East Brook Mall: Is It a Dead Mall? I Say Yes! 2024 Update. Mansfield, Connecticut.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มี.ค. 2024
- Join me once again as I take another look at East Brook Mall in Mansfield, Connecticut. I last visited this mall in July 2022 and it was dead then. It's worse now!
Let me know what you think about this mall in the comments!
This video was filmed in March 2024 at about noon.
If you liked this video, please don't forget to give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel. I plan to have more dead mall videos in the future. Thanks for watching!
Sources of information and historical photos:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Br...
thecaldorrainbow.blogspot.com...
cinematreasures.org/theaters/...
patch.com/connecticut/mansfie...
patch.com/connecticut/montvil...
www.theconnecticutscoop.com/co...
#deadmall #deadmalls #mall #connecticut #mansfield #shoppingmall #shoppingmalls #retail #nostalgia #malls #mallshopping #fleabittenadventures
This was my hang out in the 90's. I only live 10 minutes away and I haven't been in there in years.
Call me Mr. Eastbrook! I was an 80s-90s mall rat in that place. There was definitely a Waldbaum's there. I worked as a bagger at that location between '89-'90. "The Hoot," "Puppy Love," and an ice cream place called "Yummy's" were all in that main corridor until the expansion in '86. The Hoot moved to the new wing, then eventually across the street. Yummy's is now Subway. I think dinosaurs were still walking the earth when that Papa Gino's opened. I believe it's the only store that's been there since the 70's. There was a women's designer clothing store where the gym is. Ugh, the name escapes me, but I remember they'd have lava lamps out front for some reason. Fascinating for a seven-year-old kid.
The Hoot! and Puppy Love!! what a flashback. I remember eating at Papa Ginos and listening to Fleetwood Mac's Rumors on the mini jukebox at the table.
Starting from the area that used to be Olympia Sports: The store next to that used to be a Radio Shack, has been closed for about 8-10 years if I remember correctly. Next to that used to be Halmark, we would go every Christmas and get my mom a new decoration for the Christmas tree. The store that was "The art of home & kitchen" was only around for a very short while, it replaced the Waldenbooks that was there prior.
This was when I was really young, but if I remember correctly the spot that's now the fitness area used to be multiple stores; there was a store called "The Hoot" that is now across the street, a pet store called "Puppy Love" and a small shop that sold trinkets (Wind chimes, outdoor decorations).
The area that is now for military enrollment used to be an FYE I would frequent when I was young and when that shut down, it was turned into a toy store. Was a very large space, surprised it's only used for military enrollment now.
Thank you so much for doing these videos, this mall was a pivotal part of my childhood, used to be full of stores and people but now it's just a shell of its former self.
I forgot. That was strawberries. I got so many cds there
This was "the" mall when I went to UConn. I went there once, but didn't have my own car on campus. Couldn't be bothered going back. A&P bought the Waldbaum's chain in the 80s, so both could be correct. The whole thing is gone now as far as I know. The last Waldbaum's in the state was in Danbury CT. No idea if it's still there.
There's not much reason to go now.
When you see a liquor store in a mall, you don't even have to ask the question if it's a dead mall...
I agree. It's not a good sign.
True I would say 70% of the people who go to that mall are college kids getting booze as I did a few years ago
pointing out that before the Old Navy (17:06), the space was a Quester's Way, a children's play area. It opened in Spring 2016 and closed November 11th of 2019. They still have a website up where you can see pics of what it looked like and it was accessible from inside the mall. As far as I am aware, It was owned by the same owners of the Martial Arts school in the back (visible 18:42) and was connected to it and a cafe. They were outbid by Old Navy in August of the 2019 and seem to have completely shuttered, as all their social channels have gone silent in 2020.
Its surprising that Kohl's doesn't have its own exterior entrance. The only way to access Kohl's appears to be though the mall entrance.
There used to be an exterior entrance way back in the 70s, but it was sealed up allegedly to cut down on shoplifting. Not sure if that's true though.
