John, first of all thank you for traveling to Topeka to visit West Ridge Mall! We appreciate your compliments on the cleanliness. In September 2023 when Advisors Excel bought the mall the occupancy rate was at 27%, today it is at 54%, so we are actually headed in the opposite direction of dead or “ghost town”. We are getting ready to undergo some major renovations to bring the advisors excel campus to the mall to fill the vacant anchor space and help the businesses out here by generating some traffic. The directories you filmed are up to date as of August 2024. Unfortunately it is not legal to film on private property without permission from mall management due to the fact there may be minors filmed without consent and also some of our tenants have contract terms requesting that their storefront not be filmed or photographed without private consent. Please reach out next time you’re in town, we’d love to give you a tour of all the changes that have happened or are scheduled to happen!
Thank you for the message and it’s good to hear the mall is making a comeback! Hopefully it continues that way and I can do a “part 2” when it is fully rolling like the owners envision. That would be great! Since I’ve done a few of these type videos, I always check the mall website about filming and there is nothing on this mall’s website that talks about that. Malls have this unique public/private situation where it’s a very gray area. Obviously all was done with an honest, documentary type approach for this. If there is anything within the video that is against a written policy, please let me know. Thanks again for reaching out and best of luck in the future!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Russia will let you film in their nice looking malls. They don’t seem to mind. And, it looks like they’re doing well. ua-cam.com/video/0angaat3dQQ/v-deo.html
They sure don’t care about filming everyone or the kids when it’s on there time. They are a joke anyway, should have know that when they fired all the old staff and replaced them right after Christmas😡.
West ridge mall has given MANY nostalgic memories to kids in Topeka Kansas. Christmas time, especially. It’s not dead. But its meaning isn’t the same as it used to be to us. That’s why we feel that way. You had to SEE how impactful it was then, to understand what we miss now. Same with most malls I’m sure.
Local Topekan here! The mall was actually far more “dead” than this about 2-3 years ago (I used to work in the mall for 5 years) and since the mall was recently bought by Advisors Excel, their mission is to make the mall become an actual mall again. There were tons of stores that were closed early since it was filmed later in the evening. Lots of really cool things and events are coming soon! ☺️ great video!
Part of my childhood here. My grandparents lived in Topeka, so we visited regularly, including this mall. I can't believe how clean and pretty this building still is.
local topekan here, loved this mall as a preteen. The little bit of history you gave about the mall in the beginning was really interesting to me, had no idea the mall was that old. Also means the Dillard's has been there steadily since it very first opened! This mall is actually coming back to life recently, it was going down hill before covid and then a lot of businesses were obviously devastated by covid. Even before then though stores kind of moved in and out quickly, I always heard rumors that it was because the rental prices were really high. but in the past 2 years it's been coming back to life and I would even say it was congested at times over this past holiday season!
they probably just turned the escalator off to save electricity because there isn't enough traffic to justify having it on all the time. Lots of malls do this.
Oh my gosh, that puppy waving at you was SO ADORABLE! Very sad to see malls becoming extinct but definitely no surprise. None would even exist if it weren’t for the anchor stores. When I was in my 20’s malls were “the” place to be-to shop, to socialize, and to take a date even-but that was a few years ago, of course. 👵🏼 lol
I was just in West bridge last Saturday 12/14/24 and was pleasantly surprised to see it well attended and festive. It was very festive and had a good flow of customers.
I'm 65, and grew up in LA during the indoor mall hayday. Not sure why they're dying and sure there's more than one reason. I now live in a small town about 45 minutes west of Topeka. Going to West Ridge always makes me nostalgic and, frankly, a little sad. You'd think a mall in a Winter climate would thrive, but I guess not. It definitely was someplace cool to escape the heat when I was a teen in Southern California.
i've lived in topeka my whole like (which isnt even 25 years) but i've watched that mall go from full bustling to dead and deserted and back to life again. its always so weird to walk around there now with friends as we go shopping and joke around
Ah! A local Kansan here and this place gives me much nostalgia! I would either go to this mall or the other mall in Wichita and both gave me so many memories. I'm surprised this place is slower than it originally was. Glad to here from other comments it's still running. I usually go to Wichita's mall since its closer to me as I live in a small town next to it. This was such a fun documentary to endeavor! Whenever I can I'll have to come by again and look around the mall!
Having been born and raised in Topeka, this lonely, sad, and forlorn mall makes sense. Topeka, for me anyway, will always be a good place to have come from, but never a place to go back to. I remember feeling that way about Topeka and saying those very words while riding my bike home after school at Capper Junior High in about 1960. Obviously, the years have not changed Topeka. It is a fine place for some folks. But it still feels like the Topeka Owls class D league baseball team of 1955. It just isn't going to improve. Still, great video, Coach. You were even at a bit of a loss for words to describe that empty feeling in Topeka that I know so well. Your giving us Kansas adventures is marvelous, and you are a fantastic UA-cam ambassador for Kansas. Ahh....Kansas. Kansas still stirs warm and wonderful feelings of a good place to call "home". Just not Topeka. And your videos capture the magic of Kansas beautifully. Thanks for your good work, as always. R. Henry, M.D. ( M.D. from...the University of Kansas. Yep, I am a Jayhawk. We folks from the KU Med Center call ourselves "Jay Docs".)
My family loves this mall, we travel all the way from Lawrence just to go there, it’s the best. Ever since I was really little, I’ve had fond memories of this place.
It's not a ghost mall yet, it's on life support. The little guy that waved at you is a Westie I think. Good video as usual. Thanks for taking us along.😊
Oh boy, those puppies were so darling especially that one that stood on its hind legs begging you to come and get it. It reminds me of the malls I used to shop in when I lived in Johnson County Ks. I had two favorites but both became not only dead but torn down. One had a Macy's store and as a child I was afraid to use the escalator. But a policeman got on behind me and down we went. After that I wasn't afraid to use them. But that mall is gone now and I live in Linn County Ks and do all my shopping in Walmart. I sure do miss those shopping malls. Thank you for the visit in another ghost mall. They sure were great when they were in business. Happy trails to you and God bless.
