Metrocenter Mall: Goodbye To An Iconic Dead Mall | Retail Archaeology
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- Metrocenter Mall: Goodbye To An Iconic Dead Mall: In this episode we pay one last visit to the now permanently closed Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix, AZ.
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I never felt so invested in a mall I've never been in before
I had my first ever picture with Santa taken in this mall in 1993.
I grew up in this mall. I was there when it opened.
I was born in 97' and I'm not from the usa, so obviously I never got the chance to experience the golden days of malls haha
@@ultimateruffles5761 there's some places who have bopping malls still. Of course it doesn't help that mall brands themselves going out of business. A city near me actually has a dead mall (it's been converted to medical use) and a mall that's still fairly busy.
@@Vlad2319 here where I live, still has a couple of malls that are thriving and I used to visit when I was younger, but nothing like this
These dead malls have so much potential as TV/film sets. We're long overdue for a 2000s throwback mall movie.
Kinda like Six Flags of New Orleans (which is only like 45 minutes from me lol).
No
All that great space they could decorate that any way they wanted etc. Would make a good cable studio with leasing options to similar venues, Stay pay off the taxes infrastructure and high speed wiring there halfway there.
Your the first person to think, of potential. I think any mall space with some simple conversion can be profitable for the next 50 years. It's amazing who can't see past their nose.
Throwback to what? Malls were already dying by 2000. When the Best Buy outside MetroCenter closed, that was the beginning of the end for Metro. It was one of the busiest Best Buys in Phoenix, but the rent was too expensive. That was the main issue then. A few years later when internet shopping took off, that was the nail in the coffin. The mall heyday was the 80s-90s.
its sad how malls are closing down left and right, they were sure the rage in the 70s-90s
Yep... online shopping, and now cpvid has been the death blow....
It was a different era. Before catalogs, online retail 🛒, Amazon. I was never big on large malls. I rarely go to the places near me. Movies 🎬🎞🎟🍿 or maybe restaurants.
@@DavidLLambertmobile Well with the pandemic raging through, looks like Movie theaters and Restaurants are next in line.
i worked at a macys last year and foot traffic was good, it's just everything is too expensive. you have 100 stores and people can buy 1 thing from like 2 of them. they defo killed themselves
They can't compete.
They also take up way too much space which could be used for something else. Vertical, hydroponic farms would be perfect inside of these massive, now empty structures.
if you roll back time, that "mystery" restaurant was a Chick-fil-a
Like back when the McD's was in the corner then anime store was in
I loved that Chick Fil A. It had like a 50's diner look to it with all the polished metal. And of course, even when the mall was dying it stayed busy.
I remember when they handed out free samples on tooth picks.
I have a super distinct memory of eating at that Chick-fil-a after my grandma took me to see Santa :)
I remember that Chick-fil-a. I would go there during my lunch when I worked at Robinsons May
The abandoned textbook made me really sad at first, not disgusted. I pictured some high school or college student needing to bring it to work to study and then not being able to get it back after the store closed suddenly, and then their grade in that class tanking because they no longer had the book.
Yeah I'll take "Things that never happened" for $500, Alex.
So actually that vacant space at one point was a credit recovery highschool. Which explains why the text book was there
YoBany is correct, I actually graduated from MetroCenter Academy back in 2003. Not sure when the school closed officially but sad to see..
R.I.P. Metrocenter
1973-2020
I'm gonna miss this place. It was quite historic to me. It was the first two-story mall in Arizona. Although I never lived in the mall's heyday, I still liked going here.
Same here
As a lifelong Bill & Ted fan, this makes me very sad. Glad you got to show us around a couple more times.
Bill and Ted forever.
21:52 I remember this play area because I let my daughter play there when she was 1 1/2 years old. I snapped a picture of her playing on the Saturn planet seen at the bottom, she is now 15 this put tears to my eyes.
It's terribly sad how people have to screw up places like this. Looks like such a beautiful mall too!
