Call it wishful thinking and/or a long shot if you will, but this past Monday, the village officials had a public meeting and were open to suggestions for the mall. One lady who gave a speech at the town hall meeting suggested that it be redeveloped, bringing back the old Cinemark and Round1 and turning the former Fye into an ice skating rink, and used Hawthorne Mall in Vernon Hills as an example as to how struggling malls can still be revitalized. I REALLY hope the officials are at least CONSIDERING our suggestions and that we’re not wasting our time.
Have great memories of this mall. I remember when it opened in 1982. There was virtually nothing around in that area when the mall opened. It was mostly wooded area and open area near Schick and Army Trail Rd. The sprawl you see today didn't exist. Sad to see this mall closing. But the memories of this place go back to my childhood. The legacy of the mall will live on! Thanks for posting!
Thank you so much for doing this! I know I had been requesting this so a HUGE thanks. This mall was a part of my childhood in the 90s. This was a very once proud mall as it had 6 anchor stores. Anyways, sounds like you didn't get yelled at over the intercom for videotaping this to preserve some of our memories. That's good. Thanks again for doing this!
There is no security there that I've noticed. There is also a couple other people that were filming and taking pictures as well. But I am very glad that I got to preserve this mall that a lot of people are going to miss. Thank you very much for watching and following the mall that declined significantly
It was very painful to hear the news that this mall has closed this weekend. Thank you Sir for filming this beautiful gem!! What an absolutely beautiful mall. The wood paneled ceilings. The wooden columns, Greek like columns. The architecture & design make up for a beautifully aesthetic mall. This was by far one of the most beautiful malls I’ve seen on the internet. Love the aesthetics of this mall. I’m a bit disappointed how this mall has closed over the weekend. Just so sad to see such an amazing work of art die & will be demolished soon for redevelopment. I wish they could keep some of the aesthetics of the mall for the planned redevelopment. The previous owners did not come up with a plan to revive this dying mall since they took over in 2019. I’m so sad about this. I wish there was an active effort to save this mall before it was too late. I don’t live in the Chicago area but I’m devastated by this. I wish they restore this beautiful work of art for historical preservation. Thank you again for taking the time to document this mall. It’ll be remembered as one of the most beautiful aesthetically designed malls in history. Just sad to let this work of art go. It once had a thriving life and now it perishes.
I am really sad now. I have to say goodbye to all my 2018 memories and wont be able to re-visit this one. Such great times but very very sad it is all coming to an end. I just want to visit one more time before I have to say goodbye.
History of Stratford Square Mall 1981: Opens with Marshall Field's, Wieboldt's, Carson Pirie Scott, and Montgomery Ward 1985: MainStreet built and opened their store 1987: Wieboldt's close 1988: JCPenney replace Wieboldt's 1989: MainStreet becomes Kohl's 1990: Sears built and opened their store 2001: Montgomery Ward close 2002: Burlington replace Montgomery Ward 2006: Marshall Field's becomes Macy's 2014: JCPenney close 2017: Macy's close 2018: Carson's close 2019: Sears close (and the Macy's building got demolished) 2021: Woodman's Markets built and open their store 2022: Burlington relocates to different store 2024: Stratford Square Mall close
Interesting you said 2019 it started dying.im thinking the first sign of trouble began when the JCPenney closed right shortly after Easter in 2014.or some could say when Feldman properties soon took over. When they began to raise the rent of the popular retailers like Abercrombie,Charlotte Russe, causing them to leave the mall .then Feldman proposed and enforced a policy that anyone under 18 especially on the weekends had to be accompanied by an adult.not the best way to market giving some people the impression that the mall was not safe.I didn’t know that April 15 th was the closing date.i was told that April 22nd was the last day for the interior part of the mall itself.R.I.P.Stratford Square.forever my “ inner circle ⭕️ of trust “.for so many precious memories.
I worked at the Marshall fields in 1994 and again in 2013 at Macy’s and my daughter got her first job at JC Pennys when she turned 16 😢 It’s so sad to see it dying 😩
man this is sad that it's shutting down, my nanny would take me and my brother here when we were little kids. its a beautiful building honestly, but we stopped going around 2015 because most of the places we liked to go to were closing, and there were better malls around that we would go to instead. sad to see it go, i'll have to try to get out there one more time before the place shuts down for good.
It’s very simple. The smart phone/device with internet access is the demise to shopping malls across America. I see USPS trucks full of Amazon boxes being delivered in my neighborhood on Sundays.
I wish people would post footage of when the mall opened. I'm sure the developers or neighbors must have some pictures to show us so we can reminisce about the past. Please see if you can get some footage of this malls grand opening. I'm a former Glen Ellyn girl but moved to Massachusetts😢. Thank you!😊
The mall here in Trumbull Connecticut is on a huge downward spiral and it is sad to see. Opened in 1964 when I was just 6 years old. Lots of memories including working in York Steak House as a teen.
