Update: this mall has continued to die and now half of the stores are empty. New stores often open up in the mall but then close within a matter of months.

I was at Cranberry Mall the first week it opened. I lived in rural Baltimore Co., MD close to Carroll Co., MD. For me the mall is much more than a building full of stores. My son was young when the mall opened, he loved it from the first visit. My son saw Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny at the mall, he trick-or-treated at the mall, I bought his clothes and shoes at the mall. I did the majority of all.of our Christmas shopping at the mall. We made countless wishes on pennies tossed into water at the mall. My son had arcade and pizza birthday parties at the mall. We used to go to the mall with my parents. My father and my son would go off together, while my mom and I shopped, so they could look at guy stuff, they usually wound up sitting on one of the bench outside Penny's having grandfather and grandson chats. A lot of wisdom was subtlety and casually imparted during those chats. I bought my first computer at the mall, my first cell phone from the mall. My housrhold appliances, furnishings, nick knacks, homegoods came from the mall. We went to movies at the mall. We got treats at the treat shop, pizza at the pizza place, smoothies, astronaut ice cream, big pretzels, cinabons, chinese food, etc.. We went shopping for school clothes, shoes, winter coats, snow boots, school supplies, backpacks. We bought books and magazines in the book store. Clothing was bought there to wear to parties, weddings, graduations and funerals. My son bought his video systems and games at the mall and spent hours in Gamestop checking out ganes and playing demos, he also played the game demos in Sears. We waited outside the mall, sometimes very late at night, or in the wee morning hours for video game platform or game releases. My son grew up in the mall. He used to skate down the interior ramps on his heelies. He worked in two stores in the mall while a teenager and also while in college. Cranberry Mall in Westminster was as important to my family as their small town main streets were to my parents generation. Cranberry Mall was my son's equivalent of a small town main street. Almost every part of the place holds memories for me. If the mall is torn down it will hurt, it will be as if what was once my town, my main street has been bull dozed away all at once. I'm sure it will feel even worse for the people my son's age that grew up going there for most of their lives. The death of a mall is a sad thing, and the destruction of a mall is much more than simply stores being torn down.

I’ve lived in Westminster all my life and always loved going to this mall as a kid and even hanging there with my friends after school while I was in high school. I remember a time when it was thriving but now I can’t see it ever coming back. Makes me sad but with horrible management from the past it has gone down hill. I’d be surprised if it’s still here 5 years from now

Sal, I really enjoyed the little shout out to Payless; doing things like that really puts a unique stamp on the video and makes it truly yours. As has already been mentioned, the video moved right along, at a very nice pace, and, at the risk of repeating myself yet again, I didn't want it to end. My only recommendation is that you watch the volume on your background music, as it came close to drowning you out a couple of times early on. Congrats on 1300+ subscribers and yet another great job! Can't WAIT for #19 (& 20 & 21...)!

The info you give MAKES the whole package of the video for me, fascinating background.

I grew up in Westminister and got a job at the Chick-fil-A in Cranberry mall from 96 to 98. The mall seemed to be really busy then and all the retail space was taken up. I didn’t have a car back then so I walked to work on 140 all the way to and from Gahle Rd. The mall was the place to hang out back then! The arcade and the movie theater. My brother worked at the movie theater and we got in free to see late night movies with a huge bag of popcorn. Anyone on here graduate from Westminister High 1998 (or close to)? I since moved away from MD. Lived in Florida for over 20 years now. Cranberry Mall did always seem “out of place” for such a small city but I’m grateful for it. Thanks for the history lesson!!

1st time Ive seen a video about my home mall. Only 7mi from where I grew up since 1985. Got my 1st Murray BMX bike at Caldor. My mom worked at KB Toys for a few years. Absolute EPIC arcade called Dream Machine was killer.Played a lot of hackey sack in the closed wings late 90's. The fountains were epic, the floors are ORIGINAL, and it's a serious interior design relic. Cranberry forever. I have to say though, this mall is alive and well. Visited recently.