Definitely should go back on a weekend! The mall is much more lively since a lot of people are off work! I currently live in Topeka and the mall is a huge part of my childhood
I grew up in this town as a kid and was born not to far from this mall. I remember the good ol times i would walk to this mall with friends in middle school and go to Street Corner News for a soda and grab a pretzel at Pretzel Maker in the food court. brings back memories.
My childhood mall! Miss how Christmas time used to be most of all. It was THE place to shop and on Black Friday it would be super packed. Me and my aunt, cousins and grandma would always go to shop and I remember always getting the cinnamon roasted almonds at the kiosk and looking at the deals. Don’t even get me started on how good our food court was..
West Ridge was my childhood setting for me between ages 9-14. I then moved to Florida. I visited this mall when I was 30 and the change was shocking. The place my friends and family hung out was gone. I had to look up old photos from the internet to make sure my child like brain didn't make it up. Im glad to hear it's on the up and up
Native Topekan here. I've lived here for 32 years this past Monday and I have such good memories of the mall. The candy store, Hot Topic, the little shops that would open in the winter along the walkways. The tons of people you'd have to walk around, entries into Sears and Macys and Dillards. The dollar store in the corner, a game store, the Kansas store, Yankee Candle. There's so many. I hope it gets on the up and up like they plan since AE bought it. (Fun fact, the company I work with is a competitor of AE 😀LOL)
I’ve also been here for 32 years. I didn’t go to the mall as much as some people, but I remember enjoying going there when I did. Hot Topic and Spencer’s Gifts were so “cool” back then. I had a thing for a girl that worked at Yankee Candle back in the day, ha.I remember going to Game Stop as well when it was in West Ridge. I think it was for the “Halo 3” launch in September 2007.
I have a lot of memories at this mall. The earliest memory I have was at the food court. My mom got up to get something and I started to get upset. My dad was quick on his feet and showed me some neon lights above a vendor. I remember being awed by it. I had to be 1-2 years old. So 91-92’. We seemed to always go for Christmas shopping. They always had and I think still do have an excellent hanging display. If you didn’t know what you wanted to eat. You could find something you liked. There used to be a Sabarro’s pizza. Subway, Taco Bell, two Asian shops and some others I can’t seem to remember. I remember the West Ridge 6 and the West Ridge 8. The West Ridge 8 is still open I think as a budget theater. I saw some maintenance people trying to fix the escalators for a while there. It looks like they gave up. Maybe didn’t have the training, money or parts. As a kid I flipped the emergency button and there was a loud bell that rang and it stopped working. Dad wasn’t happy naturally. I remember going to Sears and/or Penney’s for clothes. Talking to my dad later on, he said that Sears had a deal where you could get free replacement jeans for kids if they wear out the knees. My brother loved to slide on his knees because he saw in Home Alone. My dad couldn’t get him to stop so Sears was a life saver. Penney’s we always bought church clothes. I also seem to remember getting Christmas photos at Sears. A friend from high school and I would hang out at this mall. She showed me a trick to get my Chinese food to go because you got way more food for the same price than if you got it on a plate. Now I only got to this mall to use the massage chairs because it’s cheaper than going to get an actual massage. Lots of older people go there to walk because it’s climate controlled. I find it odd that they put up a sign for Soldiers from Ft. Riley returning home from deployment. It’s been there forever. Ft. Riley is an hour west. I think most of them would go to Manhattan before they came to Topeka for anything.
Love this mall. They have random events going on in the mall like the chocolate festival, farmers markets, and recently there was the circus and toy fair they went on. Those VhS tapes on the wall I believe were apart of the 80’s themed event that was going on a few months back.I didnt go but I heard that Singer Tiffany was there along with a delorean car model like from Back to the future. Sounded interesting. Still love the mall to walk around or shop the small stores.
Since moving to Topeka we go to this mall near xmas season to spread smiles here. We will pick up some toys and allow our kids to hand them out to other kids. The smiles we get have always made our family grateful for what we have. Our story only gets wilder.
I’m from Topeka and I go to the mall some weeks for this thing called glow night at skyzone and that is almost the only time where people actually come to the mall, I remember going to the mall with my grandma when I stayed at her house when it was full and it is just sad seeing it die so many memories there. I actually think I saw this guy filming. Great video!
used to be a cool laser tag place on the bottom floor. There also used to be a Chik Fil A in the food court til they got their own building on Wanamaker
That mall used to be so nice. My wife and I had our first date there, Annie's Santa Fe for supper, then across the hall for a movie. We bought our wedding rings there and just celebrated our thirtieth anniversary. We moved away from Topeka many years ago and haven't been back to West Ridge in a long time. Kinda sad, but I guess time marches on.
Topsy's has its HQ in Kansas City, which explains its presence in Topeka, at Westridge. Lens Crafters hasn't changed locations in many years, if I am not mistaken. Dullards has been in the same location since Westridge open, which is impressive. I moved away from Topeka 20 years ago in search of much greater opportunities, culture and entertainment, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Topeka is okay, if, you're a casual at life type of person, with not a lot of big dreams. I was there the afternoon Vanna White was there. I went with my friend who was a member of Alpha Delta fraternity at Washburn University. They were, I guess, were the "official" chaperone for Vanna White. I had a lot of great memories there at that Mall when I was a young man. I was there in the food court in April 1993, the day Waco burned down. It was surreal. I was standing there near "Street Corner News" when the siege came on the TV.
As a tenant at the mall (Topeka N-Trak) which was right by the entrance you entered. I'm sorry you were asked to stop filming since there are no signs or rules about filming on the premises. I think the more exposure the better. I'll let management know.
I totally agree! Even though there are vacant spots at the mall, the property appears in good condition. Perhaps if people see the potential, it would make a difference. I don't know, but do know the cost of building is outrageous today. I'd much rather move into a well built building with neighbors around me.
@chrisanderson587 Also, thank you for your thoughtful and positive comments about Coach Wise visiting and video taping the mall. He is a good guy and does a great job of promoting Kansas. If you haven't already, I encourage you to follow his channel. Thanks again, and best wishes to you and your business. 👍
This mall used to be super busy. My family always drove from Emporia to shop there. It’s sad to see it so empty. Now, the only reason I have to go to the mall is Dillard’s.
