Not the outskirts of San Antonio, Balcones Heights is in San Antonio. San Antonio engulfed a lot of the surrounding small towns, and is still growing.
@_ch1pset
Ай бұрын
Came here to say, Balcones Heights is just outside of downtown, middle of SA. The city is way too big for it's own good, it's taking after LA and Houston. Outskirts in the same direction would be either Helotes or Leon Springs.
@alaminia
Ай бұрын
Came here to say that too
@evocati6523
Ай бұрын
@@Rudofaux they won't. Joining or annexing requires a citizen vote now, and nobody wants to be part of the high tax, high crime dump that is SA proper
@maceelliott3150
Ай бұрын
I wouldn’t classify “outskirts” as anything within 1604 at this point.
@Yourmission9
Ай бұрын
SA is still the best city in Texas, is it growing? Yes, but it still carries a small town charm
@mildredoceanbreeze
Ай бұрын
It's so strange seeing somewhere I went to as a kid in a random youtube video on my feed 😂
@AgentTexas_
Ай бұрын
Brought back good memories
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
I'm just glad it found its way to you!
@jerrbear1017
Ай бұрын
Same lmao just passed their today 💀
@toastbread2263
29 күн бұрын
Saaaame. They still host a lot of events there iirc
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
Do you remember the two arcades?
@GoldSrc1198
Ай бұрын
The "little shops" basically being a mini flea market is a great idea.
@angelr2602
Ай бұрын
It definitely is.
@ulyx9804
Ай бұрын
This mall is effectively an event center now. UFO convention, Halloween events, Anime conventions, International Food Events, etc. The new arcade is going to bring some interest for parties and events too, and this city has been getting filled with Japanese style arcade parlors.
@lungse.2565
22 күн бұрын
Don't forget monstercon!
@Seraphime
10 күн бұрын
i went to this mall for covid vaccinations and a couple of down’s syndrome association events over the years !
@basicfacekick
Ай бұрын
I love the Wonderland Mall for its resiliency. Whoever's running operations here has some VERY creative ideas to keep people coming through the doors.
@josiahamaze
Ай бұрын
It's in an old city
@Poopymancer
27 күн бұрын
Yah i remember when they would team up with the san japan folks to do a "mini san japan" there, fun lil event. I think thats where i got the silly little gay pirate book full of goofy innuendo from a quirky writer
@jamesyounger6909
Ай бұрын
Big investors from houston are rennovating this mall with big plans. Thats why there is so much happening, and its doors are still open. The construction area used to be a stein mart. the Hobby Lobby has been there forever. The back section of what is now Ross, used to house a burger king about 25 years ago. Anytime id go with my mom on a Saturday, the same group of senior citizens would be meeting there for breakfast. There used to be a movie theatre there in there, where I saw Lion King when I was 4. There were under-floor fountains that used to run, where many trees used to be. The chinese restaurant in the food court has been there 30+ years. This unlocked many forgotten childhood memories for me as a San Antonio native. Thank you for the video!
@neonte13
26 күн бұрын
So, apparently The Bijou has been rebuilt into Wonder Theater, and it's a space for a live performance group? Interesting! At least it kinda carries on the legacy of The Bijou showing foreign and arthouse films.
@RiggityWRECKED
Ай бұрын
Here in San Antonio, WotA and Rolling Oaks Mall have both turned into independent retail 'community centers' as it were. I love them!
@jesuschristhomeslice9492
Ай бұрын
And Ingram Park Mall is where you go if you wanna get human trafficked
@stressbucket9846
Ай бұрын
Last year we found the coolest little shop in rolling oaks. I went to San Antonio a week ago and was looking forward to going again but it was gone😭 They sold scented oils and you could make your own scent. We asked everyone about it and it's almost like I imagined it because no one knew what I was talking about. But I'm not crazy, I have perfumes to prove it 😅 Are you familiar with the shop I'm referencing, or have any info about it? I don't even remember the name.
@colin1818
Ай бұрын
I just wish they would fix the escalators at Rolling Oaks. They have one rickety elevator by the food court and the escalators on either end have been broken for years. And I don't think they even have stairs. Obviously you can probably get up and down in some of the department stores. But the mall has made little effort on this front.
@Braindeadrsj
Ай бұрын
I love the anime/food/ seasonal events they have ,they always bring amazing vendors and a good reason for a lot of people to come by
@wornouttrends
Ай бұрын
@@colin1818yep, gotta go through Dillard’s for the escalators
@tranquilo6897
Ай бұрын
As a San Antonian I'm so happy you made this. I live on the other side of town and worked at Northstar Mall but will still go walk around this one.
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
You're very welcome! All about preserving these spots whenever and wherever I can :)
@LadyxBleu
Ай бұрын
The seemingly random Christmas photos in the Rivercenter are actually historic photos of the old department store Joske's, which was extremely influential in San Antonio. Joske's was founded in 1869 by a Jewish immigrant fron Germany and eventually expended to become the largest store in the south at the turn of the century. That beautiful art deco exterior you noticed is what's left of it. Their Christmas window displays were a big deal during the holiday season. My dad got his first job as a child when he got hired to sit in a toy airplane in the Joske's holiday window display and look like he was having the time of his life for 35 cents/hour.
