Drove past there a few months ago to see it torn down and got a picture for memory's sake. I grew up seeing that building throughout the 90s, as my grandfather lived close to it.
I commented on this video back after you had uploaded it in 2019 and I'm watching it again and I just realized that I'm technically in it. Back when you filmed this in 2018 I was still driving for Pasadena Taxi and at the 7:03 mark a taxi goes by with a 7 on it and that's the one I drove, lol. Luckily in 2019 I got an actual good job as a PCA out in Houston at St. Luke's Medical Center and I'm still there. Just wanted to share this because that tripped me out, lol
I have lived in Pasadena TX my whole life... 37 yrs... love that you take pride and heart in the buildings and the architectural aspect of it all... the hospital you talk about is Southeast Memorial hospital.. I was born there in 82.. thank you for all your hard work and for sharing Pasadena TX....
So sad. I grew up going to Pasadena Town Square and San Jacinto Mall. SJ Mall is where my roots were as a teen and up. I love your videos. Love the trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing these! I'm obsessed with malls and their amazing history and the life they used to have.
I worked at Town Square right out of high school, it’s sad to see it so empty when it was so vibrant and busy back in the day. I did business with the old bank a couple of times as well. They used to mail out mini laminated diplomas to everyone who graduated from a PISD high school. Kinda sad how my hometown is perceived, and it’s reality is now.
@USA Rocks! I grew up in Pasadena, the gangs and drugs were always there. One gang used to walk up and down my street and around my neighborhood. Shit, someone tried to shoot the principal of the middle school by Kruse. I think it was Zavala middle school, but I don't remember. I do remember the drive-by. He scrambled a bit but still stood his ground. The man was an absolute fucking legend.
Rather than run and seek cover he ducked down and afterward stayed and checked on students. He also kept working like nothing happened. Something similar (knife not gun) happened at another school and the teacher involved was gone soon after. I should also mention that after the drive-by, he was still out on the lawn every afternoon which is why I say he was a fucking legend. I definitely wouldn't have the balls to go back to the same spot a day later much less every day after that.
Update on Macroplaza as of December 2021. Sears has closed, along with all the food vendors. There are only 4 or 5 stores left in the entire building. Only 1 entrance is open (by the food court) and they have put up a wooden wall inside that blocks off most of the mall. The kids playground is no longer accessible. There were electrical issues when I went and the bathrooms had no power. I don't think this mall will survive another year.
My mall 😔😞😭 how depressing looking at it from this video. How lonely it has gotten. Back in the 90's it was so nice and full of life. Christmas decorations, the fountain was running, the arcade was awesome! Chick fil A was in here too 😔 pleeeeeaase bring life back to this mall. Somebody? Anybody?? 😞
I'm a local and I grew up going to this mall but time has not been kind to it. Now everyone either goes to Almeda Mall or Baybrook Mall. Most go to Baybrook honestly it's so much better than anything else around.
Man I went to this mall SO MUCH as a kid and into my teens in the 90's and early 2000's. Damn I have so many awesome memories here. I was naming old stores as you walked by. Even that old Bank One building outside was iconic too. You used to be able to see it from the 225 freeway and parts of 610.
When I lived there, there was 2 big dangers. The gangs and the racism. Had a teacher who put me in esl for asking about a math question. I didn't know any Spanish and my parents are second generation citizens. Her reasoning was, despite my not having any Spanish vocabulary, was that I was struggling with a second language I don't understand. She stopped the class to kneel down and ask if I speak English, if I was born here, if my parents were born here, and if they speak English. She then walked me down to the ESL class and dumped me with the immigrant kids who did not speak English.
@@DIVISIONINCISION It wasn't majority white city but it wasn't a friendly city for us either. We lived down the street from a McDonald's that refused to serve us. Matter of fact my mother got into a huge blow up because we were in line and the lady behind the counter took the person behind us rather than my mother who was next in line. She quit a job that refused to pay her an amount equal to her co-workers. My father worked as a mechanic at a Texaco. The owner was always nice to us. He would rather lose a customer who didn't want my dad to work on their car, then to lose my dad who he always told us was his best mechanic. When I was a little older I would walk with my friends to Town Square Mall and if I wandered from my friends, I was guaranteed to be followed. If not by some employee at the mall, a security guard. I was even questioned a few times in front of my white friends who were never questioned. Growing up in Pasadena wasn't the worse thing in the world, but back I'm not going to sugarcoat my life there either. I definitely loved that mall despite everything that happened.
I grew up across the Houston Ship Channel in North Shore. We often shopped at the Foleys department store (later bought by Macy's) long before Pasadena Town Square was built. I remember when they built Pasadena Town Square with Foley'sas an anchor store. The giant, two story Sears used to be down the street, but moved to PTS many years after PTS was built. There used to be another, much older, mini-mall in Pasadena. One on Spencer Highway at Shaver across from Montgomery Ward. Doubt it is still there.
I subscribe to a lot of Urbex TH-camrs but I love your appreciation for architecture and the sheer amount of research you put into every building you explore. Keep it up. 👌🏼
I have lived in Pasadena for about 30 +, its sad how the town square mall has changed. i remember going to TILT [arcade shop] in the mall back in the 90's. it was always the place to be. I opened up my first checking and savings account at that bank as well. this video really took me back. Great work on the video.
I’ve been waiting for this video for such a long time ! My boyfriend and I live in Pasadena! We scout for dead malls and are intrigued by the historical artifacts. At the new “Macroplaza Mall” the stage was put in, and now the whole pool thing is covered with even more stage. Claire’s is closed now, probably one of the reasons why some were spotted at the mall.
I can't even remember the last time I went to Pasadena Town Square. Late 90s, early 2000s. I had a friend who worked in one of the stores in 1997, and it was already starting to look run down. In the entrance where Macy's is at the right, there was a Kay Jewelers on the letter. And in front was a Lee college. Thanks for the video. Great work.
If you are back in southeast Houston, go see Baybrook Mall, a revitalization project that is working. Baybrook never did decline, but it spelled the end for Almeda Mall, the mall of my youth. Almeda mall is in decline, surprised its still open. There is a Facebook group about the mall's glory days.