It was already dying in the late oughts, but it still has plenty of stores. It's really died since then. Seeing it now feels like someone inspecting a corpse.
@@tsu1951no literally same!!! i know the owner too, grew up living on the same block as him and his wife and kids lol. i remember when they were still in the fairlawn mall. he’s such a nice guy.
They get a lot more business at their Washburn University location nowadays. But I agree, great place for drinks! And the owner is a really nice charismatic guy.
Resident here. Mall used to have a Burlington and Sears, but sinve those 2 have left, its pretty much died since then. Many businesses have came and left, and theres only around a dozen left. Sad to see, but I hear the new owners have big plans!
Idk if you heard but 2 Sundays ago. They had the spirit mind and body fair event there. I volunteered there and it was down on the first floor where old navy used to be. But I love that mall and I tried the "mr teriyaki" food court and it was actually pretty good, if you ever get a chance you should try it. Not only that but there is a nice petstore and a arcade in the mall. Back when I was little there was alot more stores open such As a jewelery store, bath and body works, and everything.
White Lakes mall was a hoppin' place when I was a teenager. West Ridge mall became the hangout for tweenagers when my kids were that age. Time flies & things change. It's kinda sad to see these places taking their last gasps, but time marches on & things change.
How long ago were you there? I probably would get ahold of myself before getting to far away in the car. But that little puppy begging for attention really pulled at my heartstrings. What a cutie! It is sad to see what was a way of life fading away. The malls were such a bustling part of life for several decades. I have relived my life as I have talked about the Midwestern rural towns on their weekly night of being open for business. And I can foresee the young of the mall age thinking back to going to the mall, just as I have relived those wonderful summer evenings shopping and socializing the small town on business night. If nothing else, you can say that you are in business of helping people relive their memories of the past. If the mall staff only knew what your videos are like, I would of imagined they might of given you a guided tour. You could jump start area viewers into going back to the mall After all, it was very clean and inviting. Thanks once again for a very nice trip to a new area to visit.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thank you! Everything about your videos I enjoy. But that little puppy begging for attention really got to me. We had animals all over our farm as I grew up , and most everything was basically a pet, except the mean old bull. He wasn't any fun! Come Sunday morning, I will be waiting out at the end of my driveway, ready for another adventure!
It reminded me of Metro North Mall in Kansas City, Missouri before the leaky roof on the East end got really bad. The Mall is gone now all but Macy's. In the 2010s it was a great place to walk in the heat of summer and cold of winter, until it was so moldy on the east end, that you couldn't breathe. The latter enclosed mall's were so poorly built that many did not last the 20 years they were designed for... Online shopping has made physical stores almost obsolete. Thank you for taking us to one of the few enclosed mall's still in existence. Too bad you missed some great death go rounds within a mile of were you were... ❤😊
As a topekan i am so glad u visited the pet store. The puppies are so cute along with the hamsters. Hope you will find more places arouns topeka to enjoy!
man, I’ve been to this mall like a dozen times! It’s one of my favorites. and I LOVE dead mall videos, you did a great job! my favorite store was always that cool pet store :D
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm trying to remember what it was called... It was abandoned even when I was a kid in the nineties, as the decay of East Topeka started long ago.
@@SirWilliamKidney I think you're talking about white lakes, it wasn't quite abandoned in the 90's but I'm sure it has been on a decline for years. One day I saw a bunch of smoke in the sky and decided to follow it and sure enough it was burning to the ground! Now it's been bulldozed mostly and the area is really run down. You might be talking about something completely different though I'm 28 so I do not remember the 90's.
I was there not so long ago, had my camera with me and had taken several photos as I walked around. The place was dead compared to what it was in the 90s. I eventually was told I couldn't take photos but thankfully I didn't have to delete what I had captured. The place gave me the same vibes that White Lakes mall (also was in Topeka now demolished) before it finally closed.
So I have lived in topeka my entire life so far, and I live pretty close to this mall. when I'm not at the house, west ridge mall is one of the places I'm at most of the time. Hell, I even used to volunteer at the tea shop there, Cafe Barnabas, for a year and It was really fun, and I still keep in touch with the people I worked with. sure, it might seem like the mall is dying, but it's in a much better position than what it was a couple of years ago. There have been a handfull of businesses that have moved in this year, and it is still growing. The owners have big plans for the mall, as they are going to have your average retail shops, but it will also have private office space businesses can use. They are also planning on renovating the place, making it look a bit more modern. I truly hope Advisors Exel will restore the mall to its former glory, as it's one of the things that make living in topeka a little more tolerable.
We would go to the casino in Topeka all the time in the mid to late 00’s and into the early 10’s. We would shop here all the time. Even purchased my engagement ring from Zales at this mall. We went back 3 years ago and were shocked how empty it was. We normally just go to Wichita (where my stepdaughter lives) or KC now.
How did you not take that puppy begging you to take it home. My heart melted right there, I don't think I could have resisted that puppy and I don't even want a dog, they're too much work. I have a cat - she takes care of herself, I just feed her and clean out the litter box. (I also pet and love on her too, but that's a given) I want that puppy now and I can't even afford to have a dog.
As someone who grew up in Topeka, it's really depressing to visit Westridge these days, knowing how lively it was when i was a kid/teen. Hopefully the current owners can turn it around, but most people i know aren't holding out hope.
As a life-long Topekan, you do the mall a disservice. The mall is trying to make a comeback. It was purchased by a local company called Advisors Excel and has gone from just two or three stores, to many more, and still getting more and more local businesses. Two years ago, the lights in certain areas were shut off because they couldn’t justify the cost. It is slowly but surely having life breathed back into it.
Well, I am old enough to remember going to White Lakes which preceded WestRidge. Every time someone wants to wring their hands about brick and mortar stores, and malls, closing…do you order from Amazon or the other online shopping networks at all? That’s one of the reasons the malls and brick and mortar stores fail.
Looks like a nice #mallwalker mall. I am sure if you showed up early in the morning you would see a lot of elderly people walking through the mall for their morning exercise.
As someone who worked security there for almost two years before leaving 7 years ago, I got the hell out of there knowing THEN the mall was going downhill and would likely be closed in 5 years. To my surprise, they’re still hanging on by a thread. At 0:40, that’s an employee parking lot, allowing workers to go in & out through the back hallways.