@clarksvegaseast
Ай бұрын
One of the events that would drive alot of traffic was Mini Mini Con, an event sponsored by San Japan (anime convention) as a free one day event. This year the MiniMini con was not held at Wonderlands since they are partnering with 2 other events at the Boeing Tech center and space may have been a concern. There isn't word yet if the MiniMini Con will return to Wonderland. But this is a case of several of the not quite dead malls in the San Antonio area staying alive by having mom and pop stores and hosting 1 or 2 day events that wouldn't have the attendance to occupy a convention center but provide year around events for folks of various hobbies.
@ThomasFort
Ай бұрын
Mini Mini was always a fun time to fill the void before San Japan.
@CosplayCore
Ай бұрын
I particularly love Monster Con… XD I had wanted to go to Monster Con for YEARS. Finally got to go for the first time in 2022. Might go again this year. Don’t know yet.
@kirahkitty
Ай бұрын
They ended up canceling it a few weeks before it was supposed to happen 😭 I miss it being at wonderland! It was always so fun and nostalgic.
@lorettagonzales4522
19 күн бұрын
@@CosplayCore Sep 28-29th at Rolling Oaks Mall , It's still around !!
@WaitingtoHit
Ай бұрын
The Bijou theater here was fantastic, the only place in the city where you could reliably see great indie films. Santikos made some poor managerial decisions that eventually killed it.
@paulmccartney1982
Ай бұрын
YES! I miss it so much man. They remodeled it before closing it which was a mistake because it looked so fancy originally
@WaitingtoHit
Ай бұрын
@@Rudofaux The Bijou closed permanently in 2022, so nothing that happened in the aftermath of COVID was his fault. He'd been in his grave over seven years by then.
@jaclyncollins2124
Ай бұрын
The Bijou was so good! I got kicked out of Kids for being underage at that theater. 😂
@amelietrue
Ай бұрын
@@WaitingtoHit I miss it so much 😭
@SmitzPNK
Ай бұрын
As someone who worked for santiko a while back, even back then the Bijou made no money and was a money hole, they kept it around as long as they could
@KatshiaRose
Ай бұрын
It used to have a full sized two story carousel that was the coolest thing ever when I was a kid. They ended up selling it to a church of all places, wish we still had it!
@valeriecheseborough7499
Ай бұрын
I remember that! Coolest thing ever! 🤗
@ShanwanaPuppy
21 күн бұрын
I rode it at the church ! It’s so pretty !
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
I think you're thinking of Central Park Mall, which was close to North Star Mall. They had the huge carousel.
@PXAbstraction
3 ай бұрын
A mall with not one but two independent video game stores in it?! Wow.
@DeadMallWalking
3 ай бұрын
Yeah, most stores in here were independent except for the anchors actually! No shortage of places to get Pokémon cards and such either.
@SeiferA2001
Ай бұрын
If you're talking about Geeked Out, that's actually a TCG shop
@insertu5ernamehere
Ай бұрын
There’s a really cool retro games store in there and then yeah the other guy is right, there’s a lot of other D&D/trading card stores that you would think are games and stuff but it’s not really. Cool mall tho. That raceway doe. Y’all remember when it used to downstairs next to the sbarro and that small lil food court??? The raceway even still has that Simpsons arcade cabinet like the old times! Or what about that bijou theater too? Cool lil place that I miss it was like a secret theater.
@SmitzPNK
Ай бұрын
I MISS THE BIJOU!!!
@Michael_Lantry
25 күн бұрын
@@SmitzPNKfavorite theater I’ve been to bc kids weren’t allowed lmfao
@NISSANZ33
2 ай бұрын
San Antonio native here who went to this mall in its mid 90’s heyday as a young child. Absolutely beautiful video. I have so much nostalgia for that place. There used to be an arcade downstairs by the foodcourt. That area is closed off now. Played Mortal Kombat 3 for the first time there when it launched. Im pretty sure that exit under construction you went out of toward the end was the old Montgomery Wards. That’s where I got my copy of Zelda Ocarina of Time as a young lad
@doktorwindo
Ай бұрын
Tilt and Aladdins Castle!
@Swampy948
Ай бұрын
Dude! I picked up Ocarina of Time from there a few months ago
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
@@doktorwindoAladdin's Castle was there for a while but then it became some independent arcade. Tilt had a nice spread. I remember playing Tekken 2 there. I also saw a TMNT live event in the food court back in the day. Loved Montgomery Wards.
@ericacruz8261
3 ай бұрын
4:35 Yep❤️I worked there for almost a decade up until 5 years ago and was always busy. People would say malls are dead and I would say ‘Yall haven’t been to north Star and south park in San Antonio. I would always to go wonder land mall when I was a kid. It was busy then in the 80s, early 90’s. They had a movie theater that showed independent movies but unfortunately closed down not to long ago. But I go now and I never get a weird vibe there. It’s still very much loved❤️
@josiahamaze
Ай бұрын
San antonio is 20 years in the past
@valeriecheseborough7499
Ай бұрын
Agree 100%!
