxford Valley, Lehigh Valley and Franklin Mills. They made for some great memories years ago.

[@Randy-cx4jb]

Plymouth hanging on by a thread.

[@imyanigmw]

@@Randy-cx4jb Facts, between the Dave n Busters and Boscovs it's damn near an open football stadium lol

[@eddiepealock]

Cheltenham mall has been closed for a few years now

[@imyanigmw]

@@eddiepealock I know. They were supposed to do a crazy renovation, whole mall, bowling alley and movie theater. Instead that jawn is a trash half ass strip mall

[@sinsoreshippromotesconform8218]

Also Montgomery mall. I believe they’re still open but it’s very empty only a few stores

[@rtlthemusician5598]

“If you call the Franklin Mills Mall the Philadelphia Mills, you’re an asshole” -The Philly Captain

[@VanHellsing12]

😂😂😂

[@daewooparts]

Here we arrrr !

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

I used to sub to that clown (Phillycaptain) until he was at a protest near a conservative event in town telling all the hateful BLM-Antifa cop haters that he's "on their side". It was bye Felicia after that😅

[@Illsharetheroadifyoudo]

Goin for a scoot

[@michelewood2795]

I could never call it Philadelphia Mills its Franklin Mills 😂😂

[@kinggkongg9694]

I Feel like every mall I go to is abandoned like this, Amazon and online shopping killed everything

[@MegaFranceschini]

Thank you

[@imyanigmw]

@@kinggkongg9694 100%

[@yvonneplant9434]

The pandemic helped. Amazon figured out how to be the 21st century's Sears. It's that simple.

[@jazzy531]

Agree

[@johnhonyara889]

And somehow Cherry Hill mall is bustling on a Monday. Blows my mind for such a shitty place.

[@TrigTrig]

i love that you mention Simon. They took everything we loved about Franklin Mills and stripped it out. They're the main reason the mall is dying now.

[@jaydubaic21]

Can’t be online retailers, food delivery and and streaming services lol

[@thatbolclassc-mastamynmusi9030]

That’s where they messed up. The mills had an allure you couldn’t duplicate. That made it cookie cutter bullshit smh

[@HN-fb6md]

SAme thing happening to Montgomery Mall in North Wales.

[@Schmidddyyy]

Remember this place back in the day? Food court was the best. Long live the giant Ben Franklin head.

[@RGzanzibar]

He said they Simonized it, but I think they sterilized it. :/

[@do_chill_regular]

Shame, I remember when this mall would be packed. The long lay out was perfect for teens just trying to walk around

[@theblockcat-ain1572]

Yeah, 15 Years ago

[@Vub.]

I feel sad that all these malls are closing

[@DH-xh3pg]

A lot of great memories at this place. Sad to see it go this way …

[@MrParis215]

Facts I still can't get over The Gallery being what it is now😫😫

[@bindig1]

Yeah, I remember when Franklin Mills Mall was crowded. In the 90s. There was also a big store across the street called Carrfour. It was so big the workers wore rollerskates

[@eliwoodstarlaf3379]

Isn't that a French supermarket chain?

[@PKNEVERBOW]

I remember it was so smart that was before we started being used instead of running the show

[@IamSnowbird]

@@eliwoodstarlaf3379 Yes but they also had home goods.

[@garbo8962]

Cool thing g about giant Carrfor was a lot of help wore roller blades and delicious French bread was only 50¢ a loaf. Would buy two loafs and feed one to the sea gulls in the parking lot.

[@Chocolatedip56]

I sure remember that I lived at woodhaven apt. Carrefour was sooo big u needed rrollerskating.# Memories And the mills was an old race track.

[@fr3dr02]

Last time I was in Franklin mills it was too quiet and I was looking over my shoulder 😮 I was ten or eleven when it opened and every store occupied...The fudgery was the Greatest, they would sing while making the fudge on a giant marble slab..many memories😢

[@robertmiller4711]

LOL I actually worked at the fudgery for a short time

[@KenSilcox]

The fudgery was great, we would go there just for that sometimes.

[@tinas72]

I would always go there

[@vincecarnevale4406]

These malls were thriving back in the 90's,you could find whatever you were looking for,good way to spend the day out.

[@Jim-bh7gs]

I would be nervous to go into that mall.

[@genuEngine]

There was a 'rainforest cafe' back when it opened , not sure if anyone mentioned this , was back by the AMC theater I believe

[@fleabittenadventures]

I miss Rainforest Cafe...

[@simm442010]

That cafe came in around 2000 and it’s where back of where wal mart is now. the blue wall used to be an entrance that where the rain forest was at.

[@cjf334]

The wall cd store was across from it too

[@user-my9hv9hj4l]

@genuengine yeah I remember

[@tinas72]

My husband use to work there

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

Ha… the “where do we park?“ was always the question when I would go. Because no one wanted to walk starting at one end. If you did, by the time you got to the end, you just wanted to leave. This place should have had some type of people mover or tram like Wildwood.😂😂😂

[@danielleschiazza6172]

If u were a teen u wouldn't have cared as much 😂 we didn't think about that! We were all over that mall!

