The East Bay's El Cerrito Plaza

We submit for your approval the original trademark of Contra Costa County's first mall-type shopping complex. Its first store opened for business in April 1958.

Graphic from the Albert Lovett Company  

Capwell's was the sole anchor of EL CERRITO PLAZA. The store, which encompassed 232,000 square feet, was the third branch of the Oakland-based chain.
Drawing from http://www.ibabuzz.com / "Vintage views of El Cerrito Plaza, which opened this month in 1958" / Chris Treadway

In this view, we see Blackmans ladies' wear on the left, with Leed's Qualicraft Shoes across the mallway. These were two of the shopping hub's fifty-five stores and services.
Photo from http://www.ibabuzz.com / "Vintage views of El Cerrito Plaza, which opened this month in 1958" / Chris Treadway

Our first EL CERRITO PLAZA site plan depicts "CoCo" County's first shopping mall as it was configured in 1959. Encompassing 420,000 leasable square feet, it consisted of a single level of retail, with a second level office mezzanine running along the southwest facade.