JC Penney wing is still up. I have posted some pictures on Reddit a few months ago. The mall is still open as of April of 2023, there is a boxing gym in there, a storage place has taken over one of the anchors. The seagull infestation is back. I love looking at those collage boards, it’s nice to go back to a time that once was.
I went to this mall in 2005. Even back then it was about half vacant. Half the stores were local offerings, and I think Rainbow and Buckle were the only chain clothing stores. In fact, I'm pretty sure some of the murals you see were already present in '05. Shoe Sensation and Subway were the last chains to try out the mall, and neither lasted more than a year or two. The one thing I noticed is that it has horrible visibility from major roads. It's set way far back from 94 and Pipestone, so you can't even see it until you're right in front of it.
I love the wild floor tiling in the what seems to have been the food court. 1:37 The muted brown and blue and the cream tiles are nice. What is a "Hurricane Simulator"? 2:47
Another banger DG! Of all the malls I visited in my lifetime this may be the deadest mall I ever visited, more like a mall sarcophagus. I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about seagulls. This mall was known for the seagulls that would honk, fly around, and yes shit all over the mall. Apparently they are a rare type so they're protected by the govt. I came here myself in May 2021 and I think I saw like 2 people my whole time there not counting the staff at the then Joanns. I followed their FB page and they got those plastic owls to scare away the seagulls. If you looked closely there was birdshit all over the building and the glass ceiling windows. A sad area reminiscent of Flint. I know around the time I went there they were having local businesses open up and talks of a sports plaza, storage area, and hotel in the mall but haven't heard since 2021. I'm glad you noticed the photos there as I got emotional myself. You would see famous people from Rudy Guiliani to Muhammad Ali who lived in the area at one point. Also I used the restroom there and I kid you not there was a sign that said don't steal the toilet paper lol.
I used to work right nearby this mall. It's so surreal and bizarre seeing this giant empty shell of a building still have like one or two stores in it that are somehow still operating. I cannot possibly see how it's still open. How is that mattress store making any money?? And it doesn't look like it's falling apart either, like the ceiling isn't falling down, so are people still maintaining it? It's just so weird.
The mattress store got flooded out in a big storm that came through the area. The roof leaked and it was quite a mess. They tried to stay but it didn't work out. The post office also recently moved out, too.
keep in mind that the local population has dropped since the Orchard Mall first opened. The current local population is about 2/3 of what it was in 1980, that is a big drop. Malls need a population of a given size to support it. Also, with a Walmart. Meijer, Target*, Best Buy, Staples and a some other big players in the Fairplain Plaza all being literally right across the street, there is big competition for shoppers for a small population. Target is now closed too.
The owners just paid 350k in back taxes to get current. Here's hoping it does better. JC penny wing is still there. Benton Harbor is a grim town indeed. It's horrifyingly sad what it's become.
I think you mean St.Joe? It's right across the river. It's also home to Whirlpool Corp. They've done a lot for both cities, and their corporate offices are still there. The Upton family who started WP is also there in St. Joe.
I've been here many times. An investor group purchased the property but still haven't haven't started the redevelopment and it looks doubtful if it ever will. The post office recently moved out, so it appears to be over for good. Benton Harbor is a mess in every sense of the word - gangs, drugs, poverty, and the worst schools you can imagine. In my opinion, electing the wrong people to manage the city has a lot to do with it. They always have a new social program that's supposed to improve things, but they never work. (BTW - Sinbad the comedian is from BH.) The Wall Mart next door is notorious for the fights that break out amongst the customers. I had a friend married to a local police detective, and he wouldn't allow her to go to this mall unless he was with her. Pretty sad. Back in the day BH was a great place. The '68 riots were the beginning of the end - families & businesses fled across the river to St. Joe which is still doing well.
Michigan is a gorgeous state with Lake Michigan, huge sand dunes, and lush green forests. It’s true the leftists have ruined the cities, not to mention our idiot governor.
Yes, the mall is dead, but your generalization of Benton Harbor misses the mark a great deal. Yes, it's a rough town with an unexpectedly urban under culture given that there's no major cities nearby. But it's not the shithole you make it out to be. I'd invite you to take more than a passing glance at the rundown homes and rough looking streets and you'll find great people trying to do great things in spite of the adversity. Do better.
Forget about it. This mall is really dead! Everyone has to go to the South Bend/Mishawaka/Granger area for any serious shopping. RIP - at one time it was a great place to live.
JC Penney wing is still up. I have posted some pictures on Reddit a few months ago. The mall is still open as of April of 2023, there is a boxing gym in there, a storage place has taken over one of the anchors. The seagull infestation is back. I love looking at those collage boards, it’s nice to go back to a time that once was.
I went to this mall in 2005. Even back then it was about half vacant. Half the stores were local offerings, and I think Rainbow and Buckle were the only chain clothing stores. In fact, I'm pretty sure some of the murals you see were already present in '05. Shoe Sensation and Subway were the last chains to try out the mall, and neither lasted more than a year or two. The one thing I noticed is that it has horrible visibility from major roads. It's set way far back from 94 and Pipestone, so you can't even see it until you're right in front of it.
Hey, I know this is off-topic…
But thanks for introducing me to synthwave music, especially HOME.
I love the wild floor tiling in the what seems to have been the food court. 1:37 The muted brown and blue and the cream tiles are nice. What is a "Hurricane Simulator"? 2:47
9:05 what do you mean by “it’s probably better”?
