What's keeping this mall alive is Scheels and Hobby Lobby. They also have two furniture stores where Target used to be. JCPenny is still open but if any of the anchor stores were to close next, it would be JCPenny. The Five Guys used to be Garfield's restaurant. The Escape room place used to be Aladdin's Castle Arcade and when they closed, it moved to where Ulta is now and was called Timeout. That Gamestop has been there since around 2000.
I remember going here several times as a kid. My grandparents lived in Chippewa Falls and we’d visit every summer. Seems we always made our way over to Oakdale for a movie. I didn’t realize it was that new then. That food court hasn’t changed! It was the only area I recognized. If you like dead malls, come visit the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks ND. The Scheels in the former Target is the only thing holding it together.
London Square Mall had a fatal flaw from its creation and that was its location. It was small from the start and didn’t have space around it to significantly expand. Plans for Oakwood began only a few years after London Square opened.
I live in the area. I always go here and it still is thriving like the 80s.
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I saw the movie, "Titanic" in the theatre here. I remember the audience reacting, when "Jack Dawson" said he was from Chippewa Falls. Did you happen to see the movie here, too?
Glad this is doing pretty well. It kind of reminds me of River Hills near Mankato - maybe it's a GGP thing? Looks like a great mall. Hope you are doing well!
At the old London Square Mall besides the United Health building (former Sears) that was original built to the mall. There is the early 1990s add on to the mall that still stands minus the north wall. Prange Way was add to the mall which eventually closed. After the mall was torn down. Hom Furniture moved in and added an addition to the north end of the building. They moved to Oakwood and is now occupied by Midwest Home Supply
Absolutely love this one, can’t wait for the Iowa videos! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the food court here, feels just like classic mall of the bluffs and pines mall
I loved your Marshalltown Mall video. I hope to make it there soon. Did you make it to the nearby Meadow Lane? I think it's a tiny thing if it still has an inside.
I went to Stout from 1988 - 1992 and several of us would go to Eau Claire on a regular basis since there really wasn't a decent mall in Menomonie. Definitely a blast from the past.
This mall reminds me of River Hills in Mankato for more reason than one.. the food court, overall concourses and other small details like originally having Target as an anchor
Had the Mall let Target add on. Target would still be there. But they side no u can't build in that spot, gave a bs reason. 1yr after Target left( taking 60% of the people) they let a restaurant build, where Target wanted to build. We were talking bet the mall would be dead by 2010. It almost died in 2010. Then they started building more homes on the south side of the mall. And it has somewhat come back
The music starting at 12:10 is awesome BTW. I really want to know what that tune is called and who made it. Could you please tell me or provide a link please?
I'm posting this here, too, so others can listen. It's "I Won't Stop Now!" by Nikki Gee. www.epidemicsound.com/track/J3opx7L7Bn/ There is also a version with vocals: www.epidemicsound.com/track/23dvBxpWlO/
Great video! As soon as you set foot in this mall I was already thinking,: "This HAS to be a General Growth Property Mall!" All the esthetics from the floor and wall tiles to the trim on the ceiling were exactly the same as my former local mall, Mall of the Bluffs. Especially that food court and the entrance near that area. Even the layout is almost a copy. As you walked around that mall I was taken back to when Mall of the Bluffs was still lively. Unfortunately, Mall of the Bluffs is gone, hopefully Oakwood will bounce back!
Yes it's one of those Malls. It's doing ok. I think one reason it's still holding on is, they let places rent the Parking lot. So we get all kinds of things going on in the parking lot through the warm months. And during the cold months there's at least 3 boat shows, 3 RV shows inside the mall. Also it's location is good. Alot of New homes being built around it and a lot of Stores within a mile. So u can drop terns off at the Mall go shopping at Target and Sam's Club, then pick teens back up. Also like 20% of are teens work at the mall, because of the city buses. 1every 30mins from 8-8. And 1 every hr 630-1030. However I think the one route is going to 10 now. So back to every 30mins to 10pm. College kids were complaining
Haven't been to Wisconsin since the 1980's. Loved going there as a kid. Have relatives in Hayward. Very small town and I can only imagine how small a mall would be there if they have one.
Good video. Still a Wisconsin/Chippewa Falls resident but my nostalgia with Oakwood is pretty much late 2000s-early 2010s, so familiar with a lot of the stores that came and went. Food court especially, was so sad when Sbarros left. Family still shops there.
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Well, I don't know why you saw the food court as "retro 80's." It just looks like a food court to me. What specifically, is so "'80's?" Are you trying to throw some shade over it?
