Everything Left Behind At This Abandoned Illinois Shopping Mall

The walls of this once-bustling Illinois shopping mall are coming down, signifying the official start of its demolition.

We've seen tons of shopping malls become abandoned, run down over the years, and half the storefronts vacant because businesses just aren't getting the kind of foot traffic they used to.

The Northridge Mall in Milwaukee was abandoned and left as an eyesore to the community while the Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Illinois just announced they're officially closing this month.

After the Danville Mall, Spring Hill Mall, and Eastland Mall in Bloomington closed forever, we get the news the International Plaza in Arlington Heights is officially getting demolished.

Many small business owners used to occupy the storefronts at the International Plaza shopping center in Arlington Heights.  When the pandemic hit, that's when the downfall of the International Plaza really began.

Related: Here’s the Next Illinois Shopping Mall Closing Its Doors Forever

The stores that are still open near the shopping center are basically taking everything online because sales have dropped with the lack of foot traffic coming through the area.  Sad to hear, but it's the reality of it.

The International Plaza had everything you needed from hair salons, to insurance agents, retail shops, appliance stores, 24-hour gyms, restaurants, acupuncture and a little something for everyone.

Now, it looks like this.  Luckily, it won't be around much longer to be a sad sight to see.

Demolition Officially Begins At This Abandoned Illinois Shopping Mall

Explorers ventured out to Arlington Heights, Illinois to capture a glimpse of the abandoned shopping center days before the city started demolition.

After decades of stalling the demolition, it's finally happening.

"Demolition is underway at International Plaza, the blighted, shuttered shopping center on the south side of Arlington Heights, where redevelopment has stalled through more than two decades of litigation, recession and failed development prospects." [dailyherald]

No more boarded up windows, empty storefronts, and trashed retail spaces.

Read More: Take A Look Inside This Abandoned Wisconsin Mall 

It's crazy to know this mall was flourishing at one point in time and now it's like a ghost town.  Take a deeper look into the International Plaza in Arlington Heights days before demolition.