Dead Malls Season 5 Episode 8 - Dort Mall
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- čas přidán 24. 03. 2023
- As a much as auto correct wants to tell me this is Fort Mall, or Sort Mall, no, this is Dort Mall. Or Small Mall, or Mid America Plaza. Just about one of the oldest malls which has never been renovated I have ever seen. Dort Mall was built by a local developer in Flint in 1964. Originally the mall was just a small community place for the people, meant to house a variety of local businesses. It opened in 1965 as a community shopping destination. However years later when Eastland, and Genesee Valley Center opened, it was doomed. 3 malls scattered across the dying Flint, MI was a melting pot of trouble. Coupled with the fact that Dort Mall was just in a bad spot, in a lower income neighborhood, while the others sat proudly away from the crime on interstate 69. Dort Mall would see a plethora of strange tenants over the years as itself was a strange mall. Sears Hardware, Yankee Stadium, A&P, Peranis Hockey World, a theater, and even a basement nightclub which closed in the early 80s. By the 2000s while the others struggled through closure, Dort Mall didn’t have to worry about much of that. The mall was locally owned by Bob Perani, and was so small and had such a good cycle of small discount business that it never feared closure. The mid 2010s would even see Bob hang up and strew about the halls his DOZENS of antiques and collectibles. So it was always to the locals and traveling tourists such as myself, more of a museum. As of my July 2022 visit, most of the antiques have been sold at auction and the mall sits very quiet most days. Sure Dort Mall never reached the success it was supposed to have, but with the competition and it’s size, maybe it was always meant to be just a community space. So what’s it like in Dort Mall as of July 2022? Well, let’s head in, tell the short story, and find out for ourselves. And let’s also take a quick peek at a long abandoned Kmart way up north at the end..
Music used
Mall Muzak of 1959
1970s Kmart Jingle
Kmart 1983 MUZAK
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Wow! The Circle grocery store sign is amazing!!! Would love to have those letter boxes
Right?!
Now that I think about it, yes the mall really could be a school! That would be such a cool idea and imagine them opening up the old 70s dance floors for students to go and hangout in! Great daily video as always.
That would be cool! Thanks for watching!
“And today, it just sits abandoned, long forgotten, as nature takes it back!” @ 12:42. Eerily poetic and so accurate! The background track music perfectly matches the scenery with vibes of mystery, sadness, and a tad bit of creepiness!
One summer when I was a kid growing up in the midwest, my best friend and I rode our bikes three miles to our local Kmart and bought our first tennis racquets. We were both 10 years old, the year was 1970 and the tennis racquets were $1.49 each which we earned by cutting grass for a neighbor. We couln't afford tennis balls so we would scrounge the bushes which were on the perimeter of the courts till we found a couple which still bounced. Ah, those were simpler times.
Chilling, thank you for filming this. THis my home town where I grew up.
A place like this mall would be so cool to rent out as artist studio space. I'd love to have an art/work space inside this mall! Very cool vintage vibes. And those skylights! ❤😶🌫️
That would be cool!
It looks like most of the vintage items have been sold off or removed since Dan was here years ago. Very surprised it’s still open.
Even though there was much more to see in that video, Dan was already complaining about how much the collection was being scaled down even then, so it much have been very impressive back when it was complete.
This is down the street from where a grew up. Cool to finally see the inside
That was an interesting mall. I can't believe that Kmart building has been vacant since 97. Keep up the great videos.
Awesome video! Such a unique little gem!
Thanks! It is pretty sweet!
hello from brisbane. I really like watching your content and sadly, seeing how shopping centres are dying in america.
hopefully Australia doesn't end up the same way as i do like an occasional trip to the shops.
Very sad about the state of Kmart. When I lived and worked in Michiana, they had an outreach program with a few of the counties special ed schools. Every year some of the stores employed about >20 of the seniors, kids with things like Down's who could work just couldnt get a foot in the door elsewhere. Sad.
Aww that’s so cool! That’s such a good program! It really is a shame how we’ve lost treasures like those..
It is kind of sad when you think of it: Malls like Dort Mall, Burnsville Center, Har Mar Mall, Southdale Center, and all of the other malls that have seen better days have now gone completely to 💩.
Wow this is really interesting! I feel like Dort is a terrible name for a mall lol
It is a little strange lol, for a long time I always thought it was the Dirt Mall
I’m not sure the name ! I have family that lives in flint but I think it might be because it’s on Dort Highway just a guess !
That Kmart is TRULY terrifying but an absolute wonder to experience
Right?? Wish I could’ve gone in to see it, but honestly the outside was good enough for me!
I remember when this mall was filled with antiques it truly was a museum in a shopping destination. Sadly it seems It all has changed. Still a beautiful mall
I looked it up and the mall inside looks very unique to me
That K-Mart is insane! The old signage scars combined with the overgrown plants is really something. Even as someone whose family never really shopped at any K-Mart, I still remember their stores fondly. We use to drive by the one in Garden City all the time, which, if I remember correctly, was the first K-Mart ever - however it closed a while back, and was demolished sometime in the last couple years. I wish they turned it into a museum or something, its really depressing to pass by such an large empty plot of land, where the start of a once dominating retail giant stood. Great video as always, thanks for sharing your explorations!