@puppetmaster3892
Ай бұрын
@@josiahamaze New York just starting using trashcans lmfao youre barking up the wrong tree lil bro
@poisonouslead85
24 күн бұрын
@@puppetmaster3892 It only took them a century LMAO.
@MrEvanBrisco
Ай бұрын
was super sad when the bijou theatre in the mall closed. it was right by the "palm pavilion" and it showed amazing independent films.
@jvasquez1886
3 ай бұрын
10:23 that mall entrance will soon be converted into a Five Below!
@jig5859
28 күн бұрын
I always wondered when I came by what that was! All that's left is a hot topic and this mall will be golden lol.
@lungse.2565
22 күн бұрын
WE'RE GETTING A FIVE BELOW IN THIS PART OF TOWN?!
@jaclyncollins2124
Ай бұрын
The Christmas posters in Rivercenter Mall are from Joske‘s renowned Christmas display. Joske’s was a popular department store back in the day with a gorgeous annual Christmas display. Rivercenter is housed in the same building Joske’s was.
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
Love this fact! Thank you for sharing that. Do you happen to know how long Joske's has been gone?
@jaclyncollins2124
Ай бұрын
@@DeadMallWalking it’s been gone since the 80s, I think. It was about the same quality as Dillard’s. I really enjoyed your video. I love dead malls and I was excited to see a mall from my hometown. I call that mall Crossroads. I believe the original name was Wonderland, then it became Crossroads somewhere in the 80s or 90s, then it became Wonderland of the Americas.
@valeriecheseborough7499
Ай бұрын
Wow! Joske's! What a blast from the past! So many great stores no longer with us. 😢
@DXChrisCross
Ай бұрын
In the late 80s and early 90s, the mall scene in San Antonio was pretty crowded. There was Ingram, Windsor, McCreless, South Park, Westlakes, Rolling Oaks, Central Park, North Star, Rivercenter, and Crossroads.
@paulmccartney1982
Ай бұрын
How many of those have closed down now?
@dibberz-v1z
Ай бұрын
@@paulmccartney1982life long san antonio resident here, I know ingram, and windsor are long gone, rolling oaks, north star, and river center are all very much alive and well, the others not sure
@ragingjaguarknight86
Ай бұрын
@@dibberz-v1z South Park Mall is still alive and kicking.
@M00nwater
Ай бұрын
Yall are forgetting la cantera.
@M00nwater
Ай бұрын
@goldsteed8832 pretty sur3 Ingram is too. Soon to be a dead mall I predict
@Killerturtle14
Ай бұрын
10:35 That area is usually reserved for Spirit Halloween whenever Halloween approaches. Or for convention spaces
@taylal6633
Ай бұрын
From a local SATX girl. Thank you for seeing the beauty in Wonderland mall it’s truly my favorite place to shop ❤️
@bopman500
24 күн бұрын
If you'd gone to Rolling Oaks Mall, you'd have 100% gotten a dying mall experience if that's what you're looking for.
@poisonouslead85
24 күн бұрын
I'm always surprised that place is still open.
@Marty1857
Ай бұрын
As a child in the 60’s, we came here often. When I was in middle school we used to ride our bikes to the Wonderland Mall - traffic on Fredricksburg Rd was much less intense. It was the biggest thing - the ONLY place - for one-stop-shopping in that part of San Antonio. Furniture, food, clothes, toys, movies, arcades (which were always busy, given that video game consoles hadn’t been invented yet)… it was a great place to be. When I see you walking around freely on a Saturday, I feel a bit depressed. It’s still open, but it’s a far cry from what it once was in the 60’s and 70’s. I remember crowds of people moving purposely through Wonderland, not a handful of folks milling aimlessly around. I remember that there were so many people there on a Saturday that my sisters and I were told to hold hands (which we hated) in some sections so we wouldn’t be separated and get lost! (Which happened once to one sister - couldn’t find her for over an hour!) I’m very surprised that most of the upper mall space wasn’t turned into a Senior Living Center made up of dozens of small apartments; it seems like that would be a good fit. There’s lots of flat space to walk; it’s totally air conditioned; parking is very close; clinics and doctors' offices could be inside as well. And of course, it’s still centrally located within a huge, thriving residential area. (sigh) Brick & mortar shopping may be on the decline, but we’ll always need SOME PLACE to visit to get a “hands on” opinion of merchandise. And there are so many possibilities for all that space! I hope San Antonio does more upscaling of that part of the city; it would improve the Wonderland Mall as well.
@valeriecheseborough7499
Ай бұрын
My heart goes out to everything you mentioned. All of it so true! I miss Montgomery Ward, The Bijou, the pretzel place downstairs, and all those awesome shops and the old arcade. Such memories. It definitely has a different feel and is sad to see it so empty on the weekends. It used to be crowded any day of the week and yes, traffic was so much less intense back then. Miss those times... They sure have changed! My guy hates walking around there because it depresses him. I continue to give it the love and support it has earned, especially since I live so close by. Thank you for your comment and insight.
