RAINBOW CENTRE MALL - THE FORGOTTEN GEM OF NIAGARA FALLS My exclusive tour of the long forgotten Rainbow Centre Mall in Niagara Falls NY IG - @ACESADVENTURES1
I’ve been growing increasingly nostalgic for the 80s and 90s lately in many aspects. I find comfort in the memories and these videos help my anxiety. Thank you for always taking us back ☺️
You know, the day when the average person could afford a home on a h.s diploma. 2000s would be a college degree. Today masters are too far in debt, and everyone else is basically working class without STEM work experience. Thank god I have the latter but 100 hr weeks suck. Health benefits aren't even guarunteed anymore.
@ Sarah Diane , Yeah, the anxiety of Total change from our Great Past to the “New Norm” of impersonal Digitalization is NOT how I thought our future would play out! Totally understand where your coming from. These videos are like “A Linus blanket “ (ie. Snoopy/Peanuts) to me in a way. 🙂🤷🏻♂️
Same here born and raised in Buffalo New York but Niagara Falls visited many many times. I missed the Festival of Lights I miss going to WWF wrestling at the Niagara Falls Civic and Convention Center. I miss messing around on the elevators at the Winter Garden I miss that beautiful fountain with the elevator going up at the rainbow Mall I miss Maple Leaf Village. And soon I will begin to miss Fantasy Island Grand Island so many wonderful things taken away
I remember going to this mall as a child and teenager during the festival of lights. My family would make it a annual get away and stay overnight. It was wonderful. I remember in winter garden one year my dad was able to get a bird to eat from his hand! Thanks for sharing your memories!
This mall (in particular) was one of the iconic pieces of Niagara Falls history that had been forgotten and quickly washed away in our history. Niagara Falls had three key malls: Rainbow Boulevard (Rainbow Centre Factory Outlets), Factory Outlets (later renamed as Fashion Outlets), and Summit Park. Rainbow was the first to close. This was rumored to have happened when the Canadian dollar went to a higher cost, and the foot-traffic turned less and less of a profit. Stores were pulling out of the mall and new stores, sometimes locally owned, were taking it's place. The mall was a beautiful sight, and my mother actually worked here when I was a child in the 90s. I remember countless of times running through the halls, or hiding in coat racks. I remember sitting by the insanely tall fountain and viewing off a balcony at the sight that was a masterpiece. This mall was iconic for numerous reasons, and a lot had to do with the design. The mall wasn't designed like the other ones in the region; It was unique. Rewinding to the Winter Gardens. This structure stayed intact for just over a decade after the mall. It rarely saw foot traffic, and wasn't up-kept. It was a sore sight into the depressing history that is this city, and instead of funding to rebuild (which knowing the cities horrible expenses, would have been a hundred-million dollar project, I'm sure), the city opted to tear it down and allow for this to be a road. Looking into the past, I can see the Wintergardens being an amazing idea at the time. Today, although it would have been perfect -- It wouldn't have fit into this current day city. One that lives impoverished and couldn't even afford fireworks for the 4th of July. Besides the Rainbow Mall, there was the Summit mall. This is one that was less known. It didn't have plenty of unique stores in it, however it did have a lot of locally owned stores. This mall was small, with a decent food court to match. I'd have to actually argue, the food at this mall was some of the best local Mall food in this region, and some of the pizza places still exist today. Slowly, the mall got less traffic due to the stores in this mall. Stores left, and the mall could barely keep afloat. A decade or so ago, this mall completely closed...but kept two outside outlets open. They eventually went out of business, and the mall -- what was once home for "Cruise night" and various events, is now an abandoned wasteland. The third and latest mall: The Factory Boulevard mall...now labeled Fashion Outlets. This mall was once a small rectangle with a very quaint food court. It had a few brand stores, but it was quite smaller than the other two. It was on Military Road, which at the time didn't have anywhere near as much traffic as today. It was, however, closer to the High School (which up until 2000, was around the block from this mall -- later moved a walking distance away). It had stores for everyone, and it's major benefit was location. Since it wasn't "at" the border, it wasn't always busy, and it wasn't hard to get to (even with traffic). It was just a little closer than Summit, with brand-name stores. This mall was the only one to survive, and I'd have to argue it was due to the location. A little less than a decade ago (or maybe a decade ago?), it expanded and gained dozens of new outlets, allowing for multiple stores that were only exclusive at "The Boulevard Mall", which was down in Amherst NY (about a 20-30 minute drive down Niagara Falls BLVD). The Rainbow mall isn't just used by 'the culinary center'. It's owned by the City of Niagara Falls and shared with Niagara County Community College, much like the TROTT building is. Part of the parking garage houses police. Part of the building is used for storage for the multitude of tax-free stores that reside off Niagara St at the tourist center. And the rest is vacant. The mall wasn't 'allowed' to die. It just did, along with the other ones. From corrupt owners who pocketed money instead of fixing or helping, to the city overtaxing or overall being corrupt. As for today. I think this mall signifies this city. What was once a prosperous mall, full of excitement -- turned into a cosmetic dump utilized to funnel money into the hands of the select few. Welcome to Niagara Falls. Enjoy your stay.
@@jackwilliams5223 they wanted to turn it into an indoor Waterpark like Canada's Clifton Hill has but we all know how niagara falls is sadly, lived here all my life and it's been going down hill for a very long long time. I think the lowest of the low is either now or 5 years back after recovering from the 2008 crash but this covid crash is definitely worse, many more businesses will keep closing too, pretty soon western NY will literally just be a dump and it's sad because I has good potential to be so beautiful but the corruption is out of control.
Sad this mall was allowed to die like this. Guess many renewal projects fail. The earlier video by the janitor was awesome. He didn't realize he was paving the way for you and other urbexers in the new century. Thanks for all your.hard work
When this mall died -- the rest of American Falls died along with it. Especially after the September 11th, 2001 attacks and also the Great Recession of '08. Although I think it is slowly (KEYWORD: "slowly") making a comeback; but I'm pretty sure it won't be as great as it once was... Speaking of iconic Niagara Falls landmark buildings [like the Rainbow Centre Mall and its wintergarden]; I wish they would do something with that cool, yet cute looking turtle building down the street from it.
@@NathanDavisVideos The mall officially closed around 2006. You could only go in if you were going to OTB or you'd be yelled at if you tried to walk around inside. Summit closed that summer too.
Thank you SO MUCH for this video. My mouth actually fell open when I saw the title and I've never clicked so fast. This was something I had very foggy memories of, since I was born in '94. My family took me as a youngster a few times to the Winter Garden and the mall. My younger brother and friend who were both born in '97 have no recollection of this mall, and honestly seeing the footage from the 90s made me emotional because I never thought I'd be able to re-experience it.
This was such a beautiful, majestic, awe inspiring place! The mall, the winter garden, the festival of lights made this city not only beautiful but special. So many good memories! Too bad. Dont think the city will ever be the same!
This is one of my favorite videos in your collection of works to date. I really enjoyed all the content. The original images of the casino/mall are truly spectacular. The ride up in the retro elevator to reveal the neon paradise in its glory days was a beautiful shot. Well played, Ace :D
My best friend and I would walk there in the late 80s and then walk across the bridge into Canada with NO ID (good old days!) to Maple Leaf Village! My ex husband & I took our daughters (now 27 & 24) to the Festival of Lights on the American side and would go to the winter garden and eat in the food court...I miss all of this. Thank you for this trip down memory lane!
Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I live in NF now and it's so sad to see how the once beautiful mall has become. The Winter Garden was so cool. You truly could not understand how much this video meant unless you lived here. BEST VIDEO EVER!! Thanks again.
I certainly recall going over the river ... from Niagara Falls, Ontario ... to visit the Rainbow Centre for many years. In the first few years it was exciting and offered a complete indoor shopping experience close to the border. Some of the highlights I remember was shopping at Beir’s and one store I believed was called The Green Onion. It was a specialty store selling crystals and fine china and for me it was the start of my collecting Hallmark Ornaments and the Department 56 North Pole Village collection, which I still have to this day. One of our favourite stops at the food court was a place that sold baked potatoes that were HUGE. You could order them with a variety of delicious toppings including chilli, sweet and sour pork ... which was my favourite. ... and so many more. Then there was Santa at Christmas. This mall Santa was the best I’ve ever seen bar none. He had the children, including my daughter just thrilled . One of the things that stands out was him giving the true believers a little brown envelope filled with coloured sprinkles that glowed in the night lights. He told the children to sprinkle it on the sidewalks in front of their house on Christmas Eve so he could find their homes easily. What memories over the years. And of course another lost Mall we visited often was the Summit Park Mall on Williams Street. Tons and tons of memories there as well. Especially the Toys-R-Us store where we bought a lots of our daughter’s Christmas gifts for many years.
I miss the Rainbow Mall. I live in Niagara Falls, NY. Me, my mom, and Grandmother went to this mall almost every weekend. I loved the arcade and just sitting at the water fountain in front of the elevator, throwing pennies in the water. Also, me and my cousins loved running through the Winter Gardens and stopping at BurgerKing, that was directly attached to the Winter Garden, for lunch. It's a Shame the Fashion Outlet Mall put this mall and the Summit Park Mall out of business.
Thanks, Ace. This one hit me in the feels. Lived in WNY almost my whole life. This wasn't the closest mall to me but I have a few faint memories of going to it as a kid in the 80s/early 90s. I remember buying Candy at the Rite Aid, Hasbro WWF figures at KayBee, as well as spending a little time in the small arcade. Hearing that retro bubble hockey sound in the janitor dude's old video produced quite the flashback for me. Wanting a time machine is right... siiiiigh
Its so neat seeing this mall! I honestly forgot about it! We used to walk across the bridge from Canada and to go shopping over at that mall on the New York side! I very much remember going there shopping and going into the Wintergarden! Its so crazy its gone now! How the times have changed, and how I miss my time in Canada . . . .
Thank you so much for this video. I spent many years visiting this Mall at Christmas time in the 80's. Loved the Wintergarden at night. Malls in general were a staple in teenage culture back then. I miss that terribly. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. so much.
I REMEMBER THIS MALL!!! This was like my most favorite mall OF ALL TIME!!! I was here all the way back in the fall of both 1997 and then 1999! I still have a photo of me sitting in front of the main fountain that was in the mall when I was I think 7-years-old. Oh the good old memories I had of this place. I'm glad you documented it! And I also had a sneaking feeling that some of the original mall (or what remains of the original mall) still existed in one part of it. I guess I was right.
The Winter Garden was one of my absolute favorites to run around as a kid. I thought it was the most amazing place, and explored every single inch of it. It was pretty depressing to hear it was torn down. The elevator and fountain, as well as the geometric hanging shapes will forever be burned into my memory as iconic mall decor.
Thank You so much for making and posting this video. The WinterGarden and Rainbow Mall were my favorite buildings in the Falls. I truly miss those days of old and I'm glad that you helped to bring back so many memories of those times. THANKS again.
I remember walking across the bridge from Canada to go to this mall to shop. I bet you a dollar you can’t do that these days! It’s so crazy seeing this place! I spent a lot of time there! It would have been in the late 80’, into the early 90’s . . .
I live in Buffalo and I went there once with a friend some time in the '80s during one of my frequent visits to the Falls. I think it was only that one time, but I remember liking it. And I remember all the walkways and stuff connecting to other buildings and this big indoor garden with all of these huge trees and plants. I can't quite remember it exactly but I remember thinking it was cool.
I've read that around 1990, the company that behind the West Edmonton Mall and the Mall of America was looking at building a similarly massive mall on some former industrial land in Niagara Falls. While that never came to pass, I can only imagine that it would have wound up as another fascinating dead mall, along with the Rainbow Centre and the Summit in Wheatfield
Any chance you would put together a video doc about the old summit park mall in Wheatfield? Take me back to its hayday before the untimely and systematic closing of everything there
Very sad what our city has become. I remember a beautiful bustling city growing up here over my 60 years I can only hope that we will see that again someday. The falls are amazing to see sadly it’s just not enough
It would be so amazing if this was still a mall. Awesome video! As a Canadian that loves to explore your side of the border. I've always thought something was unusual about this building.
Wonderful to see this! My mom managed a store in the mall and my grandfather did security for the Wintergardens so I spent a lot of my childhood wandering that building. Also, was the church event the Niagara conventions in the convention center? Those were always a lot of fun!
Wow what coincidence; I've got old pictures out on the counter and one of them is my Grandma standing right in front of the "welcome to rainbow center" sign in the mall!
I LOVE this!! I wrote about (and took pictures of) this mall for Deadmalls.com. This was the family's top hangout spot when I was little - I remember it well and still have things that were purchased there. I hate that it's gone, and I love that you featured it! Thank you!!
Who would be crazy enough not to install double pane windows/glass in an area that gets cold? All those 4 signs look like the markers used at crime scenes.
@Bill Williams Also if you can recall; this was built during a time when we didn't really care that much about "energy efficiency". Let alone, the environment as well. So yeah...
@Bill Williams It was around $5 million annually to heat the Wintergarden when it was still around. This was a prime factor in it being sold off, converted into a fun center, resold, and demolished in 2009. That being said, the structure itself probably would still be standing today if it hadn't been built in the middle of the main street entering Niagara Falls State Park (it created a multi-block wall tourists had to navigate).
My first job I was a bus boy at the winter garden restaurant I was 16 working with all college students it was awesome we stayed drinking on the job lol miss the 80s
I remember seeing lights on the windows facing the Canadian side that were sycned with music for the festival of lights. At christmas time. We weren't from the area. I remember KB toys and the Burglinton coat factory
I grew up going to this mall. Countless hours starting with hide and seek, progressing to just hanging out in the Winter Garden. Going to the Festival of Lights and the running through the tunnel that connected to the convention center. My first boyfriend worked at Burlington Coat Factory and he helped me learn to drive by going up and down the parking ramps. It was a really unique place back then.
My wife and I (girlfriend at the time) purchased our engagement and wedding bans there at a jewelry store called (I think) Maurice. Loved having a drink at a place called Scrupples. I really did love this mall.
Use to visit often as my husband was in the reserves at the base in Niagara Falls! Sadly a guy from our neighborhood's body was found in the parking garage!
Ha! I miss this mall a lot. Went there a lot as a kid- I remember getting some of those Pokeballs with the gold card inside at the food court there in 1999. I was a little kid, but I was so mad when this closed, lol.
Niagara Falls' history of Urban Renewal is a wild one. People around here *hated* the urban renewal era, which tore down a traditional Main Street and replaced it with the Rainbow Centre and Wintergarden. Now, people are regretting tearing down the Wintergarden and shutting down the mall. There really is somewhat of a cycle to these things.
GNC: there from the day the mall opened to the day it closed. Just like every other mall. What I want is a GNC: they’re bigger than you think episode from company man because it seems like such a niche store but they’re always the first to open and the last to close in these dead malls.
I remember the winter garden when we stayed on the American side of the falls. It was nice . When I was at the falls later we stayed on the Canadian side at the Village Inn the motel that was behind Maple leaf Village. I liked both places. But now they are gone.
@@v8mom damn that’s insane! I bet that mall was really something else. Sad to see the current state of all malls. The malls I grew up with was the Boulevard Mall and Walden Galleria.
Wow. Great footage. As aside note, the mall was never a parking ramp. It was always built that way. I know, I worked for the parking ramps when it was built.
I have happy memories of going to this mall in the 80s. The combination of the glass elevator and rainbow fountain was fantastic...so 80s! I miss the mall. Thank you for this, Ace! I remember the bagel place. Does remember the name? Something like Bagel World....I think?!
I used to know someone named Justin Morrison. But I doubt you're him, because I was born in 87 and he's not much older than I am. He probably wouldn't have very many memories of the 80's. But that would be so funny if I accidentally found him on UA-cam. He is the son of my mother's friend Patty.
@@jamesstephanski5893 Aw, sorry! I'm not that Justin. But yes it would be funny if you found him on UA-cam! I hope you do! Who knows? The dead mall community is quite the family.
I can't believe you went through the gutted zone. I've only ever caught a few glimpses. I have the Opening Day brochure for the Rainbow Centre and the Wintergarden on my website! (sheepieniagara.com). Seriously if you did the Summit Park Mall next my life would be complete.
Ace's Adventures somebody actually took some interior pics of the Summit over the Summer (he was arrested but the pics are up on his Facebook. Bucko716 I believe).
Wait, so are they still open? Looks like a lot of places you filmed are still open. Wife and I were last in that area around 2014 and I heard the mall was going to get redeveloped soon but I never followed up as I live far away. Also what's up with the Flash Cube Building across the street?
My grandparents from my father's side lived in Niagara Falls. I remember visiting the Rainbow mall. This mall must have had the shortest life of any mall anywhere? I'm not sure when it opened... but I would say when I was 7 or 8 early 1980's the mall was in full swing with the "wintergarden" by the time I was in High School late 1980's early 90's and by 1992 this mall was essentially a "ghost mall" already. Hard to believe the video within this video actually chronicles the state of the emptiness back in the early 90's. I remember the otb and went in a few times..before that eventually closed in early 2000's?
The US side of Niagara Falls in general is in horrible shape. Rundown, poor and overrun by drugs. The Canadian side on the other hand is bustling and has all kinds of awesome attractions. Growing up in Buffalo I used to come here often, but even as a kid we'd typically go to the Canadian side as it was way better.
I’ve been growing increasingly nostalgic for the 80s and 90s lately in many aspects. I find comfort in the memories and these videos help my anxiety. Thank you for always taking us back ☺️
You know, the day when the average person could afford a home on a h.s diploma. 2000s would be a college degree. Today masters are too far in debt, and everyone else is basically working class without STEM work experience. Thank god I have the latter but 100 hr weeks suck. Health benefits aren't even guarunteed anymore.
I am always nostalgic for those times. Love watching old clips and commercials from those eras
Mine too!
@ Sarah Diane , Yeah, the anxiety of Total change from our Great Past to the “New Norm” of impersonal Digitalization is NOT how I thought our future would play out! Totally understand where your coming from. These videos are like “A Linus blanket “ (ie. Snoopy/Peanuts) to me in a way. 🙂🤷🏻♂️
Same here born and raised in Buffalo New York but Niagara Falls visited many many times. I missed the Festival of Lights I miss going to WWF wrestling at the Niagara Falls Civic and Convention Center. I miss messing around on the elevators at the Winter Garden I miss that beautiful fountain with the elevator going up at the rainbow Mall I miss Maple Leaf Village. And soon I will begin to miss Fantasy Island Grand Island so many wonderful things taken away
I remember going to this mall as a child and teenager during the festival of lights. My family would make it a annual get away and stay overnight. It was wonderful. I remember in winter garden one year my dad was able to get a bird to eat from his hand! Thanks for sharing your memories!
This mall (in particular) was one of the iconic pieces of Niagara Falls history that had been forgotten and quickly washed away in our history. Niagara Falls had three key malls: Rainbow Boulevard (Rainbow Centre Factory Outlets), Factory Outlets (later renamed as Fashion Outlets), and Summit Park. Rainbow was the first to close. This was rumored to have happened when the Canadian dollar went to a higher cost, and the foot-traffic turned less and less of a profit. Stores were pulling out of the mall and new stores, sometimes locally owned, were taking it's place. The mall was a beautiful sight, and my mother actually worked here when I was a child in the 90s. I remember countless of times running through the halls, or hiding in coat racks. I remember sitting by the insanely tall fountain and viewing off a balcony at the sight that was a masterpiece. This mall was iconic for numerous reasons, and a lot had to do with the design. The mall wasn't designed like the other ones in the region; It was unique.
Rewinding to the Winter Gardens. This structure stayed intact for just over a decade after the mall. It rarely saw foot traffic, and wasn't up-kept. It was a sore sight into the depressing history that is this city, and instead of funding to rebuild (which knowing the cities horrible expenses, would have been a hundred-million dollar project, I'm sure), the city opted to tear it down and allow for this to be a road. Looking into the past, I can see the Wintergardens being an amazing idea at the time. Today, although it would have been perfect -- It wouldn't have fit into this current day city. One that lives impoverished and couldn't even afford fireworks for the 4th of July.