@@fleabittenadventuresthat was back when the store used to be a Caldor’s. After that it was an Ames briefly before being vacant for a few years before Kohl’s moved in! I think if they would have gotten a Target in instead of Kohl’s it would have drawn a lot more people!
It’s dead Tim.
It’s sad to see what has happened to these malls. And especially the arcades. Kids can play those games from the comfort of their homes.
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it closes I'm the next 10 years or so.
Radio Shack was across from Papa Gino's, Next to that, before Caldor, was Al's New York Deli. Waldenbooks was B Dalton for a little while. The Hoot was originally in the middle before the 1986 renovation moved it to the new wing, it is across the street now. GNC has moved spots a few times. The Armed Forces Recruiting Center was a record store called Strawberries. The fitness center was 2 different clothing & apparel stores. Waldbaum's was originally an addition soon after the 86 renovation, it was A & P for a little while after before closing. There was a fountain inside, also. Kaybee Toys was by the Subway store front whish was Yummy's, an ice cream shop.
I walked through the Crystal Mall three days ago. It was a Sunday, and pretty much dead as a door nail.
Yup. I'll be doing a follow up on the JC Penney there around the time it closes.
That movie theater is still my go-to for just about any new movie, I love the outdated look of it and the rest of the mall in general. It’s really a shame seeing it reduced to basically just 3 or 4 stores and the Movieplex keeping it afloat, I think the Army Recruitment center really is the most obvious indicator of how bad things are getting
I went to college at nearby Eastern Connecticut State University. East Brook Mall was small and pretty forgettable in 2003. There is a vintage looking Papa Gino’s restaurant at East Brook Mall. I remember the Ames store and when it closed.
Same in 1988-1989 Escutcheon student
The record store in this mall in the late 1970s/early 1980s was excellent, but I can't remember its name. Due to its close proximity to Shaboo, the store had a great selection of lesser-known punk/new wave records, plus some by local acts. In 1980, my friends John and Todd and I walked into the store and each of us bought a copy of "End of the Century" by the Ramones, which had just come out a day or two before.
You are a braver person me I I’d be afraid to try candy from one of those machines. lol Great video though.
Thanks! I haven't gotten sick yet....
I'm afraid I might break a tooth or get a mouthful of ants...
@@fleabittenadventures I think I may have jinxed you with my comment. 😂
The gym use to be the hoot. Which moved across the street next to staples.
I vote dead mall Tom, and definitely showing it's age and a lack of maintenance. The 80s band is also the first thing that came to my mind as well, when you mentioned Cutting Crew. Think they were a 1 Hit Wonder with "Died in your arms tonight" If they had any others that charted, I don't remember them
Cutting Crew also had the single "Dance Hall Days". You'd probably recognize it if you heard it. Thanks for watching!
@@fleabittenadventuresYou sure that wasn't Wang Chung on Dance Hall Days ?
I used to work at the mall in 1996-1999 at Caldors. It used to be across from Papa Gino's. Where the fitness center is was a shoe store. There was a bank to the left when you first walked in.
The movie theater wasn't there till early 2000's. There was an all you eat Chinese store
I worked at that Caldor for 11 days in April 1985. I was working full time for the Journal Inquirer in Manchester, but I wanted to make some extra money to buy camera equipment. I applied for a job in the photo department at the Caldor in Vernon. That location didn't have any openings, but they asked me if I would be interested in working at the Eastbrook Mall store. I said OK, but it didn't work out because of my hours at the J.I. in Manchester. One week after starting at Caldor, I told my boss that that Saturday would be my last day. She asked me if I could give them a two-week notice, to which I replied, "Two weeks?!? I haven't even worked here that long."
I hated delivering to that Dollar Tree. It’s kind of a pain. I think UCONN and Eastern keep them in business.
That's what I heard. Thanks for watching
The Hoot was at the corner to the new section where the workout place is. The corner store that was where the movie place is now was Tubridy’s (named the owners last name).
Don't think I've ever seen a packie inside a mall.
I think I've seen one other.
Local resident here. 90 percent of that mall’s business is the subway and Papa Gino’s.
