Randhurst Shopping Center
Gorgeous shot of the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company department store in the Randhurst Shopping Center in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
I just love the multi-colored lighting along the outside! Bet it was warm and toasty in there on this cold 1960's winter night.
posted by Keith @ 6/09/2005
65 Comments:
I worked at Randhurst in the management office in the late 1990's. It doesn't look that nice these days.
I grew up just down the street from Randhurst, which was the first enclosed mall in the Midwest. I believe the Carson's building has been demolished by now -- I know the old Montgomery Ward's end was. I'd love to see some interior shots from back in The Day.
I, too, grew up near Randhurst. Ward's was demolished just a couple of years ago to make way for a new Costco. Wieboldt's is long gone too but Carson's is still there. The mall's interior was extensively remodeled in the 1990s, opening up the interior space more. See www.randhurstmall.com. If anyone has interior shots from the 1960s-1970s, I'd love to see them too.
I live near here and I kinda like it. There's still a giant carousel right in the middle under a huge dome. You just don't see that kind of stuff anymore.
Grew up in that mall! In fact, last time I was down in the Chicago area, my brother and I went over there because they opened a Buffalo Wild Wings in the parking lot...
The Carson's view you're looking at was demolished and was made into a JC Penny's. Carson's moved around the corner to the old Weiboldt's. The JC Penny, the Old Montgomery Wards and I think the old Kohl's became part of the new Costco. There's also a new "grand enterance" on the South-West side, by the old Circuit City (which apparently recently closed) and the soon-to-be-old location of Applebees (they're moving to the other side of the new enterance, about where the old Montgomery Ward's electronics department was). I haven't been in the mall in years, however, last time I was there wasn't much left in it, so hopefully this will help it out. Most people in the area go to Woodfield or Deer Park's strip mall that thinks it's a regular mall.
-A
Anyone remember the Tartan Tray Cafeteria???
Thanks for the wonderful notes and memories here, everyone! This is a beautiful thing.
More Randhurst shots are on the way (pretty sure I have some interiors), and I THINK I may have a Tartan Tray shot somewhere, believe it or not. When/if I find it (I'll start looking), you'll see it here on the blog.
YES, the Tartan Tray! I worked a summer job at Wieboldt's in the 1970s and I ate many lunches off those red/black/yellow plaid trays, followed by a visit to PJ's Trick Shop. There used to be a bunch of shops in the basement surrounding the Tartan Tray but I don't think there are any down there now after the remodel. There were several stores I wondered about as a kid but never went into, such as the men's clothing store "Gangi" and a women's clothing store that was in the mall center, where the carousel is now.
Thanks for the Tartan Tray notes and memories, "Anonymous"! Good stuff.
I had my ears pierced at Weiboldt's in 1973! That was also THE place to get Brownie/Girl Scout gear. Also remember my aunt calling Montgomery Ward "Monkey Ward's" and being disappointed that there were no actual monkeys there.
Hehe, thanks for the fun note, Francine! :D
Hey, Keith, great page. I grew up and still live near Randhurst, and I remember being enchanted by the place in the mid to late 60s, as a kid. What a world--fountains, sculptures, jungle plants--so sad that's all gone. Randhurst has very little of its old charm left, and despite their efforts to reinvent, the interior still just seems empty all the time. I remember the Tartan Tray, too, and I am eager to see pictures of that, and any fountain or sculpture shots, as well.
I work security in the mall now. Growing up I've worked there at various stores. It's odd to see the changes that have taken place since I was a little kid. And being there everyday now I still see changes!! A carousel has now replaces The Picnic. And we're still under construction! Who knows what fate has in store for Randhurst!!!!
Anyone remember the Meat'N Place? A nice place for aging mall rats to grab a beer.
PJ's Trick Shop! Dang. No, not there anymore. What about Moondog's?
I first visited Randhurst in 1990- there was a men's clothing store right next to where Cinnabon is now. My husband rented a tux back in '92 from a store east of Carson's.
I remember Old Navy opening in 1995 (maybe 1994)- does anybody remember what store existed there beforehand? Old Navy was awesome there- it was a large enough store for moms to do some serious shopping without feeling cramped like Kohl's was!
Also- does anybody remember or know the stores in the lower level of Randhurst by the disgusting restrooms?
