What Happened to Bourbon Street at West Edmonton Mall? - Best Edmonton Mall

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Looking back, it's hard to believe that some of the decor included in West Edmonton Mall actually existed - but it did, and we miss it more than anything.
Remember West Edmonton Mall's original dining district, long before it became BRBN st., remember: Bourbon Street.
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#WEM #BestEdmontonMall #WhatHappenedTo

[@Jsuttar]

False theres a Hard Rock Cafe in Niagara Falls, Ontario

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Looks like you're correct! Must have missed that one - closed down in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Vancouver, Ottawa, Whistler, Kanata, but NOT Niagara Falls!

[@LakeNipissing]

Interesting. I've only been to the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls, NY. Didn't know there was also another one across the Rainbow bridge buried within the chaos of Clifton Hill.

[@ultimatedude2000]

The Hard Rock is coming back to Ottawa. They are converting the Ottawa Carlton Raceway and Slots to a full blown Hard Rock Casino.

[@emmakim9456]

Best Edmonton Mall if you look at the mind bender right at the beginning of the ride you can see a little bit of fantasyland can you make a video on it

[@ChristynaPatterson]

they are all closed except the niagara falls, it opened in december 1996. vancouver closed june 1, 2000

[@TrickiVicBB71]

The mall seemed way cooler in the 80s and 90s.

[@ultracurious]

Not seemed - was 😉

[@bowens9211]

Only because we can't experience it

[@TrickiVicBB71]

@@ultracurious I moved to Edmonton in October 2005. Guess I saw the tail end of it all.

[@TrainmasterCurt]

Yeah, I hate when people use that term “Dated”, after most of these so called updated looks are more bland than ever, I think there will be a return of neon, character, and pastel colours

[@uploaded113redone]

It was actually fun in the 90s , had lots of neat stuff to look at and wasn't just a giant cash grab

[@SuperMario911]

West Edmonton Mall has lost a lot of its personality over the years. You'd think that, due to the advent of online shopping, the owners of mall would make more an effort to attract tourists by offering a unique shopping experience they can't find elsewhere. Instead, the mall looks more generic than ever. What's next? Are they going to remove the Santa Maria because it clashes with the rest of the mall's sterile, almost dystopian look?

[@mildtiger]

They've actually discussed it, as they're getting less bookings and maintenance costs aren't any cheaper!

[@Salsamyt]

The day they remove the ship is the day the mall dies

[@mysterycheez]

It's not only online shopping that they're competing with. These days malls in general seem to be on the out in favor of the "common" where you don't walk around in a mall at all but drive from store to store.

[@TheGhjgjgjgjgjg]

The cool art work and bold themes were a sign of the times.I was born in 1991 but I remember everything being much more relaxed and creative in the 90's.Now the entire place is just a generic copy/paste too appease everyone and no one.

[@wakeupscreaming9883]

That's our new shopping area in Grande Prairie. It's spread over a huge area, and you "drive up" to the shop you want. It's completely pedestrian un-friendly, and built for cars. In the winter, it'd be nice to walk inside a climate-controlled common area.

[@christinab.9427]

when i worked on bourbon st. some of the old decor was still there. it was a nice mix between modern and themed. now the whole street looks like the inside of moxies. lol

[@xFlyswatterx]

These "What Happened to" videos are incredibly well put together. Loving all of these.

[@ClayBitner]

I miss the character the mall used to have. There used to be something special about each different section of the mall, but now it all just feels like you could be in any mall in North America. There's nothing really special about the mall anymore other than its size.

[@sungameloc]

I would still consider the Waterpark, amusement park, and pirate ship pretty special for being in a mall.

[@ClayBitner]

Yeah, that's true. But even in the amusement park, with recent renovations they're losing a lot of the charm and character and making that even more generic.

[@dsafasdfsdaful]

James Leroy don’t forget the rink. That’s a pretty big highlight in the mall too.

[@LakeNipissing]

*Lighted* brass rail at 2:32... the entire mall was like this in the 1980s... it was an amazing sight. Now amazing is gone.

[@jerimyganut3652]

They still have some near hudsons bay

[@tiffthenerd]

Those vowels be expensive, havent you watched Wheel of Fortune?

