I lived in Concord from about '69 through '74. A small plane crashed into Sunvalley once, it's pretty close to Buchannan Field. They said that a lot of the malls built in the '60's were near airports, because the land was cheap. Southland Mall in Hayward, CA is just about 500 yards from the end of the runway, which points directly at it.
I love this postcard! I want to post it on my Website, too (http://www.bigmallrat.com/shopping-malls/cities/concord/sunvalley-mall.html) B Dalton Bookseller is gone. I used to work for them at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. Borders and Barnes & Noble put them out. Speaking of plane crashes, don't forget Eastridge in San Jose.
My family used to go there when I was a kid. It's too bad this postcard didn't include a shot of Sunvalley's awesome slightly Mary Blair-esque 60's murals featuring suns and cars. Now it's all white and boring and looks like evey other mall in the world. zzzz. Also the plane crashed 20 years ago last december. (there was an article in the paper)
I grew up in Concord, and went to Sunvalley quite a bit. I remember the big birdcages, B.Dalton's, and the Union Jack's Fish and Chips. Kress' at midmall on the first floor, Penney's on one end, Sears on the other. Plus the Theatre and the ice rink--lots of memories there. Even did a few Christmas parades!
Does anyone remember the crazy floortile that Sunvalley had? Woof!
When they added Emporium/Capwell's (and the garage with it) I finally always had a parking place (since I could finally drive myself).
I also remember when the plane hit the mall, and they "rebuilt" it. But it didn't seem quite the same afterward....
By the way--just went to a B. Dalton's in Springfield, OR. They're owned by Barnes and Noble.
I was just thinking about my memories of Sunvalley mall. Found this site. I would love to see some old vintage photos before all the remodels. I remember the Food court with the tables next to the faux trees made of steel, all the fountains, they had a Budda one upstairs, and a large one downstairs, and others, the ice rink, and the cinema. Any links to photos would be great.
cool pic...Thanks for the link Capt. Kirk. I loved Sunvalley Mall..in fact...this pic shows Flourshime Shoes where I got my first sales job...wow...remember all the hot chicks we picked up in this place! I used to cut school EVERY day and go and hang out (from Valley View Intermediate and College Park High). Oh...yea...the food court was bitchin'... remember J's Hamburgers?
I grew up going to this mall too. We didn't have air conditioning so on hot days in the summer my mom would take us to the mall. We used to go to the theater and the ice rink. I miss the rink. It was always my favorite mall. I do remember my parents were at the mall the day the airplane crashed.
My dad and I went to the pet store (it was downstairs, where Suncoast is now) the first day the mall opened after the plane crash to pick out a kitten. The whole mall reeked of smoke. We brought our cat Whiskers home that day. Everytime I go to Sunvalley, I think of her sitting all alone in that pet store window, and the plane crash she was 'witness' to.
Wow, just came across this post. I have my whole life of memories around that mall! Spencers Gifts, the movies, skating on my 10th birthday at the ice rink, the food court trees, buying gifts for my family at Christmas at Kress, the birdcages.... good times. I was telling my daughters about the crash at Sun Valley today. I worked at the mall that night just got off work a Ethel M's chocolates right across from where the plane came in. It was a terrible night. I stayed to help others out of the building, as I knew where most of the fire exits were. I will never forget that night, it was devastating to me. I still can't take my girls to see Santa without that on my mind.
I remember pulling into the mall just as the plane crashed and asking my mother if they were shooting off fireworks, "not at Christmastime" she said. We turned the corner and saw the fire, and the wings of the plane sticking out of the top of Macy's, burnt people were running out of the building, laying on the gronud etc.. it was crazy.
Been going to Sunvalley since I was a kid (1970s). Someone mentioned Union Jack's Fish in the World's Faire food court WooHoo!
I remember the '85 plane crash very well as I had just been there a few hours earlier buying my friend's birthday present (Night Ranger - 7 Wishes). I was at his birthday party in Rodeo when we heard the news.
Stores have always some items to sell as sale and place it in Crazy Sales Coupon Codes to buy crazy sales with coupons which is also provide some other discounts.
I was in the B. Dalton store when that plane hit! I was just 11 and it was total chaos, but somebody was eventually able to corral people out the back door, into the parking lot. It wasn't until we walked around to the other side of the building to get our car that we saw what had happened.
Ya know I haven't seen a B Dalton bookstore for a long time. Are they still around? Or am I just missing them?
ReplyDeleteMy cousins lived in the Bay area and we'd hit all the malls when I'd visit them. We frequented this mall alot too if I remember right. Fun times. :)
I lived in Concord from about '69 through '74. A small plane crashed into Sunvalley once, it's pretty close to Buchannan Field. They said that a lot of the malls built in the '60's were near airports, because the land was cheap. Southland Mall in Hayward, CA is just about 500 yards from the end of the runway, which points directly at it.