I only shop at Carsons's now- I sweaer that store has the heat on in the summertime! It is always 100 degrees in there, but with some of the nicest employees. Randhurst really started slowing down inside when JCPenney and Wards closed.
I remember KBToys, a Motherhood Maternity store by Old Navy, a Lechter's, and for a short time, a scrapbook store by Cinnabon as well. I don't think any of those stores exist today.
It would be nice if Randhurst would remodel their restrooms, especially in Carson's. I hate to take the kids in those bathrooms. They smell strange- like old air freshner. Plus, some of the doors are missing! It has aging yellow tiles.
I forgot to add two things- wasn't there a restaurant by Cinnabon named The Reunion or something like that? Also, I remember going to Randhurst in 1998 or 1999 and the Mount Prospecct Police Department had on display one of their '74 vehicles that was used in The Blue Brothers movie! I don't know if it was the actual vehicle but it was great to look at!
Sigh...Randhurst is nothing like it used to be...
i was the manager of the bombay co in the mall in the late 90s. it was well on its way to becoming a goast mall then. but thay did tare down all the empty department stores. and there is still the carsons thay opened cosco and a steve and barrys fore new ancors. the place is comming back to life.
Spiess was the store where Old Navy went into ( before it left). They had a live pianist playing music there..
Is there a place to post images? I found a couple of old Randhurst "directory" brochures from the 70s but I don't see any way to post them.
For the previous poster who wanted to know the stores on the lower "Town Hall Level", my brochures list the following:
Craft Corner, Delores Eiler Dance Studio, House of Lewis, House of Photography, Leather Etc., Meat 'n Place, Money Store, Picture Perfect Frame Shop, PJ's Trick Shop, Randhurst Barbershop, Ranhurst Engraving World, Randhurst Shoe Repair, Randhurst Wallpaper & Paint Shop, Shirts Only, Tailor Shop, and Tartan Tray Cafeteria.
For those wondering about PJ's Trick Shop. They are actually still around only about a mile from Randhurst!
Worked at CPS in the baby dept. and it was a nightly event to go to the Tartan Tray. Does anyone remember Frank Jewelers and Rothschild's?
I as well grew up in Mount Prospect, live in Wheeling now. I somehow came across this site and was brought back to days that seemed like yesterday. I tell all my friends about how Randhurst was probabably the best "Mall" ever while growing up. My Mother worked at the Tart n Tray restaurant smack dab in the middle of the lower level and right next door was the Meat n Place. So I was there alot. Besides the brass Seals that I used to sit on at one wing and the fountain at the other there were brass moose or elk (I Think) at the third. Weibolts SP? Like the picture of Carsons had lights also on the outside of the building. And during the Christmas season they went from all white to multicolor. To this day the facade has not changed except for the white paint. I tell my wife that Carsons, (which occupies that space) should fire up those lights in the "coins" of the exterior building. Getting back to Christmas,the decorations on the interior were done like a true winter wonderland!!! Huge lighted tree, animated figurins Lights lights lights.Never done before Thanksgiving!!!!As far as stores go, anyone remember Kresgees? The ice skating rink (which became a toy store, later a flea market and then to get leveled and become a Home depot). Also the Jewel/Osco is still there, However it sits on the spot where their parking lot used to be. The 2 Big screen movie theaters became I believe 16 little ones. And where the buffalo wild wings sits was the spot where at one time every year in the summer, the Mount Prospect fire department would due some type of event when there would be two teams spraying water at some type of steel plate that was attached to wire between 2 poles. (something like tug-o-war) except the high pressere water did all the work. I could go on but it would be nice to see others bring back the memories. One more thing that made Randhurst a special place for me. It was the place for me to go upstairs on the professional level to meet my girl and due some serious smootchin.
wasn't there like a laser tag? I Don't know I must be thinking of something else
I AM UPDATING EVERYONE. AS THE OWNER OF THE EGG FACTORY, ON RANDHURST PROPERTY. I A SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT THEY WILL BE TEARING DOWN THE MALL TO REBUILD A LIFESTYLE CENTER, LIKE DEER PARK. THE MALL IS ALMOST VACANT NOW. THEY WILL BUILD 150 APTS. A HOTEL, 18 SCREEN THEATER, SHOPS, AND MUCH MORE..RANDHURST VILLAGE WILL BE THE NAME CHECK OUT CASTOLP.COM
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DESTRUCTION....AND REBIRTH..ASAP...
