That is sad I remember when my wife worked at the mall at a store called Gantos back in the late '80s close to 199 0 and it was so busy there you couldn't even hardly walk through the mall at times.
To hell with Namdar….this is so sad. My favorite store in there has got a store closing sign and my hearts breaking over here. The little gifts extraordinaire store has been my childhood. When I was a small toddler my parents would buy me lollipops from there. Every time we’d go, I’d get a lollipop. And now Im a senior in high school and…what a way to enter adulthood. Bittersweet endings.
I was there the same day as you, but at about 10 AM when everything was closed. The mall was already looking dead when Namdar took it but they just let Round 1, Century Theaters and Burlington go. The worst one to me is the theater, which was still pretty active in 2019, now that it closed I barely see any movies anymore. Also another store is planning to move out of the mall, Visionworks sometime next year. I’m just waiting for the sad result of the mall being demolished. Stratford Crossing and Bloomingdale Court has plenty of space to lease for the stores in the mall.
Five or six years ago they were making a decent comeback then it just snowballed. I think that Macy's and then Round 1 closing was the nail in the coffin. Carson Pirie Scott was supposed to return in the old JC Penney store but never did. I'm actually a little shocked that FYE has been able to hold on this long considering that there is no outside access to the store.
Remember when this mall first opened in 1981. There was really nothing around in that area when it opened at the time. Such a shame all that empty space space being wasted away that could have so much potential.
The mall has been declining since 2020. The Village of Bloomingdale sued Namdar for poor management and the village has gained ownership to a couple of the anchor stores. The village is trying to get a hold of the mall so that they can tear it down and redevelop the property.
I have some ideas about future redesign and redevelopment for Stratford Square.I call it “ Stratford Strategy “.I look forward to submitting some of my ideas at a future city of bloomingdale council meeting soon.
I grew up going to this mall. I've been visiting this mall since 1982. Burlington Coat Factory just closed at Stratford this weekend. I walk this mall twice a month, mainly for the memories & give my wife time to shop at Kohl's. Thanks for great video!
was just there, all thats left is an FYE thats closing soon, and a kohls. none of the elevators work. went in to get a coffee and then realized the directory was out of date because the gloria jeans ( and everything else) was closed.
Actually covid factors influenced Round one’s foot traffic also the theater especially the 2nd time around.also the first round of Covid lockdown affected Harley Davidson showroom and 25 west brewery really hard.
Namdar has no reason to update the Directory. If they do, then why would anyone come here? The Fire Department forced them to fix the escalators. The Theater closed due to Covid. Century Theaters, owned by CineMark, felt that they were losing money already in 2019, but after the second shut down by Govener Pritzker, they felt the need to close because they were losing even more money. Honestly, I think that was a HUGE mistake. Had they kept it open, I feel that they would have seen more sales. But, We'll never know. Also, T-Mobile closed January 15th.
Seems to be the pattern with a lot of namdar malls. Doesn't surprise me that the fire department force them to fix the escalators instead of fixing them on their own.
If retail is healthy, then passive buyers are very healthy for the mall. They will bring in additional revenue essential for lower margin businesses where say 80% of the net income comes from the last 20% of revenue. Those shoppers are also keeping the habit of visiting physical retail and may shop there if their income increases or lifestyle changes in the future. The problem for a mall like this though is that most of the quick service restaurants and cafes are gone, along with retail serving essential consumables etc that those shoppers are most likely to intermittently buy and help fund the ecosystem with. Also, it is a simple fact that an empty section of the mall is way more dangerous than one with people around, even just considering accidents.
Unfortunately, I think it's safe to say Stratford Square Mall is beyond saving in it's current form at this point, I'd say mall closes within the next year or two and giving what they're owners are, probably will be sitting vacant for a while Just a damn shame Namdar let this all happen in just 3 years
Basically the whole upper floor has no stores. WOW! But like I said, I've seen this before. It's so sad. And usually when they try to make a comeback somehow, it's so hard to make it
I used to work in this mall. Sadly Bloomingdale took way too long to get involved with this mall. It was not noticed till about covid that this mall pretty much had a new owner every year and said the same thing about bringing this mall back to life. The owners never showed plans.
Forgot to post this comment, Burlington left on the 5th, new store opens the 24th. The town also is working on refining a plan for the property after they collected the community feedback last year.
Burlington has closed February 5th and Visionworks will be moving across the street shortly as well. According to a redditer, the Visionworks people have been mentioning the mall will fully shut in April. The end is near.
Just sad about namdar my mall is different it died starting in 2009 when tanger outlets opened Washington crown center Washington pa, and my city had 2 malls Washington mall first Washington mall died because of Washington crown center and Washington crown center died because of tanger outlets even through it died because of tanger outlets Washington crown center mall got stores in the 2010s that moved from Washington mall such as Joann fabrics and didn’t work out the last original anchor was surprisingly sears which is rare for a mall normally it closes before Macys and it closed in December 2019 before Christmas 2019.
