So sad that this was only 6 years ago and today this place is almost a ghost town... 😢 Born and raised in Berks County since 1980 it saddens me to watch everything that I've known starting to become just a memory but grateful that Berks Nostalgia has been able to capture this for my memories!
My wife and I go here to walk around sometimes as it's not even 5 minutes away, it seems like it's getting closer and closer to closing. Makes me sad, but that's what shopping on the Internet does I guess
@@countryboy1518 it's so sad! And you're so right about the internet. Makes me wonder what the rent is nowadays for a store inside the mall since a lot of stores seem to move outta there and are going over to where the Target strip mall area is. Like Kay jewelers.
I hope Berkshire Mall’s business gets better, we have La Plaza Mall here in McAllen,Texas It’s usually busy every day and on Fridays and Saturdays the whole mall is packed with people and it’s hard to find a parking spot, all stores are open and we have a newly remodeled food court with many different restaurants to eat at!
My dad worked for Sears at the gas pumps from the first day Sears at the mall opened, then after Sears stopped selling gas to the public, he helped with shipping and receiving, storing items in the auto center’s basement. He also used their van to deliver and pick up items among various Sears locations around southeast PA. I would tag along with him to the mall to shop on school holidays - stores I recall from the very early days are Ormond - teens and young women’s apparel; a Wrangler clothing store, The Plum Tree - trendy home decor, the likes of which I hadn’t seen in Berks before. There was a Listening Booth record store, which was always full of people. Up until 1975 I recall there was a very upscale store on the second level, near the main fountain. It was a fireplace and hearthside store if I recall correctly. Around 1975 it was going out of business, so I bought a complete set of dishes there. However, the place I was supposed to pick them up from was a small warehouse on Cherry Street, between 4th & 5th Streets! I remember having to carry that box from the warehouse to my job in the Sheriff’s department. My sister still has some of those dishes to this day. Can you remember the way that Spencer’s Gift Store smelled when you walked past? Muhlenberg High School even held our after-prom party at the mall, a Las Vegas Casino-style party! Lots of fun memories from the Berkshire Mall.
My aunts lived across the street in the apartments there. When we visited them, it was so much fun as kids to walk to the mall, play in the arcade, ride the glass elevator, and throw coins in the fountain. Such wonderful memories of a simpler time in my life with my brothers.
Seeing Sears shut down is wild. Before BK moved upstairs, I remember when burger king was behind the escalators. That turned into rite aid which turned into a music shop. The old cigar and pipe shop aside of Pomeroy's /Bon-Ton. I always enjoyed the sweet smell of tobacco hovering in air. The old arcade on the 2nd floor. The bugs bunny warner bros themed restaurant early 80s before they developed food court. KB toy store. The master fountains at the center of the mall with the kaleidoscope lights. York Steakhouse was in the early to mid 80s . I think the one at fairgrounds was better. I fell down in the fountains as a kid in front of the John Wannamaker's entrance. Pet store/ Taco casa on 1st floor when reported first walked in at. Across the aisle the old old Fox Theater that had two screens. Not the one across street that was berkshire mall west. that became circuit city / old country buffet.
Thanks so much for this! I grew up near Wernersville and am old enough to remember this mall from the beginning and even the downtown Reading department stores Pomeroy's and Whitners before it. The Berkshire Mall is a big part of my memories, my Mother loved it and my last visit there with her was maybe a year before she passed in 2013. After thriving for a remarkably long time, our mall just fell into a downward spiral after Sears left. I wonder what its future holds now.
I grew up in reading in the 70s and 80s and spent a lot of time at this mall. The center fountain was relatively complex and automated. There was a main center fountain and 6 satellites as shown in your still photo. Each had a large central spout surrounded by a ring of finer jets. The whole thing ran in a repeating program which was 10-15 minutes long. The fine jets would all come up, then the central spouts would gradually climb, then the rings would stop and you would have only spouts. The center spout would shrink and the satellites would squirt higher. The thing would cycle through a bunch of combinations and there were lights shining on the water streams which would change color. The center fountain was crazy loud depending on the part of the cycle it was on. This main fountain kicked up a good bit of water vapor and you could smell the chlorine before you could see the fountain. I'm pretty sure they had santa in the center during Christmas in the 70s, so they already had some kind of temporary floor ready to cover the fountain for extended periods. Those retro pod seats around support columns are original. I suspect the equipment that ran the fountain show became unreliable and by 1990 all the newer malls had nice food courts, so decision was easy to make some changes. The fountains near the end anchors are very similar to their orginal appearance, although they have been refinished. I think all fountains originally had simple plaster surfaces. It looks like pumps on the smaller fountains are moving less water than i remember. Cheaper and quieter that way.
