TRI COUNTY MALL: One Year Later, On Life Support

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TRI COUNTY MALL: One Year Later, On Life Support

Рет қаралды 9,792

5 жыл бұрын

Wake up early and take another long and dreamy look at TRI COUNTY MALL in Cincinnati, Ohio with Unicomm!
Part 1 of our coverage of Tri County Mall from July, 2018: • DEAD MALL DATE NIGHT #...
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Music in this episode:
Kodak Cameo - Stratosphere (from "Riviera 2") • Kodak cameo - riviera 2
猫シ Corp. - Palm Mall Mars: • 猫シ Corp. - Palm Mall ...
Mr. Ocean - Surimi: • Mr. Ocean - Surimi
“McAlpins May Days” (1991) commercial courtesy of: • 5/3/1991 Cincinnati Co...
Additional music and sound effects in this episode provided by Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicso...

Пікірлер: 206

@allisonwade4840 3 жыл бұрын

As pointed out by your colleague Brick Immortar, any mall that enforces youth no loitering policies is asking for a decline in traffic and signing their own death warrant

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

He's absolutely right. Usually when they institute a policy like this it's because the mall's owners have a perception that well-to-do suburban shoppers have been "scared off" by rowdy teenagers...and forget that teenagers spend money there too.

@pocketsizeforyourtravelcon3325 5 жыл бұрын

"I even bought my prom dress here!" Yep! Same! I bought my prom dress at the now-closed Dillards. I'm so sad, I spent so much time at Tri-County!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

When I was in HS I worked at Sears, and for every perfect customer service survey you got you got a $20 gift card. I saved up my gift cards and bought my prom dress and shoes at Sears with them! (And it was horribly, embarrassingly 90s too, did you ever see Jawbreaker? It looked just like Rose McGowans baby blue prom dress in Jawbreaker. Burn the photos!)

@christinacope562 4 жыл бұрын

Such a great Dillards store there😔

@flourislioness 4 жыл бұрын

I did, too! It was from a clearance sale from a now defunct plus size store. Still have the dress, too!

@scanmead 5 жыл бұрын

I really love the basic stats showing on the video. It's easier to grasp and saves time. 👍

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

That was Ron's genius idea! We've been using that since our Century III video. I love infographics!

@sal 5 жыл бұрын

Such an amazing production!! So proud of you, and I can’t wait for the next one!!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

You've been with us since the beginning and your support is so appreciated.

@TheSocialGamer 5 жыл бұрын

You really do have some the most advanced production. I'm teleported back in time with the background music, vintage commercial ads and the stunning image quality. I'm not a regular viewer but when I do pass through, I'm always greatful for the quality and information provided. Wish you continued success and channel growth. Thank you for sharing. 😊👌❤

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Wow thank you very much! That's a huge compliment--we always try to push myself to do more each time and it's so rewarding to know it's not going unnoticed.

@MarvinMonroe Жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions definitely not unnoticed!

@zeroportis3430 3 жыл бұрын

Lot's of good memories here. I'm glad I grew up when I did and malls were still booming. Every time I went I spent hours looking at everything. Kenwood was too far from home for me, we had the trifecta of Northgate, Forest Fair, and Tri County. Tri County was always the "nice" mall.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

I agree! I grew up sort of close to Eastgate and worked there for a few years, but when I wanted to spend that money I took it to Tri County!

@nancydemoss7904 2 жыл бұрын

I remember Tri County Mall when it was like 2 big strip malls. Shilito's was the anchor store. And Pogues. Shopping was miserable because you had to go in and out of each store and were exposed to the weather. Anyone remember the Kroger store?

@MrButch-ls8vl 4 жыл бұрын

I love the marble tiled floors. The colors of warm beige, russet red and teal green are most pleasant. One thing I noticed about dying malls is one ominous indicator is when fountains and other water features are removed.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

When they start turning off luxury/comfort features like fountains and mood lighting you know things aren’t going well.

@Ridiatan 4 жыл бұрын

This makes me so sad, I also remember when Tri County was the big place to be. I used to buy anime at the Suncoast all the time, even after nearly every other Suncoast had closed, and the employees there liked my jfashion outfits. I remember buying a pair of Doc Martens super cheap when Dillards finally closed. I hadn't been there for a long time and then one day I decided to stop by for some reason and was shocked at how many stores had closed, I didn't even know the food court was gone.

@lindajordan7712 5 жыл бұрын

Another great video! Grew up in Cincy during the 70's and 80's and remember going to this mall and Northgate mall. One of the them had life size stone statues of animals and I can remember crawling all over them. And going to Mcalpin's side walk and Moonlight sales was an all day event!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Moonlight Madness was always AN EVENT and when McAlpins became Dillard’s it wasn’t the same!