Besides the Rainbow Mall, there was the Summit mall. This is one that was less known. It didn't have plenty of unique stores in it, however it did have a lot of locally owned stores. This mall was small, with a decent food court to match. I'd have to actually argue, the food at this mall was some of the best local Mall food in this region, and some of the pizza places still exist today. Slowly, the mall got less traffic due to the stores in this mall. Stores left, and the mall could barely keep afloat. A decade or so ago, this mall completely closed...but kept two outside outlets open. They eventually went out of business, and the mall -- what was once home for "Cruise night" and various events, is now an abandoned wasteland.
The third and latest mall: The Factory Boulevard mall...now labeled Fashion Outlets. This mall was once a small rectangle with a very quaint food court. It had a few brand stores, but it was quite smaller than the other two. It was on Military Road, which at the time didn't have anywhere near as much traffic as today. It was, however, closer to the High School (which up until 2000, was around the block from this mall -- later moved a walking distance away). It had stores for everyone, and it's major benefit was location. Since it wasn't "at" the border, it wasn't always busy, and it wasn't hard to get to (even with traffic). It was just a little closer than Summit, with brand-name stores. This mall was the only one to survive, and I'd have to argue it was due to the location. A little less than a decade ago (or maybe a decade ago?), it expanded and gained dozens of new outlets, allowing for multiple stores that were only exclusive at "The Boulevard Mall", which was down in Amherst NY (about a 20-30 minute drive down Niagara Falls BLVD).
The Rainbow mall isn't just used by 'the culinary center'. It's owned by the City of Niagara Falls and shared with Niagara County Community College, much like the TROTT building is. Part of the parking garage houses police. Part of the building is used for storage for the multitude of tax-free stores that reside off Niagara St at the tourist center. And the rest is vacant.
The mall wasn't 'allowed' to die. It just did, along with the other ones. From corrupt owners who pocketed money instead of fixing or helping, to the city overtaxing or overall being corrupt.
As for today. I think this mall signifies this city. What was once a prosperous mall, full of excitement -- turned into a cosmetic dump utilized to funnel money into the hands of the select few.
Welcome to Niagara Falls. Enjoy your stay.
I thought they were going to do something with it
@@jackwilliams5223 they wanted to turn it into an indoor Waterpark like Canada's Clifton Hill has but we all know how niagara falls is sadly, lived here all my life and it's been going down hill for a very long long time. I think the lowest of the low is either now or 5 years back after recovering from the 2008 crash but this covid crash is definitely worse, many more businesses will keep closing too, pretty soon western NY will literally just be a dump and it's sad because I has good potential to be so beautiful but the corruption is out of control.
Sad this mall was allowed to die like this. Guess many renewal projects fail.
The earlier video by the janitor was awesome. He didn't realize he was paving the way for you and other urbexers in the new century.
Thanks for all your.hard work
Catman Mark Blanchard Yes, that janitor was ahead of his time.
When this mall died -- the rest of American Falls died along with it. Especially after the September 11th, 2001 attacks and also the Great Recession of '08. Although I think it is slowly (KEYWORD: "slowly") making a comeback; but I'm pretty sure it won't be as great as it once was...
Speaking of iconic Niagara Falls landmark buildings [like the Rainbow Centre Mall and its wintergarden]; I wish they would do something with that cool, yet cute looking turtle building down the street from it.
@@NathanDavisVideos The mall officially closed around 2006. You could only go in if you were going to OTB or you'd be yelled at if you tried to walk around inside. Summit closed that summer too.
Thank you SO MUCH for this video. My mouth actually fell open when I saw the title and I've never clicked so fast. This was something I had very foggy memories of, since I was born in '94. My family took me as a youngster a few times to the Winter Garden and the mall. My younger brother and friend who were both born in '97 have no recollection of this mall, and honestly seeing the footage from the 90s made me emotional because I never thought I'd be able to re-experience it.
Wow you're a kid LOL! I'm about 20 Year younger than you and I wish I was born 20 Years even earlier to be able to see all this stuff!
I live in Texas and have never been to this mall, but this video makes me miss the mall. lol
Same
I miss the mall, the winter garden, the festable of lights. We even had a splash park many years ago as well!!
This was such a beautiful, majestic, awe inspiring place! The mall, the winter garden, the festival of lights made this city not only beautiful but special. So many good memories! Too bad. Dont think the city will ever be the same!
This is one of my favorite videos in your collection of works to date. I really enjoyed all the content. The original images of the casino/mall are truly spectacular. The ride up in the retro elevator to reveal the neon paradise in its glory days was a beautiful shot. Well played, Ace :D
I went to that mall a bunch of times with my parents when I was a kid in the 1980s! Take me back!
My best friend and I would walk there in the late 80s and then walk across the bridge into Canada with NO ID (good old days!) to Maple Leaf Village! My ex husband & I took our daughters (now 27 & 24) to the Festival of Lights on the American side and would go to the winter garden and eat in the food court...I miss all of this. Thank you for this trip down memory lane!
I miss the festival of lights. My family and I looked forward to going every year as a kid. I wish they would bring it back. Thanks for the video
Great find, that janitor is the real hero.
Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I live in NF now and it's so sad to see how the once beautiful mall has become. The Winter Garden was so cool. You truly could not understand how much this video meant unless you lived here. BEST VIDEO EVER!! Thanks again.
I got married at the Wintergardens.
So did in 1987 by the Mayor of Niagara Falls
I certainly recall going over the river ... from Niagara Falls, Ontario ... to visit the Rainbow Centre for many years. In the first few years it was exciting and offered a complete indoor shopping experience close to the border. Some of the highlights I remember was shopping at Beir’s and one store I believed was called The Green Onion. It was a specialty store selling crystals and fine china and for me it was the start of my collecting Hallmark Ornaments and the Department 56 North Pole Village collection, which I still have to this day.
One of our favourite stops at the food court was a place that sold baked potatoes that were HUGE. You could order them with a variety of delicious toppings including chilli, sweet and sour pork ... which was my favourite. ... and so many more.
Then there was Santa at Christmas. This mall Santa was the best I’ve ever seen bar none. He had the children, including my daughter just thrilled . One of the things that stands out was him giving the true believers a little brown envelope filled with coloured sprinkles that glowed in the night lights. He told the children to sprinkle it on the sidewalks in front of their house on Christmas Eve so he could find their homes easily.
What memories over the years. And of course another lost Mall we visited often was the Summit Park Mall on Williams Street. Tons and tons of memories there as well. Especially the Toys-R-Us store where we bought a lots of our daughter’s Christmas gifts for many years.
I miss the Rainbow Mall. I live in Niagara Falls, NY. Me, my mom, and Grandmother went to this mall almost every weekend. I loved the arcade and just sitting at the water fountain in front of the elevator, throwing pennies in the water. Also, me and my cousins loved running through the Winter Gardens and stopping at BurgerKing, that was directly attached to the Winter Garden, for lunch. It's a Shame the Fashion Outlet Mall put this mall and the Summit Park Mall out of business.
Thanks, Ace. This one hit me in the feels. Lived in WNY almost my whole life. This wasn't the closest mall to me but I have a few faint memories of going to it as a kid in the 80s/early 90s. I remember buying Candy at the Rite Aid, Hasbro WWF figures at KayBee, as well as spending a little time in the small arcade. Hearing that retro bubble hockey sound in the janitor dude's old video produced quite the flashback for me. Wanting a time machine is right... siiiiigh
god that winter garden would’ve been so cool to see!!!
It was glorious.
Wow..miss those days..if only to go back 😞
The plant observatory footage was the best dead mall therapy for me today! Thanks for this!
Its so neat seeing this mall! I honestly forgot about it! We used to walk across the bridge from Canada and to go shopping over at that mall on the New York side! I very much remember going there shopping and going into the Wintergarden! Its so crazy its gone now! How the times have changed, and how I miss my time in Canada . . . .
Thank you so much for this video. I spent many years visiting this Mall at Christmas time in the 80's. Loved the Wintergarden at night. Malls in general were a staple in teenage culture back then. I miss that terribly. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. so much.
I REMEMBER THIS MALL!!! This was like my most favorite mall OF ALL TIME!!! I was here all the way back in the fall of both 1997 and then 1999! I still have a photo of me sitting in front of the main fountain that was in the mall when I was I think 7-years-old. Oh the good old memories I had of this place. I'm glad you documented it! And I also had a sneaking feeling that some of the original mall (or what remains of the original mall) still existed in one part of it. I guess I was right.
That footage was amazing! I remember going here in the early 90s.
Amazing video, Ace! You really outdid yourself this time. Like a tribute to a long lost friend, straight from the heart.
Lived down the street.. we had it the best as kids.. the mall,winter garden,splash park,the falls,pizza hut, festival of lights, FREEDOM!!
The Winter Garden was one of my absolute favorites to run around as a kid. I thought it was the most amazing place, and explored every single inch of it. It was pretty depressing to hear it was torn down. The elevator and fountain, as well as the geometric hanging shapes will forever be burned into my memory as iconic mall decor.
Thank You so much for making and posting this video. The WinterGarden and Rainbow Mall were my favorite buildings in the Falls. I truly miss those days of old and I'm glad that you helped to bring back so many memories of those times. THANKS again.
Loved this building. Miss it greatly!
Especially the Wintergarden. Many in WNY and Canada remember it well. This complex replaced a rich mix of older buildings lost forever.
I remember walking across the bridge from Canada to go to this mall to shop. I bet you a dollar you can’t do that these days! It’s so crazy seeing this place! I spent a lot of time there! It would have been in the late 80’, into the early 90’s . . .
I live in Buffalo and I went there once with a friend some time in the '80s during one of my frequent visits to the Falls. I think it was only that one time, but I remember liking it. And I remember all the walkways and stuff connecting to other buildings and this big indoor garden with all of these huge trees and plants. I can't quite remember it exactly but I remember thinking it was cool.
Definitely one of the most exceptional videos you have made.
I loved the Wintergarden- such a beautiful serene place!
