Junkies have made public bathrooms their go to get high in pass out areas. I live in Massachusetts and this is a problem everywhere.

Originally from Salem, grew up there when it had a bustling downtown. That "mall" has always been awful. The architecture is ugly. Looks out of place. Sadly, historic Salem has become a carnival sideshow.

Cinema Salem is such a cool little spot though. It’s a small theater but charming and they do a lot of specialty screenings!

I worked there around 40 years ago and it was a filthy pit back then. They tore down some very beautiful buildings and a Paramount theater to build this dump.

The locals will tell you to NEVER use that restroom. Go down the block to the armory visitor center building.

Mall... That place doesn't look like any mall I've ever seen. The halls, lighting, and aesthetic is weirdly like public high school/community center or something. It's really off-putting how pedestrian the place looks.

To elaborate on the explanation at 11:05 - The real reason museums do not allow filming is because doing so gives the wrong person (the bad guy) a virtual map of the whole place, which valuable items are located where, and how to get out quickly after grabbing what they want. This is how museum heists happen. A valid reason why they prohibit photographs, particularly flash cameras, is because its damaging to some items, such as old wallpaper and paintings. When you ask any museum staff why no filming and photos, and they simply say nothing more than "security reasons," what I explained here was the real reasons. I got this explanation from a friend who works in a small museum.

The mall looks gross and the pizza was way over priced. It is a tourist trap mall.

Those bathrooms are so bad they’ve become local legends.

Dude I was born in Salem, and grew up in the area! This mall has been there forever (relatively speaking). That movie theater was once legendary. Your cynicism is warranted; it's a glorified hallway, my friend lol. It has absolutely gone downhill, as you so bravely catalogued for us here. Great content!

I remember it as the East Indie as a kid. Used to goto the News stand/ book store for our DnD books...and play games in teh arcade at the movie theater in the 80s.

The restrooms are god awful in that mall. They're far worse in the month of October. The garbage cans overflow. They have port-a-potties outside near the visitor's center because of the poor maintenance in the mall. Salem used to be a fun place to go in the past during the month of October, but sadly it's become overcrowded and congested.

It really makes me sad seeing the condition of this mall :/ the restrooms are always GROSS

Definitely some problems with that mall. Lighting on the dark side. Thanks for sharing.

im not sure if im misremembering and thinking of another place, or i was just dreaming or smth, but i have a very distinct memory of going to this mall with my friends about a year ago or so and we were exploring it and noting how dirty, run down, and plain weird the layout and appearance of the place is, but i specifically remember finding some super weird, almost nonsensically laid out hallway/corridor that connected one section of the mall to another. I don't remember where exactly it started (where i entered) but I do remember it coming out right where the cinema and restrooms are, i even think you went right past it when you said "im not sure whats down there" at the end of the video. I remember that it wasn't a straight corridor, it had multiple turns and corners, and it didn't look like it was meant to be used by the public and overall was very confusing and oddly placed, and overall was very offputting to be in. Like it literally felt like "the backrooms" of the mall or somewhere that you are just not supposed to be. I dont even remember how i stumbled into there, I remember I was kind of there with friends because i like weird abandoned or dead places like that but I dont remember the context of how i found that hallway because it doesn't make sense why it is even there. Seeing this video makes me want to go back there and see if it is actually there or if im tweakin or thinking of something else.

Lived in Salem for about 18 years, and it was always a dive. The little movie theater is cool, and convenient to locals who live in the downtown districts. Salem is a beautiful city cursed by its own history. The witch stuff is just the superficial element, but there’s so much more. The crush of tourists and abysmal schools is what drove me and my family north to Cape Ann. I see Salem as having so much potential, and this forlorn mall is the perfect example.

This mall truly is gross in person. Very dated, too. The worst part? Those bathrooms are some of the ONLY bathrooms in all of downtown Salem that are open for anyone to use. Everywhere else, you have to be a customer and buy something. Let that sink in. You cannot even use the bathroom at McDonalds or a coffee shop without having to show a receipt.

Went there with my wife and kids 2 years ago from Brooklyn, NY. Will never go back there, the hotel was "ok" but the the prices for things were crazy high and that Mall was dirty and smelled of urine, needs a power wash for sure. We saw a lot of homeless and beggars. We took the train into Boston and had a better time there.

