Mall Sign: Lakewood Shopping Center

Lakewood, California - circa 1950s

The very bold and distinctive looking entrance sign at the Lakewood Shopping Center (or just Lakewood Center) as seen in the 1950s. This photo find comes courtesy of Brian Neuroth. Thanks, Brian! This is a great sign design to study, where less (in this case anyway), is obviously more.

Mall history: 1952 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: 1, 2, 3, 4

The Daily Mall Reader: Tanforan Mall Redevelopment

A daily dose of mall-related reading...

"CASE STUDY: Tanforan Turnaround"

Retail Traffic - September 1, 2005

(Excerpt) The site of the new Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, Calif. was a retail developer's dream.

Located five miles south of San Francisco, in an area where the average household income is $90,000, it housed an underused mall known as the Tanforan Shopping Center — a real fixer-upper.

Even though the mall was more than 30 years old and half-dark, its Sears anchor was ranked in the top five performing stores nationally, says Greg Wattson, senior vice president of the mall's redeveloper, Wattson Breevast LLC. “We knew that the customers were coming to the mall anchors,” says Wattson. “Our challenge was to make them stay longer and spend time in the mall proper.”

Read the full article here.

Tanforan Shopping Center (aka The Shops At Tanforan)

San Bruno, California - circa 1970s

Now called The Shops At Tanforan, the Tanforan Shopping Center (or Tanforan Park Mall) originally opened in 1971, and then was rebuilt and updated in 2003. Current anchors include Sears, Barnes & Noble, Target, and JCPenney. The vintage interior photo above is from one of the mall's 1970s postcards.

Apparently it's a pretty swanky place to shop today. Here's a description of its current-day atmosphere and decor from Bigmallrat.com:

"Tanforan mall is chic; beautifully designed and decorated. The architects, Altoon + Porter, are known for other famous mall renovations, including Las Vegas' The Fashion Show mall. The ceiling is stunning, with the latest in lighting design. At night, it glows a beautiful blue. Careful attention was given to detail, including fixtures and neutral flooring. The mall appears upscale and demands attention. Only Westfield Valley Fair Mall and Westfield Oakridge Mall could compare in terms of design."

Mall history: 1971 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: none

Stonestown Shopping Center (aka Stonestown Galleria)

San Francisco, California - circa 1950s

A very moody old newspaper photograph of the Stonestown Shopping Center (now Stonestown Galleria) back in its 1950s heyday. Once again, there's that distinctive Emporium store facade design looming high over the mall, which can also be seen more clearly in one of my past entries on this classic San Francisco shopping center. A few Wikipedia notes on its early years:

"Stonestown Galleria, originally Stonestown Shopping Center was built in 1952, by the Stoneson brothers. It was built in the Lake Merced neighborhood along with apartments that could house 3,000-3,500 people. The major tenant, the Emporium department store, opened on July 16, 1952. Other early businesses included Walgreens, Butler Brothers, Gallenkamp Shoes, the Red Chimney restaurant and Woolworth's. There were also stores for local residents, including a grocery store, a bakery, and movie theaters. The Stoneson brothers' development firm was also responsible for the later Stoneridge Shopping Center and Lakeside Village."

Thanks for this image find goes (once again) to, Brian Neuroth, for spotting it in this great Flickr collection!

Mall history: 1952 - present
Developer: Stoneson Development Corp.
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Reference links: 1, 2
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: 1, 2, 3

Stonestown Shopping Center (aka Stonestown Galleria)

San Francisco, California - circa 1950s

Swanky '50s postcard photo of the Stonestown Shopping Center (now Stonestown Galleria) in San Francisco, California. Lots of vintage store signage on display in this shot, including Walgreens, JM (was this the clothing store?), and The Emporium department store (with the distinctive "E" logo) in the background.

Thanks very much to, Brian Neuroth, for pointing me to this one!