Most of the other businesses get minimal foot traffic. Even the old navy doesn’t get a lot of business. The package store is sometimes patronized as well. The fitness center is somewhat active, but at least half of the mall’s available store areas are vacant, and many of the businesses there are crashing hard. That theater sees maybe 5 people per theater for a typical screening. Asian Bistro is never busy, even on Friday nights. And the GameStop there gets maybe 10 customers on a good day.
Me and my family go to the Asian Bistro from time to time on special occasions. Very good restaurant (Sushi and Hibachi is awesome), and probably the single reason why we ever go to this mall. Big recommend if you’re in the area.
Mattress Firm is gone now. It's dead.
Also the last store to occupy the fitness center was The Hoot before they moved across the street to the Staples plaza. That was early 2000's.
KB Toys used to be where Subway is now.
I forgot WaldenBooks used to be in there.
That's also the only remaining Papa Gino's in CT.
Cool! Thanks for the info!
It's my mall location east brook mall is my fav mall! :)
12:40 a former radio shack, hallmark used to be part of the current frog bridge gymnastics (left half of it)
The internet killed malls.
Definitely
A lot of factors did once you think about it...
That and people are not having kids. Older folks are less likely to spend money.
Or people wised up and stopped spending money on useless junk.
I frequent that mall all the time. In fact, my mom used to work at the Caldor.
That Elvis Pinball makes a lot of the same noises from Space Invaders Pinball that was part of Windows XP, seems like it might be the same table layout too or very similar, very interesting
The intro music sounded like 2001 A Space Odyssey.
That mall doesn't look like it's ever been updated which is a very bad sign
The only thing that’s been updated is the tenant spaces, the hallways never have been except one new narrow hallway created to the right of kohls that used to be a storage area
The Michaels space was an expansion in the 2000/2010s.
I remember going to this mall with my friends when I was a kid, it wasn't the best mall but I still have good memories here. Pretty sad to see it this way.
The fitness center used to be The Hoot at one time that moved across the street though it was easier to get in and out of when they were in the mall!
That mall is DOA!
I agree. Thanks for watching.
Oh you did cover this mall.
The Hoot used to be where the gym is now. It moved across the street next to the Staples.
You are way too brave to try candy in a candy machine at a dead mall.
I think it's generally safe, unless it's moldy or discolored. Thanks for watching
Been dead a long time. Honestly not sure how it stays open.. it's just a glorified strip mall at this point. Also, that mattress firm store was ridiculous. Went in there and they were serious when they quoted 14k for an adjustable bed frame and foam mattress
Wow, $14k for a bed? That's crazy!
@@fleabittenadventures yeah exactly.. that's why they ain't in business anymore lol
@@Cryptic1911from what I’ve experienced, the staff was also pretty rude, so that’s another thing
The health club used to be a few small stores that sold collectibles. The hoot. And some others. All the theaters are running. Eblens was on the other side of the mall.
My friends always called eastbrook "the dirt mall", like in Mallrats.
Before it was a mall, there was a music venue there called the shaboo.
That Easter setup was claires. The frog bridge was a pet store called puppy love, then ha
waldenbooks, hallmark,
Subway was an ice cream shop called yummys.
that wasn't kaybee it was radio shack. Kaybee was closer to the mattress store.
Dune was playing on a few screens
Malls are fabulous in Tucson because of the heat. But, I have seen some that are now gone.
Same in Phoenix. Arrowhead, the two Fashion Squares, and AZ Mills.
I'll have to check them out if I'm ever in Arizona.
I still go the the movies there once in a while. Haven't seen the rest of the mall since radio shack closed. They shot a Christmas movie there a few years ago. I forgot the name. It was about a mall Santa i think.
Will you do a revisit of Danbury Fair? Target is planning to open there next month
Probably, but not in the near future.
I remember when a two screen theater was a big deal in the small town of my childhood!
I have seen deader malls but that's pretty dead. You don't see many store converted into movie theatres like that. Those screens must be small.
I read that 2 or 3 are a decent size, but the rest are tiny.
