@@RetailArchaeology I grew up in the desert. I know Hemet well. And by well I mean I only went there when it was absolutely necessary 🤣 Before the 215 freeway was complete, the fastest route to San Diego was cutting through Winchester, Hemet, and Murrieta. Talk about shanty towns..
@Matt Cain *EXACTLY! I can't for the life of me understand why the mall management doesn't allow the local flavor to shine through and give the place some distinct character??*
This is actually neat. It’s a SMALL mall never designed to compete with the mega city malls and contrary to beliefs this is NOT dead!! Yes it lacks name recognition but if this many mom and pop stores can live inside a mall the owner of this place must be doing something right. I wish this mall luck. Its future could even be brighter than some other bigger malls….who knows? :)
@@fearlessbetz : I lived in Hemet for 2 years as a young adolescent in 1992. KB Toys was awesome. So many memories of going there with saved lunch money to buy the newest Sega® Genesis cartridge.
True... My dad moved to Hemet after he retired. I applied for work at the Bath & Body Works in this mall 4yrs ago and during interview they told everybody they were only offering 10hrs a wk lol, now i see why. Most people who live in Hemet go to the mall in Temecula that has more stores that Hemet Valley mall does not.
OMFG I remember that website! For all these years I couldn't remember what mall it was, but back in the summer of 2008 my extended family and I were visiting that area. My mom asked someone to find a mall before we left on google maps to eat lunch and shop in. This was back when I was 5 years old but I can still confirm that the website did, indeed look EXACTLY the same as it is now, aside from the store changes. Unfortunately no pictures or home video was taken inside the mall showing it's late 70s/early 80s architecture :(. 2008; long ago but not too long ago at the same time: Michael Jackson was still alive, the GameBoy was still somehow in production, and Metrocenter Mall was still open.
The remodel definitely helped a lot for the overall looks but the mall is still pretty dead. You can tell the stores don't get a lot of traffic. Hemet is also kinda in the middle of nowhere and people would probably rather make the drive to the Moreno Valley Mall or Galleria at Tyler in Riverside. I've never seen this mall before, so it was great that you drove out to cover it!
I moved to Hemet in 1986 when I was 7. The mall aka The Small had a House of Fabric in it and a western wear store and both B. Dalton and Walden Books. We also had a KB Toys. It was pretty exciting when the Software Etc opened when I was in high school. It used to be busy on the weekends.
6:56 Yes that Baby Sonic plush is officially licensed. During production, and before the redesign, the original designs were given to manufacturers and they made the plush of baby Sonic. Once the redesign occurred, there was no time to go back and recreate the polish so they just released this one instead.
Wow! I haven't seen this mall since I left Hemet in 1989. I remember the glossy white floors and there were large planters everywhere. I worked at Kaybee Toys, my best friend worked at Harris's, and we had lunch everyday at Hot Dog on a Stick. The mall was SO crowded all the time then. I hated Hemet but this was a nice, nostalgic journey for me, thanks! =)
Hemet was an awesome small town. I was there from '91 to '93. I loved the park that was across the way from were the mall is (If I remember right), and I absolutely loved the Hemet Bowl with the coolest arcade games of the time.
Up Next: Moreno Valley Mall? Also Scientology's notorious golf compound where they supposedly kidnapped people is just north of the town along the hills.
Since you’re in SoCal, please check out a dead outlet, The Outlets at Lake Elsinore. If I were to guess, I’d say at least 75% of the retail spaces are vacant. Once a nice outlet for those looking for bargains is just a ghost shell of itself. Sad, very sad!
This is a precious small mall. I love how they gave it little updates and still kept the vintage looks. To be honest, I prefer shopping at smaller places like this over crazy busy, big malls. Our mall in Cornwall, On. Canada is probably smaller than this one, and has more closed stores than open ones, it is our only enclosed mall that is left. If we want to shop for more, we have to travel to Ottawa or Montreal, or to the even deader mall in Massena. Cornwall and Massena' s malls were both very busy at one time
I actually quite like this mall! The remodelling actually made it not boring and more vibrant looking with the LED pillar, orange colours, and wood flooring. Would've fooled me if you said this is in Arizona! As for the negative reviews, people just love hating on Hemet 😂
I love seeing every mall you tour and document. I grew up in the 80s running around in malls with my friends every weekend (Tri-County Mall - Cincinnati, OH) and miss those days.
