SPRINGDALE PLAZA, circa-1963. The open-air shopping center contains forty-six stores and services beneath its canopies. It was located at the intersection of The Beltline Highway (Interstate 65) and Government Street Road. The name of this thoroughfare was changed to Airport Boulevard in February 1961.

Mobile's hometown department store anchored SPINGDALE PLAZA for over 37 years. Gayfer's Springdale welcomed first shoppers in February 1960. One of the primary features of the store was its Kopper Kettle restaurant. 

Photo from Mercantile Stores Company, Incorporated Annual Report 1961

Graphic from Mercantile Stores Company, Incorporated

The trademarks of seven charter tenants are featured on our SPRINGDALE PLAZA logo montage. These stores opened their doors in late 1959. We threw in the Montgomery Ward "Blue Bar" logo for good measure. This store opened at the PLAZA in 1974.

 

 

Following the latest trend in American retail, the open-air plaza was rebuilt into a partially-enclosed mall in the mid-1970s. This graphic was produced as part of that renovation. It was re-created by -and for- the Mall Hall of Fame.