The original mall, which was a smaller counterpart of SOUTHDALE, its sibling shopping center. In 1962, BROOKDALE CENTER spanned approximately 369,000 leasable square feet and featured thirty-five stores and services. Its parking facilities could accommodate 2,000 autos.

BROOKDALE CENTER TENANTS 1962:

SEARS (with Peggy Kellogg Snack-ette and freestanding Auto Center) / J.C. PENNEY / F.W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / SUPER VALU supermarket / Baker's Qualicraft Shoes / Berkley's Millinery / Brookdale Barber Shop / Brookdale Center Promotion Office / Brookdale Pet Center / Brooklyn Center Municipal Liquor Store / Brown Photo / Buttrey's ladies' wear / Fanny Farmer Candies / Fashion Beauty Salon / G & K Cleaners / Gager's Handcraft / Grayson's ladies' wear / Hallmark Cards & Gifts / Jack & Jill Children's wear / Kinney Shoes / Lancer apparel / Mangel & Hill Meats / Michal's Shoe Repair / Minneapolis Gas Company / Northwestern Federal Savings & Loan Association / Snyder Brothers Drugs (with luncheonette) / The Record Shop / The Snack Bar / Walbom's apparel / William's Cafeteria  

All four "Dales" malls had animal-designated parking lots. These were created to make it easier for shoppers to locate their cars as they were leaving. Two BROOKDALE critters are seen above. As a footnote, Chicago's RANDHURST CENTER (also designed by Victor Gruen) used fruits to designate its seven parking areas.
Graphics from http://www.spoonflower.com

A vintage view of the BROOKDALE Garden Court. The tall structure seen in the foreground is a bird aviary. Far in the background is a fish pond.
Photo from http://www.startribune.com/ Rick Nelson

A snapshot of the West Mall area. Its main feature was a large flower bed and fountain.
Photo from http://www.startribune.com/ Rick Nelson