Today the mall is very dead. We used to smoke weed on that playground on the hill back in the day lol. I lived in and still live in Hampstead so i go to westminster all the time. Great times at that mall. Now it's pretty much empty

I found myself in Westminster a few weeks ago, with several hours to kill, so I stopped in at the Town Mall to hang out for a while. I had never been there before, so I didn't know what to expect. The mall was moderately busy, with senior adults walking, a few people shopping. The mall itself was quite dark. Much to my surprise there weren't any clothing stores (one of the mainstays of most Malls), and there were very few places to eat. About 60% of the spots were occupied, which was a bit of a pleasant surprise. It will probably survive for at least a few more years. Your synopsis is still valid: not thriving, not dead, but still limping along in 2022.

And that lazer store was originally a Roy Rogers, KB was left of it, and down the hall are the restrooms

Sal: You need to revisit Westminster Town Center. It's fading away quickly. There are fewer stores and the arcade was closed when I was there today. You know a mall is in trouble when Chic fil a closes.

Love the big fye here and the pizza place. Used to go to Steve and Barry's here too lol

Fun fact: the first store at 5:04 was a Shenk and Tittle. It was like sportswear and shoes. Then they moved ACROSS THE HALL and opened a new store. Mustard Seed moved in. Shenk and Tittle folded. Both stores have the same decor because they BOTH have the Shenk and Tittle design.

Caldor’s, that’s going back some. Another great production , great research as always. Spectacular narrative. You maintain a sense of reverence for this subject so many can relate to. Truly a paradigm shift in documenting Dead Malls

I remember going to this mall as a child. I've seen some many changes to this mall. It's crazy.

That Lasered Edges has been a TON of things over the years, but in the 90s, it was a Roy Rogers, then some homemade country crafts place. It was overflow seating for Chick-fil-A with a TV that played kids movies and had toys. And now it's whatever it is. I hate that hall to the bathroom. And that's the only public bathroom in the mall. It's so dark and creepy back there.

This reminds me of North Plaza Mall on the corner of Joppa Rd and Perring Parkway in Parkville, MD. It was a quintessential 70's/80's mall. You know, with the wooden slat benches and brick court yards? Very small with only a few shops, Chinese restaurant, Italian pizza place, a Hallmark store and candy shop, Hair Cuttery, and two anchors. By the early 2000's, I assume the new owners decided to flip the stores to a strip mall style. It's a very bustling shopping center now with an additional Safeway, Chick-fil-A and a YMCA. But I feel like I know it's secret mini mall past. I think about dropping coins in the fountain and the hollow sound of the hallways as a child. Thanks for reminding me of those memories!

I spent a lot of time in that mall growing up..love the arcade that was in there back in the day..

RIP that Sears 1/6/19

Westminster!! More stores have closed since then, it's kinda sad now especially that the Chick-fil-A is closed

You master these Dead Malls Sal! 👊💪👍

Payless is on borrowed time too. Well done video.

I have no idea how I stumbled here. It's so weird seeing my town in a video like this

Damn it Sal you jinxed Payless.

Ok great subbed less than 30 seconds in. I used to live in Westminster. Worked at Baughers for a while in 2013. Great video

I thank you for your time & effort on saving history on malls. It is sad to see the loss of the malls & jobs because of the technology today where so many shop online. I personally would rather shop for sales & clearances in the stores which are my favorite. It was sad & did bring a tear to your mall video of Century III Mall in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. That mall has alot of memories for me.

Use to love this mall when they had their game store and arcade, it's @8:07 mark with the brick and blacked out windows, they closed up this past year so I have no interest now. We use to spend half the day in there eating and playing arcade games. The mall screwed up by losing them as a tenant because it's dead to us now and everyone I know no longer treks from Baltimore up there anymore.