Wow, I was surprised to see Daniel’s Jewelers still in business. I remember seeing them back in the days in the mall I went to with my parents in Carlsbad, CA
Covid must be a god send to security guards who work in malls. I only wish this happened back when I was doing it. In the early lock down days I'd be like "Oh no, we have to lock the whole place down and walk around without having to deal with anyone inside while I get paid".
There used to be a Radio Shack and a distribution center near my house back in the 70's, 80's, 90's, and early 2000's before it closed down for good. An Amazon distribution center has been built in it's place
I grew in Hemet 1986-2001. I used to absolutely love a The Small, Kaybee Toys as a kid, then as a teen it was Changing Times & Millers Outpost! In the 90’s there were jewelers on all 4 corners in the center of the mall, made no sense to me lol. Thank you for bringing back solid memories!
Man ....what a flashback. I was a young adolescent when I lived in Hemet in the early 90's and the intro with the SNK NEO GEO specs was so appropos, because that video game system was in its APEX when I lived there.
I’ve really enjoyed visiting the Hemet Valley Mall from time to time especially after the remodel making it feel nice and quaint. I don’t know if you’re still around in the area, but if you are you should definitely check out the Ontario Mills Mall or even an update on the Laguna Hills or Carlsbad malls.
Temecula mall was also very healthy as of late 2013 and had a ton of money put into it around that time, could be an interesting video. Not sure how it’s doing now.
thats weird the Sears that went out of business at west valley mall in tracy california is getting replaced by Hobby Lobby seems like Hobby Lobby is replacing old anchors.
Lol you went to Hemet?! I actually have a lot of experience going into Golden Era (Scientology place). Used to run a company with my dad and they were one of our customers. I haven’t been out that way in years but it looks exactly the same!
Growing up in Riverside, Harris' was always the big inland empire department store. Riverside Plaza was an open air mall, then convrted to an enclosed mall. I think it was completly bulldozed and turned into another type of shopping center. Not sure. Left CA in 78 and never went back. Gilman Hot Springs - home to the Tom Cruise religion. Lol.
it was turned into a shopping center type mall, and the harris that was there turned into a forever 21 for a bit, then turned into a nordstrom rack, marshalls, and a joann. most of the mall is just food places now
I remember opening that Hobby Lobby. The mall was simply a place for the local old people to take their morning walk in the air conditioning. Looks like the mall actually came to life since then!
I grew up in San Jacinto and worked at several stores there in the 90’s. It was always somewhat of a dead mall 😆 I worked at Harris, Bath & Body Works, Hallmark, and a dress boutique. There was a mom n pop surf type shop there that we all loved. Also there was at one time a Sam Goody.
I remember going to this mall a lot when I was younger as my sister lived in the town. I mostly remember a movie/music store near the JC Penney Side of the mall that I bought vhs anime a lot from and a KB Toys down towards what I remember used to be a Macy's and from this video is now a Hobby Lobby. I bought Resident Evil on PSX from a super overly enthused 90s dude worker there (KB) and I also bought Mega Man on Game Gear there which must have been rare even at the time as its super expensive now. Sadly I don't have it anymore, though.
It is interesting to see this video pop up in my feed today, since this was done two years ago. I have been in Hemet since 1989 and I used to shop at this mall all the time. Now I only go there to hit up Hobby Lobby a few times a year. I used to shop at JC Penny all the time and did most of my Christmas shopping there and other stores in the mall. Since JC Penny put in a huge Sephora spot in the women’s section I have only been in the store maybe three times. That section took out most of the women’s section, which was very small to begin with, so I no longer visit the store. This mall used to be so busy that durning the Christmas season you had to get there early if you wanted to park, just like the bigger malls in the bigger cities, now even at the busiest time of year the parking lot is half empty. Sad to see a nice city go downhill and shopping being done in other places.
You should really check out the Westfield mall in Palm Desert! It's not necessarily 'dead' but it is slowly dying. It's in the Inland Empire too and about an hour drive from this mall.
You would be surprised how many malls have police substation‘s. Arizona Mills has had one since it opened in 97. Tempe police told them it was mandatory that they have a substation for them prior to opening, and it was ready for use on day one. It’s on the west side of the mall, there’s even a big sign above the entry door that says “tempe police.” It’s not always manned, it’s mainly for officers who work the mall to do paperwork, and to bring shoplifters there for processing.