The upstairs had an arcade and a few fast food places (I can only remember a pizza place). Stopped by the mall in December, 2023 and it’s a ghost town. There are barely any national store chains there. Very sad!
That store map looks to be from the mid-late 80's. The vacant stores where you question "what was there?" - I believe a bank and Radio Shack (where the bump-out shingled roof/window) - before Radio Shack, it was the location of Supercade before it moved to its more infamous top-of-the escalator position of the late 80's.
I have lived in Exeter Township since 1972, about 10 or so miles due East of this mall. When you enter my home there to great you is a stately expensive Grandfather Clock that we purchased at John Wanamaker's at the mall in 1984. The clock was made by a furniture making company in Massachusetts the clock mechanism with 3 chimes pendulum, moon, weight driven was made in West Germany. Keeps time pretty accurately. Depending on time of year it gains or loses about one minute a week that I correct when I wind it. 😀😀😀
UPDATE Berkshire Mall back parking lot is closed because of pot wholes that the Mall owner's will not fix. Berkshire Mall maybe close for good if pot wholes are not fixed.
My grandfather was a salesman at this Sears for many years. I visited this mall all the time while spending summers with my grandparents. Thanks for sharing. From friends and family still in Reading I know this mall is over.
On the second floor of the original mall was the "John Davis House Restaurant," the only place to eat if you wanted more than a snack. I washed dishes there in 1971.
Sorry, not a clue. I stopped working there in late 1971 and moved on to a commercial printing business [Grafika] that was in the basement of one of the old factory buildings that became part of the outlet mall complex in West Reading. I think the remarkable thing is that BM is still alive and well.
Don’t forget the movie theater that used to be where Auntie Anne’s Pretzels is now. My first movie going experience was in ‘81 - “The Great Muppet Caper”.
Artoo DeeZee I grew up going to the Berkshire Mall but I don’t remember a theater in the mall. Did it close in the 80’s? I remember seeing a bunch of movies in Fairgrounds Square though. I do remember a Fox theater being opened up close by the Berkshire mall.
I remember seeing ‘Transformers: The Movie’ there in ‘86. I saw ‘Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade’ in ‘89 after the theater had moved to Berkshire West.
Artoo DeeZee I honestly can’t remember where BErkshire Weat was although it rings a bell. It’s been 20 years since I moved away but I have fond memories of the mall. I remember them building a stand alone Fox theater close by the mall but I don’t think it was in a strip mall. I have very vague memories of the upstairs of the mall but I was only 8 when it was remodeled. I only remember it as being a dimly lit area. Wikipedia says it was referred to as Lamppost Lane. I’d love to see pics but none are on google that I can find.
The Princess Academy used to be a video game arcade. My friend knew the guy that worked there and we would hang out in the employees only room and smoke. lol
I love this vid!!! I hate the malls closing!!! I had so much fun going to the mall as a kid. Even now, when i go to the mall it feels exciting!!! I love the Berkshire!! I remember the fountain very well. This was the Saturday hangout back in the day.
If you stop and look carefully to the at the map of the old lay out you can see what was where the food court in now. When growing up my friends and I would get the bus to the mall and send the day just hanging out. Oh yea I remember inside the main entrance they had lockers. Miss those days.....
I remember when Express was Structure. Not to mention Bryn Mawr Stereo, KB Toys and actual bookstores. Also my wife bought her now 15 year old dachshund at the pet store.
I really miss the Confetti Arcade. Unfortunately, it closed and moved to Pottstown. I used to go to that arcade all the time with my brother to play Dance Dance Revolution on the dance pads.
My first part time job in 1996 was at the Burger King that used to be upstairs in the food court. I lasted about 3 weeks there until I got a better job downstairs in Woolworth, where I stayed until it closed down in 1997.
Does anyone remember the big old barn that sat where Wanamaker’s came to be? When the mall was young, circa 1972, the second story consisted of the bathrooms and not much else. The second floor of Lit Brothers extended, I think, into some of that space. The first thing I remember being built on the second floor was ‘Looney Tunes’ with the animated musicians, around 1980. That restaurant had a big arcade attached, which may have been the original arcade that survived the restaurant. I worked at that Lit Bro’s in the cosmetics area in 1973. The fountain in front of Wanamakers is also original to the mall. I love seeing the original floors and the amazing maintenance - it looks great! I came of âge in that mall; I used to hang there in front of what was Listening Booth when I was 14/15. There wasn’t much else to do in the area and I could walk there and f socialize. Thanks for putting video together. It was a great flash back!
