Co-directors Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb spent a year shooting the film. Our business was started in 1973 in our family's hometown, Fayette, AL. . Malls and "Jasper Mall" with its untouched '80s aesthetic fit the bill perfectly. The Jasper Mall is a shopping mall located in Jasper, Alabama. Its hard to quantify the value of that draw, said OMary. Great film, it's a must watch. Now when I visit with my wife as an older adult it's eerily quiet but still mostly open. The 350,000-square foot mall was designed to hold about 35 or so stores. 7.1K views 8 months ago #deadmall #deadmalls #mallsoft In 2019, filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb spent several weeks documenting the stores and people of Jasper Mall. The various causes of the mall's decline emerge throughout the documentary. Originally developed by the local Simmons family and Georgia developer George Ewing, the mall is owned by Kohan Retail. The mall also has a food court with a variety of options, as well as a movie theater. Jasper, AL 35501 . This documentary directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb didn't really give much of any educational, scientific or historical value for the audience to look over. Brett Whitcomb: I think the way the mall looked inspired us the most. "[3], The film also follows the day-to-day operations of the remaining 20 or so store owners with a focus on the slowdown of customers. It was truly sad! Alabama shopping mall subject of new documentary film - Gadsden Times 200 The Mall Way, Jasper, AL 35504-7515 Visit hotel website 1 (800) 566-0916 Write a review Check In / / Check Out / / Guests Hotel direct offer! The mall was built in 1977 and underwent a $8 million renovation in 2014. Jasper Mall is still open, amazingly, after watching this film. Only 21 Sears stores remain on the mainland, with two more in Puerto Rico. Jasper Mall - store list, hours, (location: Jasper, Alabama) | Malls in Added to that, the couple are not really employees nor persistent shoppers at the mall. It had an aesthetic that we both loved and it reminded us of the malls of our youth. "He truly cares and takes pride in the work he does there.". The mall does love to host Jungle Safaris events even after they been cited numerous times by the USDA. It is a touching story of the mall manager, who used to keep wildlife in Australia, to the older white men who like to play dominoes at the mall. If there were some underlying racism, the film didn't show it. I could make a very long list, but some that have really stuck with me lately are: "Paris is Burning," "Harlan County, U.S.A.," "Gates of Heaven," "Last Train Home" and Les Blank's "Always for Pleasure" box set. The city was home to notable residents such as actors Michael Rooker, George Lindsey, and Polly Holliday, as well as Tallulah Bankhead, a stage and screen star who lived there briefly. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, The Unsettling Reality Of Fitting Room Cameras In Malls, The Daraz Mall: A Popular Shopping Destination In The Heart Of The City, Different Ways To Get To Ontario Mills Mall, Yorkdale Shopping Centre: Torontos Premier Retail Destination, Is Your Shop In A Mall Profitable? Please. This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Seniors get their morning walks in. Jasper Mall Q&A. I kinda like the petrifying nostalgia feel, those visuals give. Brett and I both went to Almeda and Baybrook malls in Houston, Texas. The mall has over 60 stores, including anchor stores JCPenney, Belk, and Sears. The only thing left at the Charlestowne Mall in St. Charles, IL is the Von Maur department store and a movie theater. Dead Mall - Jasper Mall - Not Even Netflix Can Save It - Jasper Al Sometimes overlooked is the overbuilding factor that the pace of mall growth was never sustainable, and populations could not realistically support the sheer number of malls built in their communities. Another thing that the film doesn't point out is how many times, the mall went through foreclosure and who currently owns it. The mall was the subject of a recent documentary film. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). regressive theory of viruses. . After filming for a year at the malls patrons, tenants, and employees, the store closed its doors permanently on July 31, 2020. (Courtesy Bradford Allen/Brett Whitcomb). Who wants to take a trip to Jasper Mall? | Boing Boing Smaller malls in the area are all but empty or closed. Gov. On a macro level the Jasper Mall is a metaphor for the dying middle class and the state of quiet desperation that is America today. "Mike is doing a great job of keeping it alive," Thomason says. What do you want people to take away from seeing this community? In 2019, filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb spent several weeks documenting the stores and people of Jasper Mall. It's also an affordable, fun place to live and makes a nice home-base when we are traveling for other projects. Gruen imagined a mall residing in the heart of a communitys downtown business center, not exclusive to retailers, but also integrating residential housing, schools, museums and parks. Copyright 2023 WBRC. JASPER MALL chronicles a year in the life of a dying shopping mall, its patrons, and tenants. Where are they now?Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/deadmallwalking YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC22f9KNvgclGRtUKx9pAGIg/joinKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/deadmallwalkingI visited the mall to see how things had changed in the years between the documentary's release and now, including the pandemic. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Whether you're looking for a new outfit, a new book, or just a place to walk around, the Jasper Mall is a great option. Kay Ivey replaced a Cabinet member who oversaw the state's award-winning prekindergarten program because of a teacher training book with language about inclusion and combatting structural racism, she said Thursday. That young couple at the fair were pretty adorable. In addition to McClelland, "Jasper Mall" viewers get to meet shop owners and mall patrons. MORE: Vintage Wal-Mart history: What the first stores looked like, and how they changed over the years. The malls north and south ends have been dark since 2017, when two of its three anchor stores closed. Jasper Mall is an indoor shopping mall located outside of Birmingham, Alabama. It currently is approximately 350,000 square feet (33,000m2) in size,[3] and includes two anchors and about 10 smaller stores. Overall: to close shop. The movie Jasper Mall is not yet available for review, and no reviews have appeared for it. Zales to close in Jasper Mall | Daily Mountain Eagle It also shows the dying mall era and brings back nostalgia at the same time. Recommended Reviews Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. The film offers a cross section of people who work there and shop there as well as efforts (generally not successful) to increase foot traffic. Something not mentioned is the rise of online and internet shopping sales as those things have hurt many malls. The 350,000-square foot mall was designed to hold about 35 or so stores. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Mayor David OMary said it is difficult to find a retail that would take up the 90,000 square feet, but perfect for Rural King. What Happened To Jasper Mall? (& Mike McClelland) - YouTube Being 58 myself, this captured so many memories of my days hanging out at the mall. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Thomason. The opening date for the mall was August 8, 1981. is jasper mall in alabama still open - waltzconstruction.com Even so, I think it's worth watching to be reminded of how the other America, flyover America, may not be exactly what you think it is. We didnt go to film school or anything, we just rented lots of DVDs from Netflix and watched obsessively. Subtitled, A year in the life of a dying shopping mall, the doc Jasper Mall, is now streaming on video on demand platforms. JASPER, Ala. (WBRC) - On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Jasper City Council voted unanimously to an agreement between the city and Rural King, a retail chain specializing in farm and home. From Dying to Living: How One Nonprofit Reimagined Vacant Jasper Mall A sad state from its peak. This doc creates heroes and people you want to root for just by showing their day to day lives. After all the mall was alright with having children of minorities sit on Santa Claus' lap. SURESTAY HOTEL BY BEST WESTERN JASPER - Prices & Reviews (AL) - Tripadvisor In an ironic twist of fate, Amazon Prime picked up the documentary Jasper Mall, which explores the phenomenon of a once-bustling mall in Jasper, Alabama, now slowly fading into obscurity. Some people even chose to move their business to another location by the end of the film. I'm honestly surprised to hear it's still open. The incentive package to make it happen still needs city county approval. The absence of youth culture throughout the film is really alarming; seeing how in the 1980s & 1990s, malls would be the ultimate hangout spot for children, while older people were more interested in local ma & pa's downtown stores. Joe's Shirt Shop. Jasper Mall | Reel South Jasper Mall (2020) - Jasper Mall (2020) - User Reviews - IMDb ALSO SEE: Vintage Target stores: See 40 pictures from the 60s to the 90s & the original logo. It is a meditative, sensitive, and unsettling portrait of a mall that is dying in Alabama. See all. A growing number of hikers are tackling Alabama's longest continuous footpath and trail communities are welcoming the growth. He thinks moving out into a more-trafficked area will allow his business to thriveit appears that he's right (as of this month, it seems that he's still open in his new location). (205) 295-2007. To stem the bleeding. The documentary is available for free through Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Vudu, and PLEX. I can't say the same for places like the Towne Mall - yes, I realize there are a few shops still there - or Century 3. [12], On January 24, 2020, Jasper Mall, a documentary feature film billed as "a year in the life of a dying shopping mall, its patrons, and its tenants" premiered at Slamdance Film Festival.[13]. Some people even chose to move their business to another location by the end of the film. [8], The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival and won the Best Alabama Film award at the Sidewalk Film Festival.[9]. Filmmakers Bradford Thomas and Brett Whitcomb craft a genuinely engaging documentary by taking the viewer on a one-year journey of the mall and the people . Because the leasing would be centralized, businesses could reside near each other more strategically than what usually occurred in a typical downtown proper. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Seeing the Jasper Mall for the first time: I was driving back from Nashville one day and saw that the Jasper Mall was right there and just pulled off and walked around for a little while and was immediately taken by how it looked. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! Approximately 80% of the 1 million square feet in the center are occupied. I remember when I was young always being at the mall. As it turns out, the types of malls Gruen envisioned those more thoughtfully integrated into their communities have proven to be the most successful malls over the long haul, though retail and entertainment are more profitable and therefore largely prioritized over mixed-use purposes. There is no security guy at the Jasper Mall. So, lets get into exactly what Jasper Mall is and how it came to be where it is today. A good example of this was their appearance in the food court toward the end of the film. It lost its two primary anchor stores, Kmart and J.C. Penney, in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Cinematography, editing and musical score were on point. There is an endearing quality to this doc, but also an underlying melancholy all the way through. Slamdance 2020: JASPER MALL Review | Film Pulse The building was demolished in 2014. I worked at a mall similar to the Jasper Mall that opened in 1985 in NH and like the JM was busy always and forget the weekends (read mall rats). It's so low key, so go-with-the-flow, so "real time" feeling that it manages a dreamlike quality. Truth be hold; the filmmakers only gave the viewer a few glimpses that something was a bit off about the Jasper mall. But we can still revel in the nostalgia! But LA and NY do still have a lot of resources in production and post production. Jasper Mall is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. I've watched it twice so far and am just so mesmerized at how the camera captures the moments! The movie made it seem like it was a done . The 105-acre property in Montgomery Township was valued at $56.6 million. I cannot find any information about movies jasper mall directed. Construction of malls boomed throughout the 60s and 70s, finally peaking around 1985. There weren't any signs of the shopping center being chauvinistic. Find out more here. Sign up to get all the Reel South DIRT. Almost looks like if Joe Exotic sobered up. I have a better understanding of even in a mall that is at 50% capacity or whatever the capacity is at Jasper, people have businesses and have lives. This was thoughtful and kind to us all. Is that why you decided to make this film? At the same time, I was saddened and heartbroken by the fact that these places are disappearing. Another feature but can't say what about just yet! The soundtrack was released on vinyl and cassette via the Alabama-based independent record label Earth Libraries. Anchor JCPenney moved from downtown to the mall when it opened. Jasper Mall is (was?) Thomason: Its definitely presented some challenges. Thomason: Of course. I knew that there were mall walkers, but I didnt know just how many. The Jasper Mall could soon be home to Rural King, a farm and home brand. ago That first photo brought me back in time to the mid 80's. That was exactly what malls looked like when I was a tiny, new person. covers the mall itself, and interviews various individuals that work in all different types of positions within the mall, those who regularly visit the mall for different reasons, and business owners within the mall. Belk in Jasper Mall shopping details. Amazing documentary about a mall built in the 80s and the state of the mall today. There are great stories here. Stay up to date on new open call deadlines, film releases, filmmaker interviews, career and film funding opportunities, and . A group of lovely people caught up in an inevitable economic tragedy that is coming their way. HBCUs capitalize on growing interest by adding sport options, Increasing popularity of Alabamas Pinhoti Trail sparks economic opportunity, Rocky start for Alabama school choice bill, Any school can get you a diploma. Residents of Walker and surrounding counties used to flock to the Jasper Mall for their weekly shopping trips. Overall the doc is really blunt and grim as it looks at a dying landscape something that many see in real life as the decline of the American mall is another change that all of us are dealing with. Material on this site is provided for education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. You can let us know if your review was properly reviewed. Others propose that economics were a major factor. What kept you coming back to this mall? Jasper Mall offers such straightforward Middle America vibes that anyone who's never left the big city they grew up in might find this pretty alien. Jasper Mall hours of operations Store hours may vary. The Jasper Mall is a great place to shop for all your needs. An intimate glimpse into the waning days of a dying mall and the souls whose lives are touched and in many ways dependent on it. A few of your favorite all-time documentaries? fivem gun crafting location; pros and cons of lifesource water system; usta friend at court 2022 handbook We never did find out if she left her job and travel the world. It is a clip, a small view into what makes our communities work. Consider These Factors, Bayside Mall: A Popular Shopping Destination In Toronto, The Pros And Cons Of Teen Curfews In Shopping Malls, The Americana At Brand A Luxury Shopping Mall In Los Angeles To Close Its Doors, The Importance Of The Quinceanera Dress And Mass, As Electric Cars Become More Popular