This mall was the place to be in the 80s and mid 90s. You couldn't find parking on a Saturday or Sunday. I was there for the opening, I was 10 years old. Me and my friends spent A LOT of time there growing up. It really hasnt been the same since they took out the beautiful waterfall and all the fountains throughout the mall. It was really beautiful until they gutted the mall in the late 90s. Woodfield was nothing compared to Stratford in terms of pure aesthetics.
I had my 1st job here 2008 left the company in 2020 got promoted in 2010 to another store but wow has so much changed this use to be the busiest store where everyone wanted to work now it’s gone :( no more malls in the future
Red robin is coming back to the mall there is going to be a H&M where sears was a dicks sporting goods the hardly Davison is coming back with the theater and round 1 the redevelopment is going to take 2 years to finish i saw some phots it looks nice
I've have countless memories of going to this mall from the early 2000s up until 2020 when the pandemic shut it down it's just heart breaking to see this mall permanently close it's doors for good after all these years. Hopefully it will come back someday in the future...
A lot of business would be drawn if they put in an instrument store like guitar center or something like that. There's none within a half hour from the Bloomingdale area. You have every other store around here though. There a ton of musicians out there.
Namdar didn’t sell the mall to Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale sued them and demanded the mall back. Bloomingdale won, but unfortunately it was way too late as the mall is sadly too far gone. Namdar knew exactly what they were doing.
So what will thevillage do with the building? Will they demolish it or turn it into something good for the people like a school campus or senior housing? Hopefully something good will be in there.😢
Call it wishful thinking and/or a long shot if you will, but this past Monday, the village officials had a public meeting and were open to suggestions for the mall. One lady who gave a speech at the town hall meeting suggested that it be redeveloped, bringing back the old Cinemark and Round1 and turning the former Fye into an ice skating rink, and used Hawthorne Mall in Vernon Hills as an example as to how struggling malls can still be revitalized. I REALLY hope the officials are at least CONSIDERING our suggestions and that we’re not wasting our time.
Have great memories of this mall. I remember when it opened in 1982. There was virtually nothing around in that area when the mall opened. It was mostly wooded area and open area near Schick and Army Trail Rd. The sprawl you see today didn't exist. Sad to see this mall closing. But the memories of this place go back to my childhood. The legacy of the mall will live on! Thanks for posting!
namdar, moonbeam, and kohan. THE kiss of death of ANY mall.
I want all malls to stay open. I also want Charlestowne mall to re-open!!
Thank you so much for doing this! I know I had been requesting this so a HUGE thanks. This mall was a part of my childhood in the 90s. This was a very once proud mall as it had 6 anchor stores.
Anyways, sounds like you didn't get yelled at over the intercom for videotaping this to preserve some of our memories. That's good. Thanks again for doing this!
There is no security there that I've noticed. There is also a couple other people that were filming and taking pictures as well. But I am very glad that I got to preserve this mall that a lot of people are going to miss. Thank you very much for watching and following the mall that declined significantly
It was very painful to hear the news that this mall has closed this weekend. Thank you Sir for filming this beautiful gem!! What an absolutely beautiful mall. The wood paneled ceilings. The wooden columns, Greek like columns. The architecture & design make up for a beautifully aesthetic mall. This was by far one of the most beautiful malls I’ve seen on the internet. Love the aesthetics of this mall. I’m a bit disappointed how this mall has closed over the weekend. Just so sad to see such an amazing work of art die & will be demolished soon for redevelopment. I wish they could keep some of the aesthetics of the mall for the planned redevelopment. The previous owners did not come up with a plan to revive this dying mall since they took over in 2019. I’m so sad about this. I wish there was an active effort to save this mall before it was too late. I don’t live in the Chicago area but I’m devastated by this. I wish they restore this beautiful work of art for historical preservation. Thank you again for taking the time to document this mall. It’ll be remembered as one of the most beautiful aesthetically designed malls in history. Just sad to let this work of art go. It once had a thriving life and now it perishes.
Thankfully the childrens tiles on the wall by the food court will be getting moved for preservation to the Bloomingdale library
What a shame. Went there a lot when I was younger. Miss the waterfall.
I am really sad now. I have to say goodbye to all my 2018 memories and wont be able to re-visit this one. Such great times but very very sad it is all coming to an end. I just want to visit one more time before I have to say goodbye.
Started off my morning with a good cry watching this video...
Too bad Stratford Square is closing. It looks like it must of been very nice.
History of Stratford Square Mall
1981: Opens with Marshall Field's, Wieboldt's, Carson Pirie Scott, and Montgomery Ward
1985: MainStreet built and opened their store
1987: Wieboldt's close
1988: JCPenney replace Wieboldt's
1989: MainStreet becomes Kohl's
1990: Sears built and opened their store
2001: Montgomery Ward close
2002: Burlington replace Montgomery Ward
2006: Marshall Field's becomes Macy's
2014: JCPenney close
2017: Macy's close
2018: Carson's close
2019: Sears close (and the Macy's building got demolished)
2021: Woodman's Markets built and open their store
2022: Burlington relocates to different store
2024: Stratford Square Mall close
Interesting you said 2019 it started dying.im thinking the first sign of trouble began when the JCPenney closed right shortly after Easter in 2014.or some could say when Feldman properties soon took over. When they began to raise the rent of the popular retailers like Abercrombie,Charlotte Russe, causing them to leave the mall .then Feldman proposed and enforced a policy that anyone under 18 especially on the weekends had to be accompanied by an adult.not the best way to market giving some people the impression that the mall was not safe.I didn’t know that April 15 th was the closing date.i was told that April 22nd was the last day for the interior part of the mall itself.R.I.P.Stratford Square.forever my “ inner circle ⭕️ of trust “.for so many precious memories.
