I was 6 when this mall opened. I remember an aunt gave me $2 in quarters to play the games in the arcade. I spent nearly every Saturday in that mall during my school years. When it opened originally, the arcade was called The Pirate's Cove. I see the arcade has relocated, right across from where it was before. Where it is now, was originally a seafood restaurant. There was an Orange Julius next to it. Down by where McRae's was, there was a Swiss Colony store - remember those? That first spot on the right of the main entrance, right when you walk in, was a Taco Casa restaurant. Next to where the Pirate's Cove used to be, was a Sound Shop. I almost got in a fight in there with a drunk kid from my high school. This brings back a lot of memories for me. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Did I appease your sense of anemoia? Or are you a local that moved away from this mall a while ago, now letting me quell your saudade. Either way, we still need to watch out for Gossamer the attack raccoon at this mall. The Natchez Mall Megaforce is still looking for her, and she's pretty nasty. She likes hugs though. Thanks for watching, guys.
During the first round of lock downs Sal was pumping them out everyweek. It was amazing to see! Always watching with my beverage and dinner. Thanks for all the work Sal!
Currently, I'm only 34 but I remember growing up back home in Natchez and going here on the weekends to hang out at the arcade and music store. Every now and then I'd see a movie in the cinema or go across the street to the bowling alley. It looks empty of course, but I'm happy that it's still holding up well and hasn't been let go to just rot away.
I have a sense of anemoia whenever I watch your videos I've been gone for a while, but im back! I used to tell my mom that I think I was born in the wrong era...😊
I am the living embodiment of anemoia. I am a history and architecture buff and I've always been fond of a time I wasn't alive for. I feel nostalgic towards decades of the past (1900s-1980s) and have a fondness for the music, the style, the architecture (including and especially old malls and theaters), the history, etc. And now, after many years of wondering if there would ever be a word to describe who I am, I have found it. I am anemoia.
I love the history from those era's too. Always wondering what it was like to live back then, how people were. The styles. Although I was born in the early 80's, I was too young to remember most of it. I love watching the old mall clips from the 80's. I guess I might be that word too.
@@Rogue849 they wouldn't allow it because it is zoned for commercial property, and you would need to be a millionair to be able to afford the insurance and light bill.
Your videos of these malls make me think of wake services...respectfully reminding us of what was, reviving old memories, and wishing the best to those who cared.
Sal, I'm 59. I remember well the actual malls, in their prime, as I graduated high school in 1979. At the height of The Mall. It leaves me sad to see them dead, or dieing. There's a mall right here in Richmond that I'm watching take it's last gasps as it falls to the hands of local gangs. No one goes there after dark, few go in the light of day. Then.... there's Covid. Any chance it would survive is probably gone. The passing of time is sometimes sad. Love watching your films.
Another wonderful Exlog, sir! Thanks for filling our souls and minds with anemoia. I think we need to see some vintage finds of this mall. Starting the search. Looking forward to the next expedition.
I shopped here when I was a child until I was grown. It’s sad to see what has happened to this mall. I have a lot of memories shopping and going to the movies with my friends and family. Great video!
I lived in Natchez from 1991-1993, and I would go to the mall about once a week. I have so many memories of that short period. Even back then, it was severely lacking in stores that were the norm to most shopping malls. No Sears, no KB, no Babbage's, no Spencer's Gifts, and no real food court. As a 10-year-old kid, having spent so much of my youth in more vibrant malls, it was a huge letdown. The only shops that interested me were the book store (located next to JC Penney), the sporting goods store, and my favorite, the Fun Tunnel arcade. "Street Fighter II", "Sunset Riders", "T2", "Addams Family" pinball, and "X-Men" were all the rage, and my memories of playing them here are still fondly remembered. One of the arcade's employees was a elderly grandmother, which was cool. Her young grandson hung out there a lot. The small movie theater was also a letdown. Whenever a big release came to town, the lines would literally stretch all the way to JC Penney, but limited seating was so bad that parents would seat their kids on their laps. "Batman Returns" exemplified this: mom took my brother and I to see it on opening day, but we couldn't get a seat at all. Walking up and down the aisle for two minutes, desperately peering into the darkness for seats, was humiliating because the entire audience was laughing and mocking us, including a uniformed cop who was there with his kids. No joke. Well, I had the last laugh because that movie sucked. Still does. If the theater had been expanded, or a bigger theater being built separately on the mall grounds, it could've conducted more business and avoided such problems. The owners of the mall never even thought of such a thing. My days at the mall ended when I moved in January 1993, and my new hangout was the much larger, and far, FAR better Kentucky Oaks Mall, which had 2 (!) KB Toys, 2 (!) book stores, a real food court, a comic book store, a Suncoast, a Spencer's, a Babbage's, a Sears, a Disney Store, and a large multiplex (separate from the mall). My prayers were answered! Even with my critiques, my memories of the Natchez Mall are good, but mainly for the arcade. Even as a young kid, I knew the place was way too far behind the times to ever catch up. I'm shocked it's lasted this long. It's time to put the mall to remain in the past.
My ex husband told me to stop spending all the money at McRae's but the prices were too good! Did you know Dixon Laird? He was my son who used to play the video arcade games.
@@lindalombardi2651 I wish I had known Dixon but I was about four years old the last time I was there. Not old enough to reach the arcade machine controls without a stool.