I also remember visiting the animals at that pet store, which is at the same location, 50 years later! There was a taco shop next to it. This place was a second home and gathering place for us, 1971-74.
You asked if anyone had any idea what was on that second floor before the food court was established. There was a restaurant called Gadgets, had animated Warner Brother characters like Bugs, Daffy, Yosemite Sam, just to name a few. If I remember correctly there was a fire and after that they closed. I believe it could have lasted maybe a year or so. Thank you for memories. Respectfully, Donna
I’m here 5 years later - the mall is basically dead. So extremely sad as I spent many a Friday night here in the late 90s and early 2000s with friends.
That fountain was probably there until at least the mid-90s. The food court was there concurrently with the fountain, as were those stairs for at least a little (I know in older photos the stairs are absent). Christmas, Easter, and sometimes other holidays saw the fountain getting turned off and covered to make room for Santa or Easter Bunny and associated displays. Eventually it just got covered longer and longer, then when uncovered, the fountain worked less and less. Must have been a complicated system, as it featured a large center plume that varied in height, as well as the little surrounding water plumes, and there were also a lot of color-changing lights.
My parents, did the lawn care and landscaping for the Mall from like 1973 till 1980. "Eitnier Lawn Care". As a child I often ate at the Wannamakers Restaurant upstairs it was done up like Pullman train cars inside, I forget the name of the place? We also ate at Gadgets often too and I spend quite a few quarters at the game arcade on the second floor too, lot's of Pacman back then...... I myself later worked at John Wannamakers in the mall (where Boscovs is now) back in 1980/81 in the Toy, Glassware and Furniture Departments. In late 1981 I took a job at Walden Books and I used to hang out with the gang at The Listening Booth (till a few of them got arrested) Then in 1982 I dated a gal named SuziQ who worked at the Record Bar, it was some really great times at the BM back then. It was a Mall ahead of it's time for sure........
Nice video, I was expecting a super dead mall in beginning, but it is nice to see this mall still alive and well. the fact that they still have all anchors filled, lenscrafters, and a customer service that is open are all good signs
In the 80's the only things I remember being upstairs were a Radio Shack and an arcade, although I believe there was also a large space next to the arcade that had been used as some sort of restaurant or performance space (pretty sure it was closed by then). By the early 90's there was a food court, but I don't think it had many vendors.
I'm a Berks countian. After checking comments I'll put in my 2 cents concerning a fountain. I'm sure the virial video of the lady who fell into the pool who was staring at her cell phone while walking had something to do with it's removal.
In 1976, There was a staircase between the elevator and entryway, which is now middle of food court seating. Facing front windows, on the left corner was the arcade (way before Gadgets) and Radio Shack. I couldn't estimate how much $$ I spent in that arcade! I remember a furniture store also and the restrooms also being up there.
Supercade Arcade was located on the second floor, kinda above the Dunkin Donuts and fountain area. Saw The China Syndrome movie in the late 1970's there.
It moved twice. Used to be where the video shows the bump-out with shingle window, then moved to the corner spot near where the escalator came up, then finally to alongside BonTon where it changed names a few times.
The upstairs had a delli at the top of the escalators the arcade was next to that and radio shack was also originally up there it was in the store that has the window that sticks out. Where lenscrafters is there were several different restaurants the last was gadgets with a looney tune theme
I remember spending a "good bit" of my allowance in that arcade. The fountain was awesome! My grandma would give me coins to toss in the fountain... make a wish for good luck!!
Prior to being "Challenge Arcade" it was "Aladdin's Castle" arcade...had really great prizes. Also, the original Berkshire Mall road sign was taken down maybe late 90's, early 2000's. Was an absolutely awesome sign. Sat discarded in the corner of the parking lot for a long time, along with the old, white, tri-globe style parking lot lights.
There was a restaurant called Highlander that I believe was on the 2nd floor. It might have been a cafeteria. At one time there was also a halloween maze up there. Radio Shack was originally on the 2nd floor
Also...weird memory here...but I think it was the Wanamaker's that had a PARROT living in it...up in a cage near the ceiling. Patrons could often get it to talk back.
Boscov's West, in Sinking Spring, had the parrot, Willie. He's in the downstairs level of the Berkshire Mall Boscov's now over near the kid's section. He says Hello and Cracker.
In the 80's after school we used to go up there to "Supercade" a huge arcade of Video games. I believe it lasted until 1990? not sure. My bike wa stolen in front of John Wanamakers.
Thanks for sharing this. I envy the character of malls a lot of you in the Midwest -- East Coast have. Such history and design and lot of time capsules. We don't seem to have much of that on the West Coast, esp down here in SoCal.
