Eric S.
Yelp
ALL THE MALL THINGS
Yorktown Center sure has changed a lot since I was a kid.
Writing this review gets me all nostalgic and a bit teary-eyed. I came here a LOT growing up in the 1990's and early 2000's, with scores of memories formed while walking around the mall, visiting the various shops and engaging in some light mischief.
JC Pennys and Von Maur remain the anchor stores, though over the years Yorktown has added a Marshalls and Forever 21 that each occupy a large space. Victoria Secret is still here, so are Yankee Candle, Lids, Hot Topic, Zumiez, and many others. Of course no mall would be complete without your one-stop shop for blacklight posters, sex toys and rubber dog poo.....the infamous Spencers. Hard to believe I once thought they were 'cool'.
Back in '97 the corner of the 2nd floor foodcourt was home to the legendary Aladdin's Castle, an arcade chain that I pumped an insane number of tokens into. That place was awesome! These days the area is just additional seating & bathrooms, sadly. There IS a new age video arcade called The Game Show that's not technically inside the mall, but rather on the outskirts of it (admission is $15 for unlimited play).
Seasonal displays were always a big draw for my family and I. Photo ops with the Easter Bunny and Santa became an annual tradition, and the gigantic tree lit up on the roof of the mall was more than just a symbol of the holidays, it was a beacon you could see for miles. Yorktown still decorates really well for Christmas, it's something definitely worth checking out in December.
The foodcourt -- now called "The Eatery" -- has a mix of both old (Auntie Anne's, Panda Express, Sbarro, Sarku Japan, Cinnabon) and new (Burnin' Mouth Hot Chicken, Cilantro Taco Grill, Nori Sushi & Ramen, Charley's Philly Steaks). It's sleeker, brighter, and yes, modernized, but it's missing the eye-catching fountains and live trees of yore. Heck, a couple decades ago they had real birds flying around the atrium! I liked the old vibe way better, it felt much more alive than the sterilized dining space it is now.
* TL;DR *
Although it may be lacking the wide-open feel of Fox Valley Mall (Aurora) or Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg), Yorktown Center remains a solid place to walk around and do some casual shopping.
It's true that the foodcourt's gotten the biggest facelift, but several other areas (including the façade out front) have received a makeover that makes this indoor mall look like it belongs the 21st century. I'll always remember the good ol' days, and that earns Yorktown some major points in my book.