I literally spent most of the 1980's and 1990's all the way up to the early 2000's living in Natchez Mississippi. As a young teen I spent many weekends hanging out in the Natchez Mall. I vividly remember when every single store inside this mall was opened and it would be packed with shoppers back in the day. One of the first places that you see when you first walk through the front entrance on the right hand side was Taco Casa! That was my go to spot for me and I remember always ordering the nacho platter. Whenever I came to this restaurant, they always knew what I was going to order...lol I had the opportunity to visit this mall a year before the pandemic hit. I now live in Houston Tx. but I decided to visit family and friends back in Natchez and this was one of the first places that I just had to visit once I arrived back in Natchez Mississippi. I spent most of my childhood/ teenage years hanging out at this mall. Watching this video was a bitter sweet type of experience for me, but I really enjoyed taking a trip back down memory lane. Those were the good ole days for sure. I have so many fond memories of this mall. 😊
Yoooo I’m from here and let me say seeing this mall go from fairly busy and a nice place to go hang out as a kid (I’m only 23), to what it is now is depressing to me and several other people I know. It used to have so much stuff going for it but now there’s only like 4 clothing stores and a currently closed because of covid AMC theater. The end that used to be JC Penny got completely walled off and turned into a gym and there’s not a single place to get food. Not even a vending machine from what I can recall. I have a friend that works 2 jobs there and it’s literally so dead that she sits in one place and watches for people to enter the other store before she walks over to help them. There is literally so much more I could mention. We all hope that something good comes out of it one day but no one thinks it will before it’s eventually just demo’ed.
Born in 85, but I remember the 70s design as a kid when it was fading. Ugly as hell, but better than the 80s. Lmfao. Today I live in a 78 style home, designed by the last owners. Love the orange carpet, wallpaper, and retro styles. Brady Bunch atw.
@@ECsponger2 Lol. Yes there is one in the basement workshop from the previous owner. It has a 20 foot long curled cord. I dont have landline telephone service so I don't know if it works.
People feel so nostalgic for all these closed malls but all I can remember is being too poor growing up to shop at them. The only local malls still open are the cheap ones my family and I were able to afford to shop at.
I was born and raised in Natchez Ms. as a kid i would always love to come to the mall. Actually every kid wanted to. There was a store named Mackenzie. Had flavored pop corn and all sorts of sweets and good stuff. Then they had a books a million. Loved it. It had everything i ever dreamed of in there. I would beg my grandmother to bring me there every day. I miss the old Natchez Mall. The only time i go in there is when i wanna go to Belk or the vape shop. It’s sad that this mall has slowly became what it is today
Man as soon as you walked thru those doors the smell of the place instantly came back to me and i haven't step foot in there in probably close to 20yrs. There was a time when that was the place to be tho! During the mid 80's maybe a year or two into the 90's was definitely peak. When i was 12-14 myself and an ole buddy of mine would get dropped off here almost every weekend. We'd head straight for the Pirates Cove! We'd buy our tokens and game for a couple of hours then we'd walk down to Bookland and read the gaming magazines to read about new Nintendo/Sega games till we got bored. There was pay phone near the entrance from the movie theater side of the mall that we'd use to call for our ride and then it was just sit on the curb and wait. As soon as we'd get picked up we'd see if he could spend the night(it was always a yes from his folks and i never even had to ask mine) then it was straight across the street and up a little bit to RentaMovie where we'd grab some Nintendo games and head back to my house where we'd game till the birds started chirping signaling morning lol. Man i miss those times and i miss my buddy. Thank you for the reminder!
Back in the early to mid 80s, The Mall was the place to go. The movie theater, the arcade, a record store, a sporting goods store, and a book store were the places we hit up frequently. Kids would hang out outside in a couple places in the back.
Wow. My whole family is from here, been there for generations. I grew up there. Can't believe the popcorn place is closed. I thought the wok and Taco casa have BEEN gone??? Well. I have very fond memories of this mall from my childhood. Claire's. Dollar Tree. Bookland and Sound Shop.. two odd, unique little stores. One was obviously a bookstore and the other had CD's. It's Fashion and Cato have been there for as long as I can remember. There was a RadioShack. I loved to go in and out of the entrance to make the little thing beep. I remember seeing Snow White in the theater. The Natchez I remember is long gone. Too bad.
Great video Sal. I live not far from Natchez and, in my younger days, shopped at this mall. The Mexican restaurant is what sticks out most in my mind. It was really good. I don’t recall this mall having a Books-a-Million. I think they had a Bookland. I wish you’d visited the Magnolia Mall across town (yes, there was competition ... well sort of, but not really). It’s mostly just a shopping center from the 60s with a small promenade. Thanks for stopping in my neck of the woods.
I live in Natchez. This mall was the place to be in the 80's. We all hung out here in highschool. There was also the Sound Shop and other stores there. The mall is reopen, but sadly the movie theater is still closed.
Ive literally just binge watched like 15/20 of ur vids in a single sitting, never sub'd an hit that notification bell soo quickly!!!! I'm a 80's kid (just had my 41'st birthday this past Feb, so these type of vids bring back soo many awesome memories!!) fun fact, where I live in Edinburgh, Scotland, a not soo glamorous council estate, we have Scotlands very first indoors 'American style inclosed mall' it was a marvel of modern architecture, built in the late 60's it was years ahead of any competitors anywhere in Scotland, Altho it went thru a downturn in the late 80's, early 90's it was injected with much needed EU funds in the 2000's which saw the mall totally renovated top to toe, with new amenities including a 9 screen cinema, a gym, hotel an bar complex that totally rejuvenated the whole area which in turn bumbed up house prices in the area too
I was 19 years old and was working with a painting contractor in the construction of this mall. I grew up in Natchez and when the mall opened, it was all the rage. I actually got a job at “The Sound Shop”; the record/audio store and worked there for four years. Very bittersweet seeing this video, brings back lots of memories and yes, what you see now is basically the same structure it was then. The game room was awesome and always packed.
