I've closed a few of them, and yeah... they're pretty unexciting. Anything that's salvageable, (including the endcap/back side rack mirrors) tends to be absorbed by other stores. Payless filed for bankruptcy, but not to close. It was to renegotiate leases on older/struggling stores between April and August. In the end, they closed around 400, I think. Many others were renegotiated and didn't close.
Those are not padlocks. They are key boxes for realtors. There is usually a combination that opens the box for access to keys that open the building for the realtor to show the property to prospective buyers.
chipmaster56 I wonder if it be nifty to turn one of these old buildings into homeless homes you know fix em up or better yet for your own personal use turn it into your home😉
Those padlocks on the handles are actually key storage boxes the realtor uses when they have properties for sale. They put in a combo and the keys for the house or building are inside. They do this so they can show interested clients the porperty.
I can't remember exactly when it closed, but it was pretty recent. I've wanted to get into the abandoned JCPenney across the street for years now, I used to shop there as a kid. The UHaul building was an abandoned Montgomery Ward for years as well. I was happy to see it finally getting used, but it was bittersweet because I was hoping to get in there before it got torn down or occupied.
I worked for Payless in the 70s! Probably going down the tubes because we had thefts daily! Finding old stinky shoes in the new boxes. New shoes gone. And they treated their employees crappy too!
Lol wow I can't believe that door was just wide-open like that. But I know exactly how you felt when you pulled it and it came right open in your hand 😂
That Nate Guy On TH-cam It was such an incredible feeling when that happened. I was originally not going to go in especially after I watched your video where you stated about getting in trouble later by getting a subpoena in the mail. I figured if I state why I'm inside, hopefully I'll be okay. I was nervous but it was rewarding when I finally walked in. I left it exactly the way I found it. I actually had to cut video because of some cussing because I was excited. Haha
There's a Payless in Arnold that closed a few months ago. www.google.com/maps/@38.4388427,-90.3755888,3a,30y,0.71h,93.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz6ZODKe45AIjdmJZQrqdFA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656. I can remember how shocked I was to see it closing! But I'll film it soon!
I went to the abandoned Ames in Barre, Vermont back in 2009 (logos and street signs were still intact at that time) and when I stood in front of the automatic doors, they opened. I believe the building was just about to be prepped for either a demolition or remodel though which would explain why the doors were operating. It was pretty crazy though. I had taken a few photos and videos but haven't been able to get into the hard drive I have it all saved on in years
I absolutely love your urban exploration videos. You're so real and refreshingly respectful to the buildings you film. Any tips for a new urban explorer?
I hesitate to ask but wonder what you found so exciting about this closed store. They are so mundane on the interior. I should know, I was a manager with them for 25 years. Notice that the back end caps are missing. They were mirrored and very heavy, and likely removed to be used in other stores.
Dude love your videos it's great seeing another local person doing this I'm originally from Butler PA now live in ford city PA my luck with abandoned videos didn't work very well so I have done a mix i haven't uploaded in a while I just mainly watch now but anyway thanks for the videos
Those are key safes,locked inside are the door keys for realty agents to access the inside to show prospects or contractors to gain access when needed.🔑A careless someone forgot to lock the door or forgot the combination to put the key back in keysafe hanging on door so just left it open for agent.💼The company filed for bankruptcy so liquidators most likely left door open after tagging store fixtures.That place an easier sell for either retail or office use guessing leaving it up to buyer to fix leak around HVAC vent in front otherwise place in pretty good shape.👌
Very rarely will the front door be unlocked in an abandoned. Even more rarely will said place happen to be in near mint condition. This was some pretty cool footage. Seriously though, I don't see the point in putting locks strictly on the door handles aside from pure intimidation.
Tempo Quill I agree. I could easily see those locks being a deterrent. I think someone just forgot to lock the door when they were walking out of the place. I just hope my video hasn't been seem by the wrong crowd which would give them the idea of vandalizing the place. That's not why I explored it. I just explored it out of curiosity and to help feed my hobby of urban exploration.
You should be just fine. I don't think vandals would actively search for the Payless explored in the video, even if they were within the vicinity. It also helps if the surrounding area has a low crime rate.
