MIDLAND MALL, designed by Victor Gruen, had several of the master architect's trademarks, such as an extremely wide shopping concourse. It was also situated with upper and lower retail levels, with each entered from a respective upper and lower parking area. Speaking of which, the original mall's parking facilities accommodated 3,200 autos.

MIDLAND MALL TENANTS 1967:

SEARS (with Coffee House, Midland Cafeteria -opened in November 1968- and freestanding Auto Center) / SHEPARD COMPANY (with beauty salon and Shepard's Tea Room) / CHERRY & WEBB apparel / Ashby Dean, Limited / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Card 'N' Party Shop / Docktor Pet Center / Flagg Brothers Shoes / Hollywood Sleep Shop / Howard Clothing / Jack's Shoes / Junior Bootery / Kay Jewelers / Magnavox at Midland Mall / Newport Creamery / Orange Julius / Ormond ladies' wear / Radio Shack / Rhode Island Hospital Trust / Roger Williams Savings / Russell Stover Candies / Singer Sewing Center / Spencer Gifts / Thayer McNeil Shoes / The Country Store / The Fabric Tree / The Swiss Colony / Thom McAn Shoes / TW Rounds Company / Zale's Jewelers 

A late 1970s aerial view of MIDLAND MALL. The Pawtuxet River winds its way through the upper right corner of the snapshot.
Photo from http://sos.ri.gov / Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State