199. 🛍️ Nostalgic Reflections: Mall Memories at Roosevelt Field

Dan, Manny, & Billy share their Nostalgic memories about the mall, specifically their mall Roosevelt Field on Long Island and they put it to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   Yeah, it's like, "Where do you live?" "Uh, well, it used to be Modell's." -Dan Dissinger   This is a special Nostalgic Reflections with all three longtime friends digging into the vanishing malls in the U.S., their memories of hanging out at The Roosevelt Field Mall, some of their favorite stores and some of the most ridiculous ones, how the food court free samples could be gathered into a meal, and how abandoned malls are being turned into apartments. Manny also tells a crazy story about being robbed at the Roosevelt Field mall movie theater and Dan tells a harrowing story about someone trying on hats in Macy’s for hours. The guys also go off on some hilarious tangents about Christmas and Hanukkah, gifting a star to someone, Dan sending his mom to buy the self-titled Slipknot album, getting baked and doing holiday shopping, and this is all going on as the NY Knicks are mounting the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history (198. 🏀 Nostalgia Test Mini: Reaction to The Knicks’ 29-Point Playoff Comeback). So, call up your closets friends, put on your baggiest jeans, your long-sleeved shirt under your short-sleeved shirt, your newest hat, and lace up your cleanest kicks, because it’s time to chill at the Roosevelt Field Mall all day long. You can read Dan’s short essay on the Substack episode post. ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Mall Episode Kickoff 00:21 Hacky Sack Banter 01:48 Roosevelt Field Memories 02:41 Malls Then & Now 04:15 Source Mall Design 05:46 Mall Apartments Talk 08:27 Mall Food & Hangouts 13:42 Catholic Store Tangent 17:24 Back to the 90s Era 17:34 Movie Theater Nostalgia 20:06 Store List Electronics 20:46 Sharper Image Vibes 21:19 Engraved Gifts & Flasks 22:03 RadioShack Panic 22:52 Mall Sports Memorabilia 23:37 Things Remembered Scams 23:58 Naming a Star 25:55 Museum Company Oddities 26:42 Papyrus & Strip Malls 27:13 Mall Restaurants & Clubs 28:34 Basement Record Stores 29:49 CD Cover Shock Stories 31:38 Bookstores  33:22 Why Malls Mattered 33:56 Macy's Hat Odyssey 35:04 Game Break Chaos 36:08 Mall Memories & Mischief 39:23 Wrap Up & Sign Off *** Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. Other music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected