The "shire town" (or county seat) of Vermont's Caledonia County was the location of the Green Mountain State's first shopping mall. Situated in Vermont's "NEK" (or Northeast Kingdom), GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL was officially dedicated in November 1974.
A physical layout of the circa-'74 GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL. Some of its original stores proved to be short-lived. The A & P grocery on the north end lasted little more than 1 year; Grant's store was barely in business for 2.
Zayre was in operation, on the south end of the mall, for nearly 14 years. However, the store was shuttered in the late 1980s. It was replaced by a Rich's discount mart, which lasted for 5 years. The Ames seen here was in business for 5 years, as well.
Photo from http://amesfanclub.com
A snapshot of the mall entrance of the original J.C. Penney. It opened -in a vacated W.T. Grant space- in 1980. The store moved to the south end of the complex -into the old Zayre- in September 2007.
Photo from www.greenmountainmall.com
A Sears Appliance & Hardware, or "Hometown Store", was a GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL tenant for 37 years.
Photo from www.greenmountainmall.com
An aerial view of GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL. The complex, which achieved its 40th year in business in late 2014, has never been physically expanded. However, a dizzying array of stores have come and gone since 1974.
Photo from www.greenmountainmall.com
GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL
Memorial Drive and Sanger Circle
Saint Johnsbury, Vermont
What was Vermont's first mall-type shopping center? The entirety of GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL, in the northeast corner of the state, was officially dedicated on November 6, 1974. Down in the southwestern section, JUSTER MALL (a.k.a. RUTLAND MALL) was completed in stages.
The first operational JUSTER MALL store opened in October 1974, but it would take until the spring of 1975 for a mall-wide grand opening to be held. So, with these facts in evidence, we award GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL the "first mall in Vermont" distinction.
GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL was developed by a joint venture of William Costa, Orlando Costa and Harvey Kaplan (of Saint Johnsbury) and Matthew Sugarman, Bernard Healy and Barry Malitsky (of Massachusetts). The partially-enclosed complex was built on a 15 acre plot, located 2.4 miles north of the town center of Saint Johnsbury.
The first operational JUSTER MALL store opened in October 1974, but it would take until the spring of 1975 for a mall-wide grand opening to be held. So, with these facts in evidence, we award GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL the "first mall in Vermont" distinction.
GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL was developed by a joint venture of William Costa, Orlando Costa and Harvey Kaplan (of Saint Johnsbury) and Matthew Sugarman, Bernard Healy and Barry Malitsky (of Massachusetts). The partially-enclosed complex was built on a 15 acre plot, located 2.4 miles north of the town center of Saint Johnsbury.
The 3 million dollar complex spanned approximately 195,400 leasable square feet and was anchored by a 1-level (35,300 square foot) W.T. Grant variety store, 1-level (60,500 square foot) Zayre discount mart and (30,400 square foot) A & P supermarket.
GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL had a rocky start. A & P closed in 1975, with the entire Grant's chain declaring bankruptcy in 1976. A McDonald's restaurant, and several other tenants, broke their leases and pulled up stakes. Other mall stores threatened to do the same.
Things had begun to turn around at GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL by 1980. The vacant A & P re-opened as a Shop & Save supermarket. Grant's space was leased by J.C. Penney. A Sears Appliance & Hardware opened in 1981.
Still, stores came and went. Zayre was shuttered in 1988. The store re-opened, as a Salem, Massachusetts-based Rich's, in 1991. At this time, the president of the Rich's chain, Howard Rich, bought a fifty-percent share of GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL, and invested 3 million dollars into renovating the facility.
Still, stores came and went. Zayre was shuttered in 1988. The store re-opened, as a Salem, Massachusetts-based Rich's, in 1991. At this time, the president of the Rich's chain, Howard Rich, bought a fifty-percent share of GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL, and invested 3 million dollars into renovating the facility.
By January 1997, the Rich's chain was out of business. Their (60,500 square foot) anchor store, the largest space in the mall, was occupied by Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Ames in late 1997. More anchor changes transpired.
The Shop & Save grocery, on the north end of the complex, became a Butson's, and then Sav-A-Lot. That store lasted until 2006. A North Kingston, Rhode Island-based Ocean State Job Lot opened in the space in early 2008.
Meanwhile, on the south end of the mall, the Ames chain went belly-up, with its GREEN MOUNTAIN location going out of business on October 13, 2002. The vacant anchor box was eventually occupied by a relocated J.C. Penney, which held its grand opening on September 26, 2007.
The empty Grant's / Penney's space was reconfigured as an extended North Wing concourse, with a Yankee 1 Dollar housed in one of the newly-created store spaces.
The empty Grant's / Penney's space was reconfigured as an extended North Wing concourse, with a Yankee 1 Dollar housed in one of the newly-created store spaces.
Bernard Healy and Howard Rich, proprietors of GREEN MOUNTAIN MALL, performed a face lift renovation in mid-2011. This was accompanied by the opening of offices for the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, in December 2011.
