So sad...I worked in that building for 13 years (87-2000). Lots of great memories

@THEBaldEagle1

3 жыл бұрын

Yep Agreed Ames...was a company with a long history of "good memories and intentions"...wrapped around some very dumb decisions. They were the final nail in the coffin of Hills (vastly better company...yet still a dinosaur). And after 1998? Ames was pathetic. They could have (literally) kept a half a billion dollars...stuck their name over Hills on the outside of the buildings and ventured onward. But what they spent that "long bank money on"? Was a mystery. Ames was a disaster

Great video! I worked for Ames in this building from 1986-87 just before their ill fated purchase of Zayre's which earned them their first trip to Chapter 11. Ames was a horrible company to work for. Management by intimidation, long hours and low pay. I was hired as Jr Accountant and was a salaried, not hourly worker which means no overtime. When I was hired, what they DIDN'T tell me was that I had to work a full 8 hour day on Saturday from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Needless to say, my tenure there wasn't a long one. I kept in touch with several co-workers after I left and the funniest story they told me that when they were going through bankruptcy, they hired the ex CEO of Montgomery Ward to take over. He lived in Florida and had a miniature poodle who was afraid to fly. The company hired a chauffeur driven limo to drive the dog from FL to CT at a cost of $3000.00! Here stockholders were losing their shirts and employees were losing their jobs.

@Jlipper

5 жыл бұрын

Oh irony.

@joemancini327

5 жыл бұрын

I'm trying fathom how on earth that makes any sense.........Either way, it's quite halarious!

@unwavery

Жыл бұрын

well, Montgomery Ward CEO just wanted to sell off and scrap Ames as fast as he did Wards. pretty easy way to make 10000000's$$

LOL! I was just about to comment "this is the greatest exploration..." and you said it just as I was getting ready to type!

If I had a chance to explore this building, I would have taken the floppy disks to see what they may contain. They might contain someone's personal files or company information. If it was company information, that would have been cool to see what kinds of secrets that Ames had at the time. They would obviously be of no use to anyone since the company dissolved 17 years ago. The building that once housed the company will likely be demolished sometime in the future due to extensive mold infestation. That was most likely caused by vandals smashing all the windows, letting the rain and snow in.

That is some mold never even seen pink or purple mold either such a shame lots of little goodies left awesome you were in your element WallieB26.

Those taggers must've been out of their minds going into that moldy mess of a building

Absolutely incredible. Years ago I was truly hoping for this video... Now here, years later, I'm actually seeing it!!!!!!! Thank you Wallie!!! Been a fan for a long time and it's good to see these pop up on my youtube with ones I've not yet seen!!

Amazing video! Great work and lots of time spent there as well as on the vid itself, I’m sure. Thanks for presenting this to us and for all you do, Wallie!

Oh my gosh be careful, that is some nasty deadly mold

I would love to have those Ames shopping carts and that Ames hand basket

@robertaviles8451

3 жыл бұрын

Kinda surprised that he doesn't have a cart or basket from Ames yet!

It’s hard to believe that Ames went out of business in such a relatively short amount of time(in comparison to other long-established retailers) especially pre-recession. But that mold in there looked dangerous, kudos to both of you wearing respirators.

@gmcnewlook

5 жыл бұрын

Marth ace mentioned in captions in his video that even with the respirators, it still was pretty bad in there.....

Just finished your video. The ending was a bit somber. It's a bit sad to see a successful corporate giant such as Ames having to have filed for Bankruptcy. But their legacy will sure live on, thanks to you and your friends! Even though I was born in 1997, I could still feel the sorrow that was brought from seeing this be abandoned. Again, thank you for showing this to us! Stay Awesome, my dude!

I can just imagine working on that 4th floor and that elevator dinging all day long and suit-wearing corporate big shots coming and going all day long. Phones ringing, keyboards typing... they probably played the same cheesy music over the speakers like they did at the stores. Must have really been something.

@joeb63

Жыл бұрын

I remember my first few years there, people were able to smoke in their cubicles 🤮🤮🤢🤢

I’ve been practically salivating waiting for this to go up! Great in depth video, as always! 👍🏻❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

@dylanlewis2835

5 жыл бұрын

We relate unbelievably well LOL!!!!!

great, awesome video👍👍👍👍the shopping carts were awesome...

