2 of America’s ‘Worst Malls that Fell Into Ruin’ Were in Illinois

Let's face it. The era of thriving malls in America is probably in the rear view mirror now, but it didn't used to be that way. There are two malls that are considered among the worst in America that used to thrive but 'fell into ruin' and they used to call Illinois home.

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Yahoo Finance ranked the top 40 malls in America that saw the greatest decline into ruin and 2 of the top 10 were in Illinois. I say "were" because they are long gone now.

The #4 worst mall that fell into ruin according to their ranking is the Dixie Square Mall that used to be a hot spot in Harvey, Illinois.

What a twisted history the Dixie Square Mall had. Wikipedia says it opened in 1966, but quickly lost its popularity. Reportedly, crime more or less killed the success of the Dixie Square Mall and it closed in the late 1970's, but was featured in the Blues Brothers movie in 1979.

The attempt to demolish the Dixie Square Mall is actually stranger than its demise. Wikipedia documents nearly a half dozen attempts to tear it down which were not successful until it was finally demolished in 2012.

The 8th worst American mall that fell into ruin was the Charlestowne Mall in St. Charles, Illinois. It opened in April of 1991, but would eventually close the interior by 2017. One interesting twist to the Charlestowne Mall is that Wikipedia says there is another concept being explored right now to try and revitalize it. Time will tell if that's successful or if this old Illinois mall will eventually see the wrecking ball.

I get the feeling that many are starting to grow nostalgic about the 1980's/1990's mall era in America. Will that nostalgia bring these shopping locations back? Time will tell the tale.