Altamonte Springs FL has a space 👮🏻♂️ in the big local mall. Seniors, accidents, shop lifters, gangs(teens) can be issues. It could be a penalty box 🏒 for patrol officers or people who "need a break" 😤.
OMG! Struck a memory. A Giant Food, Newport News, Va., 1957-9 some time. In the back, they actually had a CELL, complete with BARS, to hold shoplifters until they could be picked up by police. Don't know if that was ever used, or if it was put there just for scare value.
I lived in Hemet for almost a decade and went to the mall twice. That has more to do with my hatred of shopping than the quality of the mall. IIRC, Bill Murray has a house in Hemet, because lots of golf courses in the surrounding area and not even the paparazzi is brave enough to go there. MAGA country, gun ownership... The opposite of Los Angeles. The Church of Scientology's world headquarters is indeed located in Hemet. Place gives everyone the creeps.
i actually have been to this mall...early 1990s - there was a large group of teens being loud and annoying and the best part of this visit was leaving it...
I recently visited the Hemet mall after moving away 31 years ago. It brought back some nostalgia, but in a sad way. Back when I was in high school, I hung out at that place at least twice a week. All my high school friends had jobs at the little shops and there was always something interesting to find. Now the mall only has boring stuff that can be bought anywhere else. Guess I'm just getting old...
oh wow well this is my dad's hometown so I'll have to forward this to him, and I'm pretty sure he'd find it hilarious about the 'church' there! but seems like its doing okay, at any rate.
Always used to go when I was a kid. There was a hair salon my mom’s friend worked for where she would get her hair done. The Bath and Body Works looks the same! I would always get Subway and Orange Julius for lunch. Good times
8:24 That store with the white, stairstep storefront was likely an 80's style KB Toys. This is a really cute little mall, I hope they are able to succeed in the days to come.
I live in this shitty city and haven't been to the mall in years. I call it the 'small'. After KB toys and Walden books left it went down hill fast. It is a sad mall, and a sad city. It used to be so much nicer before 2008. Back when the mall was built the average age in Hemet was around 65
@@karennay5993 a lot of LA county imports moved here, a lot of businesses closed, the well off residents moved out in droves. Now we have homeless people making it an eyesore. Places that were nice when I was a kid in the 90s and 00s aren't kept up anymore, whole neighborhoods just look bad now. Last year during those "mostly peaceful" protests businesses boarded up their windows, even this mall. People still broke in and stole some stuff. For a while people were just smashing the windows of businesses from one end of Florida avenue to the other. And to top it all off, in 2009 a couple guys tried to blow up the police station with an ancient bazooka. All because they were trying to stop a cop from testifying against them.
It's the neon lights in the malls that get to me. Something about the 80's and 90's neon lights in malls are so funny to me. Just let these lights go. This mall is slowly dying. The pacemaker can't keep it alive to much longer. Are you telling me that the money they got to update this mall was apply to new flooring in the mall. Am I missing something about this mall. LOL!!! It's dead. I think the smaller malls are having a better outcome then these large outdated malls are. The mom and papa stores are probably the ones that are keeping these large outdated malls alive. I can't wait to see your next mall video. Thanks for sharing.
It doesn't open until 11 a.m. and that has to hurt. But HEMET?? I remember in the seventies Hemet was a very poor place: lotsof trailers on lots and not really a job centre. No surprise. Wish it well.
Also Harris-Gottchalks was a mid price department store with more national brands and affordable pricing. I considered this department store to be in between Macy's and JCPenney, with more national brands than JCPenney but more affordable than Macy's. Miss shopping at Harris-Gottchalks.
I grew up in Hemet. It used to have KB Toys Sam Goody zales Harris' Harris Junior (that empty store next to hobby lobby) Millers Outpost I wish we had a Hot Topic tho! Back when I was a teenager! The slogan used to be "A small mall with a big heart" Those of us that worked there even had a softball league in the 90s.
Maybe this is me thinking out of the box but this mall should put that Sears space to use and maybe have live music acts do matinee shows there. That space has far enough space to hold 100 people inside, and let the youth just do their thing. It would draw crowds of people. Also another idea for the empty shops, open gaming stations for the youth and hold like Fortnite tournaments or something that will also draw the youth in. These dead malls should focus less on consumers and more on how to get the youth + arts into their space (mall). Just a thought.
