A November 1967 newspaper ad announces the official grand opening of the shopping center. Note the contests and door prizes offered. One could even see Willy, the 16-ton Sperm Whale, for a mere 25-cent admission.

Advert from Forest City Enterprises

Nashville-based Castner-Knott anchored the north end of BOWLING GREEN MALL with a 58,000 square foot unit. It was the chain's first Kentucky store.

Drawing from the General Mercantile Company / Mercantile Stores Company

The Center Court of the original mall was flanked by Parklane Hosiery and a Scotts 5 & 10, which would have been located off of the right side of this snapshot.

Photo from Forest City Enterprises

Promoted as The Showplace of Southern Kentucky, BOWLING GREEN MALL covered around 250,000 leasable square feet and housed thirty-two stores and services. There was free parking for 3,000 autos.

BOWLING GREEN MALL TENANTS 1968:

WOOLCO (with Red Grille) / CASTNER-KNOTT (with Colonial Room restaurant, Beauty Salon, The Club House community room and Bridal Registry) / A & P supermarket / SCOTTS 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / Adam Shoes / Barren River Land Company / Behr's Ladies' & Gentlemen's Apparel / Citizens National Bank / Golden-Farley Men's & Boy's Shop / Jones Barber Shop / Lee's Book & Card Shop / Martin Theatre (single screen) / Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio / Nobil Shoes / SupeRx Drugs  The Nugget Shop / Parklane Hosiery / Radio Shack / So-Fro Fabrics / Valley Forge Gift Shop / Zale's Jewelers

A BOWLING GREEN MALL logo montage includes trademarks of stores that operated in the mall between 1967 and 2021.