DEAD MALL SERIES : Schuylkill Mall (Vintage Retail Gem) **DEMOLISHED**

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  • Опубліковано 6 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,3 тис.

  • @ThisisDanBell
    @ThisisDanBell  3 роки тому +15

    Attention! Completely remastered episodes of the Dead Mall Series are now being archived in 4K at ua-cam.com/channels/fCM_TfrSDMkkMpKuLNWuXA.html. The remasters have gone through an extensive AI Enhancement process as well as proper sound mixing and colorization. This Dead Mall Series Remastered project has been made possible through viewer support on Patreon. Go over now and watch in glorious 4K. ENJOY!

  • @littlesister3477
    @littlesister3477 9 років тому +752

    i was a tractor trailer long haul driver. in 2006 that mall was a saving grace and home to about a thousand stranded tractor trailers when we were hit by a severe blizzard while i wad going thru PA on I 81 north bound, the highway was closed down and the state police diverted all the rigs into the mall parking lot which was right off the highway. we were stranded for close to a week. the towns people were great .they came and opened up the otherwise closed mall and fed ud, showed movies in the theater ,the Holiday inn,hooked up a CB to their van and you could radio in and they would pick u up and let you use the showers,and stuff, the guy in the rig next to me died of a heart attack, it was a sad was to go. thanks for the memory man, good vid but eerie for me.

    • @shaqueljohnson4697
      @shaqueljohnson4697 7 років тому +1

      I

    • @GabrielSantos-tl1bp
      @GabrielSantos-tl1bp 6 років тому +42

      thank you for sharing that sorry. amazing

    • @nancyhicksgribble9799
      @nancyhicksgribble9799 6 років тому +7

      Very cool story. Those were the days!

    • @fostercat751
      @fostercat751 6 років тому +20

      Your story renews my faith in humanity, and Americans. Thank you!

    • @leighahmke
      @leighahmke 5 років тому +16

      My family is from there. It is an incredibly poor area, but I never have a bad time going back. They are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Glad they helped you out.

  • @stefb85
    @stefb85 8 років тому +378

    This is so relaxing. Just slouching here, before bed, taking a slow tour through a quiet mall, elevator music humming, Dan Bell's soothing voice. This is heaven.

  • @thejess521
    @thejess521 9 років тому +141

    I worked here at this Kmart for three years. From 17 years old to 20 until I moved to CT. I'm from Ashland PA, next town over from Frackville, and this is sad. It was once a thriving place but I think soon every still will close and the whole place will go with it. Drugs and violence run rampant in this area because our livelihood is long since forgotten. Thank you for putting this on UA-cam though. It will be nice to remember when I'm much older what it used to look like.

    • @esw01407
      @esw01407 9 років тому +8

      thejess521 Just about the only work left in there area is at the Warehouses that have been built heading southwest on 81 at Highridge Park.

    • @evelien135
      @evelien135 5 років тому +4

      SPAZE PARANOIDS !!!! ! Yes, because Obama stepped into office in a country destroyed by the systems George W. Bush put in place. The recession had nothing to do with Obama. The country’s economy getting healthier had everything to do with Obama.

    • @dakotaknorr5981
      @dakotaknorr5981 5 років тому +1

      I'm from ashalnd as well such a tragic loss

    • @amazingadrien
      @amazingadrien 5 років тому +1

      Ashland? As in the place next to Centralia?

    • @annemary9680
      @annemary9680 3 роки тому

      @@evelien135 Lmao, imagine being delusional enough to think they both weren't responsible for helping destroy this country.

  • @CattyMintgum
    @CattyMintgum 8 років тому +612

    Imagine living the life of a Toy inside a Claw Machine inside a Dead Mall.

    • @tigerburn81
      @tigerburn81 8 років тому +75

      Metaphorically, that is my life.

    • @nixonhoover2
      @nixonhoover2 8 років тому +9

      what a loser.

    • @GeoAl09
      @GeoAl09 8 років тому +24

      Catty Mintgum That would be a interesting movie

    • @colinschabel
      @colinschabel 7 років тому +2

      Master Sashimi toys aren't alive

    • @AchivementHunterz
      @AchivementHunterz 7 років тому +26

      This could be the plot for a movie

  • @davidmaglioli7048
    @davidmaglioli7048 9 років тому +421

    K-Mart itself is a dying breed. There is one about an hour from where I live in NJ and its awful. Its messy, all the items are on discount, the cash registers and computer systems haven't been updated since the 80's. Its a real sad sight. They still had advertisement signs up for the original Xbox, which at this point is a decade and a half old

    • @baysidethrills3322
      @baysidethrills3322 9 років тому +3

      What town is the KMart in?

    • @Karmy.
      @Karmy. 9 років тому +7

      ik all of the KMarts here are dirty nasty and have rude employees or are closed eyesores

    • @leighversteege7636
      @leighversteege7636 9 років тому +9

      K-Mart Canada closed all it stores way back in the mid-90's. It was sold to the Zeller's corporation (Subsidary of The Hudson Bay Company) and now Zellers has permanently closed their stores back in 2011.

    • @cloud9productions816
      @cloud9productions816 9 років тому +5

      +Leigh Versteege im Canadian too. Can't believe Zellers closed that long ago. One still exists, in my Grandfather's mall and all they sell are clothes, furniture and miscellaneous items. very sad

    • @Keyscool
      @Keyscool 9 років тому +1

      +David Maglioli Weird, our K-Mart is pretty decent and up to date. That said I've never been a huge K-Mart shopper anyway.

  • @goodeggproductions
    @goodeggproductions 8 років тому +151

    You videos are amazingly depressing. I used to live 2 miles from the Berkshire Mall in Reading. I moved about a year after the Schuykill Mall opened but I remember it being so much bigger and cooler than Berkshire. I don't know why your videos are so compelling, but you do a masterful job of mixing the music to make it sound like what is pumped out of a mall sound system.
    well done.