When I was a young kid in 70's we would drive from Northshore, 1-10 & Uvalde, through the tunnel to Almeda Mall to shop. I remember the Orange Julius in the food court. That was a special treat. The Best store across street from Almeda Mall was cool as the front looked like the wall had collapsed into a pile of bricks.
My momma and grandma used to work at the mall at a gyro resturant. I remember when I was a little girl i used to try to jump the counter because I used to get the Schepps chocolate milk. The owner was a very nice man. I practically lived at that mall.
Sal thanx for what you do brother, This mall was always kinda dead even back when I was going there 97-99 time frame- like half the shops empty even back then. The bottom part of the bank was in use, always thought it was a cool out of place looking building. I was born in the hospital up and across the St. I’ll always remember this mall, the Gadzooks and journeys and the Arcade in the corner of the food court and the candy store with all the diff flavor jelly beans. Sad to see this part of town finally hit lil Mexico status...
My grandpa lived in Pasadena for years. We moved him closer to us before he passed, as we feared for his safety. Thankfully, he died suddenly while picking dewberries, rather than asphyxiated in someone's trunk. I love Houston and it's suburbs, but it's disheartening to find how it's decayed.
Brings back a lot of memories. I grew up in Pasadena, TX and the history of this mall is almost synonymous with my childhood. Hell, I remember going there with my mother and they allowed smoking in the mall. The Foley’s was the main attraction but the mall was what I loved most. There was an Electronics Boutique down opposite end close to Dillard’s where as a kid I remember buying so many games. Going there the day after Christmas when I received my first 15” TV and a Sega Genesis to buy a game. The book stores, music stores where you could buy cassettes and eventually CDs. There was one music store just past the Foley’s exit into the mall, just past the ramp across from what eventually became Champ’s. Later on, my first real job was at the Gadzook’s which was across from the food court. Was ideal being a couple of stores down from the Tilt arcade. What memories...
Man I missed Sal's amazing story telling. Thank You so much for another great outing. Please don't stop... The community really loves the work and effort you do for us. Good Bless brotha..!
This is easily my favorite channel now. I've been watching half of my day go by lately, while getting lost in these videos. There's worse things to do anyway. Who else is addicted? LOL
I remember those stores and the Mrs. Fields cookies, kb toys, giving tree, etc. Went there yesterday more vacant than.full. No. Idea how that mall. Is. Still kicking when everything moved to. Fairmont and beltway or baybrook
Also, the stage looked like that in '94, just had water in the giant fountain. ON that stage is where they used to put the Santa stand; my husband worked there that first year. The mirrored place by the food court was the Arcade. The first thing in the food court (where men were knelt down at the counter in this vid) is where the Mrs. Fields' was. The play space in front of T-Mobile used to be a big open pit with a giant armadillo statue in the middle. You could step down in there and walk around the statue, but it wasn't a ride or a place to sit/play. It was just simply a giant armadillo statue with a cowboy riding it like a bucking bronco.
There also used to be a dope bronze statue of a cowboy riding a bucking armadillo where the playground area is now. When I was a kid , I always wanted to see it and go to the arcade by the food court.
I grew up in Pasadena, I recently found out about the bank being demolished. This mall used to be very active back in early to mid 90s. But sadly now it's like a ghost town.
I took a picture in the back of the building looking upward at myself and the building, back in 2000 0r 2001. It was still open at the time. I was sad to hear it got Demolished, To people in Pasadena it was known as..."Pasadena's only Sky Scraper" not sure if it classifies as one. But that was the nickname we gave it. you could see it when coming into Pasadena from 225. I remember people would throw Detergent on the Fountain in front and flood the whole area with bubbles😂.....I loved that building. Used to go there with my mom when it was Bank One. 😎✌ great video!
I didn't go through all the comments, but they are supposed to be tearing that mall down, and making it an out door shopping center. Hispanic themed. I actually cried during your video. That mall was my high school hang out, and it was busy on the weekends. So many memories. Also, I worked at the champs sports that used to be there.
Wow! I haven't been in this mall in YEARS! Last time I was there the Palais Royal was still open and the fountain/river was still running, from what I saw in the video neither is still there. I remember when my niece was younger (she's 17 now) we would give her coins to thrown in the fountain. The mall was pretty dead even back then, but I see that it is much more stale now. Thanks for the video!
Man I used to be in the Tilt all the time. I remember hitting up Sam Goody for my VHS tapes and DVD's later on. I remember seeing Virtua Fighter on the Sega Saturn at Electronics Boutique in 1996 and Mortal Kombat action figures at Kay Bee toys. I bought my first Game Pro magazine at Walden Books in 1992 when I was 6 years old. Bought my PS2 at launch during the holiday frenzy that year. A guy named Bret worked there and just pulled one out from the behind the register. We paid $100 extra on the spot because they were so rare. Lots of good memories here.
That phone booth you saw in the beginning : I knew him personally. He's a family friend but I've lost contact with him since he closed the phone booth business. I just hope he's okay and happy
Worked here when I first moved to TX in 1994, first at Mrs. Fields' Cookies, then at Ritz Camera. After a while, moved out of state, then came back in 2003. Began working for T-Mobile, and they sent me to this mall for training. Oddly, the T-Mobile store was in the same physical storefront spot as the old Ritz Camera used to be! I still live in the area, and I have moved on from retail to be a Professor and teacher. We were there when they imploded the bank building. It was sad. I remember going in there when it was open. I remember the fountain that used to be out front of it that people would put soap in every once in a while, flooding the area with suds spilling out into the street. Thanks for doing the research and for letting us see what used to be...
Oh man I still go to that mall ONLY for the pretzels 😂 So sad. I used to love that mall. I remember going to the FYE 😭 Also yes, the Sears is still open lol
I haven’t been to this mall in about 5 years and it has changed a lot. I’m not the very old to begin with, but I remember when that food court did not have any closed stores or when the wings actually had establishments. It hits me hard to see a place I grew up with dying slowly.