@jeepguy220 5 жыл бұрын

the people who don't understand why you make these videos and why we tune in for the next episode either aren't 80s or 90s teens or just weren't to social back then!! this was our internet, meeting new people, buying the stuff you really wanted or a cool place to hang!! they don't understand hickory farms, eating some samples or the hot sam getting a pretzel or even Camelot music for cool music. part of our young lives were spent at the mall! happy memories of good times when we were young and carefree ! when you take it to its core it's social, its interactions with people, it good feelings! malls are like high school friends, in our busy lives they got put to the back of our minds, not forgotten, but you bring them to us and we can see them before they have to go away for good. it reminds us the world was once upon a time a happy, adventurous place! great job!!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

What's funny is that no one around here seems to be aware how bad of shape Tri County is in (even 6 months later people still walk in off the parking deck with a shocked look on their face when they see that the food court is no more). I'll usually ask when the last time they were there is and they'll say a couple of years ago--everyone has moved on but they're surprised that it's not doing as well as it once did. I absolutely have the warmest of feelings toward this mall; absolutely some of my best childhood and teenage memories.

@SheilaPairADice 5 жыл бұрын

jeep guy - very well said. Long before social media took over the world the local mall was the place to connect with your friends and meet new ones. As a child of the late 80's and a young adult (20's) in the 90's it's a time of life that I miss. Kids today have nothing like it.

@SheilaPairADice 5 жыл бұрын

I live in the local area and the last time I was in the mall was maybe 18 months ago. I went to Body Jewel on the first floor for a piercing and I had NO IDEA the food court was gone. I didn't go upstairs at all. The video has inspired me to head to the mall this weekend and take a trip down memory lane. I think it's sort of weird that 2 places that were once inside the mall (Starbucks and Mens Wearhouse) are now outside the mall in the parking lot. And of course Outback that used to be further into Springdale moved into the parking lot area too. I wonder how those do since they are more "visible".Great video as always!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Mrs MEK the food court closed around March 2019; it would have still been open. How is Body Jewel? I’m usually a loyal Skincraft customer but every time I’m at Tri County it piques my interest.

@SheilaPairADice 5 жыл бұрын

Unicomm Productions the only piercings I've had (other than the standard ear piercing) have been at Body Jewel. My niece had her nose done at the one in Dayton Mall and my best friend lives in Forest Park and told me about the one in Tri County Mall. We both have had 3 piercings there. The store and piercing area is very neat, clean and organized and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I've never heard of Skincraft - where is that located?

@easyrider3183 3 жыл бұрын

i was a student at fairfield high in 2008. i spent so much time here. this literally brought a tear to my eye. meeting dates here, meeting friends, waitning outside Sears for my dad to pick me up. such good memories. same with the forest fair mall video

@faunahoof 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing this! i'm about to be 22 and have a chronic memory problem/deterioration issue and used to go here pretty often as a teen, but couldn't remember a bit of what it looked like and picked up an interest in abandoned locations. this helps me a lot with remembering what i used to see there, i remember going to suncoast cinema and claire's and spending hours messing around with the stuff from those stores and freaking out my mom when i would go in hot topic and show her what i knew. and i remember lots of time spent hanging out in the food court where two asian food based stalls would work hard against each other (never fighting, more playful) to try to lure you in with offers of free samples.

@animuucats5777 4 жыл бұрын

I live 20 minutes from this mall and spent the late 90s to late 2000s there all the time. I remember getting pokemon cards and transformers from kb toys and buying anime stuff from sun coast. Really sad to see it dead, especially the food court. Great video.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

That KB toys was one of the best in town! It was way bigger than a lot of the others.

@cobaltmidnightoilamp6748 Жыл бұрын

Animuucats, I enjoyed spending my off-days from work there @ lunch time in the Tri-County Mall food court. ☹️

@MRVISTA-wz7vj 3 жыл бұрын

These empty malls would be great movie sets for any apocalypse film where few ppl survived lol.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

This mall in particular!

@cobaltmidnightoilamp6748 Жыл бұрын

I remember this mall had a book store and an art supply store that I really loved. As a mall mouse in my late teens throughout the rest of my 20s, my favorite thing to do there was to sit in the sitting areas, especially adjacent to that big fountain and read a book I had bought from a bookstore and/or reflect on and plan my next latest art project after buying drawing supplies/posterboard from the art store. ⛲️

@bertram_oredrock 5 жыл бұрын

The sky lights are huge and beautiful. The entire mall looks very clean and well maintained, but very little foot traffic. It's appears to be headed for bankruptcy or closure. We wish them well. Great video work and narration. I look forward to your next one, thanks.

@cobaltmidnightoilamp6748 Жыл бұрын

The skylights were my favorite and brought in enough sunlight to lift ✨️ the spirits and add a spring to the step.🚶🏾‍♀️

@UniCommProductions Жыл бұрын

I do love skylights in a dim mall. They just add such a magical atmosphere.

@boomtownshane8856 3 жыл бұрын

I don't normally comment on things, but I have to say that your content on malls are the absolute best I've seen on the internet. My wife and I used to meet up here for lunch when we were first married. I remember the two Chinese restaurants yelling at us from across the mall to get our business. It seemed like a friendly competitive game to them and my wife and I loved it. I usually chose the place that had the bourbon chicken though. My friend was actually manager for this mall for several years. It's true that you really can never know for sure what aesthetic will make you feel nostalgia. Good times.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Shane! This was one of my favorite malls growing up and have many many fond memories of coming here over the years, and it’s absolutely shocking to visit now when nothing has changed inside except all the stores being closed-it’s very surreal and it’s actually gotten worse since this was shot in Summer 2019. I forecast it may not remain open into 2022....it might be fun to take one last walk through and reminisce. Thank you for watching!