    • @LarrySybrandt
      @LarrySybrandt 7 років тому +17

      I want to buy a Dan Bell dead mall soundtrack album!

    • @grunclestan3233
      @grunclestan3233 6 років тому +5

      I live a half of a mile from the berkshire mall and can you believe it is still alive and kicking !

    • @NSachs-tx8xb
      @NSachs-tx8xb 6 років тому +4

      Music is called vaporwave

    • @matildeschower4772
      @matildeschower4772 4 роки тому

      @@grunclestan3233 It's incredibly popping now :)

  • @carsons.9166
    @carsons.9166 9 років тому +309

    My father was the mason who did the brick fountains, and flower areas.

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +82

      Fast Freight Productions That’s so cool. So many people are into 70s and 80s era mall fountains now. There’s not many left to admire as most malls remove them to avoid maintenance and insurance issues. Your father’s work has undoubtedly been admired by many, many people over the last several decades. That’s pretty awesome.

    • @carsons.9166
      @carsons.9166 9 років тому +35

      He also did the outside curbs and sidewalks and used to do the landscaping when they had real plants inside and outside. I live not to far and the only reason I still come to the mall is for my local train club which is in the mall.

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +26

      Fast Freight Productions It’s a shame what is happening there. Hopefully they can turn things around.

    • @digiprez77
      @digiprez77 9 років тому +9

      Fast Freight Productions He did a great job, with a bit of scrubbing they would all look good as new...

    • @Ducks-are-cool1
      @Ducks-are-cool1 9 років тому

      Fast Freight Productions hmmm it good i like it :D

  • @mirinbrah739
    @mirinbrah739 8 років тому +33

    Thank you for documenting these visually before they get closed and torn down. They are a part of history.

  • @TheMM1215
    @TheMM1215 7 років тому +21

    The outline of that old Spencer's sign just blew my mind. I haven't thought about their old logo for years. I worked at one during my teen years.
    I wish your series had been around 10 years ago Dan so you could have toured my area's old mall. I would have liked to have had some kind of video record of it before it got demolished.

  • @kdw75
    @kdw75 9 років тому +193

    What gets me is how the malls are closing, yet they open the outdoor strip malls. Like I want to trudge through freezing rain and snow to do my Christmas shopping. So I gave up and shop from Amazon for the most part.

    • @tjp2109
      @tjp2109 9 років тому +35

      +kdw75 Exactly. Outdoor huge mall complexes are becoming so popular as opposed to indoor? I don't get it. I'm just going to guess that you can park and move your car in between shopping. We have an outdoor mall where I live and it's so popular, they are planning additions. I think they are doing better because you get access to box stores like Lowe's, Target, Petco, REI as well as smaller stores all in one are. They plan them out to look like little towns and residential areas so it's quite new and appealing.

    • @KiloByte69
      @KiloByte69 9 років тому +27

      +kdw75
      You want the luxuries of a climate controlled mall with the price competitiveness of online retailers. Ain't gonna happen.

    • @grayharlequin
      @grayharlequin 8 років тому +10

      +kdw75 I don't know about other places, but outdoor places around me are growing popular (in Michigan of all places!) because many of the stores allow you to take your dogs in and around all the stores. Partridge Creek is a mall in SE Michigan and it's insanely popular, especially in the spring and summer, because it gives pet-owners a place to socialize their dogs while also doing a bit of shopping, the only place you can't take your dogs into are the restaurants. Though admittedly they do see some closures in the winter (this winter saw 3 different stores shutter), as it's hard for those retailers to survive the cold Michigan winters. They'll fill back up, but it's a gamble.

    • @Windsweptzariel
      @Windsweptzariel 8 років тому +21

      One of the reasons for more outdoor shopping plazas vs. indoors is because of the cost to heat and air condition the buildings. I was at Granite Run Mall just after the actual mall was closed, but the Boscovs was still open. I was asking an employee if they were closing and he told me no. He said the cost of heating and air conditioning the indoor area contributes to the high cost of rent and why they were basically turning the mall inside out.

    • @timramich
      @timramich 8 років тому +10

      +kdw75 It's because the trendy young ass-wipes of today just see a style they don't like ('80s, '90s) and just get it in their heads that it means a place is dirty and the products are going to be crap. The same ilk of idiots pay more to go to a store like Wegman's because they think a place like Redner's not having modern lighting and old VCT tiled flooring means it's dirty and so is the food.

  • @katieburak93
    @katieburak93 9 років тому +205

    Seriously, what's up with dead malls and GNC, Bath & Body Works, and Radioshack?

    • @katieburak93
      @katieburak93 9 років тому +25

      MrJohndoakes It's just really strange that every other dead mall has some combination of these places.

    • @JamesBond-uz2dm
      @JamesBond-uz2dm 9 років тому +12

      MrJohndoakes Who in their right mind would own a Radio Shack?

    • @pcmikefl
      @pcmikefl 9 років тому +8

      +James Bond Maybe back in '78

    • @juniorcasemiro
      @juniorcasemiro 9 років тому +11

      +Katie Burak (Queen of Failure) AND Victoria's Secret!

    • @damitzdesign
      @damitzdesign 7 років тому +1

      Funny how you mention those three stores, which kinda reminds me of Marquette Mall in Michigan City, IN.... I was there probably 5-6 years ago just to reminisce my childhood (live in Chicagoland) and it's a dying mall... I recall those three stores opened, along with a few others.. Sad, but these are the times we live in..