Mall history: 1952 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Reference links: 1, 2
Previous entries: 1, 2

Broadway Plaza Shopping Center

Walnut Creek, California - circa 1950s

Vintage postcard depicting the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center (and its very distinctive sign!) in Walnut Creek, California, which is currently anchored by Macy's & Nordstrom's. Other retailers comprising this venerable upscale open-air regional shopping center include: David M. Brian, The Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Victoria's Secret and Build-A-Bear Workshop. The above photos are from early on in the Broadway Plaza's retail life.

Mall history: 1951 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: none

North Whittier Heights Shopping Center

La Puente, California - circa 1960s

Retro postcard view of the North Whittier Heights Shopping Center (as it was called then) strip mall plaza in La Puente, CA (not an enclosed shopping mall). Stores seen here in this groovy shot include an Alpha Beta supermarket at the far end, Country Club Pharmacy, and Cork & Bottle Liquor. I have no idea whether this plaza is still around today, and if so, what name it might be going by now, etc., but it sure looked swanky back then!

Valley Plaza Shopping Center (Valley Plaza Mall)

Bakersfield, California - circa late '60s

Housing more than 140 retail stores, the Valley Plaza Shopping Center (now called Valley Plaza Mall and also referred to as Valley Plaza Center) opened in 1967 in Bakersfield, California, and is currently owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc. In the photo above you can see the original Sears anchor which is still there today. Here's the postcard's caption:

"The Valley Plaza Shopping Center, a 900,000 square foot enclosed mall shopping complex at Ming Avenue and New Freeway 99, was opened in February 1967. Seventy tenants occupy the mall, with Sears, The Broadway, and Brock's at terminal points of the enclosure. The huge parking area surrounding the main building also serves adjacent pavilion shopping facilities. Interior decor reflects the Spanish influence on Southern California in a contemporary manner."

Mall history: 1967 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Previous entries: none

Sunvalley Mall - '60s or '70s vintage

Concord, California - late '60s early '70s

Vintage Sunvalley Mall aerial postcard photo. Current-day anchor tenants at the shopping center include JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's. Other tenants include Abercrombie & Fitch, Lane Bryant, Frederick's of Hollywood, Gap, American Eagle Outfitters, and Sports Authority, among others. This nifty card's caption reads:

"Sunvalley Shopping Center. An aerial of the newest and most modern shopping center in the U.S.A. It is completely enclosed and air conditioned."

Mall history: 1967 - present
Current website: here
Developer: Taubman Centers, Inc.
Info from Wikipedia
Current aerial view
Previous entries: 1, 2, 3

Retro Lakewood Shopping Center (aka Lakewood Center)

Lakewood, California - circa 1950s

Lakewood Shopping Center (now officially called Lakewood Center), just epitomizes retro cool and swank to me--the vintage version I mean. Oh it's still a pretty nice mall today, but it's not retro cool like this anymore! It's currently anchored by JCPenney, Macy's (formerly Robinsons-May), Mervyns, and Target.

The vintage postcard photo above was taken in much earlier, swankier days, of course, probably from right around 1952 when the shopping center first opened. There's a Columbia store visible on the left, among others, and the distinctive May Company anchor store in back with the big "M" logo. The card's short caption simply says: "The Attractive And Colorful Shopping Center, Lakewood, California."

Mall history: 1952 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: 1, 2, 3

Carlmont Village Shopping Center

Belmont, California - circa 1960s

Charming view of the Carlmont Village Shopping Center, a quaint little shopping plaza (not a "shopping mall" per se) nestled away in Belmont, CA. Built in 1955 on 8.3 acres of land, it's still there today, but of course, looks a little different now. I thought this was such a pretty postcard photo, I just had to share it here.

Mayfield Mall '80s Conversion

Mountain View, California - mid '80s

Portions of the once fully carpeted and very groovy Mayfield Mall interior are bulldozed not long after the mall had closed in 1983, to make way for partial use by the Hewlett-Packard Co. as an office facility (they vacated the property in 2003, and it now awaits impending total redevelopment). Here's a descriptive quote (via the San Antonio District Guide) from a 1972 Mountain View Chamber of Commerce brochure:

"Mayfield Mall--Northern California's first fully enclosed, air conditioned, carpeted shopping mall--has more than 50 stores, and parking for several thousand cars. Such well-known firms as J.C. Penney, Joseph Magnin, Woolworth's, and Wells Fargo Bank are tenants of this unique complex on the west side of the city."