@boomtownshane8856 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions For sure. I feel like EVERY mall (with the exception of Kenwood) will be closed by 2022. I don't go to Tri-County lot these days but it seems like it hasn't changed much in the last few years. I took the kids there last year to get Cinnabon. I take the kids to the Forrest Fair Mall at least once or twice a month because I love it. They like going to Arcade Legacy.

@flourislioness 4 жыл бұрын

Last time I was at this mall, the whole wing with the fountain was blocked off. It's so sad to see that the fountain is gone. I remember seeing Santa there when I was little. It was such a gorgeous part of the building. I wonder if the water bill was too high to keep running?

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

I’m under the assumption it was due to a plumbing problem. There is a spot on the floor outside the old Hollister that is warped. There are some online reviews complaining of a sewage/water smell that date back to prior to the fountain being removed, and it doesn’t smell like that anymore.

@cobaltmidnightoilamp6748 Жыл бұрын

Cosmic Rust, I enjoyed sitting in that seating area next to that now gone huge fountain. I always sat there to read and listen to those water sounds.

@STEWCAT88 3 жыл бұрын

It’s so sad that malls are closing if not closed already. So many memories. They should make the old malls into flea markets and rent out the old stores cheap so they maybe keep people coming to shop.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

You hear so often about malls raising the rent when times get tough and you’re right, it’s the opposite of what they should be doing

@sammy1995 2 жыл бұрын

Moved to Cincinnati in 1998 and this mall was thriving. Frequently shopped at JC Penny, Sears, and Dillard's. Bought my first decent watch at Zales in 2000. My wife liked to shop at the music store on the second floor before the Dillard's entrance. So sad to see this place decline. Its a beautiful mall with clean tile flooring but eerily vacant.

@sarcadam88 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your consistently intelligent comments on this. You guys always produce great content (and of course, I’d personally be interested to hear about more re-visits to some of the other malls in the dead mall Mecca of Cincinnati!)

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

I think that sounds like a great idea...from what I understand Eastgate Mall and Northgate Mall have lost a lot of stores, and we've never covered Florence Mall either. Thank you for the suggestion (and kind feedback!)

@sydneywhitfield7497 2 жыл бұрын

I was born in 2002 but grew up going to the mall. The crossroads mall in Mt Hope WV seems to be doing well. If it were to ever be gone I'd have to cry and mourn over it.

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

The malls in WV are a weird anomaly because they’re so far apart and generally surrounded by places that don’t have many places to shop. With the exception of Charleston Town Center, they all seem to be doing remarkably well. I live in Huntington and our mall along with the remaining one in Ashland are the same way-they may have one or two vacancies in the entire place. They’re some of the few malls I actually visit to shop!

@sydneywhitfield7497 2 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions Yeah WV malls are odd like that. I think a lot of other things in this state can be very far apart like certain restaurants and hospitals. Or that could just be me.

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

@@sydneywhitfield7497 no you’re not wrong at all. It always seems like all the restaurants have huge lines and are packed around here which suggests there aren’t enough of them. Same with hospitals. I had a medical emergency a month or so ago and ended up in a hospital nearly an hour away in Kentucky.

@sydneywhitfield7497 2 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions Oh man, the ER waits here are crazy long or at least the times I've went/went with somebody.

@RangerRickTV 4 жыл бұрын

This mall is beautiful with all the sky lights.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

It's really a gorgeous (and incredibly empty) place, that would be up there with some of the "heavy hitters" among dead malls like Shoppingtown and Century III if it didnt have one of them so close...most locals don't even realize how empty it is because of how quickly its gotten that way. Every time I go in there I notice someone who is looking around in wonder and awe at what it's like in there.

@magadorspartacus 4 жыл бұрын

Aww, I bought my prom dress there, too. The death of this mall makes me more sad than any other. So many memories.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

I feel like people just forgot about this mall. When you see people come up the stairs and see the empty food court, even now there's this expression of shock, like "Where did my mall go?" This one might make me even sadder than Forest Fair because I, like you, have so many more clear memories of it being The Place to Go.

@magadorspartacus 4 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions exactly! I remember my grandmother visiting and shopping at Shillitos. I remember when the second story was added. I remember driving there when I first got my license. The loss of Tri-County is more sad because it's been a part of my life at many stages.

@acatladyy 5 жыл бұрын

Gadzooks was my favorite! I sure do miss that store, and the Kikgirl/JNCO era. I know it's trying to make a comeback but let's face it, nothing will ever compare to the original 90's lifestyle.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Oh absolutely not. It's funny to me that Forever 21 is currently showing a lot of stuff I was wearing in 1996 when it was popular the first time, but mixing stuff that no one back then would have ever worn together (neon and flannel? Nah.)

