Abandoned Casa Grande Outlet Mall | Dead Mall & Retail Documentary | Retail Archaeology

Hello everyone! This episode was originally uploaded in October of 2017 as two parts. I've combined them into one video as part of an upcoming DVD project I'm working on. I figured I should replace the two videos on my channel with the new combined one part video for ease of watching in the future. Thanks everyone!

I went there in the early 2000s. At the time, I was buying and selling rare, out of print media. There was a huge discount store tucked away in the back corner. There was like 1 car in this huge parking lot. I thought it was closed, but I decided, what the heck, I drove all the way out here, I might as well try the door. To my surprise, it was open. There was only me and 2 cashiers in this Target sized store. It was surreal. Anyhow, I looked around a bit and found a bunch of old, out of print VHS tapes from the late 80s to mid 90s still factory sealed, mostly of Olympic Ice Skating. They were like $2 to $4 each. I bought them all, spending a few hundred dollars. The cashiers seemed thrilled I was giving them something to do. They probably thought I was a nut. They were possibly right! I sold those videos on eBay for $30 to $70 each. I went back there about a month later. They had new videos, but they were just cheap releases with crazy high prices. I never went back, but I’ll never forget the time I struck video gold in a ghost mall.

I lived in Casa Grande from 2005 to 2008, and it was about the only place to shop for clothing when we first came there. Many of the stores were clothing stores. There was also a Chinese restaurant near the middle of the mall. Only ate there once as it wasn't that great. All in all, however, it wasn't a bad place to shop. There was a Big Dog clothing store and my (now ex) husband loved their big Hawaiian shirts. I also recall having lunch a few times at the Wendy's. A new mall opened in Casa Grande along about 2008, and everyone started shopping there as they had more stores, including anchor stores such as Dillards, PetsMart and Kohls. The outlet stores closed, one by one, and the Wendy's closed. Rumor had it the mall would be redeveloped, but it eventually became a ghost mall.

2019 update. There's one store in there now a Amish furniture store. Just one.

I worked at this mall back in 2004, the window you look through at about 17:27 is the store I worked at it was a women's clothing store called Cato, we had regular and plus sized. This mall used to be pretty busy. I remember closer to when it was dying out there was also an Amish furniture store in the corner lot by the flag pole

suite 101 was a Liz Claiborne outlet store it was the very first store out in 1991 and was one of the last to leave.

It’s really eerie but at the same time fascinating to see something like this, especially so close to the highway. Maybe instead of their plan, it could be converted into something catering specifically to I-10 travelers? It could be a rest-stop-esque or truck-stop-esque area with gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels. Still, nice job as always!

That was a Wendy’s for sure. That was always our stop on the way back to Tucson after going to Phoenix for a concert or ball game. We always used to go to the Reebok outlet store on the way up. They always had great deals. To this day, every time I go up to Phoenix I remember how busy that place used to be and then watching it go away between 2010-now. Thanks for the video!

The rusty sign with the palms is a really great image

The jewelery store at 16:00 was Mark's Artisan Jewelery. I remember watching him work through that little window in the back on the left.

The Phoenix Mart Welcome Center seems like something out of the Twilight Zone. You are walking through the dessert, come upon a fully functional business out of nowhere...and the guy inside tries to swindle you out of your soul.

Right when you picked up the pay phone my phone started ringing

I live in Casa Grande. There's several abandoned buildings in town. They're all total eyesores and nothing is done with them.

I remember this place from the 1990's and I am sure I used the bathroom you could not open. It has always been an odd place that was in the middle of nowhere when going from Tucson to Phoenix.The lack of vandalism and graffiti  in this video suggests that there are still security guards patrolling it.

I love the “no rollerblading “ sign at 8:21

It looks like it’s in the middle of absolutely nowhere, but it’s right by the highway. Just looks like an eyesore now.

That Wendy's was still open the last time I passed through there (senior year of high school, so 2007-2008). Kind of sad to see what's left of the outlet mall.

I came here when I was 13 or so. Visiting my grandparents who live in Arizona City. Amazing. I have not been there all these years and I still remember it. Including the Wendy's.

Very very sad. I remember going with my family to Scottsdale to visit my Grandpa in the 90s & stoping at this outlet on the way back to Tucson. I remember the Reebok Store, Osch Kosh, YES Levi’s, Wendy’s, don’t remember the Church LOL! Very interesting though. Thank you so much for doing this one and El Con Mall in Tucson. Keep up the AWESOME work!

I'm surprised how clean it is. Even the landscape looks like it is being maintained. Drive by here a few times a year.