I worked in the Electronics Boutique in 2000 during the PS2 launch. My car was also broken into in the lot and some a$$hole stole my stereo while I was at work.
The Fountain closing had nothing to do with the foodcourt. There was a foodcourt on top at opening. It had troubles in the early 80s and was essentially closed until it was reopened in the early 90s. The claim for why the fountain closed was to make accessibility easier for customers.
Absolutely haha! My mom, sister and l used to dine there quite frequently. They had animatronics there like Chuck E Cheese and the tables were made of glass and they had pac man arcade game underneath. It was awesome! I also remember eating at the Woolworths restaurant. They also used to have a restaurant hidden in the upstairs of Boscovs but l have no idea if it is still up there or not. I also miss the huge taco restaurant they had downstairs back in the 80s
The Fountain was removed wholly because management thought it would be easier to have a center area for convention like ventures. They thought it was a progressive move. When the mall opened, it originally had a food court, but it was run by one of the anchor stores. When they left the mall, they essentially shut it down. That stair well that you thought was built with the new food court was there since the mall opened. The new food court only opened in 92 or 93.
I remember Gadgets with the looney toons characters upstairs and Fluf N Stuff downstairs on the corner. Also Woolworths was there and its restaurant. John Wanamakers and Pomeroys was still there.
These malls(Berkshire & fairgrounds)went to shit, my own personal opinion. Won't be long I think fairgrounds will be closed and I think eventually Berkshire will too. These 2 malls used to be full from what I remember as a kid. Now, your better off going to K.O.P(King of Prussia) or Leigh Valley Mall.
Love this mall. Definitely my favorite. Love how it has the 80s vibes still to this day of April of 2024 ♥
So sad that this was only 6 years ago and today this place is almost a ghost town... 😢
Born and raised in Berks County since 1980 it saddens me to watch everything that I've known starting to become just a memory but grateful that Berks Nostalgia has been able to capture this for my memories!
My wife and I go here to walk around sometimes as it's not even 5 minutes away, it seems like it's getting closer and closer to closing. Makes me sad, but that's what shopping on the Internet does I guess
@@countryboy1518 it's so sad! And you're so right about the internet. Makes me wonder what the rent is nowadays for a store inside the mall since a lot of stores seem to move outta there and are going over to where the Target strip mall area is. Like Kay jewelers.
The fountain was still around when I was there as a kid in the 90s...not sure when they took it out. It was LOUD, haha.
I hope Berkshire Mall’s business gets better, we have La Plaza Mall here in McAllen,Texas It’s usually busy every day and on Fridays and Saturdays the whole mall is packed with people and it’s hard to find a parking spot, all stores are open and we have a newly remodeled food court with many different restaurants to eat at!
The biggest crime about the internet is that there aren't more pictures of the long gone center fountain...
I sure miss that fountain and all the colored lights
My dad worked for Sears at the gas pumps from the first day Sears at the mall opened, then after Sears stopped selling gas to the public, he helped with shipping and receiving, storing items in the auto center’s basement. He also used their van to deliver and pick up items among various Sears locations around southeast PA. I would tag along with him to the mall to shop on school holidays - stores I recall from the very early days are Ormond - teens and young women’s apparel; a Wrangler clothing store, The Plum Tree - trendy home decor, the likes of which I hadn’t seen in Berks before. There was a Listening Booth record store, which was always full of people. Up until 1975 I recall there was a very upscale store on the second level, near the main fountain. It was a fireplace and hearthside store if I recall correctly. Around 1975 it was going out of business, so I bought a complete set of dishes there. However, the place I was supposed to pick them up from was a small warehouse on Cherry Street, between 4th & 5th Streets! I remember having to carry that box from the warehouse to my job in the Sheriff’s department. My sister still has some of those dishes to this day. Can you remember the way that Spencer’s Gift Store smelled when you walked past? Muhlenberg High School even held our after-prom party at the mall, a Las Vegas Casino-style party! Lots of fun memories from the Berkshire Mall.
Really great recollections, thanks for sharing them!
My aunts lived across the street in the apartments there. When we visited them, it was so much fun as kids to walk to the mall, play in the arcade, ride the glass elevator, and throw coins in the fountain. Such wonderful memories of a simpler time in my life with my brothers.
