I had some spare time after watching a movie at Ford City AMC 14, so I dropped in to see what Ford City Mall was all about. The word on the street is that this mall used to be the spot back in the day, but from the looks of it, it isn't what it used to be. I believe that saying this mall "still is outstanding" is totally an over statement because there is nothing outstanding about it other than the history of it. And I do believe it has stores that should not be part of it due to sales being pricey, or at least prices should be adjusted. I have mentioned this a few times to my colleagues, but I believe that malls should get with the program. There needs to be positions inner mall that allow clerks to sale on online websites like Amazon and eBay to keep sales going. There could even be an incentive by giving a certain percentage off if you visit the mall, but that is just a recommendation from someone like myself that shops online. Out of the stores and restaurants inside, the ones that caught my eye were Customized Teez, The Modern Man, The Shop, Relax Center, Foot Locker, New Cajun Grill, Fruit God, and Smokehouse. As for 'Customized Teez', it had the cutest t-shirts that made me giggle. If you are into cute t-shirts relating to today's culture with funny captions, I recommend stopping in. At 'The Modern Man', I fell in love with the dress shoes and many of the flashy looking dress suits which came in velvet and sequin, but many of the items were totally out of my price range. I cannot remember the last time I purchased from a 'Foot Locker' store, but every now and then I like to stop in to view the lackluster selection of running shoes it has which nothings changed. As for 'The Shop', other than taking interest in the 'Dropout Bear' t-shirts (Kanye West trademark), I took an interest in a flight jacket inside of this store. I would say that 'The Shop' would be the only store I would shop at other than H&M. And finally, the last thing to catch my eye was the 'Relax Center' which is your place to get a traditional Chinese massage with prices ranging from $12 to $80 depending on your selection. During this visit I wanted to tour its basement which is known as "the connection" (Originally called Peacock Alley from the late 1970s through the 1980s), but being that there was not much activity in it I left it alone. The mall itself is beautiful considering that it has been around since 1965, and one of the first regional malls built in Chicago, but I personally believe that it is far from being salvaged. Despite its decline, it does have significance to those that live in the surrounding area, or those that have visited it in its prime, but I have to say that the only reason I would return at the moment would be to get a Chinese massage at the Relax Center, or to purchase a cute t-shirt from Customized Teez. Now, if I were a teenager, this mall would be the best thing since sliced bread, but since I'am in my late-thirties I will pass. Thomas G read more

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Honestly fun to walk around but otherwise in a shopping sense not the best place to be not much open read more

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Oh my god. What happened to this mall? I remember this mall used to be packed in from 90's to 2013. This mall has gotten worst. Almost entire stores are now 70% vacant, and no food court I used to live in Indiana and If I go to Midway Airport, I stopped by that mall quick. Now I live 15 minutes from this mall, closest mall to my house, and I only come there for AMC, JCPenney and Bath & Body Works. After Carson's closed in 2018, more store started leaving. Foot Locker leaving next year. I mostly go to Chicago Ridge, Orland Square Mall, North Riverside Park Mall, Oakbrook Center, Yorktown Center, Woodfield Mall, Old Orchard Mall, and Harlem Irving Plaza. read more

DO NOT COME TO THIS MALL SECURITY WILL NOT KEEP YOU SAFE!!!!!! I had a slip and fall at Ford City Mall last November and I'm just now fully healing. The whole mall including management , security and the corporate office are all full of it. Security and mall management tried to sweep my incident under the rug by not filling out an incident report nor documenting the incident at all. Had I not called around and came back up to the mall after falling, no one would know what happened. Mall management (light skinned tall lady with a bmw (body made wrong)) told me she would make sure that security showed me and sent me a copy of the video footage they have of me falling which I never received. The security also blamed "OOH WEE" for me falling claiming that they are always spilling liquids off their back stock carts which I have the whole conversation recording of. The head of security also gave me his contact information, which I tried to reach him several times and never heard a word back even a year later. I finally found the corporate office number months later, they also informed me that they also had no knowledge of my fall at their mall as it was not documented which I knew already. This mall is very negligent. The security is negligent, incompetent and have zero people skills. I've been coming to Ford City Mall since a kid. Taking the 79th street buss all the way from 79th and exchange to Cicero. This is a big slap in the face seriously. I wish all parties involved nothing but the worst since you all thought it was okay to play in my face. I have so much on audio recording and I also have witnesses of me falling, one that works int eh mall actually. The security told on himself, ohh wee and the whole mall as an entity. When I find the appropriate lawyer to give this case to, I hope you all are shut down immediately after I sue! read more

