A sense of sadness and nostalgia can be felt inside of Stratford Square Mall in suburban Bloomingdale, as the once bustling mall of the 90s is now set to close at the end of this month.
For many, the mall holds countless memories of shopping trips, family outings, and even first jobs. But for Stephen Miller, a janitor at the mall for nearly 40 years, it holds even more. “If I ever wrote a book about working here, no one would believe me,” he said. “This mall was totally different. We had totally different stores and over Christmas, we couldn’t even park in the parking lot because we had so many cars.”
Miller has seen it all, from the grand opening of new stores and the movie theater to the mall’s remodeling and even accidents on the escalator. “I’ve seen fires, I’ve seen store robberies – those are the things I want to forget,” he shared. “But then you see things like someone buying a puppy from Furry Baby and the puppy is so happy. That is so nice.”
Opened in 1981, the mall was once anchored by popular department stores like Sears, Marshall Fields, and Carson Pirie Scott. It quickly became a hub of activity and a beloved destination for shoppers. However, like many malls across the country, it faced challenges in keeping up with the changing retail landscape, the rise of online shopping, and the economy.
“It’s amazing watching this whole thing go down,” Miller said. “It’s sad, because if they really wanted to, they could save this mall.”
The Village of Bloomingdale acquired the property earlier this year and is now working on a redevelopment plan for the site. The plan includes a mix of restaurants, entertainment venues, housing, and public open spaces. “This is the wave of the future, so we really don’t know what’s coming,” said Sandy Hoffman, a former employee of Marshall Fields. “But we wait in anticipation for good things.”
Hoffman spent 15 years at the mall before transferring to Woodfield Mall. Now, she walks the empty halls with her friends, reminiscing about the memories and the history left behind. “When this mall opened in 1981, we were delighted. Our kids would come and spend the days here, and we felt it was safe. But now, nobody lets their kids go to a mall anymore,” she shared.
As the remaining stores prepare to leave, Miller continues to work up until the final minutes, ready to close this chapter of his life. He will miss the people he has come to know and the sense of community that the mall once provided.
The mall is set to close on April 21st, marking the end of an era. But as we say goodbye to Stratford Square Mall, let us also look forward to the future and the exciting possibilities that the redevelopment plan holds. The memories and the history of this beloved mall will always remain, but it’s time to make way for new beginnings. So let’s embrace the change and look forward to the new and improved Stratford Square Mall.
