Drove 4 hours to explore the old Franklin Mall in Indiana and a security guard gave me solid advice

I was filming inside the Franklin Mall near Indy last month and a retired security guard walked up on me. Thought I was in trouble but he just said I should focus on the ceiling tiles and floor patterns instead of the big anchor stores because those get cleaned out first. He was right, the small random details like the old RadioShack sign tile work are way more interesting. Has anyone else gotten random tips from locals that changed how you explore?

3 comments

3 Comments

clairem472mo ago

A 4 hour drive for ceiling tiles, that's a real commitment to the hobby. The guard basically gave you the hidden camera tour of a dead mall, which is both helpful and slightly sad. RadioShack tile work sounds like the kind of detail that only matters to the five people left who care about malls. Next time you'll be measuring the exact spacing of the floor grout and I'm here for it. Surprised he didn't point out which food court table had the best view of the empty fountain.

tarar272mo ago

five people left who care about malls" hit me harder than it should have lol. But seriously, did the guard hint at anything else weird about the place? Like did he mention why the RadioShack tile pattern was so specific, or if the guy who picked them had some kind of history there? That level of attention to detail in a dead store feels like a clue to something.

cameron5381mo ago

Bet the guard secretly runs a mall history podcast with 12 devoted listeners who obsess over every decision.