This "Six Feet Apart" and "Masks On Mandidate" did it.
I know. I never understand why malls go u see, when they look like they would have been so cool?? It’s like...but why??
@@MultiCreditKIng agreed, that put the death nail in, But they were dying even before covid.
@@MultiCreditKIng I'd almost say no except the sad truth is it almost definitely didn't help the situation.
@@thelastminmom5251 It is unfortunate how so many of these malls go unmaintained. I get part of it is that people are shifting to a different position in retail, but at the same rate, I can't help but wonder if maintaining these places more would help bring more customers in more often.
You know it's a dead mall when the Bath & Body works is closed...
Don't tell me that. My local strip mall lost it's bath and body works after the previous owner refused to make needed repairs, especially to the roof. The repairs are almost done and alot of the spots are available for rent. We had hobby lobby open in January.
The Imaginarium, Natural Wonders, The Tinder Box, Suncoast Motion Picture Company...and that amazing arcade. I missed out seeing the Ice rink since I moved there in 91, but I do remember that arcade. I loved that arcade. I loved the mall in general too. Not just the mall but the stores surrounding it too on the outside. I used to go to Atomic Comics all the time, and sometimes spending afternoons at the branch of the Phoenix Public Library. Metrocenter in the 90s ruled. Farewell old friend...
Whatever happened to natural wonders??? I loved that store at my local mall as a kid!
God I love this mall I was so sad to not be able to be there closing day. I'm super grateful you filmed it in all the stages over the years so I can go back anytime and relive the memories I had of Saturday's spent in that Sears with my dad and going there with my best friend having a blast.
Im not even in the USA, but that comment even makes me sentimental of the 90's, old malls and a bygone age.
@tiffany: It’s sad how all these fun places are being taken away. Good ol days! Btw please don’t take Our Lord’s Name in vain. Have a good day. Peace!
Mall are really great. They have stores for stuff you didn't know you wanted
Like what? I never find that myself.
@@mstcrow5429 Retro video game stores and Anime stores
@@doraeguyakaneddie6586 Oh. The retro video game store I discovered once closed. I was disappointed. Haven't seen an anime store.
Just my observation but I think the reason why so many malls are closing is due to a lack of variety and entertainment, covid didnt help either but malls were closing before that. What ive seen here in socal is that malls are saturated with the same kinds of stores mostly high end clothing, what used to draw me into malls was the a variety of food and entertainment. We also used to frequent the mall because of stores like RadioShack and other electronic stores you never see that kind of stuff anymore.
@ Neddie, the neatly designed sitting areas and the water fountains are my ABSOLUTE
mall favorites rather than the shops they housed unless it was a bookstore or an art supply store, since I'm
quite artsy person PLUS a
bookworm, 🐛📘🐛!
I used to work at All 4 Anime. I remember when I first found it. It started out as a Morning Glory stationery shop way on the other end of the mall. The owners are very kind and put their all into the business. I hope they are able to move into a thriving mall to keep it going.
My partner worked at Suncoast and it was always fun when they had their anime events with trivia and cosplay contests. It also meant a surge of business over at A4A.
These Metrocenter videos have been bittersweet, the mall played a significant role in my life. It was the first mall I'd ever been to. My dad bought me to take pictures with santa and I remember so vividly the tile walls of Macy's, and I have always been enchanted by the architecture. When I was a fledgling mall goth, it was THE place to be. When I was in university, student housing was literally next door so I visited the mall a lot and eventually found work there. I have plenty of fond memories of time spent at the mall with my partner as well. Thank you so much for documenting this mall.
Ah, I was also "banned for life" at the age of 12 when my friends were caught shoplifting. 😂
I wonder what's going to happen to the All 4 Anime shop now that apparently Paradise Valley Mall's days are numbered as well...
