The Dead Mall At Anthem | Retail Archaeology

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ค. 2024
  • The Dead Mall At Anthem:
    In this episode of Retail Archaeology we visit the Outlets At Anthem, a large outlet mall that is quiet and dead.
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ความคิดเห็น • 474

  • @mathewmclean9128
    @mathewmclean9128 3 ปีที่แล้ว +134

    It isn't an official Retail Archeology video without the good ol' submerged fountain cam...

    • @lo1bo2
      @lo1bo2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Yes, I totally GLUB GLUB GLUB ............ GASP! Someone shoved my head underwater!

    • @chadtanner52
      @chadtanner52 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It even had the abandoned cup, a 2 in 1 shot

  • @jeffrapier947
    @jeffrapier947 3 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Working fountains in a dead mall? That's rare.

  • @mochrimek
    @mochrimek 3 ปีที่แล้ว +125

    Every time I leave Phoenix on the 17, this outlet mall is always my marker to let me know when i'm almost home on a return drive from sedona/flagstaff.

  • @rwdplz1
    @rwdplz1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +115

    The number of outdoor malls in Arizona is baffling, considering the extreme heat, but the western style architecture is always fascinating!

    • @MultiCreditKIng
      @MultiCreditKIng 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Outdoors malls are more cost-effective because rent isn't as high as indoor malls. Plus most people don't like to walk to there stores.

    • @williamnoll7935
      @williamnoll7935 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      If you live in central Arizona, the heat is not that bad... as long as you're in the shade. And (unfortunately), lots of people keep moving here for it...

    • @sds9904
      @sds9904 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ac for area not used gets rolled into your rent!

    • @robertsitch1415
      @robertsitch1415 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Less rain and snow in the southwest makes it easier to transport you purchase through exterior corridors.

    • @buckroger6456
      @buckroger6456 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The heat has never bothered me one bit and it's really only got for 3-4 months tops.
      I say the bigger problem is over saturation of shopping centers.

  • @djinfreemind1966
    @djinfreemind1966 3 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    The reason outlet were so far from cities originally is that the manufacturers had distance rules in there contracts that dictated how far these outlet sellers had to be away from full retail sellers.

    • @DavidLLambertmobile
      @DavidLLambertmobile 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Orlando, Orlando.gov has retail outlets all over. They had large crowds due to tourists. 🛒.

    • @djinfreemind1966
      @djinfreemind1966 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don't think they have those distance restrictions anymore because there are much more centrally located outlets now

    • @anneangstadt1882
      @anneangstadt1882 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks for the info that explains the locations of outlet malls I've noticed around the Washington DC area at least.

    • @geonerd
      @geonerd 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@djinfreemind1966 And in exchange, the outlets have raised their prices to nearly match retail. And they wonder why no one shops there anymore?!

  • @sarahbizzz
    @sarahbizzz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    A few minutes in I was like “hmmm I wouldn’t say this is a dead mall, it looks like most other malls” but then I realized it’s because most all malls are dying lol

  • @jonfleck8687
    @jonfleck8687 3 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    I remember that the largest Christmas Tree in the West was located there.

    • @joewilson3393
      @joewilson3393 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I thought I saw on the news that they had put it up this year.

    • @WilliamLHand
      @WilliamLHand 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      It's there.

    • @stacyvanthul15
      @stacyvanthul15 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I remember the tree too

    • @jeebs621
      @jeebs621 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sadly it’s been shrinking every year since it blew over

  • @colormedubious4747
    @colormedubious4747 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    I can't be the only one hearing the lyrics to "Cruel Summer" in my head as the background music plays, can I?

    • @wendyokoopa7048
      @wendyokoopa7048 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I missed that and I love bananarama

  • @Ashleenaccarato
    @Ashleenaccarato 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    After moving from Phoenix 3 years ago (Phoenix born and raised), I honestly always look forward to these videos. I appreciate the work you do!

  • @MrJamieBattle
    @MrJamieBattle 3 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    It was a Prime Outlet center at first so i think that’s who built it. Prime sold off A LOT of their centers in the early 2000s.

    • @RetailArchaeology
      @RetailArchaeology  3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Thank you!

    • @retailadventures6
      @retailadventures6 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@RetailArchaeology Hi! My local outlet mall, Chicago premium outlets has a Rocky Mountain chocolate factory which has a good smell like you said. They also have a food court. However way more busy.

    • @MrJamieBattle
      @MrJamieBattle 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@retailadventures6 Chicago Premium is one of my favorite outlets i wanted to go to.