I used to live in Pennsylvania. And I have been to Lower Burrell. Nice enough place. Never heard anything really bad. The last time I was there I believe I drove past a Montgomery Ward that had closed. It was about 2003
Payless shoes were always uncomfortable. At least the ones I bought. I had a pair of sneakers with a hidden platform that hurt like hell. They looked nice on the outside, but your feet would feel like you were on a march after a few minutes. I had a pair of lug soled Mary Janes that came out in the late 90s? Maybe 2000. They had a buckle. They looked nice, but were a pain to wear even though they were my size. I probably have an old pair lurking somewhere in a garage. Cheap shoes that never lived up to their promise.
Great job! I too can't believe you got inside! I agree with what you said, If anyone gets inside an abandoned building, just film, no taking or touching Stuff. I see nothing wrong with looking in cabinets and drawers, there isn't Anything in there, by seeing you videos. I know you woulden't ake anything, But curiousity is peaked in an empty building.
I know where this Payless is at ! I'm familiar with the area.I can't believe payless went out of business ! They had excellent priced shoes for every budget ! 5 $ for a pair of tennis shoes,15 $ for a pair of high heels.I bought a good many pairs of shoes at Payless.
going back to school shopping in the early 2000s that's the only store my mother would take me and my sisters to. I loved the store because School shoes were the only thing I would get.
I haven't seen a payless shoes open since 2017. Their sneakers were usually crap but their dress shoes weren't bad at all. Got some good deals there in the past.
The power actually could have been off, those exit signs actually have an internal battery inside to keep them lit in case of an emergency where there is a power outage, youd always be able to find the exits, usually they are LEDs so they could stay lit up without power from the building for months or even years before the battery inside craps out. But I cant believe that someone forgot to lock the door back 😂🤦♂️🤷♂️
Why no loading dock???? That's the thing I can't wrap my head around. Did the new merchandise just come in through the front door??? Would be rather hard to roll pallets around on that carpet through the front door. Even going thru the back door with a handtruck would be a major PITA, can you imagine trying to lug a stacked handtruck with shoe boxes up 5-6 steps. I'm guessing all deliveries were via hand truck thru the front door. Still doesn't make sense to me.
The blue lockbox is a Supra real-estate box. any agent in good standing with the MLS/Realtor assn can open it with their cell phone. the other one is a generic lock box, don't know whose.
IF you noticed when you were on the side of the building, the electric meter was still in place. That is how you can tell if there is still electrical service.
Tammy Goulet Schrader Well where I live about an hour away bergners,Sears and Sears auto shop at the Quincy illionis mall is closing in two months and then in Burlington iowa there's an old Kmart building that no one ain't taking care of it for about five years now just letting it rot and in keokuk iowa an old jacks that shopko bought it was sold to some church ppl but after three years the church ppl rather just let it sit and rot which is ashamed that these places are allowed to rot..
Fox-E (Bonzai) Well I do live in the midwest afterall and it's ashamed alot of good places are going away due to internet is taking over shopping but in quincy il the idiots wants to raise taxes and they don't do tax free school supply shopping so iowa and Missouri will be getting the benefit of it..😉😀
it looks like emergancy power on "switched off at breakers , i am goign say those signs on battery power, since they should be emergancy lights on scattered on
I've closed a few of them, and yeah... they're pretty unexciting.
Anything that's salvageable, (including the endcap/back side rack mirrors) tends to be absorbed by other stores.
Payless filed for bankruptcy, but not to close. It was to renegotiate leases on older/struggling stores between April and August. In the end, they closed around 400, I think. Many others were renegotiated and didn't close.
Those are not padlocks. They are key boxes for realtors. There is usually a combination that opens the box for access to keys that open the building for the realtor to show the property to prospective buyers.
chipmaster56 Ahh, I see. I wondered what their purpose was. Thanks for letting me know!
chipmaster56 I wonder if it be nifty to turn one of these old buildings into homeless homes you know fix em up or better yet for your own personal use turn it into your home😉
WallieB26 Hey watch it with those locks things they could have alarms attach to em.
chipmaster56 💡
@@gordenwood7853 the rent on a commercial building is way more than a house you'd pay triple what you would if you'd just rent a house or apartment
Those padlocks on the handles are actually key storage boxes the realtor uses when they have properties for sale. They put in a combo and the keys for the house or building are inside. They do this so they can show interested clients the porperty.
This was one of the first vids I watched with Wallie… 5 years ago! I used to drive past this location before it closed. Daaaamn!!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉
I can't remember exactly when it closed, but it was pretty recent. I've wanted to get into the abandoned JCPenney across the street for years now, I used to shop there as a kid. The UHaul building was an abandoned Montgomery Ward for years as well. I was happy to see it finally getting used, but it was bittersweet because I was hoping to get in there before it got torn down or occupied.