Ford City Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ford City Mall still is outstanding after all my future outings after I keep coming back here and this place does not fail to dissapoint at all. More people are shopping here than in recent memory which is always great. They got a Dragons Breath ice cream place coming soon which is great. I'm just curious... When's the last time these vending machines have been checked? Especially the ice cream machines. OPINION: I'm definitely coming back as usual to Ford City always. I just wish in my personal opinion to get Chicago Enthusiasts as myself, tourists, fans of Chicago history. I'd love to explore the tunnels of its days back in World War II / The Connection / Peacock Alley. Even visiting the former big box stores etc I mean this mall is rich in history that many people don't know about which makes this mall even more amazing. I've been sad that The Orange Line wasn't coming here since they scrapped that in the 90s because of budget cuts and again years later. I would just love to see this place keep thriving. read more

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The service here at ford city = No service! The food - look at the corridors the filth on the corners and edges of the countertops -the smell of reused oil ugh, disgusting! This is a mall w/ no open stores - It seems that people come to this mall to let their kids vandalize and destroy the play areas - Not even the bathroom has value to this pig sty, The bathroom had pannies in the stall And shit on the toilet, the doors to the stalls were broken. SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN! read more

I was highly disappointed in this if you want to call it a mall. More then half of the building is closed and the other is a bunch cheesy booths . read more

Quite a few cool urban wear stores. You will definitely encounter hoodlums here so have fun! Besides that you would find something to buy. Not the safest feeling mall read more

This is an old go-to mall from way back in the day, it opened in 1965. It has about 87 stores. It has all your go-to stores like Marshalls, Pennys, Lids, GNC, Champs, Old Navy, Ross, Sephora, H&M, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Bodyworks and a lifetime Chicago fav Carsons to name a few. It has ample parking so you can get in and get out quickly with your purchases. It's neither really good nor is it extremely bad. During this visit, I wanted to tour its basement which is known as "the connection" (Originally called Peacock Alley from the late 1970s through the 1980s) but ran out of time.  I will have to plan to hit it up next time because I have never had an opportunity to see it. read more

Since when do dogs are allowed by security to walk in mall.... I'm a dog lover but when did we allowed dogs walking on carpet and popping. Now I know why I don't like coming here ... smh read more

I think it's one of the worst malls around. The stores are just not as nice as they once were. It is crowded with lots of people (young) who at times seem to think that they own it. Case in point, I went to JC Penny and some guy said "Who you looking at", now the cut here is, HE WAS LOW LEVEL and he would never be someone who anyone would look at. Me being the ex punk that I was, I said "Dude are you SURE you want to get me pissed"? And of course he backed down and said "Oh I thought you were someone else'. I mean seriously, he was like 17, missing tooth and just ruined the experience. Back in the day the place was nice, but now, ehhhh, i've experienced so much better, and I travel away from the area just to get that piece of mind. Sorry, as a whole, I am not into Ford City. The Ghetto thing IS SO OLD! Sorry but this place is low rate, I would even put it up with North Riverside Mall, now that one is just as bad. read more

