(02/17/2024)

UPDATE (As of April 21, 2024): Stratford Square Mall is now closed.

This was my final visit to Stratford Square Mall. They are tearing down the mall after they close on April 21, 2024. After filming I became very emotional because I spent almost my entire childhood at this mall (including Charlestowne Mall), and I have seen this mall during its golden days. I have seen this mall decline, decline, and decline until nothing was left. This mall was iconic in the 1980s due to its architectural perfection. There used to be a waterfall with two sets of escalators next to it, that was removed in 1999 and replaced with a big circular water fountain that blasted water up 20 feet in the air. There used to be vast selection foliage scattered across the mall to give the mall a nature feels. Unfortunately, most of the foliage was removed during the 1999 renovation however some trees and plants still remain. There used to be a glass elevator in the FunFlatables court that was surrounded by a water display and foliage, those were removed in 1999 and replaced with two escalators. The glass elevator was moved to the center court for convenience however I don't think it would be problem keeping the old one. There used to be interactive sculptures in each wing of the mall that would attract a lot of people to stores (almost like how Woodfield did theirs), All sculptures were removed in 1999 and 2000. The mall used to feature laminated brown tiles that made you feel like you were walking an old nature trail, most of the tiles were replaced with vinyl tiles in 1999 however some still remain in chunks to show you what the mall used to be like. During the 1980s, the mall used to have a grizzly bear statue outside of the mall for decoration however that statue didn't last long as a few years later it was removed. This mall used to host exhibition events where people can experience history for free instead of going to museums and paying for admission.

DISCLAIMER:
Some clips in this video were filmed in RESTRICTED areas that were either LEFT OPEN ON ACCIDENT or LEFT OPEN ON PURPOSE. Whatever you do, DO NOT GO INTO THESE AREAS!

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:58 - Carson Pirie Scott Wing
1:48 - Burlington Coat Factory Wing
3:50 - Strada Court (FunFlatables Court)
4:34 - Center Court
6:43 - Kohl's Wing
10:10 - Macy's Wing
12:38 - JCPenney Wing
16:45 - Main Entrance (Upper Level)
18:09 - Sears Wing
21:49 - Leaving the mall

Bull & Bear Axe Throwing:
https://bullandbearaxe.com

FunFlatables:
https://www.funflatables.org

Bob Nikolic's video of Stratford during the 1990s (Video 1):
   • Schick Rd, Bloomingdale IL 1997  

Bob Nikolic's video of Stratford during the 1990s (Video 2):
   • Dragoljub i Aleksandra Nikolic 1990  

Stratford Square Mall Wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratfo...

Music used in this video:
SBTracks - Slither (Underground Hip Hop Instrumental)
https://www.audiomicro.com/melancholi...

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