This was my playground during my teen years in the 70's and early 80's. I actually worked in the merchandise pickup section of that Sears in the early 80's. Memories of taking the bus with my friends and spending Saturday afternoons in the mall. In those days, the mall closed at 5:30 PM on Saturdays and at 5pm on Sundays. The city bus stopped running at that time which probably dictated the closing times. I remember the HUGE Christmas display in the center courtyard where the carousel is now. You could actually walk through the display, look at all of the mechanical characters and finally see the Santa display at the end. The glass elevator did not exist then. It wasn't there when I left the area in the mid-80's. So many changes, some detrimental to the survival of the mall. Hopefully they will find new anchors, maybe Kohl's or even a Target or Walmart. They will probably need to subdivide it to make it work. Or maybe one of the community colleges could use the space for a satellite campus.
@@ladydawgfan4832 thank you for watching. I frequented this mall with my family as a child of the 80s. It wasn't far from Ottawa. A lot has changed since the mid 80s. All the suggestions for anchors exist now off property. Kohls has a two story store at new york and 59. Wal-Mart was on 59 next to naper west but moved down to 75th street. Target is at 59 and Liberty/Jefferson in Naperville. A college of dupage satellite wouldn't be a bad idea however.
@@mallaholicretailadventures I wish Boscov's or Dillard's would consider expanding, to the Chicago area. Since Boscov's is super conservative with their expansion plans each year (1-2 new stores usually?) since their past bankruptcy, they are probably unlikely sadly. I'm less sure if Dillard's would ever consider expanding here, myself. Not sure if Fox Valley could try to attract Round One or Dave and Buster's, here? Round One is already at Stratford, so not sure if they'd want another location to open that closely.
This was a great video, thanks! Sears at Fox Valley was a favorite weekend haunt of my family, when I still lived with my parents in Aurora, IL during college years 1975-1979. Along with Sears at Oak Brook mall, and Montgomery Wards at Yorktown Mall we visited the malls many weekends. Back then, Sears had a cafeteria and if you bought a full sized soda it came in a full size drink glass with had pictures of the old Sears catalog on the outside of the glass. Over the years, I ordered a lot of sodas and had a full set of 12 or more. We were Sears’s frequenters from years before when it was located in the Northgate mall on North Lake Street. I will miss Sears in Aurora, IL very much. Of course, over the years many beloved stores, such as Kroch & Brentano’s bookstore - have closed and been replaced by other stores or attractions. Nowadays, my local mall is Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, and I am still a fan of the Sears there.
I was just at the mall this past Saturday, and I kept thinking to myself that not having Carson's sucks. A year ago, it never crossed my mind that they would go out of business.
You have brought some amazing memories to all of us who follow you. Thank you and
God Bless. 🤗
Yes. I am glad to preserve this. This was my Sears store as well.
@@mallaholicretailadventures I know and you did it justice. 😊
This was my hometown mall too. This was basically our Target back in the 80s.
Yeah it's horrible to see Carson's and Sears gone there next to each other.
I worked there for a holiday season when it was still a Lord & Taylor.
This was my playground during my teen years in the 70's and early 80's. I actually worked in the merchandise pickup section of that Sears in the early 80's.
Memories of taking the bus with my friends and spending Saturday afternoons in the mall. In those days, the mall closed at 5:30 PM on Saturdays and at 5pm on Sundays. The city bus stopped running at that time which probably dictated the closing times.
I remember the HUGE Christmas display in the center courtyard where the carousel is now. You could actually walk through the display, look at all of the mechanical characters and finally see the Santa display at the end.
The glass elevator did not exist then. It wasn't there when I left the area in the mid-80's.
So many changes, some detrimental to the survival of the mall. Hopefully they will find new anchors, maybe Kohl's or even a Target or Walmart. They will probably need to subdivide it to make it work.
Or maybe one of the community colleges could use the space for a satellite campus.
@@ladydawgfan4832 thank you for watching. I frequented this mall with my family as a child of the 80s. It wasn't far from Ottawa. A lot has changed since the mid 80s. All the suggestions for anchors exist now off property. Kohls has a two story store at new york and 59. Wal-Mart was on 59 next to naper west but moved down to 75th street. Target is at 59 and Liberty/Jefferson in Naperville. A college of dupage satellite wouldn't be a bad idea however.
@@mallaholicretailadventures I wish Boscov's or Dillard's would consider expanding, to the Chicago area. Since Boscov's is super conservative with their expansion plans each year (1-2 new stores usually?) since their past bankruptcy, they are probably unlikely sadly. I'm less sure if Dillard's would ever consider expanding here, myself.
Not sure if Fox Valley could try to attract Round One or Dave and Buster's, here? Round One is already at Stratford, so not sure if they'd want another location to open that closely.
Dang. I remember seeing part of this and now I realize that I was here before Sears died. Now I understand those signs.
This was a great video, thanks! Sears at Fox Valley was a favorite weekend haunt of my family, when I still lived with my parents in Aurora, IL during college years 1975-1979. Along with Sears at Oak Brook mall, and Montgomery Wards at Yorktown Mall we visited the malls many weekends. Back then, Sears had a cafeteria and if you bought a full sized soda it came in a full size drink glass with had pictures of the old Sears catalog on the outside of the glass. Over the years, I ordered a lot of sodas and had a full set of 12 or more. We were Sears’s frequenters from years before when it was located in the Northgate mall on North Lake Street. I will miss Sears in Aurora, IL very much. Of course, over the years many beloved stores, such as Kroch & Brentano’s bookstore - have closed and been replaced by other stores or attractions. Nowadays, my local mall is Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, and I am still a fan of the Sears there.
Eight days left"I'll get back here"!
I remember where the electronics section is in this video there was a sears restaurant back in the day.
Sears was in the Northgate Shopping center prior to moving to Fox Valley and prior to that Sears was downtown Aurora.
I used to work at the Carsons at that mall for over 4 years before they closed, sad day.
I was just at the mall this past Saturday, and I kept thinking to myself that not having Carson's sucks. A year ago, it never crossed my mind that they would go out of business.
I was a lube tech in the auto center from march until the day we closed. I helped put the paper over the windows and take the signs down. RIP
My brother in law bought tools from this Sears
I used to work for Sears Holdings Corporate office and I agree Eddie has ran this company into the ground.
Nooooooooo