This small mall was next to the hotel I stayed at during my most recent adventure to Chicago. Seeing as it is Chicago, I guess I had really high hopes.... like there were going to be many fashionable stores, high end retailers, etc. Nope. It's a collection of a few stores - some familiar such as Champs, Claire's, and Victoria's Secret (a super tiny VS by the way) - and other shops that must be local or independently owned. I visited on Sunday afternoon and this place was dead. The parking lot was very empty and I saw very few other customers inside the mall. Most notable were the couple of shops that specialized in beautiful gowns - like prom or Quinceañera dresses. Absolutely gorgeous! I walked through the one shop and picked out a couple I would consider as a wedding dress (and $300 or less!). The sales associates as the various shops we went into were all friendly. I can imagine this shopping center was pretty amazing at one time but a lot of the stores have clearly left. With this mall being so close to Midway Airport and the many airport hotels, I would have imagined it being better.... seems it needs a renovation to put new life into it and the surrounding area. read more

Right now they are offering for Ford City customer or Ford City visitors an opportunity to partake in the free ice skating attraction and actually is free along with the use of ice skates the rink is self is not very big and reminded me of a frozen pond but never the less if you're in the vicinity or have your children with you let them go ahead and protect and this free attraction I thought it was a wonderful gesture for the children and the young people that hurt to go out and enjoy themselves without having to worry about cost my daughter actually went with a friend and enjoyed herself for a couple of hours for free so that was actually awesome and something appreciated by the community read more

Ford City Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This mall was once thriving when I moved here 22 years ago. Now, it's 100% dead as are many traditional closed-air shopping malls. Shops and eateries are now free standing in mall parking lots for a destination experience. Home are the days of walking indoors, unless you're a senior seeking exercise. read more

Used to come here lots when I was younger, this place lost a lot of what made it good in the first place. The mini museum they had near the arcade place, and countless other places that have since closed. People are rude especially if u take the bus here, stay away from this place if u take the bus to get here. Not worth the hassle. read more

i find pretty good deals today i visit this mall couple years ago was pretty emty now is better but fined fallas there mmmmm all mess inside o well if they bring bussines go for it read more

This mall is considered the largest enclosed mall in Chicago outside of downtown, and based on my first visit here, I can tell that it is indeed huge. There are a lot of different stores that can be found inside the Ford City Mall. There are also a lot of restaurants to choose from. This mall also has a movie theater. This place is perfect for me for shopping, doing groceries, and even watching movies in theaters with families and friends. This place has a clean environment, and the items in each store are well-stocked and organized. The people here are very friendly and helpful, so if you have any questions or are looking for anything, just ask for help, and they will be very happy to assist you. I had a great time here at Ford City Mall, and I also had great customer service. read more

HEYROUGE Visited the Mall yesterday. The bathroom was filthy, no running water. The garbage in the food court wasn't emptied. When I called the Mall office I was hung up on. read more

I went here to buy a pair of Blue faux-crocodile loafers and I ended up being shot at while walking past JC Penny. I ran to my car in teh parking lot and the lot fell apart trapping me under rubble and flaming hot cheetos!!! I will never go back...no matter how badly I need new sneakers or fitteds!! read more

Can someone explain to me how this place is rundown? I grew up just East of it and it doesn't look any worse than it did 20 years ago. Sure things have changed, but find me a mall where they haven't! It's a mall, with BLACK PEOPLE. If that scares you...then run for the hills I guess. Don't expect to find a Sharper Image in this mall, but if you need a new pair of shoes...it's just as good as any other. I'm not sure what the criteria for "ghetto" is, but if it's dark skinned people and hip hop, then I suppose it's pretty ghetto. But please don't think it's run down or dangerous, because it's not. Again, I grew up in this area and it's extremely uncommon to be a victim of crime. In fact, the one time my car was stolen, it was stolen from Chicago Ridge Mall...in a "white" and "safe" area. There is violent crime in this area, but it is almost always exclusive to gang members and drug trade. You'll likely find more elderly people in this mall than you will young people. So again, don't avoid this place because of what you're reading in the other reviews. It has some nice stores, and is overall about as good of a mall experience as any. One thing Ford City has that you won't find anywhere else is a DMV. That's right...you can try on lids while waiting for your license to be printed! read more