Any one remember the music store in Randhurst? Back in the 70's? I took guitar lessons there and can remember going to Randee's afterward for pizza and ice cream.
When Randhurst Bank opened they gave children a $5 passbook account and had us all put our handprints in long strips of fresh concrete just inside the mall entrance (must of been the east side.) I must have been about age 4. The handprints disappeared when they covered the original polished concrete floor. Jewel originally was INSIDE the mall itself rather than in the parking lot. So there have been three incarnations of Jewel. I worked as a bag boy in the first parking lot incarnation in the mid-1970s. There also was an S.S. Kresge (precursor to K-Mart) inside the mall. Loved Tartan Tray. (We didn't eat out much.) Used to buy Matchbox cars out of a cool rotating counter display in the Camera Shop.
Rembember Kresge's with their cafeteria, they had great pretzles you could get with ham and melted cheese. There was a Sun Drugs, that had a bunch of neat stuff. There was a great two story book store with sale stuff down stairs. You could also redeem green stamps in the lower level at Weiboldts. I think I lived at that mall with my friends.
I grew up in Mt.Prospect during the 60/70's. Lived within walking distance from Randhurst. Does anybody remember the Carson and Barnes circus that played yearly at Randhurst? WOW! Just seeing all these posts brought back some awesome childhood memories. I live here in North Texas(since the early 80's) and vividly remember Randhurst. My parents would take us clothes shopping there. I too remember the Tartan Tray/PJ's trick shop and Kresge's. As a matter of fact we would buy little toy parachute men and go up to the 2nd level(where the offices where) and throw the men over the balcony.
anyone rememebr Kroch and Brentanos? I loved that store since it had 2 floors and was not a archor store. I vaguely remember a restaurant which was near one fot he archro stores. I was never in it but remember it had old pics of movie stars in it. Anyone knwo what I am talkign about?
wow, this looks beautiful! completely different from today's current randhurst mall. not much remains in there unfortunately. i miss the old busy mall
I remember the sculptures at Randhurst. We used to play on them. Were those things seals?
To the "owner" of the Egg Factory, turn off your caps lock and stop yelling.
The Village of Mount Prospect is just throwing more good money after bad with their latest Randhurst plan. They have no new stores committed to the new Randhurst. They're showing no respect to current tenets who have to move and will not return. The new Randhurst Village will most likely be a bigger ghost town than the current Randhurst.
Reading all these beautiful memories of Randhurst is so sad. The powers that be should do their best to bank on the nostalgia and restore Randhurst to it's former glory.
anyone remember the americana shop?and the bronze seals are in front of a apt building on skokie blvd in skokie between dempster and main st.(dempster to skokie blvd south ) about 1/4 mile west side of street, whata bout the big white polar bear I used to climb on?
Wow-what a walk down memory lane!! This is a great site and would love to see pictures of the mall in it's heyday! I , too, grew up in Mt. Prospect, near Mack Cadillac (now a VW dealer) and it was a coming of age event in the neighborhood, called Prospect Meadows, to walk to Randhurst! This meant running across Rand Road usually crossing at McDonald's, then crossing Route 83.
Back in the late 60's, thru to the late 70's, that was the place to go. Lots to see and do...
Oh man, those ugly bronze animal statues, but how about the cages with monkeys==remember them, us that grew up in the space age?
Who remembers the kiosk restaurant with a french flair in it's decor? Mostly bought soft drinks there, didn't have to go to the basement then.
Ah--memories of childhood are flooding back...I also remember fireworks to celebrate the mall's birthday every year--for a kid without much allowance and spending money, fireworks twice a year were a real thrill. Our neighborhood wasn't annexed into Mount Prospect until the mid 1970's, so the property owners association paid for them, and they weren't cheap, even back then.
My parents were really impressed with the goods for sale at Carson's...they still shop there.
I am sad to see the mall being torn down...it was such a "happenin" place when it first opened, and again, when it was remodeled in the 1990's.
Yet again, another chapter in my life closes as I grow...I am not quite 50, but so much has changed in what my father calls "my young life"!!
