Atlanta's Stewart-Lakewood Center


LENOX SQUARE is generally regarded as Atlanta's -and  Georgia's- first mall-type shopping center. However, checking contemporary newspapers reveals that the the first stores in STEWART-LAKEWOOD CENTER were dedicated in February 1959, six months before the "LENOX MALL" opened for business.
Graphic from Tri-City, Incorporated


Promoted as a "Dynamic new concept in shopping," STEWART-LAKEWOOD CENTER was tenanted by nationally-known chains, such as J.C. Penney, Lerner Shops, National Shirt Shops and Woolco.


A vintage view of the "super-convenient on-the-mall" shopping concourse, which is decorated for the yuletide season. Standing in Center Court is a statue of jolly St. Nick. During the early years of the mall, it was promoted as The World's Tallest Santa Claus.
Photo from www.ajc.com