tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.comments2024-03-12T06:05:52.460-07:00Sky City: Retail HistoryJ.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.comBlogger4290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-57417186981814987562021-02-15T12:03:41.471-08:002021-02-15T12:03:41.471-08:00I drive by Normandale on a somewhat regular basis,...I drive by Normandale on a somewhat regular basis, and it was actually through this blog that I actually learned of its existence. Although I’m sure many share my wish for the shopping center to be revitalized, more and more it seems that reality has other plans for it. Interestingly enough, it appears that someone has leased and/or purchased the property, so it’ll be fun to see what the year holds for the shopping center!Luke Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08211728577272010502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-44367813972255544472021-02-13T17:00:50.122-08:002021-02-13T17:00:50.122-08:00I was stationed at fort gordon in 1982 saw rocky 3...I was stationed at fort gordon in 1982 saw rocky 3 at the theater seemed like a really nice mall at the timeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516014147841122979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-3498085684903094412021-02-12T11:21:35.572-08:002021-02-12T11:21:35.572-08:00McDonald's was on the lower level just outside...McDonald's was on the lower level just outside of Sears....Morrison's was on the upper level at the mall entrance near J C Penney....Chick-Fil-A was on the upper level near Sears and right down from it at the mall entrance was a Shoney's.....the mall in Warner Robins is the Galleria....still there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-3961358999324875632021-02-12T07:23:24.959-08:002021-02-12T07:23:24.959-08:00I'm sad to say that this mall is dying now, if...I'm sad to say that this mall is dying now, if not already dead. I remember visiting every black friday and driving all the way from Elberton, GA (about an hour east of Athens). My mom, who is from Elberton, tells stories of how exciting it was for Georgia Square to open because before that they had to drive all the way to Anderson, South Carolina for the mall. When I started at UGA in 2015 the mall was still relatively filled with tenants but by the time I left in 2019 it was a ghost town. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-54860416272536874992021-02-10T05:33:13.902-08:002021-02-10T05:33:13.902-08:00My first job after high school was in the Chambers...My first job after high school was in the Chambersburg, PA Town & County Store. Then, worked in the shoe department, which was space in Town & Country leased to Karl's Shoes (owned by Harry Karl, husband of Debbie Reynolds).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-48453449720136123172021-02-05T04:29:43.533-08:002021-02-05T04:29:43.533-08:00Have you covered the Bay Area Outlet Mall in Largo...Have you covered the Bay Area Outlet Mall in Largo, Fl?Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14502109876374397452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-40704109942600810322021-02-05T04:28:43.011-08:002021-02-05T04:28:43.011-08:00Did you cover the Bay Area Outlet Mall in Largo Fl...Did you cover the Bay Area Outlet Mall in Largo Florida on U.S19? Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14502109876374397452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-66577955178953372932021-02-02T13:35:03.419-08:002021-02-02T13:35:03.419-08:00I no longer live in the Atlanta area, but graduate...I no longer live in the Atlanta area, but graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in 1961. I worked at W T Grant in the Stewart Lakewood Shopping for about a year during my junior-senior years. It definitely was built before 1961-62. I shopped at a lot of the stores there: Penney’s, Cricket shop, National Shirt Shop, a shoe store (I don’t remember the name of, maybe Butler), Colonial Store, Zayre’s, Lerner’s, etc. I have fond memories of SL. At that time it was a great mall and great place to shop. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-53204819192976691482021-01-30T21:09:55.645-08:002021-01-30T21:09:55.645-08:00Hey I just read your post and I really enjoyed it!...Hey I just read your post and I really enjoyed it! I was also born in 1966 and that ice cream shop that you talked about on the right when you walk through the door I myself ate a bunch of those 25 cent cones LOL. When you went down just passed the ice cream shop on the left hand side there was Langley's lock and key shop that was my grandfather's grandfather's shop! me and him used to go just about every day down to the cafeteria to get us a bite to eat and as I read your post I thought to myself there was probably a number of times that mean you passed one another over standing in the ice cream shop getting an ice cream or down at the arcade playing arcade games! My grandfather has passed quite a few years back and I am down here visiting my mother and I asked her just the other day was the mall still up and she told me it was but there was nothing there that I would remember. Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post cuz it definitely took me back to my childhood thank youAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16418839163803930531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-30396283009598727952021-01-30T02:10:29.725-08:002021-01-30T02:10:29.725-08:00I grew up on Campbellton Road in the 70s thru 2000...I grew up on Campbellton Road in the 70s thru 2000s. Greenbriar was apart of my life growing up as a kid attending Venetians Hills Elementary,Ralph Bunche Middle then to DM Therrell High School. Greenbriar Theater was the go to hangout spot on the weekends. We would get dropped off by our parents,walked or rode MARTA just to hangout all day. Goldmine Arcade and Hardees Burger joint was a must to get the day started. Orange Julius had the best pizza in the world. Back then the movie kiosk was upstairs in this cage like thingy, where u would view the upcoming movies on the walls and buy tickets for the movies. Then you would take the escalators downstairs to the ushers waiting at the doors. I miss Woolworth's, Thompson Boling Lee, Riches,JC Penny. As the 90s came Greenbriar had a Full Bar and Grill Wingspot handout by the name of BW3. Precious memories of the Old Greenbriar. So much to describe I can go on for hours. Wow I miss the Old Greenbriar!