It’s an original General Growth Properties food court. It looks nearly the same as it did in 1986. Many of these food courts have been updated or are in abandoned malls. th-cam.com/video/yNSON-niKAw/w-d-xo.html
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@@YodelingLoonRetail Well, that's a testament to fine quality, if you ask me. I didn't see anything broken, scratched or "generally," (no pun intended, but certainly, implied), messed up. The place looks great! I, for one, would be happy to sit right down and have a drink & fries (w/lots of ketchup & black pepper).
I spent so much money at that arcade playing initial D before I moved out of the area in the mid 2010's. Not surprised it closed but for a mall arcade it had a really good selection of games. Not just your usual scammy redemption games and handful of high price/play ride style games.
I lived in eau claire from very early 1983- early 1987 some good memories many bad! have been there since then a few times but doubt that I will ever live there again
Suggestion for the next time you come through Wisconsin- the Cedar Mall in Rice Lake. Nice quaint little mall- one out of the two of my childhood malls- the other being this one
Oakwood started dying when Target left. They wouldn't let Target get bigger. I was Working at KB Toys when Target left. It took 60% of the people. However Oakwood is doing ok. Scheels Sells Lego sets. So more people go. Also London Square Mall has 2 anchor Store spots left. The Old Sears& Prangeway. I miss the Fountain. However Both my Sister& I worked at Oakwood. My Oldest worked at Oakwood for 2yrs. Hot Topics& Spencer's Gifts are still in their same locations. I was just at Oakwood this past weekend and it was busy. Granted it was Raining.
@@chriskay1449 the building that Midwest Farm Supply is located in used to be a grocery store. The London Square complex was on the next block to the south. The Festival Foods was built in what used to be the mall parking lot.
I visited this mall back in 2019 and I will say despite losing a couple of anchors it's still doing pretty well. Better compared to the mall in La Crosse.
Scheels is the main reason. WHen they first opened, there was a hallway to their enterance. Now they have swallowed up all the store space that lined the hallway and their entrance is at the main hallway.
I was 12 in 1986, I am from Illinois, we had a few malls we used to go to in Lake county Lakehurst , demolished, Belvidere, dead, Hawthorne, repurposed, Original Outlet Kenosha, demolished, Regency Racine, dead. In 1991 we got Gurnee Mills, it is still a thriving mall even though I do not go there.
I’m really sad to see the demise of TGI Fridays. I liked that restaurant. My mall that I haunted back in the 80s was Cutler Ridge mall in what is now Cutler Bay Florida. Hurricane Andrew destroyed it in 92. They built a new mall over the ruins of the Cutler Ridge mall, but it was nothing like the beauty of the original Cutler Ridge mall. We didn’t have a TGI Fridays there, but we had something better at one of the entrances to the mall. A restaurant called Whistlers. During the day and early evening it was a restaurant, but later on at night it turned into more of a pub/nightclub. It had an upstairs lounge with a bartender on duty. It was a classic 1980s mall restaurant/bar in South Florida with all the neon Miami Vice vibes. It stayed open long after the mall closed. It had its own outside entrance but also had doors inside that opened up into the mall during normal shopping hours. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. It seems that the malls that are on a downhill slide have kiddie rides and gum ball machines in the center of the walkways. The healthy malls have kiosks.
I'd like to rewind the clock and go back there when it was still the 90's
It was hopping. Had my 12th birthday there at Aladdin's castle an arcade which is now defunct. The fact it's still open is amazing
What's keeping this mall alive is Scheels and Hobby Lobby. They also have two furniture stores where Target used to be. JCPenny is still open but if any of the anchor stores were to close next, it would be JCPenny. The Five Guys used to be Garfield's restaurant. The Escape room place used to be Aladdin's Castle Arcade and when they closed, it moved to where Ulta is now and was called Timeout. That Gamestop has been there since around 2000.
I remember going here several times as a kid. My grandparents lived in Chippewa Falls and we’d visit every summer. Seems we always made our way over to Oakdale for a movie. I didn’t realize it was that new then. That food court hasn’t changed! It was the only area I recognized. If you like dead malls, come visit the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks ND. The Scheels in the former Target is the only thing holding it together.
I went to Columbia and Grand Cities last summer. I loved them both for different reasons. I remember Columbia feeling rather cozy.
@ did you do a video on those two? I’d love to see it.
@@BeatleDustino No video, yet. I'm planning to make a road trip through North Dakota this year and then release a long series on North Dakota malls.
@ sounds good. Can’t wait to see that. Let me know when you come to Grand Forks.
London Square Mall had a fatal flaw from its creation and that was its location. It was small from the start and didn’t have space around it to significantly expand. Plans for Oakwood began only a few years after London Square opened.
I live in the area. I always go here and it still is thriving like the 80s.
I saw the movie, "Titanic" in the theatre here. I remember the audience reacting, when "Jack Dawson" said he was from Chippewa Falls. Did you happen to see the movie here, too?