That place is in dire need of a renovation, so drab, and that floor tile looks so dated. Kinda strange how it seems to be doing a decent amount of business, yet maintenence is lacking and interior is extremely outdated . Great video Tom, I'm enjoying your channel

I'm surprised you didn't try the 2nd level to see if the elevator served that upper part, so you didn't have to meet the homeless guy on the stairs (which I'm sure the intent of the "NO TRESPASSING" signs are for, but the staff does a good job...lol..).

Yea, the name of the mall is kinda weird. I assume the owners tried to make the name “trendy” but without theming or maybe some historical pictures or items to view, it’s just a dirty office center mall that would have been long gone in most other cities without tourists.

For any new visitors to Salem, go to the Salem Armory Visitor Center for a clean bathroom (closed Mondays & Tuesdays though) and another bathroom over by the waterfront at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site (on the way to the House of Seven Gables on Derby St). Like most cities, Salem has its struggles with homelessness and maintenance, but the charm is there and the locals/shop workers are great, interesting people!

You are braver than I. My main interaction with the mall is getting from the parking garage to the bar there and back, and yes, always feels like I'm trespassing.

I absolutely love your walkthroughs and the history lessons of all the malls you visit. This one is no different, it's great, but the mall itself looks like it's in a bad way. Keep it up, good sir. Thank you for all your content and quality work.

Hmm, I live in nearby Lynn and never knew that existed!

What a nasty mall, it needs new management.

When we were in Salem, we went to a movie at this mall and had a great time. Unfortunately it rained and rained and rained that year, and we initially went there to get out of the rain and stayed for a movie! I agree though about it being dirty! It was a little off-putting!

I can relate to the Mall bathrooms. They have looked like that for years and would use them out of necessity because there were no other options unless you wanted to sit down dine or travel into a busy state services building which both might be occupied and would have to wait. With all the overwhelming traffic the city gets, you would think they would have completely renovated them now, but the Mall instead is frozen in time.

i remember the lines being out the door during halloween in that bathroom. it smelled from down the hall. the mall is kinda good for only one thing and that is just as a cooler place to walk through in the summer and just a shortcut.

Tourists: Everything in Salem is expensive. Locals: Everything in Salem is average. lol

Funny thing is Salem NH has a mall and it's not even comparable to this homeless shelter

I used to go there frequently. its always was a mall highly focused on tourism around the area, the mall is usually dead outside of fall. The bathroom situation gets extra worse when the mall plans out events to get people to visit because the events gets lots of people but those bathrooms are built for the crowds they get for most of the year outside of fall

If you revisit Salem, The House of Seven Gables is well worth the trip. I strongly suggest you read the novel of the same name first to add to the creepy factor.😮

its scary how much crowded it gets during october. can you recommend a time to go there not october or late september?

I was born in Salem and I always went there when I was like 4 or 5, I didn't know the name of it so I nicknamed it "Yellow ceiling mall" because of those dirty sky lights

The only explanation for the restrooms condition is disgusting people with no decency. If people cleaned up after themselves there would be almost no issue.

I imagine the large homeless population has filthy restrooms

I worked right next door for 6 years.....been gone for almost a year....I don't miss it at all 😂 the stairwells are pretty disturbing as well.....

I’m from Salem. Not a mall, more like outlets with some touristy shops. Admittedly , even growing up in Salem, I quite liked these outlets. It’s as if it is trapped in the 70’s-90’s, and something about that is its own historical appeal. I get why people hate it, it’s definitely run down but it’s a blast to the past. But yes, no one cleans the bathrooms. Don’t go in there. Locals will agree with that statement

This explains why a few "Authorities" in Salem keeps inquiring why I was filming around the mall. That's funny. This video must have had an impact.

Looks like a county admin office building. If there can’t be one guard and one cleaning person on staff at all times, the place shouldn’t be open if there are known issues in that area of the town. The shopping public (including children) are at risk.

My fiance always wanted to go to Salem. We actually came from the west coast this past November. It was the worst city i have been in a long time. Dirty , expensive, crowded, no parking, long lines, homeless ,and on and on. it is one big tourist trap. I would never go back.

That is absolutely despicable that you had to pay $25 for that pizza and two drinks!

Why would anyone shop at such a mall?

I lived there for 30 years. I only went there when Social Security Office was on second floor and I had to change my name from maiden to married and if the kids and I were early for a movie. It hasn’t changed in 30 years. Many homeless and addicts use bathrooms. I don’t even understand how people can pay their monthly rents as even during tourist season it’s not busy. The only place that did decent business was the bagel place that is no longer there

I was born in Salem, MA but raised in and still live in CA. I intend to move back to MA. The last time I was in Salem was in 2006. It is disappointing to see such a poorly designed and maintained mall in Salem. It is also disappointing to read negative descriptions of the city itself.