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
As a child of the 80s, I appreciate your recollections. Do you remember the arcade that replaced Aladdin's Castle?
@jarredbusbee4381
Ай бұрын
Wish you could’ve seen the underground (literally) art house theater near the entrance you went into before it closed down after Covid. It was my favorite :(
@TedBorel
Ай бұрын
Another cool San Antonio mall story: about 16 years ago a tech company, Rackspace, occupied a then dead Windsor Park Mall. Occupied it for about 14 years. 2 years ago they moved to a more traditional office space.
@marky3609
Ай бұрын
That super liminal section is where I always enter and exit the mall lol
@valeriecheseborough7499
Ай бұрын
My boyfriend sent me the link to this video, and it was such a surprise to see my old favorite mall being talked about on you tube! So much nostalgia & loyalty is what makes me continue to visit even tho it has changed alot over the years! I have wonderful memories of spending thousands of hours roaming that mall and all it's stores since we moved here to SA in 1977. I live 5 min away. So many memories of going with my family who are now gone. I still go for every horror convention, which is a shame that he failed to mention in the video. It may have lost alot of shops over the years, but still has plenty of life in it. I will always support it. ❤ And Goombas, Rico's and the Chinese restaurant are freakin' delicious! So convenient to go for lunch seeing how I work right next door at Target. 🤗
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
Ingram Park Mall was my where I loitered the most in the 80s & 90s, but we did go to Crossroads often. Do you remember the Montgomery Wards, Woolsworth with the adjoining Burger King? Or the arcade just outside of Montgomery Wards on the bottom level? I also got to see the Ninja Turtles there at the food court give a mini concert. Not "my mall", but many good memories there.
@Sliverbane
3 ай бұрын
I live in SA and haven't been there in years. I think I will go check it out. Especially the arcade!
@DeadMallWalking
3 ай бұрын
Some vintage gems in there for sure! An original Simpsons cabinet 🤩
@thedilutedspine
Ай бұрын
Been to a fair few "non-mall" things at Wonderland. The mall operators leave host to job fairs, book fairs, ect. One of my old bands even played a show here for a Fat Tuesday celebration they threw in like 2010. It's not surprising the mall is still going with how many extra curriculars they host at the mall. Great video, love seeing a place from my childhood/young adulthood through the eyes of someone outside of locals
@puppiesarepower3682
Ай бұрын
I've never been to this mall. My mall was Windsor Park Mall, which closed down years ago. North Star is the rich person's mall. I live blocks away from Mall de Las Aquilas in Eagle Pass, which is still alive but has taken some losses.
@gm12551
Ай бұрын
I liked that mall in EP
@funtimes6460
Ай бұрын
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this in my recommended, as I love dead mall videos and being a local myself. It seemed like a great watch and it was. Funny little story actually, many iconic figures have actually came through this mall before. I remember when I was younger, we had randomly stopped during a convention they were having. The best way I could describe it is, comic con but for horror. I specifically remember the “Knight Rider” car being on display, as well as my Aunt getting a picture with Robert Englund. Aka Freddy Krueger. I don’t know if they still host these conventions, but I just remember being so close to him. As, there really wasn’t a line. It seemed so under the radar, but it was so cool. That’s one reason I love Wonderland so much. It’s always been unique and comforting, even if it does give off backroom vibes a little lol.
@notmuch_23
3 ай бұрын
I _really_ like the Little Shops at Wonderland. I think more dying malls should do that!
@doktorwindo
Ай бұрын
I grew up in this mall when it was Crossroads and had 2 arcades and a movie theater, it was packed in the 90s. I'm in my late 30s now. I'm there at least twice a week to get some exercise and chat with everyone at the shops. It just feels like home at this point in life. Absolutely love it there.
@cs292
Ай бұрын
I grew up in this mall, when it was The Wonderland Mall.
@insertu5ernamehere
Ай бұрын
I was around and a kid at the time it was already pretty dead but I’ll never forget the raceway. Used to go when it was located downstairs in the back where they put all the trading card stuff now. There’s something special about this mall fr
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
Remember Montgomery Wards? And Woolsworth with the adjoining Burger King? Do you remember the name of the arcade that took Aladdin's Castle's spot?
@tony09utexas
Ай бұрын
Thank you for making this tribute to Wonderland/Crossroads! I moved to San Antonio right after it started being called "Crossroads" and many people still referred to it as Wonderland Mall. I've been away from San Antonio for many years, and I'm still strangely nostalgic for this mall, and really all of the San Antonio malls.
@M00nwater
Ай бұрын
The bijou is missed, but the teal steel framing is so lovely and nostalgic. Love getting my boots at cowtown boots!
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
Nice! I took a look in Cowtown Boots, but figured I wouldn't be able to pull 'em off back in the UK, haha.