😪 Thank You ♡ Yes, a miracle is needed. My Grand Charlie would take me when I would visit him, I believe before it was completely enclosed to become a mall. The 5 &10 store was outdoor, meaning no roof overhead. I'm guessing the year around 1968? Anyway, he would wear a suit and tie, fedora hat and umbrella and escort me into the mall. We would stroll pass the pretty water fountain & plant greenery. Before we left and he would give me a penny and stop by the glistening fountain so I could make a wish and then toss my coin into the water. He lived behind the mall on Southridge Rd.

I used to go to this mall all the time back before 2015. I used to like Sears, and the mustard seed. I hope this mall can hang in there and be successful again.

Sal....your episodes just keep getting better and better. Your edits and research, pacing and vibe belong on PBS for it caliber and quality. Your subscription counts will start flying!

TJ Cinnamons Bakery was an original tenant across the hall from Caldor. Freshly made Cinnamon Rolls and Sticky Buns,baked on premise.The smell of the Cinnamon wafted through the mall,making for alot of hungry people,and impulse sales. I opened that Bakery as the General Manager, and remember opening day well. At the time it was the highest volume TJ Cinnamons in the system in the country. I always will have some some great memories of this mall, and hope it finds a way to succeed.

GREAT! ...another mall I've been too many times. I like the fountains (I see they are still a-flowin) Thanks for this video :)

My guesses, The Laser Edges was once either a Friendly's or Roy Roger's restaurants. That said, another great video. I really enjoyed watching it as I enjoyed my first cup of coffee before getting ready for work. Thx for sharing, Sal. Have a great day.

Great interpretation of a mall as always! Man you are catching up to Dan Bell both in quality and quantity, and you're way more detailed with history and background of these malls (Dan was mostly just sarcasm...). What I love even more is you using Chungking Mansions! I suppose you know a thing or two about vaporwave as well?

So, just 30 or so minutes up the road is the North Hanover Mall in Hanover, PA. The Sears just closed on April 8th, but that mall is just dying. I'd guess around 35% occupancy?

Sal, we love your channel. Seeing and hearing the old ads bring back memories. Like our first artificial Christmas tree from Bradley's, and school supply from Caldor. Thank you!

great job, love the constant info flow in the video, it helps to move the video along.

Living within half an hour to this mall, I really appreciate this video. Seriously great work!

I started working at this mall while it was still being built. It was my first job and I helped set up the store before it opened. It has changed a lot but I can still recognize the space of the store I worked at. It was called Deb Shop and the mirrors above the doorways are still there.

I remember Cranberry Mall when I was in college during the early 90's. I'm moving back and it appears as if everything else in Westminster has evolved except the mall.

Another Great video, Good Up!

I just stumbled upon your videos (century iii) and I love your voice, your research, and video work. I like all the details you show and how it is nice and steady I love the library stumps at the end!

I hope this mall will turn around. Only mall in Carroll County. Martland

Awesome video yet again, great work

best mall videos out there! excellent research

Really enjoyed the tour. Great job, Sal! 😃

Was just in this mall on Saturday. Love your channel man.

Love the series. I have been remodeling Belk stores since 1984. Ive seen alot of malls new and old all across the southeast. Belk used to be the largest, privately owned dept store in the country. They were only southeast based

I was working at that Zales during this video. Thank you for this video. What a throw back!

from what you said this place is not dead but it is also not alive it is stuck in its own limbo and waiting to find one of the two exits . One exit leads to freedom The other leads to it's demise

I kind of remember Wards as just a small catalog store where you could order and pick up a week or so later not a full Wards department store. The trailer and playground shown in the beginning belonged to a church / school on the property adjacent to the mall and further up the hill.

Sour Drops in the bathroom, a mall icon.