The homeless shelter not far from the Witch City Mall doesn't treat people very well. The homeless guy was probably kicked out onto the street for simply missing curfew by 1 minute. Did you get a chance to see the retro game store that's a short walk from the mall? One thing to note is that there's no pets allowed in the mall. However, they don't give you that notification at the elevators inside the parking garage. My brother in law had his dog with him as he entered the elevator, got out inside the mall, and was instantly yelled at.

For as many years as I've ever gone there that place ALWAYS looks like it never gets cleaned (doesn't matter what season it is) the floors bathroom ECT are always gross The only cool thing is silvermoon comics and collectibles.. that store is amazing and the hidden gem of that place

Lived one town over for many years. Moved out of the area about 15 years ago. Still visit Salem every summer and either park in that garage or the lot across the street. When I was a young adult there was an amazing Chinese restaurant with the best food there. But other than that and using the elevator, I’ve never walked that mall and I’m glad I didn’t.

I'm from the area and you're right about the public restrooms and especially the ones in the mall being filthy. It's pretty ridiculous that there isn't more public restrooms considering how Salem is a major tourist destination. Random note: In the early 90s the mall was pretty busy and had a fairly decent arcade. Most people go to the North Shore Mall or even the Liberty Tree Mall (a dying mall) which are both about a 10 minute drive from Salem.

I feel bad for the homeless we don’t know there story who are we to judge

Maybe the filth was in an effort to embrace the horror aesthetic 😂

i honestly find the mall rather charming. that front area only, though. it feels very empty and i feel constantly lost, but i like the architecture. it’s a little crazy. it’s fun. i’ll be honest, i’ve never seen a good half of this place. i’ve only ever seen the front area that’s busy during the on-season.

😂😂😂 yeah there is a meme that indicates that the bathrooms are how baphomet gets to the ninth circle of hell. ❤❤❤ absolutely love witch city mall spend quite a bit of time there, also worked in one of the shops. All so true, and you don't want to know what I've witnessed over the years!!! your video has made me laugh my ass off. thank you so much for the joy. ❤❤❤

Sad it's so dirty, the architecture is stunningly beautiful. I can imagine this place being mind-blowing at xmas time.

4:53 so far it looks like a bunch of hallways. i love malls. i feel home.in them, this feels stressful

Only highlight there is the movie theater. Village Tavern is fun at night with a little bit of everything for the college crowd

The floor plan at 3:42 hadn't updated the name to show the name of the new mall.

Have you never been to a mall in a city before though? Was this the first time you've encountered homeless people in your life?

That might be the cleanest I've ever seen that bathroom. Check it out during peak season. It's astounding 😂

Had the same reaction when I first went to Salem, all trash cans were overflowing and so much more trash on the ground of the mall, absolutely gross.

I'm so glad you covered that bathroom lol, Wild.

Classic Witch City Mall vibes 🤣

Rumor has it that the homeless guy is actually the janitor.

I cut through here to get to the Peabody Essex Museum across the street and yeah, this is pretty accurate.

I think the no trespassing signs were just part of the theme of the mall

Makes you wonder where all the tourism money goes.

I'm more surprised that the mall was allowed to be open for as long as it has been. I say that having lived there for a year and a half.

The bathroom isn't always that bad. However I side with the locals. Go somewhere else unless it's your only option. There is few areas for restrooms including restaurants. My opinion go before you visit. There are a few worthwhile stores including a bakery photography store, I believe witch pics and a pizzeria and gem/jewelry store in the mall so its not all a waste. The theatre sells popcorn with real butter not the liquid stuff. The theatre is old-school so don't expect stadium seating. I've been in worse locations but there's also much better. The mall definitely needs an update.

This is a really filthy, dead, and gross “mall”… They should close this dump…

I could definitely eat that whole pizza Interesting little Mall Those elevators are hydraulic probably modded in the last 10 years no clue what brand/manufacturer Thanks for sharing this unique Mall

I'm from Los Angeles but If I ever get to travel to Salem, I might as well be using the hotel bathroom before I go use the public restrooms.. it's horrible being this dirty.. especially for Halloween season

I was there some years ago. Some young lady was usung a straightening iron on her hair using an outket in the hallway and the reflection of a window of a closed store. (Her hair was not in need of straightening, and she looked homeless) (I was an EMT at rhe time so i was trying to see wtf) Tried to ask her if she was okay, she had a short monologue that ended in asking for sex as she pulled her shirt down. Weird moment, trashy "mall"

Yikes... I'd hate to see it during busy season.