I've been sad about this mall dying for a few years now, considering a lot of my childhood was here. Halloweens especially were fun, and before moving to the west side, my parents both worked here at some point and shopped here often. You're right about malls like this probably never being built again, and the designs are going to be well missed. I would have loved to see B&T3 add it into the movie and talk about how it declined, maybe it would have gotten some fame back into the place, even if it was just pushing back the inevitable. Funny enough, when you started talking about all the repairs needed, I was able to let the place go. I hope something good is put in its place, I couldn't stand to see it a huge dirt lot after all the time it's sat there.
I'm pretty sure that someone's or a group has bought the place out to do something with it.
Metrocenter. The best decorated mall at Christmas. Thank you Metro for the fun times.
Don't forget, "take me home tonight" with Topher Grace was filmed here back in 2006
Wow...never knew that! 👍👍👍
Having shopped their from ~1991-2006, I clearly remember pretty much all these stores. I remember them full of retail, Christmas time, wall to wall people. I see the empty stores but in my mind I'm walking the walkways, hearing the noise of the people and music, everything. It does feel surreal to see this. I mean, I remember, I bought the 3DO when if first came out from MetroCenter mall. I was living in Prescott at the time, drove all the way down, bought the 3DO, had lunch, drove back up. I think it was a Babbages back then, a little fuzzy on the exact store.
Yup, same here.. I got my Panasonic 3DO REAL from babages at metro center back in March 1994. I got it for my birthday and it came with the game called Gex, he was a green lizard. Also I had a cowboy shooting game and a cop game where you shoot bad guys, but forgot the title of those games. Brings back memories and when I talk about it to my friends, they have no idea what im talking about and never heard of a 3DO
This makes me sad. I grew up in Phoenix. I have many fond memories of going to Metro Center. Us locals just called it "Metro". The 80s and 90s were the peak times. Sigh...
2:19 Code Geass making a cameo in a Retail Archaeology Video.
I just read and saw the video that 12 News did on you! I’m happy to see that your work is being shared to more people within our community of Arizona!
6:06 The fast food restaurant use to be a Chik-Fil-A at one point during late 90s early 2000s! Use to go there when the Game Nightz and another older board/tabletop game shop(both located on the lower floor) from before use to host TCG weekly events & seasons.
I spent so much time in this mall in the 80s and early 90s. I worked at one pptato two. It was the best! I wish I could go back and take a look but I haven't been back to Phoenix since 1999. Cruisin metrocenter was our thing.
I still can't get over how beautiful those skylights are. Such a shame they're just going to be demolished...
The mall was a big part of my childhood. It’s sad to see something so special go.
Man this brings back so many memories
Gosh, I miss this mall.
I remember growing up and visiting my mom while she was at work. She was a store manager at B. Dalton Bookstore and that was probably at Metro's highpoint.
RIP.
I would like to believe there is someone driving around looking for stores closing just to run in and leave a half drunken cup behind as proof he or she was there.
Employees mostly. Last day and dgaf
Amazing how you got to go into everything and get a really good look around.....I love the instrumental background music you use in your explorations..its just quiet enough to almost have a relaxing exploration with you and you partner recording.
I bet bored security guards might have played with the fire extinguishers... like low budget paint balling.
A great send off to a pretty cool mall. Thank you for your coverage of this big giant over the years.
I was stationed in MCAS Yuma from the mid 80's to the mid 90's. Would take the family on a grand adventure to the Metrocenter every once in a while and we all loved it. The people, the shops, the overall ambiance drew us there time and time again. I miss those days for many many reasons and it's sad to me to see this form of shopping fade away. (Takes off rose colored glasses)
Metro Center was my favorite mall, I was 16 when it opened, I don't know if you remember the Alley that used to be on the top level at the south end, right next to where Broadway used to be. I also remember the Metro Lounge, which was right above the skating rink, my girlfriend worked there in the 1980s.