I think that his mall had a face lift back in the early to mid 90's. Back before the renovations, Me and my family were regulars here as it was the place to get your goods back then. I thought It was quite amusing but as I walked through the other day after a 25-30 year absence. I noticed some remnants of the old FCM as I remembered it as a child. When they did their face lift they only remodeled 98% of it. I still see small areas with old decor/tiles/walls/floors that were not touched since the mall's opening days! This is neither here nor there as it is just an observation.... Overall I really did not feel safe here. Security was everywhere but so were the people just hanging out trying to stare other people down. Out side of Carson's or Penny's, There are really not any kind of stores here that would make me want to ever go here again. I am thinking this mall is doomed. We were there around noon on a Saturday in late November and it was only about 15% full. Kind of makes me sad! read more

As someone who easily logged over 500 hours in this mall interviewing people several years back I think I know it pretty well. Bad stuff happens in malls no matter what mall you are in if you are in it long enough. Once a guy grabbed a pencil out of my hand and threatened another guy with it. I had to step in the middle and say "I NEED that pencil!!!" because I really did. A security guard once tried to remove me because I guess it was against the rules to wear a shirt that said "Don't vote the monsters back in office" on the Halloween right before the 2004 election. Whatever. Once part of the parking lot caved in and one day a police chase ended with a guy getting shot by the JC Penny store. But do you know how hard it is to find green loafers in this world??? It is hard! Ford City to me will always be about that moment when I found my amazing green loafers right after my first pair of green loafers I'd bought in NYC died and I could no longer wear them...even with tape on the holes. It's my secret shoe mecca. read more

I grew up going to Ford City Mall ...It was Actually a Real Mall with known Stores and Great Food the Woolworth Diner was in the Middle of the Mall,it had Awesome Food/Desserts...True Old School Ford City Mall Customers will remember John Garage Restaurant ... Into the 2000's The Mall declined Rapidly ....Now in 2019 it's borderline Abandoned....No Big Name Stores Except JCPenney & H&M and that Not saying Much...No Good Restaurants to Eat at in the Mall! It's Very Sad but ,I would Not Recommend this Mall to Anyone...The stores Outside the Mall are Best Marshall/Ross/Five Below etc ....Great Stores/Restaurants Up and Down Cicero....Part Of My Childhood,but it should be Closed , it's DEAD....Just like I used to make a Wish and throw Coins in the Big Water Fountain that was in the Middle of the Mall...I wish Ford City Mall would Thrive but.... I Don't see it Happening.... read more

I love malls but I'll pass on this one..like everyone said, GHETTO!!! Sure they have some of the well-known places *like Victoria's Secret and Charlotte Russe (which I may add suck here! I dunno if it's me but they have very small selections!* but I swear I feel like I'm in a flea market also with the cheap, tacky ghetto stores here combined..and remember this is CICERO..look at the ppl *cough cough*!! I WOULDN'T be surprised if there was a robbery or shooting in this mall............ read more

Ford City Mall - NEVER AGAIN!! - Shopping Centers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Back in the day, this was THE MALL. Now, I'm talking when I was a kid, so - 35ish years ago. It was the only mall we went to - and it was just so cool. Now, I wouldn't go here at night. It is just so desolate. The parking lot is a ghost town. Many of the stores are boarded up. It is just sad-sad-sad. I will visit the JCP and Carson's - but I park by them, go in, and out. I don't venture out into the mall area anymore. It just doesn't feel safe. read more

I can't stand to come to this mall, unfortunately there are a few stores there we still shop at. To bad they couldn't just relocate. Another problem I have is the corner by Hhgregg and Carsons parking. It's the bushes that are there, traffic leaving and going to the light don't have a stop sign for one. The people who do can't see if a car is coming because of the bushes. It's a dangerous spot and I wish they just take out the bushes! read more