I've read that around 1990, the company that behind the West Edmonton Mall and the Mall of America was looking at building a similarly massive mall on some former industrial land in Niagara Falls. While that never came to pass, I can only imagine that it would have wound up as another fascinating dead mall, along with the Rainbow Centre and the Summit in Wheatfield
Can you send a link to me about it?
@@BruhMoment-oj8tn www.nytimes.com/1987/04/12/nyregion/aid-offer-rescinded-for-niagara-falls-project.html
@@BruhMoment-oj8tn www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-02-08-mn-1252-story.html
Any chance you would put together a video doc about the old summit park mall in Wheatfield? Take me back to its hayday before the untimely and systematic closing of everything there
I live in the falls,it's crap now and when I was a kid and lived elsewhere we would come here just to hang out in rainbow mall,also the winter garden
Yes it is...CRAP. abandoned, boarded up bldgs. Murders etc etc. I was in process of movin out of here in March. (lo and behold: Pandemic!)
At 6:10... total shock to the system! All those beautiful sights, and then here comes the harsh reality that it's not there anymore...BAM!
Very sad what our city has become. I remember a beautiful bustling city growing up here over my 60 years I can only hope that we will see that again someday. The falls are amazing to see sadly it’s just not enough
It would be so amazing if this was still a mall. Awesome video! As a Canadian that loves to explore your side of the border. I've always thought something was unusual about this building.
Wonderful to see this! My mom managed a store in the mall and my grandfather did security for the Wintergardens so I spent a lot of my childhood wandering that building. Also, was the church event the Niagara conventions in the convention center? Those were always a lot of fun!
Wow what coincidence; I've got old pictures out on the counter and one of them is my Grandma standing right in front of the "welcome to rainbow center" sign in the mall!
A 90s circuit i want to see those!
I LOVE this!! I wrote about (and took pictures of) this mall for Deadmalls.com. This was the family's top hangout spot when I was little - I remember it well and still have things that were purchased there. I hate that it's gone, and I love that you featured it! Thank you!!
Who would be crazy enough not to install double pane windows/glass in an area that gets cold? All those 4 signs look like the markers used at crime scenes.
@Bill Williams Also if you can recall; this was built during a time when we didn't really care that much about "energy efficiency". Let alone, the environment as well. So yeah...
@Bill Williams It was around $5 million annually to heat the Wintergarden when it was still around. This was a prime factor in it being sold off, converted into a fun center, resold, and demolished in 2009.
That being said, the structure itself probably would still be standing today if it hadn't been built in the middle of the main street entering Niagara Falls State Park (it created a multi-block wall tourists had to navigate).
@@sheepieniagara433 I'd rather walk through the warm Wintergarden then walk down the blustery street it is today to get to the Falls
My first job I was a bus boy at the winter garden restaurant I was 16 working with all college students it was awesome we stayed drinking on the job lol miss the 80s
The Cavages store manager gave me the Marillion "Misplaced Childhood" poster right off the wall..... used to spend hours sitting in the wintergardens
I loved that place so frigging much.
That mall has or had the classic nostalgic aesthetics.
That elevator looks just like the one at Rolling Acres Mall.
I remember seeing lights on the windows facing the Canadian side that were sycned with music for the festival of lights. At christmas time. We weren't from the area. I remember KB toys and the Burglinton coat factory
I grew up going to this mall. Countless hours starting with hide and seek, progressing to just hanging out in the Winter Garden. Going to the Festival of Lights and the running through the tunnel that connected to the convention center. My first boyfriend worked at Burlington Coat Factory and he helped me learn to drive by going up and down the parking ramps. It was a really unique place back then.
My wife and I (girlfriend at the time) purchased our engagement and wedding bans there at a jewelry store called (I think) Maurice. Loved having a drink at a place called Scrupples. I really did love this mall.
my favorite mall - loved the winter garden attached to it - would spend hours there at a time - now it's gone -
I remember going here as a kid when I was on vacation they had an awesome toy store there that I remember fondly.
Wow this is some amazing footage, and amazing to see a dead mall video tour from the 90s!!!
I think the income we had in 80s isn't available today. Families don't did Xmas as in past. You buy for close relatives not extended family.
Wow so sad to see not much is left. Wish I'd had the chance to see this mall in it's heyday.
I’m from buffalo I loved going here as a kid
Use to visit often as my husband was in the reserves at the base in Niagara Falls! Sadly a guy from our neighborhood's body was found in the parking garage!
Dang. That was a pretty cool looking mall and the fountain was pretty dope! I really miss seeing fountains in malls.
I really appreciate this video content is really nice!!!!
Ha! I miss this mall a lot. Went there a lot as a kid- I remember getting some of those Pokeballs with the gold card inside at the food court there in 1999. I was a little kid, but I was so mad when this closed, lol.
Song at the beginning?
I’m so sad winter garden is gone! And the mall!
Please tell me the name of the song that starts at 1:00
I 'd love to know too!
Same here, whats that song?
It's amazing that old footage.
Ohhhhh yeah I remember that place when I went to Niagra
Only there once but I haven't seen that since until this video
short-sighted civic drones decide to get rid of an amazing urban space and possible tourist destination.
What a shame.
I mean, as much as I miss this mall (especially being part of my childhood); the thing I really miss the most is indeed the wintergarden!