The Alley had those old western dress up photos and other little jewellers and travel agents. And the Metro Lounge was if I recall, themed with airplanes like it was an airport lounge. I was pretty young back then, but the overhead view of the ice rink was so cool...
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was filmed there and at Paradise Valley Mall. The PV Mall part was not used. They were my local malls when I lived there in the early 80s. Saw 48 hrs there in 1982.
It's not an RA episode without random stuff and drinks left behind in odd places.
BONUS SODA
Love that RA opening, synthesizer into. That sound brings me back to being a kid in the 70s/80s. Another great episode. Thanks!
Based on the Ruby Spears productions logo
That intro took me right back to after school cartoons!
So sad to see it go! A lot of my teen years were spent in this mall, especially all for anime 😢
We grew up there. Cruised the roads, flirted with the boys and caused general mischief. We all went to the two last cruises. So fun.
I loved this mall when I was a kid. It’s where we went to hang out with our friends in junior high and high school. My first job was at that anchor blue, then I worked at Robinsons May (previously Goldwaters) which Macy’s eventually bought. Lots of memories there.
I am so saddened by this. I feel like I've come a complete circle. I was a young teen in the 70's when I 1st went here. It was AMAZING! My 1st huge mall. The two things I remember most was the big airplane restaurant sticking out above the ice rink and the futuristic store (forgot name) which was huge due to Star Wars and Logan's run and all the Scifi coming out at that time. The infinity mirror blew my mind lol. A decade later I moved to SF and started my adult life with fond memories of my teen years at this mall (my 1st pathetic attempt at meeting a girl). Now seeing it's sad fall just makes me feel old.
4:57 a retail archeology staple "someone leaving a can, a Bottle or fast food restaurant to go cup of some beverage left in random in the abandoned or going out of business retail store empty shelf or counter".
I discovered your channel randomly when i was sick with covid. Since i had to quarenteen this really helped me get through it and im an arizona native so i know all of these places. Ive been a fan since then. Thank you
I would love to see a video where you show the mall at different times to contrast how busy it could get, with what it looked like when it was dying, to an empty husk.
Google metro center mall cruise on TH-cam, should be some interesting video
This mall will always have a special place in my heart
I remember first seeing the rather unique-looking Western Savings building from I-17, back around 1970-71, as it was the first structure that was built in that area. It was *completely surrounded* by cabbage fields to the west, which eventually became Metrocenter. In those days, I thought it rather odd that somebody would build *anything* like that in the middle of nowhere!
Now the bank is Tombstone Tactical gun store 😀
I appreciate the fact that you don’t disrupt the fixtures and items in the stores!
I started going to the mall at 14 at MetroCenter mall in Phoenix Az. My teens and early years were spent not only shopping but too, working at the mall. I worked for Bakers Shoes, KG Men's store, Metro Cinema's and Joske's. I am now 62 and raised four children that I have memories of taking to that mall. It saddens me to see the death of the mall and the death of all the wonderful stores I grew up with. Gone forever. Lot's of nostalgia and memories.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane man. This was the 1st mall in Arizona I went to moving here back in 1996. The thing I miss the most about the metrocenter mall is the Christmas season and how they would decorate the place with lights and trees and santa's and it was just so joyous and lively. I will miss that tremendously.
seeing the original space of the anime store and seeing it all empty with just the fixture including those anime posters still stuck on the counters it's kind of depressing to look at
With the way that stores are closing and going basically online, there'll never be any more to fill malls, it sucks.
Malls are outdated. The concept is no longer needed. Cities can use the spaces for 🏘 or offices. Malls can be converted to mixed use or supported housing for low income, addicts, seniors.
@@DavidLLambertmobile malling was more a social thing than just straight up buying crap at least for me
@@DavidLLambertmobile or if it's in a rural area, convert it back to nature
The empty brick façade was a Just Sports store. I worked for them from 2013-2015 and a memorable moment was my colleague trying to fix the lights and causing a small electrical fire. Also, the jewelry store was a Hickory Farms seasonal location, but I closed it before Christmas in 2015 because of extensive employee theft, a recent shooting, and incredibly lackluster sales. I'm familiar with all the malls in AZ and this is taking me back in time.