Subsequent dedications were held for Fitness Unbound (May 2015) and Saint J Brewery Draft Room & Hoagie Bar (February 2016). Sears, a circa-1981 tenant, closed their "Hometown Store" in 2018.
Subsequent dedications were held for Fitness Unbound (May 2015) and Saint J Brewery Draft Room & Hoagie Bar (February 2016). Sears, a circa-1981 tenant, closed their "Hometown Store" in 2018.
Sources:
http://www.caledonianrecord.com (The Caledonian Record)
http://www.greenmountainmall.com
http://www.geocities.com/ /zayre88
http://www.amesfanclub.com
San Diego's College Grove Center
Greater San Diego's second shopping mall was decorated with an array of tropical plantings, as this 1965 photo attests. In this vintage view, we see the southwest end of the COLLEGE GROVE CENTER concourse. Bond Clothes is on the right, with a Woolworth 5 & 10 off in the distance.
Photo from IIvintage
For the record, the very first mall-type shopping hub in -or around- San Diego had been built in the suburb of National City. A Mayfair Market grocery became the first operational SOUTH BAY PLAZA store, in February 1954.
Graphic from the R.A. Rowan Company
Greater San Diego's second shopping mall was decorated with an array of tropical plantings, as this 1965 photo attests. In this vintage view, we see the southwest end of the COLLEGE GROVE CENTER concourse. Bond Clothes is on the right, with a Woolworth 5 & 10 off in the distance.
Photo from IIvintage
For the record, the very first mall-type shopping hub in -or around- San Diego had been built in the suburb of National City. A Mayfair Market grocery became the first operational SOUTH BAY PLAZA store, in February 1954.
Graphic from the R.A. Rowan Company
San Diego's Walker Scott chain anchored COLLEGE GROVE CENTER for nearly 27 years. The store, which opened in July 1960, encompassed 160,000 square feet and featured The Helix House Restaurant.
Drawing from Walker Scott Department Stores
The original COLLEGE GROVE CENTER encompassed 450,000 leasable square feet. The 28 million dollar, open-air mall housed the largest Walker Scott in the chain. There were also fifty-nine inline stores, a rooftop heliport and free parking for 6,000 autos.
The 74,000 square foot Mervyn's co-anchored the COLLEGE GROVE mall for 31 years.
COLLEGE GROVE CENTER TENANTS 1960:
WALKER SCOTT (with Beauty Salon and Helix House restaurant) / J.C. PENNEY / J.J. NEWBERRY 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / F. W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / SAFEWAY supermarket / Bishop's Sportswear / Bond Clothes / C. H. Baker Shoes / Charles Hair Stylists / College Grove Carpets / College Grove Goumet / Ellis Brothers men's wear / Evelyn's Wigdom / Firestone Tire & Auto / Gallenkamp Shoes / Guthrie's Children's Shop / Hammel's Camera / House of Fabrics / Household Finance Corporation / Innez Shoe Company / Jack's men's wear / John Balcoa Barbers / Kamkin / Kay Shop / King & Centan / Lawson-Schiller Jewelers / Leonard's Dress Clothes / Longs Drugs (with luncheonette) / Mode O'Day Frock Shop / Morgan Appliance Service & Hobbycraft / Motherhood Maternity / Normandie Hats / Olan Mills Portait Studio / Orange Julius / Park-A-Tot / Renteri Gifts with a Flair / Save On Services / Sheri Millinery / Security First National Bank / Texas Liquor Store / Thom McAn Shoes / Union Oil Company service station (outparcel) / Universal Boot Shop / Vaughn's children's shoes / Vaunder T. Hamlin Key Shop / Zukor's ladies' wear
Newberry's was one of four junior-anchor-sized stores in the original COLLEGE GROVE mall.
Graphic from J.J. Newberry Company
A view inside the recently-opened COLLEGE GROVE Newberry's finds us in the Piece Goods Department.
Photo from J.J. Newberry Company Annual Report 1960
This snapshot was taken in the Plants & Pets Department.
Photo from J.J. Newberry Company Annual Report 1960
Mervyn's opened a new COLLEGE GROVE store in August 1978.
Advert from the Dayton Hudson Corporation
COLLEGE GROVE CENTER was on the skids by the early 1980s. A plan was drawn up in 1986 to enclose -and substantially reconfigure- the past-its-prime property. The existing Walker Scott was to remain as is. Two new anchor stores, and two parking garages, would be built.
Drawing from www.sandiego.gov
As it turned out, the 1986 plan was scaled-down considerably. The mall was never enclosed and no new anchors or parking garages were built. An abandoned Walker Scott was razed and replaced with a multiplex cinema. This incarnation of the shopping hub, known as MARKETPLACE AT THE GROVE, would only be in existence for 10 years.
MARKETPLACE AT THE GROVE was virtually vacant by the late 1990s. A demalling got underway in early 1999, with the bulk of the shopping complex being bulldozed. A big-box-based power center was built, which assumed the name of the original, 1960 facility.
