MARYVALE SHOPPING CITY opened for business in August 1959. It was the commercial center of Maryvale, one of Phoenix's first -and largest- post-war planned communities. This circa-1961 plan shows the first phase mall in black. Phase two appears in medium gray. In all, there were 250,000 leasable square feet, twenty-two stores and parking accommodations for 2,500 autos.

MARYVALE SHOPPING CITY TENANTS 1961:

MONTGOMERY WARD (with Snack Bar, Garden Center and attached Auto Center) / MALCOLM'S (with Stop for Style Beauty Salon and gift wrapping service) / S.S. KRESGE 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / EL RANCHO MARKET grocery (with Corn Cabin popcorn stand) / Bowlero Lanes bowling alley (with Lantern Inn restaurant and Buffeteria cafeteria) / Clip Joint Barber Shop / First National Bank of Arizona (outparcel) / Gordon's Jewelers / Happy House Shop candy & gifts / House of Fabrics / Kiamy's Shoes / Mam'selle of Arizona ladies' wear / Merritt Electric TV & home appliance / Mode O'Day Frock Shop / One Hour Valet / Paper Mill Cards & Office Supplies / Phoenix Shoe Rebuilders / Ryan-Evans Drug (with luncheonette) / The Hub men's wear / Trust Finance

The basic footprint of the 16 million dollar open-air mall was established with its third phase. A south store block (in gray) was built in the mid-1960s. It housed a Fry's Food Store and Walgreen Drug (the largest store in the chain). MARYVALE SHOPPING CITY now spanned approximately 321,000 leasable square feet.

The MARYVALE TERRACE shopping center was located across North 51st Avenue from the SHOPPING CITY and predated it by 3 years. The first TERRACE stores were launched in May 1956. Several years later, another strip complex -MARYVALE PLAZA- was built across West Indian School Road from the mall. PLAZA stores began opening in November 1979.
Graphic from John F. Long Home Builders, Incorporated