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-61953479477051320122021-01-29T07:19:43.691-08:002021-01-29T07:19:43.691-08:00I really good story I really enjoyed. And I also E...I really good story I really enjoyed. And I also Enjoyed shopping at Hillcrest mall.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04013263911005116002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-48654666860212001572021-01-28T19:56:24.905-08:002021-01-28T19:56:24.905-08:00I didn't see anyone mention Ronny Marchant Fur...I didn't see anyone mention Ronny Marchant Furniture. He went out of business at least 50 times over a 20 yr period. Always having his final closeout sale. Positively ending this Saturday. Or next Saturday. Or next. Or next year. This is it folks. We're discounting everything one last time. This time we're serious. Our final closeout sale. Not like last year. We're cutting prices like never before. We're going out of business. Really, we are. In 3 years. Or 4. Or 5.<br />But we're closing. One day. Promise, we are. Eventually.Steve Winfieldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-16958278382152052922021-01-26T21:08:28.795-08:002021-01-26T21:08:28.795-08:00Was the pet store in this mall a Pass Pets? Me and...Was the pet store in this mall a Pass Pets? Me and my wife came down here a few times in the 1990s. One time the pet store had a bunch of baby skunks. So cute and fun to play with that day.<br />BTW I think Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga is about $400 per sq foot.Trunahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-19522853439728604182021-01-26T18:05:26.002-08:002021-01-26T18:05:26.002-08:00I remember that mall. I used to work at roses the ...I remember that mall. I used to work at roses the first time it was there. From what I recall over the years it had<br />Dominos,arcade, foot locker, sports store, a suit store, granny doughnuts, a eye shop. It had a lot of options for a mall in the middle of the no where.... guess everything comes to an end.252https://www.blogger.com/profile/16142309742707738824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-89528282701280007542021-01-26T11:31:22.378-08:002021-01-26T11:31:22.378-08:00I was just reminiscing the death of Hank Aaron and...I was just reminiscing the death of Hank Aaron and seeing the picture of he and I hanging on my wall at home, brought back memories of him coming to Rome when I was Mgr of Millers and Mall Association President in the late 70's--I opened Millers in 1975 and transferred back to Chattanooga just 2 weeks before the major flood of 1979!! Hank Aaron came to Rome/Riverbend 1977? and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and introducing Hank to others in the Mall I enjoyed the relationship with my friends at Riverbend and I too hated to see it close--A lot of memories with the closing now many years ago!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834715464066261684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-91577531085154632542021-01-22T13:25:46.982-08:002021-01-22T13:25:46.982-08:00Hey, wish I could have seen your comment sooner. ...Hey, wish I could have seen your comment sooner. Seeing it's been four years since you wrote this, have you been able to visit? Back when I used to roam this place (1997-2000) there was no such clock. So I have a feeling it has been long gone, unfortunately.Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771412790600949669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-27569883258102441792021-01-21T12:53:19.463-08:002021-01-21T12:53:19.463-08:00You are indeed correct. County Market did occupy t...You are indeed correct. County Market did occupy the old Kroger space at the Warren Mall. I believe until around 1998 or 1999.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-53946671687241643832021-01-19T20:51:30.324-08:002021-01-19T20:51:30.324-08:00The Westgate Shopping Center was open in 1979 and ...The Westgate Shopping Center was open in 1979 and I worked at Newberry's. I was layed off because the store was starting to close.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14234002324420010091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-68836568732302555852021-01-19T20:29:05.396-08:002021-01-19T20:29:05.396-08:00I'm looking for the year that Scotties opened ...I'm looking for the year that Scotties opened their store in the Westgate Shopping Center. My husband and I were there for the contractors meeting. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14234002324420010091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-68875408364963191452021-01-19T05:56:01.555-08:002021-01-19T05:56:01.555-08:00Thanks for the history. I moved to Lenoir in 2010...Thanks for the history. I moved to Lenoir in 2010 and wondered about the mall.