@jamesschott2870 4 жыл бұрын

Very sad---I lived here for about 10 years working for Rogers Jewelers and Osterman's at one time----so many Christmases and summers and opening and closings----and diamond shows and meet up at Ruby Tuesdays----to go somewhere else---I could go on and on----my life flashes before my minds eye----I'll be dead before I know it-----!!!!!

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

That’s why I started doing this-this is about preserving the memory of a place where a lot of life happened. It really makes you feel something.

@ericfresh 5 жыл бұрын

I wanted to buy a table and a couple of chairs from the Charlestowne food court when it was closing. Tried calling the leasing office numbers that was posted around the mall but sadly no one got back to me.

@pilotgrrl1 5 жыл бұрын

Wow! Beautiful photography and great music! Love this look back at this mall.

@sikodog 5 жыл бұрын

Great video, I liked that you showed the behind the scenes at the end of how you did the intro.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Even though we were tired it was super fun

@savagesn 2 жыл бұрын

I love your content, Kristin! (Side note: my middle name is Kristin, also spelled with an "i"). Your narration, research, footage, editing... all of it is great! Long live women creators! 💙

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

Awww thank you fellow Kristin!

@Rudy57 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful intro, beautiful music, slow paced filming and you managed to do the commentary much easier to follow for a foreigner. Great !

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@JD-dq8zn 4 жыл бұрын

This is a gorgeous mall. Thank you!

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

I agree, and thank you for watching!

@taggyg.6389 4 жыл бұрын

i never knew tri county died. i'm so shocked. kenwood mall was the closest to me in my teens but they didnt have any of the stores i shopped at. it was too posh and preppy. tri county had the hottopic and spencers and gamespot. but tri county was too far of a drive for my mom most of the time so when i got to go to tri county, it was SPECIAL. of course when i got a car and a license i went there as often as i could. tri county or eastgate mall. which ive driven by recently and it looks so dead from the outside. teenage self is mourning these malls ;_; i'll check out your other vids on tri county and whatever else you got. excellent video production and sound and your voice is so fucking cool. thank you guys!!!

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

It sounds like we had a very similar mall life (Kenwood is so much chaos because of how congested it is. It's the closest mall to where I live too, and I don't go there very often either.) Eastgate Mall isn't doing too badly inside but it could really use a facelift--the remodel done in 2004 hasnt aged very well and is starting to look a bit tired, and the side facing the highway unfortunately doesn't make it look very inviting. We did visit there and Northgate early in our channel's history and I think both may be due for an update. Thank YOU for watching!

@nancydarling4918 4 жыл бұрын

Good video. Thanks for filming.

@aeonween 2 жыл бұрын

So I LOVE your channel! I was born and raised in/around Cincy, so this mall is extra special to me. Now that we know that Tri County is going to close for good next month, you guys should return for one last video to see what it's like now!

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

I have plans to do both Tri County and Forest Fair once more before they’re gone. I’m wanting to see if I can do so with permission so I can bring my professional gear in. One way or the other I definitely need to get back there-those two malls are so full of memories for me! Thank you so much for dropping a comment!

@danielwestfall1027 4 жыл бұрын

I just finished watching this. I love your narration on it. I was a mallrat in the late '80s/early '90s, and seeing some of the dead mall videos, its truly sad to see the state of these bustling centers of mass consumerism. Many a Friday night, my itinerary included National Record Mart, Zides Sport Shop, and The Game Room (It's actual name). My local mall is still ok, but I've been slipping in on occasion, and snapping pictures of it when I can. Great job on the videos. Keep up the great work.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! My evenings as a teenager in the late 90s were very much the same and that’s why I do this. I have a lot of warm memories of these places and I want the photos I forgot to take back then.

@noahvoris3637 5 жыл бұрын

Malls like this are just plain awesome yet sad to me! Your commentary of this video had me laugh and also reminiscent of the past. My local mall in Indiana is dying a very fast death and it’s crippling me. 😓

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Noah Voris what mall in Indiana that’s kind of the direction future mall visits will be going in

@noahvoris3637 5 жыл бұрын

UniComm Productions the one I’m talking about is Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute but there’s others in the area that are worse: Lafayette Square Mall in Indy, Fair Oaks Mall in Columbus, Richmond Mall in Richmond.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

All definitely on my list--however Richmond Mall is a Hull property and they have boringified it, which is disappointing.

@glorfindelchocolateflowery6392 3 жыл бұрын

I remember going here with my relatives as a little kid and kingdom hearts theme song used to play over the mall radio in the food area , it was so much fun to a little kids imagination back in the early 2,000s, thanks for this video I am going to go visit before it might shut down

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

I don't think it's likely unless Macy's pulls out that the mall will close entirely but I do foresee that the empty wing between the old JC Penney and Sears may be barricaded off at some point (I've seen various troubled malls do this a lot). thank you for watching! I have a lot of fond memories of this mall myself.

@glorfindelchocolateflowery6392 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions I hope it don't, I also remember the downtown mall but I can't remember the name of it, they used to put these gigantic nutcracker statues in the food area during Christmas, I used to be so scared of those things when I was little lol, now the nutcracker is my favorite ballet, yup kid days hilarious

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@glorfindelchocolateflowery6392 Tower Place! It was attached to the Carew Tower. (I've done a video about that one too). There's not much left other than the big skylight down there, it's a parking garage now, unfortunately.