Free Charging Stations Are Popping Up Across The Country, The Fashion District: A New Shopping Mall In Philadelphia. The movie theater in particular was where all the major first-run movies played; I saw all the big blockbusters of the era there, like the original Star Wars movies, Superman (the Christopher Reeves version) Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. But even by the mid-80s, the mall was getting long in the tooth. Co-directors Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb spent a year shooting the film. [2] History [ edit] The mall opened on August 8, 1981. The decades-old Jasper Mall was once a bustling shopping hub for the residents of Walker and surrounding counties; however, since two of its three anchor stores closed in 2017, both the north and south ends of the mall have remained dark. Seriously, you don't need to live in NY and LA to make films, especially now. A documentary playing at the Sidewalk Film Festival later this month looks at one dying mall here in Alabama. It captures the struggle of everyday life brilliantly and without narration, but there is always hope tucked away if you look. And it brought back so many memories. The documentary provides a good picture of the current state of the American middle class. Robin's Nest. Birmingham, Alabama-based filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcom, the directors behind the season six finale, Jasper Mall, answer questions about filmmaking in the South. 20 music stars who got their start as sidemen/sidewomen, How Muscle Shoals music Meccas are surviving and reopening, How local libraries turned the page during a pandemic, Black is Beautiful for these Huntsville breweries, Alabama rappers timely Black Lives Matter music video. By the late 90s, the mall began to falter. Jasper Mall is still surviving after malls started dying: Are malls It will not be possible to verify your ticket today, but knowing that you will be able to do so in the future is a huge advantage. The cinematography and editing is very well done. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 88% based on eight reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The traditional mall is a dying world and this documentary captures one example of this. There would be winners and there would be losers. The film is based on true events, despite the fact that it is a fiction film. I just wished occasionally the film makers had pulled away from the mall setting to give us some context about the larger community where the mall is set. The mall is largely vacant today and mostly abandoned, yet amazingly, was still open for foot traffic as of 2018. The roles had changed here and it's somewhat surreal. The most notable mall from my youth that is now dead is the Tri-State Mall in Claymont, DE, by the Pennsylvania state line. Make friends with people on the coasts. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Many are adding sports beyond the more typical offerings of football, basketball and track and field. Jasper Mall originally opened in 1981, but recently lost two of it's popular stores, K-Mart and JCPenney. The Jasper Mall is located in the heart of the city, just a few blocks from the train station. National Retailers Are Abandoning Small Town, USA - Bisnow The mall offers a variety of stores and services, so there's something for everyone. Theres a lot of speculation about why malls, which have so much to offer retailers and customers alike, started fading away. It takes on a sort of community center vibe, I think. The answer is yes! 50 old mall stores you probably havent seen for years (at least not looking like this), 1980s sleeping bags featured superheroes, cartoon characters & more, Raspberry-cream cheese coffee cake recipe (1970), A 1970s designer dream house: The American Home of 1974, Dr Pepper history: How the famous soft drink made a big name for itself, Check out 100 vintage 1970s supermarkets & retro grocery stores, 70 popular vintage 1970s cereals we loved & we miss, New York in 1911: Watch Edwardian New Yorkers come to life in this amazing rediscovered film footage, Lip Smackers from Bonne Bell: The super trendy vintage lip gloss from the 70s, 80s & 90s, 12 totally trendy 80s Trapper Keeper notebooks & binders, How do you use a rotary phone? [2] The mall's frequent visitors including groups of mall walkers and domino players are also frequently shown. Unlike the semi popular 'Dead Mall' series from the likes of Bright Sun Films and others YouTube Channels that goes into great detail the history of the titular shopping centers from its humble beginnings to its painful demise. The opening date for the mall was August 8, 1981. This school might get you a house, Alabama senators back bill to cut state sales tax on food, Alabama governor defends dismissal of education leader, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Report, CorporationFor Public Broadcasting (CPB). This documentary is not quite good enough to be putting on your shopping list. The usual suspects are the obvious competition: cable TV shopping channels that emerged in the late 1980s and later, of course, the revolutionary e-commerce trend. The stores home will be at the Jasper Mall where the Kmart used to be. The store's home will be at the Jasper Mall where the Kmart used to be. The Jasper Mall is still open and ready to serve shoppers in the area. Regions Jasper Mall branch offers a wide range of personal and business banking services including checking and savings accounts, .