  • @HelloNewMoon
    @HelloNewMoon 5 років тому +68

    When you aren’t there but you know exactly how a place smells

  • @xtlm
    @xtlm 7 років тому +54

    Turns out the Victoria's Secret (and Bath and Body Works) was open till the very bitter end. Lasting longer then virtually every other store.

    • @carsausage
      @carsausage 7 років тому +6

      It seems to be a trend with dying malls.

    • @Thedanyeager623
      @Thedanyeager623 3 роки тому

      There was a rumor that the anchor stores didn’t have to pay rent if the mall was making less than 1 million dollars.

    • @gobucs20
      @gobucs20 3 роки тому +2

      Females be shopping

  • @MikeGodlewski81
    @MikeGodlewski81 9 років тому +51

    There's more money flowing in the fountains than there is in the registers...

  • @Blitz350
    @Blitz350 8 років тому +11

    The four pillars that surround center court are actually deactivated water fountains. Water would flow from nozzles in the disk shaped parts up top and drop down in a circular curtain.

  • @chrispayne919
    @chrispayne919 Рік тому +2

    7 years later and that song is still stuck in my head

  • @Trainy2
    @Trainy2 9 років тому +38

    I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. I'm fascinated with dead malls, and you do a great job with these. Probably the best ones I've seen on UA-cam. You always have quality footage and good info. Nice job, man!

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +3

      ***** Thank you so much! So glad you’re enjoying the videos!

    • @OptimusBananas
      @OptimusBananas 7 років тому +2

      She is closing. republicanherald.com/tenants-schuylkill-mall-to-close-by-end-of-year-1.2190628

  • @timramich
    @timramich 8 років тому +81

    Malls ought to start taking the fountain money and keep it for themselves.

    • @Yyyyyy5
      @Yyyyyy5 5 років тому +4

      Most dead malls like the one my father runs no longer use the fountains. I asked dad why they don't fill both fountains with dirt and make them flower planters he said," what for? The same reason I don't spend money to fill the pot holes in the parking lot.....this place isn't gonna be open much longer."

    • @yerabbit
      @yerabbit 5 років тому

      some malls used to give it to charity. i remember at my local mall, back in the 80s and 90s when they had different charities for each fountain. but nowadays any mall still operating a fountain would probably need all the help it can get

  • @Bxtskul1l
    @Bxtskul1l 8 років тому +81

    @4:09 - The guy with the shopping cart! What are you going to fill that thing with?

  • @TheVirusVT
    @TheVirusVT Рік тому +1

    I'm from Pottsville originally... so when I had heard of this mall being demolished, I was devastated. It was a cornerstone of a lot of our childhoods, and now it's all gone... thank you, thank you so much, for documenting it when it was still standing.

  • @briantracy1324
    @briantracy1324 8 років тому +107

    Radio Shack , The first name in third rate electronics ...
    Radio Shack , You have questions ... We have vacant stares...

    • @colinschabel
      @colinschabel 7 років тому +13

      Brian Tracy at least they were expensive

    • @GodWeenSatan
      @GodWeenSatan 7 років тому

      Brian Tracy laughed so hard at this! Every one I been to same thing

    • @izzimichaels2892
      @izzimichaels2892 5 років тому +1

      and for the last decade or so they did NOT sell radios.....

  • @tommyXraver
    @tommyXraver 9 років тому +4

    The music you play is so great!! I have worked in Malls for 20+ years here in Nashville and we have seen a few Malls go under just like the ones in your videos..
    Love watching!!

  • @Mother_of_Dogs_82
    @Mother_of_Dogs_82 3 роки тому +4

    These vintage malls with their 80s decor trigger so much nostalgia for me, being born in 82 and I remember going with my grandmother and mom every week to the mall as a kid.

  • @DowNair
    @DowNair 5 років тому +12

    I lived in Danville, PA most of my life. I would visit this mall occasionally in the mid and late 80's. Ironically, I would drive through CENTRALIA, PA, on what would later become known as the "graffiti highway' to get there! How times change!

  • @katieluksa8143
    @katieluksa8143 2 роки тому +1

    I grew up going to Black Diamond for day trips. Such good memories there. My aunts found my grandmother’s high school year book there. Miss it lots. :(

  • @SilentServiceCode
    @SilentServiceCode 8 років тому +255

    i would have never guessed that's how "schuylkill" was pronounced

    • @Len1977gt
      @Len1977gt 8 років тому +4

      +SilentServiceCode not that hard

    • @SilentServiceCode
      @SilentServiceCode 8 років тому +29

      +Larry N you must be from there

    • @SweetPizza3
      @SweetPizza3 8 років тому +10

      people around here always get that lol! #skook

    • @julosx
      @julosx 7 років тому +48

      No wonder why this mall is dead : no-one could pronounce its name.

    • @OptimusBananas
      @OptimusBananas 7 років тому +9

      welcome to the coal region

  • @NateGerardRealEstateTeam
    @NateGerardRealEstateTeam Рік тому +1

    My first job was at Arby’s in this Mall. Saw countless movies there, bought lots of tapes, and of course bummed around at Spencers with friends.

  • @TheCroutonman
    @TheCroutonman 7 років тому +3

    The series is amazing! Thank you for making it!
    I've noticed that in a lot of these videos that these large malls are in really small towns, less than 25,000 people. There just doesn't seem to be the population density to support the malls.

  • @PhoenixAngel429
    @PhoenixAngel429 5 років тому +8

    I remember that Arby's. Went to this mall back in 1999 for a beanie baby show. It's been awhile

  • @WeLsHMeLlY
    @WeLsHMeLlY 9 років тому +22

    I loove your voice its quite soothing..you would be awesome reading stories for audio books like stephen king etc :)

  • @SnowBunneh
    @SnowBunneh 8 років тому +14

    I dunno why I find these super relaxing.