    • @syxepop
      @syxepop 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      No wonder it looked like the former Prime Outlet Mall (now Premium Outlets) at Barceloneta, PR (35 mi W of San Juan in the north coast of PR).
      Most Prime locations (except for this one as I can see) were sold to Simon Malls back then...

  • @madhatterz28
    @madhatterz28 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I worked there from 2000 until 2003, and still visited regularly until 2010 or so. It was the Prime Outlets of New River, then the name change to Outlets at Anthem sometime around 2002. There were many other stores there, and the outer wings were solid instead of parking like they are now. The whole complex was shaped like "UUU". Many stores have come and gone. I worked at KB Toys, Quicksilver/Roxy, Levi's, Radio Shack, and Auntie Anne's. The original food court lineup from South to North was Cinnamonster, Subway(caught dealing cocaine through "5 dollar footlongs") , a Sbarro pizza knockoff, Taco Bell, Great Steak and Potato Company, Mall Chinese, and Burger King. The Auntie Anne's has always been there as far as I know. The big remodel was around 2007 or so I, but I could be wrong. Some of the other stores I remember being there were Nike, Reebok, The Gap, The Music Factory (horribly overpriced music store- $20/cd), a Hallmark store, Kitchen Collection, candy store, a hair salon, a luggage store, a REALLY crappy bookstore, Bullseye Wireless, Dress Barn, Bugle Boy, Big Dog, Chicago Cutlery, Black & Decker, Bass Clothing Co, Mi Casa.

  • @ckrtom2
    @ckrtom2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Oh no! Not Anthem Mall. 😒 Used to drive through here all the time commuting from Phoenix to Northern Arizona. Yes, I visited here a few times. Such a shame. My feeling is this mall’s target customers is Anthem itself, and not relying so much on Phoenix people to drive out this far...Geez, I always thought this shopping venue was something of a stronghold. If it can’t make it, who can?! The latter half of the video made it seem busier though, so maybe there’s a glimmer of hope?! Damned Covid! ...That such a little ole (BIG!) virus could destroy our economy and lifestyles as we know it-and it may never return!

    • @Ozzy_2014
      @Ozzy_2014 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Not the virus the idiotic lockdowns.

    • @ArizonaWillful
      @ArizonaWillful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@Ozzy_2014 Ah, a stupid Trumper who still thinks the virus is a hoax.

    • @bastardferret869
      @bastardferret869 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ArizonaWillful
      Soon... only 99.98% of us will remain. What horror.

    • @freshstart4423
      @freshstart4423 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I don't think it will close because freeway traffic and nearby houses and apartment, high-school traffic. There's a Walmart close by. Someone will buy it and get it going.
      The bathrooms are really nice.

  • @deniagarrett7698
    @deniagarrett7698 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Because I work at Arrowhead I truly had no clue that the others were struggling this bad.

  • @andysorensen1737
    @andysorensen1737 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    For being a dead mall it actually looks really well kept.

    • @ArizonaWillful
      @ArizonaWillful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      That's because it isn't dead. This video is BS.

    • @zanaynay
      @zanaynay 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@ArizonaWillful No, Its dead. I lived there almost 9 years and I can say it is dead. Almost everything is closed, and it really sucks.

  • @nemesisconvoy86
    @nemesisconvoy86 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    It was opened mid-90's. I used to go when there was a KB Outlet until they closed and became a TRU outlet. There also used to be an awesome book store as well.

    • @nemesisconvoy86
      @nemesisconvoy86 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      We would always use it as an excuse to head out to Rock Springs Cafe for breakfast. The stop on the way home.

    • @RetailArchaeology
      @RetailArchaeology  3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Ok now I'm very sad that I missed out on the KB Toys outlet. I got a lot of old video games from a different one back in the mid 90s. I got a Sega Master System and a few games for $30 and this was when the 32X was already out.

    • @boardst8086
      @boardst8086 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I remember the bookstore ☺️

  • @sds9904
    @sds9904 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    It used to be packed with foreign tourists on tour buses. Parts of the mall was torn down and parts built after 2009. Some high end stores like mikasa, leather, 2 bookstores, 2 kitchen stores. The had a store that sold real silver silverware! Ps. I hate those trains. Spells doom!

    • @DavidLLambertmobile
      @DavidLLambertmobile 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Orlando FL Orlando.gov does that too. Huge malls, outlets driven by huge 🌏 tourist, business travel crowds. Florida lost $$$ by CoVid19. Tourist places lose big in pandemics.

  • @brianfuller7691
    @brianfuller7691 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I like Anthem and I've been to this outlet mall several times. Sadly, this mall had been steadily declining. It does still have some cool stores at a quite cool outside mall.