Westland mall in Westland Michigan is the same size and same story. It had a Macy’s, Sears, JC Pennys, and Kohl’s. Macy’s closed 2016 Sears closed 2019 JC pennys is soon Kohl’s is on Amazon’s return life line. It’s a old ugly mall that is the olds people walking place. The toy store and many store came more than $50 items in bullet proof glass cases.
I was literally thinking this looks like the Indio Mall when you then mentioned it lol. Now I gotta look for that Indio mall video. I live near it hahaha
From a kid that grew up in hemet 2001-2016 that is the most I’ve seen that mall occupied, everyone in town called it “the hall” or “the mallway” and my prom date actually got his suit from that men’s trend’z store lol
Why? That’s the definition of a mall that needs to become a PLAZA!! There’s nothing inside and all mega stores have an entrance for the most part. Time to shutter the inside and “strip” it.
If you ever come to Northern California, you have to check out Sunrise Mall! It’s a mall on it’s last legs. Interestingly enough, it’s very close to the most successful mall in the region, the Roseville Galleria.
I’m giving you props just for going to Hemet.
The last time I was there was 13ish years ago, and I have to say it looks a lot worse now.
@@RetailArchaeology I grew up in the desert. I know Hemet well. And by well I mean I only went there when it was absolutely necessary 🤣
Before the 215 freeway was complete, the fastest route to San Diego was cutting through Winchester, Hemet, and Murrieta. Talk about shanty towns..
@matt alan I don’t envy you 😝
@matt alan and they’re still there. Abusing people inside that compound.
@@RetailArchaeology I moved from Hemet to the East Coast five months ago, it was just getting too expensive and too crowded!
How about instead of those dorky stock photos they let local artists display their stuff. Much better use of that space.
@Matt Cain
*EXACTLY! I can't for the life of me understand why the mall management doesn't allow the local flavor to shine through and give the place some distinct character??*
I was gonna mention, that hallway at about 4:24 looks quite a bit like a museum hallway to me.
a 'dead' mall near me has an open gallery and practice space for people to make and display art. it's new. i've only seen it in the last 10 years
what local "artists" this his hemet we are talking about, glass from the vape store?
@@jakeartemis3470 Buzz off tr0ll.
This mall has a nice mix of 80s and modern aesthetic. I like it.
This is actually neat. It’s a SMALL mall never designed to compete with the mega city malls and contrary to beliefs this is NOT dead!! Yes it lacks name recognition but if this many mom and pop stores can live inside a mall the owner of this place must be doing something right. I wish this mall luck. Its future could even be brighter than some other bigger malls….who knows? :)
I worked here in the early 2000’s. It had a Sam Goody, Sears, Waldonbooks and KB Toys. It was the place to go in the day with lots of foot traffic.
@@fearlessbetz : I lived in Hemet for 2 years as a young adolescent in 1992. KB Toys was awesome. So many memories of going there with saved lunch money to buy the newest Sega® Genesis cartridge.
i lived nearish here. Believe me that mall is in fact dead lmao its always been so hilariously depressing whenever i went
Should've stopped by the police storefront and ask them where Shelly Miscavage is. Lol
True... My dad moved to Hemet after he retired. I applied for work at the Bath & Body Works in this mall 4yrs ago and during interview they told everybody they were only offering 10hrs a wk lol, now i see why. Most people who live in Hemet go to the mall in Temecula that has more stores that Hemet Valley mall does not.
So not worth it for so little hours.
OMFG I remember that website! For all these years I couldn't remember what mall it was, but back in the summer of 2008 my extended family and I were visiting that area. My mom asked someone to find a mall before we left on google maps to eat lunch and shop in. This was back when I was 5 years old but I can still confirm that the website did, indeed look EXACTLY the same as it is now, aside from the store changes. Unfortunately no pictures or home video was taken inside the mall showing it's late 70s/early 80s architecture :(. 2008; long ago but not too long ago at the same time: Michael Jackson was still alive, the GameBoy was still somehow in production, and Metrocenter Mall was still open.
All events in history are either post or pre Metro Center closing.
The remodel definitely helped a lot for the overall looks but the mall is still pretty dead. You can tell the stores don't get a lot of traffic. Hemet is also kinda in the middle of nowhere and people would probably rather make the drive to the Moreno Valley Mall or Galleria at Tyler in Riverside. I've never seen this mall before, so it was great that you drove out to cover it!