  • @davidtosh7200
    @davidtosh7200 5 років тому +12

    1980: Schuylkill Mall is open.
    2020: Schuylkill Mall is no more.

  • @MegaMouse30
    @MegaMouse30 8 років тому +1

    This was an amazing video Dan; I love anything that has a fountain attached to it, there was one video you presented with an elephant and a small boy on the back; that was one of the most beautiful fountains I've ever seen...you really bring out the emotional loss of these spaces, I feel saddened when you present a video of the once glorious mall and then it's loss and your very respectful farewell to the space...you truly are an artist and every mall that is closing, should have you as the person to bid the final farewell...great work Dan

  • @leighversteege7636
    @leighversteege7636 9 років тому +3

    Nice to see a little more life in this soon-to-be closed mall. Lots of cheery sun-light, clean, shiny floors and happy little water fountains. :)

  • @JMoneyyy66
    @JMoneyyy66 4 роки тому +1

    This was my favorite mall to go to as a kid. Ashamed what happened to it. I remember when the super sketchy store called nirvanas closet got busted for selling bath salts lol

  • @RyanBonnecarrere
    @RyanBonnecarrere 8 років тому +6

    The music is great. Really fitting.

  • @scottDchicago
    @scottDchicago 2 роки тому

    Quite the contrast between the uplifting Muzak @ 10:21 and the retail graveyard scenery! Extremely eerie! Well done.

  • @pisces198402
    @pisces198402 9 років тому +104

    I live less then 7 mins away from here. It's sad... all that's left is the leather strore, this and that, movie theater (which also has a outside theater in the summer as well) a pretzel stand, fye, subway, Dunhams, wine store, the pizza shop, a soap and candle shop, att, arbys, shoe department, urban hair salon, a photo place, a little store that sells already made crafts, h and r block, a temp agency, two telemarketing companys, Gertrude hawk, mastercuts, the antique store/auction place, bonton, Victoria secrets, bath and body works, radio shack, Dunham sports, then right out side the mall is a McDonald's, holiday inn, and a cracker barrel. Sorry if I miss anything I don't think I did though... but that's a updated list as of Dec. 2015 for you.

    • @pisces198402
      @pisces198402 9 років тому +1

      Also it has two nail salons a passion nails and a nail art

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +9

      +Christina Wellington Thanks, Christina. I was wondering how things were looking out there. Not good apparently.

    • @pisces198402
      @pisces198402 9 років тому +12

      Nope! Unfortunately not good. Walmart took over a lot after walmarts started coming into the area. But rent is supposedly extremely high at this mall and they expect the stores to heat the entire mall in the winter. This mall used to be great. Now it's lousy roofs leak and all... it's a shame especially getting that awesome movie theater in there it's a real shame. But I think that movie theater keeps them in business.

    • @pisces198402
      @pisces198402 9 років тому +3

      +This is Dan Bell. also gnc is still there

    • @erustownsend9790
      @erustownsend9790 9 років тому +1

      +Christina Wellington walmart didn't really have much to do with it. Piss poor management, multiple sales of the property, excessive taxation on the property which they up every time the locale can and excessive rent makes it shit.

  • @TotallyStoked
    @TotallyStoked 3 роки тому +2

    I'm digging the soundtrack on this video.

  • @esw01407
    @esw01407 8 років тому +74

    Mall has now declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

    • @MrSuperBrite
      @MrSuperBrite 8 років тому +10

      republicanherald.com/news/schuylkill-mall-owner-files-for-bankruptcy-mall-won-t-be-sold-at-sheriff-s-sale-today-1.2108798

    • @OptimusBananas
      @OptimusBananas 7 років тому +14

      shes officially closing republicanherald.com/tenants-schuylkill-mall-to-close-by-end-of-year-1.2190628

    • @BeBooBoop
      @BeBooBoop 7 років тому +1

      OptimusBananas That's sad

    • @pardyhardly
      @pardyhardly 7 років тому +2

      The mall declared bankruptcy.

    • @OptimusBananas
      @OptimusBananas 7 років тому +1

      there are only 2 stores left and they have til the end of september to leave

  • @keithbowerman8069
    @keithbowerman8069 9 років тому +8

    Well done. That was my "home" mall growing up. It's just depressing as hell to see the state that it's in. There were 2 arcades...A small one next to the movie theater and another one a little bit past where the empty Chinese restaurant is. It may have been a Space Port originally...I don't completely remember. There was a little kiosk down near the Waldenbooks that sold vintage records, and near it was another one that sold rock t-shirts. I understand that eventually became a large store itself before getting shut down. Oh well. If you're still in the area, you might want to have a look at the Fairlane Village Mall on the other side of Pottsville. Same story.

    • @audreydaly1136
      @audreydaly1136 7 років тому +2

      The Fairlane Village Mall is so sad nowadays. Boscov's is the only anchor store inside the mall, and everything in the mall is basically gone. I remember when we first moved up here, and the mall still had a ton of stores. After Value City shut, everything seemed to tank. It's sad, knowing it's probably going to shut down. My parents end up going to Lebanon most of the time for shopping because it's so empty. The only thing we go there for is Boscov's and to go to the bank.

    • @shanenice5380
      @shanenice5380 5 років тому

      I go down reading other place is busy!there's nothing in that place village mall,they have stupid crafts Michael's and they just put outdoo,it was waste of time.I hope they close it,there's nothing in it,super shoes never have sales.

  • @sm1else
    @sm1else 9 років тому +12

    Thank you for teaching me how to pronounce 'Schuylkill.'

  • @leighabrown2992
    @leighabrown2992 6 років тому +1

    The cheery, upbeat music with no one around just makes the mall that much more depressing.