Photo from www.bing.com
The second generation COLLEGE GROVE CENTER spanned around 630,000 leasable square feet and contained twenty-seven stores. Only two store blocks had been retained from the old mall; the Longs Drugs / Mervyn's and bowling alley building, which now housed a 24 Hour Fitness.
Above is a snapshot of the aforementioned 24 Hour Fitness facility. It occupies space that opened, in October 1988, as the Leisure Time Sports Bowling Center.
Photo from https://www.24hourfitness.com
The Neon Majorette, an iconic Greater San Diego landmark, had been a fixture at a local drive-in theater since the 1940s. It was installed at a new cinema at COLLEGE GROVE CENTER in 1988. Following the demolition of this theater, the Majorette was relocated at the shopping center. It was rededicated, with a festive relighting ceremony, in March of the year 2000.
Photo from www.flickr.com / "Basayan Lady"
COLLEGE GROVE CENTER
Route 94 and College Avenue
San Diego, California
SOUTH BAY PLAZA, in National City, introduced the shopping mall concept to San Diego in the mid-1950s. Plans for -what became- the region's second retail mall were envisaged in 1950 by George A. Scott, a business partner in Southern California's Walker's department store chain.
Route 94 and College Avenue
San Diego, California
SOUTH BAY PLAZA, in National City, introduced the shopping mall concept to San Diego in the mid-1950s. Plans for -what became- the region's second retail mall were envisaged in 1950 by George A. Scott, a business partner in Southern California's Walker's department store chain.
In 1952, a 70-acre site, located 5.7 miles northeast of Centre City San Diego, was acquired. The parcel, within San Diego proper, was adjacent to the Lemon Grove city limits. Ground was broken in April 1958. COLLEGE GROVE CENTER was developed by Los Angeles' Michael Birkant and Phillip Lyons and George A. Scott (by then president of a San Diego-based Walker Scott enterprise). Renowned Seattle architect John Graham, Junior designed the open-air mall.
Encompassing approximately 650,000 leasable square feet and sixty stores and services, COLLEGE GROVE CENTER consisted of an upper retail level and basement. This lower level featured an outward-facing group of stores that were accessed from the southeast parking lot. The complex was anchored by a 3-level (160,000 square foot) Walker Scott, which opened for business July 28, 1960. A Safeway supermarket was also dedicated at this time.
A mall-wide grand opening was held on August 25, 1960. When fully-realized, COLLEGE GROVE CENTER featured stores such as Leed's Qualicraft Shoes, Bond Clothes, Lawton-Schillar Jewelers, the Copper Penney Restaurant and Longs Drugs. Junior anchors of the complex were a 2-level (36,900 square foot) J.C. Penney and J.J. Newberry and F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10s.
The original mall included the "Helistop" rooftop heliport and "Park-A-Tot" child care center. Park-A-Tot provided on-site babysitting services for shoppers. Children between the ages of 2 and 10 years would be supervised by a staff of three. This service was provided for 35 cents per hour for a maximum of 2 and a half hours. The COLLEGE GROVE Park-A-Tot was the first such facility. Subsequent operations were established at GROSSMONT CENTER {in La Mesa, California} and NORTHGATE CENTER {in Seattle}.
Commercial competition came along quickly. MISSION VALLEY CENTER {5.5 miles northwest in San Diego} was dedicated in 1961. GROSSMONT CENTER {3.3 miles northeast in La Mesa} also held its grand opening in 1961. PLAZA BONITA {5.6 miles south in National City} was completed in 1981.
The first expansion of COLLEGE GROVE CENTER added a 1-level (73,800 square foot) Mervyn's. The store, built onto the northeast corner of the mall, welcomed its first shoppers on August 21, 1978. The existing Longs Drugs was also doubled in size.
Competition from other area malls was soon putting the hurt on COLLEGE GROVE. By the early 1980s, the center had deteriorated into a rundown, past-its-prime property. Its electrical wiring was inadequate, air conditioning broken down and the roof was leaking. Its owner proposed a face lift renovation for the structure. The City of San Diego had other ideas.
A more comprehensive remodeling was proposed, under the auspices of the San Diego Redevelopment Agency and San Diego-based William Stone & Associates. In a 1986 plan, they envisaged the existing center being renovated into a 4-anchor, fully-enclosed mall.
Problems arose with trying to lure anchor department stores into the project. By March 1987, the original 59 million dollar renovation had been scaled back to one costing approximately 35 million. The mall would not be enclosed and the emphasis would be shifted from new department stores to entertainment facilities.
Walker-Scott had been shuttered in late 1986, with the store structure being demolished. Reconstruction of the remaining mall got underway in June 1987. Mervyn's, J.C. Penney and Pick 'n Save would remain in their respective spots. 200,000 square feet of existing space was refurbished, with an additional 50,000 square feet added.
