A well-known shopping mall in the Chicago suburbs has permanently closed after being open for 40 years. Stratford Square Mall officially shut down this past weekend.
Final Goodbye: Stratford Square Mall Closes
NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV reported that this mall closed its doors to the public for the last time on Sunday, April 21, and marked the occasion with a special event.
The closure news arrived one month after the mall in Bloomingdale announced its impending shutdown. Opened in 1981, this shopping hub once housed well-known brands like Sears and Marshall Fields.
The website for the 43-year-old mall was taken down on Monday, April 22.
Employees say the mall had seen better days before it closed.
"If I ever wrote a book about my time here, no one would believe it," said Stephen Miller, who has been a janitor at the mall for nearly 40 years. "This place was completely different. We used to have different stores, and during Christmas, the parking lot was so full we couldn't find a spot."
Miller shared with NBC Chicago his long history at the mall, during which he witnessed everything from the opening of new stores and a movie theater to remodels and escalator accidents.
"It's amazing to see it all come to an end," he said. It's sad, really. If there had been a will, they could have saved this mall."
Recently, the mall was acquired by the Village of Bloomingdale.
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Village Explains Reasons Behind Mall Closure
A Facebook post by the village detailed the reasons for the closure of Stratford Square Mall, citing shifts in consumer preferences among other challenges.
"Stratford Square Mall, born from the 1980s mall-building boom, struggled to adapt to the evolving retail environment unlike other enclosed malls," the post explained.
The village's message also mentioned that the closure was due in part to unsuccessful negotiations between local officials and the mall's owner, Namdar.
The post stated, "Despite efforts by the Mayor and Village Board to work with Namdar, the negotiations did not succeed."
As a result, the Village of Bloomingdale decided to take control and independently acquire the mall and its anchor stores.
Although the mall has closed, the village has announced plans to redevelop the area. "After taking over the property earlier this year, the Village is set to start a major mixed-use development project," the post announced.
Residents Share Memories as Mall Closes
Local residents also expressed their nostalgia in the comments section of the Facebook post.
"I used to go there all the time. So sad," commented one user.
"I was the manager at a women's clothing store there when it first opened, just two stores down from Carson's on the upper level," another shared.
"It was a beautiful mall and always busy. It's a shame to see all these malls closing," reflected another local.
Instead of shopping bags, visitors to Stratford Square Mall brought memories of its bustling past. Liz Jaffe, a regular since its 1981 opening, now visits to walk, noting the pandemic's severe impact on mid-sized malls.
Michelle Legge, alongside her daughters, reminisced about crowded Sundays, contrasting them with today's online shopping trend. Carol McGoldrick, accompanied by her daughter and their dogs, felt a sense of loss.
Her daughter Kelly recalled fond moments, from dining at local eateries to shopping for milestone events at the mall's stores. This closure marks the end of an era for a once-thriving community hub.
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