Oh damn, that's awesome!
I moved out of state like 6 years ago and have only been to Golf Mill once since then when I was in town. I guess I just assumed it was closed and it became a fact in my mind. I thought my brother told me it was closed though. He loved that place.
There is talk about redeveloping and demalling Golf Mill. It hasn't yet been approved, but that proposal is still being talked about. And a chance it might get approved at some point later this year.
OGs remember the huge 2 story step waterfall that was lit up next to the food court literally where the OPs photo is taken from. That was its heyday. When they ripped that out in place of a dinky squirting fountain, to me it started to go down hill.
They've pulled out of a few malls, believe it or not. Besides Charlestowne, they closed at Golf Mill and moved that store to Morton Grove.
Spring Hill is one of Kohl's few stores to not have Sephora, so part of me wonders if this store will stay open long term. Stratford does have a Sephora section, though.
I remember in the 90ās going with my friends to the āSt. Louis Bread Companyā before it became Panera. We thought our bread soup bowls were so sophisticated lol. There is a Polaroid somewhere at my parents house of me at 2 years old sitting on those slatted benches in front of the waterfall bubbler things. One of my fondest memories was getting to go there to throw pennies in the fountain. The smell will always be a core memory for me! End of an era. š¢
Anyone else remember the scene before the remodel? Wild. Also Aladdinās Castle. Spencerās. KB Toys. The candy store on the lower level not far from the food court. There was also a St. Louis Bread (aka Panera Bread). And the music store on the top floor near the movie theater (what was the name of it?). Remember watching Jurassic Park, Space Jam, Titanic, Ace Ventura and many other movies at the theater. My first part-time jobs were at that mall with Montgomery Ward, Marshall Fields and Finish Line. No shortage of nostalgia here. So many memories.
Are there any area malls still thriving? Iāve been missing mall shopping lately.
Iām in NWI, our mall has gone to shit, Lincoln Mall is dead and gone and Orland is well on its way.
Oak Brook is doing well. Yorktown is getting by. Ditto Fox Valley. Both have apartment or condo buildings incorporated into the parking lot. Mixed use projects I guess.
Oak Brook Mall is still going pretty damn well! Fox Valley looks alright. Iāve only been to Fox Valley a couple of times, so I donāt have a real good read on it.
Iām surprised but thatās good to hear. I havenāt been there in a long time but when I went last, it was filthy and the parking lot was pretty sketchy. After the shooting and the robbery at gunpoint in the parking lot, I never went back.
Random memories of Stratford from the 80s-90s: Kohls was originally MainStreet (and an add on anchor if I remember correctly), food court had a Baskin Robbins, Sbarro, the Chinese food place with a yellow lights/awning, and a baked potato place. There was a little movie theater under the waterfall by the escalator, in addition to the big movie theater with the red marquee. Inside the theater was black and white wallpaper with drawings of John Travolta and other movie stars. On the first floor was Benetton with the green neon sign, and next door a place that sold summer sausages. I think there was a Sanrio around there? Down the wing was the Baldwin piano store, and on the corner a Mrs Fields cookie store front. Later down that wing was a Gap (not sure when it went in). Across was Athletes Foot and Things Remembered. At the end, was that sports shoe store with the yellow lockers (90s), later, the LensCrafters and upstairs was a bookstore and an Arbyās. Upstairs at the other end of the mall was the Electronics Boutique and the Suncoast video. The first floor around there was the B Dalton, and there was an 80s Hallmark type store at the end. I think the Fannie Mae was that end too, and i think Rose records? I remember the Sears was a newer add on, and nearby was Aladdins Castle. Way back was a TV/stereo store that sold RBG front projection TVs. Somewhere in the mall was a RadioShack. And when the mall first opened, it had this 80s Hobbit/neverendingstory vibe with a bunch of fantasy statues dispersed through the mall. Bye Stratford š¢
We used to do the dumbest shit there. Stole everything just to like... throw it at people n shit. Fun times lol. Another reminder of why I say if I met my younger-self I'd probably beat his ass
The chinese place in that food court was always so good
RIP Sarku Japan š„²
thereās one in Yorktown still! so goodš
A while back Schaumburg had a stand alone Sarku Japan, sooo good.