The revamped retail center, known as MARKETPLACE AT THE GROVE, was officially dedicated in November 1988. New stores and services included Charlotte Russe For Less, a (50,000 square foot) Sears Outlet, 60-lane Leisure Time Sports Bowling Center and Marketplace Cafe Food Court. The Mann 9 Theatres At The Grove, at the time the largest multiplex in San Diego County, showed its first features on December 14, 1988.
The 31 million dollar mall reinvention was initially a success, but a lack of new anchor stores contributed to its eventual decline. By 1997, the center was fifty-percent vacant. It became known, in So-Cal retail circles, as "Marketplace At The Grave". Enter the Phoenix-based Vestar Development Company. In October 1998, they closed on the purchase of the struggling shopping center. The second major reconfiguration of the structure got underway in January 1999.
This time around, what remained of the circa-1960 mall was demolished, leaving only Mervyn's, Longs Drugs and the outparcel Bowling Center standing. In essence, the orientation of the shopping complex was turned inside-out.
A split-level power center of 630,000 leasable square feet was built. Along with the existing Mervyn's, its anchors were a 1-level (130,000 square foot), Irvine ["ir-viyn"], California-based HomeBase (a home improvement store), 1-level (130,000 square foot) Sam's Club and 1-level (127,200 square foot) Wal-Mart. HomeBase opened for business in December 1999, followed by Sam's Club, which made its debut in February 2000. Wal-Mart welcomed its first shoppers on March 15 of the same year. The retail mix included twenty-three inline stores.
This repositioning culminated in the shopping center reclaiming its original name, COLLEGE GROVE CENTER. It was officially re-dedicated in March of the year 2000. HomeBase was converted to House2Home, an interior decor superstore, in early 2001. This closed in early 2002, with its space re-opening as a Target on October 12, 2003.
Encompassing approximately 650,000 leasable square feet and sixty stores and services, COLLEGE GROVE CENTER consisted of an upper retail level and basement. This lower level featured an outward-facing group of stores that were accessed from the southeast parking lot. The complex was anchored by a 3-level (160,000 square foot) Walker Scott, which opened for business July 28, 1960. A Safeway supermarket was also dedicated at this time.
A mall-wide grand opening was held on August 25, 1960. When fully-realized, COLLEGE GROVE CENTER featured stores such as Leed's Qualicraft Shoes, Bond Clothes, Lawton-Schillar Jewelers, the Copper Penney Restaurant and Longs Drugs. Junior anchors of the complex were a 2-level (36,900 square foot) J.C. Penney and J.J. Newberry and F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10s.
The original mall included the "Helistop" rooftop heliport and "Park-A-Tot" child care center. Park-A-Tot provided on-site babysitting services for shoppers. Children between the ages of 2 and 10 years would be supervised by a staff of three. This service was provided for 35 cents per hour for a maximum of 2 and a half hours. The COLLEGE GROVE Park-A-Tot was the first such facility. Subsequent operations were established at GROSSMONT CENTER {in La Mesa, California} and NORTHGATE CENTER {in Seattle}.
Commercial competition came along quickly. MISSION VALLEY CENTER {5.5 miles northwest in San Diego} was dedicated in 1961. GROSSMONT CENTER {3.3 miles northeast in La Mesa} also held its grand opening in 1961. PLAZA BONITA {5.6 miles south in National City} was completed in 1981.
The first expansion of COLLEGE GROVE CENTER added a 1-level (73,800 square foot) Mervyn's. The store, built onto the northeast corner of the mall, welcomed its first shoppers on August 21, 1978. The existing Longs Drugs was also doubled in size.
Competition from other area malls was soon putting the hurt on COLLEGE GROVE. By the early 1980s, the center had deteriorated into a rundown, past-its-prime property. Its electrical wiring was inadequate, air conditioning broken down and the roof was leaking. Its owner proposed a face lift renovation for the structure. The City of San Diego had other ideas.
A more comprehensive remodeling was proposed, under the auspices of the San Diego Redevelopment Agency and San Diego-based William Stone & Associates. In a 1986 plan, they envisaged the existing center being renovated into a 4-anchor, fully-enclosed mall.
Problems arose with trying to lure anchor department stores into the project. By March 1987, the original 59 million dollar renovation had been scaled back to one costing approximately 35 million. The mall would not be enclosed and the emphasis would be shifted from new department stores to entertainment facilities.
Walker-Scott had been shuttered in late 1986, with the store structure being demolished. Reconstruction of the remaining mall got underway in June 1987. Mervyn's, J.C. Penney and Pick 'n Save would remain in their respective spots. 200,000 square feet of existing space was refurbished, with an additional 50,000 square feet added.
The revamped retail center, known as MARKETPLACE AT THE GROVE, was officially dedicated in November 1988. New stores and services included Charlotte Russe For Less, a (50,000 square foot) Sears Outlet, 60-lane Leisure Time Sports Bowling Center and Marketplace Cafe Food Court. The Mann 9 Theatres At The Grove, at the time the largest multiplex in San Diego County, showed its first features on December 14, 1988.