Wallie, love your channel, keep doing what you are doing! My brother in law worked for Ames in loss prevention and loved this company and also worked for Kmart up here in Rhode Island. I sent him your link to watch your videos and subscribe. If you ever travel up to RI or MA there are plenty of abandoned Benny's stores here that sadly closed about a year ago to do videos about. Thank You Wallie! JT

Fascinating! This one and the Northern Lights Mall one yinz did on Ames/Hills. Ames was dead in the water from Day One of its purchase (merger) of Hills. (Kinda felt like "working for the Pittsburgh Pirates". We knew it was gonna die fast and painfully). Ames was more of a financial mess than Hills was. They focused a LOT of initial-intention and resources on dumb things during the takeover (things like "retrofitting and painting stockrooms) that 1) weren't needed since the 1960s and 2) reopening/restoring backroom bathrooms and layaway offices that had been boarded up since 1985. Cost em a LOT of time and money during the relaunch. Stores LOOKED pretty, no doubt. Ames knew its stuff in terms of "down to the last nail in the 17th backroom cubby being redone" etc. But about 2 months after Grand RE opening? We knew we were dead. No chance. Walmart killed em. Fast and quick. I ran the store (formerly Hills/then Ames) in Lynchburg Virginia (after they closed the Richmond location...I was sent to Lynchburg. The staff...was AMAZING. SUPER TROOPERS all of em. Longtime employees who knew the customers and worked 20/30/+ years between both. Was sad to see Ames just "bag it and close". There wasn't even a TRY to sell it or downsize to save it. Or even a conversion. Nothing. Ames...just...closed. Now? The old stores just "sit there". Abandoned and dead. Godzilla-sized Stores they were. Cavernous. They went on forever. Now? All being ripped down. Gone. Forever. Or? A handful were released to some sucker who thought these massive caverns could survive as an "Ollie's" or an "American Freight Furniture" store. And closed 3 years after. Or (lol) "Steve & Barrys" (who had more shady numbers and problems than the Democratic National Committee). But I digress... Too big. Too much square footage. What "killed Hills"? Was Gold Circle purchase. Hamstrung em for the rest of their time. What "killed Ames" was buying Hills (long after Zayres and Gee Bees and Gold Circle and Caldor and Venture and Monkey Wards and on and on (Service Merchandise? Anyone?)...and INSTEAD of saying "well...we can use HALF the space here...in these 200k square foot monsters....SUBLET the other half to some gym or church or whatever.. And save retail? Nope. They all tried to "reinvent the wheel". A dead wheel. Dead since 1980. Sad to see (yet fascinating and fun) to watch these videos...as they document "what could have been" and what is left. Someday...a strip mall leasing company (the rare one...with a brain) will lease these gigantic spaces out for zippo. (They ain't making any money on dead space...may as well lease em and get some TRAFFIC back to the entrepreneur. ) And (Google "Clark Corners" someday)...when they DO that...the "retro craze" will pop up and you may once again-see a "Hills or Blockbuster or Pup A Go Go or Ponderosa or Gold Circle or Woolworth or WT Grants, etc" pop up and revive a great Era long gone. (Heck...a SMART businessperson can BUY these old name rights for NOTHING.) People LOVE shopping. People miss this Era. Ya don't gotta have a half million square feet of Hot Wheels Cars and Stanley Tools. Just a few. Don't need 16000 feet of "wraparound the whole building New Release Wall" (Blockbuster). Just a few. Less CAN be more. "Volume...without PROFIT...is lost effort " This Era is never coming back..as it once was. BUT...nostalgia works and can, if run smartly. (I for one am very much looking forward to the day where you can "go get a few toys at Hills "as Hills is where the Toys are" and then taking the kids for an "Isaly's Ice Cream" afterwards. Or? Folks can spend the rest of their natural born lives buying a shirt off Amazon that "may fit/may not".

Once again your videos are top notch,keep up the great work

AWESOME, the crown jewel of all Ames videos!!!!

I have a reallly good feeling those floppy disks have some pure gold training videos or something on them.

Hi Wallie.....this is Gary in Rochester, NY. I just learned you were in Rochester not all that long ago. Looking forward to watching your video of Greece Town Mall. I love the banter you and Kayla have together during your videos, and last night watched the memories video of your anniversary. It was very well done and especially moving for me. Not only from how you first met each other, but from the genuine love you have developed for one another. It shows. Love your humor, your style, and your variety. Keep up the great work !