@AngelHalo017
Ай бұрын
San Antonio resident here. I've shared in your sentiments walking through here before. They host a bunch of events there, chief among them food festivals and anime conventions. You don't want to go there when both are going on at the same time. Last year was a free con in collaboration with San Japan, located chiefly in that empty lot at 10:20. Sadly, they are skipping out this year due to charging for badges (although very affordable) and not getting enough people to bite, or so I had inferred. It's rare that me and my buddies would go out there. I am aware there is an arcade with some VR stations. But unless there is a Pump It Up cab in there, preferably Prime 2 or higher, it's hard to get me in. Haha. I will say that the coffee shop is pretty nice, and Goomba's wasn't there when I went last year. Not a bad pizza joint, but it seems to like to spawn others like Ray's and Mattenga's (my personal favorite; go to the Schertz location if you can!) Glad to had went through here and was happy to see this video.
@Penultimeat
Ай бұрын
I've come by for San Japan a couple times now, but never heard about this place. I hope they reinstate events at some point!
@fluffy9161
Ай бұрын
I'm glad you mentioned the community events, you're completely right that it's just as much of a community center as it is a mall. I've lived in San Antonio all my life, and as a kid we used to go here all the time for the slot car racing (and they used to have more tracks). Those gigantic empty spaces are FULL of vendors whenever they have one of their cons, and this mall can get really really packed during the events. It did recently lose one of their bigger events and the arthouse theater that was here closed during the pandemic (the mall's biggest loss imo), so I am still a little worried about it but the community events are definitely what's keeping it alive.
@Zeeangelofdeath
24 күн бұрын
A floor for work and a floor for a mall is such a good idea. Going to target, getting lunch without having to get in you car is amazing
@davidortiz9577
Ай бұрын
La Plaza Mall in McAllen TX will surprise you. Beautiful, modern, buzzing, and great restaurants including Texas De Brazil. Might have something to do with the tourism and shoppers from across the border, and winter Texans who travel here every year. I almost feel bad for not going more than I do. Feels like I’m taking it for granted as I’ve been to a couple dead malls in Connecticut. It’s sad to see. Almost like a piece of my childhood is withering away. Bridge St Towne Center in Huntsville AL, while not an indoor mall, is a beautiful set up with plenty of shops and restaurants. I felt like it might be the way of the future tbh. Its locals are lucky to have it. Good restaurants, a theatre and hotel nearby, and Texas BBQ! I’m kinda jealous lol Thank you for the video. It’s a reminder to get out and enjoy these places we once enjoyed when we were younger with our families. I need to get my kiddos out there walking around and enjoying the day, the people, and the experience!
@joannatrevino8882
Ай бұрын
Been going to this mall since the 80’s, and every Saturday it was busy. It wasn’t until the first renovations when I noticed the decline of it. But you know I still reminisce. I spent a lot of time at Aladdin’s Castle Arcade, and one point going to Club Image yes there was once a dance club. I sure do miss the Bijou Theater. I have this wild plan of bringing back a classic arcade reopen Aladdin’s Castle I hope in the near future.
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
Joan, do you remember the name of the arcade that replaced Aladdin's Castle? I went there in the 80s too & it was great having two arcades in 1 mall. Tilt had such a good spread.
@Weightlossjourney24
Ай бұрын
I spent a lot time at crossroads mall when I was kid. My grandparents lived about mile away. I walked there it was a different time in the 1980’s thanks for sharing. 😊
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
I was a child of the 80s. Do you remember the name of the arcade right outside of Montgomery Wards on the bottom level? I think Aladdin's Castle was there first, but then that arcade took it's place after a while.
@JonCampos-kh2bw
Ай бұрын
When I was in high school, that was a mall with plenty of stores and visitors. I can remember the diner inside of one of the stores. A cup of coffee was .25 with free refills.
@SurgeOfUnrest
Ай бұрын
I grew up in San Antonio and I did go there one time while in school. We watched Life of Pi in the theater that was there. There was another mall but it was closed and purchased by Rackspace.
@Unknown-us6xh
Ай бұрын
And now Rackspace moved out of there. Idk what SA/Windcrest will plan to do with that giant space now
@SurgeOfUnrest
Ай бұрын
@Unknown-us6xh Wow! What a shame. I remember everyone's dream was to work there.
@megansawyer2778
Ай бұрын
The lower floor of this mall used to be the site of a Career Point College cosmetology school. I remember the halls being dark and empty with a bunch of creepy wig heads looking out through the windows lol
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
Sounds like the perfect liminal hell :)) haha
@SothisTheDog
Ай бұрын
I used to think mall was just another cruddy mall, but it has some really cool quirky shops and frequent events like indoor flea markets.
@ERA_Productions
3 ай бұрын
Yay, an actually good video on this place! Always glad to see a mall from the 60s reinvent itself, and still hang around. This place has some charm do it. That’s hard to find another places. The floors in here and the skylights are incredible! Great video!