The last time I went it was pretty sad because they were shutting down payless and some other store in front of me but oh well life is life and we cant do anything about it but hope and plead
I grew up 2 blocks from the mall . Worked at Sears back in 2002. Many memories from 1980s to 2017 up until I moved to Arkansas. I also worked on the 5th floor in the banks early 2001. So happy to see this footage
My first memory of this mall was 1984, I was 3 and embarrassed by the leather sandals my mom made me wear. I was surrounded by people and next to the rodeo armadillo sculpture. My mom and uncle worked in the bank building around the same time. It was the pride of Pasadena. Thank you for another torrent of memories
They’re really working on the having this place be for the Latinos in the area. This year they’re having a 5 de mayo festival with many famous groups! It really was a huge surprise to all of us here in Pasadena that such a big festival was going to be held here with such big name groups. Though “town square” is lonely at times it’s still always a good place to walk through and reminisce!
so many memories... I remember walking into that bank with my grandma often, of course, the mall...i would buy all my tennis shoes from Foot Locker there. I would eat at Chic-Fil-A and the pizza place. And who remembers SHOW BIZ?? I do! Lol I was like 6 yrs old. Love the 80's.
The nostalgia!!! I used to model in there in the 90’s!!! Was big in the Strawberry Pageant too. That place used to be the place to be. It’s crazy to see the change. Sears reminds me of my Grandpa. That river used to have water and a BUNCH of change!! We would throw change in it for wishes. That would be where they would put a stage over the water for the models. Great video!!! I have so MANY memories in there!! ❤️❤️❤️
Sal, I really liked this masterpiece you are very good at keeping your audience glued to every word and every scene. I really liked the 1960s buildings, so cool!
Update: The mall is completely dead now. I'm pretty sure they're going to close it down for good now. My family were one of the last to have a store there. We just got out on December 1st and all the big stores were packing up too. This mall is gone.
They are planning to renovate the mall COMPLETELY. With a movie theatre, outdoor area, and mainstream shops. Just like the one in Baybrook for example. The problem is that they have stopped these proposed renovations due to the coming election in Pasadena. Who knows the new mayor could end the whole project and leave it as it is.
I remember when it was nothing but a Foleys, then when the mall first opened. I was “pre-teen” aged. This was the “local mall”, roughly 10 min from our house. Back then both the bank & the SBC building were occupied & the library was back there. We were so glad to not have to drive to Almeda Mall. After I graduated HS...later in the 1990’s was when the mall really started to go downhill.
Loving these videos! As a mall-store employee of 20 years, I have a special place in my heart for Malls...even dead ones. You do great work and I love the history lessons that accompany the visuals.
I remember going to Town Square as a kid and always stopping at the fountain to make my wish. Crazy to remember it so busy and now looking at it as a ghost town.
Is sad and nostagic seeing all the mall's dyeing like that😪 here in San Antonio is the same. There's only a few stores open inside the mall. I remember back in the 80s and 90s that was a lot of people shoping and eating and having fun. No more..😪😪😭😭😭
The Sears is still open, which is remarkable because Sears recently closed much busier locations in other, booming malls in the Houston area (such as Baybrook Mall and Memorial City Mall).
I was surprised Sears closed the Memorial City Mall location, it was one of the busiest stores in the mall before they announced the closing. I went to that location often especially during my breaks (worked at Dillards). There were times you could barely walk inside Sears, I guess it didn't make much money for them and decided to close.
That was Dream place Karaoke. That was started up by Robert and Larry Cordero. Sadly, Mr. Robert Cordero passed away in 2021 from heart failure. His younger brother, Larry is handling the karaoke/dj business now.
That whole side of town used to be the center of excitement for Pasadena. After the 80's this area started to decline rapidly and everyone and everything wanted to get away from what was the best side of town. Pasadena is slowly declining into chaos and soon will be a forgotten memory. Bad city planning and NO MONEY has doomed Pasadena. Pearland is now the "new" Pasadena. And I am afraid in time they will fall victim to the same tragedy as Pasadena. NOTHING will ever be renewed here.
Pasadena is nothing but; gas stations, clinics, taquerias, restaurants, car dealerships, banquet halls/event centers, churches. And all the old and new public schools too I guess. I don’t know what it is about this town, but most of the people here never leave! Despite how much it’s come down, we’re all still here
Sal. I really enjoy your style. The way you voice and produce your content really gives the material a sense of serene urgency that captures the contrast between what is and what was, and the importance of preserving these places in video as the landscape changes so quickly.
There are only 8 stores left. A dress shop, a jewelry repair kiosk, a place that looks like a flea market stall, a beauty and barber school, a tax preparer, a beauty salon, and a place that sells hats. The perfume store is reportedly closing. The cell phone kiosk is gone.
Back in 1988 I worked at the Palais Royal Store. Times were so different. That mall was busy all the time. Seeing Palais Royal still there amazed me. How awesome but they are a store that will stay to the very end. Thinking back all the times I drove there to work. So sad to see life change so dramatically.
I actually live in Pasadena and I gotta say it’s pretty dead here except almeda not as bad tbh as others Edit: I’ve been to this mall multiple times, pretty empty it’s sad tbh :/
Pasadena Update by Pasadener: Parts of Pasadena are slowly being abandoned and left to rot, especially near 225, and the city is over polluted. Not being too specific, but Pasadena is starting to look like District 12 from the Hunger Games and it is just getting grosser everyday
Love the vid, the fact you mentioned Frank Loyd wright, caught my attention, we live near mason city iowa where there are several of his structures, including the Historic park inn which was just fully renovated recently along with a few houses. He designed, maybe some day we'll try and get a video of them
This video makes me sad. I have lived in the Pasadena area for almost 44 years. I came here as a child on through adulthood and worked there in several different shops over the years. The steady decline of the mall from how is was growing up, is depressing. I remember a time when there wasn't a empty store in that mall and it was full of life and people. To see how it is today is almost sickening to me. It's a shell of what it used to be.