  • @runee1977
    @runee1977 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I wish we still had Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory around here, loved their apples!

    • @alexismccoy9625
      @alexismccoy9625 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      They opened one in arrowhead mall!

  • @TinkyTru
    @TinkyTru 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Arizona seems so depressing with all the dead malls and brown buildings. Hello from South FL!

    • @zanaynay
      @zanaynay 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Trust me, it isn’t. We have so much to do lol.

    • @ArizonaWillful
      @ArizonaWillful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      80 degrees today with NO humidity.

    • @DavidLLambertmobile
      @DavidLLambertmobile 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ArizonaWillful that's good in mid Nov. Florida, Orlando.gov is mild too 70s to 80s tops, low humidity. We still have 🌀 & bad ⛈ on occasion. It will start to get hot, late Jan or early Feb. In the 2000s; 2000 to 2004 era it was 30-50 this time of year: Oct to Jan early mornings.

    • @aniassantiago6445
      @aniassantiago6445 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Its not. Its one of the most beautiful places in the country and theres plenty of things to do.

    • @jeebs621
      @jeebs621 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      AZ definitely caters to the old man market

  • @JohnKelly2
    @JohnKelly2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Retail Archeology: Home of FountainCam®

  • @NekoMisho
    @NekoMisho 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Okay it may be vacant.. it may be outdated.. but the refurbished restrooms in the food court always made me happy to visit 🤣

  • @michaelcharach
    @michaelcharach 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I am from Canada, but remember making the trip from fountain hills to this mall like 13 years ago. It was packed, the deals were great. 3 or 4 years later I remembered seeing some stores having not going out of business sales, now it looks like it is on life support. It really is a beautiful mall...

  • @Jvhh9
    @Jvhh9 3 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    Wasn’t as good as Panda Express has to be 2020 put into words.

    • @dudeguy7347
      @dudeguy7347 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That comment makes about as much sense as "moon flying over 1993 as bad as green"

    • @bastardferret869
      @bastardferret869 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@dudeguy7347 Quotes would have helped
      "Wasn't as good as Panda Express..." has to be (the year) 2020 put into words.
      Better?
      I thought it was hilarious, though.

    • @dudeguy7347
      @dudeguy7347 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bastardferret869 Has to be the year 2020 put into words? uh okay

  • @ARGAMAWOO
    @ARGAMAWOO 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    They built Outlet Mall far away from civilization back in the 90s was because the brands that opened outlet stores didn’t want to compete with their own regular stores or flagship stores in the city. Back then outlet stores actually sold the same items as their regular stores but the defective or irregular items were sent to outlet stores for discounted price. Brands later made outlet stores specific models and therefore they can afford to open outlet stores in the city as they don’t directly compete with their regular stores.

    • @drdrew3
      @drdrew3 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes. Now outlet malls often sell a second line of goods of lesser quality. For some stores it has backfired by associating their brand with a lesser quality. It was the inflection point for Banana Republic

    • @aliciafucles4628
      @aliciafucles4628 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This

  • @1_Fish.2_Fish.Red_Fish.
    @1_Fish.2_Fish.Red_Fish. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    This place has being repurposed as an education center written all over it.

    • @MultiCreditKIng
      @MultiCreditKIng 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      What good is a education center if this place can't bring in jobs?

    • @drdrew3
      @drdrew3 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Now that the growth is in on-line education those malls repurposed into community colleges are struggling too

  • @cowbatboots282
    @cowbatboots282 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    A strong chlorine smell doesn't indicate large amounts of chlorine, it indicates a high bacteria degradation\death.

  • @williamnoll7935
    @williamnoll7935 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I remember when it first opened (it used to have a tool outlet store... maybe Black and Decker). But here's the problem with it's location: if you're heading up North, you know traffic can be a heavy up the mountain, so you want to keep moving; if you're heading South, it had no gas station (it does now - and it's higher priced than driving a few more miles) and any obvious restaurants like McDonalds to lure you in, to get some food on the final leg home.

    • @sds9904
      @sds9904 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Black and decker...still have my drill I bought there in 1998 with gift certs from my dumb job at America West Airlines. Lol!

  • @wowhaha4871
    @wowhaha4871 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Did you try the Wayback Machine? Just wondering lol. I find lots of amazing early 2000s mall websites and directories there.

  • @airaero5473
    @airaero5473 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Being someone from Canada, the outlet malls here are just absolutely whitewashed and aren't even 10 years old. Like you said, I also get bored at outlet malls. But with this one it is 25 years old instead of like 7 or 8 years old.