Places like this is what gives Chicago a bad rep and why it gets called ChiRaq. Although it technically isn't Chicago, it's considered to be part of it and anyone in Chicago knows this mall. I grew up coming to this mall frequently when it wasn't bad at all. It was nice and clean and fun to go to. That was approximately 15 years ago. Now it's a dump. Half the stores that made it worth going to are now closed and all these ghetto shops opened that last no more than a couple months before they have an entire store clearance sale. The worst of the worst come here. Riverside mall is getting there too but that's on an entirely different review. Don't come here unless it's absolutely necessary. If anything, go to Carsons and that's it. read more

The service at this place is practically going downhill... I can't seem to find things for myself here anymore. I'm not sure if most stores conform to meet the population that it serves or what... I see a lot of clothes that are ripped, tight-fitting, and/or straight out the dump. There are stores that range from extremely cheap ($3 or $6 for a dress) to expensive. For the price tag on the clothes, expect frays and threads that are still loose. I remember entering a few stores and it is unkempt. The owners scan and look at you like you're criminals and ready to steal... the fitting rooms smell of urine or body odor. If you want quality, this will not be the place to go. I'm unsure how Carson's and JC Penney made it through these years. This might be the place for people who love to do their nails as there is a shop in there by Carson's. read more

The only thing scary about this mall is the crappy selection of outrageously priced merchandise. Was looking for a hoodie. The only place that had a couple was Zemsky's - a store which specializes in uniforms but also carries some Carhartt/t-shirt/long underwear type of stuff. As for womens hoodies all they had were several white ones and a couple of black ones. All were size XXXL, cut from very thin cloth and they were $24 plus tax. It occured to me that shopping during Soviet times must have been similar. I found out there was an Old Navy, but it was in a separate building and I was tired by that point after going all the way out there so didn't bother. Seriously, just save a trip and go to State Street or North/Clybourn for much better shopping. Yeah, there are a lot of shoes but they are all plastic and "man-made material" - (even at JC Penney) and the prices were shockingly high. Lots of plus-sized clothing too. Blech. read more

Wow! This place has really changed! I worked here as a teenager and haven't really been back until now. Stores are random with some known stores and lots of "coming soon" stores. Food court is sad. There's 4 options. The pizza place is the only one that survived after all these years. Mall seems clean but sad. This is definitely a place I will only come to if there's a desperate need to buy something in a hurry not a place to walk around and window shop. What needs to be done is a whole remodel of the actual sign. I mean, it's a poop Brown not appealing at all. They also need to bring in some better stores to draw in more people. Interior decor is very random. Also, get that food court going! Bring in a Starbucks , Panda Express and better burger spot as well. read more

It's a pretty quite mall, it's clean and have Footlocker, Victoria's Secret, and JCPenny but other than that there are not many quality stores. However, there have been renovations and additions in the past months. Today the mall looks more modern and they have also opened an H&M store. I come here once in a while not to hang out but to buy a specific item I already had in mind (Mostly a new Jordan from Footlocker). I would like to see renovations in the Foodcourt and more new stores in the future. read more

Yes run down and blahblahblah, just needs a touch of help. I gave it three stars for the memories i had there: scooping out change out of the fountains, playing with toys at KayBee, going to the Alley in the Connection to look at the Alien figure they had, playing at the arcade they had just built and lastly people watching. Surprised that a lot of people are scared to shop here; it's just in need of a face lift and repaving of the parking lot. read more

I have fond memories of this place and still visit occasionally when I'm home from school. It has changed, but not for the better. The parking lots are littered with pot holes and the majority of the people can be classified as "ghetto", but it's not that bad. The mall is serving it's target audience (those that live in West Lawn and other Chicago neighborhoods) so don't be surprised. At night it can feel dangerous but using common sense, *ahem*not going at night*, usually saves you stress. It's a mall, that's filled with black people. If you're not use to that then go to Ridge/Westfield, or Orland Mall. Heck, I do some of my Christmas shopping at Ford. read more