We have a mall that looks like this , think it’s just standard now
Seeing Sears shut down is wild. Before BK moved upstairs, I remember when burger king was behind the escalators. That turned into rite aid which turned into a music shop. The old cigar and pipe shop aside of Pomeroy's /Bon-Ton. I always enjoyed the sweet smell of tobacco hovering in air. The old arcade on the 2nd floor. The bugs bunny warner bros themed restaurant early 80s before they developed food court. KB toy store. The master fountains at the center of the mall with the kaleidoscope lights. York Steakhouse was in the early to mid 80s . I think the one at fairgrounds was better. I fell down in the fountains as a kid in front of the John Wannamaker's entrance. Pet store/ Taco casa on 1st floor when reported first walked in at. Across the aisle the old old Fox Theater that had two screens. Not the one across street that was berkshire mall west. that became circuit city / old country buffet.
Thanks so much for this! I grew up near Wernersville and am old enough to remember this mall from the beginning and even the downtown Reading department stores Pomeroy's and Whitners before it. The Berkshire Mall is a big part of my memories, my Mother loved it and my last visit there with her was maybe a year before she passed in 2013. After thriving for a remarkably long time, our mall just fell into a downward spiral after Sears left. I wonder what its future holds now.
Man, this triggered all kinds of forgotten memories.
I grew up in reading in the 70s and 80s and spent a lot of time at this mall. The center fountain was relatively complex and automated. There was a main center fountain and 6 satellites as shown in your still photo. Each had a large central spout surrounded by a ring of finer jets. The whole thing ran in a repeating program which was 10-15 minutes long. The fine jets would all come up, then the central spouts would gradually climb, then the rings would stop and you would have only spouts. The center spout would shrink and the satellites would squirt higher. The thing would cycle through a bunch of combinations and there were lights shining on the water streams which would change color. The center fountain was crazy loud depending on the part of the cycle it was on. This main fountain kicked up a good bit of water vapor and you could smell the chlorine before you could see the fountain. I'm pretty sure they had santa in the center during Christmas in the 70s, so they already had some kind of temporary floor ready to cover the fountain for extended periods. Those retro pod seats around support columns are original. I suspect the equipment that ran the fountain show became unreliable and by 1990 all the newer malls had nice food courts, so decision was easy to make some changes. The fountains near the end anchors are very similar to their orginal appearance, although they have been refinished. I think all fountains originally had simple plaster surfaces. It looks like pumps on the smaller fountains are moving less water than i remember. Cheaper and quieter that way.
The upstairs had an arcade and a few fast food places (I can only remember a pizza place). Stopped by the mall in December, 2023 and it’s a ghost town. There are barely any national store chains there. Very sad!
That store map looks to be from the mid-late 80's. The vacant stores where you question "what was there?" - I believe a bank and Radio Shack (where the bump-out shingled roof/window) - before Radio Shack, it was the location of Supercade before it moved to its more infamous top-of-the escalator position of the late 80's.
I have lived in Exeter Township since 1972, about 10 or so miles due East of this mall. When you enter my home there to great you is a stately expensive Grandfather Clock that we purchased at John Wanamaker's at the mall in 1984. The clock was made by a furniture making company in Massachusetts the clock mechanism with 3 chimes pendulum, moon, weight driven was made in West Germany. Keeps time pretty accurately. Depending on time of year it gains or loses about one minute a week that I correct when I wind it. 😀😀😀
< Exeter class of '84!
@@tstahler5420 My son was class of 86.
@@tomtransport If I didn't know him, I'm sure we knew some of the same people.
UPDATE Berkshire Mall back parking lot is closed because of pot wholes that the Mall owner's will not fix. Berkshire Mall maybe close for good if pot wholes are not fixed.
It's beautiful not too dated but the best of the 80s design and vibe.
My grandfather was a salesman at this Sears for many years. I visited this mall all the time while spending summers with my grandparents. Thanks for sharing. From friends and family still in Reading I know this mall is over.
Cousin?
That fountain was spectacular...
On the second floor of the original mall was the "John Davis House Restaurant," the only place to eat if you wanted more than a snack. I washed dishes there in 1971.
Sorry, not a clue. I stopped working there in late 1971 and moved on to a commercial printing business [Grafika] that was in the basement of one of the old factory buildings that became part of the outlet mall complex in West Reading. I think the remarkable thing is that BM is still alive and well.
Don’t forget the movie theater that used to be where Auntie Anne’s Pretzels is now. My first movie going experience was in ‘81 - “The Great Muppet Caper”.
Artoo DeeZee I have that movie on DVD!!!
Artoo DeeZee I grew up going to the Berkshire Mall but I don’t remember a theater in the mall. Did it close in the 80’s? I remember seeing a bunch of movies in Fairgrounds Square though. I do remember a Fox theater being opened up close by the Berkshire mall.