The VHS tapes painted onto the walls were put there for a free Tiffany concert that happened around May or so. They put up a bunch of retro storefronts. It was pretty cool actually. Google Tiffany Westridge Mall. Did you check out the Hutchinson Mall while you were in KS? There’s not much there but we used to put on pro wrestling matches there.
If I recall correctly there used to be a cinnabun in food court back in 90s it was a must go to for a dozen cinnamon rolls to take back to emporia and one to eat there. Still go to Dillards store there
What gets me about all these dead food courts are the prevailance of food coaches and outlets like Starbucks and Subways. You would think that the latter would be still be found in them. Meanwhile, maybe management could offer the road coaches great deals to bring in these eateries to rebuild their food courts.
Topeka has a weird group of extremely negative social media trolls. I'm sure most of them expected you to come here and trash the place. Appreciate your honesty and enjoyed the video. Here's hoping Advisors can continue breathing some new life into the place.
i was here from like 2008 until 2015 almost everyday sometimes, it was a wild crazy time, so much went down here and sometimes it was so packed you'd have to wait in line just to walk, me and my buddies would walk around in circles at the food court getting free samples and the arcade used to be called pocket change, lots of memories here, and... oh, I got to tell you, it was perfect. Perfect. Everything, down to the last minute details. seeing it decline in popularity was painful, you would never see it empty.
ive seen a few malls die here in omaha. crossroads mall was built in 78 and had a long slow death until they finally demo'd it a few years ago. oakview mall was built in the 90s and is on its way out. the center mall is still open and is like walking back in time to the 50s. it's mostly clinics and offices and stuff now.
The mall in Fremont (my hometown) is holding on. JC Penney, the main anchor store for the mall since it opened in 1966, closed in 2017, but Dunham Sports filled the space 4 years ago. Big Lots moved in after Gordman’s closed; Hyvee is also on the property, although it isn't connected to the mall itself. Its’ only interior restaurant is Chinese (although Raising Cane’s & Village Inn are part of the property), & the only movie theater in town is also inside the mall. Some other stores are Nebraska Sports, Maurice’s, Bath & Body Works, Shoe Sensation, & Bling.
@@CoViN88 So, how would you compare it to the malls in Omaha, other than it being much smaller? FYI, in January, the City Council approved a mall redevelopment plan as well as creating an enhanced employment area at the mall to help raise funds via a 2% sales tax (on items purchased at most businesses within the mall’s footprint) to renovate, repair & upgrade the aging mall. Owners are hoping to land a new TJ Maxx or Marshalls store.
I used to live/work in one of the small towns that surround Topeka so I went to that mall a few times to shop for things that I couldn't get where I lived.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
John, first of all thank you for traveling to Topeka to visit West Ridge Mall! We appreciate your compliments on the cleanliness. In September 2023 when Advisors Excel bought the mall the occupancy rate was at 27%, today it is at 54%, so we are actually headed in the opposite direction of dead or “ghost town”. We are getting ready to undergo some major renovations to bring the advisors excel campus to the mall to fill the vacant anchor space and help the businesses out here by generating some traffic. The directories you filmed are up to date as of August 2024. Unfortunately it is not legal to film on private property without permission from mall management due to the fact there may be minors filmed without consent and also some of our tenants have contract terms requesting that their storefront not be filmed or photographed without private consent. Please reach out next time you’re in town, we’d love to give you a tour of all the changes that have happened or are scheduled to happen!
Thank you for the message and it’s good to hear the mall is making a comeback! Hopefully it continues that way and I can do a “part 2” when it is fully rolling like the owners envision. That would be great! Since I’ve done a few of these type videos, I always check the mall website about filming and there is nothing on this mall’s website that talks about that. Malls have this unique public/private situation where it’s a very gray area. Obviously all was done with an honest, documentary type approach for this. If there is anything within the video that is against a written policy, please let me know. Thanks again for reaching out and best of luck in the future!
Good luck stopping kids from filming their social media posts. I mean, LOL.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Russia will let you film in their nice looking malls. They don’t seem to mind. And, it looks like they’re doing well. ua-cam.com/video/0angaat3dQQ/v-deo.html
@@TeamHelixGaming. This is some boomer level thinking. No filming. And then clocking the guy here. 💀
They sure don’t care about filming everyone or the kids when it’s on there time. They are a joke anyway, should have know that when they fired all the old staff and replaced them right after Christmas😡.
West ridge mall has given MANY nostalgic memories to kids in Topeka Kansas. Christmas time, especially. It’s not dead. But its meaning isn’t the same as it used to be to us. That’s why we feel that way. You had to SEE how impactful it was then, to understand what we miss now. Same with most malls I’m sure.
this right here facts ^^^
The great big ornament hung up. I saw that when I was six and it blew my mind!
Local Topekan here! The mall was actually far more “dead” than this about 2-3 years ago (I used to work in the mall for 5 years) and since the mall was recently bought by Advisors Excel, their mission is to make the mall become an actual mall again. There were tons of stores that were closed early since it was filmed later in the evening. Lots of really cool things and events are coming soon! ☺️ great video!
Thank you for the comment! It was definitely a well kept mall. Hopefully the new owners can revitalize it!
Bro I remember when this thing was so alive and almost every part had a buisness
Yea it was really sad seeing it look so deserted during the covid times, as i used to love going there as a kid
Part of my childhood here. My grandparents lived in Topeka, so we visited regularly, including this mall. I can't believe how clean and pretty this building still is.
local topekan here, loved this mall as a preteen. The little bit of history you gave about the mall in the beginning was really interesting to me, had no idea the mall was that old. Also means the Dillard's has been there steadily since it very first opened! This mall is actually coming back to life recently, it was going down hill before covid and then a lot of businesses were obviously devastated by covid. Even before then though stores kind of moved in and out quickly, I always heard rumors that it was because the rental prices were really high. but in the past 2 years it's been coming back to life and I would even say it was congested at times over this past holiday season!
From someone who lives in Topeka Kansas, thanks for giving the mall a visit.
😊👍🏼
That's the cool thing about an escalator, if it breaks down, it becomes stairs. If an elevator breaks, you've got a closet.