@DeadMallWalking
3 ай бұрын
Thank you, man! Much appreciated 🙌🏻 The floors were so shiny, it was like they’d all been freshly buffed. And the skylights are just gorgeous 🤩
@jasmine-jn9hf
Ай бұрын
My mom worked in the food court in the 1990s when I was a little one. We still go there for this and that about once a month. It's amazing that its maintained genuine utility to the area through so many decades. All the spaces that were under construction are now occupied by the way! Thanks for spotlighting our little mall :)
@icantthinkofaname2417
Ай бұрын
This mall has always amazed me. Its always empty and yet its still running. Funnily enough, my classmates were able to shoot their short film here late at night (like 2am) by just walking in, like there was no security or locked doors. They said other people were just walking in too so idk whats up with that lol.
@utubepunk
21 күн бұрын
Oh wow! That's slick. Have they uploaded their film to KZitem yet? Would love to see it.
@digimonchampion
25 күн бұрын
STOPPPP I GO HERE ALL THE TIMEEE 😭 every Saturday it gets packed with horror themed vendors and I love it!!!!
@Drowzee64
Ай бұрын
Excellent take on this mall's distinguishing multicultural appeal, and all the effort still being put into keeping it alive. If you're ever back in Texas again, I'd love your take on Greenspoint Mall here in Houston. The locals consider it dead and call it "Gunspoint", but I've always wondered how much of that reputation is deserved and how much is just people stereotyping the mall based on its predominantly African American customer base, and all the businesses inside that cater to that community.
@Coloradorivr
27 күн бұрын
Hi San Antonian here! I'm happy you liked Wonderland! What you said about the mall feeling more like a "community" honestly rings true. As a frequent visitor of the mall, I feel like this is something natural to San Antonio, since a lot of our recreational spaces were either once places that struggled financially, or were abandoned but refurbished and now have new life brought back into them. Also yeah, North Star is infamous for being packed, lol.
@Tupapaperro777
Ай бұрын
This place is amazing . It used to have a functioning movie theatre with curated films
@blurrydog1
Ай бұрын
I just went to an optometrist appointment at Wonderland today. Happy to see this video
@scarletfoxx06
19 күн бұрын
As someone who has a family member who was a Council Person for Balcones, I can say that one of the little city’s focuses is keeping the mall going with businesses, though they do have a lot of challenges. Like you said, it’s a budget problem. While it does feel empty a lot of times, the events and conventions held there make it fill up quickly and give it its life.
@SeiferA2001
Ай бұрын
SA Native here. Wonderlands is indeed one of the most unique places one could ever go to, although it's stitched up ideas alongside the old traditional mall set up does make it feel less like a mall and more like something unique. North Star and South Park do a good job of continuing to hold that traditional mall quota in San Antonio and yeah, moving to Indiana just showed me more how vastly different San Antonio has it with their malls and their density in patreons compared to everywhere else in the country
@incognito3698
Ай бұрын
I live right next to this mall. I haven't been for a bit now, but I always get excited when I have a reason to go because every time I walk through there I feel like a little kid again. This mall is everything this guy says and then some. Something I don't think he discussed was the various random events they do at this mall all the time. The last time I went they had a Japanese street food festival going on so the parking lot was full of food trucks and street food vendors and the inside was almost set up like a comic-con for vendors to sell various knick-knacks and cosplay stuff and random cool nerdy artifacts. Its a very cool mall, and I can say vey definitively that goomba's pizza is 10/10.
@fightrudyfight5799
Ай бұрын
210! Gotta love this mall. Always great pop ups, conventions and great shops in the little shops. Been coming here since I was a kid and my kids love coming here. Getting a five below pretty soon! Just watch it with Balcones Heights Police, they’ll stop you for the slightest thing.
@xyz39808
15 күн бұрын
I 100% believe the city necessities of the bottom floor were the main reason why it's survived so long
@orthamos
Ай бұрын
Rolling Oaks Mall off Nacogdoches in San Antonio is another half dead mall.
@garrettdelong892
25 күн бұрын
That construction area at 10:30 was a large bouncy castle/trampoline park place catered toward children. Lots of fond memories towards it.
@I-must-scream
Ай бұрын
I love that you covered this mall! I have a lot of good memories going there as a kid. The Palm Pavillion used to have a smoothie place under the escalators that had the best smoothies I ever had in my life. Better than smoothie king. I agree that Wonderland is very smartly managed - the medical and immigration offices have a great location there. And part of the mall used to be a nursing school before the school was shut down a few years back due to fraud! I think it was Kaplan but I could be wrong.
@LawnPygmy
Ай бұрын
Hey! Good to see one of my favorite places mentioned in a video. It's a shabby old place with dirt in the corners and scuff on the tiles and I love it all the more for it. It has character and shows it, even if I hate that the down escalators are always out of service. That spot you mentioned, with all the construction? That used to be an open space and people would use it to due dance classes, workouts, and even small LARP sessions. Also, the Bexar County Election Commission used that area as a voting center. They're downstairs next to Security, now. Also, one thing you see a lot of there is people using the area as a walking track. There are track markers on the walls somewhere if you look telling you how far you've gone. Lots of old folks use it as an indoor track for exercise. They're on both levels! Those vendors are there every other weekend. Every weekend in some parts of the year. There's a huge horror scene there that always shows up, and there's miniature free conventions there happening at least once a month that gets some of the talent to show up and sign autographs. Think the Little Shops but way busier and everywhere. And we can't forget my favorite part of the Mall, Heroes Retreat. A bustling miniature wargaming store that often hosts big crowds inside playing all kinds of games. Its sister shop, Geeked Out, is the same but for TCGs. Thanks for coming out, bud!