I grew up in Pasadena. Let's see.... I lived on Jenkins and Houston Ave, just a few blocks away. Back then, in the 80's that was a very nice mall. I used to go there often. Another one was Almeda Mall. There were other malls that changed. Gulf Gate Mall, Maryland Mall, Hempstead Mall and Northline Mall. How sad.
I live in Pasadena and I grew up going to Pasadena Town Square Mall. Growing up, it was always busy and thriving and fun to go to. After Dillards left, other stores started following suit. Between the low foot traffic and rising monthly cost to stay. It's turned into a ghost town. A shell of it's former self and it's sad. I don't ever see it recovering.
i grew up in Pasadena, TX; my sister worked at that AT&T building (back then it was Southwestern Bell); the bank building was iconic and the one skyscraper in Pasadena; had no idea it had FLW influences; and yes our report cards did have the image of that building on it; i worked on a construction crew at Pasadena Town Square when it was being built; i went to that mall a lot but the “lake” escapes my memory; thanks for this video; i have to admit it makes me sad; lots of memories here...
I grew up in Pasadena and worked at Foley's there as a teenager and went to Pasadena Town Square a lot to hangout in jr high/high school. It's sad to see it so empty. As for the stage, I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure they are referring to the one in the food court. That was not always there where as the one that goes over the former fountain was. I had choir concerts there in jr high.
awww i cried!! i have so many memories here. i remember it used to be so packed sundays. we would take pictures by the fountain and throw a pennie for a wish. there was chinese food and pizza in the food court. we would struggle to find a table all the time. everytime i go i always get an ice cream cone just like i always did back then. us hispanics spend more i dont know why they never upgraded stores. maybee they didint believe it would succeed due to the area but everytime i go there i re live good times. thanks for the video ❤️🙏🏻😭
This is only the second Texas Mall you've showed me, and it makes me wanna take a fine tooth comb at Texas and its malls. We'd need a good month in that state.
@@Karmy. In the Houston area (Pasadena is a city south of it) there are at least 11 I can name. At least 4 of them are less then 20 minutes from this one, depending on traffic.
UPDATE: The First State Bank building has now been demolished. July 21, 2019.
I was there, when the bank was demolished
No it hasn't dude i work there!
Drove past there a few months ago to see it torn down and got a picture for memory's sake. I grew up seeing that building throughout the 90s, as my grandfather lived close to it.
It used to have big fountains in front
Hey, at least the shipping mall is still going and the Sears is still open :)
I commented on this video back after you had uploaded it in 2019 and I'm watching it again and I just realized that I'm technically in it. Back when you filmed this in 2018 I was still driving for Pasadena Taxi and at the 7:03 mark a taxi goes by with a 7 on it and that's the one I drove, lol. Luckily in 2019 I got an actual good job as a PCA out in Houston at St. Luke's Medical Center and I'm still there. Just wanted to share this because that tripped me out, lol
I actually live in Pasadena and it’s DEAD. Even store owners are surprised to see anyone there
i feel that with all the planed events like sal said it can be an amazing community center with the proper advertising and care
pink aye but ptown is active with the little shops here n there but the history and mall is dead your right about that
pink FOR REAL
Same!
pink i live in pasadena to but like mostly latinos live here soo there is a lot of parties and stuf
I have lived in Pasadena TX my whole life... 37 yrs... love that you take pride and heart in the buildings and the architectural aspect of it all... the hospital you talk about is Southeast Memorial hospital.. I was born there in 82.. thank you for all your hard work and for sharing Pasadena TX....
Ah, that’s the name of it! Thanks so much for the kind words, Ashley!
My little sister was born there in 1990
Crazy how almost everyone here was born in a hospital that is now abandoned! You know you’re a 100% Pasadena baby if you were born there 😂
was the hospital close to Thomas St.? I lived there in the 70's
I was also born in that Hospital in 82 ...
So sad. I grew up going to Pasadena Town Square and San Jacinto Mall. SJ Mall is where my roots were as a teen and up. I love your videos. Love the trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing these! I'm obsessed with malls and their amazing history and the life they used to have.
I worked at Town Square right out of high school, it’s sad to see it so empty when it was so vibrant and busy back in the day. I did business with the old bank a couple of times as well. They used to mail out mini laminated diplomas to everyone who graduated from a PISD high school. Kinda sad how my hometown is perceived, and it’s reality is now.
Mae Welles I work at sears 15 years ago
@USA Rocks! I grew up in Pasadena, the gangs and drugs were always there. One gang used to walk up and down my street and around my neighborhood. Shit, someone tried to shoot the principal of the middle school by Kruse. I think it was Zavala middle school, but I don't remember. I do remember the drive-by. He scrambled a bit but still stood his ground. The man was an absolute fucking legend.
Rather than run and seek cover he ducked down and afterward stayed and checked on students. He also kept working like nothing happened. Something similar (knife not gun) happened at another school and the teacher involved was gone soon after. I should also mention that after the drive-by, he was still out on the lawn every afternoon which is why I say he was a fucking legend. I definitely wouldn't have the balls to go back to the same spot a day later much less every day after that.
I remember it when it was hype and they had gadzooks there
Update on Macroplaza as of December 2021. Sears has closed, along with all the food vendors. There are only 4 or 5 stores left in the entire building. Only 1 entrance is open (by the food court) and they have put up a wooden wall inside that blocks off most of the mall. The kids playground is no longer accessible. There were electrical issues when I went and the bathrooms had no power. I don't think this mall will survive another year.
bro i would be scared to go into the bathroom
This is honestly so sad, I haven’t been to that mall in years but it was always my favorite.
Still there. Still dead. Still hard to see.
@@iNymph foe real , I loved going in the 90’s , just like SharrpTown , GreensPoint , and GulfGate Mall , the best ever in H-Town
@@joeroblesiv Damn. How?