The Kmart opened October 16th 1965 and closed in 1999 not 1997. It’s store number was #4099
Great video North! Loved the Kmart exploration and can’t wait to see Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw!
Thanks for watching CoolCat!
This felt like a small community museum with its once upon a time decor.
I really enjoyed hearing the old Kmart advertisements and announcements. I was very young when Spencer, IA still had their Kmart store (currently a Bomgaars) in the early 2000's. The last one I knew that was still operational was one in Cherokee, IA in 2018. That has now also been turned into a Bomgaars.
I miss the Cherokee Kmart! That was personally my childhood Kmart store
that K Mart was a vibe! loved this video!
MY MAN! Love getting that little notification and seeing the one and only! keep it up.
Thanks brother! Glad to have you here!
I grew up in a large family, and mom found Kmart prices easier on the pocketbook, trying to clothe 5 daughters, 1 son. I miss those stores. Here in Boise, never saw 1 opened (it'd close by the time I heard about it), and the ShopKo down the road from me, it shutdown 4-5yrs ago, but up till then, I'd go shop there just to try and help them out. Big malls mean crap to me, small places matter more, & the KMart/ShopKo stores long gone worked for me. It's sad no one on their corporate level jumped on updating the stores for online shopping, etc. Bad decisions made there. I know its costly to tear things down, but these buildings once in this state need to be - for health concerns among the many. I learned today that a east coast company has bought a closed anchor store in my local Boise Square Mall & plans to put new smaller businesses inside, along with resident apartments! Why can't old malls be refurbished to house people .... add in small grocery outlets, a barber, etc. to keep them happy. Structurally open the building up, for sunlight and open spaces! Alot can be done, if funding wasn't the main issue. It shouldn't be the main issue.
Yes this is one of the oldest never updated malls I’ve ever seen too! Totally suck in a time capsule!
This mall is a gem, very great video, keep up a good work.
I want to go to this mall so bad and see more of the Detroit area. The decay and history from the industrial era is fascinating.
Those stained glass skylights remind me a lot of the stained glass from the long gone Apache Plaza in St. Anthony MN. That mall also had an underground lounge…and also a bowling alley that was accessed like this lounge here at Dort Mall. A lot of the early 60s malls had some sort of underground restaurant and lounge like this. Crossroads Mall in my dad’s hometown of Roanoke VA had a tucked away underground lounge like this that was closed off in the early 80s. I was able to gain access to it back in the 2000s before the mall closed and was turned into Advance Autoparts corporate headquarters. All the original furnishings from the early 60’s were still down there and everything looked completely undisturbed. It was like a big time capsule.
You ever gonna visit the Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor? It's by no means a "dead" mall but it has seen better days.
I haven’t, it was actually on my list, but I decided to skip it, but I’ll send go back for it if I’m ever in the area again!
Great video. I think it looks more like an ice rink. It even had a zamboni!
Right??? This mall could be so many things! Lol
11:14 enter at your own risk☠️💀
That old Kmart is probably full of asbestos (ceilings, linoleum, etc.), and that has to be removed before they tear down these old buildings.
I don’t blame you for not trying to get into that Kmart, sounded to risky! 😮
NorthCdogg22 did you catch a show at the machine shop across the street when you went to dort?
I think Dort mall would also make an awesome skatepark or skate-rink too : ) loved the old Kmart too.
I wonder why there are so many former commercial real estate lots sitting abandoned while having an ample traffic route nearby to help feed a new development. Unsafe buildings with holes in them for easy public access should be more of a concern to the local scene. At least that cop came by to patrol this area. Anyways, thanks again for sharing this adventure with us to the Dort Mal in MI.
Hey I think someone did a video about this Kmart a few years ago
Nice little mall, it’s a gem. That Kmart is in bad shape!! I’ve been wanting to go there for awhile.
You should definitely check it out! It’s worth the trip, just gotta hope there’s no homeless inside!
I may have to in the near future! The next mall you’ll feature is Fashion Square Mall:)
I wouldn't have been able to leave without getting help for those dogs...😢
That Kmart looks terrifying can’t blame you for not wanting to go in there
Sounds like fashion square is next! I’ve been to that mall and it’s kind of sad how far it’s gone downhill!
You know it! When I went I was the ONLY one inside, pretty odd
I love your videos and I totally understand that you do Dead malls but I wish you could have done more detail and research and a video on the Kmart alone
If I would’ve gone in to that Kmart, I would’ve totally done that
HELP!
What is the first music track?
I think it’s Midnight Premiere - Portland but I cannot find it..
It must be embedded in a long track from midnight premiere hidden somewhere!
Great episode. Also, I really enjoyed seeing the abandoned Kmart and all of the fading signage, etc.