😂😂
Escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience.
they probably just turned the escalator off to save electricity because there isn't enough traffic to justify having it on all the time. Lots of malls do this.
Mitch Hedberg
@@erik34 i see you are also a man of culture.
Oh my gosh, that puppy waving at you was SO ADORABLE! Very sad to see malls becoming extinct but definitely no surprise. None would even exist if it weren’t for the anchor stores. When I was in my 20’s malls were “the” place to be-to shop, to socialize, and to take a date even-but that was a few years ago, of course. 👵🏼 lol
I was just in West bridge last Saturday 12/14/24 and was pleasantly surprised to see it well attended and festive. It was very festive and had a good flow of customers.
I've been going to the Westridge mall for over 25 years now... it truly hurt's to see the state of this amazing mall...so many great memories here...
I'm 65, and grew up in LA during the indoor mall hayday. Not sure why they're dying and sure there's more than one reason. I now live in a small town about 45 minutes west of Topeka. Going to West Ridge always makes me nostalgic and, frankly, a little sad. You'd think a mall in a Winter climate would thrive, but I guess not. It definitely was someplace cool to escape the heat when I was a teen in Southern California.
i've lived in topeka my whole like (which isnt even 25 years) but i've watched that mall go from full bustling to dead and deserted and back to life again. its always so weird to walk around there now with friends as we go shopping and joke around
I agree with you about pet store being the highlight of that mall. Begging puppies are so adorable! Thanks so much for sharing
Thanks 😊
Ah! A local Kansan here and this place gives me much nostalgia! I would either go to this mall or the other mall in Wichita and both gave me so many memories. I'm surprised this place is slower than it originally was. Glad to here from other comments it's still running. I usually go to Wichita's mall since its closer to me as I live in a small town next to it. This was such a fun documentary to endeavor! Whenever I can I'll have to come by again and look around the mall!
used to come to this mall a lot as a child. loved coming here during christmas time, always so busy and full of people
When I was little, my dad would always take me here and I'd play at the play place there. Good times.
Having been born and raised in Topeka, this lonely, sad, and forlorn mall makes sense. Topeka, for me anyway, will always be a good place to have come from, but never a place to go back to. I remember feeling that way about Topeka and saying those very words while riding my bike home after school at Capper Junior High in about 1960. Obviously, the years have not changed Topeka. It is a fine place for some folks. But it still feels like the Topeka Owls class D league baseball team of 1955. It just isn't going to improve.
Still, great video, Coach. You were even at a bit of a loss for words to describe that empty feeling in Topeka that I know so well. Your giving us Kansas adventures is marvelous, and you are a fantastic UA-cam ambassador for Kansas. Ahh....Kansas. Kansas still stirs warm and wonderful feelings of a good place to call "home". Just not Topeka. And your videos capture the magic of Kansas beautifully. Thanks for your good work, as always.
R. Henry, M.D. ( M.D. from...the University of Kansas. Yep, I am a Jayhawk. We folks from the KU Med Center call ourselves "Jay Docs".)
Thank you! Yes this mall was difficult because you could tell effort was put into it. Thanks for all the kind words!
It's sad seeing Mall's everywhere that are dying. Never seen that coming.
Great video!😎👍
Thanks! Yes very sad 😢
My family loves this mall, we travel all the way from Lawrence just to go there, it’s the best. Ever since I was really little, I’ve had fond memories of this place.
It's not a ghost mall yet, it's on life support. The little guy that waved at you is a Westie I think. Good video as usual. Thanks for taking us along.😊
Thank you! Yes they were hard to pass up!
Oh boy, those puppies were so darling especially that one that stood on its hind legs begging you to come and get it. It reminds me of the malls I used to shop in when I lived in Johnson County Ks. I had two favorites but both became not only dead but torn down. One had a Macy's store and as a child I was afraid to use the escalator. But a policeman got on behind me and down we went. After that I wasn't afraid to use them. But that mall is gone now and I live in Linn County Ks and do all my shopping in Walmart. I sure do miss those shopping malls. Thank you for the visit in another ghost mall. They sure were great when they were in business. Happy trails to you and God bless.
Thank you! And yes those doggies were very cute!
This mall always comes to mind when your channel is recommended to me, and I'm so glad you covered this one😂
Thanks!
Definitely should go back on a weekend! The mall is much more lively since a lot of people are off work! I currently live in Topeka and the mall is a huge part of my childhood
We went to West Ridge Mall the weekend after it opened. I'll never forget that day because it was when grandpa bought me Top Gun for the NES.
Used to be very busy place. I go to the Dillards store there not much else. They do keep it up. Have a great day
Thanks, you too!
I grew up in this town as a kid and was born not to far from this mall.
I remember the good ol times i would walk to this mall with friends in middle school and go to Street Corner News for a soda and grab a pretzel at Pretzel Maker in the food court.
brings back memories.
My childhood mall! Miss how Christmas time used to be most of all. It was THE place to shop and on Black Friday it would be super packed. Me and my aunt, cousins and grandma would always go to shop and I remember always getting the cinnamon roasted almonds at the kiosk and looking at the deals. Don’t even get me started on how good our food court was..
West Ridge was my childhood setting for me between ages 9-14. I then moved to Florida. I visited this mall when I was 30 and the change was shocking. The place my friends and family hung out was gone. I had to look up old photos from the internet to make sure my child like brain didn't make it up. Im glad to hear it's on the up and up
Native Topekan here. I've lived here for 32 years this past Monday and I have such good memories of the mall. The candy store, Hot Topic, the little shops that would open in the winter along the walkways. The tons of people you'd have to walk around, entries into Sears and Macys and Dillards. The dollar store in the corner, a game store, the Kansas store, Yankee Candle. There's so many. I hope it gets on the up and up like they plan since AE bought it. (Fun fact, the company I work with is a competitor of AE 😀LOL)
I’ve also been here for 32 years. I didn’t go to the mall as much as some people, but I remember enjoying going there when I did. Hot Topic and Spencer’s Gifts were so “cool” back then. I had a thing for a girl that worked at Yankee Candle back in the day, ha.I remember going to Game Stop as well when it was in West Ridge. I think it was for the “Halo 3” launch in September 2007.