I remember seeing ‘Transformers: The Movie’ there in ‘86. I saw ‘Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade’ in ‘89 after the theater had moved to Berkshire West.
Artoo DeeZee I honestly can’t remember where BErkshire Weat was although it rings a bell. It’s been 20 years since I moved away but I have fond memories of the mall. I remember them building a stand alone Fox theater close by the mall but I don’t think it was in a strip mall. I have very vague memories of the upstairs of the mall but I was only 8 when it was remodeled. I only remember it as being a dimly lit area. Wikipedia says it was referred to as Lamppost Lane. I’d love to see pics but none are on google that I can find.
What we need is a time machine. Until then...?
The Princess Academy used to be a video game arcade. My friend knew the guy that worked there and we would hang out in the employees only room and smoke. lol
Miss the arcade upstairs!
My dad used to say that too. Now Limelight Dance Studio owns it.
Use to love that arcade as a kid.
The Fairgrounds Mall, to me, was always the 'other' mall.
Lol so true
Make that rare trip to the coventry mall just to be able to say Berkshire is better.
My favorite place.. When i lived in USA, 15 years ago.. . Love PA
I love this vid!!! I hate the malls closing!!! I had so much fun going to the mall as a kid. Even now, when i go to the mall it feels exciting!!! I love the Berkshire!! I remember the fountain very well. This was the Saturday hangout back in the day.
If you stop and look carefully to the at the map of the old lay out you can see what was where the food court in now. When growing up my friends and I would get the bus to the mall and send the day just hanging out. Oh yea I remember inside the main entrance they had lockers. Miss those days.....
Love the vapor wave music
I remember when Express was Structure. Not to mention Bryn Mawr Stereo, KB Toys and actual bookstores. Also my wife bought her now 15 year old dachshund at the pet store.
WHO ELSE LIVE HERE IN READING???😂✋✋
Me!
Me
From there but now live 2 hours away
Visiting my grandparents from Florida, the fountain was one of the highlights of the trip.
I really miss the Confetti Arcade. Unfortunately, it closed and moved to Pottstown. I used to go to that arcade all the time with my brother to play Dance Dance Revolution on the dance pads.
Yep, I too remember DDR being the cool thing to play there in the early-mid 2000s :)
Haha you showed that clip with the lady on her cell phone. That was the talk of the town back in the day 🤣
I loved the center fountain as a kid. Nana shopped and my grandfather and I watched it's various programs. Fairgrounds mall had many fountains too.
My first part time job in 1996 was at the Burger King that used to be upstairs in the food court. I lasted about 3 weeks there until I got a better job downstairs in Woolworth, where I stayed until it closed down in 1997.
Does anyone remember the big old barn that sat where Wanamaker’s came to be? When the mall was young, circa 1972, the second story consisted of the bathrooms and not much else. The second floor of Lit Brothers extended, I think, into some of that space. The first thing I remember being built on the second floor was ‘Looney Tunes’ with the animated musicians, around 1980. That restaurant had a big arcade attached, which may have been the original arcade that survived the restaurant. I worked at that Lit Bro’s in the cosmetics area in 1973. The fountain in front of Wanamakers is also original to the mall. I love seeing the original floors and the amazing maintenance - it looks great! I came of âge in that mall; I used to hang there in front of what was Listening Booth when I was 14/15. There wasn’t much else to do in the area and I could walk there and f socialize. Thanks for putting video together. It was a great flash back!
I also remember visiting the animals at that pet store, which is at the same location, 50 years later! There was a taco shop next to it. This place was a second home and gathering place for us, 1971-74.
You asked if anyone had any idea what was on that second floor before the food court was established. There was a restaurant called Gadgets, had animated Warner Brother characters like Bugs, Daffy, Yosemite Sam, just to name a few. If I remember correctly there was a fire and after that they closed. I believe it could have lasted maybe a year or so. Thank you for memories. Respectfully, Donna
I remember that..their food was so good. It is a shame it did not last.
I’m here 5 years later - the mall is basically dead. So extremely sad as I spent many a Friday night here in the late 90s and early 2000s with friends.
Great walkthrough. I haven't seen this mall in decades and I plan to return in a week or two to see it again.
Used to live down the road from this mall as a kid in mid 80's. Would walk to mall and hang out...spent most of my allowance in the arcade upstairs.
That fountain was probably there until at least the mid-90s. The food court was there concurrently with the fountain, as were those stairs for at least a little (I know in older photos the stairs are absent). Christmas, Easter, and sometimes other holidays saw the fountain getting turned off and covered to make room for Santa or Easter Bunny and associated displays. Eventually it just got covered longer and longer, then when uncovered, the fountain worked less and less. Must have been a complicated system, as it featured a large center plume that varied in height, as well as the little surrounding water plumes, and there were also a lot of color-changing lights.
