Whatever happened to ... the Old Chicago mall in Bolingbrook?

Vikki Ortiz Whatever happened to... March 13, 2009 Anyone familiar with the brief life of the "Old Chicago " mega-mall and amusement park at the intersection of the Stevenson Expressway and Illinois Highway 53 ...

[bhfrom chicago]

the reason it bombed and couldn't land an anchor is because when testing the automatic fire sprinkler system to establish rates, a main encased in concrete broke. in the middle of nowhere with, at the time lousy fire protection - class 9 or 10, no one could afford the insurance on their store inventory. had it been fully sprinklered, it probably would have survived longer.

[THE ANTI CUB]

I always wondered what happened to that place. What exists in the lot where it use to exist now?

[Lakeview Rick]

A car dealership. I just remember the last year there and you were almost knee deep in garbage in the park. It was inexpensive to get in and it ceased to become a family destination. The Marshal Brodine magic store by the entrance to the park is what iI miss most.

[Grant]

Like anything else that is mismanaged and soft on security, the gangs took it over and ruined it for the family. Remember what happened to Adventureland???

[manimal]

The place was almost empty because the tennents couldn't afford the rent. there were always a lot of vacant storefronts. It was nice when it first opened, but most people never returned after their first trip there.

[Every Ride a Quarter]

next trip for amusement nostagia... Dispensa's Castle of Toys and Kiddie Kingdom!
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[Every Ride a Quarter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Old Chicago Video

[jeepguy]

I saw Nick Gilder there...LOL!

[czar of logic]

If I remember correctly, the place was closed down and sat for like 5 years before they demo'd it. It is now a auto auction site.