I grew up in nearby hanover park and this was the mall I always went to. I remember the old multilevel fountians having a bunch of coins at the bottom. The benches were right next to them. The fountians were massive in person, the bottom level was like a deep swimming pool. From what i remember the original theaters were behind the fountians or atleast the entrance was. I remember alot of brown concrete that was smooth and not rough. I forgot about the red and concrete elevator until i saw it in the video and this was all back in the 90's. Was so disappointed when they did the renovation and got rid of the fountians and the whole ascetic i loved as a kid. They did keep the wood work on the ceiling though. I remember pennys, kaybee toys, sears, kohl's and in recent years an asian decor shop as well as a disney store. Hot topic was there too. Last time i was there was sometime around 2018-19 and it still had some life left in it. The food court had sabarro's and a Chinese restaurant amongst others. Used to get dvds from FYE. I'm really sad to see the state it's in. This was my favorite mall next to woodfield. Thank you for the walk through, I may take a trip out to see it one last time. Creepy guy following you around was worrisome though.

I guess one would call this mall the diamond in the rough that got ignored. It is a shame that they did come when they built it, but that this mall didn't stand a chance outside the better times precisely because of its location. Too bad that Feldman had to let it go to Namco or whatever that mall slum lord's company name is. Please don't say that the next one is the finale! I hope your seasons are closer together than today's unpredictable tv programs. I know that there are only so many dead malls to cover in relatively close proximity to you, but this almost weekly look into the dead mall documentary world is something I honestly look forward to. Thanks again for all the effort that goes into these videos, especially with ones like this.

I worked for the original mall developer, Urban Investment and Development (JMB Realty purchased Urban from Aetna in late 1984), starting within a few weeks after the mall opened in March 1981. Urban was very proud of this project. It was part of planned development that was to include a community of homes to be built by Urban's residential affiliate. It was not easy to get too and probably should not have been built. It was part of strategy that the anchor stores, particularly, Marshall Fields, Sears and Carson's had with Urban and Homart (Sears' development company) as to the placement of malls circling the Chicago metro area. The original malls being Old Orchard, Oakbrook and River Oaks. The later malls being from north to south - Hawthorn, Stratford Sq, Fox Valley Mall and Orland Square (being Urban's). Woodfield was developed by Taubman. Homart had a few, one being near Hoffman Estates and the other Louis Joliet.

I’m originally from the Chicagoland area, and this was so well done. We saw A Christmas Story in that theatre in 1983. The original building was designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright. I hope to God they can repurpose it somehow. With Bloomys pulling out of downtown Chicago and San Francisco, maybe they can reinvent the retail space. Thank you.

It says "1 view" so I am assuming my early walk made me the gold medalist this week.

Here’s what’s sad…… kids nowadays don’t get to experience the joy that came with hanging out in a mall. Such great memories. It’s was such a better time back in the 80’s.

That mall looks like someone puts a lot of love into it.

Stratford square mall is closing on April 21 2024 rip Stratford square mall 1981 2024

I was a northwest suburbs kid in the 80s so spent most of my mall time at Woodfield in Schaumburg and Hawthorne in Vernon Hills. I only got down to Stratford Square a couple times. I was always shocked as how out in the middle of nowhere it was. These malls were always the place to be during the holiday shopping season to see the Santa displays and just always jam packed with people. Like others have said, like absolutely packed and you could barely walk. I miss those days.

This mall is really great looking. It looks fairly modern even though the ceilings still have the original wood panels. Removing the fountains and conversation pits was a bad idea for the mall. Unfortunately it seems like the mall will shut down in the near future. Excellent video as always.

I went here 3 weeks ago, about a month before its permanent closure. There were only about 6 stores left and one of them was closing the day after I visited, and only one restaurant was left in the food court, which was Ana's Kitchen. The whole place had such an amazing atmosphere despite being on its last legs, and if it had still been busy, it would have been such an amazing place to be. Something also worth noting is that an old directory still exists by the Sears wing that displays the map before the demolition of Macy's, which highlights a fourth mall entrance, and I saw that not realizing it was outdated and was so confused when that entrance didn't exist... 😅

Love the ceilings and lines in this mall. Absolutely beautiful. It looks pristine, very well maintained.

In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful malls. I've never been there but I love the design with all the geometric design and skylights. So sad because it is a beautiful looking place.

I went here as a kid so many times. Thanks for capturing this place before it's gone. There used to a big water fountain inside, and the movie theaters in the corner were a great touch.

I think it’s so cool you travel around to document all these malls

I wouldn't even know where to begin sharing my memories of this mall so I'll just drop one. Back in 2013 it was a rainy Halloween and we decided to take my son trick r treating in the mall and we were not the only ones with that idea. It was PACKED. I mean like Times Square NYC packed. It breaks my heart to see the place the way it is now but thank you for preserving it anyway.

I worked at Woodfield Mall (JCP) and they would send us to Stratford for training. I loved that mall, it reminded me of a city with it's architecture. PS - it is prounounced WEE-boldts - that store was fun. :)

It was great to see a video about this mall; it is so sad that it is nearly empty. I used to go to this mall all the time as a kid in the 80's (and still continued going to it until about a year ago), it looked very different then. I remember the giant cascading fountain that was there before the remodel that replaced it with the FYE. That was the coolest fountain I've ever seen in a mall. it had walls like a cheese grater, so as the water came down off the top part it would hit the parts sticking out and spread the water around as it fell. The FYE used to have an arcade in it. Did you notice that small entrance to FYE on the Left side near the bathrooms? that used to be the entrance to the arcade, there was also an entrance in the back of the store near the T-shirt section. But that arcade lasted maybe a year before they closed it; it wasn't a very good arcade. It was mostly redemption games. It was definitely a poor replacement for the arcade that used to be there.

I worked at Sears for 9yrs from 17-26 yrs old. It was an awesome time in my life. That mall was awesome. The friends that were made, that hanging out with friends after we got off whether it was to go to a movie or go out afterwards. Or hanging out at someone's job waiting for them to get off. Christmas season was enjoyable there. Sad to see what it came to.

I love how the pillars look like you're walking under giant mushrooms! Love the modern almost cabin-like feel of the place!