Thanks very much to MOA reader, Matt, for the nifty shot in this post!

Mall history: 1966 - 1983 (dead)
Previous entries: 1

The Daily Mall Reader: Mayfield Mall

A daily dose of mall-related reading...

"Mayfield Mall once a hot item"
Flashpoint of current debate was a popular spot in the '60s and '70s

Mountain View Voice - Friday, October 15, 2004

(Excerpt) Few who drive by Mayfield Mall's former location at the corner of Central Expressway and San Antonio Road realize they are passing the site of one of the first fully carpeted, air-conditioned shopping centers in the country.

Fewer still realize the mall's buildings remain intact, albeit heavily remodeled. However, if you want to see them, you better go soon -- they are not long for this world.

After over a decade of use as a Hewlett-Packard Co. campus, a new chapter in the site's history is about to unfold. The city has begun reviewing proposals to build a new housing development at the site, which some nearby residents are not looking forward to. The new residential neighborhood will replace what was once the Peninsula's premier shopping destination.

Read the full article here.

San Antonio Shopping Center

Mountain View, California - 1982

Vintage early '80s view of San Antonio Shopping Center (aka San Antonio Center), an outdoor strip mall located in Mountain View, California (here's an aerial). Above Image and the following history both via MVPA:

"San Antonio Center has gone through many incarnations. It started in the 1950s as a stand alone Sears Department Store surrounded by bean fields. It grew over the years and became Downtown Mountain View's first major competition. By the 1970s the center had expanded into the pedestrian mall viewed here in this picture. During Christmas time this fountain was covered up and became a place to meet Santa Claus.

At its height in the early 1980s, the mall connected Sears, JC Penny's (which had moved from Mayfield Mall) and Meryvn's. It was also home to the Menu Tree restaurant, a strange two story international restaurant remembered for its use of dozens of cuckoo clocks for decoration.

The mall fell on hard times in the early 1990s and grand plans for its expansion fell through. Most of the mall was demolished to make way for Wal Mart and a parking lot, although a remainder of the mall can still be found behind Sears."

Shopping Mall Sign: San Antonio Center

Mountain View, California

Finishing a couple more posts from earlier this morning, when my internet connection suddenly conked out on me because it hates me.

So this is the distinctive entrance sign at the San Antonio Shopping Center, in Mountain View, CA. Photo was taken in July of 2005 (courtesy of Marcel Marchon). I'm not sure how far back this particular signage design goes at this mall, so I don't know exactly how "vintage" it is (does anyone else?), but either way it's an interesting looking sign, isn't it?

More San Antonio Shopping Center

Sunvalley Mall (or Sun Valley Mall)

Concord, California - circa early '70s

Sunvalley Mall (aka Sun Valley Mall) interior postcard photo that I believe dates to the early '70s. This breezy fountain court area looks pleasant enough, but what I really like is that nifty logo design on the card. That's just good stuff in my book! A few Wiki notes:

"Sunvalley Mall is a regional shopping center located in Concord, California (one of the suburbs in the San Francisco Bay Area, in east central Contra Costa County). Sunvalley opened in August of 1967 with JCPenney and Macy's as anchor tenants. The mall was attached to a pre-existing free-standing Sears store that was built several years earlier. At its opening it was considered the largest air conditioned regional shopping center in the world.

It was developed by the Taubman Company, which is still the owner and operator of the mall to this day. The mall's major department stores are two separate locations for Macys, and one each for Sears and JCPenney. Sunvalley has 170 stores and a total size of about 1.4 million square feet."