At around 2:20 - that looks like an IBM AS400 computer. It’s likely ran a lot of their systems back when they were still operational

I loved this video, you found some great pieces of history, brings back memories, I used to work at Murpy's Mart in Fairmont till it Ames took over and went in with Hills!

I have seen the Hills listed in Butler PA. I have been there many times when I was a kid. We got one of our Christmas decorations from there. I still have a piece of merch that I have bought from Ames with the price sticker still on it.

Totally excellent, Wallie.

This is EPIC! I would LOVE to go there! Amazing work dude

As much as I liked Ace's video, I greatly enjoyed your longer form version. It really gives a feel of the place. Awesome video and finds. Great stuff!

@talesfromthelotuspodcast

5 жыл бұрын

Ace had that sad voicemail at the end

Home run as usual Wallie great video enjoyed watching

awesome bro the shopping cart is awesome seeing it to glad it lasted.

Awesome video wallie

Very cool. I used to work in an office building a couple miles from there. I didn't know they've been closed for that long.

Several Ames store explores and now finally the store’s corporate HQ building to round it out.

Ames talked about "in the quest for greatness." Well you both were already great explorers. BOTH your Ames Headquarters videos solidified your status as the best of the best. Glad you went for an extended video Wallie and adding your personal reflections like going to Hills with your father. Anthonys is special and unique because the video told the sad story of the demise of Ames. Both your videos are unique and both are moving. One of the best shots: the single green Ames cart showing as long as there are fans who CARE like you and Anthony the memory of Ames (and Hills) will go on, when A Plus customer service mattered (not like today with sleeping employees at Wally World.) As I commented in Anthony's video they could have taken these buildings and made them into schools, a new campus for a community or state college, housing, something. I've never seen mold of every ugly color. Smart to wear your respirators. So Santa came early for you both. Hope you have more gifts coming both your ways. Thanks for braving the nasty mold (which go visit Fast Eddies home and scare him!)

Man, I can tell you were in heaven with getting to check that out! I bet that was a dream come true for you!

Nice vid already saw ace adventures one keep it up!

That place is one major mess! Holy Mold, Batman! Great finds, though! Stay protected and safe!

That was an impressive amount of mold.

That mold was probably worse than the Ames in Essex, MD

I hope you were able to take some of those register tapes that's so cool that there's rolls are still there untouched

I never heard of ames befor. Im from milwaukee wi. We got alot banned buildings here. Our last kmart is go close in feb.

I knew you would go and explore there sooner or later.I'm glad you have been able to document the rise and fall of Ames.I know whatever "artifacts" you found you will be able to show people a little piece of retail history.I live in Michigan and Ames stores never came this far.In Troy Michigan is the former Kmart corporate offices,which are abandoned,I don't know what kind of shape they are in though and if they would be worth exploring or not.

@billweller64

5 жыл бұрын

@@peterjszerszen Well that's a piece of retail history I didn't know about Ames.Where I've lived most of my life,in metro Detroit,it was always Kmart.The former Kmart HQ is not to far from where I live and I've seen the video also.It's in bad shape.I saw the downfall of the Summit Place mall.My step sister lived across the street from there.So we saw that first hand.

Omg I was on the edge of my chair awesome scary video great had a blast.❤💓💕💖🖤💙💛

Another awesome video from the talented Wallie... Love all your videos!!! Thanks for sharing with us

@WallieB26

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so so much. It means a lot to be able to share my explorations with you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

Darn. Such a shame that nothing ever moved back in there. That old building must’ve seen a lot of different things and has a lot of character.

Huh, in that office, 33:51 there’s a thing for the bay (with the old big b logo) a department Store chain here in Canada, They are kinda Like Macy’s, odd it’d be there......

I saw Anthony video and wonder if any remedent of the ad or store buildings where still across. Somebody told me there was a CVS but wondering if saw something of those building. If not wish those where still around too.

Here in central Wisconsin we have several areas that are closed, though you probably won't get in to any of them: We have an abandoned (former) Staples and an abandoned Shopko.