Thanks Scott!
Bay City Towne Center or Midland Mall next Great Video
Thanks M&RL! But actually it’s neither of those two!
*d o r t*
d o r t
Never been to this mall but I heard it was a great mall to go to very small
Circus pizza was my childhood
Mall have a rc hobby shop in it right now which is pretty cool
To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if the Dort Mall outlived "Courtland Center" and Genesee Valley, as it's kept its connection to the local area while Courtland has pretty much lost its stores and GV has become a milking cow for a Vulture Capitalist company seeking to fatten its bottom line and will probably start losing its tenants soon enough.
Odd but I noticed the biosteel sign at the hockey store I've had a few of their products and they are amazing
Whoa those beams and skylights are a 60s catholic church's dream
No! They got rid of the Sputnik type light fixture outside of the mall! Sad…
I know right!! They’re called rotospheres and I was DEVASTATED when I saw it was gone😭
What a time capsule at the same time. Thank you.
If you suspect there was arranged dog fighting or similar going on in the outside facilities, please give the cops a tip at least.
Don’t worry, I filed a police report that night
What is the name of the background track you used
Woww that’s crazy ima have to go there now nvm it’s a little far away
This mall was definitely different.
7:30 I feel bad for this poor and lonely fan 😔
Harper Woods Mall?
Friend of mine from that area was talking about it not long ago.
Doesn't look like much going on in there today
*The Light* had a raised dance floor of translucent white panels with colored (neon?) lights controlled at DJ station. (DISCO FLASHING LIGHTS and EVEN a mirrored ball with 4 or 5 baby spotlights for twirling lights) ... I doubt they removed the dance floor unless renovated for another use, but WHY? Roughly finished space was dark painted cinder-block i cannot think any other use for the area. AS FOR THE MANAGEMENT... apparently owned by an Ohio Company (possibly it was Indiana but I'm leaning Ohio) or whatever, surprised me since our paychecks were drawn from bang in previously mentioned State. I know that Michigan has very oppressive rules making it overtaxed for multi-state corporations. maybe OK for 2 or 3 state controlled corps. but check Walmart, Kroger, etc. you'll find Mich owned by different subdivision than (most) of the Western and Atlantic states
as for their actual management style, SLOPPY ... they might have been able to become profitable but managers were more into scrxwing over the good staff and partying with bad employees than trying to improve customer satisfaction. i was 1 of 3 janitors. when all 3 of us worked the other two and the handyman would hang around the loading dock smoking pot for about 3 hours while i cleaned my whole shift. my day to work alone would take me about an extra 50% time. (7-9 hrs) on my day off the other two would get job done an hour less than all 3 of us. (i assume they didn't hang around smoking weed like when i was working.)
the conclusion? they fired me.... because it took me 9 hours to clean by myself! WOT?
in addition, one of those two found out the far right Liquor box could be lifted up and swung open giving access to the booze. Handyman never told management. i probably should have, but i don't snitch.
took 9 hrs for me to clean place, 6 hours when all 3 on the clock... but they fired ME... unbelievable
I'm glad they closed about a year later
😚🤣🥰😁😆😂🤣😆🙃😛 GOOD RIDDANCE !!!!!!!!!
That is the saddest looking mall I've ever seen. It's more like an old shopping plaza to me.
Right?? It just FEELS like the 60s in here
I'd have to guess the next mall you are going to is Birchwood Mall.
YASSS
Here❤
Good to have you!
I love dead malls it reminds me of the backrooms
The Lakes Mall in Muskegon?
Finally found it! Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw
Yup! You know it! Unfortunately someone got it just before you but good guess anyway!
I miss LC pizza stations and their big deal veal.
Next mall will be the fashion square mall in Saginaw. The most boring mall in the tri city's but the largest.
It is a little bland, but it does have some charming properties
Is it the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw?
Yessir, you got it!
DO IT PLEASE!!!
Fashion square next?
I don’t think you saw but i guessed it aswell
Awe there were dogs in there?? 😢
Also i’ll be taking a shot in the dark but i guess the next mall will be The Lakes Mall
Nope! But good guess!
@@NorthCdogg22 its either Bay City Town Center or Midland Mall then
My guess the fashion square mall?
Gee? What chsnged in Flint Michigan?
Fomer Kmart 10:38
It has to be Northbrige mall
Fashion square mall?
Yes sir!
Les go
It was irksome seeing what was left of that Kmart, which stands like a battered monument of better times. It is positively criminal how our federal government has for decades turned its back on cities like Flint, while cheap, imported goods continue to pour in unabated. I heard recently that Elon Musk was going to open up a huge Tesla plant in Mexico. When I heard this all I could think was, "why not Detroit or Flint, Michigan?"
I don't think Musk wants to deal with the UAW environment.
"No views" that means I am number one.....Gold meadalist bouncing back from my 20th place last week....That's 4 Gold a silver and bronze a 14h place and 20th place.