  • @mintycbo
    @mintycbo 8 років тому +10

    I remember this mall when I was a kid/teen in the 80's/90's..The place was insanely busy.
    There was a U/A movie theatre in there that moved out and a person bought and renovated around 2012.
    Now this mall is going up for auction via sherrif's sale.
    Black Diamond is moving out of there this weekend of Friday the 13th.
    Most of the ceiling leaks throughout the building as you noticed the ceiling was missing paneling/sections throughout.
    (Rainy day in the Schuylkill county area? take an umbrella with you to the mall.)
    There are 2 other nearby malls similar to this, the Fairlane Village mall in Saint Clair which is gemptying out as well. (has a Kohl's, Boscovs', Michaels's, Subway and Super Shoes for it's main stores.)
    Was another fairly busy mall getting close to the Frackvill Mall's demise.
    The Cressona mall in Cressona is fairly empty as well.. they has a surgery center, Staples, Ollies and Autozone as their anchors..
    (inside of the mall is pretty much completely vacant, these are stores outside of the mall..)
    Thanks.. Now I'm going to miss going to these places..lol

    • @katy5664
      @katy5664 8 років тому +3

      Same here. I always shopped at these places with my family.. It's so sad to see them empty like this. :(

    • @JoshuaBishop93
      @JoshuaBishop93 8 років тому +5

      I remember how busy these used to be too. I thought they were the biggest malls around and loved playing the game demos at Kmart. I just stopped there this weekend and the one entire wing almost has nothing now. It's kind of scary cuz I can picture my memories in those wings and how crowded it was. Dan should do a follow up now

    • @sonicdash3818
      @sonicdash3818 7 років тому +1

      I remember as well, back when I lived in Williamstown, which was around when the twilight saga was becoming a huge thing, the Schuylkill mall was still pretty busy, lots of the stores open still, especially around the holidays, it was the busiest. Ornaments and gift shopping along with the usual activity you would see some teens and others out just hanging out in the food court areas, sitting on benches while having fun here and there in conversation.

  • @manorguys6995
    @manorguys6995 Рік тому +1

    In the 80s, I took a few road trips into Pa from central NJ. This was a big visiting stop for me when I found it.

  • @bg147
    @bg147 9 років тому +64

    Maybe the Dept. of Corrections should buy up the malls and turn them into prisons. The stores would have a captive audience..... yea, I know.

    • @DKulich44
      @DKulich44 9 років тому +29

      +bg147 The spot where this mall is was originally designated to be a prison, many believe the lay out is the same as the layout for the prison that was intended to be there.

    • @georgewilliams1470
      @georgewilliams1470 5 років тому

      The State prison is nearby.

    • @craiggillett5985
      @craiggillett5985 5 років тому

      You know? That’s an amazingly smart idea!!

  • @MCRgirlforever1
    @MCRgirlforever1 7 років тому +2

    The Dead Mall series really reminds me of Union Station in St. Louis. When I was younger it used to be super popular and I would LOVE to go there. Unfortunately, it's really gone downhill.

  • @laineyfabriccio5984
    @laineyfabriccio5984 8 років тому +32

    love the cheesy elevator music lol classic

    • @2snowgirl520
      @2snowgirl520 8 років тому +9

      I think I would like to play it in my car. It's soothing, might help with road rage.

    • @laineyfabriccio5984
      @laineyfabriccio5984 8 років тому +3

      lol or psychosis hahahaha love the though

    • @leeli1674
      @leeli1674 5 років тому

      @@laineyfabriccio5984 lolololololololo

  • @lexilostinwonderland493
    @lexilostinwonderland493 9 років тому +1

    Hello, Dan I came across your videos a week or so a go. Out of all the people who do the abandon videos yours are the best because you give info about the places you visit and I really love the commentary you put on your videos. Keep it up your videos are great!!!

  • @samjohnstone1356
    @samjohnstone1356 9 років тому +19

    the fountain outside the kmart was quite crap

  • @browndogs4248
    @browndogs4248 7 років тому

    Your videos including your voice are so calming. They help me on my low days to calm down. Your videos are also so interesting. Keep up the brilliant work !!

  • @maryannschweikert4495
    @maryannschweikert4495 3 роки тому +3

    The mall is no more. It was demolished I think in 2018. There is construction going on there but I don't know what is being built. Sad to say that malls are going the way of the dinasaur. You are an excellent videographer. Take care.

  • @rebelrailz.
    @rebelrailz. 5 років тому +2

    Aw man. You got that jingle stuck in my head now...
    'The Schuylkill Mall, We're Better Than Ever For You!'

    • @leeli1674
      @leeli1674 5 років тому

      I literally just wrote this!

  • @Nickersons-Theme
    @Nickersons-Theme 8 років тому +33

    Is it weird for you when you go to busy stores to buy stuff? haha

  • @Rossturnerphoto
    @Rossturnerphoto 4 роки тому +2

    What a beautiful vintage mall that place was. I never got to visit but saw many pictures from the days when it was still open and when it was hanging on as a dead mall. I was sad to hear about its closure and demolition.

  • @robs7640
    @robs7640 4 роки тому +5

    Who could forget the thousands of teens here on a Friday night.
    And the senior citizens who made this Mall their second home?
    Now it’s all gone and was replaced by a huge warehouse complex😢

    • @Thedanyeager623
      @Thedanyeager623 3 роки тому

      Do you remember when they decorated for christmas??? It was beautiful, but the santa was fake as hell

  • @kathleencherry4383
    @kathleencherry4383 9 років тому +1

    Wow!! Amazed to see a 'Deb' sign - used to be a Deb/Joy shop in the Seaview Square Mall years ago that was in Ocean Twp., NJ. Haven't seen a Deb Shop in ages!! The Seaview Square Mall no longer exists, sadly, but it was a great little mall! It slowly became a dead mall with only a few retailers holding it together. After Sterns and Steinbach's went out, that's when the mall slowly starting dying. Sears was its only remaining anchor store. Sears is still there, but the mall is gone. The only other store left (which used to be the old Sterns or Steinbachs store) is Value City, which is also now abandoned - has been for quite a few years now. A Target store and a few other smaller stores are there in place of the mall. Thanks for sharing - love all your Dead Mall vids!