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

Grew up going to Franklin Mills in the 90s for all the awesome outlet stores. The JCP outlet, Modells, the Ben Franklin head in the main court, the crt TV towers, the speakers playing the electric slide every 5 minutes…. It was great! But… the mall was bad with crime.

[@danielsiminski5878]

Ahhh yes....the TIME TELLING Ben Franklin head....CLASSIC!😄

[@invisiblerevolution]

When they remove the "head" went there like around 1994 and don't remember seein it?

[@petestaint8312]

Sadly, it's now the hood. Ashame. Years ago it was beautiful.

[@TruSlayer]

I used to love their huge arcade. Put other mall arcades to shame. Such great memories.

[@danielleschiazza6172]

It was the best in the 90's 😂

[@Superior2020]

Franklin Mills was full of life, color, imagination, inspiration. One of a kind. This Philadelphia Mills, even if it was packed with people, it's extremely dull and boring and looks like any ordinary mall now. What a downgrade👎🏾

[@kermiehilflipper1474]

It will always be Franklin Mills ❤️ we used to just catch that 20 bus, I think it was the 20 bus but we'd go out there broke as hell no money just a busfare and just hang out. Miss those days

[@davesecx]

This mall has a Dave & Busters AND a movie theater yet is dying. Its sad. I remember in its hey day how there was a fudge place that did little shows for crowds when they made fresh fudge.

[@cjf334]

It was called fudge factory... it was in the courtyard now section 3

[@cjf334]

To be exact it was next to crispy chicken where XClusive store is now

[@pootthatbak2578]

The two businesses, amc and D&B should be right next to each other. They would compliment each other

[@HimmReaper]

I can still smell the fresh fudge 😂

[@kdg.04]

amc there is ghetto asf and the d&b loses half its clientele because even the arcade is 21+ only for some reason so teens can’t even hang out there by themselves without an adult

[@MrDevins]

Previous to Franklin Mills opening, the closest outlets were over an hour from Philly. Franklin Mills was successful right away because it was one stop as opposed to Flemington NJ or Reading PA with stores scattered throughout the town. The single floor asymmetrical layout wasn’t really a problem considering the alternatives. It was always busy until 2001 or so when the first vacancies started. It’s been a slow downhill ride ever since. The crime isn’t new. Shoppers in the 1990s were getting robbed while loading up their cars. It’ll be dead in a few years. It’s immense, so it’ll make a huge apartment complex someday.

[@kdg.04]

huge apt complex or neighborhood of row homes. gentrification

[@georgeloveless4176]

All the local malls are dying. Franklin(Philadelphia)Mills, Neshaminy Mall, and Oxford Valley Mall are all on their way out. Personally I hate it, but its where things are going. Id give anything to go back in time!

[@dreamcage1801]

Create a Time Machine

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

Neshaminy B&N's closing will be the worst day of my life.

[@pootthatbak2578]

The greatest generation and baby boomers, (white people)are done shopping, our houses are jam packed full of worthless stuff we bought at the malls. The new generations, immigrants, arent allowed in to start a new store i suppose. The only ones that can afford the rent are franchises. Be nice if latinos, russians, indians, asians and muslims could make it their new place of business

[@pootthatbak2578]

​@@bespectacledheroine7292sears closing killed me

[@georgeloveless4176]

@@dreamcage1801 ...I'm working on it. When it's done, I'll be heading back to 1977 or so and do all those great years again.

[@riskey6788]

I ALWAYZ LOVED COMING TO THIS MALL ❤... This made me sad so many memories

[@Janwill1963]

When I managed a store here back in the 90s we would get busses of shoppers throughout the week. Every morning we would get a report with how many busses were arriving. It wasn't unusual to get 20-50 buses a day.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

Nice to read a comment from someone else who worked there. I worked at Arthur Teachers Fish and Chips in Food Court # 1. McDonalds and Sbarro's were next to us. I remember the shopping trips that would come down from New York and pack the place out. Now it resembles a ghost town. Sprinkle some dust and throw in some tumble weeds and it would look like a film set from one of those old western movies. I'm sad that the mall is dying a slow death but the rise in inter-net shopping, started the decline and the COVID lockdowns nailed the coffin shut.😢

[@Janwill1963]

@@jocelynharris-fx8ho I managed the Carlton Cards store down by JC Penney

[@sheriyl]

I worked at The Fudgery and I remember once during the holidays they told us 100 buses were coming in

[@morbidesque]

I was in my 20's in the 90's and I remember when this place was bustling from open to close every day. I also remember hitting the Babbages, EB Games during the console boom, and later Comp USA when I got my first PC

[@jayvbspdx]

Man, Simon really did a number on this place, stripping it of all its original character!!

[@petestaint8312]

Agreed. Dull and boring. 🥺

[@ReaveIdono]

Right. I remember moving out there thinking I'd got to Franklin Mills. Saw it was now called Philadelphia Mills and lacked all the color from my youth. I didn't go in much as a result. But that was in 2015 when it was still getting a decent amount of foot traffic.

