NORTHGATE CENTER opened in April 1950, but it would take 2 years to fill all of its eighty store spaces. When fully-leased, the complex encompassed approximately 800,000 square feet, with free parking for 5,000 autos. Stores faced onto a central Miracle Mall. A kiddie ride area was installed in Northgate Square (the mall's center court). This particular feature would be copied in nearly every shopping mall built over the next 15 years.

NORTHGATE CENTER TENANTS 1954:

THE BON MARCHE (with Legend Room Restaurant) / BUTLER BROTHERS / A & P supermarket / IGA FOODLINER supermarket  / F. W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / J.J. NEWBERRY 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / Albert's Beauty Salon / Alley's Camera & Photo / Bartell Drug / Bloch's / Buddy Squirrel's Nut Shops / Burnett Brothers Jewelry / Dent Candy / Doctor George O. Ulberg & Associates, Optometrists / Don Kennedy Real Estate (outparcel) / Don's Sporting Goods / Ernst Hardware / Eve Wilbur ladies' wear / Fahey-Brockman / Firestone Tire & Auto (outparcel) / Holmes Candy / Hopper-Kelly Company music / Hy-Lo Fashions / JK Grill / Mode O'Day Frock Shop / National Bank of Commerce / Nordstrom's Shoes / Northgate Fashions / Northgate Flower Box / Northgate Furniture Company / Northgate Maternity Shop / Northgate Building Medical & Dental Center / Northgate Self-Service Laundry / Northgate Theatre (single screen) / Pay 'N Save Drug (with luncheonette) / Patty Ann's Northgate Poultry, Eggs & Cheese / Singer Sewing Center / Steil & King / Tik-Tok Snack Bar / Queen City Fish Market / Textile House / Van de Kamp's Bakery / Watkins