The Space-Age (a.k.a. "Googie") bowling alley, which was located
in the southwest parking area, across from the Eastwood Mall
Theatre. The "dingbat" atop the sign was a local landmark for many
years.
Photo provided by Russell Wells
EASTWOOD MALL, following the 1989-1990 renovation. By now, all
of the charter anchor stores were gone, with most of their areas
sectioned into smaller retail spaces. The focal point of the new and
improved mall was the huge Food Court, which had been built in the
center of the complex.
4 comments:
For what it's worth, although Party City is indicated on your 1990 map, PC didn't actually move into Eastwood until 2000 or 2001. Prior to that, it was located a little ways east on US 78 in Irondale, in the location now occupied by "Dress Barn." Great images, though.
Hiya,
Actually, it's worth quite a bit to have a detail about the history of EASTWOOD.
I want for the info on this blog to be as historically accurate as possible...and this can be accomplished by people out there posting to the blog with details, such as you have done. Thanks much.
I have removed Party City from the circa-1990 site plan. Now...the question is....what store was in this spot (and in the former Kroger spot) in 1990?
Cheers
This 1989/90 renovation of the Eastwood Mall literally gutted the heart of the Mall and rendered it virtually unrecognizable to someone who knew the Mall (as did I) from the '60s and '70s. Maybe the Mall needed some sort of updating or stimulus to remain economically viable at this time when Century Plaza and Brookwood were at their peaks, but the demolition at the center of the Mall destroyed Ligett Rexall and Newberry's and several other original tenents. It's my understanding that many of the old tennants just did not return afterwards and the Mall was just no longer the same. Also by this time the Mall Theatre had been twinned which essentially ruined it. For one thing it no longer had the capacity to show Cinerama movies (a moot point, perhaps, since Cinerama movies were no longer being made in the '80s, but still it could have retained a niche market as a venue for old Cinerama movies like 2001).
And my favorite pizza place, Pasquales, was also gone by this time frame, along with the Winn Dixie and Krogers. Not to mention Pizitz.
In retrospect, it is a wonder that the Mall soldiered on as long as it did, staying open as long as 2004.
I dearly miss the Eastwood Mall and the bowling alley. I just hope the little memorial to the Mall that resides in the display case as you enter the Super Walmart that replaced the Mall will long endure to remind WalMart shoppers that they are shopping on sacred ground.
Tom Frieling
tfrielin@uga.edu
Tom,
I'm kinda surprised that Wal-Mart has a memorial to the mall.
This has got to be one of the most beloved mid-century centers on this blog.
Thanks for perusing and posting.
Post a Comment