My mall 😔😞😭 how depressing looking at it from this video. How lonely it has gotten. Back in the 90's it was so nice and full of life. Christmas decorations, the fountain was running, the arcade was awesome! Chick fil A was in here too 😔 pleeeeeaase bring life back to this mall. Somebody? Anybody?? 😞
Same bro I miss the old mall
I'm a local and I grew up going to this mall but time has not been kind to it. Now everyone either goes to Almeda Mall or Baybrook Mall. Most go to Baybrook honestly it's so much better than anything else around.
And Almeda Mall is not doing too well either.
Man I went to this mall SO MUCH as a kid and into my teens in the 90's and early 2000's. Damn I have so many awesome memories here. I was naming old stores as you walked by. Even that old Bank One building outside was iconic too. You used to be able to see it from the 225 freeway and parts of 610.
Pasadena in not the same now... everything is sooooo different.
Stinky dena
Greezy_Chef I lived there for a while and we called it Stikadeana! I was wondering, after 35 years, if it still was called that.
When I lived there, there was 2 big dangers. The gangs and the racism. Had a teacher who put me in esl for asking about a math question. I didn't know any Spanish and my parents are second generation citizens. Her reasoning was, despite my not having any Spanish vocabulary, was that I was struggling with a second language I don't understand. She stopped the class to kneel down and ask if I speak English, if I was born here, if my parents were born here, and if they speak English. She then walked me down to the ESL class and dumped me with the immigrant kids who did not speak English.
@@DIVISIONINCISION It wasn't majority white city but it wasn't a friendly city for us either. We lived down the street from a McDonald's that refused to serve us. Matter of fact my mother got into a huge blow up because we were in line and the lady behind the counter took the person behind us rather than my mother who was next in line. She quit a job that refused to pay her an amount equal to her co-workers. My father worked as a mechanic at a Texaco. The owner was always nice to us. He would rather lose a customer who didn't want my dad to work on their car, then to lose my dad who he always told us was his best mechanic. When I was a little older I would walk with my friends to Town Square Mall and if I wandered from my friends, I was guaranteed to be followed. If not by some employee at the mall, a security guard. I was even questioned a few times in front of my white friends who were never questioned. Growing up in Pasadena wasn't the worse thing in the world, but back I'm not going to sugarcoat my life there either. I definitely loved that mall despite everything that happened.
Lori Fugitt - I work near Pasadena and yes we STILL call it “Stink-a-Dena” lol
I grew up across the Houston Ship Channel in North Shore. We often shopped at the Foleys department store (later bought by Macy's) long before Pasadena Town Square was built. I remember when they built Pasadena Town Square with Foley'sas an anchor store. The giant, two story Sears used to be down the street, but moved to PTS many years after PTS was built. There used to be another, much older, mini-mall in Pasadena. One on Spencer Highway at Shaver across from Montgomery Ward. Doubt it is still there.
It ain't there anymore. Trust me?
I subscribe to a lot of Urbex TH-camrs but I love your appreciation for architecture and the sheer amount of research you put into every building you explore. Keep it up. 👌🏼
Hey cutie
Ur Hot baby girl
😘😘😘😘
Thanks so much! The architecture is sincerely my prime focus.
I have lived in Pasadena for about 30 +, its sad how the town square mall has changed. i remember going to TILT [arcade shop] in the mall back in the 90's. it was always the place to be. I opened up my first checking and savings account at that bank as well. this video really took me back. Great work on the video.
I’ve been waiting for this video for such a long time ! My boyfriend and I live in Pasadena! We scout for dead malls and are intrigued by the historical artifacts. At the new “Macroplaza Mall” the stage was put in, and now the whole pool thing is covered with even more stage. Claire’s is closed now, probably one of the reasons why some were spotted at the mall.
I can't even remember the last time I went to Pasadena Town Square. Late 90s, early 2000s. I had a friend who worked in one of the stores in 1997, and it was already starting to look run down. In the entrance where Macy's is at the right, there was a Kay Jewelers on the letter. And in front was a Lee college. Thanks for the video. Great work.
If you are back in southeast Houston, go see Baybrook Mall, a revitalization project that is working. Baybrook never did decline, but it spelled the end for Almeda Mall, the mall of my youth. Almeda mall is in decline, surprised its still open. There is a Facebook group about the mall's glory days.
When I was a young kid in 70's we would drive from Northshore, 1-10 & Uvalde, through the tunnel to Almeda Mall to shop. I remember the Orange Julius in the food court. That was a special treat. The Best store across street from Almeda Mall was cool as the front looked like the wall had collapsed into a pile of bricks.
My momma and grandma used to work at the mall at a gyro resturant. I remember when I was a little girl i used to try to jump the counter because I used to get the Schepps chocolate milk. The owner was a very nice man. I practically lived at that mall.
Sal thanx for what you do brother, This mall was always kinda dead even back when I was going there 97-99 time frame- like half the shops empty even back then. The bottom part of the bank was in use, always thought it was a cool out of place looking building. I was born in the hospital up and across the St. I’ll always remember this mall, the Gadzooks and journeys and the Arcade in the corner of the food court and the candy store with all the diff flavor jelly beans. Sad to see this part of town finally hit lil Mexico status...
My grandpa lived in Pasadena for years. We moved him closer to us before he passed, as we feared for his safety. Thankfully, he died suddenly while picking dewberries, rather than asphyxiated in someone's trunk. I love Houston and it's suburbs, but it's disheartening to find how it's decayed.
Brings back a lot of memories. I grew up in Pasadena, TX and the history of this mall is almost synonymous with my childhood. Hell, I remember going there with my mother and they allowed smoking in the mall. The Foley’s was the main attraction but the mall was what I loved most. There was an Electronics Boutique down opposite end close to Dillard’s where as a kid I remember buying so many games. Going there the day after Christmas when I received my first 15” TV and a Sega Genesis to buy a game. The book stores, music stores where you could buy cassettes and eventually CDs. There was one music store just past the Foley’s exit into the mall, just past the ramp across from what eventually became Champ’s.
Later on, my first real job was at the Gadzook’s which was across from the food court. Was ideal being a couple of stores down from the Tilt arcade. What memories...
I use to shop at that foley's before the mall was added, mid to late 70's. The bank building was torn down.