[@ultracurious]

😂😂😂

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

HA!!!

[@kyleschooley759]

That 4 headed Mardi grad statue that hung from the ceiling gave me nightmares as a young boy

[@Gypsyblood777]

Same

[@serialfx]

Im not the only one! Haha

[@lordmegatron65]

I liked it personally, thought it was cool and colorful:)

[@zestymushr00m85]

Oh man and then the dragon in silver city

[@tinotse2007]

@@zestymushr00m85 To bad they removed the dragon from silver city. Heard and seen through YT. They removed the dragon because of having to clean & maintain the well being of the structure.

[@doanster]

All these "what happened to..." videos bring a tear to my eye.

[@shaynes.9773]

Me too...

[@BattleBladeWarrior]

Me too. I grew up in Edmonton and used to go there all the time. This is sad. They really did a disservice to Bourbon St as well. They took all the culture and pizzazz that it had, and just freaking killed it. DAMN.

[@Benhojka]

I miss the nostalgia of bourbon street. Seems so lame walking through it now.

[@Lucysmom26]

Edmonton 80s kid here, these vids are a real nostalgia trip - we lived very close to West Ed and I spent a lot of time there. What I remember about Bourbon Street was a)not going there much and b)when we did go , it was to Fuddruckers. Usually some grade school birthday party or similar. My favourite place in the mall was a store called Mariposa that was, iirc, close to the skating rink. I used to beg my mom to take me there, and then beg her to buy me whatever neon monstrosity or acid washed denim skirt caught my eye that day.

[@ultracurious]

Thank you so much for this series! It's not only a tug on the heart strings - but now instead of forcing my kids listen to me wax on about how cool these parts of the mall *used* to be, I can make them watch your (much better) videos. 😊 This is obviously a labour of love for you, and all of us Gen X kids from the 80's thank you.

[@ElyOtto]

oh man, I remember this from being a little kid. It's always been my dream to go back as I'm only a few hours away, but my mum hates malls, so we haven't. Breaks my bloody heart to know it's been affected by the plague of modernization. The whole 'relic' thing was the novelty of the place, and now I've got no reason to go back.

[@Jeffmorgan83]

I'll remember, and never forget. The Hard Rock Cafe guitar stood out as one of my earliest memories of the mall.

[@lb6135]

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane! You might not know or remember it, but there was a traditional jazz band that strolled Bourbon Street on weekends, contributing to the great atmosphere. I worked as a server from 1985-88 at the excellent Cafe Orleans and really enjoyed the vibe of this really special area of the mall. Just to give you a bit of an Edmonton restaurant history lesson, Cafe Orleans was started by Dennis and Nancy (Dennis was the opening chef at The Creperie on The Boardwalk downtown) in partnership with Gordon and Donna of Cafe Select. Later their partnership dissolved and they ran it on their own before selling it to Sous Chef Bruce and going on to open two more successful Cajun & Creole restaurants, Louisiana Purchase in Oliver and Cajun House in St. Albert.

[@MarkCappis]

No mention of Bourbon Street’s most famous landmark: the fortune teller booth! But I remember some of the original restaurants. Mom like the Pacific Fish Co., Dad liked Fudrukker’s.

[@kevbot96]

whenever you make a vid like this it is always fascinating to see how the mall has changed over the years but it really does make me feel sad that they mall is losing all its character and becoming so generic /: I wasn't born when Bourbon Street first came out but i do remember the first renovation and comparing it to now.. wow its quite sad how normal it is

[@hudson5742]

When I hear that intro it’s just, 👌

[@therandomshay31]

Hudson Pilling big mood

[@CrossTrekking]

Dood! I was a cast member at Jubilations Dinner Theatre and an employee at the Cineplex Odeon in 98/99. Bourbon street still had most of it's original look then. I had such a crush on one of the Hooters girls I worked with!

[@yegmtb8377]

Hey i went their with my gf back in 2005 or 06 either way west ed use to have real magic and Edmontians didnt mind going their and spending money as it was worth the experience now its nothing

[@Lovethemusic385]

I played some jazz gigs in one of those Bourbon Street restos back in the day.