I remember the fountain well.
My parents, did the lawn care and landscaping for the Mall from like 1973 till 1980. "Eitnier Lawn Care".
As a child I often ate at the Wannamakers Restaurant upstairs it was done up like Pullman train cars inside, I forget the name of the place?
We also ate at Gadgets often too and I spend quite a few quarters at the game arcade on the second floor too, lot's of Pacman back then......
I myself later worked at John Wannamakers in the mall (where Boscovs is now) back in 1980/81 in the Toy, Glassware and Furniture Departments.
In late 1981 I took a job at Walden Books and I used to hang out with the gang at The Listening Booth (till a few of them got arrested) Then in 1982 I dated a gal named SuziQ who worked at the Record Bar, it was some really great times at the BM back then.
It was a Mall ahead of it's time for sure........
Nice video, I was expecting a super dead mall in beginning, but it is nice to see this mall still alive and well. the fact that they still have all anchors filled, lenscrafters, and a customer service that is open are all good signs
There was a Supercade arcade on the 2nd floor, with pinball machines, etc. on the 2nd floor.
I believe it was called Camelot.
yes. it moved a few times over the decades.
Im miss the Bon Ton! Ps. That's the fountain where that con artist fell in while reading her phone. LOL!
In the 80's the only things I remember being upstairs were a Radio Shack and an arcade, although I believe there was also a large space next to the arcade that had been used as some sort of restaurant or performance space (pretty sure it was closed by then). By the early 90's there was a food court, but I don't think it had many vendors.
wonderfull vid
I'm a Berks countian. After checking comments I'll put in my 2 cents concerning a fountain. I'm sure the virial video of the lady who fell into the pool who was staring at her cell phone while walking had something to do with it's removal.
You included the mall store layout from the 70's. You can see from that, what stores occupied the 2nd level.
This was actually the very first mall east of Harrisburg in PA that wasn't in Philadelphia
In 1976, There was a staircase between the elevator and entryway, which is now middle of food court seating. Facing front windows, on the left corner was the arcade (way before Gadgets) and Radio Shack. I couldn't estimate how much $$ I spent in that arcade! I remember a furniture store also and the restrooms also being up there.
I re.e.ber the guy who did characature drawings of patrons, he set up near the fountain at sears.
Supercade Arcade was located on the second floor, kinda above the Dunkin Donuts and fountain area. Saw The China Syndrome movie in the late 1970's there.
Supercade!!! Whew, too many hours spent there.
It moved twice. Used to be where the video shows the bump-out with shingle window, then moved to the corner spot near where the escalator came up, then finally to alongside BonTon where it changed names a few times.
Supercade arcade top floor, gadgets restaurant with arcade, bavarian pretzel.
There was an indoor golf simulator on the second floor for a short period of time
Sears is now closed that mall is going to be hurting,I love hearing Mall of 1984 from Muzak in the background!
I worked at Supercade at the top of the escalator in the 80’s, before the food court was built.
yes you did!
The upstairs had a delli at the top of the escalators the arcade was next to that and radio shack was also originally up there it was in the store that has the window that sticks out. Where lenscrafters is there were several different restaurants the last was gadgets with a looney tune theme
I remember spending a "good bit" of my allowance in that arcade. The fountain was awesome! My grandma would give me coins to toss in the fountain... make a wish for good luck!!
@@stephenmaurer7008 Hello! I know its been a while, but do you think you have any pictures or memorabilia from Gadgets?
Haha l rem beating all the boys in the arcade on mortal combat and soul caliber 2 lol
@@nicolemagness7288 I was probably taking note.
Prior to being "Challenge Arcade" it was "Aladdin's Castle" arcade...had really great prizes. Also, the original Berkshire Mall road sign was taken down maybe late 90's, early 2000's. Was an absolutely awesome sign. Sat discarded in the corner of the parking lot for a long time, along with the old, white, tri-globe style parking lot lights.
Prior to that it was called "Station Earth" and prior to that, "Supercade"
There was a restaurant called Highlander that I believe was on the 2nd floor. It might have been a cafeteria. At one time there was also a halloween maze up there. Radio Shack was originally on the 2nd floor
I was very sad to see "country fair fries and dogs" go out of business. Many fond memories eating there with my grandparents.
I wasn't they had roaches.
Also...weird memory here...but I think it was the Wanamaker's that had a PARROT living in it...up in a cage near the ceiling. Patrons could often get it to talk back.