Temecula is where a lot of people go for a mall
It’s funny how it’s in the middle of nowhere but everyone drives through Hwy 74/ Florida which is right in the middle of Hemet
Moreno Valley mall has better stores but it’s dirty and old
I moved to Hemet in 1986 when I was 7. The mall aka The Small had a House of Fabric in it and a western wear store and both B. Dalton and Walden Books. We also had a KB Toys. It was pretty exciting when the Software Etc opened when I was in high school. It used to be busy on the weekends.
6:56 Yes that Baby Sonic plush is officially licensed. During production, and before the redesign, the original designs were given to manufacturers and they made the plush of baby Sonic. Once the redesign occurred, there was no time to go back and recreate the polish so they just released this one instead.
Wow! I haven't seen this mall since I left Hemet in 1989. I remember the glossy white floors and there were large planters everywhere. I worked at Kaybee Toys, my best friend worked at Harris's, and we had lunch everyday at Hot Dog on a Stick. The mall was SO crowded all the time then. I hated Hemet but this was a nice, nostalgic journey for me, thanks! =)
Kaybee toys was my favorite toy store along with Toy's R Us
You left the year I was born. Crazy that we had a hotdog on a stick
Damn i can only imagine how slow hemet was in 1989.
Hemet was an awesome small town. I was there from '91 to '93. I loved the park that was across the way from were the mall is (If I remember right), and I absolutely loved the Hemet Bowl with the coolest arcade games of the time.
Heyyyy I live right by this mall! The sushi place is actually delicious!
Yep samurai is really good..i miss it
Yeeeeeessssss!!!!!
I live in Hemet. We call the mall “the hallway.”
Facts !! Im from hemet.
New one on me , I never heard that one. I’ve heard people call it the mall, but always with air quotes.
I love the Web browser tab Easter eggs lol
You're the first person to notice and say anything about those 😁
Great catch! That is hilarious.
Up Next: Moreno Valley Mall?
Also Scientology's notorious golf compound where they supposedly kidnapped people is just north of the town along the hills.
Since you’re in SoCal, please check out a dead outlet, The Outlets at Lake Elsinore. If I were to guess, I’d say at least 75% of the retail spaces are vacant. Once a nice outlet for those looking for bargains is just a ghost shell of itself. Sad, very sad!
That place was rocking when I lived there (2013), interesting it’s pretty much dead now
That's one renovation that doesn't suck!
Thanks for another great video.
This is a precious small mall. I love how they gave it little updates and still kept the vintage looks. To be honest, I prefer shopping at smaller places like this over crazy busy, big malls. Our mall in Cornwall, On. Canada is probably smaller than this one, and has more closed stores than open ones, it is our only enclosed mall that is left. If we want to shop for more, we have to travel to Ottawa or Montreal, or to the even deader mall in Massena. Cornwall and Massena' s malls were both very busy at one time
I did a brief stint in Hemet and remember that mall. Nice to see they remodeled.
What a neat mini-mall. Needs an arcade!
I actually quite like this mall! The remodelling actually made it not boring and more vibrant looking with the LED pillar, orange colours, and wood flooring. Would've fooled me if you said this is in Arizona! As for the negative reviews, people just love hating on Hemet 😂
I love seeing every mall you tour and document. I grew up in the 80s running around in malls with my friends every weekend (Tri-County Mall - Cincinnati, OH) and miss those days.
Kenwood Towne Center was my jam in middle school :D
I was in California recently, I like that you’re coming back to see its malls!
Wow, I was surprised to see Daniel’s Jewelers still in business. I remember seeing them back in the days in the mall I went to with my parents in Carlsbad, CA
Never heard of the place but it doesn't look to bad, I just hope it can survive.
Covid must be a god send to security guards who work in malls. I only wish this happened back when I was doing it. In the early lock down days I'd be like "Oh no, we have to lock the whole place down and walk around without having to deal with anyone inside while I get paid".
I haven’t been to this mall since Sears closed by as a teen and young adult it was a regular stop for me.
A Sears credit card & a Discover 💳 were 2 of the first cards I got in the mid 1990s. It seems sooo long ago 😄....
Visit Moreno Valley Mall
I like the layout of this mall. To me it is very simple and eligent. Thanks for sharing.
I used to work at Harris Juniors in 1995, it was next to what is now the Hobby Lobby.
Glad to see the mall isn’t dead
I grow up in Hemet, the mall was good till 2008
Your channel is so great. I love visiting whenever you drop a new trip. It's always so comforting. Thanks so much!