    • @BoratWanksta
      @BoratWanksta 9 років тому

      +Kathleen Cherry Deb closed all their stores last year, in case you didn't know. Not sure if the name was sold off to some company that'll end up using the name as an internet only business(i.e. Montgomery Ward, Hollywood Video), but you never know!

  • @sleepytimebedtime6089
    @sleepytimebedtime6089 8 років тому +3

    Your mall videos are great, but they are sad at the same time. Thanks for the tours.

  • @Amico617
    @Amico617 8 років тому

    This is the best UA-cam channel for people born in the 80's! Malls will never shine like they once did, but I miss it and am glad to experience it!
    Hey Dan, check out The Liberty Tree Mall if you are ever in Massachusetts.

  • @bmstylee
    @bmstylee 8 років тому +98

    Sears and Kmart. wow. could you find 2 more irrelevant stores for anchors?

    • @BoratWanksta
      @BoratWanksta 8 років тому +7

      @Doomie Grunt I dunno about that, sadly enough. Kmart and Sears are both controlled by Eddie Lambert, who is closing stores for both chains at a noticeable rate, plus burning through cash quickly. Lambert YET AGAIN loaned money to Sears/Kmart earlier in August 2016, to keep operations of that company going! Like that'll stop the bleeding of that company, when we know it won't.
      I've said it before in the past and I'll say it again. I will be the most surprised person, if K-Sears(as I jokingly call that company) lasts more than 2-3 more years before they go bankrupt.

    • @BoratWanksta
      @BoratWanksta 8 років тому

      Yeah, I know what you mean. Just I see a lot of Sears nowadays(the rare times I've gone into them in recent years), and it seems the ones that are still open often feel like ghost towns when you go inside them. I sometimes wonder if Sears would've closed a lot more stores, if not for the fact they sell appliances? And I believe I read they were starting to sell Kenmore, Die Hard, and more such items at other stores like Kmart. Plus heard a rumor that they were considering selling them at more stores like Lowe's, Menards, etc. Regardless, you are right about your surprise of Kmart being still around. I know a year or 2 ago, I noticed K-Sears eliminated selling video games at all Kmart and Sears stores. :(

    • @bmstylee
      @bmstylee 8 років тому

      ***** they did. I bought Finally Fantasy 7 at the Sears in Randall Park Mall when it came out.

    • @bmstylee
      @bmstylee 8 років тому

      ***** in all fairness that would have been around 1997

    • @bmstylee
      @bmstylee 8 років тому

      ***** basically the same thing that killed Rolling Acres.

  • @davidhill8565
    @davidhill8565 5 років тому

    I just stumbled upon your channel earlier today, in time for the new year. Your channel brings back some of my childhood memories. Malls were a part of my childhood back in the 1980s and 1990s.

  • @TiberianFiend
    @TiberianFiend 8 років тому +5

    Built in 1980 but still very 70s with all the globe bulbs and octagonal planters and fountains.

  • @SusieSynth
    @SusieSynth 9 років тому +1

    I love the 80s and back!!!I love the old commercial clips you have. Great upload please do more and more!! :) Have a blessed day.

  • @classiccool2548
    @classiccool2548 7 років тому +3

    Hey Dan, interesting video . This Mall was my childhood, I remember going to KB Toys, Kmart, Etc. I work at the Laurel Mall in Hazleton Pennsylvania. It's one of the few malls that is not dead, has some traffic and at 98% occupancy. Though it isn't dead, it would be cool if you stopped by here! -Tyler

  • @Twisted_Adventures2
    @Twisted_Adventures2 3 роки тому +1

    Many memories from going there with my family as a kid, to hanging out with my friends when we skipped school during our Senior year in 99 lol. Its sad to drive by now, and see warehouses

  • @TheScienceguy77
    @TheScienceguy77 7 років тому +23

    I lost my virginity in the Spencer's at Schulykill Mall.

    • @tackyman2011
      @tackyman2011 5 років тому +7

      LOL your hand doesn't count.

    • @lobesmcgee
      @lobesmcgee 4 роки тому

      How does that even work?

    • @lovablevietboy
      @lovablevietboy 4 роки тому

      @@lobesmcgee You never had sex in the movie theater or bathroom?

    • @annemary9680
      @annemary9680 3 роки тому

      @@lovablevietboy No, because some of us aren't gross...

  • @simonfea2
    @simonfea2 9 років тому +2

    Awww I went here when I went to Penn State Schuylkill in 2000-2001. Its so sad to see it empty, it was bustling when I was there. So sad.

  • @pmcpmc8005
    @pmcpmc8005 7 років тому +4

    A Pennsylvania mall that has been on life support for years will finally close its doors. Schuylkill Mall tenants were given 60 to 90 days to vacate, according to a report

  • @nicolesowers9224
    @nicolesowers9224 2 роки тому

    I am from this area and remember this mall. When I was young this mall was thriving. It is sad to see it gone now. It is a reminder that nothing lasts forever. I am glad that I have positive memories of this place!!

  • @Neasyorc
    @Neasyorc 9 років тому +9

    Hold up, was that Radio Shack still open?

