Thursday, February 25, 2016

FLASHBACK: Old Chicago- The Amusement Mall in Bolingbrook, Illinois



          Is it technically a mall, or was it a amusement park, really it was both, and really a smaller scale, less successful version of the Mall of America that once was located in Bolingbrook, Illinois. As Old Chicago lasted no longer than the time it took to build, only five years from 1975 to 1980, it was the main event for Friday night fun, birthdays, and a memory only covered up by asphalt. The idea of Old Chicago was an amusement park that could be visited all year around, unlike what is known now as Six Flags Great America up north in Gurnee, Illinois, that is open only a few months out of the year.

          Because shopping was no the main attraction, as most of the space was occupied by roller coasters and rides, no anchor stores to call it an actual enclosed "mall" did not bring in enough repeated shoppers, many flocked to Jefferson Park Mall in Joliet, or Louis Joliet Mall. By 1980, Old Chicago lost so much money, and no one came anymore, the giant center closed in 1980. Lasting longer empty than in business, by the summer of 1986, the first ever enclosed amusement park shopping mecca was demolished.




Between 53 and I-55 in Bolingbrook, Illinois...













Demo in 1986...




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Friday, February 19, 2016

Last Super Kmart Center in Illinois Will Be No More


          Here it is, and eventually only the picture will be the memory of the store, the last Super Kmart Center in the state of Illinois. This Kmart superstore is located along Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 50 about 50 miles from Chicago. Earlier in the week of my visit an article came out that stated Michigan-based grocery chain Meijer had already purchased the store in return a Meijer will open here by 2018. Meijer had purchased the Super Kmart Center from Sears Holdings for 5 million dollars and the liquidation sale date is undetermined but the store will closed late this May.

          Here is an early commercial for Super Kmart, it seemed like such a great 90's concept, developed from the pilot hypermart concept "American Fare"









Detroit liquid gold...Faygo pop!












Blown away when I saw this full produce selection.







Me and my hat!


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