Just found out about this video, thanks for coming to my little podunk hometown to check out that old mall. Spent over 20 years growing up in Natchez. Nowadays I laugh at how small our mall was even in its heyday, but there was still a lot to love about it. Taco Casa had amazing chips and dip, Mackenzie's had the best lemonade I've ever had (they would fresh squeeze it right in front of you), and the Fun Tunnel used to have all kinds of cool arcade machines. Funny story though, that movie theater is tucked into the back of the property, when my cousin came to visit once and we went to watch a movie, he drove and I had to give him directions. He legit said "Are you sure we're in the right place? I feel like I'm gonna get stabbed here." If you stand out on the edge of the parking lot you can even see my parent's business right across the road, Maxwell Chiropractic Clinic. Though sadly even that clinic will change soon...Anyways thanks for the video man!
I was born in 1980. From the early 80s through the 90s, I went to this mall many, many, many, many times mostly with my grandmother. And I can tell you that it still looks SO much like it did when I was a kid. I had a lot of fun there. She'd shop around in JCPenny's. Then she'd take me to the book store right outside JCP (it wasn't Books a Million back then. I can't remember the name now). She'd give me $5 to go play in the arcade and a lot of times she'd be in there too playing skee-ball. Then we'd go to the music store right next to the arcade. Then have a bite to eat at Sbarro right next to the music store. Or at the Taco Casa or Chinese restaurant that were right there to the right of the entrance you went in through. I can still remember the taste of the pizza and taco burgers. Just tons of precious memories were made there. I haven't been there in many years. I lost my grandmother in 2007 and my mother in February of last year. So to see so many of these stores that are tied in with so many deep rooted child/teenhood memories now shuttered and desolate is almost unspeakably heartbreaking.
I was there when it opened in '79. The mall cinema opened in 79 as well. I saw Star Trek the Motion Picture there on opening week. There was no GNC at the time. There was a TACO casa at the front which was pretty good. Pirates Cove and Sound Shop were the big draw for teenagers. There was an Orange Julius knockoff restaurant - don't remember the name. McRaes and JCPenney's were the anchor stores. Radio Shack. A book store. A super cuts. A branch of Britton and Koontz bank. A drug store - don't remember the name. Several clothes stores. I worked at the theater in the summers of '82 and '83. It was a great time.
Really enjoy all these logs. Watching the cultural shift on how we live, interact, and shop, is really fascinating. Another reminder of my past and that time is fleeting.
Visited this mall in the early 90's when I lived in Jackson. Even then, the center court looked the same, but even then, that area had some notable vacancies.
I've been struggling to recall that word for forever!!!! And I suddenly remembered a long while back in the Dead Malls Discord, you teaching me the word "saudade." I appreciate your content my friend. Please keep up the great work. Many prayers that you and yours are healthy and safe.
Another phrase that might sum up what you're looking for is the German sehnsucht, which is like anemoia but coupled with a longing for an unattainable utopia and seeing everything through a lens of the present, past, and future, something that the Romantic poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge often tried to capture.
Anemoia is a word I didn't even know existed. But the way you described it, is me to a T! I love watching your videos of all the old mall clips, getting a glimpse of what life was like back in such an awesome era. I also have a great fascination for all eras before the 80's.
My childhood dreams were full of American malls. From movies to Tv shows. 1st real mall near me was built in the early 80’s. But never lived up to the dream. From Dawn of the Dead ❤️❤️❤️ to so many shows. I love these tours. And have a obsession with Dead malls. Keep feeding my addiction 🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️💋💋🇬🇧
I grew up in the area, and remember this mall from back in the day. My best friend and I use to go to the Pirates Cove and spend insane amounts of quarters playing Galaxian, or "shooting bugs" as we called it. I saw soooo many movies in the theaters there. Nightmare on Elm Street was one of them. I remember some load A hole yelling "Breakdance Tina"! during one scene. Rude jerk... Anyway, yeah I remember this mall from it's hay day. I still own a shirt my mom bought me from McRae's Department store
Anemoia is a word I didn't even know existed. But the way you described it, is me to a T! I love watching your videos of all the old mall clips, getting a glimpse of what life was like back in such an awesome era.
I’m a child of the ‘90s and grew up in Natchez, so seeing’s this mall from your point of view is wild. I used to work at that Shoe Dept. and take high school girlfriends to The Wok and Mackenzies. Just amazing tour, thank you for the nostalgia.
There’s a local mall in a metro Detroit suburb that has all four of those stores. And a Big Lots and Burlington Coat Factory. It’s as dead as it comes.
Thanks for continuing to bring us this great content! I love your production quality and the amount of history and research you include in your videos. 💜
Fantastic video. Definitely appreciate the word anemoia. I often get that when looking at photos in the past, particularly the 60's and 70's architecture. I wouldn't want to live in that time, but I'd sure like to visit for a little bit.
Wow. I grew up going to this mall. It's gone down a lot. Barely any stores left that was there when I was a child in the 90s. There was a Payless Shoe Store, Bath and Body Works, Stage (later turned to Goodys before closing), Claire's, Bookland (I think it was owned by Books a Million.) and JcPennys. B&BW closed in the 90s but the rest have closed within the last decade I think. The restaurant like Mckenzie, Taco Casa, and The Wok were closed pre covid. They're permanently closed. The theater was open until covid hit. Not sure if it will ever open back up. They just built The Applebee's next to the mall a few years ago and weird to why they build it by a dead mall? But it gets good business. I think because it's near Belk and it's the only store in the mall that gets decent business. Maybe Rue 21 (That came in early 00s) might get okay business. I don't know if there is much hope for the mall now. Hasn't had much hope in years. They didn't even put any Christmas decorations in 2020. They usually have it all decorated.