The 31 million dollar mall reinvention was initially a success, but a lack of new anchor stores contributed to its eventual decline. By 1997, the center was fifty-percent vacant. It became known, in So-Cal retail circles, as "Marketplace At The Grave". Enter the Phoenix-based Vestar Development Company. In October 1998, they closed on the purchase of the struggling shopping center. The second major reconfiguration of the structure got underway in January 1999.
This time around, what remained of the circa-1960 mall was demolished, leaving only Mervyn's, Longs Drugs and the outparcel Bowling Center standing. In essence, the orientation of the shopping complex was turned inside-out.
A split-level power center of 630,000 leasable square feet was built. Along with the existing Mervyn's, its anchors were a 1-level (130,000 square foot), Irvine ["ir-viyn"], California-based HomeBase (a home improvement store), 1-level (130,000 square foot) Sam's Club and 1-level (127,200 square foot) Wal-Mart. HomeBase opened for business in December 1999, followed by Sam's Club, which made its debut in February 2000. Wal-Mart welcomed its first shoppers on March 15 of the same year. The retail mix included twenty-three inline stores.
This repositioning culminated in the shopping center reclaiming its original name, COLLEGE GROVE CENTER. It was officially re-dedicated in March of the year 2000. HomeBase was converted to House2Home, an interior decor superstore, in early 2001. This closed in early 2002, with its space re-opening as a Target on October 12, 2003.
In February 2009, Wisconsin-based Kohl's purchased the lease of Mervyn's (which had been shuttered in December 2008). The new Kohl's welcomed its first shoppers on September 29, 2009. In October 2010, the COLLEGE GROVE Longs Drugs morphed into a Ross Dress For Less.
Sources:
The San Diego Union Tribune
The Coronado Eagle (Coronado, California)
preservenet.cornell.edu/publications/Longstreth Branch Store.doc
www.sandiego.gov
https://patch.com/california/lemongrove
www.silverscreens.com
www.ddr.com / Developers Diversified Realty
www.collegeneighborhoods.com
Sources:
The San Diego Union Tribune
The Coronado Eagle (Coronado, California)
preservenet.cornell.edu/publications/Longstreth Branch Store.doc
www.sandiego.gov
https://patch.com/california/lemongrove
www.silverscreens.com
www.ddr.com / Developers Diversified Realty
www.collegeneighborhoods.com
Omaha's The Center
Our THE CENTER logo montage is comprised of trademarks of stores that operated in the original mall. The largest tenants were Younkers, a Hested's 5 & 10 and Big Chief supermarket.
One of America's first fully-enclosed, suburban shopping malls was built on the outskirts of Omaha's downtown district. THE CENTER was officially dedicated in October 1955.
Graphic from Wiebe Enterprises
The compact community-class complex covered approximately 200,000 leasable square feet, housed twenty-six stores and twenty-nine offices. Free parking was provided for 1,600 autos. THE CENTER was anchored by the first shopping center branch of Iowa's Younkers chain.
Drawing from Younker Brothers, Incorporated
Drawing from Younker Brothers, Incorporated
In a 1955 plan, the 1st Level is depicted. There were three main retail floors, a 4th Level of offices and 5th Level penthouse. This eventually housed a bowling alley, restaurant and cocktail bar. The core shopping center is surrounded by a 3-level parking garage. Entrances to all three decks are made possible by the incline of the site. It slopes downward from east to west (or from South 40th Street over to South 42nd Street).
THE CENTER TENANTS 1955:
1st LEVEL
BIG CHIEF center market / HESTED STORES VARIETY CORNER / Anthony's Liquors / Anthony's Panther Room cocktail lounge / Carl S. Baum Druggist / Kimbal Launderers & Dry Cleaners / Mode O' Day Frock Shop / Omar Retail Shop bakery / Reed's Ice Cream & Snack Shop / The Center Barber Shop
2nd LEVEL
YOUNKERS First Floor Store / Brain's Stores (hobby, sporting goods, toys, gifts & stationery) / Cook Paint & Varnish / J. Warner Studios Photography / Lollipop Lane children's wear / The Center Bank / The Center Coffee Shop / The Center Loan & Investment Company
3rd LEVEL
YOUNKERS Second Floor Store / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Calandra Camera Stores / J. S. Lerner's Vogue ladies' wear / Thom McAn Shoes / National Shirt Shops / Spectator ladies' wear
4th LEVEL
YOUNKERS Balcony (with Appliance Store, Book Store and Beauty Salon) / Clifford L. Smith, Medical Doctor / Henry L. Dworak, Medical Doctor / J.A. Lyons, Doctor of Dental Science / Lyle Q. Hills, Attorney At Law / The Center, Incorporated
5th LEVEL
The Center Roof Garden Restaurant
One of the charter tenants at THE CENTER was National Shirt Shops, a men's sportswear retailer. The store was located on the mall's 3rd Level.
Drawing from National Shirt Shops
Here we see the Center Street -or north- facade and an entry to the 2nd Level parking deck. Storefronts for National Shirt Shops, Baker's Qualicraft Shoes and Thom McAn Shoes open onto the 3rd Level parking deck above.