[@alcubierre-drive]

It’s not Simon - blame Philly

[@jayvbspdx]

@@alcubierre-drive Did Philly take out all the trees and the big Ben in the main court? Whoops! I'm sorry, then! I thought the company that bought the property made all the changes to make it look like literally every other mall they own!!!

[@TonyRivera0206]

As an 80s kid, this mall was magical when it first opened. Two floor arcade, bowling alley and roller rink! And a Bugle Boy Outlet? Awesome.

[@kdg.04]

the church across the street used to be a movie theater too right

[@ProbablyPiere]

Xpark aka the skatepark that WAS there, contributed to my childhood unbelievably, I spent weeks and months and years at that park. Made friends, memories and money all at that park. Shoutout to all my xpark family. Rip Franklin mills n rip X park 🖤

[@johncahill1985]

I ride Bmx I said the same thing I missed that skate park so much. I’m 39 years old and that was the only indoor skate park we had in the area. I think the next closest one was Baltimore. Such a bummer Philadelphia needs a new indoor skate park.

[@ProbablyPiere]

@@johncahill1985 yeah man we also had black diamond in NJ but it didn’t last too long that park was so sick. We got camp Woodward out bumble F but it’s so expensive smh

[@johncahill1985]

@@ProbablyPiereoh shit I remember that that park was sick. The only thing that did suck about the Franklin Mills one it was so slippery especially for bikes. It was nice having an indoor skate park. There’s so many outdoor skate parks and the house. Unbelievable when we were kids there was nothing.

[@gopherpa7118]

There used to be an entrance to Walmart from the mall, but it was all the way at the end next to mall entrance #5. It was a long corridor from the mall that connected the store rather than a typical anchor store entrance. At 20:36 you can see a fence-type barrier straight ahead, to the left of entrance #5; that's blocking off the old Walmart entrance. Not sure when it closed because I don't go to this mall often, but it had definitely closed by 2021. I would imagine it closed sometime during the pandemic.

[@jayrockfromdablock2940]

Franklin mills mall use to be so fun and very busy, popping with color from ceiling, wall to floor, we use to go there after school and on the weekends back in the 90’s. It looks completely abandon now compare to back in the day. Great vid 👍🏽

[@bobski7032]

I worked on the construction of that mall 89 …Sabia brick work

[@hollandtoyflicks4543]

I remember in the early 90s when it was Franklin Mills we use to take the hour long trip on public transportation from our high school. The stores were amazing, the eateries were plentiful and fun to hang out at. Holiday times were the best to go to the Mills. Great video BTW.

[@christopherf3918]

I remember going to Franklin mills mall 30 years ago on a Sunday. The place was jammed w people. The traffic outside the mall in the parking lot was jammed. It took quite a while just to make it out of the parking lot.

[@DemetriosVaroumas]

Even around 2008-10 it was still crowded.

[@cjandneilami]

When this mall opened I was 12 and it was a huge deal in Philadelphia. The only "factory stores" for "brand outlets" were located in Reading PA and some low end stores like Jomars or Foreman Mills. Once "Simon Outlet Centers" like in Glassboro NJ, Lancaster, Hershey PA.. opened, it was the beginning of the end for Franklin Mills. It's very sad but NOTHING last forever

[@JeffreyPiatt]

The mills corporation was just badly run to begin with the malls all had gimmicks they basically built a theme park shopping center

[@MsDemile28]

Exactly. I remember when there was bus trips to go to Franklin Mills because it was closer than Reading and for people who couldn’t afford the luxury outlets in Seacaus NJ

[@invisiblerevolution]

Yes.... I remember that was the whole appeal of the mall, OUTLET STORES.

[@invisiblerevolution]

But to tell you the truth.... I don't really like the stuff they sell at outlet stores, why I stopped goin there after 1995.

[@emeraldthecreativegem]

There use to be big seating areas with a tower of tvs to look at music videos! Omg the memories!

[@elvisbrows27]

god I still remember the Rainforest Cafe, the skate park near Julian's & the huge seating areas with those old ass box TVs towering over near the Skechers (that's still there to this day) Remember that creepy ass Ben Franklin head in the main court? Or the food court near the Gap? I still love those circular holes where you watch a coin swirl down the hole. Such a shame of what the mall became & I'm afraid it'll close soon :(

[@emeraldthecreativegem]

@@elvisbrows27 They still have that coin thing 🤣 classic

[@kdg.04]

@@elvisbrows27the tv towers in front of sketchers aren’t there anymore they haven’t been there since like 2015 i think

[@melissam.6652]

That Ben Franklin head was so great I wish they would’ve put that back in after they renovated. Would love to know where it ended up

[@mrbutch308]

As a Philly resident I have mixed feelings about the place. It's 15 miles from Center City, so as far as I'm concerned it is way out in the 'Burbs. I would not call it a dead mall, or even a dying mall - the number of active businesses still (barely) outweigh the vacant places, but it not thriving either ... it is a stagnant mall that has been slowly declining through the years. It will continue to decline. What I don't like is that it is a cheap and tacky places. Most of the shops sell crappy merchandise and there are Chinese massage parlors and dollar store type shops. What is left of the "Food Court" is a joke. One good thing is that it is ideal for mall walkers and you get good exercise walking up and down the long corridor layout.

