Dedicated in November 1960, the BON MARCHE REGIONAL CENTER was originally an open-air, strip-type complex. It was the first major shopping center in -or around- the Capital City.

Graphic from Commercial Properties Development Corporation

The  BON MARCHE REGIONAL store strip was reconfigured as an enclosed mall in the 1970s. It was soon outpositioned by the larger and more trendy CORTANA MALL and -after years of decline- was shuttered. The moribund mall was repurposed, as the BON CARRE TECHNOLOGY CENTER, in 1998.

Photo from http://boncarrecenter.com

The 75 million dollar CORTANA MALL opened as the Pelican State's largest shopping complex. At the time of this 1978 depiction, the mammoth mall spanned approximately 1,386,300 leasable square feet and housed over 100 stores and services. Free parking was provided for 8,000 autos.