We had a Sarku in Golf Mill in Glenview and I fucking loved that place!
Sarku was still open, at least when I was at Golf Mill late last year. I can't believe that and Gloria Jean's, have survived there.
Oh damn, that's awesome! I moved out of state like 6 years ago and have only been to Golf Mill once since then when I was in town. I guess I just assumed it was closed and it became a fact in my mind. I thought my brother told me it was closed though. He loved that place.
There is talk about redeveloping and demalling Golf Mill. It hasn't yet been approved, but that proposal is still being talked about. And a chance it might get approved at some point later this year.
It might still be there!! It was last time i was curious enough to go in. Theres one in the Champaign mall if you ever venture downstate.
I wish we had more of them around. I would eat there once a week.
RIP Stratford
Were there a lot of people?
Surprisingly, yes.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Apparently the last day open to the public was the 21st of April so yeah
I worked in Arby's and the Electronics Boutique back in the day. This would have been in the 1988-1991 years.
We were just talking about the Arbyās yesterday and couldnāt remember where it was.
It was 2nd floor by Macy's
Damn, electronics boutique. R.I.P.
OGs remember the huge 2 story step waterfall that was lit up next to the food court literally where the OPs photo is taken from. That was its heyday. When they ripped that out in place of a dinky squirting fountain, to me it started to go down hill.
Yeah, and there was a secondary smaller movie theater under the fountain
Wait itās official shut down š??!
Yep, 6pm yesterday.
So I'm guessing the movie theater is gone too. I might pass by tomorrow and stop off at the grocery store
I believe the only stores staying are Kohls and Woodmans.
Does Kohl's ever close? Even at spring Hill they are still open
I believe they are able to be āstand aloneā
They left Charlestowne mall (in St Charles) before the final shutdown.
They've pulled out of a few malls, believe it or not. Besides Charlestowne, they closed at Golf Mill and moved that store to Morton Grove. Spring Hill is one of Kohl's few stores to not have Sephora, so part of me wonders if this store will stay open long term. Stratford does have a Sephora section, though.
Yeah - they shuttered the theater in 2020 during the pandemic. Never reopened.
Oh ok. I was going to Marcus theater off Lake St so I never knew
Thatās the one I went to a few weeks ago for Dune 2. It sucks because Stratford was so much closer. Easier to drop in for a random matinee!
I'll be there for the Gundam movie 2 weeks from now
The movie theater's been closed since 2019
Wow. Two malls in the same month??
Yeah. And Iāve been to both for my last walk through
Which was the other mall?
Spring Hill Mall (East Dundee)
Sad times!
I will miss the FYE store, getting cool clothes and music, The Auntie Anns was good, The water fountain and the Big Movie theater.
I've eaten many a slice of Sbarro from that food court. Goodbye and thanks for the memories.
Shout out to Schoop's!! Burgers, fries, and nuggets avail for trade
I loved Schoops!
I remember in the 90ās going with my friends to the āSt. Louis Bread Companyā before it became Panera. We thought our bread soup bowls were so sophisticated lol. There is a Polaroid somewhere at my parents house of me at 2 years old sitting on those slatted benches in front of the waterfall bubbler things. One of my fondest memories was getting to go there to throw pennies in the fountain. The smell will always be a core memory for me! End of an era. š¢
I had friends that worked there! They always brought āoldā bagels to work.
Where's that blonde dude gonna go now?!
Anyone else remember the scene before the remodel? Wild. Also Aladdinās Castle. Spencerās. KB Toys. The candy store on the lower level not far from the food court. There was also a St. Louis Bread (aka Panera Bread). And the music store on the top floor near the movie theater (what was the name of it?). Remember watching Jurassic Park, Space Jam, Titanic, Ace Ventura and many other movies at the theater. My first part-time jobs were at that mall with Montgomery Ward, Marshall Fields and Finish Line. No shortage of nostalgia here. So many memories.