I live in a nearby city(Temecula) and I honestly had no idea Hemet even had a mall.
I was in Murrieta for a few years and had no clue either
There’s an open RadioShack in Billings, Montana.
There used to be a Radio Shack and a distribution center near my house back in the 70's, 80's, 90's, and early 2000's before it closed down for good. An Amazon distribution center has been built in it's place
I grew in Hemet 1986-2001. I used to absolutely love a The Small, Kaybee Toys as a kid, then as a teen it was Changing Times & Millers Outpost! In the 90’s there were jewelers on all 4 corners in the center of the mall, made no sense to me lol. Thank you for bringing back solid memories!
Man ....what a flashback. I was a young adolescent when I lived in Hemet in the early 90's and the intro with the SNK NEO GEO specs was so appropos, because that video game system was in its APEX when I lived there.
6:50 OK THAT LUIGI THO HES- HES JUST THERE HES SO CUTE -wheeze-
I’ve really enjoyed visiting the Hemet Valley Mall from time to time especially after the remodel making it feel nice and quaint. I don’t know if you’re still around in the area, but if you are you should definitely check out the Ontario Mills Mall or even an update on the Laguna Hills or Carlsbad malls.
Temecula mall was also very healthy as of late 2013 and had a ton of money put into it around that time, could be an interesting video. Not sure how it’s doing now.
thats weird the Sears that went out of business at west valley mall in tracy california is getting replaced by Hobby Lobby seems like Hobby Lobby is replacing old anchors.
Quite the interesting food court!
I dig the TV’s just randomly sitting in the middle of it all.
Lol you went to Hemet?! I actually have a lot of experience going into Golden Era (Scientology place). Used to run a company with my dad and they were one of our customers. I haven’t been out that way in years but it looks exactly the same!
I bet that property still has the fake ship masts.
Growing up in Riverside, Harris' was always the big inland empire department store. Riverside Plaza was an open air mall, then convrted to an enclosed mall. I think it was completly bulldozed and turned into another type of shopping center. Not sure. Left CA in 78 and never went back. Gilman Hot Springs - home to the Tom Cruise religion. Lol.
it was turned into a shopping center type mall, and the harris that was there turned into a forever 21 for a bit, then turned into a nordstrom rack, marshalls, and a joann. most of the mall is just food places now
This is a very charming mall! Thanks for the tour, of this mall. And why can't more mall remodels, look as nice as this? *cough cough Simon*
I remember opening that Hobby Lobby. The mall was simply a place for the local old people to take their morning walk in the air conditioning. Looks like the mall actually came to life since then!
7:32 I DID NOT EXPECT YOU TO ATTACK HOBBY LOBBY BUT PLEASE GO OFF!
Soon.
I grew up in San Jacinto and worked at several stores there in the 90’s. It was always somewhat of a dead mall 😆
I worked at Harris, Bath & Body Works, Hallmark, and a dress boutique. There was a mom n pop surf type shop there that we all loved. Also there was at one time a Sam Goody.
I remember going to this mall a lot when I was younger as my sister lived in the town. I mostly remember a movie/music store near the JC Penney Side of the mall that I bought vhs anime a lot from and a KB Toys down towards what I remember used to be a Macy's and from this video is now a Hobby Lobby. I bought Resident Evil on PSX from a super overly enthused 90s dude worker there (KB) and I also bought Mega Man on Game Gear there which must have been rare even at the time as its super expensive now. Sadly I don't have it anymore, though.
I'll have to visit this mall someday, looks interesting!! Excellent video!!
it's a stylish little mall
It is interesting to see this video pop up in my feed today, since this was done two years ago. I have been in Hemet since 1989 and I used to shop at this mall all the time. Now I only go there to hit up Hobby Lobby a few times a year. I used to shop at JC Penny all the time and did most of my Christmas shopping there and other stores in the mall. Since JC Penny put in a huge Sephora spot in the women’s section I have only been in the store maybe three times. That section took out most of the women’s section, which was very small to begin with, so I no longer visit the store. This mall used to be so busy that durning the Christmas season you had to get there early if you wanted to park, just like the bigger malls in the bigger cities, now even at the busiest time of year the parking lot is half empty. Sad to see a nice city go downhill and shopping being done in other places.
Reminds me of what I remember of the Waco, TX mall. Not real big and the food court was just a part of the entrance hallway.
You nailed that Neo Geo intro! Takes me back to the day when I played Metal Slug X!