Photo from http://firstmgt.com / First Management, Incorporated
On another side of the 3rd Level parking deck are entries to the second floor of Younkers. Its main sales floor was on the mall's 2nd Level. THE CENTER store began to be promoted as a Kilpatrick-Younkers in May 1961; this written out as "Younker-Kilpatricks" by the early '70s. The store was re-rebranded, as a Younkers, in August 1982.
Photo from http://firstmgt.com / First Management, Incorporated
Graphic from Wiebe Enterprises
By 1965, stores had come and gone at THE CENTER. The Big Chief market had been replaced by Shaver's Food Mart. Moreover, as previously mentioned, Younkers was now co-branded with Kilpatrick's.
Graphic from Wiebe Enterprises
THE CENTER TENANTS 1965:
1st LEVEL (Applewood Mall):
HESTED STORES VARIETY CORNER / SHAVER'S FOOD MART / Carl S. Baum Druggist / Center Barber Shop / Center Key & Rubber Stamp Shop / Center Shoe Hospital / Center Snack Shop / Chuck's Texaco / Dino's Liquors / Dino's Tavern / Frank The Tailor / G & W Auto Supplies / Kimball Launderers & Dry Cleaners / Mode O' Day Frock Shop / Popcorn Center / US Post Office
2nd LEVEL (Younkers Mall):
KILPATRICK-YOUNKERS First Floor Store / Associates Loan Company / Beau Monde, Incorporated Jewelry / Center Bank / Center Coffee Shop / Cosgrave Church Goods / Fitle & Bradshaw, Attorneys at Law / House of Greeting Cards / Lollipop Lane / Ortman Bakery
3rd LEVEL (Cherrywood Mall):
KILPATRICK-YOUNKERS Second Floor Store / Calandra Camera Shop / C.H. Baker Shoes / Francois Beauty Salon / Maternity Modes / National Shirt Shops / Thom McAn Shoes / Tober's Clothing / J. Warner Studios Photography
4th LEVEL (Dovetree Mall):
KILPATRICK-YOUNKERS Balcony / American National Insurance / Anesthesia Associates / Ataco Products, Incorporated / Casualty Claims Service of Omaha / Center Figurine Shop / Cletus Baum, Medical Doctor / Clifford L. Smith, Medical Doctor / Daniel L. Wagner, Medical Doctor / E.F. Rottman & Associates, Consulting Engineers / Edward F. Fleming, Medical Doctor / Edward J. Smith, Medical Doctor / Emmet G. Bruning, Doctor of Dental Science / Fuller Brush Company / Henry L. Dvorak, Medical Doctor / John O. McArthy, Medical Doctor / John R. Hyde, Medical Doctor / Lyle Q. Hills, Attorney at Law / Main Line Homes / Nebraska National Life Insurance / North American Life & Casualty Company / Occidental Life Insurance Company of California / Paul D. Swobada, Optometrist / Reynolds Metal Company / Reserve Life Insurance / Richard J. Huston, Doctor of Dental Science / Robert Montgomery, Podiatrist / Sebastian A. Zarbano, Medical Doctor / Troy & Stalder, Architects / United General Adjusters Claims Department
5th LEVEL (Elkwood Mall):
Cimarron Room Restaurant (with outdoor dining terrace) / Clink cocktail lounge / Sky Lanes bowling alley
A menu cover for the Cimarron Room restaurant and Devil's Nest cocktail lounge. The bistro and bar were destroyed by a fire which swept through the mall's 5th Level in October 1969. It was rebuilt and re-opened in January 1971.
Graphic from Omaha Public Library
Photo from Dan R. Olson
An exterior view of THE CENTER. After its suitability as a retail facility waned in the mid-1990s, it was converted into an office complex.
Photo from Dan R. Olson
A view of THE CENTER parking garage. The retail-office structure has five levels (Applewood Mall, Bank of Nebraska Mall, Cherrywood Mall, Dovetree Mall and Elkwood Mall). The parking structure has two enclosed floors with a Level 3 deck on the top.
Photo from Dan R. Olson
The Applewood Mall (Level 1) of THE CENTER.
Photo from Dan R. Olson
Above and below are views of the Bank of Nebraska Mall (Level 2).
Photo from Dan R. Olson
The Bank of Nebraska now inhabits the mall's anchor department store, which started out -in 1955- as a Des Moines-based Younkers.
Photo from Dan R. Olson
The Cherrywood Mall (Level 3) of the complex.
Photo from Dan R. Olson
THE CENTER
Center and South 42nd Streets
Omaha, Nebraska
SOUTHDALE, as many know, is considered to be America's first fully-enclosed shopping center. However, as we have found, there were two that could be classed as the first and second, although these centers were, by no means, the large-scale, regional-class shopping venue that SOUTHDALE was even in its early years.