    • @coreym162
      @coreym162 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Because Canada sucks and isn't business friendly.

  • @joshuajerrythereviewer
    @joshuajerrythereviewer 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Can you do an update of christown spectrum mall I heard they lost costco and jcpenney. I'm not from Arizona I'm actually from Northern New York State but I've seen your videos their awesome and I like christown spectrum mall. Maybe with Costco vacancy they can add a Sam's club to the mall and maybe with jcpenney gone they can turn it into Arizona's first Runnings Farm and Fleet

  • @robfreedman6496
    @robfreedman6496 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    A lot of great memories of going there! With outlets like Tanger, Desert Ridge, and Tempe Market Place have hurt this shopping center!

  • @donutman.24
    @donutman.24 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I've been here. It's slowly dying, which stinks, since I like this place.

  • @jesset3395
    @jesset3395 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Awww... It looks so sunny and warm there, here where i live most of the day its just dark, rainy, windy and cold.

    • @Almighty_cornholio
      @Almighty_cornholio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Come back in the summer when it's 115° lol

    • @Ozzy_2014
      @Ozzy_2014 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Hyperskreem 82 plenty of sunny days in Winnipeg Canada too. Less of a comfort when its -43°C though.

    • @johnglynn9354
      @johnglynn9354 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I miss the sunny skies and the warm weather of AZ. 117 degrees....loved it

    • @johnglynn9354
      @johnglynn9354 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Hyperskreem 82 summers on the east coast is worse. The humidity is terrible. I miss the warm dry heat of Phoenix.

  • @whispernaut
    @whispernaut 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video as always! I hate to ruin your fun but wanted a share a cautionary tale about mall restaurants. While I was working at my now bulldozed dead mall (RIP Woburn Mall) we had a Mcdonalds close down next to the cigar shop that I worked nights at. When they demoed the inside of the McDonalds all the rats came through our shared wall and terrorized the rest of the mall. Years later I heard from a security guard that the extermination company the mall hired actually quit working with the Chinese food restaurant in the mall because they wouldn't clean up the backroom and so their extermination services were just a bandaid on the situation. I haven't been able to enjoy food court food ever since D:

  • @Jay-uf6sf
    @Jay-uf6sf 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Nice video again! Love it when you guys go to food courts and actually eat there. It's like you support the mall a bit then :)

  • @TheStevenp851
    @TheStevenp851 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I went to this mall when it first opened and always found it to be a nice place. When I moved to Anthem it was a quiet place to hang out and have lunch and enjoy being outside.

  • @overbanked
    @overbanked 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Impressive saguaros! I know that yall are so used to them in AZ

  • @guitarboyjeff
    @guitarboyjeff 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I remember in the early 2000’s when the Big Dogs shirts were popular!! They used to have a store there!! I’m also sure that the Bose store has closed. I remember when they were trying to sell people a $6000 theater tv!! 😂
    Just seeing all these places closedown really hits because they were still busy just a few years ago!! 😔

  • @N.G.H.
    @N.G.H. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Wow this mall died really quick. I remembered those closed stores were filled in and used by all sorts of retailers back in 2011 and 2012 but in 8 short years they've all cleared out except for stores like Bath and Body works which you can find everywhere else. I feel bad for the folks living in Anthem cuz that community now looks so lonely out there with just a Walmart nearby.

    • @bccphotec
      @bccphotec 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      There are plenty of other retailers in and around Anthem, including a WalMart right across the street. This side of the freeway was actually annexed by Phoenix a few years ago. Anthem is the northern edge of the suburbs now.

    • @jeebs621
      @jeebs621 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Too many people in anthem reject the idea of “big business” and insist on supporting local business. Anthem gets nothing new, just mediocre restaurants and shops.

  • @oguIC
    @oguIC 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I can tell you a bit about the Ruby's Express. I am just some random guy but I had a conversation with the owner of the Ruby's Express very early on this year. He was actually the guy wearing black when you walked past it. He was staring at you. At the point when I talked to him, this was the only Ruby's Express in existence. He told me there were plans to make more but I don't think that there has been much work done because of the pandemic. As you can imagine, the menu of this Ruby's is far more limited than it's sit-down cousins. This place only has burgers, shakes, fries and maybe salad. The basic things. However, it does have one more thing that is unique to this Ruby's, chicken strips. It is the owner's own recipe. They're actually really good. The beef patties are also the owner's special blend so these burgers taste quite different than the ones you would find at Ruby's Diner. Also, this place does punch cards which I think is pretty cool and it is rare to see any kind of business do it. It has counter seating with a mini jukebox which is pretty awesome. But I'm sure the counter is closed now.