I love that orange glass atrium/center court! I think a nice remodel would help this mall, the floors look like something you'd see in an old McDonalds :I I'd replace it with real hardwood floor, paint the walls bold colors, get rid of that late 70s stench.
There once was a lady from Natchez, Whose clothing was always in patches. When comments arose On the state of her clothes, She drawled "When I itches, I scratches." Alternative version: There once was a lady from Natchez, Who chanced to be born with two ... you can look up the rest yourself.
Its interesting hearing people talk about nostalgia for a time and place that they couldn't experience. When on the other hand people like my father have lots of great memories from periods like the 60's and on, but no real desire to relive them. As he explained it, he was there once and that was enough, now he's done with it and moved on. And honestly growing up in the 90's I kind of feel the same, lots of great memories, but I'm kind of done with it with no real desire to relive it except those select parts that live in my memories.
Funny story about this mall. Years ago, I planned to go to Natchez to photograph this mall for my blog. After spending a few days in New Orleans, we were going to head off to Natchez. This was on a Sunday, so the mall was only going to be open until 6pm. When gassing up, I noticed a bulge in my tire. The three hour delay to get my tire fixed killed the plan to go to Natchez, and we headed back to Texas.
I get the feeling that you learn a word and try to put it in the title. I get it, but I was an English major (which is why I work in an auto parts warehouse, but that's a story for another time)
I haven’t been to a inside mall in decades, they are the thing of the past, online shopping, etc. I miss Kmart, although their cashiers were slow as shit, yapping too much, which was ok, just took TOO long! I wrote down stores that shut down over the years, I’m up to 54, adapt to the changes, or, be gone!
I've watched your series, and enjoyed the advancement of your presentations. I especially liked the "sponsorships" portion of the videos. Where do you find some of this content? This has prompted me to visit my local mall to explore and notice all of the changes and/or upkeep. Thanks, again, for all of your hard work and research to bring us some quality information on these hallowed shopping spaces.
It's being renovated and turned into a strip mall now, they've officially given up. Also, it didn't have a BAM interestingly enough, not for most of its life anyway. It had Bookland, a smaller subsidiary of BAM that they put in places they didn't think were large enough to sustain their flagship store. It might have been rebranded to BAM in the last year or two of its life, but Natchez knew it as Bookland.
turn them into middle class apartments..build independent stores close by that most will use...i cant believe this is that hard...those places are perfect for some amazing apt complexes...
used to go there when I was a kid that place used to have all kinds of nice stores, the Taco Shop in there was awesome, as well as the Chinese Resturant, the theatre was nice until Regal took it over and ran it into the ground, then the crime rate shot up. I know I remember the Sports Center used to have a Store in there, the arcade was fun and fair, it was genuinely a nice place to go.
Loved the furniture ad - I think locally produced furniture store advertising was all goofy back then. Too bad you didn't get pictures of the attack raccoon.
I was 6 when this mall opened. I remember an aunt gave me $2 in quarters to play the games in the arcade. I spent nearly every Saturday in that mall during my school years.
When it opened originally, the arcade was called The Pirate's Cove. I see the arcade has relocated, right across from where it was before. Where it is now, was originally a seafood restaurant. There was an Orange Julius next to it. Down by where McRae's was, there was a Swiss Colony store - remember those?
That first spot on the right of the main entrance, right when you walk in, was a Taco Casa restaurant. Next to where the Pirate's Cove used to be, was a Sound Shop. I almost got in a fight in there with a drunk kid from my high school.
This brings back a lot of memories for me. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Your videos never fail to spark the nostalgia in my heart. I'm a child of the 70's, a teen of the 80's and this is just so heartbreaking.
and they call this progress. Personally i would take a pass on this progress if i had the option.
Did I appease your sense of anemoia? Or are you a local that moved away from this mall a while ago, now letting me quell your saudade. Either way, we still need to watch out for Gossamer the attack raccoon at this mall. The Natchez Mall Megaforce is still looking for her, and she's pretty nasty. She likes hugs though. Thanks for watching, guys.
put content more often and more subscribers will come, break it down in two parts if too long
If I had the time to do it, I would. Thanks for watching!
@@sal I get anemoia when I play Hollow Knight
Yes, thank you. I've never been to Mississippi.
During the first round of lock downs Sal was pumping them out everyweek. It was amazing to see!
Always watching with my beverage and dinner.
Thanks for all the work Sal!
Thanks for teaching me about anemoia - nostalgia for a time never experienced! 😍
Currently, I'm only 34 but I remember growing up back home in Natchez and going here on the weekends to hang out at the arcade and music store. Every now and then I'd see a movie in the cinema or go across the street to the bowling alley. It looks empty of course, but I'm happy that it's still holding up well and hasn't been let go to just rot away.
I have a sense of anemoia whenever I watch your videos I've been gone for a while, but im back! I used to tell my mom that I think I was born in the wrong era...😊
I love that “anemoia” is becoming a more common term across multiple videos of mine. Thank you.
I am the living embodiment of anemoia. I am a history and architecture buff and I've always been fond of a time I wasn't alive for. I feel nostalgic towards decades of the past (1900s-1980s) and have a fondness for the music, the style, the architecture (including and especially old malls and theaters), the history, etc. And now, after many years of wondering if there would ever be a word to describe who I am, I have found it. I am anemoia.
Hello, anemoia.
@@sal Hello! Love your videos.
I love the history from those era's too. Always wondering what it was like to live back then, how people were. The styles. Although I was born in the early 80's, I was too young to remember most of it. I love watching the old mall clips from the 80's. I guess I might be that word too.
What a pretty, yet hauntingly empty mall. Thank you for archiving this mall!