I grew up across the street from Randhurst. I remember Kresge, as my brother and I would always go there to buy a slurpe with our weekly allowance money. I also remember Krochs & Brentano's, as I went there to read their newspapers, magazines and look at their history books. Then there was Lorsey's Jewelry where my mother and I got our ear pierced one Saturday afternoon. And then there was the Randhurst Music Shop, where my brother always went and bought his Beatles records. My family has so many memories from this place. I hate seeing Randhurst go to dust.
I started going to Randhurst at 7 years old in 1968. My parents always went there even just to walk around.We lived 4 miles Northeast of Randhurst so they always parked by the bank.
On hot summer days we would walk far through the parking lot and open the door to the mall and felt the cold air conditioning. It felt good because we did'nt have air at hmome until 1972. I would head to the cold drinking fountains by the entrances at the mall. I remember the sounds of all the slamming lockers shoppers use to rent. Also I remember the many payphones lined up that I would check for change.
I remember Randees,S&H Greenstamps store, Tartan Tray, and how about the Hallmark in the middle of the mall. Kinneys, Baskins Florsheims, Tux Rental,Jewel in the mall,a store that sold kitchenware and on and on.
I was once told few of the bronze animals were in the courtyard at Wheeling H.S. is this true? When they were at the mall I saw many kids get hurt on those things.
The Randhurst Ice arena across from Barones Pizza later Stagger Lee's had many events like the Chicago Cougars Hockey playoffs, Concerts including Ted Nugent, UFO, Montrose, Uriah Heep Foghat.
Randhurst will be another childhood memory along with the Twin Drive Inn and 53 Drive Inn.
Last time I went to Randhurst (and the only time) was about two or three years ago. It was pretty dead that summer, but clean and well kept for the most part.
There were some stores, and the food court looked pretty empty. The empty random offices didn't help the appeal of the place frankly.
The surrounding area stores though seem busy enough to warrant their existence, Randhurst not so much. It's unfortunate, the glass dome is pretty nice looking from inside.
I can't believe there are all these postings about Randhurst. I live out of state and I have a charm bracelet from Lorsey's that needs to be researched. I also remember the S&H Green Stamp Store and the Tartan Tray. I have got such great memories of the 70's mall. I used to go there with my mom and we would have so much fun! Didn't it have bronze seals in the court? I would also love to see pictures.
Most people are not going to remember this but the original 3 anchor stores were Carsons, Mongomery Wards and "The Fair" The 3rd one didn't last too long and soon became Wiebolts. Also remember the there was a Jewel grocery store there too. I remember steel post in front of the store so you couldn't take the shopping carts into the mall. My Mom was one of the original employees at Carsons and worked in the candy department I also remember a hot dog stand in front of Carsons and the music center. I also remember that the jewelry store had a digital clock out front which was very rare back then
I actually, quite literally, grew up in Randhurst. My parents owned a store on the lower level that opened in late 1978... the location bounced from the outer diameter to part of the middle - right next to the Tartan Tray in the location that I believe had previously been some kind of jeans store (I remember their print ads featuring some sort of King of Jeans,or something like that?), and then back to the edge. PJ of PJ's Trick Shop was almost like an uncle to me, as were most of the shopkeepers downstairs.
Upstairs was a bit different; the smaller downstairs merchants didn't really socialize (as far as I could tell) with the larger main level merchants, but I recall as a very young boy browsing through all the seemingly racy album covers at Kresge and reading for hours on end at Kroch's and Brentano's. I think one of the highlights of my young life was seeing Andy Summers from the Police at Randhurst for a signing of his photo book, which must have been sometime around 1984 (a quick Google search just revealed that the book must have been 1983's "Throb"). As a kid who was just discovering music, this was the biggest thing ever to come so close to home ;-) I seem to recall that my Dad pulled a favor from the security guards and got me up to the “Professional Level”, where I could see everything that was going on. In winter of 1984, I was about 13-14 years old.
One of my occasional big chores was having to get down on the ground and take written inventory of the store’s moccasin stock on a regular basis – which I hated. I remember having a thought that, as my dad was trying to incorporate our Apple II computer as the store’s new cash register, that it should be possible for the computer to record what we sell, send that info to the shoe company, and automatically create orders to restock us. I think the internet in the form we now know it came along about 15 years later… and I still wish I had stuck with that idea and gone into computer programming ;-) That being said, if you’re still looking for the moccasins you used to buy on the lower level from Leather Etc., you can find them at http://minnetonkamoccasin.com/
Merchants and former workers may also remember "the tunnel" - a subterranean truck entrance for deliveries and storage that, to a child, seemed like the interior of the Death Star, full of dark alleys, secrets, and hidden rooms.