[@GenghisKhan-Shaman]

michael rud: Are you the Mike Rud who put out the album 'Live From Lotusland - Sessions from CBC Vancouver'? With Jodi Proznick (love her playing...) on Bass...and some other seriously good players (esp. Tilden Webb/piano...). I may have actually caught your show...?!

[@bradcomis1066]

Bahaha this is amazing! You’re actually cataloging history right now. People might actually study this stuff one day. I mean, its weird enough to look back on it now 25 years on. Imagine how bizarre this footage will look another 25 years. You sir are a citizen historian! You should do a collaboration with the podcast 99 percent invisible.

[@sunflowerhandler]

I remember the Jesters! They terrified me as a child, but I miss them

[@lordmegatron65]

I used to love them. I miss this stuff lol

[@mydjmode]

West Edmonton Malls starting to look like the New horizon mall down in Calgary...

[@sslssg247]

I used to love to sit at the shoe shine stand and just take in the atmosphere of Bourbon Street. It just had a cool vibe.

[@BattleBladeWarrior]

Yes, and you see how they had park benches back then so you had back support? you could just sit back and take it all in. From the photos now, it looks like they changed to backless seats, which I personally don't find as comfortable anymore. Probably in an attempt to keep people moving and not just sitting there.

[@TheSkippyboy]

I don't even live in Canada, but these videos give me so much joy. Thank you so much!

[@SarahVodovos]

Ugh I genuinely miss this. West ed is so lame now. It's missing all it's charm.

[@slickslack3644]

ya

[@StonyRob1]

I don’t disagree that areas of the mall needed to be changed, but every update takes all the character and theme out of the mall. It’s all so generic now....sad.

[@JayBruceWorld]

As a newcomer to Edmonton, I love this channel.

[@survivorism3478]

I was just talking about Bourbon street yesterday with my brother. As an 80's kid I miss the ol wem.

[@mizunopearl]

Thanks for the video, It rekindled the fond memories I have of the Bourbon Street of my childhood. The mall has become so generic and the remodel of Bourbon Street just tore down the character it once possessed. These videos are great please keep up the awesome work!

[@Some_Kong]

It seems like they're trying to focus on that god damned fashion statement. Haven't we got enough of that crap already? Basically majority of the stores sells the same stuff

[@ultimatedude2000]

I only been at the WED once in my life, back in 1999. My work sent me to Edmonton for one week. We decided to visit WED the day before we left. We did eat at one of the restaurants at Bourbon Street, sorry I don't remember the restaurant, but I do remember the uniqueness of this area. Sorry to hear that they "modernized" the area. I believe they should have kept the New Orleans charm.

[@maeganbyerley]

W.E.M

[@Vulspyr]

Five year Edmontonian here. Just started watching you videos and I have to say, it is very interesting to learn these things about the mall that was just a little ways away while I lived in Calgary.

[@dusk4819]

Watching your videos lets me remember the older days. I was young while the renos took place and if it weren't for your videos I would've forgotten all of these things from the past mall. Thank you!! ❤️

[@e_town_princess]

aw these videos make me miss the old mall.. love your channel btw ❤️

[@mrdeeds72]

The original version is my favourite for sure! Miss the old pre-2000s mall

[@torontofcfantorontofcfan]

Thank you so much much for making those videos

[@richardcaron6340]

As a cook that helped open Earls on Bourbon Street back in 2006/2007? I was actually going to tweet you folks today, wondering where the Bourbon Street content was. Alas here we go!

[@mkp1214]

How was Bourbon Street Earl's back then? I work at tin palace earls downtown and we often have to send some of our cooks down to help out cause they're too much of a mess to get more than 4 people to work on a Friday night

[@edvaira6891]

Thanks for doing these...I actually spent part of my Honeymoon at the West Edmonton Mall in 1991 (yeah, my wife and I were, and still are, a bit nuts!) and we really loved the place as it was back then...This brought back a Lot of memories (we didn’t actually have a video camera back then, so your classic video footage is really nice!)

[@EDDIELANE]

I live for those old clips of the mall- it’s like looking back into my childhood! I remember a time when I was afraid to go to Bourbon Street- it was smoky and there were bikers.