It's crazy a shopping mall that size with anchors would be valued at only $27,000 dollars 😮
@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 but could someone buy it and just close it down and live in there if they want? Imagining it would have no debts
And the stupid taxes that Natchez has for being a historic tourist town. I’m from there
@@Rogue849 I'm sure the city wouldn't allow that. Zoned commercial.
@@Rogue849 they wouldn't allow it because it is zoned for commercial property, and you would need to be a millionair to be able to afford the insurance and light bill.
Anchors? Belk? Because that's all that's left.
Your videos of these malls make me think of wake services...respectfully reminding us of what was, reviving old memories, and wishing the best to those who cared.
Sal, I can only thank you once again for setting the scene amidst which I have reached a state of catharsis.
It’s my duty and my pleasure, friend.
Sal, I'm 59. I remember well the actual malls, in their prime, as I graduated high school in 1979. At the height of The Mall. It leaves me sad to see them dead, or dieing. There's a mall right here in Richmond that I'm watching take it's last gasps as it falls to the hands of local gangs. No one goes there after dark, few go in the light of day. Then.... there's Covid. Any chance it would survive is probably gone. The passing of time is sometimes sad.
Love watching your films.
Another wonderful Exlog, sir! Thanks for filling our souls and minds with anemoia. I think we need to see some vintage finds of this mall. Starting the search. Looking forward to the next expedition.
Anemoia... what a beautiful word
Definitely felt it with this one.
I shopped here when I was a child until I was grown. It’s sad to see what has happened to this mall. I have a lot of memories shopping and going to the movies with my friends and family. Great video!
Me too. Left for south Louisiana when I was around 10 years old. Used to go to Orange Juluis for snacks!! LOL
I lived in Natchez from 1991-1993, and I would go to the mall about once a week. I have so many memories of that short period. Even back then, it was severely lacking in stores that were the norm to most shopping malls. No Sears, no KB, no Babbage's, no Spencer's Gifts, and no real food court. As a 10-year-old kid, having spent so much of my youth in more vibrant malls, it was a huge letdown. The only shops that interested me were the book store (located next to JC Penney), the sporting goods store, and my favorite, the Fun Tunnel arcade. "Street Fighter II", "Sunset Riders", "T2", "Addams Family" pinball, and "X-Men" were all the rage, and my memories of playing them here are still fondly remembered. One of the arcade's employees was a elderly grandmother, which was cool. Her young grandson hung out there a lot.
The small movie theater was also a letdown. Whenever a big release came to town, the lines would literally stretch all the way to JC Penney, but limited seating was so bad that parents would seat their kids on their laps. "Batman Returns" exemplified this: mom took my brother and I to see it on opening day, but we couldn't get a seat at all. Walking up and down the aisle for two minutes, desperately peering into the darkness for seats, was humiliating because the entire audience was laughing and mocking us, including a uniformed cop who was there with his kids. No joke. Well, I had the last laugh because that movie sucked. Still does. If the theater had been expanded, or a bigger theater being built separately on the mall grounds, it could've conducted more business and avoided such problems. The owners of the mall never even thought of such a thing.
My days at the mall ended when I moved in January 1993, and my new hangout was the much larger, and far, FAR better Kentucky Oaks Mall, which had 2 (!) KB Toys, 2 (!) book stores, a real food court, a comic book store, a Suncoast, a Spencer's, a Babbage's, a Sears, a Disney Store, and a large multiplex (separate from the mall). My prayers were answered! Even with my critiques, my memories of the Natchez Mall are good, but mainly for the arcade. Even as a young kid, I knew the place was way too far behind the times to ever catch up. I'm shocked it's lasted this long. It's time to put the mall to remain in the past.
I'm also shocked that the mall is still open.
My ex husband told me to stop spending all the money at McRae's but the prices were too good! Did you know Dixon Laird? He was my son who used to play the video arcade games.
@@ZechsMerquise73 It was a palace in its day.
@@lindalombardi2651 I didn't fraternize with strangers in the arcade. Kinda not my thing.
@@lindalombardi2651 I wish I had known Dixon but I was about four years old the last time I was there. Not old enough to reach the arcade machine controls without a stool.
I literally spent most of the 1980's and 1990's all the way up to the early 2000's living in Natchez Mississippi. As a young teen I spent many weekends hanging out in the Natchez Mall. I vividly remember when every single store inside this mall was opened and it would be packed with shoppers back in the day. One of the first places that you see when you first walk through the front entrance on the right hand side was Taco Casa! That was my go to spot for me and I remember always ordering the nacho platter. Whenever I came to this restaurant, they always knew what I was going to order...lol I had the opportunity to visit this mall a year before the pandemic hit. I now live in Houston Tx. but I decided to visit family and friends back in Natchez and this was one of the first places that I just had to visit once I arrived back in Natchez Mississippi. I spent most of my childhood/ teenage years hanging out at this mall. Watching this video was a bitter sweet type of experience for me, but I really enjoyed taking a trip back down memory lane. Those were the good ole days for sure. I have so many fond memories of this mall. 😊
Yoooo I’m from here and let me say seeing this mall go from fairly busy and a nice place to go hang out as a kid (I’m only 23), to what it is now is depressing to me and several other people I know. It used to have so much stuff going for it but now there’s only like 4 clothing stores and a currently closed because of covid AMC theater. The end that used to be JC Penny got completely walled off and turned into a gym and there’s not a single place to get food. Not even a vending machine from what I can recall. I have a friend that works 2 jobs there and it’s literally so dead that she sits in one place and watches for people to enter the other store before she walks over to help them. There is literally so much more I could mention. We all hope that something good comes out of it one day but no one thinks it will before it’s eventually just demo’ed.