I remember Ames as a kid! I also remember them going out when I was 12. Good times when I was a kid when they were in business and it was sad that they went out

@Cool200

5 жыл бұрын

Nice profile pic man. Go chase elliott

@EJCatoz

5 жыл бұрын

Cool 200 Thanks man! He’s been my #1 favorite driver after Dale Jr. (who was my #1 favorite) retired

@Cool200

5 жыл бұрын

@@EJCatoz yeah I got ya there. I moved to,larson and Elliott after dale retired

@chrisbarnett4719

5 жыл бұрын

Dale junior was my driver i like chase Elliott kyle larson alex bowman william Byron

Wallie B ( Welcome to CT. In NEW ENGLAND). Enjoy.

I used to go into Hills and Zayre when they were in the Chattanooga area and JANCO is currently redeveloping the site if you go to their website

Can't believe you did it with ace this video we amazing! But I do got a suggestion if you ever get a chance maybe go to the sorlds largest kmart and the most profitable one in guam but got to say this video was the best

To everyone wanting a basket: Check your local thrift/antique shops I found one at one of my local antique stores and the owner of the shop called the guy And I got it for three bucks.. Just reach out to people...

@willyum42

5 жыл бұрын

What basket?

@Lydwetzel

4 жыл бұрын

Ames carts or baskets. Theyre sought after by retail enthusiasts

I would say THE BEST ONE out there for the Ames Corporate office. I would have taken so many things

How did you get in from the bottom or something like I remembered?

i wonder how old that water jug is :) and i spotted New Philadelphia on that Hills store list awesome! :D

Very nice

I barely remember Ames from when I was a kid. The one at our mall closed and years later now has become and Ollie's on one side and a Dunham's on the other

@wallieb26. Hey I know you love Ames/Hills and I’m not sure how exciting it is but I know of a place you might be interested in visiting. It’s located in Monroeville PA and was formerly a Hills turned Ames. It then turned into a roomful express which last several years before closing. After several years abandoned Gander Mountain took it over and was open for about a year before they as well closed up. Place seems to have a retail curse on it. It is currently a temporary goodwill outlet store still wearing the gander mt look and will be open till July. Nearby is a now a Phantom fireworks that is a former Giant eagle next to what was a CVS pharmacy. Also right next to the plaza is an abandoned Get Go that’s recently closed and moved to a new location. Not sure how much content but figured you might have interest. The location is right off rt 22 and is easy to find getting off the parkway heading towards Murrysville.

I explored this a year before you and an just now seeing your video that you made on it. Weird seeing you guys into the same rooms that I went in and at 13:10 I can agree it was definitely hard to breathe in there and idk how I survived with no respirator we only had our phones and flashlights

49 minute video. *grabs popcorn*

@captain0981

5 жыл бұрын

*Grabs Pepsi*

@Karmy.

5 жыл бұрын

@@pinball541 according to Ace they grabbed a lot of stuff out of the building

@Karmy.

5 жыл бұрын

@@pinball541 same

@Karmy.

5 жыл бұрын

@@pinball541 it definitely seems like they took those cash cards though

@Karmy.

5 жыл бұрын

@@pinball541 and one of the baskets for carrying stuff in

There REALLY was not much to see here. This building has been gutted pretty good. Very moldy in places though.

That Bleep at 5:58 scared me, as I had my volume up near max.

Miss Ames was a good store to get deals at

I would love to have one of those dry erase boards

My favorite channel

I like the Hills store list too. Buffalo, NY was mine.

This was SO COOL to watch!! I don't know much about Ames aside from them taking over Zayre and I would've been 6 years old when that took place. I can't recall any Ames locations around Chicago either as I don't think my family ever went to one.

@pilotgrrl1

5 жыл бұрын

I grew up in Chicago, too. I remember Zayre, TurnStyle, and Venture, but I never saw any Ames or Hills stores.

@erickrosales2590

4 жыл бұрын

According to Wikipedia, they did have some Ames stores, but mostly in the south side of chicago

@josephsus4528

3 жыл бұрын

All the If the Zayers in Chicagoland became Ames.

@zaaz1471

2 жыл бұрын

you were 6 years old?? all i can say is screw you :D lol, just kidding, but i was working at Ames home office when they took over Zayre. so yeah, i'm old :D

@taylorp535

2 жыл бұрын

My grandma used to shop at Zayre ALL THE TIME! I found some REALLY old documents and saw when the Zayre turned to Ames back in the day… I grew up in IL and my family has always lived in this state, it was interesting to see the change! I still have Zayre stuff from my grandma and great grandma and won’t trade it for the world!!!!! It’s so cool to have!!!!!