Growing up in a mall, I have to admit, erased the charm of the place for me. I avoid malls like the plague now; and while I appreciate the modern conveniences a marketplace like Randhurst must have brought to these quickly developing suburbs, I'm kind of glad that time has passed in our history.
I was in fourth grade when Randhurst opened, as well as a Dick Biondi fan. My father took my little sister and I to see him when he appeared there.
What a treat... finding this thread! I was fortunate to work at BAK Studios November 1972 - mid-70s. BAK was in the downstairs part under the shops in the center of the mall. During the Christmas season, I worked nights and weekends at the men's store outside of Carsons; the next year I worked at Garfield Gifts in the lower part of the center of the mall. For BAK, I was the photographer in mall taking photos with the Easter Bunny & Santa. Loved Santa Jack! I may have a photo with him, how would I add that? Lots of memories for me at Randhurst. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Mothers day 1984 was working at jeans west when ex security guard Dick Jensen came in my store with a loaded 357 magnum and shot himself they had fired him for drinking on the job he was really a nice man very sad day
I remember that day very well. I worked at Fanny Farmers, right across from you. Very sad day indeed. :(
I worked in the security dept. in the early 1980's. What a great place to have worked. Great boss Bill Smith and good co-workers including Mike Sujack. Wish I had kept up with them after I left the mall.
I worked at Tartan Tray in the late 70's doing everything from the salad to the fountain to the cashier. I also work there with my 4 brothers, it was a very family friendly place everybody was related to somebody who work there. Those are great memories.
I worked at Tartan Tray in the late 70's doing everything from the salad to the fountain to the cashier. I also work there with my 4 brothers, it was a very family friendly place everybody was related to somebody who work there. Those are great memories.
That is horrible. I worked at Jeans West too. Around 1981. L'Avion brand stuff. I loved working there.
Miss Randhurst soooo much. Vintage era 1970-1995. I left a piece of my heart there. I grew up there and worked there and then took my young kids there. My son ate his first French fry ever at Boardwalk!!
Miss Randhurst soooo much. Vintage era 1970-1995. I left a piece of my heart there. I grew up there and worked there and then took my young kids there. My son ate his first French fry ever at Boardwalk!!
That is horrible. I worked at Jeans West too. Around 1981. L'Avion brand stuff. I loved working there.
How about the Coffee Depot? Anyone remember it? My mom and me owned it for years. Great employees, good people.
Hey. I worked at Jeans west when that happen as well. Love to know who that was that was there as well. Mgr and and I left right before he came in. Mgr got him fired. My friends were in store when he came in with handcuffs and the magnum.looking for mgr. Scott was his name.
Haha yes laser zone. Best hangout spot too for a while.
His name was Scott - I worked at the JW at the Hawthorn Mall as the assistant manager when Scott Eichler was the manager. The 2 Scott's were friends. I've been looking for some of my old JW friends
Me! I worked right next to it...at the Meet n Place Pub..owned by the same .
I worked there. It was a fun place. Burgers fries or beans....popcorn. Jukebox. Kinda dark lighting. Black maid like outfits on us waitresses
Does anyone remember the name of the store that had all of the Grateful Dead stuff???
I remember there were multiple levels with PJ's Trick Shop in the basement, an Art Store down there. Montgomery Ward, my folks had Carson Pierre Scott carpet our house. A top floor with a food court. In the mid 80s the teenagers at school worked at the McDonald up in the food court. One dude told of a Beavis and Butthead type incident where they came in and found a mouse in the trap. One dude said "Whoah, let's deep fry it!" so they tossed it in the deep fryer till it was golden brown. Needless to say I didn't eat there anymore.
PJ’s trick shop - that certainly takes me back. Man. I grew up close to Randhurst and worked there for several years on a part time basis in high school.
Does anyone remember The Beef Eater which was there in the late 70’s, early 80’s if I am not mistaken. It was not in the mall but a separate building right by the mall off of Kensington Avenue. I loved that place when I was a kid.
I worked at Fanny Farmer too back in the day. Was in high school and it was around 83-85. Good times.
How about Emporium Luggage? I worked there - was a hoot.
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