<br /><br />Water Life church has done extensive work where I guess The Rock church used to be. Including the exterior and repaying the parking lot. <br /><br />In other parking areas there’s a COVID testing site and a COVID field hospital.Irvnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-17469198114463120102021-01-16T21:53:57.923-08:002021-01-16T21:53:57.923-08:00Fun fact: Gimbels didn't operate like most dep...Fun fact: Gimbels didn't operate like most department stores and that led to it's demise. It wasn't technically a NY store because they operated as FOUR independent divisions with only logos, accounting, and stationery in common. Even the charge cards had no overlap from region to region. Milwaukee, Philadelphia, NY, and Pittsburgh shared little infrastructure or bulk buying power. That caused a lot of redundant costs. Ironically, NY was their marketing darling but Philadelphia was their profit center with ebbs and flows over time in the other markets. Each region had different mall architects for their stores which made each feel more like a hometown company and in the end Gimbels inefficiency coupled with out of state chains entering their territories with newer buildings in upscale neighborhoods did them in.GDKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00543233842722153032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-45101833876553691672021-01-13T13:46:52.715-08:002021-01-13T13:46:52.715-08:00I remember going to University Mall in the early 8...I remember going to University Mall in the early 80's when I was in college at USM in Hattiesburg. I had a buddy that was from Pensacola, his mom lived not far from the mall. We used to go on the weekends every few months to go to the beach and visit. Man the memories I have of this place are so vivid, we spent quite a bit of time at the mall, Steak and Ale and Darryl's. Thanks to the above commenter for reminding me the name of Darryl's as I have been racking my brain trying to remember that. Darryl's used to have the best ribs. I remember seeing Excalibur in '81 with a bunch of my college buddies at the theater at University. It seems like there was a theater behind the mall. Every time I see that movie I smile and chuckle to myself thinking about that. We were so young and naive, we didn't know what we didn't know.<br />A couple of years ago we were traveling back from Orlando and stayed at a motel near the mall, I drove around but everything had changed. It was quite sad really, it's amazing the experiences you have when young that have a profound affect on you and you don't even realize it at the time. <br />We have an open shopping center near where we live and I hate going there. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter, decidedly a step back from enclosed malls in my opinion. I guess these open shopping centers will go the way of the old malls eventually as well. On line shopping and the pandemic may help hasten that along. What younger folks don't realize is the social element associated with the old 80's malls. You went there to "shop", but what you really were doing was meeting and connecting with other people. That's something you can't ever get from Amazon or Ebay. I truly feel sorry for kids today as they are living their lives through the prism of a 2-3" phone screen. Have you tried talking to a teenager lately? Sad, absolutely no communication skills. A complete inability to relate to other people. <br />Oh well, those of us that grew up in the 80's and 90's can remember a far more social, interesting and fun time. Some of which were spent at malls. At least we have the memories...Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07479507938415391868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-382796449944977602021-01-10T17:06:30.333-08:002021-01-10T17:06:30.333-08:00My family moved to Albertville in 1973 and used to...My family moved to Albertville in 1973 and used to drive to Gadsden to visit this mall. I am pretty sure Sears opened in 1973 before the rest of the mall. I remember trying on Boys clothing near the mall entrance and we saw them building the fountain at Sears before the mall was open. The "Sears fountain" was made up of cheap bathroom tile.<br />Once the mall was open I remember a very low key fountain in the center with lots of vegetation and you stepped down to see a low waterfall.<br />I remember a Radio Shack next to Sears and a drug store near the other end of the mall. We mainly shopped at Sears. We had several dinners at Morrison's. Seemed like the interior was darker and more somber in the 1970's.<br />The oddity is that I moved back to a large city with a HUGE modern 2 story mall that was spectacular compared to the Gadsden Mall. Now that modern mall is dead, and Gadsden Mall is still alive. Crazy world!J Callahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04225278086468919830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-73890487898525697362021-01-09T20:36:54.058-08:002021-01-09T20:36:54.058-08:00We moved to Union City when I was 6 or 7 years old...We moved to Union City when I was 6 or 7 years old. I remember when the mall and the theater were built! When I was in high school I would at the cookie company on the corner going into the food court. I have many great memories of this mall and the theater. Saturdays would find my friend and I going to the mall, then a walk to the theater, and we loved to eat french fries from the little cafe in Sears. Makes me sad to read about it's slow demise and finally destruction. Shannon Mall you won't be forgotten.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-43788219383259681982021-01-06T04:36:40.778-08:002021-01-06T04:36:40.778-08:00Looking from Belk's inner entrance, to the lef...Looking from Belk's inner entrance, to the left was A.V. Wray's.<br />I worked there as assistant Manager from about '82-'84.<br />to the right was Hallmark, then a shoe store, Frazier's Shoe, a guy who's first name was Craig was the manager. Then, further past Frazier's going away from Belk was The Junction, a clothing store, mostly for women if I remember correctly. The Junction was where The Cafe at the Mall went later. At the front entrance to the left was originally "Little Moo" a dairy queen type restaurant. My best friend worked there and the manager was Liz. To the right of the entrance was an Eckerd's Drug store with a fountain along the front of the building. Looking from Rose's inner entrance toward Belk, to the left was a women's clothing store "Sidney's" The woman who would become my wife worked there when we met.<br />Harris-Teeter was in the mall. The major anchors were Belk, Roses, Harris-Teeter and Eckerd's.<br />The A-Frame restaurant was Village Pizza, then Papa's Pizza.Mitch Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18236405601944765891noreply@blogger.com