Westland, Michigan - July 23, 1965
Man, Westland Center was just so incredibly swanky and beautiful in the '60s, it's probably one of my favorite malls to dig into at MOA. I never tire of looking at its vintage interior!
And there's certainly lots to see here in this photo of the West Court, taken in 1965 when the mall first opened. On the right is an Alexander & Hornung butcher shop, Raimi's window and curtain store (owned by Hollywood director Sam Raimi's mother), and a Thom McCann Shoes, among others. Can't see it here but just to the left of this view was a Kresge store, which you can see in this cool color photo I shared previously.
I'm thinking this might be a picture taken prior to the mall's official public opening (or very early on after it at any rate), because the Alexander & Hornung shop looks rather empty of merchandise here (zoom in and it's even more evident), and also the clock has no hands yet. Maybe some clues there?
Westland Center is still there today and generally retains its overall original layout, but of course, isn't quite this groovy anymore.
Mall history: 1965 - present
Developer: J.L. Hudson Company
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
(Research image courtesy and © Wayne State University)
Looks pretty cool, Keith. I've never been to any Michigan Malls. I'm dying to see the photos you have of the Dayton Mall.
ReplyDeleteI would really love to see what this mall look like inside today, and how bland it could be.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, looking at the lease plan for the mall, it looks like the elevator is still in the same location, probably without the ironwork.
Lolz! Still there, except Hudson’s is closed. A lot of stores are closed, but there’s several kiosk type stores, with cheap cellphone cases and accessories. Basically, it’s just dark, sad, and quiet. I dropped my keys, and the sound echoed! Pretty sad, I worked there in the 80’s, it’s definitely on its way out.
DeleteI never get tired of seeing this mall, either. I would definitely love to see how it looks today (Keith, ROAD TRIP!!!).
ReplyDeleteScott
Yes Keith, road trip please!
ReplyDeleteHey Keith-I live in Idaho now, but grew up in suburban Detroit. Spent soooo many hours at Westland as a kid. As a youngster, used to loved to climb on the goose sculpture. Always thought the basement was a little creepy. Winkelman's was to die for. Do they still have Winkelman's?
ReplyDeleteNope, Winkleman's is gone like a freight train, gone like yesterday. Can you believe they made it Up North with a store in Alpena Mall (now a clothing store called Lee's) and Cherryland Mall in Traverse City (mall torn down in 2000)?
ReplyDeleteThe Winkleman's at Westland is now an Eddie Bauer outlet store.
The fountain is gone, most of the "art" is gone. It is still neat to sit on the balcony at the old Hudson's and eat a Maurice Salad and watch everyone below. It is still an OK mall, but without the art - carol (in Indiana most of the time but in MI quite a bit!)
ReplyDeleteI live in the Westland area & go to this mall all the time, although i can tell what part of the mall this is, it looks nothing like it did back then.
ReplyDeleteTori
Cool old pic. Keith
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather ( John Jajuga ) sold the land to J.L. Hudson and I live across the street has it was build and play inside/out of the mall during it being build. back in the good old day wayne road was only 2 lanes at one time we had 8mm movies but they fell a part of the old mall being build ( inside and out ) Thanks & see ya have fun Donald Jajuga
During the summer of 1965 I was working for my uncle's company Detroit Sterling Hardware. Prior to the opening I made several deliveries of architectural hardware, including a set or sets of master keys, to the property managers. And until I moved out of state in 1974 I was a customer of many of the stores, especially Hudsons. Since I moved back to MI last year I still frequent the mall but it seems that only the elevator is still in the same place as it was 51 years ago.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this mail is starting to go under. Livonia Mall and wonderland Malls are already gone. Westland Mall has many stores already closed /leaving. Macy's closed the restaurant up on the balcony last year and the store is now in store closing clearance stage.. Hate to see it go but it's not going to be long:(
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this mail is starting to go under. Livonia Mall and wonderland Malls are already gone. Westland Mall has many stores already closed /leaving. Macy's closed the restaurant up on the balcony last year and the store is now in store closing clearance stage.. Hate to see it go but it's not going to be long:(
ReplyDeleteCorrection: Raimi's Curtains wasn't owned by director Sam Raimi's mother, but by his great-uncle, Jacob Raimi. His mother owed lingerie stores.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this photo. In the late 60s/1970s Mom and I would go to Westland Hudson's and always had lunch up in the restaurant pictured above. I remember looking over the balcony at the view in your photo, and I love seeing it again! We moved away in 1980. Sadly, I'm not surprised to read that Westland is going the way of most malls these days. It was an experience then to go shopping; we made a day of it and it was a lot of fun, just browsing and people watching.
ReplyDelete