  • @kaise5315
    @kaise5315 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I remember the food court got a huge renovation a few years back, from the floors to the seats the whole thing screamed mid-90’s. Even after that renovation and the addition of the covered parking there were a bunch of empty storefronts in the inner parts of the mall. I have a lot of memories there from when i was a kid, they would host pokémon card game tournaments in the food court every friday, and my school’s choir would sing christmas carols at the tree lighting ceremony. (It looks like you filmed the place right before the tree went up!) Also, it is notoriously hard to dig up information about the place, even if you live in Anthem. I just knew it was built in basically the middle of the desert and Anthem was built around it. Great video!

    • @kaise5315
      @kaise5315 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think the reason why there are so many outside malls in AZ is because it would cost so much to keep the whole thing air conditioned

  • @joeltyler3427
    @joeltyler3427 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    7:52 They are doing over here in Australia. But you need to be social distancing from Santa.

  • @aztitate
    @aztitate 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This mall used to be a really popular mall. I worked here from 2005 to 2009 and up until online shopping exploded it was always busy. I remember a time when I dreadef going to work just because I didn't want to walk through the crowds of people. And I certainly dreaded Christmas time. It's sad to see that it is slowly dying! I hope they find a way to bring some new business into it and bring some life back to it!

  • @fwingebritson
    @fwingebritson 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's nice to see a mall owner doing the best they can with what they got. Nice place kept in good shape. While it is against the odds, I hope they grow in the future, both in patrons and stores.

  • @mcain2911
    @mcain2911 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That whole mall definitely has a 90’s vibe, but I like it because those colors seem to work in desert environments.

  • @ArizonaWillful
    @ArizonaWillful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'll never fathom your fascination with the interior of fountains.

  • @phedingsfield
    @phedingsfield 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I remember it always being packed out there on the weekends

  • @wtfisonyouface
    @wtfisonyouface 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It was packed last year during Black Friday, I couldn’t move from place to place and we had to park all the way in the back. The food court we couldn’t sit at since it was so full, so we were literally shopping with pretzels in hand going in and out of stores during the holidays. After this year what I wouldn’t give to have that back.

  • @CristianOrtiztechmaster926
    @CristianOrtiztechmaster926 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was just there a month ago, and I don't recall the windows being boarded off at the Sunglass Hut but was closed. I also remember my sister wanting a drink from one of the vending machines close to the Coach Factory, and it took her money, not giving her the drink she requested that tells you that the mall is falling apart horribly. I also looked like the building across the new Skechers location was partially under construction as a small expansion to the mall. I wouldn't be surprised if in the next ten years that this mall will be more doctor offices of some sort.

    • @kaise5315
      @kaise5315 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      definitely. The mall gets expansions and renovations every so often, but it never really drums up much business

  • @boardst8086
    @boardst8086 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love going to Anthem outlet. It had changed a lot over the years. The food court is wonderful and it is busy on the weekends sometimes.

  • @watershed44
    @watershed44 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    @Retail Archaeology
    Thanks for showing the fountains. I love em and it attracts me to malls. This was always a big draw for people all the way back in the 1960s Why in the world the owners started deactivating them at existing malls or not continuing to keep including them in new malls is a mystery to me. I really like the open areas with seating, if it's not too hot looks like a nice place to sit outside and people watch.

  • @jonfleck8687
    @jonfleck8687 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I used to love going there, sad to see it dying.

  • @ZefTillDeath8878
    @ZefTillDeath8878 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Sure, there are other mall videos, but who else gives you footage inside mall water fountains? This is something I didn't realize I needed. Seriously, I enjoyed the video. They don't have malls like this here in frigid MN.

  • @mrtempleton5302
    @mrtempleton5302 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a great way to start a Saturday, with Retail Archaeology!

  • @c.keefer332
    @c.keefer332 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome as always!! Great job.

  • @wickedcoolsteve
    @wickedcoolsteve 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video as always! Mark seems like an awesome friend to hang out with. Looking forward to the next one.

  • @elizap3614
    @elizap3614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That’s one of the nicest outlet malls I’ve ever seen! If it were different times, I’d def be shopping there.