  • @J1ZZB0SS
    @J1ZZB0SS 9 років тому +2

    While you're in the area you should check out The Cressona Mall in Cressona, PA and The Fairlane Mall in Pottsville, PA. Small but both equally dead malls

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +1

      Vassenato I did go to Fairlane. It was kind of a bore. Nothing really interesting to see. Looking now, I wish I had checked out Cressona. That one would be video worthy. I’ll add it to my list. Thanks!

  • @Halpin2006
    @Halpin2006 7 років тому +84

    Why can't that mall be turned into a giant flea market?

    • @SeraphimRoad
      @SeraphimRoad 6 років тому +10

      They could never afford the rent

    • @this2464
      @this2464 6 років тому +2

      They rent shouldn’t be that high

    • @Sylkenwolf
      @Sylkenwolf 6 років тому

      I was wondering the same thing. Or at least something like an arcade

    • @tackyman2011
      @tackyman2011 5 років тому

      The giant fleas will have none of it.

    • @lajya01
      @lajya01 4 роки тому

      Very small local malls do but they have permanent full time tenants along with the weekend sellers. A big mall could never run with 20$/day/table rentals.

  • @marybethsmith350
    @marybethsmith350 4 роки тому +2

    I remember the opening day of this mall when I was a small child. It was a bustling place and teens loved the movie theaters. The owner kept increasing the rent and stores moved out. Sad what greed does isn't it?
    Currently it closed and now is a distribution center for large box store.

  • @kikoonthemove
    @kikoonthemove 9 років тому +7

    I live in New Mexico and there's one mall you should really check out, I love the area it's in but financially this mall got screwed over for years. It's called Winrock, all there is is a Dillard's and I think that's it. It's beautiful in my opinion but didn't get the finances it needed to keep nearly all the stores open.

    • @jooleepadoolie
      @jooleepadoolie 6 років тому

      They turned it into an outdoor mall?

  • @jennalmeida630
    @jennalmeida630 9 років тому +1

    Love these videos, I watch them before bed. They are so relaxing ! I love the "mall music too" good job Dan !

  • @bladerunner2434
    @bladerunner2434 5 років тому +3

    This mall is now gone. Everything is dug up including the blacktop parking lot. Real sad, wish I had pictures of the original movie theater. Seen so many movies with my friends growing up.

    • @shanenice5380
      @shanenice5380 5 років тому

      I go there alot!now we have these stupid strip malls cresona,there not good,I miss Kmart fye black 💎

  • @kennym555
    @kennym555 3 роки тому +1

    I just discovered this video today. Thank you for this video. I spend much of life at that mall and it was a kick to our area when it closed.

  • @DhaniNMarie
    @DhaniNMarie 8 років тому +5

    My mall used to have an Arby's too, but it closed in 2007. Im surprised the Chickfilla closed but the Arby's didnt :p

  • @uncleelmer
    @uncleelmer 6 років тому +1

    This Mall even as recent as 2000 to 2010 was more animated. The collapse of the Mall was fast. It has hair stylists, Chick-Fil-A, record store, mall walkers, lots of old folks sitting mid mall shooting the breeze. Pharmore Drug Store, Roy Rogers--but it all fell apart really fast. I liked going there and went many times as I was in the area for work reasons. Nice people. Friendly. One of my favorite places to visit in the region I served.

  • @myboringadventures
    @myboringadventures 9 років тому +36

    Kmart closed it's doors this past weekend.

    • @baysidethrills3322
      @baysidethrills3322 9 років тому +2

      Yup. Kmart went bankrupt

    • @bi_moose_91
      @bi_moose_91 9 років тому

      +TheBl4ckknight the town I live in the Kmart is still open and the one where my dad lives.

    • @benbuurman254
      @benbuurman254 6 років тому

      They're going really well in Australia

  • @MrBogswallop
    @MrBogswallop 8 років тому +1

    his editing is my favorite on UA-cam I love the 80s flashbacks

  • @whattheflimflam
    @whattheflimflam 8 років тому +12

    trash by curb, check
    cat boxes cleaned, check
    glass of cola nice and cold poured, check
    TIME TO WATCH SOME MOTHER EFFING DAN BELL YAAAS!!!!

  • @shepmadawc376
    @shepmadawc376 7 років тому +1

    This made me home sick and nostalgic. I grew up going to this mall before everything started closing down. Love the videos~

  • @thevealchop68
    @thevealchop68 8 років тому +14

    The American dream did not fossilize. some communities just died. In your state, some towns are booming, no? Am I wrong? urban renewal rotates to different cities and towns.

    • @Candiecane908
      @Candiecane908 7 років тому +2

      thevealchop68 change is scary for some.

  • @robertwarf3316
    @robertwarf3316 9 років тому +1

    The fact they had at least one fountain in operation was a shocker. But five? Unreal! That old Spencer's front was really cool, too. I don't think I've seen one like that. If I have it's been so long

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +2

      Robert Warf The fountains were unbelievable. Also, that was an original 1980s facade on that Spencer’s Gifts. I have never seen one of those except in a B&W photo. This mall was amazing. The best one I’ve visited so far.

  • @JoshuaBishop93
    @JoshuaBishop93 8 років тому +15

    Dan Bell, should I do a 2016 update of this mall?

    • @peachmangoplum
      @peachmangoplum 8 років тому +7

      YES!!! that would be amazing

    • @OptimusBananas
      @OptimusBananas 7 років тому +3

      republicanherald.com/tenants-schuylkill-mall-to-close-by-end-of-year-1.2190628

    • @myboringadventures
      @myboringadventures 7 років тому +4

      2017 update. Mall will be closed completely by fall. It'll probably become another warehouse.

    • @ShadowFudo
      @ShadowFudo 7 років тому +2

      November 2017 update: The mall is empty and set to be demolished and replaced by two factories. The mall as of last week still stands, and you're actually allowed in it! There's no heat or AC and you can't access center court, but the planters are still there with big blooming trees!