Literally just finished watching your first video on Metrocenter and being nostalgic. I moved away from Arizona before it closed and didn't know it was fully dead. Really hit me in the feels in a heck of an unexpected way. Seems like every mall I grew attached to is dying or has died a slow, ignoble death.
One of my first jobs was working at Goldwaters and before that was Swiss Colony which was downstairs. I worked at Goldwaters from late 1977 to 1980 when I moved to CA. It's sad to see Metro in this condition. Everyone from Cortez H.S. used to go to the mall on half-days and hang out...that started around 1975 when about 1/2 of the stores actually had a business in them. There was a Farrell's Ice Cream above the ice skating rink close to the food court. Ah, the good old days 😉
After blitzing all your vids last couple weeks looks like I've caught up
My old apartment was over on Dunlap, so I walked over to Metrocenter mall. I went to the Just Sports over there and then my friend and I went to the Harkins a lot. But I always ended up going to either Tempe Marketplace or SanTan Village in Gilbert. Phoenix has a lot of nice malls. It's too bad Metrocenter didn't survive. Love your videos!
Man, so many memories in this mall. It was always so fun coming heading south to Phoenix from up north. We always went to this mall back in the 90s.
My wife and I were in the Phoenix area back in 2018 for the adoption of our son, and the family we stayed with lives just south of the mall. I drove up to see it and actually went in the Walmart that is now there for baby formula. I always remember seeing this mall in Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure, and to this day regret not going in. Drove the loop around it though.
Used to come here as a kid … was a weekly thing from like 2002-2007 . It’s insane . All the memories.
wow I lived in Phoenix when this opened, it was like Disney World...I literally would take people there with the promise of "day of your life" it was so awesome....what a shame, glad I got to be there in it's hey day.
The abandoned restaurant is an old Chick-Fil-A . I remember them handing out samples there as a kid when it first opened up.
Always thought it was strange that it was off the food court in a normal store front
The last time i was at this mall, I was there to watch THE DARK CRYSTAL, opening weekend. I still remember the day in the HUMONGOUS arcade followed by the most frightening 90 min of Jim Henson, perfection id ever witness ;) Actually It might have been the arcade across the street at the Castles and coasters. The 3 story tall arcade amusement park, across the parking lot.
Great Video as always...your voice is so close to Jon Benjamin’s that I think of Archer or Bob’s Burgers every time....Regarding the Odds and Ends store, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure and so it reminded me of a disorganized flea market vendor....
Dude I saw u on channel 12 news, niiice!! I'm subscribed to ur channel. I love to blaze it and watch ur videos. I'm from California but grew up in AZ since I was a kid in the early 90s.
Was looking forward to this video! After your last video documenting the lower floor, I looked into when the next auction preview was so I was there exploring the upper floor that day as well! Really fascinating to see. The back of that Zuly's you showed at the end had so many food containers still in there. I also found a teddy bear just sitting out in the middle of nowhere? Security let me take it home so now I have a fun souvenir. It was certainly a once in a lifetime experience. Would have never known I could have gone without your channel!
lucky
I've never been to this mall or area, but this makes me sad. Edit: a closed up GNC and Bath and Body Works; that is a first.
Sad, coming from a small town, big malls like this were definitely a highpoint of any road trip or vacation. Its a lost opportunity to meet and greet new people. Everybody needs close social interaction (not overload mind you) but a place to be around other people, be reminded of the other kinds of people around us. With the decline of malls, I wonder what will replace them as hubs of social interaction. It wouldn't surprise me if malls in other countries start to close down, it would still be depressing though. Its scary to think that nothing will replace them and we, (not just the USA) will become totally non-social, no thought of other people because we're not around them. Sure we wouldn't have to interact with jerks or very dangerous people, but we would also lose the opportunity to meet new people, a special someone, or just a casual hang out to share an experience with.