  • @Hookokokkokoko
    @Hookokokkokoko 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    You misspelled 'anthem'. It's not supposed to be capitalized. My parents were responsible for selling new houses in anthem for Del Webb, we moved into one of the first model homes, and I remember this mall vividly. It was right across the freeway from the first houses/community center.
    When the town first started off, there was an Albertsons and that was pretty much it for businesses. Then came a gas station/corner store/sports bar, and finally (almost a year later?) the outlets across the freeway were completed. The highschool was still under construction at the time, and people were getting bored hanging out only at the community center. When the outlets first opened it was like a huge party. Teenagers packed the food court, and the outside areas were filled with families walking from store to store.
    I don't miss the rattlers, though. That sign wasn't kidding. When the town went up, a bunch of rattlesnakes got displaced from their natural habitat and just started biting kids left and right. Couldn't walk 10 feet off the sidewalk without feeling absolutely in danger.

    • @williamnoll7935
      @williamnoll7935 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      cool story, bro

    • @kaise5315
      @kaise5315 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wait Anthem isn’t supposed to be capitalized??

    • @RetailArchaeology
      @RetailArchaeology  3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      The name of the community is often stylized as "anthem". I had to make a choice when putting the video title together between dealing with a ton of comments saying it should be capitalized, versus a handful of comments saying it shouldn't be capitalized.

    • @michaelt7211
      @michaelt7211 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RetailArchaeology I believe at one time it was called "Desert Hills outet center" as the exit used to be named Desert Hills Road or Drive, from when I used to live in Phoenix. Hope that helps.

    • @Hookokokkokoko
      @Hookokokkokoko 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@RetailArchaeology Totally get it! Love your stuff, and thanks for the response. Ever consider doing an old waterpark? Think there are a few dead ones within 50m of anthem.

  • @Almighty_cornholio
    @Almighty_cornholio 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I just realized you're almost at 100k!! Congrats

  • @MandalorianFanboy
    @MandalorianFanboy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Edging ever closer to the 100k sub milestone!💥💥 I’ve been watching since about 10k. Wondering if we will ever get another live stream series of a Mall Tycoon build? When the pandemic first hit, I binge watched all of those videos.

  • @plopping-wetlyacademyofmot9639
    @plopping-wetlyacademyofmot9639 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I LOVE the new intro!
    Great video as usual. We always stop everything and watch when RA drops a new one

  • @acandrew920
    @acandrew920 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello Retail Archaeology! Native Phoenician here of 37 years (and a city planner). Outlets at Anthem used to be called AZ FACTORY SHOPS aka AZ FACTORY OUTLETS. The original cluster of buildings was built in 1996 just after the City of Phoenix annexed the west side of Interstate 17 in November 1995. Sometime in the early 2000s it became the Outlets at Anthem, a few years after Anthem was constructed on the east side of the freeway in unincorporated Maricopa County.
    In 2008, the outlets expanded with a new wing built on the north end (very bad timing since this was during the recession). In 2015, the southernmost wing was split into two retail pads.
    Next time if you want to provide additional commentary on a particular dead or dying mall in the Phoenix Metro area, checkout the historical aerials on the Maricopa County website. Sometimes you'll hit gold and find old building permits within the City of Phoenix website, which was how I found the old name AZ FACTORY SHOPS/OUTLETS.
    Thank you for the awesome videos! :)

  • @Murasakiii
    @Murasakiii 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is beautiful architecture, I imagine it would have been great a few years before, full of people. But on the other hand it looks so peaceful like this.

  • @thatsmeatman7023
    @thatsmeatman7023 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If you ever find yourself in Dallas you should visit the galleria

  • @ernestojr.acosta972
    @ernestojr.acosta972 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I went to this mall in 2009. We were driving along the highway and noticed it by chance. We went on a weekday and as is usual, there weren’t that much people but I would say there was a fair crowd. It’s so sad to see what has happened to it. 😔

  • @brainlikesieve
    @brainlikesieve 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Still need to get to texas.....you gotta see the outlet mall in Texas that was dead before it started near corpus christi.

    • @jtlovescodelyoko
      @jtlovescodelyoko 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The outlets in robstown, yeah I know, I still have never gone there and they have a wetzel's pretzels it's the only shopping mall in the coastal bend to have one.

    • @colormedubious4747
      @colormedubious4747 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jtlovescodelyoko Didn't Sunrise Mall have one, back in the day?

    • @jtlovescodelyoko
      @jtlovescodelyoko 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@colormedubious4747 Pretzel World was a just a Family owned Pretzel Place, The owner Dolly Chapa is a Facebook friend of mine, after they closed the interior space of the mall, she moved it to the Corpus Christi Trade Center

    • @shaeramirez2382
      @shaeramirez2382 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The outlet in Grand Prairie Texas (north Texas) isn't dean and is really nice. It's a simons properties. My fiancé Is from north Texas near Dallas and I lived there for about 10 months before we moved back to my home state of Colorado

    • @colormedubious4747
      @colormedubious4747 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jtlovescodelyoko Good to know. Thanks!