Man I missed Sal's amazing story telling. Thank You so much for another great outing. Please don't stop... The community really loves the work and effort you do for us. Good Bless brotha..!
@Exploring with kevin same. Also I do hope he takes my advice and goes to Racine. I'd give five bucks in patreon for gas
Hey I'm not going anywhere :) I've got years of footage already filmed just waiting to be edited! Stay tuned, friends!
This is easily my favorite channel now. I've been watching half of my day go by lately, while getting lost in these videos. There's worse things to do anyway. Who else is addicted? LOL
I appreciate this comment so much, you made my day :)
Really nice and informal video about my hometown's history. I actually live like 5 minutes from this place. Man has Pasadena gone down
nah everything just moved away from the majority poor north side of Pasadena down to the richer side of Pasadena near Fairmont.
I drove through the parking lot yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 4/13/24) and there were roughly three cars in the parking lot.
Good memories of Tilt Arcade, KB Toys, Spencer's Gifts, Journeys, Chic-fil-a, and the stand that served corn dogs and lemonade.
My twin brother got lost in this mall when we were 4. 😂 good times.
The Pasadena State Bank was imploded today. Just an update. Glad you got to see it while you could. Love your channel.
And i love you megan❤❤❤❤
Damn I remember when they had a Chick-Fil-A there 😂
Yazmin Gonzalez lol yeah by the restrooms
Really when that's crazy
I remember when they had an fye, Sam goodie, kB toys, bath and body works, Spencer’s, gadzooks clothing store those were fantastic
I remember those stores and the Mrs. Fields cookies, kb toys, giving tree, etc. Went there yesterday more vacant than.full. No. Idea how that mall. Is. Still kicking when everything moved to. Fairmont and beltway or baybrook
When it used to get lit lmao
That food court was full
Arby's
James Coney Island
Chick- fil- a
Sabaro's Pizza
Subway
China Wok
Gyro Stop
and Steve's Ice Cream
I miss those places
Also, the stage looked like that in '94, just had water in the giant fountain. ON that stage is where they used to put the Santa stand; my husband worked there that first year. The mirrored place by the food court was the Arcade. The first thing in the food court (where men were knelt down at the counter in this vid) is where the Mrs. Fields' was. The play space in front of T-Mobile used to be a big open pit with a giant armadillo statue in the middle. You could step down in there and walk around the statue, but it wasn't a ride or a place to sit/play. It was just simply a giant armadillo statue with a cowboy riding it like a bucking bronco.
There also used to be a dope bronze statue of a cowboy riding a bucking armadillo where the playground area is now. When I was a kid , I always wanted to see it and go to the arcade by the food court.
I grew up in Pasadena, I recently found out about the bank being demolished. This mall used to be very active back in early to mid 90s. But sadly now it's like a ghost town.
I took a picture in the back of the building looking upward at myself and the building, back in 2000 0r 2001. It was still open at the time. I was sad to hear it got Demolished, To people in Pasadena it was known as..."Pasadena's only Sky Scraper" not sure if it classifies as one. But that was the nickname we gave it. you could see it when coming into Pasadena from 225. I remember people would throw Detergent on the Fountain in front and flood the whole area with bubbles😂.....I loved that building. Used to go there with my mom when it was Bank One. 😎✌ great video!
Yes, that fountain would be full of bubbles
I didn't go through all the comments, but they are supposed to be tearing that mall down, and making it an out door shopping center. Hispanic themed. I actually cried during your video. That mall was my high school hang out, and it was busy on the weekends. So many memories. Also, I worked at the champs sports that used to be there.
Wow! I haven't been in this mall in YEARS! Last time I was there the Palais Royal was still open and the fountain/river was still running, from what I saw in the video neither is still there. I remember when my niece was younger (she's 17 now) we would give her coins to thrown in the fountain. The mall was pretty dead even back then, but I see that it is much more stale now. Thanks for the video!
It's dead. But I still take my daughter there for Santa pics. Lol.. no line.
You’ve gotta keep that tradition going.
😭😂
Man I used to be in the Tilt all the time. I remember hitting up Sam Goody for my VHS tapes and DVD's later on. I remember seeing Virtua Fighter on the Sega Saturn at Electronics Boutique in 1996 and Mortal Kombat action figures at Kay Bee toys. I bought my first Game Pro magazine at Walden Books in 1992 when I was 6 years old. Bought my PS2 at launch during the holiday frenzy that year. A guy named Bret worked there and just pulled one out from the behind the register. We paid $100 extra on the spot because they were so rare. Lots of good memories here.
Thanks for visiting Pasadena tx
I remember Pasadena Town Square. Back in the 90s it was the place to be. Such good times. 😄
That phone booth you saw in the beginning : I knew him personally. He's a family friend but I've lost contact with him since he closed the phone booth business. I just hope he's okay and happy
Worked here when I first moved to TX in 1994, first at Mrs. Fields' Cookies, then at Ritz Camera. After a while, moved out of state, then came back in 2003. Began working for T-Mobile, and they sent me to this mall for training. Oddly, the T-Mobile store was in the same physical storefront spot as the old Ritz Camera used to be! I still live in the area, and I have moved on from retail to be a Professor and teacher. We were there when they imploded the bank building. It was sad. I remember going in there when it was open. I remember the fountain that used to be out front of it that people would put soap in every once in a while, flooding the area with suds spilling out into the street. Thanks for doing the research and for letting us see what used to be...
Oh man I still go to that mall ONLY for the pretzels 😂
So sad. I used to love that mall. I remember going to the FYE 😭
Also yes, the Sears is still open lol
JoJo The Dragon we should go get a smoothie there I live down the street.
Glad I'm not the only one. That only goes for the pretzels
Yes omg. The pretzels is the only worthy thing lol
Them pretzels are right next to my boy Ashraf Mohamed in Caps n More lmao I go for my Htown Tees.
Pretzels gone
I miss this mall from my home state,houston & pasadena,tx
Everything stops when Sal uploads. The only thing that can interrupt me is if there's popcorn.
