Midtown Plaza Mall (1963) Videos

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - PO2716, Midtown Plaza does not seem to be as bad as it used to be. I have not had a drug addict ask me for cash in a few years. The A&P you're referring to was in Pittsford Plaza in 1963. I wish Governor Paterson and Mayor Duffy would reconsider the Midtown demolition. David Paterson is a very intelligent man but he seems to be following in Eliot the pimp's footsteps. Word on the street is that an antique dealer purchased the Clock of Nations. Is this true?

jno727 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - The real problem with midtown is a) it is surrounded by poverty b) people work downtown but live in the suburbs. Until those obstacles are addressed, a mall was going to have no chance. Im curious to see if the idea to turn midtown into an office park surrounded by a pretty walking area will ever come true. Its such a shame how run down downtown rochester has become.

jno727 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - cont'd from below...Does anyone even care or have they given up and said lets just focus on the suburbs? And they wonder why nobody stays there after graduation...College grads want to live in the city and enjoy their 20's not commute a half hour from the suburbs each day.

PantherAleCo Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - nuff said!

skippydmb Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - It has been announced that the clock of nations will be going to the Rochester airport until 2012 and then it will be donated to the childrens hospital to be put in an atrium that is yet to be built. I remember going to see that when I was younger and thought it was pretty cool. I'm glad it's staying local.

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - I was there for Midtown Plaza's very last birthday. The funny thing is that hardly anybody gave a crap. It's a good thing I didn't make a public spectacle out of the occasion. I'm disappointed in the suburbanites who forgot about Midtown and allowed it to die a horrible death. Like Greece Ridge is any better, ha! Security is everywhere during the weekend now because Wilmot is afraid of it becoming another Irondequoit Mall! Scott Congel's Medley Centre is deader than Midtown by a long shot!

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - I would have given Mayor Duffy $16,000.00 cash for the Clock of Nations. Why should it go to the airport? Those suburbanites don't even deserve a piece of asbestos from the floor tile! It should stay in Rochester, not the Town of Gates. The Chase Tower or the Sibley Tower would have been nice places to store our fabled timepiece. Why should Strong get the clock? I'd rather see it in the museum. Where exactly is the Monorail going? Please keep me informed.

afrodisiac6489 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - I grew up in Rochester during the 90s and I always remembered Midtown plaza being a shopping center and a community center. My mother was very upset when Wegsman left (mainly because they wanted more money...greedy fucks.) My sister and I loved to ride the monorail through Magic mountain. I'll always miss seeing the everyday people of Rochester...the poor...the working... and the children!!!

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - I also remember going to Wegmans and the IGA that was in Midtown for a short time. I even remember All Day Sunday and Record Theatre. Don't think I was ever in McCurdy's or Forman's. I'll always remember Magic Mountain, the Monorail, and the Clock of Nations. To this day, I still shop and dine at Midtown. It's a shame that some of the tenants will be displaced before the mall closes. You can thank Mayor Duffy for that. He simply doesn't give a crap about his city or its residents.

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Whereabouts did you grow up in Rochester? I grew up on North and Alphonse St. from the mid 80's to the mid 90's. In fact, I just got the sign from Grove's Port Delux last weekend! Don't know if you remember that or not. Anyway, I have a ton of Midtown Plaza related video clips on YouTube if you would like to take a look.

johnmus3 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Great Dale----John

mistressbladez Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - This video nearly brought tears to my eyes. As a born and bred Rochestarian, I remember vividly what Midtown was in the 70's and 80's, and I cannot believe what this city has come to as a whole, let alone what has become of Midtown. About 3 years ago at Christmas time, I went back to Midtown for the first time in ages, and brought my kids with me, hoping to see some of the magic it held for me as a child. I left there, heartbroken and disappointed. Losing Midtown will really be a shame.

Bubbajomama Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Did Rochester become a negrofuxed city?

Tsubahi Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Gosh, that place used to be white bread!

Tsubahi Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Yes! And Rochester will sink back into swamp mud and be forgotten forever!YAY!!!XD

Rmandcm Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Originally from Rochester, I am looking for an old working friend I worked at B. Forman's in the 1964-65, one of my friends and I went to watch the clock, we were on the 6PM news, she was black from the Carolina's, my parents were furious, I remained friends with her, I married, moved out of state, my husband was in the Air Force, still haven't returned. Miss Midtown Mall

mattrockZ13 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - wow this suxthe clock is broken and in bad conditionall the stores in midtown plaza are failingand now midtown plaza will be torn down

strgyn Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - So glad I grew up in that mall as a child of the 70s. It was magic!

darlinks Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Although I no longer live in Upstate NY, I made a last visit to Midtown Plaza yesterday. Today is the last day it is open to the public. The memories of shopping at McCurdy's (their 7-layer cake was to die for) B.Forman, Casual Corner, All Day Sunday etc. etc. As a kid I always wanted to dive off the stairs into the pool & fountain. So sad to see it go.

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - I also visited Midtown Plaza for the last time yesterday. I took a lot of pictures and shot some more video clips for my documentary. I also met some nice people and will miss seeing familiar faces. Matt, our Clock of Nations left Midtown in April and was restored. You can see it at the Greater Rochester International Airport soon, but I am not sure when.

gmacv1957 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - My memories of Midtown and the Clock of Nations date back to 1963. I loved the mall and was always fascinated by the clock. I left the area in the early 80s so I was not aware of the downfall of Midtown. How sad as it was quite a shopping hub in those days. I was glad to see that the clock has been restored and is now at the airport before being permanently installed at Strong.

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - You will also be glad to find out that you cannot see our Clock of Nations without a boarding pass! I was at the airport today and a security guard told me so. According to Monroe County, we can only see this timepiece during the holiday season. Maggie Brooks´ little rule will backfire soon.

xreddragonx Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - So your earliest/only memories of Midtown are from when it was already shit. Sad. How long could you have been living out of town at your young age to "miss" the city so much, unless you moved away with your family while you were still a kid?

hondolespaul Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Say what?

swborderer Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - I was almost too late to see the plaza for the last time - and I wouldn't have, if I didn't go to the one-day charity auction which cleared out most of the remaining furniture and fixtures remaining in the place.Kinda sad - seeing the whole place empty and devoid of people. I almost wish I had made my last visit when it was still open.