  • @pwatersnh
    @pwatersnh 7 років тому +1

    I just discovered this channel, and absolutely love the "dead mall series." I was about to recommend this mall, but turns out you've already hit it!
    This area was the midway point between the school I went to in Ohio and my hometown in NH, so I stopped by this depressing "mall" a number of times. I was shocked just how few stores were there. So, so depressing, but the movie theater nearby was surprisingly good. In the back of the bar area there are three 21+ screening rooms with very comfortable leather stadium seats.

  • @Theoutdoorproject80
    @Theoutdoorproject80 9 років тому +6

    I live about 30 minutes away from there and i can say with complete certainty that you are in the region of all thing that are abandoned its a dying coal region and there are so many abandoned buildings so close to the place you shot this footage.

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +3

      Hey. If you could, DM some suggestions to my FB. Always up for checking out new spots!

    • @Theoutdoorproject80
      @Theoutdoorproject80 9 років тому +1

      Sure

    • @harporocks
      @harporocks 9 років тому +1

      I live about 15 minutes from the Skook Mall,and can you believe they have a mall manager,who,whenevre a store closes,is quoted in the paper as saying " we hope to fill the vacant spot blah,blah,blah" There is another mall in Reading,Pa (The Fairgrounds Mall) which is just as bad,if not worse,than the Skook Mall,you should check it out

  • @J1ZZB0SS
    @J1ZZB0SS 5 років тому

    thanks for keeping this place alive dan as a schuylkill county native this place had a big place in my life. I got my diploma in this mall next to the black diamond at the lifelong learning center. before that me and all my high school friends used to hang out here after school and fridays. thanks for keeping my memories alive buddy.

  • @alienkreeper
    @alienkreeper 8 років тому +4

    Black Diamond antiques is now closed. Sadly, being someone who grew up with this mall, I am bummed out by the death of this mall. many childhood memories came from here.

    • @katy5664
      @katy5664 8 років тому

      sammeee..

    • @alienkreeper
      @alienkreeper 8 років тому +2

      I was recently at the mall, maybe about two weeks or so ago. Boy did I let out one, giant, depressive sigh over how dead it is up there.

    • @katy5664
      @katy5664 8 років тому

      +hippiefreak66 That's so sad.. . I always loved that mall because of all the memories I had there with my family.It's just so sad to see all of these malls in such sad shape like this.. even the Steamtown mall , I never saw that coming as it was basically packed back in 2007.. it was even hard to walk in there then. I can't believe all these malls are basically becoming dead..

  • @michaelsbbygrl05
    @michaelsbbygrl05 9 років тому +1

    The music is incredible for this series! Love it!

  • @frame3139
    @frame3139 8 років тому +8

    Why do these places stay open? seems once you get below 50% occupancy, the prudent thing to do, from a business standpoint is to close. Not sure why the owners wanna hemorage money like that

    • @esw01407
      @esw01407 8 років тому +9

      Tax write-off in many cases.

    • @oliverTbest
      @oliverTbest 8 років тому +3

      There's always the hope that things may not go bad, or even, get better again. You know, it's called optimism.

    • @lallygaber
      @lallygaber 7 років тому

      No, it's definitely a tax write off.

  • @zadescrivner
    @zadescrivner 3 роки тому +1

    "Their only remaining anchor is Bon-Ton."
    I shook when I heard that. That entire chain has gone under since this was recorded....

  • @cannycart
    @cannycart 9 років тому +3

    Absolutely love your videos Dan! Commentary and camera work fantastic; also love the variety of malls you've toured. Do you do this for a living? Keep up the awesome work

    • @ThisisDanBell
      @ThisisDanBell  9 років тому +2

      cannycart Thanks so much, cannycart! I’ve been watching your vids for a long time. This is my living though I’m not getting paid for anything I’m doing on UA-cam. I’m a filmmaker by trade. I love filming and editing. I like to keep busy so in-between paid jobs I produce stuff for UA-cam. I’ve always had a thing for dead malls so I just decided to start filming them. I’m really enjoying it. Glad everyone else is too.

  • @zaybeth6753
    @zaybeth6753 7 років тому +2

    your series are hauntingly beautiful. i find this so interesting. thank you.

  • @eprofengr6670
    @eprofengr6670 7 років тому +4

    What does the surrounding area look like? Is it also economically depressed?

    • @mattwheeler2511
      @mattwheeler2511 7 років тому +4

      Yes - Schuylkill County's was dependent on coal and manufacturing jobs. As the country transitioned off both, the local economy tanked.

  • @michelleregis1795
    @michelleregis1795 8 років тому

    enjoying your dead mall series very much. Its sad to see these grand places bieng demolished, i see them and think...how many people were served how many may have enjoyed the shopping,the fountains a meeting place ....... now gone forever Your doing a really good job fiilming Dan thanks..

  • @DementedDistraction
    @DementedDistraction 8 років тому +14

    ~*shudder*~
    That jingle at the beginning would make me refuse to enter that mall purely out of spite.

    • @_Cato_
      @_Cato_ 8 років тому +2

      f1lthyb4con
      You sound like a very negative person.

    • @DementedDistraction
      @DementedDistraction 8 років тому +15

      Oh...I totally am, lol.

  • @Peacefuldragon9
    @Peacefuldragon9 9 років тому +2

    If you are ever out in AZ you might want to check out Metro Center Mall. It's not dead yet but definitely mostly empty these days where once it was quite the place to shop. It opened in 1973 and I know there was a scene in Bad Santa with Billy Bob that was filmed outside of it. Also, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure shot a scene there. Anyway, just putting it on your radar.