[@obeii1805]

It’s dead! This mall used to be packed back n the days I mean step ing on each other packed

[@davewilson7255]

It's a mall on life support. Definitely dying. I live up here by the mall. Half of it could be torn down and no one would notice. The stores (food places) outside the mall that are open do better business. It would be better to build new homes or apartments so the city can get tax revenue and people up here need modern apartments. Oddly, the neighborhood blocked a plan to build apartments, which is insane. It's better to have people paying to live here and create a community rather than have a mostly vacant mall going to hell.

[@tommymc2356]

Center City isn’t a real Philadelphia neighborhood it’s just downtown. Franklin Mills is by Chalfont and Parkwood which are real Philly neighborhoods. Not like Fishtowm and parts of South Philly that have been taken over by yuppies. Those neighborhoods are fraudulent because the residents are not from here now.

[@bflaves123]

​​@@tommymc2356CHALFONT MENTIONED HOLY SHIT 😂 I swear no one ever knows of Chalfont

[@alcubierre-drive]

@@davewilson7255you’re 100% correct!

[@danielsiminski5878]

There was NEVER a strategic place to park here....but we ALL tried LOL Such a HUGE MALL!

[@maribelroman]

I think it’s dead. That food court may have restaurants open but no one in line buying food or seated eating. I haven’t been to this mall since it was still Franklin Mills Mall. Even back then it was dead. TFS

[@cw2424]

Omg 😮 this was my childhood mall soooo many great memories at this mall wow

[@ariella8771]

As someone who grew up going to this mall, uh who tf has ever called it “ Philadelphia mills” I was born in 2010 and my whole life everyone has always called it “Franklin mills”???? I recognized the mall in the thumbnail but didn’t know if it was the same 💀

[@rhondahopkins4366]

Wow, I haven't been there for years. I used to love the Franklin Mills Mall. This is happening everywhere.

[@Lizzie.R]

This was quite the outing in the day. That Franklin in the middle was fun and those colors were fun. What I remember, crime escalated as the population around it changed.

[@josephflanagan1070]

Neshaminy Mall is done Oxford valley is getting close

[@bobholmes65]

It was just announced yesterday that Big Lots Store is closing in Philadelphia Mills, just 3 days after you posted this video. That is a huge loss for the mall.

[@raiden25256666]

NOOOOOO please not PHILADELPHIA MILLS😢

[@johncahill1985]

I know! It’s Franklin Mills

[@user-do3ng3mn7o]

The robberies were not from people in this neighborhood. It’s outsider’s .

[@FayeRivaCohenSuesHerClient-d3f]

Big time, it is believed that none of those robbers were Republicans

[@jd87926]

​@@FayeRivaCohenSuesHerClient-d3f😂😂😂

[@petestaint8312]

Unfortunately, those robbers are now living there and have destroyed a once beautiful neighborhood.

[@johncahill1985]

Exactly it’s in a nice neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia actually almost on the border. Do you want to see dangerous? You’re need to drive about a half hour south from there to Kensington

[@petestaint8312]

@@johncahill1985 true but its coming into Parkwood now.

[@dalerandall1872]

It's sad to see all the Malls dying out ... almost everything from my childhood is going away 😢

[@VidenTheColdOne]

I used to go here as a kid some 30 years ago. I'd always have my mom rush to see the giant robotic Ben Franklin head every time it went off. That mall was absurdly large.

[@Superior2020]

Yes yes same! The big head was a must see when we visited. I Had to walk under it each time😅😅

[@jasperdilincoln2341]

I've been gone from Philly/NJ area since 2001. Didn't even know they changed the name. I used to work in NE Philly, up the street from FM. I remember back in the Day when it first opened it was the talk of the town. My Aunt used to travel out to Reading to the Outlets with my cousins to go shopping. My Grandmother lives in Jersey. So Cherry Hill & Moorestown Mall were some options. My Mom took us to Burlington Center Mall(which is demolished now). My other Aunt liked Springfield Mall, Plymouth meeting mall and King of Prussia. Back in the early 90s my mother took us to this Mall for the first time. It was packed, almost like going to the Amusement Park..lol we were all tired by the time we left. I've traveled and lived in many cities over the years. They have "Mills Malls" all over. I've lived in Baltimore Md( Arundel Mills) Denver Co(Colorado Mills) and just visited Charlotte NC(Concord Mills) all of them seem like in their own way aren't as popular as they used to be. A good amount of empty stores. The Heyday when i was a kid in the 80s and early 90s of Malls aren't the same anymore.

[@queenc1240]

Me either. This is crazy! All of Philly memories are fading

[@nuy6n6nn]

I basically lived here as a teenager from 2000-2005. Crazy to see it so empty and drained of color now. Anyone remember the rainforest cafe by the movie theater?