  • @TheBmann10
    @TheBmann10 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sad to see this, grew up in Anthem and this mall was always a very important part of my childhood.
    Glad to see you literally ordered what I would get at famous wok. That place has been there forever.

    • @TheBmann10
      @TheBmann10 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They always had the fucking hugest Christmas trees. One time they had I believe the biggest in the world that year, but the top flew off in a storm so they had to close and then put a Santa hat on it.

  • @mikescott8
    @mikescott8 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When I first moved to AZ (15ish years ago) and lived in Surprise and kids were little we’d drive there a bunch. Since the 303 was not open all the way to 17 like it is now. It was a nice drive and nap for the kids. But as kids grew older and Westgate and the outlets built out more, they were closer, and started going there. I don’t remember there being cover parking last time there...quite a few years ago. It was pretty much the outlets and a few places across the street. I’ve been to anthem a few times (not for outlets) and notice a lot of retail growth around there.
    Thanks for the video. Might have to go visit before it dies completely

  • @davecahyo
    @davecahyo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The architecture is really beautiful! For the heat they should add more trees 😂

    • @bccphotec
      @bccphotec 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      More trees require more water, especially in this heat. It is very expensive in this neighborhood.

    • @davecahyo
      @davecahyo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@bccphotec yeah I know it's a declining mall, but it looks really good tho and will be better with trees, architecturally speaking

  • @nicholasshade
    @nicholasshade 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If you see rattlesnake signs. I love the fountain. ⛲ It has a lot vacancies. I love the sidewalk. I love the 2nd fountain. ⛲ I'm glad you put your camera underwater. I love that their is change in the fountain. ⛲

  • @danielluna1818
    @danielluna1818 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    We live just up the road from the anthem outlets .
    Early summer my daughter and went for some walks around the covered parts to be outside and be covered .
    Not a lot of tenants .
    When my daughter asked about why there wasn’t many tenants , my reply was online .
    People would rather just buy online and avoid the crowds .
    I’m sure the pandemic stuff doesn’t help .
    And , we were just up here tonight for the Xmas tree !
    It was really nice .
    I try to definitely support localism if I can , and I will shop often as I can and use food court when I want to get away from the wilderness of north Phoenix to way north Phoenix.
    The tanger outlets have killed this place for sure !
    Thank you for the videos I enjoy them a lot 🤘

  • @katereilly9367
    @katereilly9367 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    God I remember going to this mall, it was a bit of a drive so it was a special occasion sort of thing. I remember going to the Bose store with my parents.

  • @rmannayr2129
    @rmannayr2129 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WOW THE FOUNTAINS WORK, THAT'S RARE!

  • @ashleypinnick
    @ashleypinnick 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I know this mall well. We went when it first opened to go to the Nike factory store. I was very little, so I don't remember much, other than buying Beanie Babies at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Later on though, we lived closer to the area in the 00s. My dad worked here for years at the now long defunct Radioshack, and as a pre-teen I would trek in the heat of summer here on foot since there was nothing better to do. It did definitely have a different name before. Something like "Premium Outlets". They also redid the food court and bathrooms in the mid 00s right before the housing crisis. For a while, they marketed the fact that they had something like the "nicest bathrooms in America" here. The bathrooms are actually pretty crazy from what I remember, too! They also used to get a massive live Christmas tree every year and boast that again, they had the "biggest Christmas tree in America / the world/ etc" to bring in business. It's been slow for years though, especially in the late 00s when people's homes in Anthem were foreclosed on in droves and a lot of folks left. It would be dead in the summer from the heat as well. And as other communities grew up around the North Phoenix area, it became less and less popular. A lot of folks I went to school with worked at the local shops (mostly Levi's, Bath and Body Works or Auntie Anne's), and it was never all that busy. You could come by and drop in on your friend while they were working and have no customers come by at all. It was always very clean though, I'll give them that.

  • @reigels
    @reigels 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! I remember taking my wife and young daughter to see the outdoor snow making machine there about 20 years ago.

  • @darktetsuya
    @darktetsuya 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    always love the fountain diving shots! I was also surprised to see 'ruby's express' I just moved in with my s/o down here in oceanside, ca and that chain's like our go to for upscale burgers! and wash it all down with a chocolate coke, it's good stuff!