HA, go Sal with your shouts out for Payless! Keep on traveling Sal, love your adventures

Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco was in the middle like this mall for quite a while, a lot of people kept calling it a "Dead Mall" even though it still had quite a few high end stores, it couldn't hold on to anchors, and had a pretty high vacancy rate. Then they started leasing to chain stores that are really popular outside the US with a limited US presence and tried to attract these really trendy Asian specialty cafes. Now it's kind of a destination even though it keeps shedding anchors. Malls can turn around, but I'm sure the location in San Francisco helps.

Good stuff Sal!

Never knew so much about my own mall thanks for the awesome video I still visit this mall every Friday for fye and gamestop to see whats new. A couple of weeks ago Chick Fil A moved out it is really on borrowed time I hope it can recover I miss the old Cranberry mall days hanging out at the arcade that is now a candy store across from the movie theatre.

I think I spent more time at Cranberry between 87 and 93, in my youth, than I'd ever be willing to admit. My, has it changed. NO more arcade across from AMC (Regal now, apparently). No more Tape World? Tullys. Roy Rogers. Brother's Pizza. The pool hall. Good times. Good times. I barely recognize it now. Sad it's dying a slow death.

I love he made it all creepy for no reason lol

That shot at 1:05 with the trailers that's an active church that's probably a clothing drive

Really cool man! Good job. This video is made amazingly and I love the style, anyway good job!

We don't really have malls in the UK, or at least not to the extent that you appear to have in the US. I find it strangely fascinating and your narration turns what would have been simple trespassing into a tribute to these places in their heyday and the dreams that went with them. Very well done indeed.

Great video! Keep up the great work.

Just went through there this past sunday. It was booming back in the day now it's just a matter of time to close. Lol good visit. That is the church playground lol. Caldors was in that mall.

You are doing such a good job. Your logs are so interesting. You must put a lot of time on getting the facts. Keep up the good work.

Sal the lasers edge was definitely a roy rodgers.I visited the mall the day it opened. My brother helped survey the property. He worked for a company named kiddie consultants of westminster an I also wanted to add they did a lot of blasting to level it as well which took about 2 weeks to clear the property.

RIP Payless 🙏

lazered edged or w/e use to be a KB toys. man i use to love that place. that chic fil a was their for a long time before other locations too.

The rep of my home town now lol

Ugh, bittersweet talking about Payless Shoes there Sal. :(

I love these little boxing gyms.

Lasered edges was a Roy Rogers and the original location for the Chick-fil-A was right across the aisle if you walk down that hallway is the bathrooms.

I remember going to roy rogers there!

Grew up near two of your other expeditions now live near this one.

The Lasered Edges was a Sprint store!

Only time I ever see Roy Rogers is on the NJ Turnpike. Made it worth it to sneak in behind the rest stop off a side-road just to grab a burger from there. Man I miss those. Way better than McDonalds or Burger King.

Outstanding as always, Sal. I don't think I've ever seen a mall with both a Boscov's and a Belk in it. Happy trails!

I worked at the Dream Machine arcade and spent all my earnings at the Tape World at the other end of the mall. As a broke teenager it was great making "deals" with the other broke teenagers, trading arcade tokens for free food at the Taco Bell, Boardwalk Fries, free movie screenings for new releases.

That store Lazered Edge ,was it a Roy Rogers restaurant?? Very enlightening videos and commentary on the history of the malls.

It's so wierd seeing you in my town

When you pulled up to those portables in the beginning I about fell out of my chair. That church / school up on the hill there used to be called Faith Christian School. I went there from 1st to 8th grade. I remember when those portables were BRAND NEW and they were built as overflow for the growing population of students, with the left portables (where you parked and the second bit of portable footage is being taken) eventually being used specifically for middle school students (6th to 8th grade). I literally was in 4th grade sitting in one of those right side portables when 9/11 happened and we had teachers coming in crying and telling us that we were getting out of school early because no one knew exactly what was going on. I gotta say man I was NOT prepared to see the portables, steps, playground, etc. look so aged and rusted and rotted out and overgrown. Makes me so sad 😢. We had recess on that playground and caged-in basketball area right next to it. It makes sense though, I guess. That was 20 years ago. Wow typing that is even blowing my mind....but yea I promise you it didn't used to be creepy. Anyways, FCS eventually changed hands to what it is now (Hilltop Assembly of God) and the school portion died out in the following few years. Now it's just the church. I guess they still have some of the residual school bits (like the portables, playground, etc.) just lying around rotting away? Doesn't seem right, but I'm sure no one wants to pay to get them demolished. SO FREAKING SAD. I'm commenting on this video 3 years late though, maybe they've taken care of it by now. Thank you for the video, really brought back some wild memories.

