I grew up going to this mall. The problem wasn't so much location, as it was a dry township and when all the restaurants were coming in, they went to Norland instead. Also, the bridge going over 81 needed to be widened to handle traffic and that was done too late. The whole reason that location was originally chosen was because it was between Shippensburg and Chambersburg and there was room for expansion, and they expected that the township would vote to allow alcohol sales. Plus, it didn't help that several of the anchor stores had their own issues ( Bon-Ton, Sears, and Pennys)
So I grew up going to this mall. (Still in the area) I remember most of the stores that were in there. The center stage used to have Santa and Easter bunny photos for kids , it also used to have a comic shop and a few card shops that held different card game tournaments. I remember that I used to go them back in early 2000's. I also used to remember the pizza place that used to be by the movie theater it was a favorite place to eat there. And it had a good ice cream shop too..
Excellent video! We have lost too many malls this year(Military Circle being another such example), along with ones on the verge of closing(Golf Mill, Stratford Square, Military Circle, etc). You did make a good point in this video, that the location for this mall was likely built a little further away from the center of Chambersburg than it should've been. And of course you're right that once Namdar took over Chambersburg Mall, they didn't run this mall well. But they never run any of their malls well, and same with(on a side note) Kohan.
What a great documentary bud. I grew up here. Saw dozens of movies there, took girlfriends there all through school and after. So many friend memories. Sad to see it go. I appreciate seeing this. Thank you.
On my occasional trip from New York City to visit friend in western North Carolina would pull of 81 south and visit the mall. Was in an area with small population and few surrounding stores which means that local people would have to drive just for the pleasure of shopping at the mall. Remember that there was an outdoor and camping store next to the mall. There was a sit down restaurant in the mall where you paid for your main selection and then a few dollars extra for a salad,fruit and dessert bar at your option. Would always have lunch or early dinner there. Think I visited the mall just before the worst of covid hit and saw the large number of vacant store fronts. Concluded then that the mall was heading towards a failure and closure. After leaving Chambersburg mall would visit Hagerstown mall and sometimes eat at Golden Coral. I love to walk through malls hoping to spot a bargain. If I have time will seldom pass one up.
The mall of my youth in the 80’s and 90’s. It was a beacon on a hill. A taste of civilization in a very rural community. Our connection with the world. I have now been in Florida for over half my life, but I still have fond, core memories of this place.
Kind of sad to see. I went to Shippensburg University in the mid-90's and worked part-time at several stores there (JC Penney, Bon Ton, Foot Locker, and Bonanza). Spent a good bit a time there and it was always busy back then.
I remember visiting this mall when I was a kid a couple times, it was struggling, but it was doing okay enough to survive with a good variety of stores. It’s absolutely horrible how Namdar treats their malls. This mall was gorgeous. But it was also in a very poor location. I actually filmed this mall a couple months ago for a project in college and also I visited it the day it closed and posted both of them. If Namdar didn’t own it, I believe it may of still been surviving. It deserved way better owners. I remember walking in there when it was still open for walkers, the air was so thick and it smelled awful in there. It just smelled like mold all through the hallways. Chambersburg Mall was easily probably the most dead mall I’ve ever seen and been too. It was so dead, it was unsettling. 1982 - 2023
If you look at the beginning of the video and the description, this was filmed way before the mall closed. This was recorded in April when the mall was still open to the public.
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What are your thoughts on Chambersburg Mall? Do you have memories shopping here?
I grew up going to this mall.
The problem wasn't so much location, as it was a dry township and when all the restaurants were coming in, they went to Norland instead.
Also, the bridge going over 81 needed to be widened to handle traffic and that was done too late.
The whole reason that location was originally chosen was because it was between Shippensburg and Chambersburg and there was room for expansion, and they expected that the township would vote to allow alcohol sales.
Plus, it didn't help that several of the anchor stores had their own issues ( Bon-Ton, Sears, and Pennys)
So I grew up going to this mall. (Still in the area) I remember most of the stores that were in there. The center stage used to have Santa and Easter bunny photos for kids , it also used to have a comic shop and a few card shops that held different card game tournaments. I remember that I used to go them back in early 2000's. I also used to remember the pizza place that used to be by the movie theater it was a favorite place to eat there. And it had a good ice cream shop too..
This was a great video! I'm glad you got to visit before it closed. Oh and the music was *on pointtt*
Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video! We have lost too many malls this year(Military Circle being another such example), along with ones on the verge of closing(Golf Mill, Stratford Square, Military Circle, etc).
You did make a good point in this video, that the location for this mall was likely built a little further away from the center of Chambersburg than it should've been. And of course you're right that once Namdar took over Chambersburg Mall, they didn't run this mall well. But they never run any of their malls well, and same with(on a side note) Kohan.
What a great documentary bud. I grew up here. Saw dozens of movies there, took girlfriends there all through school and after. So many friend memories. Sad to see it go. I appreciate seeing this. Thank you.
Thank You! Glad I was able to preserve history of a place you made memories at!
Great great video as always Andrew. I remembered doing sports card memorabilia shows when this mall was thriving.
On my occasional trip from New York City to visit friend in western North Carolina would pull of 81 south and visit the mall. Was in an area with small population and few surrounding stores which means that local people would have to drive just for the pleasure of shopping at the mall. Remember that there was an outdoor and camping store next to the mall. There was a sit down restaurant in the mall where you paid for your main selection and then a few dollars extra for a salad,fruit and dessert bar at your option. Would always have lunch or early dinner there. Think I visited the mall just before the worst of covid hit and saw the large number of vacant store fronts. Concluded then that the mall was heading towards a failure and closure. After leaving Chambersburg mall would visit Hagerstown mall and sometimes eat at Golden Coral. I love to walk through malls hoping to spot a bargain. If I have time will seldom pass one up.
These videos are so darn enjoyable ❤ Btw what is the intro song :)
The mall of my youth in the 80’s and 90’s. It was a beacon on a hill. A taste of civilization in a very rural community. Our connection with the world.
I have now been in Florida for over half my life, but I still have fond, core memories of this place.
Great video sad to see mall
Close
Kind of sad to see. I went to Shippensburg University in the mid-90's and worked part-time at several stores there (JC Penney, Bon Ton, Foot Locker, and Bonanza). Spent a good bit a time there and it was always busy back then.
I remember making deliveries there back in 2014 and 2015. I thought it was so cool how it was in the middle of nowhere. I’m sure it is missed.
I remember visiting this mall when I was a kid a couple times, it was struggling, but it was doing okay enough to survive with a good variety of stores. It’s absolutely horrible how Namdar treats their malls. This mall was gorgeous. But it was also in a very poor location. I actually filmed this mall a couple months ago for a project in college and also I visited it the day it closed and posted both of them. If Namdar didn’t own it, I believe it may of still been surviving. It deserved way better owners. I remember walking in there when it was still open for walkers, the air was so thick and it smelled awful in there. It just smelled like mold all through the hallways. Chambersburg Mall was easily probably the most dead mall I’ve ever seen and been too. It was so dead, it was unsettling. 1982 - 2023
amazing video as always:) this mall is awesome
Thank you!! This mall is absolutely incredible!
how did you get in? none of the doors were unlocked or broken
If you look at the beginning of the video and the description, this was filmed way before the mall closed. This was recorded in April when the mall was still open to the public.
Is there anything that can be done to bring this mall back to its former glory?
It’s permanently closed now so probably not unfortunately