Wouldn’t be surprised if you can’t even film it next year... if it’s still open. I walked in today to take some pics and got hounded by security telling me that ‘they’re trying to get more people inside and can’t have photos of empty storefronts online’... I wasn’t even going to post them online, it was purely for memories 🙄 what kind of a mall doesn’t let you take pictures???
It really is depressing what this mall has become. I used to go there regularly to go to Cinemark and Round1. It’s nothing without those places, not to mention other stores have continued to close since then, such as Red Robin, Hot Topic, Burlington, etc. I’m starting to think the “Re-envisioning Stratford Square Mall” plan which Bloomingdale officials announced last October was a wasted effort. :(
Well whoever bought this building is up to no good but I won’t be surprise it would be torn down then rebuild it as apartments, my gosh this mall is so depressing, in my younger days, I used to go to North Riverside Mall, now I don’t know what it look like but I now go to Yorktown Mall it feels more comfortable there lol
I'm thinking that it closed within the last 2 to 3 months. I was informed about it in a comment in another video that it had closed and that was about 2 months ago.
Namdar is the name of the Real Estate Investment Group that owns this mall. They have a history of coming into communities and buying their mall with promises and then they don't do what they are saying and they don't pay their taxes or utility bills. They are also known not to do basic maintenance either. I think what they are doing is just buying the land underneath the mall and not worrying about the structure itself
That is sad I remember when my wife worked at the mall at a store called Gantos back in the late '80s close to 199 0 and it was so busy there you couldn't even hardly walk through the mall at times.
To hell with Namdar….this is so sad. My favorite store in there has got a store closing sign and my hearts breaking over here. The little gifts extraordinaire store has been my childhood. When I was a small toddler my parents would buy me lollipops from there. Every time we’d go, I’d get a lollipop. And now Im a senior in high school and…what a way to enter adulthood. Bittersweet endings.
Yeah that is sad that is such a great store it's been there for a while I guess.
Only been to Stratford once that was 30 years ago to see a movie thanks for showing this Now I recognize it just a little
Actually Burlington is remaining until March of 2023.issue with the remodel of the Kmart building.trying to make it more of a future interior design.
I was there the same day as you, but at about 10 AM when everything was closed. The mall was already looking dead when Namdar took it but they just let Round 1, Century Theaters and Burlington go. The worst one to me is the theater, which was still pretty active in 2019, now that it closed I barely see any movies anymore. Also another store is planning to move out of the mall, Visionworks sometime next year. I’m just waiting for the sad result of the mall being demolished. Stratford Crossing and Bloomingdale Court has plenty of space to lease for the stores in the mall.
Five or six years ago they were making a decent comeback then it just snowballed. I think that Macy's and then Round 1 closing was the nail in the coffin. Carson Pirie Scott was supposed to return in the old JC Penney store but never did. I'm actually a little shocked that FYE has been able to hold on this long considering that there is no outside access to the store.
Re: mall walkers: anything that gets people up and moving is a good thing; and at least someone is appreciating the mall architecture/layout/etc.
Incredible shot of the floor! I remember those tiles from the 80s. What a shame.
Remember when this mall first opened in 1981. There was really nothing around in that area when it opened at the time. Such a shame all that empty space space being wasted away that could have so much potential.
The mall has been declining since 2020. The Village of Bloomingdale sued Namdar for poor management and the village has gained ownership to a couple of the anchor stores. The village is trying to get a hold of the mall so that they can tear it down and redevelop the property.
Property tax hikes causes land rents to skyrocket
And property taxes went up to pay for pensions and other money “promises”
I have some ideas about future redesign and redevelopment for Stratford Square.I call it “ Stratford Strategy “.I look forward to submitting some of my ideas at a future city of bloomingdale council meeting soon.
I’m surprised Red Robin hung around as long as it did after the theater closed.
I grew up going to this mall. I've been visiting this mall since 1982. Burlington Coat Factory just closed at Stratford this weekend. I walk this mall twice a month, mainly for the memories & give my wife time to shop at Kohl's. Thanks for great video!
was just there, all thats left is an FYE thats closing soon, and a kohls. none of the elevators work. went in to get a coffee and then realized the directory was out of date because the gloria jeans ( and everything else) was closed.
Wow Stratford square mall is dead now sad floor has no stores namdar needs to step up and come ip with the plan to revamp stratford square mall
Seems like Nandar joins Kohan and Moonbeam!
Feels like Golf Mill Mall, Randhurst Mall and Town and Country Mall to me LOL
Actually covid factors influenced Round one’s foot traffic also the theater especially the 2nd time around.also the first round of Covid lockdown affected Harley Davidson showroom and 25 west brewery really hard.
Namdar has no reason to update the Directory. If they do, then why would anyone come here? The Fire Department forced them to fix the escalators. The Theater closed due to Covid. Century Theaters, owned by CineMark, felt that they were losing money already in 2019, but after the second shut down by Govener Pritzker, they felt the need to close because they were losing even more money. Honestly, I think that was a HUGE mistake. Had they kept it open, I feel that they would have seen more sales. But, We'll never know. Also, T-Mobile closed January 15th.
