A physical layout of the original mall. Its 2,000-foot-long shopping concourse was shaded by stands of juniper and crabapple trees. There were thirty-five original stores and 5,500 for-free parking spaces. During its early years, the complex did not have a major department store as its anchor. An Alexander's was added, which opened in August 1962.
CONNECTICUT POST CENTER TENANTS 1962:
ALEXANDER'S (with Pharmacy) / STOP & SHOP supermarket / W.T. GRANT / S.S. KRESGE (with luncheonette) / BRADLEES / A.E. Alling Rubber Company / Arthur's Youth Center / Baker's Shoes / Besse-Richey family apparel / Bond Clothes / Carnay Curtains / County Hardware / Cutler Record Shop / First New Haven National Bank / Franklin-Simon / Gilbert's Bakery / Gino's of Palm Beach / Happy House / Kennedy's of New England / Liggett Rexall Drug / Lofts Candies / Martin Paint & Wallpaper / Michaels Jewelers / Miles Family Shoe Center / One Stop Services Center / Eli Moore / Raphan Carpet Company / Post Hairdressers / Sib's Restaurant & Delicatessen / S. Silver, Incorporated / W. & J. Sloan Home Furnishings / Thayer-McNeil shoes for ladies / Thom McAn Shoes / Virginia Shops ladies' wear / Wilbar's Shoes
The Fantasy Land Train was a CONNECTICUT POST attraction in the early 1960s. The trackless, kiddie ride railroad traveled up and down the shopping concourse. There were five components. From right-to-left, they were the Chug-A-Puff smiling engine, Cinderella's Coach, Circus Band Wagon, Happy Pumpkin and Little Red Caboose.
Advert from Sol G. Atlas
Photo from Stop & Shop, Incorporated Annual Report 1960