[@Frankjc3rd]

The area that has the Walmart also had a Rainforest Cafe which my memory says that was one of the first locations to close and go away for lack of a better term. It never reopened as another type of restaurant or any other type of store. Believe it or not the Spencer's Gifts that you see is in its original location and is probably one of the oldest stores. The Walmart technically has an entrance inside the mall. There is a hallway that traces a path that then connects to their main entrance that you CAN get into the store.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

That entrance closed during the pandemic and is now used as a storage area.

[@mlarsen864]

I miss the 49th street galleria and the bowling alley.

[@catchohgift]

I see a certain temperament from those who live near Philadelphia Mills, not actually safe, because during the 1990’s, more affluent people live near, but as our economy has drifted away from affordable to below average, lacking a living wage, I feel less safe.

[@chrisjacobs9101]

Let’s be real we all know what it is once the ghetto and certain people find out about places like this they come and ruin it and everyone leaves

[@FayeRivaCohenSuesHerClient-d3f]

The media and this administration claim we're doing much better these days.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

I used to work in the food court at Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips during the early 90's. Back then, the mall was so popular, that Motorcoach shopping excursions would come down from New York. I remember thinking how the crowds reminded me of Grand Central station, or JFK airport during rush hour. Now it's a ghost town. Food court #1 where I used to work, has been converted to retail space. Where The GAP is now, that used to be McDonald's. Arthur Treachers was next door. Next to us, was a Sbarros and next to Sbarros, was a 50's theme restaurant named Johnny Rockets. Arby's one of my favorite restaurants, was once there and a place called Toast Works that made grinders and paninis. Many great places have come and gone and truthfully, I believe that if Walmart hadn't moved in, the place would have completely closed years ago. Of course, the explosion in on-line shopping huuried along the dmise of many malls. Another favorite Philly mall, was The Gallery.

[@FRUGALNISTA]

Mmmm Arthur Treacher’s another blast from the past🐟🐠

[@mariebrown9415]

Yes, Arthur Treachers Had great fish and trips. I really miss that.

[@mariebrown9415]

Chips 😅

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

Company that purchased it maybe ten years ago Simon ruined the interior on the renovation. Had cool looking beams that looked like they were from the 1850's.. Was there last month on Saturday afternoon for a kids birthday party and it was dead. First few years Frsnklin Mills Mall opened it was the largest tourist visited spot in Philly. Would have 8 or more tourist busses parked in rear of mall. Went from two food courts down to only a few so do places to get food.

[@FxctorsGFX]

You have to go on a Saturday afternoon… nobody’s at the mall on a Monday at 1pm…

[@jaepcam]

Then it should only open on Saturdays.

[@BANGITSME87]

@@jaepcamYeah because people only want to go to places when they’re packed. Totally. Makes sense.

[@jaepcam]

@@BANGITSME87 Hey Bang Bang, does it make sense to keep an entire mall open when it's only busy one day of the week? The weekly revenue wouldn't even cover the electric bill. Wake up, genius.

[@tounoiabundy9764]

It’s still not that busy on a Saturday either… you mostly see young kids who are just gathering with friends not shopping, and ppl going to the Walmart. It’s not like it use to be when I was younger.

[@user-do3ng3mn7o]

I like this Mall bc it’s good in an emergency. When u need something for a last minute event awesome Mall.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I can see that, but just make sure you park near the correct entrance!

[@patrickodonnell9388]

Malls are the thing of the past thanks to the Internet and yes its sad.

[@marjopowers89]

In the early to mid 90s this was the mall to go to… once a month I drove over an hour to go there for the best deals. JC Penney outlet was the best!! Burlington Coat Factory was there already and I remember the big clock… I also remember the long walk back to the car 😅

[@ryanmurray3034]

i grew up 20 minutes from here. next to dave and busters used to be a indoor skatepark, held comps and everything it was huge, used to be called woodward and then black diamond. crazy to see it all gone now. i spent a lot of my youth there with friends.

[@mgratk]

Oh wow. When I was a kid/teen in the 80s my parents took us there once or twice a year. It was always absolutely packed with people when we went, which was a road trip from Scranton. Most of my jeans came from either the JC Penny outlet (OR Sears outlet, I forget which it was, but probably Penny's), which actually had true factory seconds and overstock way back then, like most of the outlet stores did. We always looked over the stuff carefully and there was usually nothing wrong with it. Every now and then you'd see a shirt with one sleeve longer than the other. haha. But wow it sure looks different other than the basic structure. And yeah, it felt gigantic, between the whole length of the place, plus going into many stores and walking around them, and standing around for what felt like forever while the parents shopped. Thanks for the tour!

[@johncahill1985]

Damn, you guys went from Scranton to the Franklin Mills mall there was no malls in the Scranton area?

[@JohnGuzik]

Place was kicking 25 years ago. It was always a tourist/outlet mall at heart, however. There were busloads of people coming in on the weekends. Shout out to RF Video that had the little island store at the end by the movie theater.