ReplyDeleteI love this postcard! I want to post it on my Website, too (http://www.bigmallrat.com/shopping-malls/cities/concord/sunvalley-mall.html)
ReplyDeleteB Dalton Bookseller is gone. I used to work for them at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. Borders and Barnes & Noble put them out.
Speaking of plane crashes, don't forget Eastridge in San Jose.
Love this picture because it has the shot of a B Dalton Books and a camera shop as well as a music shop. Something you just do not see anymore
ReplyDeleteMy family used to go there when I was a kid. It's too bad this postcard didn't include a shot of Sunvalley's awesome slightly Mary Blair-esque 60's murals featuring suns and cars. Now it's all white and boring and looks like evey other mall in the world. zzzz.
ReplyDeleteAlso the plane crashed 20 years ago last december. (there was an article in the paper)
I grew up in Concord, and went to Sunvalley quite a bit. I remember the big birdcages, B.Dalton's, and the Union Jack's Fish and Chips. Kress' at midmall on the first floor, Penney's on one end, Sears on the other. Plus the Theatre and the ice rink--lots of memories there. Even did a few Christmas parades!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the crazy floortile that Sunvalley had? Woof!
When they added Emporium/Capwell's (and the garage with it) I finally always had a parking place (since I could finally drive myself).
I also remember when the plane hit the mall, and they "rebuilt" it. But it didn't seem quite the same afterward....
By the way--just went to a B. Dalton's in Springfield, OR. They're owned by Barnes and Noble.
I was just thinking about my memories of Sunvalley mall. Found this site. I would love to see some old vintage photos before all the remodels. I remember the Food court with the tables next to the faux trees made of steel, all the fountains, they had a Budda one upstairs, and a large one downstairs, and others, the ice rink, and the cinema. Any links to photos would be great.
ReplyDeletecool pic...Thanks for the link Capt. Kirk. I loved Sunvalley Mall..in fact...this pic shows Flourshime Shoes where I got my first sales job...wow...remember all the hot chicks we picked up in this place! I used to cut school EVERY day and go and hang out (from Valley View Intermediate and College Park High). Oh...yea...the food court was bitchin'... remember J's Hamburgers?
ReplyDeleteI grew up going to this mall too. We didn't have air conditioning so on hot days in the summer my mom would take us to the mall. We used to go to the theater and the ice rink. I miss the rink. It was always my favorite mall. I do remember my parents were at the mall the day the airplane crashed.
ReplyDeleteMy dad and I went to the pet store (it was downstairs, where Suncoast is now) the first day the mall opened after the plane crash to pick out a kitten. The whole mall reeked of smoke. We brought our cat Whiskers home that day. Everytime I go to Sunvalley, I think of her sitting all alone in that pet store window, and the plane crash she was 'witness' to.
ReplyDeleteWow, just came across this post. I have my whole life of memories around that mall! Spencers Gifts, the movies, skating on my 10th birthday at the ice rink, the food court trees, buying gifts for my family at Christmas at Kress, the birdcages.... good times. I was telling my daughters about the crash at Sun Valley today. I worked at the mall that night just got off work a Ethel M's chocolates right across from where the plane came in. It was a terrible night. I stayed to help others out of the building, as I knew where most of the fire exits were. I will never forget that night, it was devastating to me. I still can't take my girls to see Santa without that on my mind.
ReplyDeleteI remember pulling into the mall just as the plane crashed and asking my mother if they were shooting off fireworks, "not at Christmastime" she said. We turned the corner and saw the fire, and the wings of the plane sticking out of the top of Macy's, burnt people were running out of the building, laying on the gronud etc.. it was crazy.
ReplyDeleteBeen going to Sunvalley since I was a kid (1970s). Someone mentioned Union Jack's Fish in the World's Faire food court WooHoo!
ReplyDeleteI remember the '85 plane crash very well as I had just been there a few hours earlier buying my friend's birthday present (Night Ranger - 7 Wishes). I was at his birthday party in Rodeo when we heard the news.
Stores have always some items to sell as sale and place it in Crazy Sales Coupon Codes to buy crazy sales with coupons which is also provide some other discounts.
ReplyDeleteI was in the B. Dalton store when that plane hit! I was just 11 and it was total chaos, but somebody was eventually able to corral people out the back door, into the parking lot. It wasn't until we walked around to the other side of the building to get our car that we saw what had happened.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember what year the ice skating rink closed?
ReplyDelete