True for introverts that have only a few Friends, They still need to atleast see People and be around Them
outdoor centers exist.
Well, we *still* have pubs and restaurants.
@@chetpomeroy1399 Nothing like a Good Irish Pub, watch Your P's and Q's
@@chetpomeroy1399 TRUE and also park districts even.
I wonder what will replace malls or even will they build new/improved ones, with buying online as an option?
That, I don't know.🤔
Live across the street from the Metrocenter while I was going to college, even worked at the Sears, how time flies! Sad to see it go! Wow I feel old now.
Retail Archeology... where I come to watch the Langoliers consume my childhood...
Pretty sure I mentioned my earliest memory of this place before but seeing this video really got to me.
We used to have to travel to Phoenix to see my grand-parents a few times a year. When we'd want a break or whatever during our visit we'd drive down to Metro Center Mall. I remember the skating rink. It was noisy but cool. There was a Nintendo store just inside the wing near the foodcourt/rink. We'd pass by it. I always wanted to go in, but my dad would tell me no or next time. No next time for me.
Looks like a classy nice mall with a lot of character. Really hope malls make a comeback before we continue to lose these masterpieces
A real tinge of sadness, seeing what used to be amazing, pretty much, used up, and destroyed. Life lived, memories made, it really is sad, that it just is sent out, quietly into the night. I work in retail, myself, and have for years. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been waiting for this forever it feels like. I love this,but it’s so odd seeing all those stores so empty. Especially that hot topic I spent a lot of time there in my youth.
It really is sad to see the mall in this state. I have so many memories there.
I think I've commented this on your previous Metro Center Mall videos, such a uniquely and beautifuly designed structure, it really is a damn shame, it going to be reduced to dust an rubble.
A-MAZ-ING! I feel so OLD. I'm from the east coast. I moved to Tucson in '97 to attend the U of A. I got a part time job at Circle K during the first week of classes. Immediately, I dropped out of the U of A, started to work full time at Circle K, and married a co-worker there. We lived in Phoenix '01 to '03. Metro Center was BOOMING then. I remember dropping my stepson off at the indoor Vans Skatepark, then my wife and I would take our baby for overpriced portrait photos.
The mystery restaurant was a Chik Fil A (I only know that from the comments here,) however, I think the stain came from water dripping out of their soda fountain.
RIP Metrocenter Mall
I think my GF in high school worked in that store. If it's the same one there's a reason it gives you a 90s vibe.
RIP Metrocenter. Thank you so much for all your coverage of this icon. I will likely watch your playlist for years, you are a gem!
Its always fascinated me to see all these videos about dead malls in the US. Here in Australia I dont think I have ever seen something that would quality as any kind of "dead mall" or "dying mall". Although a lot of that is probably down to differences between the US and Australia and how things work. In Australia a centre this size would have multiple supermarkets and discount department stores as anchor tenants which I think helps keep people comming. Plus the idea of a big-box all-in-one store ala Walmart (that has everything from pineapples to paint to prescription drugs) never took off in Australia (the Australian version of K-Mart did try stores that basically combined a K-Mart and a Coles Supermarket into one store but it failed and the stores were converted into standalone K-Mart stores and standalone Coles Supermarkets)
We own the Mr. Rags sign!!! My step dad got it during the auctions 😊
These films are always bitter sweet.
I've never been to this particular mall, but I feel like I have.
I am from New Mexico, and my 4 friends and I took a trip to Phoenix back in October 2002. Growing up, I've always heard of the mile long mall in Phoenix call Metro Mall. So we checked it out, and I remember walking through the mall, and the song: Oh Yeah- by BIG TYMERS was playing, in a hip hop clothing store, so everytime i hear the OH YEAH song, It reminds me of the trip to Phoenix and the Metro Mall. RIP Metro Mall....