[@canadianthought]

Just found your channel. Been watching my childhood die all day. Was going to bring the family for a vacation this year, now I never want to go back.

[@Gemma-Majoran]

man i keep binging these videos!!! ever since i found em

[@jendobing8482]

Aww this video brought out all the nostalgia feels. I to remember how awesome the original bourbon street was. I loved the statues as a kid and always thought the women were super fancy haha

[@jeffco5237]

Thanks this was great!!

[@TechnologySpotlight]

I’m from Calgary and have been to the mall a few times. Found your channel and immediately found your content very interesting!

[@iamtheunderdog]

Thank you for these videos. These are such precious memories from my childhood! Keep em coming. Maybe do one on the peacocks!

[@ultracurious]

The peacocks, I forgot all about them! Ah....I miss the old mall.

[@LakeNipissing]

I have uploaded videos with the flamingos, lemurs and in the 1994 video, the peacocks are seen.

[@THEmaggspie]

oh god how i despised those loud obnoxious birds !!! lol but see i worked in the mall above where they were and lord the irritation their incessant squawking caused should have gotten paid more just for listening to it lol lol

[@BLUDDYknucklez]

I like how he skips the R sound when pronouncing BRBN ST

[@BattleBladeWarrior]

Yeeeeees, like what the heck is up with that??? It'd be pronounced br-bnst if anything. Why does he keep saying bub-inst???

[@jessicapaulics7913]

Anybody remember the McDonald's that was down Bourbon Street? I would say it was there late 80's, early 90's.

[@owellafehr5191]

I really enjoy your videos. I visited the mall a LOT as a young kid in the late '90s and early 2000s, and I remember a lot of stuff like the old Bourbon Street, the submarines, the dragon in Silver City, the movie theatres by Galaxy Land and the Phase 3 food court, the flamingo cage, Kidtropolis, the old kiddie pool in the Waterpark before they brought in the dolphin slide, the whale statue actually being in a pool ... I know change is inevitable but I feel like a lot of the unique 'magic' of the 'old' mall has left nowadays. So I love how your videos preserve our memories of how the mall used to be.

[@Aprilmayz]

Your videos give me SO much peace of mind in knowing what happened to all the iconic pieces of West Ed! Thank you so much for this and for all your dedicated research! Would you be able to look into what happened to the Chinatown Turtle and fish pond??

[@_myronspov]

Remembered visiting Bourbon Street for the first time in August 2002 it was completely different. As a five year old at the time the hanging Marti Gras statue gave me a weird vibe

[@willbechosen]

Dude your videos are so well done!!! You have a new subscriber. Sincerely, a Calgarian that loves West Ed and BRBNSTTTT

[@CoasterTripBR]

in love with your channel. Done all videos. You are the best. Going for the first time on june!

[@its.cassie]

I'm also sad for you re: the auction You put so much work into this channel you deserve a piece of its history!!

[@CoryTheRaven]

When my family did our annual migration from Calgary to WEM, my dad's favourite part was Europa Blvd. He's German, so it reminded him of the old country. My favourite part (that wasn't a ride) was the original Bourbon St. with creepy statues, cars, and all. ESPECIALLY after I discovered the writing of Anne Rice as a teen :) As a pastiche of New Orleans, it was wonderfully exotic and mysterious. The patio of Cafe Orleans is where I developed a taste for Cajun food. I was crushed the last time I went. Jungle Jim's was my new favourite restaurant in the mall because it had the last remaining original fascade in BRBN St. But between my last and second-last visits, they even got rid of that. Boooooo.

[@tommcd8471]

I remember the most hung over i've ever been in my life was in that Hooters the day after my buddys bachelor party. I wanted nothing to do with wings or life in that moment, but i'll remember it forever.

[@Saml3838]

Fantastic video

[@amylinn4952]

Brbn st ... haha. Love your videos! Reminds me of what WEM used to be like growing up!

[@lindaroblin8579]

Really miss the West Ed Mall of the 80s and 90s. Wish I had taken more photos back then. Of course, back then I didn't think they were going to change anything.