Boscov's West, in Sinking Spring, had the parrot, Willie. He's in the downstairs level of the Berkshire Mall Boscov's now over near the kid's section. He says Hello and Cracker.
I miss Aladdin's Castle.
Nice video. Thanks for making it.
Before the food court, the space was fairly dark. I don't remember a great deal other than an arcade - at least that was the mid 1980's.
Amazing!
on second floor leaving Bon Ton/Pomeroy's was a hair salon and discount shoe store -- before the food court. Lens Crafters was there also.
Geez what a difference 4 years makes! Looks like just 4 years ago the mall was still striving, now it’s not looking too good... 🙁
I remember being so high at this mall and eating Burger King there.
Such a shame how Reading and its suburbs are dying. but you get what you vote for.
I live in reading pa and love that mall
Bavarian Pretzel was a center console on the south side. A radio shack. i believe was on the west side of the southern mall.
In the late 70s to early 80s, there was an arcade called SuperCade where the food court is today.
In the 80's after school we used to go up there to "Supercade" a huge arcade of Video games. I believe it lasted until 1990? not sure. My bike wa stolen in front of John Wanamakers.
love this mall
Thanks for sharing this. I envy the character of malls a lot of you in the Midwest -- East Coast have. Such history and design and lot of time capsules. We don't seem to have much of that on the West Coast, esp down here in SoCal.
great comentary....think that mall will be fine
Thxs
I worked in the Electronics Boutique in 2000 during the PS2 launch. My car was also broken into in the lot and some a$$hole stole my stereo while I was at work.
Lmao gotta love ghetto Reading
The Fountain closing had nothing to do with the foodcourt.
There was a foodcourt on top at opening. It had troubles in the early 80s and was essentially closed until it was reopened in the early 90s.
The claim for why the fountain closed was to make accessibility easier for customers.
I go to taht mall and live in Reading!
Now with Bon Ton going out of business and Sears probably will be going out of business, this will hurt the Mall. Sorry to say.
You called that one.
does anyone remember Gadgets??
Yes! Please let me know if you went there and or have any pictures.
I worked as a busboy there
Also worked at the slack shack
@@ericglass486 Wow, that's really cool! Do you think you have any photos or anything?
Absolutely haha! My mom, sister and l used to dine there quite frequently. They had animatronics there like Chuck E Cheese and the tables were made of glass and they had pac man arcade game underneath. It was awesome! I also remember eating at the Woolworths restaurant. They also used to have a restaurant hidden in the upstairs of Boscovs but l have no idea if it is still up there or not. I also miss the huge taco restaurant they had downstairs back in the 80s
The Fairgrounds sucked even then. I believe we only went for Orange julius and Your Place, when i was old enough to drink.
The Fountain was removed wholly because management thought it would be easier to have a center area for convention like ventures. They thought it was a progressive move.
When the mall opened, it originally had a food court, but it was run by one of the anchor stores. When they left the mall, they essentially shut it down. That stair well that you thought was built with the new food court was there since the mall opened. The new food court only opened in 92 or 93.
Can I get a free sample of that Bourbon Chicken 🤤🤤🤤
Haha! I wanted the whole tray then. And l loved when the chocolate store handed out free samples of the roasted pecans.
Never go to this mall shrooming your face off. If you do? Wear sunglasses
Been there. Done that. Wanna REALLY shroom crazy? Go to Zern's on shrooms or acid. SAVAGE.
Both fountains have been gone for a long time.
Was woolworths considered an "anchor" also?
Possibly? the closing of Woolworths was definitely a big story.
You have the cutest voice🙂
I remember Gadgets with the looney toons characters upstairs and Fluf N Stuff downstairs on the corner. Also Woolworths was there and its restaurant. John Wanamakers and Pomeroys was still there.
hey whats the song in the beginning? the link in the credits has been removed.
There were escalators there later.
i heard taylor swift doesnt go to this mall because it isnt well kept
Who else remembers the car dealership that was replaced with a CVS?
These malls(Berkshire & fairgrounds)went to shit, my own personal opinion. Won't be long I think fairgrounds will be closed and I think eventually Berkshire will too. These 2 malls used to be full from what I remember as a kid. Now, your better off going to K.O.P(King of Prussia) or Leigh Valley Mall.
Fairgrounds is closing at the end of April
wow that place sucks so bad, I go to park City in Lancaster if you want to see a real mall.
Thomas Reinert I’ve been to Park City before and even though I live in Berks I agree 😂😂
BeanoKek it's good but nothing on KoP mall
I think the fountain was expensive to maintain