42:19 Look at the front. Where it says Ames real big!

Awsome video s

Well tried to watch your newest video but it’s disabled in my country of “Canada “? Hopefully this is just an error ....................

Welcome to Hell, I mean Ames, Actually it's A living Hell of Ames creation

I’m shocked the building still says Ames the last one around here took the name down around 2004

Nice video, would love to have an Ames basket...

@zaaz1471

2 жыл бұрын

i'm guessing they don't keep anything, as it might then be considered "stealing"

Best. Explorer. Channel. EVER!!!

For whatever reason this corporate Ames building has a more eery than usual feel to it compared to other Ames that I have seen...

How Did you get in yo!!!

It sad to see that building in that bad of shape.

Hills was my store growing up, we had one over in Kingsport TN and that was the best store in the world when I was a kid. After Ames bought Hills out and it turned into an Ames I was only ever in the store twice, once due to an aunt moving back home from NC and she stayed hours in there until close and the other time winning a James Dean keychain I still have from a stop on the red light machine that was up front. I just didn't care for Ames. The Ames store was always a mess and they just never were as good as Hills. I often wonder if Hills hadn't sold out to Ames if they couldn't have downsized to a more regional market and survived like Magic Mart did down here. If they ever invent time machines there's going to be a lot of us going back to visit Hills Department Store. I wonder where the old Hills Corporate offices up in Mass are at? Are they still there? Did something else move in or what happened? Does anyone know?

WallieB!!! Don't know where to began such a great video! 1st of all, I know how much you love those shopping carts sure hope you took them or at least one and hand carrying cart as well.. I'm like you and not into taking something thats not mine but that building will have to be torn down and know one will care. You need at least one brotha.. I would of had to take red flatbed cart loved it. You and anthony deffanity needs gloves.. You guys rocked this video.. Hope you guys are ok that was some crazy mold.. The R sign was maybe RX from the pharmacy.. Not sure tho... Really just njoyed the video... You guys stay safe and stay awesome homie!😉

Well I’m glad I didn’t go in there more than 3’ today 😂 I can’t imagine how much worse it is now. The back door is literally wide open.

I wouldn't pick up any of Ames's stuff especially the carts and shopping basket because they are covered in mold that could make you sick.

14:54 Fall 2002? Must have been around the the that that place closed.

Wallie please go to a big lots to do a video tour off the store

Take those carts!!!

I see a lot of treasures there.............

I would've taken both those carts and the hills store listing

I'm curious what's on those floppy disk

WALLIE B AND HIS SPECIAL GUEST STAR ACE WOW!

Did you save the shopping basket? ( I hope you did.)

35:23 What is that machine that you focused on there? Is it an old Self-Checkout Terminal?

@Robf8621

4 жыл бұрын

Jlipper there was no self checkout back when Ames was in business

@VintageCars999

3 жыл бұрын

Looks to be something office related.

That neon cafeteria sign needs rescuing. Probably the only thing that saved it was it was behind plastic. Probably wont last much longer. :-(

@jeffmurphee1167

5 жыл бұрын

@Rick Delair Glad I am not the only one that likes electric signs. Ive been trying for years to get one of the mini golden arches Welcome signs like McDonalds have at their driveways. They are all being phased out with modern signage. Ive never been able to find one that was either complete, or not astronomically priced.

What new footage/content does this video add that Ace's 19 minute video doesn't have? I ask because I feel like we kinda saw pretty much everything in Ace's.

I had a whole. bunch of training manuals and videos at one time from the regional office that was in store 520 after we closed summer 1990

What would be crazy is actually to be able to see the past when you went into these and to go out and see the WHOLE internet cyber system all over the world crash and no longer be, yet the same problems of the past and present were still prevalent

Got new headphones then this video comes out, I’m happy happy happy HHAHAH

The ultimate Ames.

F'N 🆒👍👍 VIDEO..WALLIE!!!!!

please tell me you kept some of that shit in there. I would have kept some of those booklets or the store location poster. Show us your haul! lol

14:42 Ceiling Speakers why you not take it?

I'm gonna go thru my boxes I might still have some things with ames stickers on them.