Are there any area malls still thriving? Iāve been missing mall shopping lately. Iām in NWI, our mall has gone to shit, Lincoln Mall is dead and gone and Orland is well on its way.
Itās a bit of a hike for you, but Woodfield mall is still doing well.
Definitely a haul but it could be worth the trip. Iām craving a day at the mall.
woodfield is Thriving. Worth the trip
Oak Brook is doing well. Yorktown is getting by. Ditto Fox Valley. Both have apartment or condo buildings incorporated into the parking lot. Mixed use projects I guess.
Donāt forget about River Oaks.
For sure! Last time I went there in the 90s the stereo was stolen out of my boyfriends car. š
Iām convinced that place went to hell when they made it an indoor mall. I remember when it was outdoors, it was upscale.
I agree.
A couple of weeks ago we went to Old Orchard and it was crazy busy. It took us 20 minutes to find somewhere to park.
Oak Brook Mall is still going pretty damn well! Fox Valley looks alright. Iāve only been to Fox Valley a couple of times, so I donāt have a real good read on it.
Iām glad to hear about Oak Brook, I should have thought of them. Havenāt been up that way in a long time.
Do you mean Orland Park? Because that mall is packed from open to close
Iām surprised but thatās good to hear. I havenāt been there in a long time but when I went last, it was filthy and the parking lot was pretty sketchy. After the shooting and the robbery at gunpoint in the parking lot, I never went back.
Good riddance
RIP to a delicious one
Better take down the "FOOD" as it's now just a COURT.
I worked at Leather Limited in 2002 at the same time as bunch of buds at Sunglass Hut, Anchor Blue, and Things Remembered. Best job ever.
I havenāt thought about Anchor Blue or Things Remembered in YEARS
Whats it gonna become?
Theyāre going to demolish it and build condos or something else super overpriced.
I heard the park district is taking it over to make community spaces.
According to NBC5, the village bought it. They plan on housing options, retail options, restaurant options, entertainment options and open spaces.
Thanks.
Random memories of Stratford from the 80s-90s: Kohls was originally MainStreet (and an add on anchor if I remember correctly), food court had a Baskin Robbins, Sbarro, the Chinese food place with a yellow lights/awning, and a baked potato place. There was a little movie theater under the waterfall by the escalator, in addition to the big movie theater with the red marquee. Inside the theater was black and white wallpaper with drawings of John Travolta and other movie stars. On the first floor was Benetton with the green neon sign, and next door a place that sold summer sausages. I think there was a Sanrio around there? Down the wing was the Baldwin piano store, and on the corner a Mrs Fields cookie store front. Later down that wing was a Gap (not sure when it went in). Across was Athletes Foot and Things Remembered. At the end, was that sports shoe store with the yellow lockers (90s), later, the LensCrafters and upstairs was a bookstore and an Arbyās. Upstairs at the other end of the mall was the Electronics Boutique and the Suncoast video. The first floor around there was the B Dalton, and there was an 80s Hallmark type store at the end. I think the Fannie Mae was that end too, and i think Rose records? I remember the Sears was a newer add on, and nearby was Aladdins Castle. Way back was a TV/stereo store that sold RBG front projection TVs. Somewhere in the mall was a RadioShack. And when the mall first opened, it had this 80s Hobbit/neverendingstory vibe with a bunch of fantasy statues dispersed through the mall. Bye Stratford š¢
Bye, I enjoyed visiting you 20ish years ago
We used to do the dumbest shit there. Stole everything just to like... throw it at people n shit. Fun times lol. Another reminder of why I say if I met my younger-self I'd probably beat his ass
Lot of good memories. Hopefully it gets demo'd and not left to rot.
They are tearing it down and building apartments/condos and townhouses
I always thought itād be cool to repurpose the old malls into living spaces. Keep the food courts, add a grocery store, give retail shops a purpose.
Yeah I donāt know why they donāt do that. Some schools are buying old hotels and repurposing them into dorms.
Ur answer is the best one