@jig5859
28 күн бұрын
I appreciate your commitment to continually visit it for a whole weekend. Thank you for giving it a fair shot! Awesome video loved seeing it from the outside looking in.
@jamiecinder9412
28 күн бұрын
This brings back memories. This mall was one my favorite spots to hang out at when I used to live in San Antonio. It's a shame you didn't get to try Goomba's pizza, tho. It was actually one of my favorite places in the entire city to get a slice from. I also highly recommend Chicago's on Blanco Road. That's a few miles east off of I-410.
@crayonburry
Ай бұрын
The interior with its glossy tiling, and green painted metal, indoor vegetation, and angular skylights really reminds me of Highland Mall (now ACC highland).
@theresarodriguez4539
26 күн бұрын
I was wondering if he's covered it already! If he could, that would be pretty cool. I have only visited campus a couple of times but I love the idea of converting malls to schools!
@just1gnome192
2 күн бұрын
went to my first convention here and still go every weekend for pathfinder! love this place so much and glad to see it get the recognition it deserves
@MokyCho
Ай бұрын
I LOVE WONDER LAND!! Flashback is my favorite local game shop and i love CD sam’s and all the other little specialty shops. :)
@ringer1324
Ай бұрын
It was so cool to see CD Sam in this video since a close friend of my family owns it. And I used to spend hours chatting with the employees and just hanging out.
@marssheets3739
Ай бұрын
wonderland mall always has events going on i LOVE that place so much. it’s so cozy and so cute i hope it never goes away
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
It's been around for a while, so I'm very hopeful it sticks around for a long time to come!
@philadrian7618
Ай бұрын
Lovely video! I love this mall and visit frequently with friends. We usually go to Heroes Retreat right off the food co… ahem, Palm Pavilion 😅, to play Warhammer 40k, and we sometimes go upstairs to Geeked Out to play card games. An old friend of mine owns Flashback Games, and we often eat at Goomba’s or the Chinese spot run by a nice old lady. I’d love to see the mall filled with more businesses and visitors in the future, and I thank you for the time you took to make this video.
@lesfoster4127
3 ай бұрын
Don’t really go to Wonderland too much. Occasionally pop in to the record store at Little Shops. There use to be a theater on the lower level that played some movies that weren’t in major theaters.
@DeadMallWalking
3 ай бұрын
I’m glad to hear the little shops are getting some footfall! And the theater seemed to still be there from what I could tell, think it may have plays showing too?
@kristinethibodeaux619
Ай бұрын
I remember going to see Beauty and the Beast with my oldest daughter there. She is now 38.
@soupymeow
13 күн бұрын
They have lots of cool events that happen there like almost every week!! Actors show up and everything it’s very fun
@IlfordRetro
2 ай бұрын
I think the filling out of malls with services like the ones you mention here, will be the future of many UK malls. As retailers die and are priced out by the rents and various other factors, it's the healthcare and service industry businesses which will move in. If it keeps footfall up and malls and peripheral businesses at least ticking over, it makes sense.
@alanleos3637
Ай бұрын
I miss the Bijou Theater 😭 it was the only place in town where you could catch independent films released on the big screen. Ironically, I'll admit the last movie I saw there before it closed was Rise of Skywalker smh
@valeriecheseborough7499
Ай бұрын
I agree with you. Loved and miss the Bijou so much! Saw alot of Great films there. Last one for me was The Dead Don't Die, with my mom and boyfriend. Mom enjoyed it cuz it was a tiny theatre and so close by where we live, only a few minutes away. Wish they'd bring back all those fun shops as well. COVID ruined everything.
@omgLOOKitsGIR
Ай бұрын
as someone who lived and grew up in san antonio, it's nice to see one of the placed i love being covered. thank you for this video and bringing eyes to this mall
@kojuhh
Ай бұрын
Recently a local and loved live theatre company called “Wonder Theatre” moved into the mall. It’s super rad and has helped breathed life into the space. Love seeing shows there!
@qoph1988
6 күн бұрын
Becoming a mercado seems to be a major survival strategy for malls. The octagonal court reminds me of that one dinner scene in Brazil
@plainsongz
Ай бұрын
I still love coming here from time to time! It's one of those weird, nostalgic places I've been visiting since my childhood.
@Cyranek
5 күн бұрын
came here to comment that this place in inside the inner loop (loop 410) of the city (not the outskirts) but it looks like a ton of people have already jumped on that haha
@R3troRyan7274
9 күн бұрын
Oh man, I used to be at the Slot car racing a lot as a kid. Thank you for reminding me this place exists.
