A view of the original open-air strip center. Going from left-to-right, visible stores are O'Connor & Goldberg Shoes, Rothschild ladies' wear, Maling Shoes, Lerner Shops, Kinney Shoes, The Cotton Shop and Einhorn's Town & Country Sportswear.
Photo from http://sheptalk.flicklives.com / The Jean Shepherd Forum 

Carson's became the first operational WOODMAR CENTER store in November 1954. Most inline tenants debuted during two grand openings. The first, in March 1955, introduced eight stores. The second, in May 1955, added nine. By late 1955, there were twenty-six. The complex encompassed approximately 200,000 leasable square feet. Its parking area had spaces for 1,500 autos.

WOODMAR CENTER TENANTS 1955:

CARSON PIRIE SCOTT / J. J. NEWBERRY 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / NATIONAL FOOD STORES supermarket / Andes Candies / Benson-Rixon men's wear / Chapman Launderers & Cleaners / Einhorn’s Town & Country Sportswear / Fabric Fair Draperies & Upholstery / Hansel & Gretel Shop children's wear / Hoosier State Bank of Hammond / Kinney Shoes / Lerner Shops ladies' wear / Maling Shoes / Maternity Modes / Miles Paint & Wallpaper Company / O’Connor & Goldberg Shoes / Powell Bakery / Rothschild ladies' wear / Ritz Millinery / The Cotton Shop ladies' wear / The Fabric Fair / Walgreen Drug / Watland Brothers Camera Shop / Woodmar Grill