@glorfindelchocolateflowery6392 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions ok, I am going to try to find the video you made about it, it's been so long since I been down there, thanks

@spacecadet236 2 жыл бұрын

I worked at Petland in this mall summer 1995

@DynV 5 жыл бұрын

An minute in, the intro theme made me think of some old people event with line dancing, perfect! 8:23 indeed that mall needed an update. As always: ❤ your video.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

It’s from an album called Riviera which is supposed to evoke Las Vegas (which is probably full of old people line dancing...I love that image, thank you for that.)

@dougonodera8764 5 жыл бұрын

Outstanding job, you two! Just watched your two Tri-County vids back to back. A year ago you did it justice; this year you’ve even topped that. The mall looks extremely well maintained for such a low occupancy. That plus all the natural lighting makes it feel like the whole place will be waking up soon and become booming again. Sadly not to be... Your commitment and dedication to the cause shows. Keep these update vids coming as the opportunity arises. I’m far too old to be a “mall child” of the 80s and 90s, but I’ll be here watching your posts! Thanks!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

I really hope when and if a revitalization takes place that it doesn’t destroy the bright, airy spirit this place has. I agree; it struck me that this mall is in the state it’s in and there aren’t even any water spots on the ceiling. (The craftsmanship seems to have stood the test of time better than some of the early-2000s Mills properties for sure.). Thank you so much for your support!

@youtubasoarus 5 жыл бұрын

Another beautiful episode! :) Also great time-lapse shot in the beginning, absolutely gorgeous!

@RangerRickTV 4 жыл бұрын

ASMR mall sounds yes!!!!

@newriverteacher 2 жыл бұрын

We loved this mall. We're hoping to make it back to Cincy to walk it one more time.

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

It’s closing permanently on May 15th

@waynebeckham3807 2 жыл бұрын

Just last month the mall officially closed permanently. A $1.2 billion complex of shops, housing, hotel, and a park will begin construction later this year

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

I just released a new video shot the weekend it closed! :)

@Techjunk 2 жыл бұрын

Come to Houston San jack mall in Baytown is being transferred into an open air center while greens point still remains.

@lostinthevalley1314 4 жыл бұрын

Yea! The chairs are stellar.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Pure 90s.

@Mark-qw8lc 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely stunning sunrise shot. Artists frequently suffer for their work. The results were worth the sleep you lost. Ignore the detractors and naysayers. You’re performing a valuable effort in the service of history documenting the final days of these former bastions of retail shopping commerce. As I said in the comments of your previous year's efforts - I only wish I had your vision and foresight to capture, in a herky-jerky 8mm motion picture or buzzy VHS recording, Tri-County Mall in operation during the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. And while Tri-County mall shopping was certainly busy and frequently congested in those days, it still hadn’t reached the zenith of shopping mall nirvana that you experienced during the 1990’s. Another fabulous production! Keep up the great work.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mark! The trip out there (two mornings in a row, actually!) was well worth it and we not only captured a great shot but it was a fun exercise in filmmaking! I'm really disappointed there aren't even any TCM commercials anywhere online; the channel I scored the old McAlpin's commercial from has hours and hours of old Cincinnati commercials including ones from Van Leunens and Swallens! (link in the description; it's a real trip down memory lane). No one ever thought to record any of this stuff back in the days of physical media; tapes and film were expensive. It feels much more "normal" to record anything and everything these days.

@stillinhere 4 жыл бұрын

Now, I feel my age. In 2004, when I moved, this was one of the busiest places in the region. I worked nearby for a while, and I am having a hard time accepting that this happened in 16 years.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

It was *sudden*, too. This place was hopping well through the '00s and it was only around 2012-2013 you really started to notice a shift.

@davidewald7338 3 жыл бұрын

I watch and I'm sad. I worked for s company like Muzak. it seemed it would never end but did and gradually like a slow death one store at a time and not just a one mall but all the locations. I've watched several episodes and you've covered just about all the places I was in. sadly times change and does the way we shop leaving behind some very beautiful structures to root. Thanks for some memories of hoped times 😊 😊

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching-I’m actually terribly interested in old in-store audio, the “soundtrack of our lives” that we never noticed, so working for a company that installs that sort of thing sounds really fun.

@davidewald7338 3 жыл бұрын

it was kinda nice being the music guy Most of the systems were simple some could get complex and just plain huge. I could go on but we all Know the story which these episodes tell all to well

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

It makes me really sad too-especially with Macy’s leaving Tri County probably meaning that the mall itself is not long for this world. I never thought I’d say this but Forest Fair may actually stay open longer.

@davidewald7338 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions one question did Johny rockets leave Kenwood and Tri County

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@davidewald7338 Yes. I don't think there are any left in the greater Cincinnati area at all; the one at Newport on the Levee has been gone for quite a while too.

@Emeraldant92 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! Cant believe so much has closed since ur return!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

It's in bad shape. I hope they do something to turn things around!