Yep
I haven’t been to this mall in about 5 years and it has changed a lot. I’m not the very old to begin with, but I remember when that food court did not have any closed stores or when the wings actually had establishments. It hits me hard to see a place I grew up with dying slowly.
The last time I went it was pretty sad because they were shutting down payless and some other store in front of me but oh well life is life and we cant do anything about it but hope and plead
Fun Fact: Evanescence played live there once
Well, I guess I don't have to watch till the end to find out what took the mall down
Chris Jericho was there signing autographs one time too.
Yeah, I was there for work related reasons (not mall) and was wondering who tf that was.
I grew up 2 blocks from the mall . Worked at Sears back in 2002. Many memories from 1980s to 2017 up until I moved to Arkansas. I also worked on the 5th floor in the banks early 2001. So happy to see this footage
Man I use to live in Pasadena and man I use to go there as a kid so much childhood
My first memory of this mall was 1984, I was 3 and embarrassed by the leather sandals my mom made me wear. I was surrounded by people and next to the rodeo armadillo sculpture.
My mom and uncle worked in the bank building around the same time. It was the pride of Pasadena.
Thank you for another torrent of memories
They’re really working on the having this place be for the Latinos in the area. This year they’re having a 5 de mayo festival with many famous groups! It really was a huge surprise to all of us here in Pasadena that such a big festival was going to be held here with such big name groups. Though “town square” is lonely at times it’s still always a good place to walk through and reminisce!
they also just had a soccer cup for the kids tennagers and adults
This is where la raza held the concert for free?
This has been in the heart of my FedEx route for 21 years and things have changed so much.....
I remember going to the chic fil a then going to the arcade right after good times my favorite was the kb toys store
BIG E 713 same here man.
Man! That chick fil a, running around the empty pool thing, and I forgot about KB toys lmao!
I remember that too my mom use to work rite next to arcades at eye masters lol
I used to work at kb
Omg yes I remember the chick fil a!
I remember back in the early 2000s this place was packed, I remember going during Christmas to buy a kids laptop in RadioShack.
so many memories... I remember walking into that bank with my grandma often, of course, the mall...i would buy all my tennis shoes from Foot Locker there. I would eat at Chic-Fil-A and the pizza place. And who remembers SHOW BIZ?? I do! Lol I was like 6 yrs old. Love the 80's.
The nostalgia!!! I used to model in there in the 90’s!!! Was big in the Strawberry Pageant too. That place used to be the place to be. It’s crazy to see the change. Sears reminds me of my Grandpa. That river used to have water and a BUNCH of change!! We would throw change in it for wishes. That would be where they would put a stage over the water for the models. Great video!!! I have so MANY memories in there!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for the thoughts! Make sure you sub and stay tuned for much more :)
Sal, I really liked this masterpiece you are very good at keeping your audience glued to every word and every scene. I really liked the 1960s buildings, so cool!
Update: The mall is completely dead now. I'm pretty sure they're going to close it down for good now. My family were one of the last to have a store there. We just got out on December 1st and all the big stores were packing up too. This mall is gone.
They are planning to renovate the mall COMPLETELY. With a movie theatre, outdoor area, and mainstream shops. Just like the one in Baybrook for example. The problem is that they have stopped these proposed renovations due to the coming election in Pasadena. Who knows the new mayor could end the whole project and leave it as it is.
my childhood mall😢😮
I remember when it was nothing but a Foleys, then when the mall first opened. I was “pre-teen” aged. This was the “local mall”, roughly 10 min from our house. Back then both the bank & the SBC building were occupied & the library was back there. We were so glad to not have to drive to Almeda Mall. After I graduated HS...later in the 1990’s was when the mall really started to go downhill.
Loving these videos! As a mall-store employee of 20 years, I have a special place in my heart for Malls...even dead ones. You do great work and I love the history lessons that accompany the visuals.
Thank you so much! Much more to come!
I remember going to Town Square as a kid and always stopping at the fountain to make my wish. Crazy to remember it so busy and now looking at it as a ghost town.
You're amazing. The history you share is phenomenal
Born and raised in Pasadena. The best thing that ever happened to that mall was the arcade.
Nelson Cruz can’t believe you made me watch this lol
Is sad and nostagic seeing all the mall's dyeing like that😪 here in San Antonio is the same. There's only a few stores open inside the mall. I remember back in the 80s and 90s that was a lot of people shoping and eating and having fun. No more..😪😪😭😭😭
The Sears is still open, which is remarkable because Sears recently closed much busier locations in other, booming malls in the Houston area (such as Baybrook Mall and Memorial City Mall).
I was surprised Sears closed the Memorial City Mall location, it was one of the busiest stores in the mall before they announced the closing. I went to that location often especially during my breaks (worked at Dillards). There were times you could barely walk inside Sears, I guess it didn't make much money for them and decided to close.
All the Sears closedown,the one at Pasadena closed a couple of weeks ago.
In 1998 it was still full of stores. I remember the mall had a place where you could do karaoke, and purchase the recording.
That was Dream place Karaoke. That was started up by Robert and Larry Cordero. Sadly, Mr. Robert Cordero passed away in 2021 from heart failure. His younger brother, Larry is handling the karaoke/dj business now.
I used to park at the bank when I was a wrecker and take naps. Kind of cool to hear the history of it.
That whole side of town used to be the center of excitement for Pasadena. After the 80's this area started to decline rapidly and everyone and everything wanted to get away from what was the best side of town. Pasadena is slowly declining into chaos and soon will be a forgotten memory. Bad city planning and NO MONEY has doomed Pasadena. Pearland is now the "new" Pasadena. And I am afraid in time they will fall victim to the same tragedy as Pasadena. NOTHING will ever be renewed here.
Ghetto side
Fairmont is nice. But yeah that part of Pasadena was getting to be like a ghetto.
Yup i agree. Ghetto culture produces shithole cities.