THE CENTER was developed by Omaha's John A. Wiebe ["Wee-bee"] and built on a 6.6-acre site, located 1.5 miles southwest of the Omaha Central Business District. The Kenneth C. Welch and J. & G. Daverman firms, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, designed the structure. It was small, even by the standard of a mid-1950s shopping center. The entire leasable area measured only 200,000 square feet.
There were three levels of stores facing onto climate-controlled Arcades. These were accessed from a multilevel parking structure that surrounded the retail core. The mall's 4th Level was predominantly leased as offices. A 3-level (98,000 square foot), Des Moines-based Younkers ["yonk-erz"] was one of the first operational tenants. This store welcomed first customers on September 6, 1955.
Des Moines-based Younkers acquired Omaha's Thomas Kilpatrick Company (a.k.a. Kilpatrick's) chain in March 1961. THE CENTER anchor store began to be promoted as a Kilpatrick-Younkers in May 1961. By the early '70s, this was written out as Younker-Kilpatricks. The store was re-rebranded, as a Younkers, in August 1982.
Meanwhile, on October 17th, 1969, a fire had raged through THE CENTER, resulting in 5 million dollars in damage. The 5th Level penthouse, with its bowling alley, restaurant and cocktail bar, was destroyed. 4th Level offices were also severely impacted. The mall was closed as repairs were made, with interior spaces being redecorated with Olde English decor. Younker-Kilpatricks was back in business by October 1970. A new Cimarron Room debuted in January 1971. Its adjacent Clink cocktail bar was now known as the Devil's Nest. The restaurant and cocktail bar would close for good in 1975.
THE CENTER Younkers was shuttered in January 1996, signaling that the mall was no longer viable as a retail complex. The few remaining inline stores pulled up stakes, with the mini-mall gradually being repositioned as an office and call center facility. Today, the building encompasses 227,500 leasable square feet and includes 1,100 parking spaces. It is owned by Omaha-based First Management, Incorporated.
Sources:
The Omaha World Herald
preservenet.cornell.edu/publications/Longstreth Branch Store.doc
Malls Of America Blogspot / "The Center" post by Keith Milford / Comments by "Anonymous" and "DanOlson"
Post comment by "Catalina Ven Du Ray"
Douglas County, Nebraska Tax assessor website
www.findinguniverse.com / "Younkers" article
Center and South 42nd Streets
Omaha, Nebraska
Under the Mall Hall of Fame "Wisconsin" link is an article about Appleton's VALLEY FAIR CENTER. This small, fully-enclosed shopping facility formally opened in March, 1955. A similarly-sized, interior mall in Omaha, Nebraska was officially dedicated on October 1955. These small shopping complexes predated Greater Minneapolis' SOUTHDALE CENTER by over a year.
SOUTHDALE, as many know, is considered to be America's first fully-enclosed shopping center. However, as we have found, there were two that could be classed as the first and second, although these centers were, by no means, the large-scale, regional-class shopping venue that SOUTHDALE was even in its early years.
THE CENTER was developed by Omaha's John A. Wiebe ["Wee-bee"] and built on a 6.6-acre site, located 1.5 miles southwest of the Omaha Central Business District. The Kenneth C. Welch and J. & G. Daverman firms, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, designed the structure. It was small, even by the standard of a mid-1950s shopping center. The entire leasable area measured only 200,000 square feet.
There were three levels of stores facing onto climate-controlled Arcades. These were accessed from a multilevel parking structure that surrounded the retail core. The mall's 4th Level was predominantly leased as offices. A 3-level (98,000 square foot), Des Moines-based Younkers ["yonk-erz"] was one of the first operational tenants. This store welcomed first customers on September 6, 1955.
An mall-wide dedication was held on October 24, 1955. The celebration was attended by Victor Emanuel Anderson (R) (Governor of Nebraska), John Ross Rosenblatt (Mayor of Omaha), William Knox (Mayor of Council Bluffs, Iowa), Morey Sostrin (President of Younker Brothers, Incorporated) and John Wiebe. An invocation was given by Reverend Lawrence Acker. Lyle De Moss served as Master of Ceremonies. The festivities included the burial of a time capsule that would be opened in November 2005.
Among thirty charter THE CENTER tenants were Thom McAn Shoes, Mode O' Day Frock Shop, The Center Bank, National Shirt Shops, an (11,000 square foot) Big Chief center market and (9,100 square foot) Hested's 5 & 10. The Roof Garden Restaurant, in a 5th Level Penthouse, welcomed first diners in October 1955. In February 1956, it re-opened as Al Green's Sky Room Restaurant.
The penthouse was reconfigured in the late 1950s. The existing restaurant was replaced by Ben Kava's Cimarron Room and the Clink cocktail lounge. The Sky Lanes bowling alley, a 24-lane facility, opened for business on September 6, 1959. It included two spectator lounges, a cocktail bar and a Kiddie Korral babysitting service.
Des Moines-based Younkers acquired Omaha's Thomas Kilpatrick Company (a.k.a. Kilpatrick's) chain in March 1961. THE CENTER anchor store began to be promoted as a Kilpatrick-Younkers in May 1961. By the early '70s, this was written out as Younker-Kilpatricks. The store was re-rebranded, as a Younkers, in August 1982.