[@MargaretCSullivan]

I grew up nearby when it was still a racetrack. I worked at a hair salon in the mall in the early 90s. On the weekends it would be packed with busloads of people from New York who used to come down to shop because PA doesn't charge sales tax on clothing. I moved to the suburbs in the mid-90s and haven't been back since--give me King of Prussia any day!

[@davidroberts6108]

Yep--you're right! The old Liberty Bell race track!

[@invisiblerevolution]

Is KP still doing well.... personally that MALL is too huge for me and don't like the highway driving to get there.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

I went to King of Prussia Mall back in 2021 and sadly, it's going in the same direction as Franklin Mills. (I could never bring myself to call it : Philadelphia Mills). KOP mall has had massive amounts of store closures and entire corridors, are completely vacant and abandoned. When these malls were built, apparently no one foresaw the rise in on-line shopping. Frankly, I prefer to go to the store and actually see what I'm buying. Going to the mall was fun and I enjoyed it but I can see how on-line shopping became more popular ; you don't have to search for a parking space, no crime, no obnoxious people or rude employees and you can shop in the peace and quiet of your own home. The final nail in the coffin, was the COVID lockdowns. From there, it was all downhill, with no recovering.

[@davewilson7255]

@@jocelynharris-fx8ho Are you sure about KOP, or are you talking about Willow Grove Mall? KOP is growing.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

@@davewilson7255 it was definitely King of Prussia mall. Located at 160 N. Gulph Road

[@edmanr2010]

A store that encourage you to exercise I like this!

[@jayski8987]

The music chased everyone away

[@ronpro8894]

I worked security at this mall from 2008 to 2011 I think. Fun mall to work at. Lots of.people during the weekends and lots to do for security. Almost every store was open back then. Made some good friends there.

[@sonnyshaw3962]

It's not only Franklin Mill mall that is going under, all the malls are in dire straights. Oxford Valley mall is making the transition and building condos or Apartments at the on end. Even Neshaminy mall has a lot of vacant stores, it the change in the entire retail stores concept that is suffering across he country. E commerce has killed the malls, Amazon and other E commerce retailers are ending the era of the malls, because the mall stores cannot compete with the prices offered for virtually the same items on the web stores.

[@faustoutloud]

Alot of people from Philly come over the bridge and they go the Cherryhill mall here in N.J that Malls always packed you should do a vid on that mall next.😊

[@user-gl3ip3lc8t]

Thanks for sharing your videos, Tom. I live in Australia but I love learning about the social history of America through your videos.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Glad you like them! Thanks

[@gopherpa7118]

18:21 That was indeed an FYE. I took a peek in recently and it looks like the mall is now storing kiosks in there.

[@imQurnot]

Yes, it was an FYE. That store was going downhill when it was open. I remember the manager wouldn't let me tap-to-pay with my phone. Actually let me walk out without spending anything to make a point, smh.

[@marcuscarrozza732]

I haven't been there in almost 10 years because I don't have a vehicle,but I noticed they did away with the walk way vendors in the isles. Monday was always quiet there . That's why the mall is dying , because of the violence. It wasn't like that when I was going there over 20 years ago . It was nice and fun .

[@petestaint8312]

Agreed. Unfortunately, the area is now the hood. Used to be beautiful!

[@marcuscarrozza732]

@@petestaint8312 I agree . I didn't want to say it was a ghetto there but that's what it is now . Use to be a beautiful place to be and live . Sadly we have cockroach problems

[@petestaint8312]

@@marcuscarrozza732 this is why I'm retiring next year and moving to Florida. Small community that resembles the Northeast 50 years ago.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

There's no violence there. there's no one there....

[@TruckDriver_Em215]

I feel bad, i have vivid memories of cashing my little pay checks in 1998 when i was 16 & cruise the mall shopping. A lot of name brand stores there, now that mall is dying.

[@DeWaltjunkie]

Used to see security in pairs making constant rounds

[@Randy-cx4jb]

Thanks to all the Ghetto Goons traveling up there, taking it over, most people I know have stopped going there since warly 2000's.

[@jd87926]

😂😂😂😂 facts

[@RichBoy-dc2dq]

Yes blame Black people for everything you loser. It's called "Amazon, Ebay, Walmart online, online shopping".....that's what kiIIed off malls across the country.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

There's nothing to take over.

[@MrTanker2012]

😂😂SO SAD BUT SO TRUE 😂😂

[@ReaveIdono]

If you lived in Philly. No area was nice. Quit capping.

[@junelopez9520]

This mall went downhill 15-plus years ago when those trigger kids were just toddlers . Depressing

[@itsbritt9155]

What are trigger kids ?? I hope not a slur , especially not with your last name being Lopez…

[@petestaint8312]

Agreed. The area used to be nice but it's now the hood. Sad.