Sad. It’s a great looking mall.
Another banger DG! Of all the malls I visited in my lifetime this may be the deadest mall I ever visited, more like a mall sarcophagus. I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about seagulls. This mall was known for the seagulls that would honk, fly around, and yes shit all over the mall. Apparently they are a rare type so they're protected by the govt.
I came here myself in May 2021 and I think I saw like 2 people my whole time there not counting the staff at the then Joanns. I followed their FB page and they got those plastic owls to scare away the seagulls. If you looked closely there was birdshit all over the building and the glass ceiling windows. A sad area reminiscent of Flint. I know around the time I went there they were having local businesses open up and talks of a sports plaza, storage area, and hotel in the mall but haven't heard since 2021.
I'm glad you noticed the photos there as I got emotional myself. You would see famous people from Rudy Guiliani to Muhammad Ali who lived in the area at one point. Also I used the restroom there and I kid you not there was a sign that said don't steal the toilet paper lol.
I used to work right nearby this mall. It's so surreal and bizarre seeing this giant empty shell of a building still have like one or two stores in it that are somehow still operating. I cannot possibly see how it's still open. How is that mattress store making any money?? And it doesn't look like it's falling apart either, like the ceiling isn't falling down, so are people still maintaining it? It's just so weird.
The mattress store got flooded out in a big storm that came through the area. The roof leaked and it was quite a mess. They tried to stay but it didn't work out. The post office also recently moved out, too.
As you go into the mall , that ceiling is seriously ugly.. the stars don’t help but the air con ducts etc are ugly …
The collages look like a "In memoriam" for this soon-to-be-defunct mall. It's indeed a bit emotional! 🥲
We drove by back in November and I thought it was closed for good then. Any word if it's back open now?
I like the floor tiles in this mall and I also like all those pictures. Makes me sad seeing all those pictures and the mall like this. Sad.🙁
I live about 15 minutes from there. That mall has been dead for as long as I can remember.
Looks like they could use that space for things like dentist offices or eyeglass businesses. At least it would be used.
Nobody is going to rent a space when their landlord is that far behind on property taxes
They used to have a slackers, game room, and laser tag arena, but even that is gone now.
keep in mind that the local population has dropped since the Orchard Mall first opened. The current local population is about 2/3 of what it was in 1980, that is a big drop.
Malls need a population of a given size to support it.
Also, with a Walmart. Meijer, Target*, Best Buy, Staples and a some other big players in the Fairplain Plaza all being literally right across the street, there is big competition for shoppers for a small population. Target is now closed too.
The owners just paid 350k in back taxes to get current.
Here's hoping it does better.
JC penny wing is still there.
Benton Harbor is a grim town indeed. It's horrifyingly sad what it's become.
Gives me Backrooms feelings
So sad 😢😢
1st. I can tell this was going to be bad just seeing the parking lot. It doesn't look so bad on the inside other than being EMPTY
The owners just paid $350k in back taxes, so we'll be stuck with this eyesore for awhile.
Benton Harbor?????? LONG ago home of HEATHKIT!
I think you mean St.Joe? It's right across the river. It's also home to Whirlpool Corp. They've done a lot for both cities, and their corporate offices are still there. The Upton family who started WP is also there in St. Joe.
You are quite correct, and I stand corrected. For some reason Benton Harbor was in my brain, LOL@@LillyKC23
This is so sad looking where are the people if this Mall open its too sad 😢😮😅
2 legged pets are EXPENSIVE!
I've been here many times. An investor group purchased the property but still haven't haven't started the redevelopment and it looks doubtful if it ever will. The post office recently moved out, so it appears to be over for good.
Benton Harbor is a mess in every sense of the word - gangs, drugs, poverty, and the worst schools you can imagine. In my opinion, electing the wrong people to manage the city has a lot to do with it. They always have a new social program that's supposed to improve things, but they never work. (BTW - Sinbad the comedian is from BH.)
The Wall Mart next door is notorious for the fights that break out amongst the customers. I had a friend married to a local police detective, and he wouldn't allow her to go to this mall unless he was with her. Pretty sad. Back in the day BH was a great place. The '68 riots were the beginning of the end - families & businesses fled across the river to St. Joe which is still doing well.
What is the open anchor?
None, there is a post office here and mattress store I think that's all that's left now
I hate to say this again it's going to be all boarding up and trash sooner later 😂😢😮😅😊
Im surprised Michigan is still open. If it was not so close to Illinois, it would be declared a disaster area and a failed state.
It's the 10th most populated state lol. Used to be 8th behind ohio.
Michigan is a gorgeous state with Lake Michigan, huge sand dunes, and lush green forests. It’s true the leftists have ruined the cities, not to mention our idiot governor.
It looked like you were the only person there. The tile was not very attractive.
Yes, the mall is dead, but your generalization of Benton Harbor misses the mark a great deal. Yes, it's a rough town with an unexpectedly urban under culture given that there's no major cities nearby. But it's not the shithole you make it out to be. I'd invite you to take more than a passing glance at the rundown homes and rough looking streets and you'll find great people trying to do great things in spite of the adversity. Do better.
Start finding me a reason to come back.
I already covered the mall, and I don't see much else of interest that's worth coming back for.
Forget about it. This mall is really dead! Everyone has to go to the South Bend/Mishawaka/Granger area for any serious shopping. RIP - at one time it was a great place to live.