Lake Air Shopping Center
Waco, Texas - circa 1960's
I've done a couple of interior shots of the Lake Air Shopping Center (aka Lake Air Mall) in the past (see the previous entries links below), so now here's an exterior view finally--you can just see the entrance sign too, on the right.
Lake Air was sold in 2001 and the site redeveloped into a strip mall power center, anchored by a large Target store. In this article, the new owners at the time had this to say:
"The indoor, air-conditioned concept is going away. People aren't really building those anymore. It (Lake Air Mall) is going to be turned into a power center. There won't be indoor access from store to store; instead every store will have drive-up, outdoor access. What's driving this development is the retailers."Well, that's not all. The article also went on to point out that the new Lake Air Mall was being designed to be more appealing to local Baylor University students. So that was obviously a factor driving the redevelopment as well. They wanted to make a more youth-friendly shopping center.
All I know is, looking at those two cool interior shots I've already posted, it really is a shame to see the old place gone.
Mall history: 1960 - 2001 (redeveloped)
Current website: n/a
Current aerial view: n/a
Previous entries: 1, 2
posted by Keith @ 10/17/2006
4 Comments:
Also a shame to read the words of those that are close-minded of what we're losing thanks to the ignorance and changing demographics.
Hey I hadn't checked out your Old Haunts for awhile and Halloween being right around the corner, I just did. What, nothing since March?? Come on, for us fans of Old Haunts and this being THEE time of year, make us all happy, ok? =)
My wife and I lived in Waco in the early/mid 70's and I really liked Lake Air Mall. We were regulars there shopping at the T G & Y store, Shellenbergers and, of course, Montgomery Wards. Also, not to forget, movies at the Lake Air Cinema. It was always a nice place to go and shop...cool in the hot Waco summers. I too am sorry to hear of it's demise....Philistines!
I can recall going to Lake Air Mall in the 1970's as a child. There had a toy store and book store. Of course, Goldstein-Miguels and Montgomery Wards were the anchor stores at each end. And Picadilly Cafeteria was just a few stores down from Wards. Before Richland Mall was built around 1980 that was the place to go for Christmas shopping. Later on there was a food court on one end. It was also the first time I ever saw anyone go to a mall just to walk for exercise. Lake Air Cinema was behind it and I think it was demolished a few years after the mall, around 2004. I would sure like to see some more pictures of it. I've only been able to find a few on the internet. I still miss it after all this time. --
Grady Christie
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