@cs292
Ай бұрын
That building at Rivercenter used to be “Joske’s” and it was a beautiful store..as good as any in New York..a shame it got hacked up like that.
@XyzqwaShow
Ай бұрын
cant wait to move to SATX! im so ready lets go!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@kristinethibodeaux619
Ай бұрын
Get ready to BAKE! Summer here is brutal.
@fightrudyfight5799
Ай бұрын
The heat here is BAD! The food here is great! Enjoy tacos!
@tranquilo6897
Ай бұрын
As a kid I couldn't wait to leave San Antonio. I joined the Army then as an adult couldn't wait to come back. I love it here.
@Saints779
Ай бұрын
Good luck. The heat is absolutely brutal, the drivers are the worst I’ve ever seen anywhere, and the job market is ass cheeks.
@fightrudyfight5799
Ай бұрын
@@Saints779 truth. No one cares where you’re headed, only where they’re headed. No one uses their damn turning signals.
@Heynowrcp
21 күн бұрын
Was not expecting to see this on my feed 😅 Worked at the Bijou movie theater on the first floor for a little over a year back in 07, which sadly closed a couple years ago. You pass it on your left around 12:06 before you head out the doors. Some great memories there!
@sl7813
15 күн бұрын
That pizza place there did actually used to be Sbarro and the checkered empty space was a Schlotskeys deli. Side wok Chinese is the real OG and she’s still kicking it looks like.
@livingdeadbtu
Ай бұрын
The stunning old building is the old downtown Joskes department store. Many fond Christmas memories there.... think the mall at "Christmas story" I wager those Christmas posters were from the Joskes. Looked like it
@rayemanta
Ай бұрын
I have such a deep love for this place. Not only is it perfect mall nostalgia, but they put on events fairly often and the mini market is full of cool classic media. Also I’m pretty sure that taped off corridor near the end of the video is what’s left of the steinmart
@ironmatic1
19 күн бұрын
The thing that stuck out the most to me whenever I've been there is the lack of any architectural design standards. Any Simon mall will have dozens of pages of criteria and a detailed review process. It really cheapens the place when most units have been reduced to hole-in-the-wall thrift shops with the tackiest canvas banner and LED strip signage imaginable.
@HWandW
Ай бұрын
Whoa! I used to live in SA for a few years as a child. This brings back memories. Thanks for the trip in down memory lane!
@dean823
Ай бұрын
Last time I was here at ARs entertainment someone pulled a gun and the place had to get evacuated. That whole area is ghetto bro
@blinddiecast
Ай бұрын
lol, exactly, nothing but homeless idiots, and cops stopping you just cause you sneezed
@DeadMallWalking
Ай бұрын
Oof, that's brutal! I gotta say, the area definitely felt a little sketchy at times...
@orlandocastaneda4107
29 күн бұрын
Thanks for shouting out this place i hope it helps my moms buisness out.
@TXgeopg
Ай бұрын
Wonderland and Sharpstown Mall, both in tExas opened on the Same Day September 14 1961
@OZOB1337
25 күн бұрын
Friends of mine made fun of it, but still holds a special place in my heart of nostalgia
@mkultra11
2 ай бұрын
Nice ! Will visit there
@paulmccartney1982
Ай бұрын
yeah man that's my mall!!! love it! always old people jogging in the mornings, sweet record store days, and the movie theater that was there before covid was peak! it was my favorite theater in the city, no kids were allowed and it went deep down under the mall, it had musicians in the lobby and a classy bar, I miss it.
@jaspersmuck330
Ай бұрын
CD Sam is probably my favorite little shop at this mall, I always found some cool stuff there
@Goldarlives
Ай бұрын
I started collecting CDs again after picking up a copy of Primus’s “Sailing the Seas of Cheese” from CD Sam’s. It’s easily my favorite store in the mall.
@Highyeena
Ай бұрын
I love Wonderland! I work between 410 and 1604 and usually take 410 home -- and Wonderland is on my way home, so I end up stopping by on days that I get off early sometimes. I actually prefer to eat at Rico's, they're pretty tasty. Elevators are also usually only shut off for events! it helps control crowds a bit, especially for some of the larger ones.
@Robin10190
28 күн бұрын
Oh man, I love this mall. Flashback and cd sam are the two that keep me coming here
@se7enwords.
Ай бұрын
I live 10 minutes south from this mall. Used to be Crossroads mall in the 90’s. Mall used to be packed then. Food court used to have a Wendy’s as well. Used to have a theater not so long ago that would show vintage movies certain nights and new premieres. I still visit this mall every now and then.
@creatura6376
Ай бұрын
oh i remember this place. i went here for a convention once!! so weird to see all the familiar sights in a youtube video hahaha. i have such distinct memories of seeing people in specific places that you shot here.
@kingsleyblancher6341
Ай бұрын
Local here, another thing keeping the mall alive are the small conventions they hold almost every other weekend. Horror, anime, retro gaming and 80s stuff. That and the two game stores for table top, warhammer at the food court and the card games above the food court.
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