[@DJrArchives]

This mall must look tiring when you have to walk the length twice. This mall is undoubtedly a dead Mall. Also on 18:33, I can tell by the sign that says "MUSIC & MOVIES"

[@PKNEVERBOW]

See now it looks like a design flaw but when it was packed in the 90s, it was just another chance for you to see something else you wanted to buy and it was packed constantly. I’m talking you could barely walk through it. Look up this in the 90s.

[@eliwoodstarlaf3379]

Anyone remembers the pet store on the first floor lol (the first floor was a joke) So back when I worked there, I fall in love with this adorable Puppy I named Sam. Sadly he passed away years back. I will never forget that sweet and loving Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog that could not hurt an ant. The mall clearly had its better days. What do you think about the area around the mall? Did it expand? There is definitely a good choice of food chains.

[@lindaohlin868]

I remember the pet store. There was a Maine Coon cat and all of these kittens. He looked so sad there. I talked my mom into adopting him and she agreed and we went up and got him the next day. He turned out to be a lover. I named him Tigger and had him for a long time. I loved that cat and was so glad we rescued him ❤️❤️

[@DavidWRyan]

I'm sad they took down the Ben Franklin Animatronic. I went there once years ago and I thought it was exhausting to walk through it!

[@fleabittenadventures]

I would have loved to see the Ben Franklin animatronic! And yes, it was exhausting....

[@mariab6277]

​@fleabittenadventures The Security guards used to ride Segways to get around.

[@DavidWRyan]

@@mariab6277 Segways weren’t invented the last I was there lol!

[@mariab6277]

@@DavidWRyan They were used by their security around 2015.

[@davewilson7255]

@@mariab6277 They still use Segways. I was there last year.

[@georgef551]

Those entrances of old seem to be what made an otherwise boring corrugated metal tin can building look good. Talk about a mall built on the cheap.

[@melissam.6652]

I forgot about the color coded entrances! 🥹

[@go-goyubari8776]

Online stores pulling the brick and mortar out of business. KOP is looking dodgy too. Used to go to Fraklin Mills all the time with my son 13yrs ago. It was still vibrant.

[@davewilson7255]

What? KOP is thriving and expanding. Not sure where you get your info.

[@coris3436]

Great video. Check out neshaminey mall while you’re in the area

[@Philly-steppa]

The mall became ghetto so did the parkwood area surrounding it i moved out years ago had to stop my kids from going there

[@kronos6948]

10:48 that cinnabon used to be a fudgery. And yeah, right where that tax sign is hanging used to be Ben Franklin's head.

[@PowPhi]

That second food court not even half of what it was in the early 00s

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

The “chandelier” is an unimpressive try at art… they are harbor freight light bars I can buy for 30% off with a coupon.. 😂 I cannot stand how they stripped this place of ANY art, color or history. HORRIBLE.

[@gopherpa7118]

40:59 Pharmor closed in 2002 along with the whole company.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Someone else said 1992. Either way, has it really been vacant for over 20 years?

[@gopherpa7118]

@@fleabittenadventures There was a skate park in part of the store at one point about 10-15 years ago but that was only accessible from the mall. I think the area near the outside entrance has been vacant ever since Pharmor closed. There's still a sign in the window that says "one hour photo".

[@davewilson7255]

@@fleabittenadventures Yes, it closed in early 90s and that PharMor facade has looked like that ever since. Strange that no one wanted that site.

[@Kevin-ty9dj]

Love your videos. Would you do an update on Meriden mall in the near future ??

[@fleabittenadventures]

I did one a few months ago. Security was pretty tight there. I'm going to give it a few months before I go back. Thanks

[@MurphyBuns]

Anyone remember the Chinese food joint in the food court? The guy giving out samples used to say, “This chicken bangin’ yo!” Always had me cracking up

[@arosenweig]

Have you ever been to the King of Prussia Mall or the Willow Grove Park Mall? I hear both of these malls are much better.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I've been to Willow Grove Park, but not King of Prussia. Probably next year.

[@Nammygirl68]

Wealthy areas that can still afford it . With the exception of a few neighborhoods,most of Philly neighborhoods are middle class & below;with inflation after paying for necessities there's little left for extra spending.

[@lindaohlin868]

I remember when this was opened. It was bright and colorful and it was the mall to go to. I lived about 15 minutes from there and I would take the bus and walk around from end to end. Every store was open. But it’s so sad what it has become now.

[@PaulRavitsky]

PharMor closed in 1992 due to bankruptcy issues.

[@fleabittenadventures]

It's been vacant since 1992????

[@chazgeorgebatmanhotline7069]

​@@fleabittenadventuresNO. It's been closed since 2002.

[@davewilson7255]

@@fleabittenadventures PharMor was NOT there is 2002.

[@RGzanzibar]

My gosh, I remember shopping at that Old Navy outlet and not being able to find an empty table at that food court. It was SO busy when I was a kid (25-30 yrs ago). The space where Big Ben Franklin used to be is so sterile now. Thanks for the walk through!

[@JksCashinVideos]

Lets go Brandon

[@angelique25m11]

Wow. We used to hit up the mall every weekend. Last time I was there it was crazy packed.😢❤

[@user-my9hv9hj4l]

No where in Philadelphia is safe anymore.