Loved coming here as a kid during christmas; will always be a fond memory.
I have a lot of memories at this mall. The earliest memory I have was at the food court. My mom got up to get something and I started to get upset. My dad was quick on his feet and showed me some neon lights above a vendor. I remember being awed by it. I had to be 1-2 years old. So 91-92’. We seemed to always go for Christmas shopping. They always had and I think still do have an excellent hanging display. If you didn’t know what you wanted to eat. You could find something you liked. There used to be a Sabarro’s pizza. Subway, Taco Bell, two Asian shops and some others I can’t seem to remember. I remember the West Ridge 6 and the West Ridge 8. The West Ridge 8 is still open I think as a budget theater. I saw some maintenance people trying to fix the escalators for a while there. It looks like they gave up. Maybe didn’t have the training, money or parts. As a kid I flipped the emergency button and there was a loud bell that rang and it stopped working. Dad wasn’t happy naturally. I remember going to Sears and/or Penney’s for clothes. Talking to my dad later on, he said that Sears had a deal where you could get free replacement jeans for kids if they wear out the knees. My brother loved to slide on his knees because he saw in Home Alone. My dad couldn’t get him to stop so Sears was a life saver. Penney’s we always bought church clothes. I also seem to remember getting Christmas photos at Sears. A friend from high school and I would hang out at this mall. She showed me a trick to get my Chinese food to go because you got way more food for the same price than if you got it on a plate. Now I only got to this mall to use the massage chairs because it’s cheaper than going to get an actual massage. Lots of older people go there to walk because it’s climate controlled. I find it odd that they put up a sign for Soldiers from Ft. Riley returning home from deployment. It’s been there forever. Ft. Riley is an hour west. I think most of them would go to Manhattan before they came to Topeka for anything.
Love this mall. They have random events going on in the mall like the chocolate festival, farmers markets, and recently there was the circus and toy fair they went on. Those VhS tapes on the wall I believe were apart of the 80’s themed event that was going on a few months back.I didnt go but I heard that Singer Tiffany was there along with a delorean car model like from Back to the future. Sounded interesting. Still love the mall to walk around or shop the small stores.
Since moving to Topeka we go to this mall near xmas season to spread smiles here. We will pick up some toys and allow our kids to hand them out to other kids. The smiles we get have always made our family grateful for what we have. Our story only gets wilder.
I’m from Topeka and I go to the mall some weeks for this thing called glow night at skyzone and that is almost the only time where people actually come to the mall, I remember going to the mall with my grandma when I stayed at her house when it was full and it is just sad seeing it die so many memories there. I actually think I saw this guy filming. Great video!
👀
used to be a cool laser tag place on the bottom floor. There also used to be a Chik Fil A in the food court til they got their own building on Wanamaker
That mall used to be so nice. My wife and I had our first date there, Annie's Santa Fe for supper, then across the hall for a movie. We bought our wedding rings there and just celebrated our thirtieth anniversary. We moved away from Topeka many years ago and haven't been back to West Ridge in a long time. Kinda sad, but I guess time marches on.
Great memories!
Topsy's has its HQ in Kansas City, which explains its presence in Topeka, at Westridge. Lens Crafters hasn't changed locations in many years, if I am not mistaken. Dullards has been in the same location since Westridge open, which is impressive. I moved away from Topeka 20 years ago in search of much greater opportunities, culture and entertainment, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Topeka is okay, if, you're a casual at life type of person, with not a lot of big dreams. I was there the afternoon Vanna White was there. I went with my friend who was a member of Alpha Delta fraternity at Washburn University. They were, I guess, were the "official" chaperone for Vanna White. I had a lot of great memories there at that Mall when I was a young man. I was there in the food court in April 1993, the day Waco burned down. It was surreal. I was standing there near "Street Corner News" when the siege came on the TV.
I’m glad that you enjoyed our (empty) mall 😂😂 back in the day when it was busy it really was a nice place to hang out. 🥹
As a tenant at the mall (Topeka N-Trak) which was right by the entrance you entered. I'm sorry you were asked to stop filming since there are no signs or rules about filming on the premises. I think the more exposure the better. I'll let management know.
Thanks for the message! I still enjoyed my visit 😊
I totally agree! Even though there are vacant spots at the mall, the property appears in good condition. Perhaps if people see the potential, it would make a difference. I don't know, but do know the cost of building is outrageous today. I'd much rather move into a well built building with neighbors around me.
@chrisanderson587 Also, thank you for your thoughtful and positive comments about Coach Wise visiting and video taping the mall. He is a good guy and does a great job of promoting Kansas. If you haven't already, I encourage you to follow his channel. Thanks again, and best wishes to you and your business. 👍
This mall used to be super busy. My family always drove from Emporia to shop there. It’s sad to see it so empty. Now, the only reason I have to go to the mall is Dillard’s.
I currently still work here! At the furniture mall of kansas. Certainly a tired mall but still active.
Did not expect to see the mall from my teenage years. This is such a crazy trip.
It was already dying in the late oughts, but it still has plenty of stores. It's really died since then. Seeing it now feels like someone inspecting a corpse.
I guess Spencers is a main store in most malls. Malls are for sure not like they used to be. It would be so crowded. But not anymore. Thanks John.
dont forget about cafe barnabas!! theyre not dead yet, just weird hours sometimes since its locally owned.
my favorite place in the mall!
@@tsu1951no literally same!!! i know the owner too, grew up living on the same block as him and his wife and kids lol. i remember when they were still in the fairlawn mall. he’s such a nice guy.
i'd kill for boba right now at the mention of that place
They get a lot more business at their Washburn University location nowadays. But I agree, great place for drinks! And the owner is a really nice charismatic guy.
Hey Coach! Good 'ol West Ridge. I'm crossing my fingers that Advisors continues to revive it. Great video!
Hey Amy! Thanks for the comment!
Resident here. Mall used to have a Burlington and Sears, but sinve those 2 have left, its pretty much died since then. Many businesses have came and left, and theres only around a dozen left. Sad to see, but I hear the new owners have big plans!