I worked for Payless in the 70s! Probably going down the tubes because we had thefts daily! Finding old stinky shoes in the new boxes. New shoes gone. And they treated their employees crappy too!
Cool video. I love the videos when you get inside!
Lol wow I can't believe that door was just wide-open like that. But I know exactly how you felt when you pulled it and it came right open in your hand 😂
That Nate Guy On TH-cam It was such an incredible feeling when that happened. I was originally not going to go in especially after I watched your video where you stated about getting in trouble later by getting a subpoena in the mail. I figured if I state why I'm inside, hopefully I'll be okay. I was nervous but it was rewarding when I finally walked in. I left it exactly the way I found it. I actually had to cut video because of some cussing because I was excited. Haha
LOL!
There's a Payless in Arnold that closed a few months ago. www.google.com/maps/@38.4388427,-90.3755888,3a,30y,0.71h,93.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz6ZODKe45AIjdmJZQrqdFA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656. I can remember how shocked I was to see it closing! But I'll film it soon!
payless walilie b 26
I went to the abandoned Ames in Barre, Vermont back in 2009 (logos and street signs were still intact at that time) and when I stood in front of the automatic doors, they opened. I believe the building was just about to be prepped for either a demolition or remodel though which would explain why the doors were operating. It was pretty crazy though. I had taken a few photos and videos but haven't been able to get into the hard drive I have it all saved on in years
I absolutely love your urban exploration videos. You're so real and refreshingly respectful to the buildings you film. Any tips for a new urban explorer?
I hesitate to ask but wonder what you found so exciting about this closed store. They are so mundane on the interior. I should know, I was a manager with them for 25 years. Notice that the back end caps are missing. They were mirrored and very heavy, and likely removed to be used in other stores.
Hi Wallie, Payless was great in its day but now there is so much competition and on line shopping. RIP Payless.
Linda Goreham where I'm at payless is still huge. Idk.
It still exists where I live but no one goes there. Idk about other places but the one near me just sells bad fakes of name brand shoes.
Dude love your videos it's great seeing another local person doing this I'm originally from Butler PA now live in ford city PA my luck with abandoned videos didn't work very well so I have done a mix i haven't uploaded in a while I just mainly watch now but anyway thanks for the videos
It closed only a week or two before you showed up.
Austin That explains why it was so clean inside and out. Thanks for the info!
Those are key safes,locked inside are the door keys for realty agents to access the inside to show prospects or contractors to gain access when needed.🔑A careless someone forgot to lock the door or forgot the combination to put the key back in keysafe hanging on door so just left it open for agent.💼The company filed for bankruptcy so liquidators most likely left door open after tagging store fixtures.That place an easier sell for either retail or office use guessing leaving it up to buyer to fix leak around HVAC vent in front otherwise place in pretty good shape.👌
Very rarely will the front door be unlocked in an abandoned. Even more rarely will said place happen to be in near mint condition.
This was some pretty cool footage.
Seriously though, I don't see the point in putting locks strictly on the door handles aside from pure intimidation.
Tempo Quill I agree. I could easily see those locks being a deterrent. I think someone just forgot to lock the door when they were walking out of the place. I just hope my video hasn't been seem by the wrong crowd which would give them the idea of vandalizing the place. That's not why I explored it. I just explored it out of curiosity and to help feed my hobby of urban exploration.
You should be just fine. I don't think vandals would actively search for the Payless explored in the video, even if they were within the vicinity. It also helps if the surrounding area has a low crime rate.
Tempo Quill Not sure about the crime rate but from what I've always known it's been okay there.
Oh. Okay.
I used to live in Pennsylvania. And I have been to Lower Burrell. Nice enough place. Never heard anything really bad. The last time I was there I believe I drove past a Montgomery Ward that had closed. It was about 2003
Payless shoes were always uncomfortable. At least the ones I bought. I had a pair of sneakers with a hidden platform that hurt like hell. They looked nice on the outside, but your feet would feel like you were on a march after a few minutes. I had a pair of lug soled Mary Janes that came out in the late 90s? Maybe 2000. They had a buckle. They looked nice, but were a pain to wear even though they were my size. I probably have an old pair lurking somewhere in a garage. Cheap shoes that never lived up to their promise.