@elvisowens7137 4 жыл бұрын

love it thanks for the memories.....Like u thats where my money was spent.......So sas kids these days will never know the joy of going to the mall an blowing your money an enjoying the malls.......

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

The ones that are doing well are all very upscale and it takes a LOT more money to make a day of it like we did. I could make $15 last all day when I was a teenager! Thank you for watching; I love comments like this!

@a.h.s5152 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all these beautiful ❤️ mall videos, I wished our K-mart didn't close it had customers that shopped at it everyday I don't know why it had to close

@christophermichael4251 5 жыл бұрын

Another great video! I look forward to the next! I'm still curious as to what's happened/will happen with the food court at Tri-County.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

You and me both. The pessimist in me thinks they’re working on getting everything moved to the first floor so they can close the top one, which would be a mess. (I don’t know much about the owner and if it was someone like Moonbeam I know that’s what they would do.) I try to keep an eye on the malls we’ve covered through Google Alerts and post updates on Twitter when significant developments happen.

@christophermichael4251 5 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions It's insane! I remember finding out that they were closing the 2nd floor food court, which now feels like 5 years ago...I was confused as to why. I know construction can take time, but it truly feels like they aren't doing anything. The last time I was there, I couldn't find anything noticeable that shouted "the food court will be here." Thanks again for the updates! I look forward to more!

@MalvinJackson 4 жыл бұрын

so well done..love your thoughts at the end

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Malvin!

@garyzsaludko1490 2 жыл бұрын

amazing!!!!

@johnsos9 4 жыл бұрын

This is really sad. I used to go there every Saturday as recently as 2015/2016 and walk around. The last time I was there was the beginning of last December and it looks like it's got nothing but worse:( It looks like Tri County is well on it's way to becoming the new Cincinnati Mills. That stupid ass youth escort policy was the beginning of the end for this place. A mall with no young people to buy things will always be doomed. Here is proof.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

I couldn’t agree more, very well said. This was always kind of the “young mall”-Kenwood Towne Centre always seemed to be a lot of stores aimed at middle-aged and above (Ann Taylor Loft and Chico’s and all that). Nobody wants to only shop with their parents with them.

@leemcintyre9490 3 жыл бұрын

It would seem that Malls everywhere are Dying out!! What is happening!!?? This Mall, Forest Fair, I remember when these Places were THE PLACE to be!! I live in N. IN. Now, and 2 of 4 very popular Malls up here have Disappeared! And a 3rd.one seems on its way down!! Then I see these posts about the Rolling Achers Mall , that's now Long gone! Replaced with a Amazon Outlet of some sort!! And that Big Mall near Cleveland that I guess is all but Completely Gone! Then, like I said , the Malls up here!! I mean , these used to be the Places EVERYONE wanted to Go!! Is on line Shopping Killing them!!?? It's just So Sad!! 😭

@HispanicCracker 4 жыл бұрын

This is a definite subscribe for me. The detailed descriptions of gaudy interior features I understand and hold so dearly to my nostalgic heart and the soothing yet ominous soundtrack to go along with it. Not to mention I recently moved to the area and have an unusual obsession with city development, architecture and real estate and how they are affected by trends and the history behind them.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you-I’m always happy when people really hear what I’m putting out there. This is about the emotional effect imperfect places have on us.

@archiecampbell3211 3 жыл бұрын

The manager of that mcalpin’s would say in to the tape welcome to the mcalpin’s flagship crib

@EdgedShadow 3 жыл бұрын

Would love to see another update now that Macy's is gone.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

That's in the pipeline--Ohio's malls are dropping like flies right now unfortunately. I've got 3 on that side of the state alone I have plans to do updates about.

@EdgedShadow 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions I was a mall cop there when Penney's closed in the early 2000's, shame to see how far they've fallen.

@sprkl5d 5 жыл бұрын

Another awesome video!!! 👍💗

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

thank you for coming out for the premiere! @sprkl sprkl

@Noone9227 3 жыл бұрын

When it was a Lazarus, the Macy’s used to carry men’s dress clothes that could only be found elsewhere at the downtown location. It’s really a shame. This was once a very good mall albeit more middle-middle class than Kenwood. The demographics in this area tanked.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

It’s that, and the fact they built Liberty Center. There was a time when people had no problem driving down from West Chester to go to Tri County but Liberty and that whole area off Union Center kinda changed that

@audreyvangelder1940 5 жыл бұрын

Great work as always 👏 love the new 🦄 logo !

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Glitterbomb is much rounder and friendlier than they used to be! Thank you, Audrey!

@michaeljones6340 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah i remember years ago tri county used to be the spot to go to. Now its totally dead and all the good store closed down

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

It's depressing. I don't know what happened (although I have theories) but someone messed up, somewhere. Tri County could have been Kenwood. You know what I'm talking about--it was THE place in the late 90's. they were usually the first to get chains that were new to the area.

@bobtk2352 5 жыл бұрын

It was also THE place in the late 60's.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

@@bobtk2352 This is true (however I wasn't born yet so I can't speak from experience...I only barely remember the single-level version and mostly just remember walking through there when theyd started construction--the adhesive or something they were using had a weird fruity smell.)