Born in 85, but I remember the 70s design as a kid when it was fading. Ugly as hell, but better than the 80s. Lmfao. Today I live in a 78 style home, designed by the last owners. Love the orange carpet, wallpaper, and retro styles. Brady Bunch atw.
Do you have a rotary landline telephone?
@@ECsponger2 Lol. Yes there is one in the basement workshop from the previous owner. It has a 20 foot long curled cord. I dont have landline telephone service so I don't know if it works.
Love this little piece of history. Thanks for what you do and helping us experience malls !
This mall is Alexander O'Neal in mall form. People from Natchez know what I'm talking about 😛
People feel so nostalgic for all these closed malls but all I can remember is being too poor growing up to shop at them. The only local malls still open are the cheap ones my family and I were able to afford to shop at.
I was born and raised in Natchez Ms. as a kid i would always love to come to the mall. Actually every kid wanted to. There was a store named Mackenzie. Had flavored pop corn and all sorts of sweets and good stuff. Then they had a books a million. Loved it. It had everything i ever dreamed of in there. I would beg my grandmother to bring me there every day. I miss the old Natchez Mall. The only time i go in there is when i wanna go to Belk or the vape shop. It’s sad that this mall has slowly became what it is today
Man as soon as you walked thru those doors the smell of the place instantly came back to me and i haven't step foot in there in probably close to 20yrs. There was a time when that was the place to be tho! During the mid 80's maybe a year or two into the 90's was definitely peak. When i was 12-14 myself and an ole buddy of mine would get dropped off here almost every weekend. We'd head straight for the Pirates Cove! We'd buy our tokens and game for a couple of hours then we'd walk down to Bookland and read the gaming magazines to read about new Nintendo/Sega games till we got bored. There was pay phone near the entrance from the movie theater side of the mall that we'd use to call for our ride and then it was just sit on the curb and wait.
As soon as we'd get picked up we'd see if he could spend the night(it was always a yes from his folks and i never even had to ask mine) then it was straight across the street and up a little bit to RentaMovie where we'd grab some Nintendo games and head back to my house where we'd game till the birds started chirping signaling morning lol. Man i miss those times and i miss my buddy. Thank you for the reminder!
Back in the early to mid 80s, The Mall was the place to go. The movie theater, the arcade, a record store, a sporting goods store, and a book store were the places we hit up frequently. Kids would hang out outside in a couple places in the back.
Wow. My whole family is from here, been there for generations. I grew up there. Can't believe the popcorn place is closed. I thought the wok and Taco casa have BEEN gone??? Well. I have very fond memories of this mall from my childhood. Claire's. Dollar Tree. Bookland and Sound Shop.. two odd, unique little stores. One was obviously a bookstore and the other had CD's. It's Fashion and Cato have been there for as long as I can remember. There was a RadioShack. I loved to go in and out of the entrance to make the little thing beep. I remember seeing Snow White in the theater. The Natchez I remember is long gone. Too bad.
Great video Sal. I live not far from Natchez and, in my younger days, shopped at this mall. The Mexican restaurant is what sticks out most in my mind. It was really good. I don’t recall this mall having a Books-a-Million. I think they had a Bookland. I wish you’d visited the Magnolia Mall across town (yes, there was competition ... well sort of, but not really). It’s mostly just a shopping center from the 60s with a small promenade. Thanks for stopping in my neck of the woods.
Very well written & narrated
I live in Natchez. This mall was the place to be in the 80's. We all hung out here in highschool. There was also the Sound Shop and other stores there.
The mall is reopen, but sadly the movie theater is still closed.
Ive literally just binge watched like 15/20 of ur vids in a single sitting, never sub'd an hit that notification bell soo quickly!!!! I'm a 80's kid (just had my 41'st birthday this past Feb, so these type of vids bring back soo many awesome memories!!) fun fact, where I live in Edinburgh, Scotland, a not soo glamorous council estate, we have Scotlands very first indoors 'American style inclosed mall' it was a marvel of modern architecture, built in the late 60's it was years ahead of any competitors anywhere in Scotland, Altho it went thru a downturn in the late 80's, early 90's it was injected with much needed EU funds in the 2000's which saw the mall totally renovated top to toe, with new amenities including a 9 screen cinema, a gym, hotel an bar complex that totally rejuvenated the whole area which in turn bumbed up house prices in the area too
Spot on, nostalgia for a place and time I've never been.
That’s my hometown! This makes me sad but you did an excellent job of covering what you could!
I was 19 years old and was working with a painting contractor in the construction of this mall. I grew up in Natchez and when the mall opened, it was all the rage. I actually got a job at “The Sound Shop”; the record/audio store and worked there for four years. Very bittersweet seeing this video, brings back lots of memories and yes, what you see now is basically the same structure it was then. The game room was awesome and always packed.
what years did you work the sound shop? i remember seeing it as a kid in maybe 79-81?
Just found out about this video, thanks for coming to my little podunk hometown to check out that old mall. Spent over 20 years growing up in Natchez. Nowadays I laugh at how small our mall was even in its heyday, but there was still a lot to love about it. Taco Casa had amazing chips and dip, Mackenzie's had the best lemonade I've ever had (they would fresh squeeze it right in front of you), and the Fun Tunnel used to have all kinds of cool arcade machines. Funny story though, that movie theater is tucked into the back of the property, when my cousin came to visit once and we went to watch a movie, he drove and I had to give him directions. He legit said "Are you sure we're in the right place? I feel like I'm gonna get stabbed here." If you stand out on the edge of the parking lot you can even see my parent's business right across the road, Maxwell Chiropractic Clinic. Though sadly even that clinic will change soon...Anyways thanks for the video man!