Great job! I too can't believe you got inside! I agree with what you said,
If anyone gets inside an abandoned building, just film, no taking or touching
Stuff. I see nothing wrong with looking in cabinets and drawers, there isn't
Anything in there, by seeing you videos. I know you woulden't ake anything,
But curiousity is peaked in an empty building.
I know where this Payless is at ! I'm familiar with the area.I can't believe payless went out of business ! They had excellent priced shoes for every budget ! 5 $ for a pair of tennis shoes,15 $ for a pair of high heels.I bought a good many pairs of shoes at Payless.
Goes to show "always try the front door" as you just never know your luck...
Those Are Not Pad locks On The Door Handles They Are key Combination Boxes . There Are keys Inside For Realtors To Get Inside The Store.
The padlocks have keys in them for realtors to show the property.
Can't believe you got inside. Just wow!!
3:37 how did you get in
They could put a blockbuster there!
they closed down because of 2 employees, strange behavior, sniffing shoes these guys were
Do know when it closed or just how it closed
Awesome video man. Love your videos. keep'em coming! 😁
jeremymalatt317 Definitely! As long as I can keep filming, I'll keep bringing you guys videos!
WallieB26 Awesome man, sounds good
I remember that logo. Good memories....
going back to school shopping in the early 2000s that's the only store my mother would take me and my sisters to. I loved the store because School shoes were the only thing I would get.
I guess they had to close because Al Bundy insulted one too many Fat Ladies HA HA
Hey, Awesome Video Dude, Enjoyed, Thnx :)
You should do abandond houses&other abandond buildings like abandond theaters
That's really interesting that they still have the decks and benches
Awesome that you got inside.. more so that you didn't get caught! I enjoyed..
I am sure the last Realtor that showed it forgot to lock it before they put the key back in the lockbox
I haven't seen a payless shoes open since 2017. Their sneakers were usually crap but their dress shoes weren't bad at all. Got some good deals there in the past.
According to the Payless website, it was scheduled to close back in April.
bookem0984 Are all the Payless shoe stores gone? I remember one in Warminster, PA. Used to have a K-Bee Toy store in the same strip mall.
@@samanthab1923 yes
I used to go past it all the time going to the baseball field down the road
That was cool as hell man. There's always an extra thrill when you're able to get inside. Nice find.
EndlessReprieve Agreed. And thanks man!
Should save the converse for me! They'd last longer with me than there and I'd love to give them a home
Those "padlocks" contain a key so the real estate can open the building
That's the cleanest Abadoned store I evee seen with the door left unlock surprisingly vandals haven't gotten to the store with spray paint & graffiti
Thats awesome!! I live 5mins from here..
Lower Burrell PA is where my Nana and Pap live!
Payless was NOT the place to be getting shoes in the 80's!😂😂 My brother and I had all the "Imitation" shoes😂😂
I love this video
I'd better get in there to do a full in depth review of that restroom!
The GearShots DO IT! Do it while you can. LOL It was really clean in there!
Make sure that toilet flushes
The power actually could have been off, those exit signs actually have an internal battery inside to keep them lit in case of an emergency where there is a power outage, youd always be able to find the exits, usually they are LEDs so they could stay lit up without power from the building for months or even years before the battery inside craps out. But I cant believe that someone forgot to lock the door back 😂🤦♂️🤷♂️
I like when people explore abandond places
1:04 had me geekin lmao, and pad locks are the lock boxes with the keys inside
The locks on the door are for real estate agents. They actually contain the building key,
Mister Hat I realized that from another comment on a different video. I was wondering. Now I know! Thanks for letting me know. I had no clue.
WallieB26 the will open it’s because the logo is on the signage when it’s closed so forget about that
Those padlocks on the door are realtor lock box which has a key inside for the entrance
I used to go to that exact payless shoesource
Y'All should come out to San Antonio, Tx there are some abandoned buildings and also there is an abandoned arby's restaurant in New Braunfels, Tx
Why no loading dock???? That's the thing I can't wrap my head around. Did the new merchandise just come in through the front door??? Would be rather hard to roll pallets around on that carpet through the front door. Even going thru the back door with a handtruck would be a major PITA, can you imagine trying to lug a stacked handtruck with shoe boxes up 5-6 steps.
I'm guessing all deliveries were via hand truck thru the front door. Still doesn't make sense to me.