[@petestaint8312]

Agreed. That's why I'm moving to Florida next year when I retire. Very sad.

[@MrTanker2012]

​@@petestaint8312FACTS!!

[@veer-ps4nv]

It feels that way only to yuppies😢

[@user-my9hv9hj4l]

@@veer-ps4nv That's me !

[@veer-ps4nv]

@@user-my9hv9hj4l as if , that was ever in dispute 🤣, Our indigenous white people are not as prissy as yuppies , you should have seen the mafia mob wars years. That was some real James Patterson type violence there., and it had nothing to do with black people. While we, meaning my people, Garner all the media attention, cast of Philadelphia doesn't have a tremendous amount of white on white crime, it is left to us to hold the bag of BS media attention.

[@TheOtherMJ_76]

I used to go there as a teenager back in the early 90’s. Franklin Mills is what I still call it. That place used to be packed, especially on the weekends. It was nice back then. I haven’t been back there since I think 2002 or 2003. It’s cool to see it now.

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

This place had/has a lot crime because animals from the really bad areas of Philly come here and just look for trouble. The mall was known for crime as soon as it opened. I’m not going to go political, but it’s very telling how the police and security here cannot do anything to actually deter crime… while King of Prussia empowers police and security leading to minimal crime…. And it’s been that way for decades.

[@1625GEE]

What animals? Nod nation from k n a?never had a problem with this mall and I been going there since hoop it up..

[@catchohgift]

The problem is not moral values, there is an overall lack in vigilance for political leaders, and accountability, we see no change for living standards, no change for minimum wage, or living wage. Local governments leadership is our responsibility.

[@jd87926]

​@@catchohgiftdefinitely cultural issues at home is to blame. Lack of fathers to institute discipline. There's only so much a woman is respected for. A lack of 2 parent households is the main culprit.

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

@@1625GEEyea, ok… here is my useless comment to your comment, because you’re living in dream land. How many articles you wanna pull up about crime at the mall or videos from action news? Just because you didn’t experience an issue at the mall doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Don’t play political correctness on people. Imagining that crime wasn’t (and still is) high at this mall doesn’t make it go away. Oh…. Look at that, another jewelry robbery at the mall most recently. Also, no one cares how long you’ve been going to the mall. Many people have been going to the mall since day one… including myself. And no one cares about that either… 😂😂😂

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

@@catchohgiftagreed… ultimately, it’s a mall in a big city. There will always be issues anywhere. Great memories shopping here as a kid and I would still like to go here first and remember good times before heading to KoPrussia.

[@derrick072]

Willow Grove Mall is still doing great with foot traffic and its layout is smart. It has stacked floor levels 1, 2, and 3 with escalators and elevators in sections to minimize walking and the food court is at the mall's center. It's easy to get around and park relative to your shopping needs like a quick in and out. My legs felt tired just looking at the walking distance from end to end.

[@KathleenGreer-hk6yl]

I never liked this mall. It had all the makings of a crime magnet. No windows to the outside, restrooms down long, dark halls, poorly lit parking lots and never enough people around to make you feel safe. The place completely creeper me out. I only went to Ace Music for repairs or major purchases. Always went with another person and beat my way to my car as quickly as possible.

[@veer-ps4nv]

Location, location, location, it was the first thing I learned about opening up businesses. A business is all about the location

[@theodorelife3]

Last of the dying breeds, what a great mall in the 90s, early 2000s, whatever happens to her, she will always leave a tremendous mark and memories in Philadelphias history, and hopefully whoever takes it over or whatever they’re gonna do with it, make it shine bright again

[@Becomingabutterflypod]

Awww I used to work in Franklin Mills Mall at a store called The Fudgery. We used to make fudge and sing about it at the same time. Back in 1997

[@ToMito1017]

Maaaaan this was my childhood, I remember my dad and i coming here every weekend , whether it was going to AMC and watching a movie, hitting up Sbarro at the foodcourt, checking out F.Y.E, the tower of tv’s that they had & of course dave & busters, even the skatepark that they had, great great times man, memories ill always cherish.

[@geardd]

I used to live in the northeast and would go here every weekend, going back to when I was a kid. It used to be a great mall, but I feel like it's just gone downhill since it was renovated by Simon (maybe that's just me missing my childhood memories of the mall). I live in Center City and would occasionally come up here for the Nike store (which has been closed for years), Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Sam Ash (which is now closed). I've never felt unsafe in this mall, and I definitely wouldn't call it unsafe. It still has a lot of activity in the weekends, but a lot of the stores are closed and it feels like there's not much to do anymore.

[@menthodman6969]

I came here a few times myself as a young teen around 2004-07 and it was so alive! The TVs stacks, the giant Ben Franklin head. I can't remember which restaurant was in there, it was either chili's or Fridays. Good times.

[@craftiestcraftstress]

I remember going there the weekend the Franklin Mills Mall opened up, I was 8 and I asked my mom if I could get my ears pierced, I was so happy she said yes.