I absolutely LOVED the "Outgoin' Mail" box! Ah, Mississippi, thy name calleth me from afar...no, no, NOT a FIRE! Afar! Yeesh...
This is my hometown! It’s so sad to see this. So many great memories!
I was born in 1980. From the early 80s through the 90s, I went to this mall many, many, many, many times mostly with my grandmother. And I can tell you that it still looks SO much like it did when I was a kid. I had a lot of fun there. She'd shop around in JCPenny's. Then she'd take me to the book store right outside JCP (it wasn't Books a Million back then. I can't remember the name now). She'd give me $5 to go play in the arcade and a lot of times she'd be in there too playing skee-ball. Then we'd go to the music store right next to the arcade. Then have a bite to eat at Sbarro right next to the music store. Or at the Taco Casa or Chinese restaurant that were right there to the right of the entrance you went in through. I can still remember the taste of the pizza and taco burgers. Just tons of precious memories were made there. I haven't been there in many years. I lost my grandmother in 2007 and my mother in February of last year. So to see so many of these stores that are tied in with so many deep rooted child/teenhood memories now shuttered and desolate is almost unspeakably heartbreaking.
Bookland?
@@waynecombs506 That sounds familiar.
@@jcharr1 it was bookland
I was there when it opened in '79. The mall cinema opened in 79 as well. I saw Star Trek the Motion Picture there on opening week. There was no GNC at the time. There was a TACO casa at the front which was pretty good. Pirates Cove and Sound Shop were the big draw for teenagers. There was an Orange Julius knockoff restaurant - don't remember the name. McRaes and JCPenney's were the anchor stores. Radio Shack. A book store. A super cuts. A branch of Britton and Koontz bank. A drug store - don't remember the name. Several clothes stores. I worked at the theater in the summers of '82 and '83. It was a great time.
Really enjoy all these logs. Watching the cultural shift on how we live, interact, and shop, is really fascinating. Another reminder of my past and that time is fleeting.
Visited this mall in the early 90's when I lived in Jackson. Even then, the center court looked the same, but even then, that area had some notable vacancies.
My grandmother's entire house was furnished by Capital Furniture growing up.
I've been struggling to recall that word for forever!!!! And I suddenly remembered a long while back in the Dead Malls Discord, you teaching me the word "saudade." I appreciate your content my friend. Please keep up the great work. Many prayers that you and yours are healthy and safe.
Love the channel and the videos Sal. After a long day, they are relaxing to watch. Thank you for the hard work you put into your content.
Thanks Jay!! It’s my pleasure to produce these videos!
for what its worth, the "local" commercials are from the Jackson area (2 hours north of Natchez)
Another phrase that might sum up what you're looking for is the German sehnsucht, which is like anemoia but coupled with a longing for an unattainable utopia and seeing everything through a lens of the present, past, and future, something that the Romantic poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge often tried to capture.
I like this word, too...much different, but still beautiful
Your videos are such a treat. Enjoyed it as always, Sal.
Anemoia is a word I didn't even know existed. But the way you described it, is me to a T! I love watching your videos of all the old mall clips, getting a glimpse of what life was like back in such an awesome era. I also have a great fascination for all eras before the 80's.
My childhood dreams were full of American malls. From movies to Tv shows. 1st real mall near me was built in the early 80’s. But never lived up to the dream. From Dawn of the Dead ❤️❤️❤️ to so many shows. I love these tours. And have a obsession with Dead malls. Keep feeding my addiction 🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️💋💋🇬🇧
I grew up in the area, and remember this mall from back in the day. My best friend and I use to go to the Pirates Cove and spend insane amounts of quarters playing Galaxian, or "shooting bugs" as we called it. I saw soooo many movies in the theaters there. Nightmare on Elm Street was one of them. I remember some load A hole yelling "Breakdance Tina"! during one scene. Rude jerk... Anyway, yeah I remember this mall from it's hay day. I still own a shirt my mom bought me from McRae's Department store
Anemoia is a word I didn't even know existed. But the way you described it, is me to a T! I love watching your videos of all the old mall clips, getting a glimpse of what life was like back in such an awesome era.
I’m a child of the ‘90s and grew up in Natchez, so seeing’s this mall from your point of view is wild. I used to work at that Shoe Dept. and take high school girlfriends to The Wok and Mackenzies. Just amazing tour, thank you for the nostalgia.
I feel like GameStop and Planet Fitness are the new harbingers of the death of a mall, replacing GNC and Bath & Bodyworks.
There’s a local mall in a metro Detroit suburb that has all four of those stores. And a Big Lots and Burlington Coat Factory. It’s as dead as it comes.
I remember the day they opened it. I grew up in Natchez and Vidalia
Thanks for continuing to bring us this great content! I love your production quality and the amount of history and research you include in your videos. 💜
Thank you for that part about the movies we could have watched in 1979 and around then. It sure helps us place ourselves in that place
Nice to see bigger creators coming through my hometown thank you for the video
You have such a lovely city!
The sesquipedalian title provoked my curiosity sufficient to activate the video by clicking on it
Your voice has a Rod Serling quality to it, which is comforting to me.
Great video as always! Thank you Sal
This mall feels like a little bit of ghost dead mall, great video, man.
Fantastic video. Definitely appreciate the word anemoia. I often get that when looking at photos in the past, particularly the 60's and 70's architecture. I wouldn't want to live in that time, but I'd sure like to visit for a little bit.
Wow. I grew up going to this mall. It's gone down a lot. Barely any stores left that was there when I was a child in the 90s.
There was a Payless Shoe Store, Bath and Body Works, Stage (later turned to Goodys before closing), Claire's, Bookland (I think it was owned by Books a Million.) and JcPennys. B&BW closed in the 90s but the rest have closed within the last decade I think.