Good job.
6:13 that rack is for the audio system in the store.
I like your videos and that you film just to document and not steal or vandalize
hi wallieb26 I love your vids you are so amazing at what you do keep up the good work:)
It would be cool to get the signs of places like this that close. Probably would get arrested trying to take the sign down though😁
Love the videos 👨 keep them coming
I miss payless. So sad. That. They closed 😭😭😭😭
Keep em coming wallie
I literally live 10 minutes away from there. 😁
3:44 a intro reference
I miss this store
Criminal Trespass, nice job and you even caught it on film.
Ah, stop being a moral idiot.
I’m sorry your stepson didn’t succeed in burning down your house.
You ever poop your pants? At Midnight?
we have so many stores of Payless Shoe Source in kuwait totally cool place
So thats where they all went ehh...Id love to see some vids of westen stores in that part of the world. That would be intresting
Easy entry is always a bonus, Likes. Your video
I Love This Channel.
Lucky man to get in the abandoned store
New fan of yours. Keep up the great work man! If you’re ever in the cleveland area, check out the old balley total fitness on Brookpark rd.
Or the old diy Home Warehouse in warren, Ohio that still has signage up!
We have these closed Payless shoe stores all over here on Long Island NY.
I got my shoes from payless. I never knew they were doing so bad.
Hey, man. The stores are going out!
The blue lockbox is a Supra real-estate box. any agent in good standing with the MLS/Realtor assn can open it with their cell phone. the other one is a generic lock box, don't know whose.
Before I started watching this video right now I got a covid19 commercial
IF you noticed when you were on the side of the building, the electric meter was still in place. That is how you can tell if there is still electrical service.
Awesome video
Lol like the some really had to piss that was funny to me
nathan crawford Lol. I love saying silly things like that.
I do not see any no trespassing sighing anywhere. You're good. I liked it. Kinda boring one though
But thanks!
The padlock on the front door has the key in it, all you have to do is get the code
Wallie, those padlocks are for realtors
Those locks hold the keys to the building
The combo keys are for showings during real estate
Those padlocks on the door are actually lockboxs for the keys to the front door
Exit signs have a battery backup for when there is a power outage at night.
Those things on the door handles have the keys in them.
Payless is closing stores all over since April. I believe they filed for bankruptcy protection. I might be wrong.
Tammy Goulet Schrader Well where I live about an hour away bergners,Sears and Sears auto shop at the Quincy illionis mall is closing in two months and then in Burlington iowa there's an old Kmart building that no one ain't taking care of it for about five years now just letting it rot and in keokuk iowa an old jacks that shopko bought it was sold to some church ppl but after three years the church ppl rather just let it sit and rot which is ashamed that these places are allowed to rot..
Gorden Wood wow. Small world huh? Ive been to Burlington and especially Quincy IL. My dad goes there for appointments
Fox-E (Bonzai) Well I do live in the midwest afterall and it's ashamed alot of good places are going away due to internet is taking over shopping but in quincy il the idiots wants to raise taxes and they don't do tax free school supply shopping so iowa and Missouri will be getting the benefit of it..😉😀
Gorden Wood good thing I live in misery, I mean, missouri 😁😂
Fox-E (Bonzai) Yeah but at least in Missouri some stuff is cheaper than living in illionis or in Iowa taxes in those states can kill your wallet..
The lock boxes that you call pad locks has keys to the building so reality can show the property to future tenants.
My abandoned one got turned into a dream dentist
I believe that store closed in 2005 or 2006 when the store in the Pittsburgh Mills mall opened.
The padlocks are realtor locks, if you had the combination you will find the keys to th he building inside it
I lived in Alabama and most of the Payless shoe stores closed around me.
You should’ve taken a drink from the drinking fountain. It’s not like you’ll end up like Donovan from Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade.
Hoping you find a pair of xj900 lol!
it looks like emergancy power on "switched off at breakers
, i am goign say those signs on battery power, since they should be emergancy lights on scattered on
Battery power for four months? There's not a bank of batteries in the back...
Tony Thatcher most emergency lights have a 90 minute battery power
Those two pad locks are the spare keys
Did you find any new shoes still left there
I worked for payless my store closed also looks like my store in Whitehall pa
Barbara Robb Whitehall pa? That store isn't closed. I work at Payless in Lehigh valley and Whitehall is still up. Trexlertown closed.
These went fast!
Where is this at?