Walking into Stratford Square Mall, the distinct “old” smell hits the nostrils. Quietness is in the air, and very few stores open. A handful of people stroll past empty storefronts, or stop at a cell phone repair booth. In the food court, the smell of authentic Mexican food from Anna’s Kitchen eminates, but little else. Besides the throwing sounds of axes from Bull and Bear Axe Throwing, there is little else to be observed. One cannot help but think: what happened here? 

On Jan 22, 2024, the City of Bloomingdale bought Stratford Square Mall from Namdar Realty Group for $8,750,000. All tenants were given a 90-day notice with the anticipated closing date being April 10. 

But before the news that the mall would be redeveloped, it was once a bustling hub of shopping and social activity.

On March 9, 1981, Stratford Square Mall opened in the town of Bloomingdale, IL, with anchor stores Marshall Fields, Wiedolt’s, Carson Pirie Scott and Montgomery Ward. The shopping center underwent a number of renovations through the years – and multiple owners – but for several decades, this mall remained a popular location in the north-west suburbs of Chicago.

Within the past few years, however, the mall saw a marked decline in merchants and consumers. The City of Bloomingdale eventually bought the mall this winter with hopes to redevelop and revitalize the area. 

The last few days of life before the City of Bloomingdale closes down the mall were quiet ones. The above image indicates where the center of the mall sat, and where the food court was located. Nearby, one could also enjoy activities at the movie theatre, Century Theatres, shops such as Kohl’s or FYE Records, before stopping at the food court for favorites such as China Max or Cinnabon.

“It was a great place to go. I could spend hours just walking around and window shopping, then go to the food court for a slice of Sbarro’s pizza,” said Suzy Black, a nearby resident.

Now, there are only a few stores currently open, including the aforementioned Bull Bear Axe Throwing and Kohl’s, as well as Lids. Once the mall closes, only Kohl’s, which is privately-owned and operated, will remain. 

Many mallgoers have their own ideas as to what should be done with the property.

“Bloomingdale should try and turn it into something unique and beneficial for the area if they have to demolish the mall. I’ve also heard people suggesting some of the anchors turning into the village town hall and police station since Bloomingdale needs a new village hall badly,” said community member David Brauns.

Just above the food court, still at the center of the mall, is an area marked by the main elevator and one of the many directories of the mall. The empty frames to the right are void of movie posters, and the shops to the left are long gone.

“What I miss most about the mall is the water fall feature in the front where the FYE store is now,” said Brauns.

Still, one can see that the mall was once a hub of activity, and a viable option for customers who did not want to drive as far as Woodfield or Geneva Commons, two shopping centers still thriving.

As locals prepare to say goodbye to the mall that many of them grew up visiting, the have been sharing their many memories via Facebook.

“My favorite memory of the mall is from around 2016 when I was able to go to the movie theater and the arcade in the same day,” Brauns said.

The movie theatre was a popular fixture in many comments. The theatre, owned by Cinemark, underwent a massive renovation in 2007, moving from four screens to 16. As part of the update, a coffee bar was added, as were stadium seats.

“l used to go to the movie theater every week, and then to Red Robin for a meal, and then walk around and shop,” Facebook user Suzette Lynn said in response to the Chronicle’s post.

Carlos Sweeney’s, a two-story Mexican restaurant that inhabited space near what was Houlihan’s, but became Ballydoyle, was also frequently mentioned in nostaligic posts online, and in conversations with locals.

Another popular part of the mall was the Round One Entertainment center. Although this location was not open long (2015), the facility offered bowling, arcade games, billiards, a bar with food and karaoke. Round One closed after the Covid-19 pandemic, in October 2020.

For reference sake, the entertainment complex was located across from Burlington Coat Factory, which moved across the road, into Stratford Crossing, in late February 2023.

From the outside, the anchor stores’ signs are largely still visible, though many have been closed for several years. Opening in 1991, Sears became the sixth major store at Stratford. Operating until they closed in August of 2019, it was considered a successful location, complete with automotive repair center and fixed appliance section.

Photo by Brandon M. Heath

Stratford Square Mall created so many memories, brought families together, and was been the heart of Bloomingdale for decades.

“I don’t remember the name, but there was another restaurant in the former Red Robin space. Back in 84-85 my 8th grade teacher took six of us there for lunch during school for having the best frog dissections,” community member Derek Lestat said via Facebook.

Over and over, the Chronicle heard how much residents will truly miss the mall.

“Me and a couple of friends loved doing hide and seek around the empty place. I do miss the Zoomies that used to be in there though, I used to go in there for my skateboard parts,” West Chicago Community High School senior Mathew Dewees said.