Pasadena is nothing but; gas stations, clinics, taquerias, restaurants, car dealerships, banquet halls/event centers, churches. And all the old and new public schools too I guess. I don’t know what it is about this town, but most of the people here never leave! Despite how much it’s come down, we’re all still here
Sal. I really enjoy your style. The way you voice and produce your content really gives the material a sense of serene urgency that captures the contrast between what is and what was, and the importance of preserving these places in video as the landscape changes so quickly.
Thank you so much!! I’ve got so much more content coming up, hopefully getting Greenspoint Mall out by Friday or Saturday!
There are only 8 stores left. A dress shop, a jewelry repair kiosk, a place that looks like a flea market stall, a beauty and barber school, a tax preparer, a beauty salon, and a place that sells hats. The perfume store is reportedly closing. The cell phone kiosk is gone.
That bank building was on our report card sleeves when I grew up in Pasadena's school district.
Spoke too soon, I see you knew that. LOL
Sears is the only anchor store left in Pasadena town square Palais Royal closed about 18 months ago
Back in 1988 I worked at the Palais Royal Store. Times were so different. That mall was busy all the time. Seeing Palais Royal still there amazed me. How awesome but they are a store that will stay to the very end. Thinking back all the times I drove there to work. So sad to see life change so dramatically.
I actually live in Pasadena and I gotta say it’s pretty dead here except almeda not as bad tbh as others
Edit: I’ve been to this mall multiple times, pretty empty it’s sad tbh :/
Pasadena Update by Pasadener: Parts of Pasadena are slowly being abandoned and left to rot, especially near 225, and the city is over polluted. Not being too specific, but Pasadena is starting to look like District 12 from the Hunger Games and it is just getting grosser everyday
I know exactly what you mean. And I live near that dump. Richey and Harris 🙄
That bank in the beginning is. Being imploded tomorrow (7/21/19)morning.
The Claire’s is gone and yes they replaced the water thingy with a big stage just put wood on top of that
The Cuban restaurant is so good
Love the vid, the fact you mentioned Frank Loyd wright, caught my attention, we live near mason city iowa where there are several of his structures, including the Historic park inn which was just fully renovated recently along with a few houses. He designed, maybe some day we'll try and get a video of them
I could immediately tell that the beginning of this video starts off with Sal leaving the San Jacinto mall and heading towards downtown on I-10.
Nailed it
This video makes me sad. I have lived in the Pasadena area for almost 44 years. I came here as a child on through adulthood and worked there in several different shops over the years. The steady decline of the mall from how is was growing up, is depressing. I remember a time when there wasn't a empty store in that mall and it was full of life and people. To see how it is today is almost sickening to me. It's a shell of what it used to be.
I grew up in Pasadena. Let's see.... I lived on Jenkins and Houston Ave, just a few blocks away. Back then, in the 80's that was a very nice mall. I used to go there often. Another one was Almeda Mall. There were other malls that changed. Gulf Gate Mall, Maryland Mall, Hempstead Mall and Northline Mall. How sad.
Watched the first 3 minutes and deemed worthwhile due to the Mt. Dew commecrial. "It'll tickle your innards!"
Slipping in a little Winnebago Man was an excellent touch.
Agreed!
Sal. My whole night just got a million times better!!!! Got my M&Ms I was Saving for a special occasion!!! Thank you!!!! ❤️
The bank actually got demolished the summer of 2019, driving by now still looks weird without it.
In the playground area use to have a cowboy riding a armadillo 🤠🤠🤠
I still can't imagine Rub 'n Tugs in any malls. It's insane how much malls have changed since I was a kid in the early 90s
I live in Pasadena and I grew up going to Pasadena Town Square Mall. Growing up, it was always busy and thriving and fun to go to. After Dillards left, other stores started following suit. Between the low foot traffic and rising monthly cost to stay. It's turned into a ghost town. A shell of it's former self and it's sad. I don't ever see it recovering.
i grew up in Pasadena, TX; my sister worked at that AT&T building (back then it was Southwestern Bell); the bank building was iconic and the one skyscraper in Pasadena; had no idea it had FLW influences; and yes our report cards did have the image of that building on it; i worked on a construction crew at Pasadena Town Square when it was being built; i went to that mall a lot but the “lake” escapes my memory; thanks for this video; i have to admit it makes me sad; lots of memories here...
I grew up in Pasadena and worked at Foley's there as a teenager and went to Pasadena Town Square a lot to hangout in jr high/high school. It's sad to see it so empty. As for the stage, I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure they are referring to the one in the food court. That was not always there where as the one that goes over the former fountain was. I had choir concerts there in jr high.
Made me cry. Thank you
I’m so glad someone finally listened!
Fascinating Video Sal, thank you very much for sharing it with us.
awww i cried!! i have so many memories here. i remember it used to be so packed sundays. we would take pictures by the fountain and throw a pennie for a wish. there was chinese food and pizza in the food court. we would struggle to find a table all the time. everytime i go i always get an ice cream cone just like i always did back then. us hispanics spend more i dont know why they never upgraded stores. maybee they didint believe it would succeed due to the area but everytime i go there i re live good times. thanks for the video ❤️🙏🏻😭
You are cute lol
Chris Birdwell Haha Thanks Thats Thats So Sweet 🙂
Lol I live in Pasadena. Im not to far from Fairmont Pkwy but I don't know squat about that malls history. Galleria all day!!
Sad now. Take a ride out again and it's gone. Glad I snapped a few pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Lol oh man, definitely brings back memories of hanging out at that mall in middle school
How depressing. Even Santa looks like he'd rather be anywhere else.
Yep...super sad :(
I almost came out of my skin when they moved. I thought they were statues at first. It is very sad.
This is only the second Texas Mall you've showed me, and it makes me wanna take a fine tooth comb at Texas and its malls. We'd need a good month in that state.
All 7 of our Malls in San Antonio are thriving and in excellent condition!! It would be awesome to have y'all here!!
I can't even imagine how many malls are in a state as huge as texas...
@@Karmy. In the Houston area (Pasadena is a city south of it) there are at least 11 I can name. At least 4 of them are less then 20 minutes from this one, depending on traffic.
Hurry up, Collin Creek Mall closes on 7/31/2019!