A vintage view of the original east anchor. It opened, as a freestanding unit, in April 1966. With its completion, Sears had retail stores in all of the fifty states. Note: THE MALL would be added to the right (or west) side of the building.

Photo from Sears, Roebuck & Company Annual Report 1966

Sears was expanded, on two sides, in the early 1970s. By the time of this circa-1975 plan, THE MALL contained around 309,200 leasable square feet. When the complex opened in the late 1960s, its generic name could suffice. However, by the early 1980s, there were four interior malls in Anchorage. To differentiate itself, Alaska's original enclosed shopping center was renamed MALL AT SEARS.

THE MALL TENANTS 1975:

SEARS (with attached Auto Center) / CARR'S FOOD CENTER / Adams Stationery / Alaska Cleaners / American Hairdressers / Andy's Sweets, Treats 'n Eats / Anita Shops ladies' wear / Bert's Pillbox Pharmacy / The Book Cache / Contact Optical / Grandma's Closet (juvenile apparel) / Harold's Shoes / The Hideout (leather accessories) / Household Finance Corporation / Island Keys Gifts / Jaspers, Incorporated ladies' wear / Jay Jacob Men's / Jay Jacob Women's / Kinney Shoes / Klopfenstein's ladies' & men's wear / Lafayette Audio Specialists / Mall Barbershop / Mall Photo Center / National Bank of Alaska / Nobby Shops ladies' wear / Russell Stover Candies / Sheffield Publick House Restaurant & Lounge / US Post Office / Wonderful World of Wigs / Zales Jewelers