The restaurant like Mckenzie, Taco Casa, and The Wok were closed pre covid. They're permanently closed.
The theater was open until covid hit. Not sure if it will ever open back up.
They just built The Applebee's next to the mall a few years ago and weird to why they build it by a dead mall? But it gets good business. I think because it's near Belk and it's the only store in the mall that gets decent business. Maybe Rue 21 (That came in early 00s) might get okay business.
I don't know if there is much hope for the mall now. Hasn't had much hope in years. They didn't even put any Christmas decorations in 2020. They usually have it all decorated.
Oh and it has looked the same as far as I can remember.
It gets good business because with few exceptions, it's pretty much the only sitdown chain restaurant in Natchez.
Sal, I’ve been watching your films for the last couple of years and you seize to deliver great ones. Sorry I’m always so late to the party!
That was bad ass. Thanks man.
I love that orange glass atrium/center court! I think a nice remodel would help this mall, the floors look like something you'd see in an old McDonalds :I I'd replace it with real hardwood floor, paint the walls bold colors, get rid of that late 70s stench.
There once was a lady from Natchez,
Whose clothing was always in patches.
When comments arose
On the state of her clothes,
She drawled "When I itches, I scratches."
Alternative version:
There once was a lady from Natchez,
Who chanced to be born with two ... you can look up the rest yourself.
You win.
Its interesting hearing people talk about nostalgia for a time and place that they couldn't experience. When on the other hand people like my father have lots of great memories from periods like the 60's and on, but no real desire to relive them. As he explained it, he was there once and that was enough, now he's done with it and moved on.
And honestly growing up in the 90's I kind of feel the same, lots of great memories, but I'm kind of done with it with no real desire to relive it except those select parts that live in my memories.
Hey Sal when are you coming to the Tupelo Mississippi Barnes Crossing mall?
Why isn’t anyone trying to do anything about the Natchez Mall now?
Funny story about this mall. Years ago, I planned to go to Natchez to photograph this mall for my blog. After spending a few days in New Orleans, we were going to head off to Natchez. This was on a Sunday, so the mall was only going to be open until 6pm. When gassing up, I noticed a bulge in my tire. The three hour delay to get my tire fixed killed the plan to go to Natchez, and we headed back to Texas.
Dang. Would’ve made my life a whole lot easier if I could’ve read your blog before producing this!
@@sal Appreciate the props Sal 👍 It just wasn't meant to be, but I did get all of the New Orleans malls covered that I set out to cover.
Awesome job 👍👍thanks Sal..
I love the retro feel of this mall.
9:57 YEAHHH OLLIES! Not only do they slurp up the corpses of failed department stores, they also have the best deal on actually spicy Cayenne pepper!
Anemoia doesn't sound anything like how it feels but I'm glad there's actually a word for it.
Another amazing exLog!!!! keep up the hard work.
I just missed the premiere! Thank you for another great video.
Obdurate is a new one for me
I went there many times. It wasn’t bad in the 80’s.
I get the feeling that you learn a word and try to put it in the title. I get it, but I was an English major (which is why I work in an auto parts warehouse, but that's a story for another time)
I live in Natchez Mississippi it sucks down here and I go to that mall
I haven’t been to a inside mall in decades, they are the thing of the past, online shopping, etc. I miss Kmart, although their cashiers were slow as shit, yapping too much, which was ok, just took TOO long! I wrote down stores that shut down over the years, I’m up to 54, adapt to the changes, or, be gone!
I've watched your series, and enjoyed the advancement of your presentations. I especially liked the "sponsorships" portion of the videos. Where do you find some of this content? This has prompted me to visit my local mall to explore and notice all of the changes and/or upkeep. Thanks, again, for all of your hard work and research to bring us some quality information on these hallowed shopping spaces.
It's being renovated and turned into a strip mall now, they've officially given up.
Also, it didn't have a BAM interestingly enough, not for most of its life anyway. It had Bookland, a smaller subsidiary of BAM that they put in places they didn't think were large enough to sustain their flagship store. It might have been rebranded to BAM in the last year or two of its life, but Natchez knew it as Bookland.
No mention of Karamel Korn store a long time ago when i was a kid.The first place i ever tried cotton candy.
turn them into middle class apartments..build independent stores close by that most will use...i cant believe this is that hard...those places are perfect for some amazing apt complexes...
Been to this mall a few times. My wife is from Natchez.
Thanks sal for the video!
It's so small. Reminds me of the one in Statesboro ga
used to go there when I was a kid that place used to have all kinds of nice stores, the Taco Shop in there was awesome, as well as the Chinese Resturant, the theatre was nice until Regal took it over and ran it into the ground, then the crime rate shot up. I know I remember the Sports Center used to have a Store in there, the arcade was fun and fair, it was genuinely a nice place to go.
Natchezian here. Great video, but the opening commercials are from the Jackson area.
Yep, I’m aware...I tried to find commercials from Natchez, but Jackson was the closest I could find in decent quality. Thanks for watching!
Mucho Natchez Señor Sal!
ty for showing this still some store still there
Loved the furniture ad - I think locally produced furniture store advertising was all goofy back then. Too bad you didn't get pictures of the attack raccoon.
27k, wow. Houses cost more than that in most areas in the country.
oh dang I remember all of those commercials.
This man has a thesaurus and he's not afraid to use it.
True.
My mother has worked here for about 13 years I think!
Was the Ames at 14:44 open when you filmed this?
Hi Sal, Thank you for the heart warming Valentines Video.
Have you been to Southland mall in Houma, Louisiana yet? What about Pierre Bossier in Bossier City, Louisiana too?