We has a Skaggs that turned into a OSCO Drug here in town that had a lot of water stains. As a shopper, we notice. The store is gone now.
Yes, it's a bad look. Makes the place feel dirty and rundown.
The ceiling is so low in this mall. Make it feel super small.
Yes. It probably has the lowest ceiling I've ever seen in a mall.
I definitely would not say it’s a dead mall because they still have a fitness center in there…….LESS GOOOOO!!!!
Fair enough
Hawley Lane in Trumbull is smaller
Depends on how you are measuring. Because the anchor stores are bigger at Hawley Lane, it's technically bigger in square footage than East Brook.
I went to this exact mall the other day right when I entered it felt dead and I walked right out.
its weird that some stores have outside only entrances and some have inside only entrances. I think anything with 30-40% vacancy is dead or dying mall.
I agree. I would think it would help the stores and the mall if there was access from both the mall and the parking lot, but what do I know...
@@fleabittenadventuresI think old navy only wanted one entrance to cut down on shoplifting.
I would consider it a strip mall with most of the stores from outside
A strip mall with an indoor hallway.
Honestly the thing that amazes me most about this mall is how you fit 8 screens in that theater?! Must be tiny auditoriums.
I think 2 or 3 of them are a decent size and the rest are much smaller.
You can kind of see 4 of them when he walks in all on the left side and the other 4 are in a hallway next to the Garfield poster along with the restrooms, those 4 are smaller theaters but have better reclining chairs while the main 4 are average sized with basic uncomfortable seats
This is definitely a dead mall. There's not much left at all.. If you're ever in CT again you should check out the Westbrook Outlets as I read they are being torn down and redeveloped within the next year or two .. along with that, there's the Clinton Premium Outlets ( not dead but worth a look) less than 10 min down the road from Westbrook .. thank you for putting in all the effort filming all of these malls since many of them don't seem like they will be around much longer ..
The Hoot moved to the plaza across the street where Staples is.
I brought my mom there in April 2024 and the last time I've been in there was probably 2006 it's definitely dead ebleans was my favorite store .
I say not a dead mall but not live either - it's too small and weird to really classify. Too many stores not accessible from from inside, but major stores outside.
Oh it's definitely dead. Has been for years.
Did you ever get to Visit Wilton Mall when you were in the Albany Areas.
Yes. It's coming up eventually. Thanks
Kaybe was two doors down from Papa Gino's in it's time. I think that store you thought was Kaybe was a Pet Store called Puppy Love the Pet Store.
Correct.
The hawley ln mall in trumbull has got to be 1/4 the size of eastbrook.
You won't see many if anyone at all playing the pinball machine.
Probably not.
I think Radioshack was in the location you thought had been Hallmark.
A liquor store? Yea, dead and full rigor on this one.
liquor store, mattress store, and a military recruiting office. the trifecta of mall death.
Keep in mind there are two college campuses nearby.
I agree
True.
I agree
Michael's jewelry? It's a hobby/craft store. :)
Oops. Michael's Jewely is another store.
@@fleabittenadventures ...so it is a thing. Didn't know.
Michaels is a craft store
Yup. My mistake. There was a Michael's Jewelers in my hometown that I'm thinking of.
Making jewelry is a craft.
12:31 That was a GameStop
wrong, gamestop is still in the mall. this was radioshack
If you want to see some truly dead malls, just come to the midwest. My local mall's food court consists of a single Chinese carry out.
I grew up a mile from east brook mall… I know a lot of history…. I also know alot of history of surrounding area…contact for more info…
FYI - a&p IS waldbaums parent company
Ok. Thanks for the info. I wonder how this particular store was branded though.
The only way malls will ever make a comeback is it the internet goes down permanently which society would be so much better off that's part of the reason the world is the way it is today
I have a question: What is the largest, most dead mall you've been to in Connecticut?
I would say it is dying. More and more places are closing
I'm more of a fan of WallieB26 because he does much better dead mall videos than Fleabitten Adventures
Thanks for sharing
More bad news at the Meriden Mall. The Dick's Sporting Goods is closing.