Hemet the Clearwater of the west coast.
And I like the remodel as well.
Gold base isn't in Hemet technically
If you see Colton Wood in Hemet- make sure to honk and wave. He is always out trying to help Hemet any way he can.
We would kill to have this mall here in Richmond ky. Come see our Dead MALL !!
I used to live in hemet and now live in North Carolina so it’s nostalgic to see a bit of it. I was even born in the hemet valley of death hospital
Hey I also moved from hemet to NC!! I miss LaFogata!!!
You should really check out the Westfield mall in Palm Desert! It's not necessarily 'dead' but it is slowly dying. It's in the Inland Empire too and about an hour drive from this mall.
I freaking live in Hemet right next to the mall! I go to there all the time
You would be surprised how many malls have police substation‘s. Arizona Mills has had one since it opened in 97. Tempe police told them it was mandatory that they have a substation for them prior to opening, and it was ready for use on day one. It’s on the west side of the mall, there’s even a big sign above the entry door that says “tempe police.” It’s not always manned, it’s mainly for officers who work the mall to do paperwork, and to bring shoplifters there for processing.
Altamonte Springs FL has a space 👮🏻♂️ in the big local mall. Seniors, accidents, shop lifters, gangs(teens) can be issues. It could be a penalty box 🏒 for patrol officers or people who "need a break" 😤.
OMG! Struck a memory. A Giant Food, Newport News, Va., 1957-9 some time. In the back, they actually had a CELL, complete with BARS, to hold shoplifters until they could be picked up by police. Don't know if that was ever used, or if it was put there just for scare value.
I lived in Hemet for almost a decade and went to the mall twice. That has more to do with my hatred of shopping than the quality of the mall. IIRC, Bill Murray has a house in Hemet, because lots of golf courses in the surrounding area and not even the paparazzi is brave enough to go there. MAGA country, gun ownership... The opposite of Los Angeles.
The Church of Scientology's world headquarters is indeed located in Hemet. Place gives everyone the creeps.
It’s actually located in the neighboring town of San Jacinto.
i actually have been to this mall...early 1990s - there was a large group of teens being loud and annoying and the best part of this visit was leaving it...
I recently visited the Hemet mall after moving away 31 years ago. It brought back some nostalgia, but in a sad way. Back when I was in high school, I hung out at that place at least twice a week. All my high school friends had jobs at the little shops and there was always something interesting to find. Now the mall only has boring stuff that can be bought anywhere else. Guess I'm just getting old...
oh wow well this is my dad's hometown so I'll have to forward this to him, and I'm pretty sure he'd find it hilarious about the 'church' there! but seems like its doing okay, at any rate.
Always used to go when I was a kid. There was a hair salon my mom’s friend worked for where she would get her hair done. The Bath and Body Works looks the same! I would always get Subway and Orange Julius for lunch. Good times
Do imperial valley mall, it’s a dying mall in my hometown. Very similar to this one. By the way I love the vids!
Go to West Palm Beach, FL and Seattle, WA. Those cities have at least one mall that has a Sears that is still open
That's a great "refresh" while still maintaining the 80's vibe.
I love the use of orange in here.
8:24 That store with the white, stairstep storefront was likely an 80's style KB Toys. This is a really cute little mall, I hope they are able to succeed in the days to come.
It looks cute. Live in Hemet and I couldn’t tell you how horrible it is. All the little jewelers, and clothes shop. Complete rip offs.
Glad to see you in SoCal!
I live in this shitty city and haven't been to the mall in years. I call it the 'small'. After KB toys and Walden books left it went down hill fast. It is a sad mall, and a sad city. It used to be so much nicer before 2008. Back when the mall was built the average age in Hemet was around 65
I worked in Hemet in the 80's, then moved and it was mostly older people. What's happened in recent years? Crime? ???
@@karennay5993 a lot of LA county imports moved here, a lot of businesses closed, the well off residents moved out in droves. Now we have homeless people making it an eyesore. Places that were nice when I was a kid in the 90s and 00s aren't kept up anymore, whole neighborhoods just look bad now. Last year during those "mostly peaceful" protests businesses boarded up their windows, even this mall. People still broke in and stole some stuff. For a while people were just smashing the windows of businesses from one end of Florida avenue to the other. And to top it all off, in 2009 a couple guys tried to blow up the police station with an ancient bazooka. All because they were trying to stop a cop from testifying against them.