[@DTMB35]

I loved the WEM Hooters

[@tinotse2007]

Googled Hooters. They closed Down due to Covid 19

[@olliecloudd]

Recently turned 18, and haven't been to the mall in around 4 years. I'm going to it very soon, and I'm in awe that this area used to look like this, it's absolutely crazy! I don't quite remember anything like this, even though I've been there quite a lot when I was younger, so maybe It was gone by the time I was visiting it back then, I'm not quite sure. Love these history videos on the mall, it's so interesting to see how much it's changed over quite the short period of time!

[@dayne6597]

I love these videos. Since I was born in 1992, I don’t really remember how the mall use to be. But what I do remember is there was a Planet Hollywood there at one point! I don’t know if you have a video on that already, but would be so neat watch.

[@Vinylzilla]

I remember visiting WEM back in the late 80s and 90s before moving here in 2009 and i must say from what i remembered WEM had so much more character back then. And the Bourbon st. Statues were so awesome. Different times indeed!

[@iBryTV]

Thanks for these videos. I remember the old Bourbon Street and it was so much better back then. Now its just another wing of the mall to have a few full service restaurants.

[@zacharytomes5202]

Come on down to the real South for a visit. The real Bourbon street aint gonna change on ya

[@albertaagency]

all of your videos are really great. bourbon street forever

[@fattmatt07]

Best Edmonton Mall, I love your videos.

[@user-ql2id3ml3i]

80s and 90s, fun times.

[@nadinegriffin5252]

My favorite place to eat in the early 2000s on Bourbon Street was the conveyor belt "All-you-can-eat" sushi restaurant. We used to park at the Bourbon Street entrance when I was a kid. I loved the street theme. I used to park their as an adult until the BRBNST reno. Now I pick my parking spot based on closeness to the store I have to go to. 😢

[@ericaespinosa4030]

I'm not from Edmonton, I'm from Vancouver but I did live in Edmonton for 6 years when I was a small kid before we moved to Vancouver, and I love watching your Best Edmonton videos. You are really good at this. You should have your own show. I've enjoyed watching you share some Edmonton history

[@azaz911c]

4:29 I remember that taxi, old car and Cafe Orleans so well. WEM was really an entertainment destination in the late 1980s. Now, the waterpark, and lagoon are the only real reminders of that era.

[@tomysshadow]

The Bourbon Street at 6:48 is the one I'm most familiar with. I did like some of the decor they used to have, but unfortunate as it is, I understand why they changed it...

[@mikinyckel439]

I'm enjoying the video's on West Ed! I'm not local (but local enough LOL), and I've visited on numerous occasions as a child through to currently as an adult. I don't know what I prefer, the original New Orleans style, or the one I grew up with; That being the second renovation. Probably that one, I always loved that look, it was so neat and fun. I definitely don't prefer the current remodel even remotely, and have never been interested in it. I haven't eaten in any of the restaurants. Jungle Jim's used to be may fave, but now it's just so lame compared to what it used to be! I would love to know where all the old statues went. Thanks for a great video, I enjoyed that!

[@Digitalsurfer265]

Seeing those freakishly large and expressive jesters just triggered some VERY buried memories from my childhood lol.

[@mackthehackfraud5965]

This channel is awesome

[@thekandycinema3193]

I was never old enough to remember the really old renovation look, but I do slightly remember the jester theme from my childhood. 1ST RND is by far one of my favourite restaurants and I love how they have it in WEM, but I have to agree, the decor does seem very generic. Another well done video!

[@nicpete492]

Man this brought me back to the mid 90s being a kid at the mall with my mom And dad

[@judithwallace2091]

Thank you for another great video. I grew up in Edmonton and left 35 years ago. I remember when the mall was first built and have visited over the years. Please do a video on the urban myth that there is a whole community of homeless people living in the mall. Thanks much

[@kylehennigan9468]

My fav was always old spaghetti factory

[@TrainmasterCurt]

kyle hennigan We still have that at The Johnston Terminal at The Forks in Winnipeg, and it has a nice old-school character feel to it, not the whitewash, grey, black and beige yuck designs

[@Jabroniville]

Oh yeah- the new one is so bland and boring. I LOVED the way the old location looked. All three floors looked different.