@jeffbarnes54 4 жыл бұрын

Chopping Mall 2 Everything Must Go!

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Horror movies set in the 90s need this place!

@wantsomecoffee 4 жыл бұрын

I went with a friend there last night. (9/20/19) She wanted to get something from a certain store that is still open on the upper floor. I was in shock to see nearly nothing there. I went to go to New York and Company.....GONE! I stood there in shock. I don’t understand how the lights are on. How much rent a month are these stores paying?

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

I have no idea. The owners keep talking about revitalization but I honestly have no idea how the doors are staying open at this point. The A/C is still on, too! With all that glass, I can't imagine how much that bill is either.

@Caseytify Жыл бұрын

I grew up knowing Tri-County as an open air mall. The change in 1969 to a covered mall was bad enough. They ruined the mall when they added the second floor in 1992. I've loathed the mall ever since then. In 2022 it's even worse; it's a ghost town.

@UniCommProductions Жыл бұрын

It closed in 2022. It’s going to be transformed into a mixed use property. Some elements of the mall will be retained. I made a follow up video that was shot the weekend it closed and it goes over what’s coming in it’s future. I’m only in my 40’s so my memories of it as a single floor mall are limited, and I think we always tend to hold a soft spot for places “as we remembered them” at a more simple time in our lives, so my affection for the 90’s two-floor version is completely that. I can relate to your feelings though; I’ve never cared for the colorful kiddy version of Forest Fair that existed after 2004.

@michaelmidnite 2 жыл бұрын

There’s only I think 2 or 3 stores left in this entire mall

@amishcar 4 жыл бұрын

My favorite Tri County Mall moment probably in 1991 was getting busted by Mall Security in the upper parking garage by Sears for making out with my high school girlfriend after they said the security cameras spotted us. It was quite amusing. Tri County Mall was the mall between both our homes so we went there after school at Scarlet Oaks down the road on Kemper. She lived in Forest Park near Forest Fair Mall when it was amazing and i live by Kenwood Mall. Really Nice Video.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you...and these are the kind of memories that keep these places close to our hearts lol.

@flourislioness 4 жыл бұрын

I also have a question ( and sorry if you've answered already, I just found these videos today). Have you ever got in trouble while getting your drone shots? I figured since it was a private business of sorts that it was kind of a no fly zone? Are you guys okay to fly there as long as there' s no one else around the camera might see? When I was taking a class on camera drones, we were only allowed to fly and film in SUPER empty areas like corn fields or on campus grounds in the wee morning hours. Basically, nowhere with businesses or foot traffic. They're gorgeous drone shots! They really add to the feeling of what the mall once was and how empty it's become.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

It depends. We haven't, but we've also only used it a few times. Without giving away all our secrets ;), the drone we have is really small and we try to be as inconspicuous as possible when we choose a spot to launch from. With it being private property, the owner/person in charge has the right to ask us to stop but so far that hasn't happened. That's kind of always a risk when you're doing "guerilla filmmaking" but we've been pretty lucky.

@escandelev 2 жыл бұрын

This mall is permanently closing on May 15, 2022!

@UniCommProductions 2 жыл бұрын

I’m trying to make arrangements to film it one last time

@keirengaming 3 жыл бұрын

15% of 180 IS ONLY 27 STORES IN TOTAL! I did it in a calculator. “At least we ain’t forest fair.... yet.”

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

It’s even less than that now

@keirengaming 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions what are the up-to-date statistics or the sites you use for the statistics. I would like to know.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@keirengaming if I can obtain it directly from news sources or from the owners themselves, that’s what I use. It is often estimated based on the percentage of empty space to occupied spaces. If 27 stores is 15% occupied I would estimate Tri County is under 10% at this point; there’s really not much in there and it has no anchors.

@keirengaming 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions alright

@keirengaming 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions I estimate that it’s about 20%

@escandelev 3 жыл бұрын

Hey did you hear that the Macy*s in this mall is closing in April?

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

I did, and I honestly think that may be it for the mall in general--If they're still open in 2022 it will really surprise me

@edwardschwenk3100 3 жыл бұрын

A mall near me lost it's Sears in January 2018, and then in March 2020 was shut down for six weeks to supposedly stop the spread of the ole Coronavirus. Whether it helped or not; who knows? But after the Sears closed, and especially since they shut it for that six weeks last March, there very few shoppers in there now.

@jasburger 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I'm late but did you hear about Macy's?

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

I did...this mall is toast. If it's still open by the holiday season 2021 it will surprise me.

@jasburger 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions By the way, are you planning on doing an update video for this mall?

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@jasburger It kind of depends on when it closes; I don't live in Cincinnati anymore so it's an almost 3 hour drive there. I'll see what I can do, though.

@jasburger 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions Alright

@christinacope562 4 жыл бұрын

The Body Shop was my favorite, way better products than Bath & Body Works(🤭allergic reaction to walking by it). I drove by here recently to avoid a wreck on 275, sad to look at. But at least I found a new place to eat great seafood that's been open almost a year(29th of this month, my anniversary also)on Kemper. It's going to be an overcrowded mess when everyone only has the Kenwood Mall.