Would love to see an update to the mall. I went to check it out during this past christmas and half the stores shown are now gone.

Where the old people were boxing there used to be a Games Workshop Hobby Shop. There was also a GameStop in the Mall. The phone numbers were switched in the phone book so everyone who called for GameStop called the other store. I managed the Games Workshop from 2010-2011. Mall management was terrible. It was a nice little mall. Shame it's so empty now. It had character.

You should check out Sandusky Mall, Midway Mall, or Tower City Mall in OH

hi sal--I really really love your mall vids-so sad that the malls are fading into obscurity-im from Texas and we have a mall in Grapevine,TX called Grapevine Mills mall which I believe is owned by Simon-it opened in 1997 and its still doing great 20 yrs later-In Lewisville we have vista ridge mall and in north ricland hills we have North east mall-if you ever come to North Texas I would love to meet you possibly and talk-awesome channel - keep up the awesome work-I would love to be part of it!!Take carehope to hear from you soon

I love these logs and the amount of research you put into them. Been watching since a friend shared your expedition log of the Steubenville, Ohio mall, and just recently subscribed. Interesting how there's always a trend of Spirit Halloween stores that have an involvement with dying malls.

O and it was a roy rogers and right above that was a real kay bee toys I remember going with my dad to roys and going next door and picking out a nes game

Update, theres now a Battle Royale Tournament venue, its like a console arcade. Its taken several store fronts in the mall.

Laser edges used to be the kid area for chic fil a. With a tv and kids toys

It's unfortunate to say that Payless is now the sign of a dying shopping area. Its very upsetting because the same thing is happening where i live... we had 4 stores go out of business in the last 6 months, 3 of them being locally owned and one being a game store I worked at for two years I'm very sad to see it go. I now work at a shop in the same building and I am worried the same thing could happen... But at least if it does a cool person like you could explore and show the world what we were made of!

its still there and got some new shops

I grew up 10 minutes from this mall. It's been in trouble for years. I think those trailers and such belonged to the church at the top of the hill?

Great video once again Sal, love the attention to detail and history lesson.

Laser Edges was a fast food, I think Roy Rogers. then a junk store for a while.

Razors edge used to be a Roy Roger's fast food joint. Chick fil a was right next to it (across the hall) until they built a free standing chick fil a mile or so up the road from the Mall.

Thank you for the amazing history you provide with every video! It seems like there are a couple of players that keep popping up like Priet & Simon Is there someplace that gives a background story for why these companies thought these investments of 50-150M would pay off?

Respect to Payless. They always had the affordable hookup for buying heels for girlfriends.

Hey, I saw the Regal Cinemas in the directory but I don't remember it mentioned. Let me guess, it used to be a Hoyts? Could you do a video on the history of Hoyts at some point? It was such a big part of my childhood. Whereas I kind of hate Regal but they basically have a monopoly in this area. Other ideas are Borders/Waldenbooks, and Gamestop (specifically all the companies they've acquired and killed off).

There are still popular malls in the US, right? our malls here in victoria bc canada are always packed, like, sardines, and they're constantly renovating them, some stores have been in the same mall for 30+ years... maybe it's because we're on an island?

I worked at every store in this mall in the 80's. It was SERIOUSLY "stranger things" level 80's

We are still up and running and i work there