The whole town is Spencer's Gifts...

I’ve been a few times when passing through Salem. I only usually go there for Essex Pizza, which is actually quite nice, or unless I really need to use the bathroom. I’ve also been to the cinema there maybe twice before. Other than those two places there’s no reason I’d want to go there.

This is one of the few areas of my home state i rarely go to...maybe there's a reason why...

Seems this place has a witches hex on it!

The mall is small I like the movies

I was just in there today. It was a windy, raw day so my GF and I went in to warm up. It was pretty drab. I didn't have to use the rest room. It is like a huge Spencer Gifts as a previous commentor stated. The floors didn't look that dirty but it is May. The reason it is still open is the rent is probably cheaper. That pizza place is better than your review says and I don't know how cheap you think pizza should be, but if you want cheap pizza get frozen supermarket pizza. Sadly, every in-town mall I have ever seen have been taken over by homeless people. Suburban malls are not faring much better.

One of the strangest malls that I have ever seen before and with restrooms as dirty as those were I am not sure if I would wanna shop there

Salem was at one point the biggest city in Colonial New England. It is the city where the first US millionaire earned his money. There was a serious low point for Salem during the 1970s and 80s. The downtown during that period had a lot of drug use and trafficking. Things got better and I believe that is when the mall was developed. When I lived in Salem around 2000-2005 the mall was full. Salem has other issues that affect things:: location, traffic flow and size.

wow that mall is so internatison maybe they did not have no one come to work on that day sunday got sick so sad restrooms floors also did your mommy buy that pink tshirt??

There is two high schools upstairs.

IN SALEM CAN CUSTOMER'S USE THE BATHROOM'S OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING.

I personally loved salem when I visited this past September but wasnt impressed by the mall. I mean my judgment wasnt as negative as this or many of the comments but I also only browsed it like 15/20 mins

That mall has been dead 😂 I always forget it's there the only reason to go there is sometimes the move theatre

The homeless guy might be the same one I've spoken to before. The security allows him to stay there. He has his own little room somewhere i think so might be a different guy than the one u saw.

This place must be in a rough part of town.

I was there last month. Actually some pretty cool shops there.

8:22 Pizza illuminati symbol.

ha ha no.. those bathrooms never get clean

I am not an economist or an investor but my KZfaq roster is full of video reports of dead and dying malls from across the country. I'm sure a hefty percentage is internet commerce. I am not necessarily against out-sourcing or great changes but when the manufacturing sector moved to Mexico and then on to Asia, not a thought was given to the millions of people left behind. I felt that government should play a role in clearing the way to help this country compete. The homeless living in tents on the pavement conspicuous but the truth is that most are living in their cars and still working. Infrastructure is one thing and access to education and re-education is another.... But suddenly college tuition became an upper class privilege and a bad risk if you are unsure about what you want to do. A dead mall could be a great city or town college teaching skills relevant to today's needs. You probably can get any education on the internet but people still need groups and mentors.. These schools should be free as far as your grades can carry you.

Dont be a hater. Not everything has to be big corporate stores and big businesses. That mall is home to a lot of local small businesses who rely on Halloween. Its outsiders like you who want to change everything that doesnt appeal to YOU.

Yeah horrible…

I've noticed Massachusetts has many filthy businesses, not just this Mall. Combine that with the poor maintenance of its roads and general infrastructure. I would have to say Massachusetts doesn't give a very good impression of itself. I've begun to understand why the state is losing residents. Yet it is gaining a migrant population that needs to be financially supported by taxpayers. I would have to say The Witch City Mall has seen better days. If it's going to be open at least an effort to clean it up would be appropriate.

I knew it was going to be dirty from the vagrant hitting you up for money in front of the mall and the dirtiness on the front glass doors. I have never been to a mall that has had that disgustingly smeared and dirty glass entry doors. I plan on visiting this year and visiting Int. Monster Museum but might have to pass. Doesn't seem like a safe or clean environment. Especially if it becomes packed with more people. Starting to second guess my trip which is going to cost a nice chunk of change for a couple days stay with airfare too.

You should’ve went to Village Tavern for lunch. The food is way better.

Salem sux

You are hurting the businesses by doing this, the property owner and city hall has been notified several times and nothing has been done about the filth, tenants hear the complaints everyday