I do not scare easily. But I am scared shitless right about now. After a quick jaunt through here, I was in fear of my life. I remember all the happy memories of this mall as a child (anyone remember the underground part called Peacok Alley?), it has defiently taken a turn for the more ghetto-fabulous. I ran here to go to shopping, as it is on the way to work. I have never seen a shopping mall with more armed security than paying customers. And maybe I'm just pissed because my favorite restaurant growing up was here (the name of it was John's Garage) was closed down, and a crappy IHOP has taken it's place. read more

Is there another word for GHETTO?? or.. Lowest of the all Time Low ??? When I first Relocated to Chicago, someone directed me towards this mall.. Granted I lived near the loop at the time. I went here.. I didn't know. This place is just DINGY .. DIRTY Mixed with CHEAP Fabrics and Notions of just YUCK! .. I wouldn't purchase a stick of Wrigleys gum at this place. The owners need to tear it down.. marinate for 2 years on how they would proceed and start over from the very beginning. read more

So it really pains me to write this review, because like many other reviewers this place played a huge part in my childhood. I spent A LOT of time here as a kid. One of my earliest memories was when Wieboldt's was closing and they had a huge sale (I think I was 5?). I also remember them re-modeling the mall, and when it opened again there were a ton of brand new stores and a food court. They opened the Connection, which was amazing for me because it connected the mall to the Child's World mega toy store on the other side of the parking lot. I think we went there almost every weekend and any day I had off school. Also saw a lot of movies there when the AMC 14 first opened. Fast forward a few years and we really did not see any reason at all to go to Ford City. We decided to go to the IHOP for breakfast and kill time before my flight out of Midway (I live in another state now) and after breakfast we decided to walk around the mall. I have to say it was pretty heartbreaking to see what this relic of my childhood has become. As others have mentioned, there are a lot of foot locker and finish line type stores. The only stores that were recognizable to me were Carsons and JC Penney. However I will say that I was never "afraid" in this mall. If you live or grew up in the surrounding neighborhood as I have, then you have seen the evolution from Polish/Irish to more African American/Hispanic. There are definitely far worse places around Chicago. The mall is still kept clean, though the once-modern decor is very 80's and there are now a lot of empty stores. In fact, I have elderly family members that have been "Mall Walkers" here for years and they still go every morning. Remember that crime knows no location. This place has a lot of scars from murders and robberies, but a similar carjacking recently happened at Orland Square, the "nice" mall. In a down economy, anyone can be desperate enough to do something stupid any place. read more

Not so grate of a mall just a place to go to when your bored didn't really eat at the cafeteria so I can't tell you what it's about but they need some new stores in there it's pretty dead in there to so quiet read more

It is what it is. Just make sure to choose your shops wisely. There is a store on the 2nd floor called Abibas. They sale suits and their watches do not work. I had to file a complaint with the mall because of the products in the store. I like the mall. The few places I have been besides Abibas has been good. Zales, The Shop, Aunt Anne's, The Children's Place and Payless are legit stores. I never have an issue with violence, but of course I do have an issue with the fuckery these young females are wearing. Like seriously. Cottage cheese and booty fat is not nice to look at while strolling the mall. read more

OK so I went to the high school that is super close by (bogan) and I only went to this mall like 5 times my entire 4 years. First of all it doesn't have any good stores. The only thing I like is Victoria secret. Second, its like alllllll the really ghetto people shop here. I must say that if you go while the teenagers are at school you're fine. And the parking lot is filled with potholes. I don't go here at all,unless someone drags me here. Don't let anyone direct you to this mall. Its horrible (oh and the security are assholes they kicked me and my friends out and we weren't doing anything) Oh I would say Chicago ridge is better (which it is) but at a certain time those trashy people come there. I love going to Orland mall but I still recommend going to Chicago ridge over ford city they got a lot more stores. read more

I came all the way from Jersey to check out this ghetto fabulous hood mall. With all the yelp reviews of gang violence and fights I was expecting such a thrill but left utterly unimpressed. Just your typical old mall with boring stores and friendly salespeople. read more