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

Kenwood is already a mess; I really hate going over there, (and The Body Shop is amazing! Ulta sells their stuff still)

@christinacope562 4 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions agree. I have found Ulta to carry their stuff. When in Miami though, I stock up in Body Shop store there.

@ericwright77 3 жыл бұрын

You have such a nice voice.You should do voice over work.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Maybe one day!

@ericwright77 3 жыл бұрын

COOL!!! Looking forward to it.

@schaumburgviking2723 4 жыл бұрын

Why not turn these into condos?? How cool would it be to love in a mall??

@UniCommProductions 4 жыл бұрын

There’s an old shopping arcade in Rhode Island they did just that with. I think it’s a really interesting idea, especially as senior housing since so many of them already love walking there.

@TheAskTrixieChannel 5 жыл бұрын

What happened to them supposedly moving the food court into the middle of the mall this summer?

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Nothing, so far, and that’s concerning.

@TheAskTrixieChannel 5 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions Seems like closing the food court in the first place was a bad idea. It was the busiest part of the mall when I was there!

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

The Ask Trixie Channel I agree! Great Steak and Potato always still had a line! (There’s still one at Eastgate if you miss them though)

@sethmishne 3 жыл бұрын

I remember when i was younger going here when Kenwood didn't have certain stores but now there is nothing good here except for Macys Gamestop, Cinnabon and Foot locker there is nothing else worthwhile here. I can understand why Forest Fairisn't doing well but i don't get why tri County is doing so poorly. It had a lot of nice stores like Ae, Hot Topic and Pac Sun but now everything moved to Liberty center and for me there is no reason to go there when Kenwood is a lot closer to me. I am more sad about Tri County doing poorly then I am about Forest Fair doing poorly.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

The failure of Forest Fair was such a foregone conclusion early in its life that it's hard to remember it not being empty...but Tri County, as you and I both remember, was PACKED every weekend as recently as 2010, 2011. It's very sad and surreal walking through there these days. It's like they put the last nail in the coffin that was my youth.

@sethmishne 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions I mainly went to Kenwood but if we wanted to go to a certain store that Kenwood didn't have or didn't have size in stock we went to tri County. It's sad that there is no more gamestop, ae and hot topic in the mall anymore. It makes sense why forest fair didn't do very well because of it's location. I have no idea what's It's like compared to Eastgate or Northgate as I haven't been there very often because they are kind of far from me.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@sethmishne Eastgate still had a Hot Topic as did Northgate last time I was there, but I don't think either has a GameStop. I know the one in Eastgate is over by Walmart instead of being in the mall these days. I believe Florence Mall still has both.

@sethmishne 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions tri County is the only one that doesn't have a hot topic anymore and I dont remember if forest fair ever had one. I remember having to go to tri County for hot topic as it took a long time for Kenwood to actually get one.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@sethmishne I don't think Forest Fair ever did...they didn't enter our market until maybe 1999 or 2000.

@ericwright77 3 жыл бұрын

Is there anything still open in Springdale?

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, there’s quite a bit open there just not inside the mall.

@ericwright77 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions Thank you.I have noticed that inside malls are doing bad.But places and stores do better on the outside, like easton In Columbus.Thoughts.

@alextsahalis6984 3 жыл бұрын

There was never any true demand for all the malls in this country. They were built by greedy, money-hungry developers who conned their way through municipal governments with promises of tax revenue in exchange for public infrastructure improvements. As it turns out, low-wage/hourly jobs DO NOT pay the bills cities need, and needless to say, these huge relics are now huge liabilities that tax payers are subsidizing the existence of without even knowing it. Demolish 95% of them and turn the land into nature preserves.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

I can't disagree with any of this. Even if the sentimental side of me can hold these places in a sort of idealized place, I'm not blind to the problems of them. In fact I did an entire series about the malls in Cincinnati last year called Overmalled that suggested that the reason we have so many dead malls isn't because of online shopping, but because they built about 8X as many as the market could support (the ending count is 18 malls with only 2 truly "surviving")

@mst3kanita 5 жыл бұрын

eww them checking IDs at the door, that's gross. I had white lipstick that I thought looked GOOD back when I in 8th grade/1997.

@UniCommProductions 5 жыл бұрын

Like it’s an exclusive nightclub or something! Also, 1997 is about when The Gunmetal Lipstick came into my life (I remember I got it at Afterthoughts and it was HIDEOUS)

@nooneatall1784 3 жыл бұрын

@@UniCommProductions I like a little silver lipstick now and then.🤷

@johnpaulmakowski7464 Жыл бұрын

On life support. Statistically the patient won't survive.

@UniCommProductions Жыл бұрын

And this one did not. It closed in May 2022 and I released a final memorial for it shortly thereafter.

@Heavy_Distortion 3 жыл бұрын

When drugs are legalized they should turn this into an opium den.

@UniCommProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Opium den? Is it 1922? Nah, it’s going to end up being boring, cookie cutter housing for the gaggle of Young Professionals that are moving to Cincinnati by the truckload.