Idk if you heard but 2 Sundays ago. They had the spirit mind and body fair event there. I volunteered there and it was down on the first floor where old navy used to be. But I love that mall and I tried the "mr teriyaki" food court and it was actually pretty good, if you ever get a chance you should try it. Not only that but there is a nice petstore and a arcade in the mall. Back when I was little there was alot more stores open such As a jewelery store, bath and body works, and everything.
It’s crazy seeing a video of my home town mall 😂
West Ridge Mall has been like this for roughly a decade or even longer. In the 90s, it was the spot to hangout for the teenagers.
My grandma used to take me here when I was a kid ❤
White Lakes mall was a hoppin' place when I was a teenager. West Ridge mall became the hangout for tweenagers when my kids were that age. Time flies & things change. It's kinda sad to see these places taking their last gasps, but time marches on & things change.
our mall is slowly getting better and more alive 🙏 i really hope it starts really thriving i love the mall sm i go there SO much 😭
I remember when it first opened in the late '80's. Completely different and exciting back then.
I worked there a short time in 1996, was amazed how busy it was compared to a couple malls in Omaha I worked at prior.
Ohhh hey look it's my cityyy!! and the mall!! 👀
These make me sad. Kmart closing makes me sad. Creepy technology makes me sad. If I ever go crazy, I hope my mind takes me back to the 80"s
I want mine to go to the 90s/2000s
How long ago were you there? I probably would get ahold of myself before getting to far away in the car. But that little puppy begging for attention really pulled at my heartstrings. What a cutie!
It is sad to see what was a way of life fading away. The malls were such a bustling part of life for several decades. I have relived my life as I have talked about the Midwestern rural towns on their weekly night of being open for business. And I can foresee the young of the mall age thinking back to going to the mall, just as I have relived those wonderful summer evenings shopping and socializing the small town on business night. If nothing else, you can say that you are in business of helping people relive their memories of the past.
If the mall staff only knew what your videos are like, I would of imagined they might of given you a guided tour. You could jump start area viewers into going back to the mall
After all, it was very clean and inviting.
Thanks once again for a very nice trip to a new area to visit.
Thanks! I was there about a month ago. Right before I did the Lecompton video 😊
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thank you! Everything about your videos I enjoy. But that little puppy begging for attention really got to me. We had animals all over our farm as I grew up , and most everything was basically a pet, except the mean old bull. He wasn't any fun!
Come Sunday morning, I will be waiting out at the end of my driveway, ready for another adventure!
It reminded me of Metro North Mall in Kansas City, Missouri before the leaky roof on the East end got really bad. The Mall is gone now all but Macy's. In the 2010s it was a great place to walk in the heat of summer and cold of winter, until it was so moldy on the east end, that you couldn't breathe. The latter enclosed mall's were so poorly built that many did not last the 20 years they were designed for... Online shopping has made physical stores almost obsolete. Thank you for taking us to one of the few enclosed mall's still in existence. Too bad you missed some great death go rounds within a mile of were you were... ❤😊
Darn I missed them! 😂 next time!
As a topekan i am so glad u visited the pet store. The puppies are so cute along with the hamsters. Hope you will find more places arouns topeka to enjoy!
Thank you 😊
I used to have a kiosk/store here 20 years ago. It was wild on the weekends. I also met my wife here. Dock 3!!!!
I actually go to this mall fairly regularly. I really love the arcade as it has a guitar hero machine.
man, I’ve been to this mall like a dozen times! It’s one of my favorites. and I LOVE dead mall videos, you did a great job!
my favorite store was always that cool pet store :D
First visit here with you.I’m a Joe and Nick follower and seen your interview with Joe.🥰
Thank you! Hope you enjoy looking around 😊
So many memories in this mall. Now you only go to look at the puppies and you see lots of people power walking 1:00
I remember that place used to be packed 10-15 years ago. They used to have a really good Chinese Buffet there back in the mid 2000s.
Some of my earliest memories are of being at West Ridge mall. Thanks for the video! (There's an even deader mall in East Topeka from what I remember)
Thanks! I wasn't aware of an east Topeka mall!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm trying to remember what it was called... It was abandoned even when I was a kid in the nineties, as the decay of East Topeka started long ago.
@@SirWilliamKidney I think you're talking about white lakes, it wasn't quite abandoned in the 90's but I'm sure it has been on a decline for years. One day I saw a bunch of smoke in the sky and decided to follow it and sure enough it was burning to the ground! Now it's been bulldozed mostly and the area is really run down. You might be talking about something completely different though I'm 28 so I do not remember the 90's.
White Lakes Mall is mostly torn down. It was almost dead when they built Westridge Mall. It sat vacant for a couple of decades then they tore it down.
White lakes was state of the art when it was built in 1965. Sad how it ended up. But it was an amazing place in it's prime
I was there not so long ago, had my camera with me and had taken several photos as I walked around. The place was dead compared to what it was in the 90s. I eventually was told I couldn't take photos but thankfully I didn't have to delete what I had captured. The place gave me the same vibes that White Lakes mall (also was in Topeka now demolished) before it finally closed.
I’ve been going here my entire life, it’s certainly on life support but didn’t expect a little video on our mall
That cute little Yorkie puppy wanted to go home with you so bad. My mall used to have a pet store and I can still remember where it was located at.
Yes that dog was quite the attraction!
i live herer i ve been here many times i love this place
Spencer's and Hot topic will always be my favorites.
I love this mall! Hoping the new owners fix it up to turn it into a mall again 😊
Cute puppies at the pet store. ❤ The bulldog puppies wrestling 🤣.
So I have lived in topeka my entire life so far, and I live pretty close to this mall. when I'm not at the house, west ridge mall is one of the places I'm at most of the time. Hell, I even used to volunteer at the tea shop there, Cafe Barnabas, for a year and It was really fun, and I still keep in touch with the people I worked with. sure, it might seem like the mall is dying, but it's in a much better position than what it was a couple of years ago. There have been a handfull of businesses that have moved in this year, and it is still growing. The owners have big plans for the mall, as they are going to have your average retail shops, but it will also have private office space businesses can use. They are also planning on renovating the place, making it look a bit more modern. I truly hope Advisors Exel will restore the mall to its former glory, as it's one of the things that make living in topeka a little more tolerable.