[@bertabound8093]

Love these videos. I had completely forgotten that Bourbon Street used to look cool.

[@meghan9436]

I remember there was a Death By Chocolate on a corner of Bourbon Street and even a sushi restaurant, but it's been so long that I've forgotten the name of it. I also recall there was a Planet Hollywood location, but I'm not confident that it was on Bourbon Street. 2019 will mark 20 years since my first visit to the mall when I was a teenager. I worked in the mall for a number of years in my early twenties. It left me a little jaded, so I rarely visited the mall before I moved to Japan. I think this is the case everywhere though. As a local, we don't appreciate the tourist attractions that we have until we leave. The jesters gave the area character. I don't like the modern renovations.

[@THEmaggspie]

no planet hollywood was beside the ice palace

[@ksandstone6757]

I wish they would go with something, at least. The upstairs looks like a lovely street, the downstairs, looks dramatically dark and shiny. But most of the mall and stores do not have a personality and feel to them. And I think that's what's missing. I understand that's expensive. But a patchwork of ambiances might serve them well, if it were done right.

[@andrilrecla]

yo i remember that four faced jester statue thing

[@lordmegatron65]

I loved it as a kid lol

[@steverogers2024]

As an Edmontonian, on behalf of all of us, this channel is the best👍🏻

[@kevinkarbonik2928]

I used to go party there all the time ... good times...

[@s.t.9453]

It's so sad, it was such an iconic part of the mall.

[@darcyjousset6615]

1980’s WEM was awesome. So many childhood memories there. I grew up all over Alberta and we would take a trip there at least once a year. Even more when we lived near by. Some of Alberta’s greatest attractions just got ignored or turned into like you said “modern generic” shells. Like sylvan lake water slides. Or the beach that got turned into a hotel or w/e that is. Klondike Days has become K days. At least the stampede has stayed the stampede. Lol 1980’s Alberta in general was just an awesome place at least as a kid anyways.

[@annetteslife]

I was at that Hard Rock Cafe. I loved the food and the service was superb

[@yesmaybeno9222]

If I recall correctly, I saw the statue of a jazz musician playing the tuba (4:13 statue on the right) at a east European/Russian store near WEM. I think it sadly went out of business and replaced with Loriz Bakery.

[@Xzoomi343]

I love the videos

[@AltaGame]

5:47 The Canadian Tire and Hair Place next to it on the second floor - that's something I've not seen in years!

[@robertthomas4633]

Fantastic

[@neilajmurphyvlogs6257]

I think of West Edmonton Mall when I hear the name bourbon street

[@GlassEyeGaming]

I remember going to Mr. Mikes Steakhouse when it was at West Eddy Mall.

[@CowsAreIrrelevant]

The second version of bourbon street with all the jesters is what I primarily remember growing up, that big multi faced jester is completely ingrained in my memory and frankly it creeped me out a bit. I don't miss that massive monster but I was so sad to see the themeing disappear entirely.

[@MollyAnnMissie]

I haven't been to that part of the mall in years; I did not know that they got rid of Bourbon Street!

[@paulygspeaks7308]

I miss the old mall, it had so much character. Not to mention the odd zoos in glass cages and that cool mechanism with pool balls flying around it.

[@ninjapumkin]

And where is Bubba Gumps? Not in BrbrnSt LOL

[@kylehennigan9468]

Bubba gump offers a unique experience only because it's beside the harbour

[@ElyOtto]

did we ever have Bubba Gump here in Canada? I never heard of it till I went to santa monica.

[@kingtilly]

Cool channel 👍

[@wakeupscreaming9883]

I recall going to a restaurant on Bourbon St. in 1987 or 1988. When you entered the street from the main mall, it was somewhere on the left hand side. They played black and white movies from the 40s and '50s on their large screen projector (like Casablanca). The ambience and design was so cool. I think it was a burger place, but I can't recall. Anyone know what it was called? It's sacrilegious when you take something so creative, unique and novel, and pave over it with generic franchises like Moxies, BP, etc.

[@THEmaggspie]

was it fudrukers maybe?