  • @AmbientWalking
    @AmbientWalking 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Oh wow! This is so amazing and scary at the same time. I don't know which is more frightening. The end of retail or the end of the world.

    • @jonfleck8687
      @jonfleck8687 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I’m going to guess, the world.

    • @Ozzy_2014
      @Ozzy_2014 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The planet is in no danger. Nothing we can do will harm the planet. NOW, the people ON the planet...

    • @drdrew3
      @drdrew3 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The disappearance of the glut of outlet malls is actually BETTER for the health of the planet. Good riddance

  • @Amiliere
    @Amiliere 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I used to work there, it's so satisfying to see on your channel. Bummed I didn't get to meet you though

  • @marionmitchell261
    @marionmitchell261 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    AAAAAWWWWWWWEEEEE. The underwater action cam!!! Very satisfying.
    Marion.

  • @Rogue849
    @Rogue849 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I enjoyed the vid very much. Please keep them coming. It's also gonna be interesting to see how malls do during Christmas, considering the pandemic.

  • @ManBearPig20oh10
    @ManBearPig20oh10 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I visited Arizona for the first time 3 years ago and my aunt took us to this outlet. I spent more time in the Bose store since we don't have one in Cincinnati anymore

  • @Tylky
    @Tylky 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’d like to see more outlet malls. The aesthetic is so appealing.

  • @williamwilkinson8289
    @williamwilkinson8289 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I havent heard or seen a Tommy Hilfiger since mid 90’s when they were huge

  • @jtlovescodelyoko
    @jtlovescodelyoko 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Your observation about these outlet malls that are dying that have been placed in very far regions is perfect observation, another example I can place onto that is the outlet malls in Hillsboro Texas I remember when I was little when me and my dad drove to Dallas, we always pass by it and it used to be pack and had a lot of stores now recently it is dead, it is super dead, they're like a few stores left in those outlet malls.

  • @gbr4732
    @gbr4732 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love your content

  • @bryanzambrano6859
    @bryanzambrano6859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    From 2010-2012 I lived in Anthem Arizona and the drive to the Outlets was just a couple mins away. This is really sad to see/ I remember it being really active during those times. Christmas time was awesome over here. Also all I can recall was the the electronic sign was added around 2010 though I can be wrong.

  • @alexmccracken4253
    @alexmccracken4253 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Damn, my first job was at this mall, Tommy Hilfiger to be exact.

  • @antman8943
    @antman8943 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love the room reference at 11:55 lmfaooo

  • @D_Roadtrip_Productions
    @D_Roadtrip_Productions 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The original name was Desert Hills Mall. I went there during it's first opening month because I lived in Mesa and my future wife was in Flagstaff so I passed by here often

  • @MrDan708
    @MrDan708 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    7:40 - I've been to Hershey, PA a bunch of times, so I could picture the bouquet of that Rocky Mtn Chocolate place.

  • @mathewmclean9128
    @mathewmclean9128 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for another great video!

  • @jonnieinbangkok
    @jonnieinbangkok 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    For a "dead" mall it still is pretty active, what with the seasonal decorations and the kiddy train.

  • @OMGIluvthatsong
    @OMGIluvthatsong 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh, hi Mark! at 10:53, love it!! HAHAHA!!
    I did naaaauught...

  • @Ryan-pm6ht
    @Ryan-pm6ht 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Anthem Outlets! Coincidentally hitting all the places familiar to me from childhood. Great video, ill miss the great giant Christmas tree that they truck in every year. Heard it's bigger than the one at Rockefeller.

  • @backdraft57
    @backdraft57 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just left there. Very sad. More closed locations than open. The part at the end where you said this part seems ok, where the sidewalk sale was……totally dead all stores gone except Calvin Klein on one end and Banana Republic on the other. Saw about 20 people

  • @RivLoveshine
    @RivLoveshine 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I used to come here every summer with my brother and grandparents. We'd come for the Pokémon card tournaments. This wasn't in the 90s, though. This was in the 2010s

  • @stockmanbryce1
    @stockmanbryce1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I grew up in this town coming to this place, this is so nostalgic for me holy crap

  • @GoGreen1977
    @GoGreen1977 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Back in the 1990s, I bought several items at a nearby Coach outlet. I got some great deals there. Coach purses were a big deal when I was a young, career woman. I also bought a suede jacket and various accessories. I still have the leather checkbook cover. It aged well.

  • @lemonfraid8136
    @lemonfraid8136 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There's been a polling place at the Flagstaff mall for quite a few years now. It was there the previous election.

  • @Moonbeam143
    @Moonbeam143 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video as always. 🙂