Niagara Falls' history of Urban Renewal is a wild one. People around here *hated* the urban renewal era, which tore down a traditional Main Street and replaced it with the Rainbow Centre and Wintergarden. Now, people are regretting tearing down the Wintergarden and shutting down the mall. There really is somewhat of a cycle to these things.
Holy crap, I forgot their was a rite aid in the Rainbow Mall. I gotta go count the lines on my face. I'm old now....
How in the world did you find the vintage footage? Quite an excellent job on this one, Ace!
Thanks :)
GNC: there from the day the mall opened to the day it closed. Just like every other mall. What I want is a GNC: they’re bigger than you think episode from company man because it seems like such a niche store but they’re always the first to open and the last to close in these dead malls.
I remember the winter garden when we stayed on the American side of the falls. It was nice . When I was at the falls later we stayed on the Canadian side at the Village Inn the motel that was behind Maple leaf Village. I liked both places. But now they are gone.
We used to go skating at the rainbow rink in the 80s. Is it still there?
I worked in the food court at the Rainbow Centre. The Incredible Spud!!
Hold on fr? Are you the person who wrote that?
@@pepsi_man4962 Yes
@@v8mom damn that’s insane! I bet that mall was really something else. Sad to see the current state of all malls. The malls I grew up with was the Boulevard Mall and Walden Galleria.
@@pepsi_man4962 It was a beautiful mall. I loved working there. I met people from all over the world visiting Niagara Falls.
@@v8mom wow that’s incredible. Apparently they want to make Rainbow Centre into an open air mall now. Idk if you’ve heard.
Wow. Great footage. As aside note, the mall was never a parking ramp. It was always built that way. I know, I worked for the parking ramps when it was built.
I have happy memories of going to this mall in the 80s. The combination of the glass elevator and rainbow fountain was fantastic...so 80s! I miss the mall. Thank you for this, Ace! I remember the bagel place. Does remember the name? Something like Bagel World....I think?!
I used to know someone named Justin Morrison. But I doubt you're him, because I was born in 87 and he's not much older than I am. He probably wouldn't have very many memories of the 80's. But that would be so funny if I accidentally found him on UA-cam. He is the son of my mother's friend Patty.
@@jamesstephanski5893 Aw, sorry! I'm not that Justin. But yes it would be funny if you found him on UA-cam! I hope you do! Who knows? The dead mall community is quite the family.
I can't believe you went through the gutted zone. I've only ever caught a few glimpses. I have the Opening Day brochure for the Rainbow Centre and the Wintergarden on my website! (sheepieniagara.com).
Seriously if you did the Summit Park Mall next my life would be complete.
Sheepie Niagara i want to but it’s alarmed and locked up
Ace's Adventures somebody actually took some interior pics of the Summit over the Summer (he was arrested but the pics are up on his Facebook. Bucko716 I believe).
Wait, so are they still open? Looks like a lot of places you filmed are still open. Wife and I were last in that area around 2014 and I heard the mall was going to get redeveloped soon but I never followed up as I live far away. Also what's up with the Flash Cube Building across the street?
no lie i was crushed when i moved back to buffalo and so much in the falls changed they dont even have the festival of lights
A huge glass terrarium in an area that has artic winters. I cant see how that could go wrong...
My grandparents from my father's side lived in Niagara Falls. I remember visiting the Rainbow mall. This mall must have had the shortest life of any mall anywhere? I'm not sure when it opened... but I would say when I was 7 or 8 early 1980's the mall was in full swing with the "wintergarden" by the time I was in High School late 1980's early 90's and by 1992 this mall was essentially a "ghost mall" already. Hard to believe the video within this video actually chronicles the state of the emptiness back in the early 90's. I remember the otb and went in a few times..before that eventually closed in early 2000's?
I believe this mall opened in 1982. I remember watching on the news the grand opening
It's a shame there isnt more footage of malls from back then
I’ve been in it....though then it served as a walkway between the casino to the falls.
Wow, such a contrast, Liked
Anyone have the song at the end?
Is that the mall where the Pleasure Dome was located
I've lived in the falls my whole life and I never knew there used to be a mall downtown
It's so really sad to see this iconic Mall full in to disrepairs.
Had no idea this existed, wish it was there still
Spent alot of time down there as a kid
Very cool.
wow so cool looking mall when it was going so sad to see a malls going back to seed's :(
I hope u come to portland oregon one day.
Stayed at the Hyatt that uses this place for parking in January. This place is creepy as hell.
Dee, did you go here? #thethrillofthethrift
Did you guys hear someone sneeze and back around screaming and sneezing like that
The mall was haunted. There was a murder suicide on the first floor. Where did you hear the sound?
it really does look like a parking garage like the janitor said it was
Looks like it was dead when he made the video? Video equipment has come a long way
How they get rid of this place while the Scummit Park Mall still exists
Summit Park Mall has been closed for years. Where have you been?
The US side of Niagara Falls in general is in horrible shape. Rundown, poor and overrun by drugs. The Canadian side on the other hand is bustling and has all kinds of awesome attractions. Growing up in Buffalo I used to come here often, but even as a kid we'd typically go to the Canadian side as it was way better.