We would go to the casino in Topeka all the time in the mid to late 00’s and into the early 10’s. We would shop here all the time. Even purchased my engagement ring from Zales at this mall. We went back 3 years ago and were shocked how empty it was. We normally just go to Wichita (where my stepdaughter lives) or KC now.
It's so sad! I remember when it opened. I worked there in the early 90s when it was the place to be!😔
I can’t imagine the cost to heat & cool that place. It was attractive and had dogs so I give it a🤚🏻👍🏻. The owner is very optimistic 😂
Thanks! I hope they find a happy future!
Trust me. They paid the company that worked on the cooling towers a lot just for fixing a few leaks. It’s not cheap.
How did you not take that puppy begging you to take it home. My heart melted right there, I don't think I could have resisted that puppy and I don't even want a dog, they're too much work. I have a cat - she takes care of herself, I just feed her and clean out the litter box. (I also pet and love on her too, but that's a given) I want that puppy now and I can't even afford to have a dog.
I love dogs but am gone way too much to take care of them. But yeah those were cute ones!
Every dog in that store is like 2-3k they are cute but hell no
As someone who grew up in Topeka, it's really depressing to visit Westridge these days, knowing how lively it was when i was a kid/teen. Hopefully the current owners can turn it around, but most people i know aren't holding out hope.
As a life-long Topekan, you do the mall a disservice. The mall is trying to make a comeback. It was purchased by a local company called Advisors Excel and has gone from just two or three stores, to many more, and still getting more and more local businesses.
Two years ago, the lights in certain areas were shut off because they couldn’t justify the cost. It is slowly but surely having life breathed back into it.
Yep, not dead, but definitely starting to circle the drain. ❤ the sweet little snuggle- bunnies at the pet store!
They were definitely cute!
Well, I am old enough to remember going to White Lakes which preceded WestRidge. Every time someone wants to wring their hands about brick and mortar stores, and malls, closing…do you order from Amazon or the other online shopping networks at all? That’s one of the reasons the malls and brick and mortar stores fail.
Thanks for checking it out.
Looks like a nice #mallwalker mall. I am sure if you showed up early in the morning you would see a lot of elderly people walking through the mall for their morning exercise.
It is. 2 laps is a mile in the mall.
That's the only thing this mall had going for it from the start.
As someone who worked security there for almost two years before leaving 7 years ago, I got the hell out of there knowing THEN the mall was going downhill and would likely be closed in 5 years. To my surprise, they’re still hanging on by a thread.
At 0:40, that’s an employee parking lot, allowing workers to go in & out through the back hallways.
There’s one in Wichita ks too! It’s about 2 hrs south of Topeka. It’s called town west square
Yep I’ve done a video on that one too 😊
The VHS tapes painted onto the walls were put there for a free Tiffany concert that happened around May or so. They put up a bunch of retro storefronts. It was pretty cool actually. Google Tiffany Westridge Mall. Did you check out the Hutchinson Mall while you were in KS? There’s not much there but we used to put on pro wrestling matches there.
Yes I actually did a video on the Hutch mall too!
Haha, I'm going there for the first time in probably 5 years and this pops up on my algorithm. Crazy!
Yeah, I used to go to West Ridge mall. It was a nice place...
Very nice place. Very sad to see most malls going in this direction. I really like the dead mall videos Keep up the great work.
Thank you! It’s an oddly fascinating topic!
I remember when this place opened and all the excitement and glamour .... sad to see it now like this.
You should come again, I went last sunday and it was absolutely bustling with people.
If I recall correctly there used to be a cinnabun in food court back in 90s it was a must go to for a dozen cinnamon rolls to take back to emporia and one to eat there. Still go to Dillards store there
What gets me about all these dead food courts are the prevailance of food coaches and outlets like Starbucks and Subways. You would think that the latter would be still be found in them. Meanwhile, maybe management could offer the road coaches great deals to bring in these eateries to rebuild their food courts.
Now you can get Cinnabuns at the Schlotzsky (spelling) restaurants.
I went there yesterday. The saddest thing there is food courts. You can still hear echoes and still smell each of the food stalls, but nothing there.😢
Topeka has a weird group of extremely negative social media trolls. I'm sure most of them expected you to come here and trash the place. Appreciate your honesty and enjoyed the video. Here's hoping Advisors can continue breathing some new life into the place.
Thanks and I agree!
i was here from like 2008 until 2015 almost everyday sometimes, it was a wild crazy time, so much went down here and sometimes it was so packed you'd have to wait in line just to walk, me and my buddies would walk around in circles at the food court getting free samples and the arcade used to be called pocket change, lots of memories here, and... oh, I got to tell you, it was perfect. Perfect. Everything, down to the last minute details.
seeing it decline in popularity was painful, you would never see it empty.
ive seen a few malls die here in omaha. crossroads mall was built in 78 and had a long slow death until they finally demo'd it a few years ago. oakview mall was built in the 90s and is on its way out. the center mall is still open and is like walking back in time to the 50s. it's mostly clinics and offices and stuff now.
The mall in Fremont (my hometown) is holding on. JC Penney, the main anchor store for the mall since it opened in 1966, closed in 2017, but Dunham Sports filled the space 4 years ago. Big Lots moved in after Gordman’s closed; Hyvee is also on the property, although it isn't connected to the mall itself. Its’ only interior restaurant is Chinese (although Raising Cane’s & Village Inn are part of the property), & the only movie theater in town is also inside the mall. Some other stores are Nebraska Sports, Maurice’s, Bath & Body Works, Shoe Sensation, & Bling.
@augiegirl1 ive been there!
@@CoViN88 So, how would you compare it to the malls in Omaha, other than it being much smaller? FYI, in January, the City Council approved a mall redevelopment plan as well as creating an enhanced employment area at the mall to help raise funds via a 2% sales tax (on items purchased at most businesses within the mall’s footprint) to renovate, repair & upgrade the aging mall. Owners are hoping to land a new TJ Maxx or Marshalls store.
Surprised and saddened to see this, it was one of my favorite spots to shop in Topeka while stationed at Ft Riley in the late 80’s and 90’s!
I used to live/work in one of the small towns that surround Topeka so I went to that mall a few times to shop for things that I couldn't get where I lived.
Bro i remember going to the pet store at west ridge mall. That's crazy