Well I’ve seen the movie but not at the theater because I wasn’t alive when it came out.
@@The-epcot-nerd Yes, I see. You're very fortunate to live in such a special place. It will bless you with great wisdom if you seek it.
Glad this is doing pretty well. It kind of reminds me of River Hills near Mankato - maybe it's a GGP thing? Looks like a great mall. Hope you are doing well!
I need to get back to River Hills! I recall the food court being similar but more modern.
At the old London Square Mall besides the United Health building (former Sears) that was original built to the mall. There is the early 1990s add on to the mall that still stands minus the north wall. Prange Way was add to the mall which eventually closed. After the mall was torn down. Hom Furniture moved in and added an addition to the north end of the building. They moved to Oakwood and is now occupied by Midwest Home Supply
Thank you for this info!
As I live in the area, I go there a lot. Honestly, they should add the cold stone there into the mall
Absolutely love this one, can’t wait for the Iowa videos! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the food court here, feels just like classic mall of the bluffs and pines mall
I loved your Marshalltown Mall video. I hope to make it there soon. Did you make it to the nearby Meadow Lane? I think it's a tiny thing if it still has an inside.
@@YodelingLoonRetail I wish! Unfortunately I heard about meadow lane too late and was unable to get that one. And thanks!
I went to Stout from 1988 - 1992 and several of us would go to Eau Claire on a regular basis since there really wasn't a decent mall in Menomonie. Definitely a blast from the past.
When in doubt Stouts the way out.
This mall reminds me of River Hills in Mankato for more reason than one.. the food court, overall concourses and other small details like originally having Target as an anchor
I did have thoughts about my old River Hills video when I made this. What a difference a mere three years can make.
Had the Mall let Target add on. Target would still be there. But they side no u can't build in that spot, gave a bs reason. 1yr after Target left( taking 60% of the people) they let a restaurant build, where Target wanted to build. We were talking bet the mall would be dead by 2010. It almost died in 2010. Then they started building more homes on the south side of the mall. And it has somewhat come back
The music starting at 12:10 is awesome BTW. I really want to know what that tune is called and who made it. Could you please tell me or provide a link please?
I'm posting this here, too, so others can listen. It's "I Won't Stop Now!" by Nikki Gee. www.epidemicsound.com/track/J3opx7L7Bn/ There is also a version with vocals: www.epidemicsound.com/track/23dvBxpWlO/
Great video! As soon as you set foot in this mall I was already thinking,: "This HAS to be a General Growth Property Mall!" All the esthetics from the floor and wall tiles to the trim on the ceiling were exactly the same as my former local mall, Mall of the Bluffs. Especially that food court and the entrance near that area. Even the layout is almost a copy. As you walked around that mall I was taken back to when Mall of the Bluffs was still lively. Unfortunately, Mall of the Bluffs is gone, hopefully Oakwood will bounce back!
Yes it's one of those Malls. It's doing ok. I think one reason it's still holding on is, they let places rent the Parking lot. So we get all kinds of things going on in the parking lot through the warm months. And during the cold months there's at least 3 boat shows, 3 RV shows inside the mall. Also it's location is good. Alot of New homes being built around it and a lot of Stores within a mile. So u can drop terns off at the Mall go shopping at Target and Sam's Club, then pick teens back up. Also like 20% of are teens work at the mall, because of the city buses. 1every 30mins from 8-8. And 1 every hr 630-1030. However I think the one route is going to 10 now. So back to every 30mins to 10pm. College kids were complaining
You should film eden prarie center one day. Also macys is still open in the southridge mall.
It's on my list. I do have a clip that a friend shot of me on the Scheel's ferris wheel that will be in my future video.
@@YodelingLoonRetailk. scheels at ep mall actually used to be a sears before closing in 2016.
Haven't been to Wisconsin since the 1980's. Loved going there as a kid. Have relatives in Hayward. Very small town and I can only imagine how small a mall would be there if they have one.
Incidentally, Hayward has a large casino with hotel.
Good video. Still a Wisconsin/Chippewa Falls resident but my nostalgia with Oakwood is pretty much late 2000s-early 2010s, so familiar with a lot of the stores that came and went. Food court especially, was so sad when Sbarros left.
Family still shops there.
Well, I don't know why you saw the food court as "retro 80's." It just looks like a food court to me. What specifically, is so "'80's?" Are you trying to throw some shade over it?
It’s an original General Growth Properties food court. It looks nearly the same as it did in 1986. Many of these food courts have been updated or are in abandoned malls. th-cam.com/video/yNSON-niKAw/w-d-xo.html
@@YodelingLoonRetail Well, that's a testament to fine quality, if you ask me. I didn't see anything broken, scratched or "generally," (no pun intended, but certainly, implied), messed up. The place looks great! I, for one, would be happy to sit right down and have a drink & fries (w/lots of ketchup & black pepper).