@@jr2904 cheap living in the middle of nowhere. City turns to crap, happens all over socal
@@karennay5993 Poor people with nothing to offer except their drug habits came to town. That's basically it. Undesirable people.
I love that pillar more than I should lol.
This video was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. I spent many a hour in that mall as a teenager.
Honestly, this mall looks nicer than some big regional malls with the generic gray mall design.
I need to hear about these Hobby Lobby stolen artifacts
Hemet is actually a booming town city's near by are growing at a fast rate.
Those skylights are cool.
weird seeing the area i first lived in when the fam first moved to socal. lived in winchester specifically but the same general vicinity
Great video like always.
I live in Hemet and we call this "The 5 Minute Mall". It takes all of 5min to walk around the whole place 😂. Still love OUR little mall.
Welcome to California. Didn't get to see this until now since it was posted on the weekend
It's the neon lights in the malls that get to me. Something about the 80's and 90's neon lights in malls are so funny to me. Just let these lights go. This mall is slowly dying. The pacemaker can't keep it alive to much longer. Are you telling me that the money they got to update this mall was apply to new flooring in the mall. Am I missing something about this mall. LOL!!! It's dead. I think the smaller malls are having a better outcome then these large outdated malls are. The mom and papa stores are probably the ones that are keeping these large outdated malls alive. I can't wait to see your next mall video. Thanks for sharing.
Hey if you're looking for a still open Sears try the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale!
It doesn't open until 11 a.m. and that has to hurt. But HEMET?? I remember in the seventies Hemet was a very poor place: lotsof trailers on lots and not really a job centre. No surprise. Wish it well.
There was a department store there called Harris-Gottchalks. This department store chain when out of business in July of 2009.
I used to live there! It's a good mall!
Also Harris-Gottchalks was a mid price department store with more national brands and affordable pricing. I considered this department store to be in between Macy's and JCPenney, with more national brands than JCPenney but more affordable than Macy's. Miss shopping at Harris-Gottchalks.
I grew up in Hemet. It used to have
KB Toys
Sam Goody
zales
Harris'
Harris Junior (that empty store next to hobby lobby)
Millers Outpost
I wish we had a Hot Topic tho! Back when I was a teenager!
The slogan used to be "A small mall with a big heart"
Those of us that worked there even had a softball league in the 90s.
The juniors dept was called Harris Underground.
And. We also had an Orange Julius
Maybe this is me thinking out of the box but this mall should put that Sears space to use and maybe have live music acts do matinee shows there. That space has far enough space to hold 100 people inside, and let the youth just do their thing. It would draw crowds of people. Also another idea for the empty shops, open gaming stations for the youth and hold like Fortnite tournaments or something that will also draw the youth in. These dead malls should focus less on consumers and more on how to get the youth + arts into their space (mall). Just a thought.
The hampster dance and angelfire tabs hahaha
Westland mall in Westland Michigan is the same size and same story.
It had a Macy’s, Sears, JC Pennys, and Kohl’s.
Macy’s closed 2016
Sears closed 2019
JC pennys is soon
Kohl’s is on Amazon’s return life line.
It’s a old ugly mall that is the olds people walking place.
The toy store and many store came more than $50 items in bullet proof glass cases.
I was literally thinking this looks like the Indio Mall when you then mentioned it lol. Now I gotta look for that Indio mall video. I live near it hahaha
looks like a good mall, if I were near it I would go
I really like the hardwood (or hardwood-ish) floor.
From a kid that grew up in hemet 2001-2016 that is the most I’ve seen that mall occupied, everyone in town called it “the hall” or “the mallway” and my prom date actually got his suit from that men’s trend’z store lol
Hemet, California is Riverside County.
You have to do Liberty Tree mall in Danvers Massachusetts.
Why? That’s the definition of a mall that needs to become a PLAZA!! There’s nothing inside and all mega stores have an entrance for the most part. Time to shutter the inside and “strip” it.
If you ever come to Northern California, you have to check out Sunrise Mall! It’s a mall on it’s last legs. Interestingly enough, it’s very close to the most successful mall in the region, the Roseville Galleria.
Loved the corny sound effects during the transitions lol 👍😝
that entrance would be cute if it wasn't for those stock footage posters, lol
wow, sears was still building stores in 1998.
The entrance is littered with homeless and meth addicts. Every parking lot in the valley has them here. Irritating