Meanwhile, on October 17th, 1969, a fire had raged through THE CENTER, resulting in 5 million dollars in damage. The 5th Level penthouse, with its bowling alley, restaurant and cocktail bar, was destroyed. 4th Level offices were also severely impacted. The mall was closed as repairs were made, with interior spaces being redecorated with Olde English decor. Younker-Kilpatricks was back in business by October 1970. A new Cimarron Room debuted in January 1971. Its adjacent Clink cocktail bar was now known as the Devil's Nest. The restaurant and cocktail bar would close for good in 1975.
By this time, the complex was often referred to as the "CENTER MALL." It was beginning to decline. This was due to competition from newer and larger shipping complexes, such as CROSSROADS CENTER (1960) {2.9 miles northwest, in Omaha}, SOUTHROADS CENTER (1966) {4.9 miles southeast, in Belleview}, WESTROADS CENTER (1968) {5.1 miles northwest, in Omaha}, MALL OF THE BLUFFS (1986) {7.8 miles east, in Council Bluffs, Iowa} and OAK VIEW MALL (1991) {8.2 miles southwest, in Omaha}.
THE CENTER Younkers was shuttered in January 1996, signaling that the mall was no longer viable as a retail complex. The few remaining inline stores pulled up stakes, with the mini-mall gradually being repositioned as an office and call center facility. Today, the building encompasses 227,500 leasable square feet and includes 1,100 parking spaces. It is owned by Omaha-based First Management, Incorporated.
Sources:
The Omaha World Herald
preservenet.cornell.edu/publications/Longstreth Branch Store.doc
Malls Of America Blogspot / "The Center" post by Keith Milford / Comments by "Anonymous" and "DanOlson"
Post comment by "Catalina Ven Du Ray"
Douglas County, Nebraska Tax assessor website
www.findinguniverse.com / "Younkers" article
https://firstmgt.com / First Management, Incorporated
Indianapolis' Eastgate Center
A mural-size rendering of EASTGATE CENTER shows the west-facing facade of the complex all of the way from H.P. Wasson (on the left) over to Standard Food.
Drawing from the Eastgate Corporation
Signage, which once stood along North Shadeland Avenue and US Route 40, beckoned mid-century shoppers into Indiana's first mall-type retail complex.
Indy-based H.P. Wasson & Company was the mall's primary anchor. The building housed the capital city's first suburban department store, which was dedicated in March 1957.
Drawing from the Eastgate Corporation
A mural-size rendering of EASTGATE CENTER shows the west-facing facade of the complex all of the way from H.P. Wasson (on the left) over to Standard Food.
Drawing from the Eastgate Corporation
Signage, which once stood along North Shadeland Avenue and US Route 40, beckoned mid-century shoppers into Indiana's first mall-type retail complex.
Indy-based H.P. Wasson & Company was the mall's primary anchor. The building housed the capital city's first suburban department store, which was dedicated in March 1957.
Drawing from the Eastgate Corporation
EASTGATE CENTER TENANTS 1957:
H.P. WASSON & COMPANY (with Snack Bar) / J.C. PENNEY / STANDARD FOOD supermarket / COLONIAL STORES supermarket / F.W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / G.C. MURPHY 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Beauty By Bryant / Citizen's Gas & Coke Utility / Craig's Eastgate Candy & Restaurant / Columbia Carpet / Dunlap Barber Shop / Fame Laundry & Cleaning / Fannie May Candies / First Federal Savings / Goodman Jewelers / Harry Levinson men's wear / Hood Stores / Hook's Drug (with luncheonette) / Household Finance Corporation / Hudson's men's wear / Indiana National Bank / Kinney Shoes / Lerner Shops ladies' wear / Maplehurst Dairy Bar / Miracle Dry Cleaning / Morrison's ladies' wear / National Shirt Shops / Omar Bakery / Pure Oil Service Station, Highway 100 (outparcel) / Pure Oil Service Station, Highway 40 (outparcel) / Richman Brothers men's wear / Rost Jewelers / Roy Steel shoe repair / Sam's Subway & Buffeteria / Sears Catalog & Appliance (with freestanding Auto Center) / Sharper & Gardner / Susan Ives Sportswear / Suzy Hats / The Vision Center / Thom McAn Shoes
Drawing from the Eastgate Corporation
The prestige of EASTGATE CENTER slipped considerably after the dedication of the too-close-for-comfort WASHINGTON SQUARE, in April 1974. EASTGATE, struggling considerably, was acquired by Indy's Melvin Simon & Associates. They renovated and remarketed the property. A name change, to EASTGATE CONSUMER MALL, was instituted in August 1982.
Graphic from Melvin Simon & Associates / Simon Property Group
Above, we have a LabelScar view of the latter-day EASTGATE MALL. A tenant since 1983, Dunham's Sporting Goods went dark in January 2003. By this time, the complex was operating on life support.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"
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