Torrance's Old Towne Mall
OLD TOWNE MALL was officially dedicated in November 1972. The fully-enclosed complex combined carnival rides, entertainment and boutique-type stores into a new concept known as "recreational retailing."
Graphic from Lincoln Realty Old Towne
The 30 million dollar mall extended for 1,606 feet -or .3 mile- from end-to-end. Its exterior was starkly modern, with interior store fronts decorated in styles of the Old West and 1890s America.
Photo from The Daily Breeze
One of the original mall's many attractions was an antique, $50,000 Carousel.
Photo from The Continental Card / Mitock Publishers, Incorporated
The single-story merry-go-round seen above was eventually replaced by this two-story - $200,000- model.
Photo from The Continental Card / Mitock Publishers, Incorporated
Bruce Bishop, a.k.a. the Singing Keystone Kop, serenaded OLD TOWNE patrons with songs old and new.
Photo from Lincoln Realty Old Towne / Palos Verdes Peninsula News
In a typical OLD TOWNE street scene, Bruce Bishop croons to the accompaniment of piano and banjo.
Photo from The Continental Card / Mitock Publishers, Incorporated
The Market Place was a prototype food court that included over fourteen restaurants, bakeries and cafes.
Graphic from Lincoln Realty Old Towne