I always loved the way the sun fell in this mall.
I worked at the Marshall fields in 1994 and again in 2013 at Macy’s and my daughter got her first job at JC Pennys when she turned 16 😢
It’s so sad to see it dying 😩
Used to go there for lunch when I worked in Bloomingdale back in the 90's. Looks like the Food Court is closed now too.
man this is sad that it's shutting down, my nanny would take me and my brother here when we were little kids. its a beautiful building honestly, but we stopped going around 2015 because most of the places we liked to go to were closing, and there were better malls around that we would go to instead. sad to see it go, i'll have to try to get out there one more time before the place shuts down for good.
sad. i was there a few months ago, the building itself is beautiful.
So happy i lived my childhood thru the hay days of malls 70s & 80s! That was a place to pick up the ladies.
Malls in America are slowly closing down yet in Canada the Malls still thrive with business and customers.
It’s very simple. The smart phone/device with internet access is the demise to shopping malls across America. I see USPS trucks full of Amazon boxes being delivered in my neighborhood on Sundays.
I wish people would post footage of when the mall opened. I'm sure the developers or neighbors must have some pictures to show us so we can reminisce about the past. Please see if you can get some footage of this malls grand opening. I'm a former Glen Ellyn girl but moved to Massachusetts😢. Thank you!😊
The mall here in Trumbull Connecticut is on a huge downward spiral and it is sad to see. Opened in 1964 when I was just 6 years old. Lots of memories including working in York Steak House as a teen.
Stratford square mall is closing on April 21 2024 rip Stratford square mall 1981 2024
This mall was the place to be in the 80s and mid 90s. You couldn't find parking on a Saturday or Sunday. I was there for the opening, I was 10 years old. Me and my friends spent A LOT of time there growing up. It really hasnt been the same since they took out the beautiful waterfall and all the fountains throughout the mall. It was really beautiful until they gutted the mall in the late 90s. Woodfield was nothing compared to Stratford in terms of pure aesthetics.
I had my 1st job here 2008 left the company in 2020 got promoted in 2010 to another store but wow has so much changed this use to be the busiest store where everyone wanted to work now it’s gone :( no more malls in the future
I was in Kohl's there a months ago and I couldn't even enter the mall through the mall entrance. My wife worked at Stratford late 1980s at Gantos
I wish I could have visited this mall in its heyday. This mall is beautiful.
Stratford is getting a life with redevelopment this June the village of bloomingdale owns the entire mall now with new restaurants and entertainment
Red robin is coming back to the mall there is going to be a H&M where sears was a dicks sporting goods the hardly Davison is coming back with the theater and round 1 the redevelopment is going to take 2 years to finish i saw some phots it looks nice
I blame the internet shopping
Your videos have been surging on the save the stratford square mall facebook group! We're an active community posting a lot of history.
I'm glad that everybody is enjoying the Stratford Square Mall videos. Hopefully it can be saved.
I've have countless memories of going to this mall from the early 2000s up until 2020 when the pandemic shut it down it's just heart breaking to see this mall permanently close it's doors for good after all these years. Hopefully it will come back someday in the future...
My first job was security there from 2008-2019 😢
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! 😩😩😩😩😩😩 Stratford square mall is a really dead mall!
A lot of business would be drawn if they put in an instrument store like guitar center or something like that. There's none within a half hour from the Bloomingdale area. You have every other store around here though. There a ton of musicians out there.
Namdar didn’t sell the mall to Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale sued them and demanded the mall back. Bloomingdale won, but unfortunately it was way too late as the mall is sadly too far gone. Namdar knew exactly what they were doing.
The mall is permanently closed and from what I hear they're going to demolish it.
So what will thevillage do with the building? Will they demolish it or turn it into something good for the people like a school campus or senior housing? Hopefully something good will be in there.😢
I hope this isnt what Joliet will turn into since Namdar took over!
Nice video I have been coming to Stratford for years and I am sorry to see t go. It's said what namdar did to it
😢
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I’m also taking a video of this one.
I got videos of a very dangerous one still open in pa
So is Woodman and Kohls closing too?
Kohl's and Woodman's are staying. They own their own land
Do you know when it will be permanently closed?
April 15th
Closing when?
According to Wikipedia it says April 15th it will close.
Why is closing
Multiple reasons. The mall is dead stores have moved out. Woodfield is nearby
I hate Amazon!!
House illegal s