Seems to be the pattern with a lot of namdar malls. Doesn't surprise me that the fire department force them to fix the escalators instead of fixing them on their own.
If retail is healthy, then passive buyers are very healthy for the mall. They will bring in additional revenue essential for lower margin businesses where say 80% of the net income comes from the last 20% of revenue. Those shoppers are also keeping the habit of visiting physical retail and may shop there if their income increases or lifestyle changes in the future.
The problem for a mall like this though is that most of the quick service restaurants and cafes are gone, along with retail serving essential consumables etc that those shoppers are most likely to intermittently buy and help fund the ecosystem with.
Also, it is a simple fact that an empty section of the mall is way more dangerous than one with people around, even just considering accidents.
Great video and happy holidays
Thank you very much and Merry Christmas
Unfortunately, I think it's safe to say Stratford Square Mall is beyond saving in it's current form at this point, I'd say mall closes within the next year or two and giving what they're owners are, probably will be sitting vacant for a while
Just a damn shame Namdar let this all happen in just 3 years
Wow stratford square mall is dead now sad floor has no stores namdar needs to step
Up and come up with the plan to revamp stratford square mall
Basically the whole upper floor has no stores. WOW! But like I said, I've seen this before. It's so sad. And usually when they try to make a comeback somehow, it's so hard to make it
Wow you are correct I noticed that just watching this
I used to work in this mall. Sadly Bloomingdale took way too long to get involved with this mall. It was not noticed till about covid that this mall pretty much had a new owner every year and said the same thing about bringing this mall back to life. The owners never showed plans.
Forgot to post this comment, Burlington left on the 5th, new store opens the 24th. The town also is working on refining a plan for the property after they collected the community feedback last year.
Good video! Thanks.
Thank you very much
Burlington has closed February 5th and Visionworks will be moving across the street shortly as well. According to a redditer, the Visionworks people have been mentioning the mall will fully shut in April. The end is near.
I'll have to look into that.
Namdar has done a great job of killing Stratford Square. Wish the Village of Bloomingdale could sue them out of existence!
Any municipality in which one of their malls exist should sue them. I'm sure there are a lot of bills at there behind on
That was funny me and my wife was there a couple days ago and I was wondering if I was going to see you and now you have a video up
Are those decorating tiles or broken corners??? Sad sight, but looks well kept considering what is left…
Just sad about namdar my mall is different it died starting in 2009 when tanger outlets opened Washington crown center Washington pa, and my city had 2 malls Washington mall first Washington mall died because of Washington crown center and Washington crown center died because of tanger outlets even through it died because of tanger outlets Washington crown center mall got stores in the 2010s that moved from Washington mall such as Joann fabrics and didn’t work out the last original anchor was surprisingly sears which is rare for a mall normally it closes before Macys and it closed in December 2019 before Christmas 2019.
I didn't know it was still around. I thought a Woodman's was built on the site.
Wouldn’t be surprised if you can’t even film it next year... if it’s still open. I walked in today to take some pics and got hounded by security telling me that ‘they’re trying to get more people inside and can’t have photos of empty storefronts online’... I wasn’t even going to post them online, it was purely for memories 🙄 what kind of a mall doesn’t let you take pictures???
I worked at this mall in high school. In the food court. My first job. Sad to see it like this.
It really is depressing what this mall has become. I used to go there regularly to go to Cinemark and Round1. It’s nothing without those places, not to mention other stores have continued to close since then, such as Red Robin, Hot Topic, Burlington, etc. I’m starting to think the “Re-envisioning Stratford Square Mall” plan which Bloomingdale officials announced last October was a wasted effort. :(
I think in 7 years, Namdar will close the mall
I have no issues with mallwalkers
My friend Larry worked at great steak and potato
Namdar is tantamount to Moonbeam, the Titanic has arrived.
Looks like there are quite a few people walking around for what little is left in there
I guess there is another empty wing behind that closed wall and door
This mall was never going to survive being so close to Woodfield and Oakbrook
This mall needs help!
Other owner of mall that needs to leave it have a better owner looking really sad
Well whoever bought this building is up to no good but I won’t be surprise it would be torn down then rebuild it as apartments, my gosh this mall is so depressing, in my younger days, I used to go to North Riverside Mall, now I don’t know what it look like but I now go to Yorktown Mall it feels more comfortable there lol
Actually North Riverside I think is a nice mall. I think their JCPenney's is one of the best in the region
Namdar and Kohan... the evil duo.
Does anyone know when the Red Robin closed?
I'm thinking that it closed within the last 2 to 3 months. I was informed about it in a comment in another video that it had closed and that was about 2 months ago.
Company boss Igal Namdar has an estimated personal net worth of $2 billion.
Such a shame 🥺
This mall looks depressing
What's Namdar?
Namdar is the name of the Real Estate Investment Group that owns this mall. They have a history of coming into communities and buying their mall with promises and then they don't do what they are saying and they don't pay their taxes or utility bills. They are also known not to do basic maintenance either. I think what they are doing is just buying the land underneath the mall and not worrying about the structure itself