Mall history: 1967 - present
Current website: here
Developer: Taubman Centers, Inc.
Info from Wikipedia
Current aerial view
Resource links: 1, 2
Previous entries: 1, 2

Bullock's Store at Stonestown Shopping Center

San Francisco, California - early '60s

Exterior view of a Bullock's department store court entrance and escalator in the Stonestown Shopping Center (aka Stonestown Galleria). Some notes from Wikipedia (where you can read the rest of the story) on the early history of the Bullock's chain:

"Bullock's was founded in 1907 at Seventh & Broadway in downtown Los Angeles by John G. Bullock, with the support of The Broadway Department Store owner Arthur Letts. In 1923, Bullock and business partner P.G. Winnett bought out Letts' interest after his death and the companies became completely separated. In 1929 Bullock & Winnett opened a luxury branch on Wilshire Boulevard, named, appropriately enough Bullocks Wilshire.

In 1944 Bullock's acquired I. Magnin & Co., a venerable, San Francisco-based luxury chain. This was followed by the acquisition of the then public-owned Bullock's-I. Magnin organization in 1964 by Federated Department Stores, much to the dismay of surviving founder P.G. Winnett, who publicly lambasted the deal (which was initiated by his own son-in-law Bullock's President Walter W. Candy Jr.)."

Mall history: 1952 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Reference links: 1, 2
Previous entries: 1

The Daily Mall Reader: Stanford Shopping Center

A daily dose of mall-related reading...

"Slice of cheese pizza at Tresidder Union: $2.75
Econ 1 textbook: $123.56
Undergraduate tuition: $29,847
Bloomingdale's across the street . . . Priceless"

Stanford Magazine - July/August 2004

(Excerpt) If shopping malls typically sprouted on university grounds, it might be reasonable to expect them to include a Gap, a Banana Republic, an Abercrombie & Fitch, or even a J.Crew—all of which have branches at Stanford. But the University is also home to a Brooks Brothers, an A|X Armani Exchange and an enormous, ornate Polo store.

Need high-end stereo equipment? There is a Bose shop and a Bang & Olufsen within Stanford’s borders. Furniture? You’ll have to travel off campus for a futon, but at Stanford you can select cherrywood dining tables and leather club chairs from Crate & Barrel’s first West Coast home store.

Read the full article here.

Stanford Shopping Center & Emporium Department Store

Palo Alto, California - late '50s early '60s

Colorful postcard view of the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California (now a Simon mall anchored by Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and Macy's), with a nice shot of the mall's old Emporium department store facade/entrance as well. Some Wikipedia history notes on the mall's store lineups over the years:

"Macy's California joined the center in 1961 and Saks Fifth Avenue opened a store in 1962. Further expansion came again in 1972 with the addition Los Angeles-based Bullock's, owned by Bloomingdale's parent company Federated Department Stores. Bullock's only lasted eleven years, closing its Northern California stores in 1983 and selling its Stanford location to Nordstrom, which opened in November 1984. Neiman Marcus became the sixth anchor in August 1985.

Saks Fifth Avenue closed their store in 1994 and was replaced by Crate and Barrel and Andronico's food market. By 1995, Federated Department Stores had acquired the Macy's, I. Magnin, and Emporium chains. As part of the company's rationalization, the I. Magnin chain was closed, and the location at Stanford became a separate Macy's Men's Store in 1995. The Emporium store was shuttered and rebranded as Bloomingdale's in November 1996, this being the first northern California location for that division of Federated."

For an added bonus, check out this cool "virtual reality" panorama view of the Stanford Shopping Center.

Mall history: 1956 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Reference links: 1, 2, 3
Previous entries: none

Stonestown Shopping Center (aka Stonestown Galleria)

San Francisco, California - early '60s

Vintage fifties exterior photos of The Emporium department store (which became Macy's in 1995), among others, at the venerable old Stonestown Shopping Center (aka Stonestown Galleria, or just "Stonestown") in San Francisco, California.

At first glance, these pictures kind of remind me of a drive-in movie theater--especially that first shot. Probably could have shown movies on that Emporium "E" storefront facade if they wanted to! At any rate, very cool and swanky design here, from the Golden Age of retail.

Mall history: 1952 - present
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Reference links: 1, 2
Previous entries: none