Do a vid on Rosedale in St Paul, Minnesota. Beautiful mall that is booming.
I have plans to if my future EP video does well. :)
The food court used to have an arcade on the right side.
Where the beauty store is.
That became TGI Friday's and then it closed.
I spent so much money at that arcade playing initial D before I moved out of the area in the mid 2010's. Not surprised it closed but for a mall arcade it had a really good selection of games. Not just your usual scammy redemption games and handful of high price/play ride style games.
I lived in eau claire from very early 1983- early 1987 some good memories many bad! have been there since then a few times but doubt that I will ever live there again
Suggestion for the next time you come through Wisconsin- the Cedar Mall in Rice Lake. Nice quaint little mall- one out of the two of my childhood malls- the other being this one
Thanks! It’s on my list. I haven’t been there since the 1990s when I worked at Tomahawk. I’d love to see it again.
Oakwood started dying when Target left. They wouldn't let Target get bigger. I was Working at KB Toys when Target left. It took 60% of the people. However Oakwood is doing ok. Scheels Sells Lego sets. So more people go. Also London Square Mall has 2 anchor Store spots left. The Old Sears& Prangeway. I miss the Fountain. However Both my Sister& I worked at Oakwood. My Oldest worked at Oakwood for 2yrs. Hot Topics& Spencer's Gifts are still in their same locations. I was just at Oakwood this past weekend and it was busy. Granted it was Raining.
Also the jewelry stores, minus Laskers which moved to its own building across the street, are still there.
I'm starting to think that dead malls are more about the management companies involved and less about other factors such as Amazon
There was nothing mentioned about the unofficial exit/entrance in the back of Disc Jockey until that closed.
Thanks for sharing this! Do you have any photos or Facebook posts that mention this? Not trying to be combative. I would honestly love to know more.
The old disc jockey was a restaurant before that now closed also @@YodelingLoonRetail
united healthcare is no longer in the last remnant of london mall. part of it is a church but the rest is currently being emptied.
Thanks for the update!
Actually the last remnant is Midwest Farm Supply which was the old Prange Way addition.
@@chriskay1449 the building that Midwest Farm Supply is located in used to be a grocery store. The London Square complex was on the next block to the south. The Festival Foods was built in what used to be the mall parking lot.
totally worth it for that food court
anybody ever notice how similar that this mall looks so much like fox river mall before it was remodeled
Is that the one in Appleton? I'll have to check it out.
yes it is
Well yeah because they are owned by the same company and were built at the same time.
I love the way that this mall looks, river hills, oakwood, Birchwood, grand traverse, pine bluffs malls all look very very similar and very beautiful
I visited this mall back in 2019 and I will say despite losing a couple of anchors it's still doing pretty well. Better compared to the mall in La Crosse.
Scheels is the main reason. WHen they first opened, there was a hallway to their enterance. Now they have swallowed up all the store space that lined the hallway and their entrance is at the main hallway.
I was 12 in 1986, I am from Illinois, we had a few malls we used to go to in Lake county Lakehurst , demolished, Belvidere, dead, Hawthorne, repurposed, Original Outlet Kenosha, demolished, Regency Racine, dead. In 1991 we got Gurnee Mills, it is still a thriving mall even though I do not go there.
I’m really sad to see the demise of TGI Fridays. I liked that restaurant. My mall that I haunted back in the 80s was Cutler Ridge mall in what is now Cutler Bay Florida. Hurricane Andrew destroyed it in 92. They built a new mall over the ruins of the Cutler Ridge mall, but it was nothing like the beauty of the original Cutler Ridge mall. We didn’t have a TGI Fridays there, but we had something better at one of the entrances to the mall. A restaurant called Whistlers. During the day and early evening it was a restaurant, but later on at night it turned into more of a pub/nightclub. It had an upstairs lounge with a bartender on duty. It was a classic 1980s mall restaurant/bar in South Florida with all the neon Miami Vice vibes. It stayed open long after the mall closed. It had its own outside entrance but also had doors inside that opened up into the mall during normal shopping hours. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.
It seems that the malls that are on a downhill slide have kiddie rides and gum ball machines in the center of the walkways. The healthy malls have kiosks.
What's the song that starts at 10:30?
I Won't Stop Now (Nikki Gee). www.epidemicsound.com/track/J3opx7L7Bn There is also a version with vocals. www.epidemicsound.com/track/23dvBxpWlO/
looks so sad
thats not 80's
Very dramatic countdown...
I had to mix up the formula!
Your information is not accurate