Comic Book Guy: "Worst fountain EVER!"
legitimately appreciate you going behind the counters so much for the view into the shop--it's shockingly hard to find that visual/view when you want to draw it haha. (i enjoy drawing little cafes and shops, and i can only ever find references of the counter from the front. Also appreciate you going into arcades and stuff too!!)
outside of that tho, I love your work! Your videos are so well put together, and great to have on while i work (tho they're also so visually interesting that i often find myself fully invested--....that's not a problem at all though hehe).
Thanks for all the effort you put in and for all the amazing videos! Wishing you lots of success.
I used to service the ATMs at Metro Center, back in the 90's. It was pretty hopping then. So sad to see any mall close.
Fryers have grease bin in the bottom that help filter crumbs from when cleaning the grease. Looks like someone forgot and accidentally dumped them.
Level it like Tri-City mall.
I remember going there to visit Wallace and Ladmo
Awww man, so many high school memories of this place. ):
That black and white tile store looks like an old New York & Co store. Wonder if it was since the entire company went under recently
Yeah, it definitely was. Someone said it was a lane Bryant, and maybe it was at some point, but I know it was a ny and co., because I bought dress pants there, that I still have, that say ny and co., and this is the only mall I liked shopping at. Sucks now, I dont really have a mall to go to. I dont really like the atmosphere of arrowhead, I only go there for my son to shop, and definitely not driving out to Scottsdale or Chandler.
Generation x grew up around the mall. They tossed the one I knew since I was three in 1969. Everything from my buster browns to the engagement ring I bought my wife came from there. It’s been gone since 2012. I spent a lot of time there as a teenager in the early 80s. Lots of girl watching. How times have changed.
I was at Metrocenter Mall in 2006 and it was very busy! I still have the t-shirts I bought from that visit. Thank you for the great videos and all your hard work! It's very sad to see these malls closing up.
That restaurant with the giant stain was a chic-fil-a, my buddies and I used to grab lunch there during pokemon tournaments at the game nightz downstairs
Really it looked too small to have housed a Chick-fil-A even before the major renovation at La palmera Mall in Corpus Christi the original location of Chick-fil-A in that mall was much bigger
@@jtlovescodelyoko it was a small narrow store. But when it opened metro center space was at a premium.
@@yapper70 it was certainly really narrow and pretty crowded at times. Ate there quite a bit myself.
Im so sorry to hear that your losing your childhood mall @retailarceology.
The dress store with the tiles was originally a Lane Bryant. Upscale plus size. But it was owned by Ny&co/Lerner so similar look. I grew up in the 80s/90s here so I know most of the stores here. The Harkins is still open.
I was a little punk from Lincoln Place Apt's, grew up in this Mall in the late 80's. Never thought I'd live to see it like this.... Gut punch.
14:07 = I LOVED SunCoast they had THE WEIRDEST VHS SELECTION EVER!!!
moved to AZ the year this mall opened - was amazed at the ice skating ring. So sad to see this gone.
The earliest memory I can recall is seeing Batman here in 1989. It was such a cool mall back then. Also, when I was like 2 years old, my parents brought me here and happened to meet Randy Jackson back when he was playing bass for Journey and apparently he gave me a cinnabon.
That clothing store you went through early in the video with the marble tile had a sign where they said they said you had to go to he food court to use the bathroom, but they had a bathroom right in the back as you went around the corner. Guess someone in management didn't want their employees to use their special throne.
Metrocenter, Fiesta and Paradise Valley Malls are gone now and it is such a shame. They were super cool malls.
Wow I no longer live in AZ but lived the East Valley 98 till 2007. Your uploads is bitter sweet (ughh). I do remember places you visit at there prime. Keep doing these history preservation vidz. I enjoy them. Awesome Job !!!
Metro was my favorite hangout spot. I loved that hot topic.