Archive for August, 2008

Brookdale Mall: Brooklyn Center, MN

Aug 28

Posted by dumpystripmall in Brooklyn Center | 56 Comments

Even though the mall logo was updated, Brookdale keeps it real by hanging on to its original sign

When it comes to Minnesota Malls, (other than the MOA), Minnesota is known for its “dales” – Ridgedale, Rosedale, Southdale…and then there’s Brookdale, the black sheep of the “Dales” family. While the other ‘Dales are known for their massive amounts of stores and stylish decor, this miscreant mall is known more for its perception of criminal activity than it is for its shopping activity.

You know your mall's in trouble when "The Mobile Phone Co." is listed on your giant sign

Growing up in Brooklyn Center, this is where we shopped. Even with its dowdy, dreary decor and strange coffee smell wafting through the air, I thought this place was the be-it-all, end-it-all of malls. I didn’t know any better – my parents never took us to Southdale or Rosedale because “they’re too far away.” I guess when you live in Brooklyn Park, a 10 mile drive to Edina is just too remote of a trek to go to a mall when there’s Brookdale in your backyard. Brookdale is the smallest of the ‘dales with only one level (because it was built over a swamp), so when my parents finally took me to Southdale, I thought I was in fucking Disneyland.

Brookdale was known for its Giant wooden rafters on the ceiling and a faux cobblestone flooring *photo courtesy of MN Hist Society*

Brookdale was known for its giant wooden rafters and faux cobblestone flooring *photo courtesy of MN HistSociety*

Leave that fountain shit to the Bellagiao.

I don't know what the hell this decoration is supposed to be. It looks like a faux stone/cement intermix retaining wall with a fountain in the middle. Except there's no water. Note to Brookdale architects: Leave the fountain shit to the Bellagiao.

The Sears exterior, in the 1960s *photo courtesy of MN HistSociety*

Brookdale never had the glowing reputation that, say, Southdale did, but it was a safe, decent place to shop. It had between 70-80 stores, a few restaurants, strong anchor stores, and up until 1992, you could smoke in designated areas within the mall. Dad could light up a ciggy and puff away to his lungs’ content, on a bench in the commons outside of Dayton’s while Mom and the kids shopped for back-to-school clothes! Yep. Brookdale Center was fun for the whole family.

How Sears stays in business is beyond me

Take your ride in for a tune-up at the Sears Auto Center. They'll get you in & out quickly, so you can get back on the road & ridin' dirty

Throughout the ’90s, the suburb’s demographics changed dramatically, and as a result, Brookdale tenants started deserting the mall. At the beginning of the ’90s, Brookdale was a passable place to spend an afternoon with a good selection of stores. At the end of the ’90s, it had turned into a creepy, dreary locale. If you absolutely HAD to go to Brookdale, you didn’t want to spend any time “hanging out” – get in, get out, and make sure not to leave any valuables in your car. Thank goodness Brookdale has lockers.

Dont want your three-finger ring to get ganked? Detain up your valueables in Brookdales rusty 1960s lockers.

Don't want your four-finger ring to get ganked? Detain your valuables in Brookdale's rusty 1960's lockers.

In case you get lost...

A major renovation was completed in 2004, including an addition to the mall. This transformation was supposed to help the mall get back on its feet. The tiles and the ceilings were given a makeover to help give the mall a brighter ambiance. The renovation draw new tenants to the mall – among those were Gap, Old Navy, and Barnes & Noble – but it didn’t help. Stores continued to vacate the property.

More empty storefronts of this woebegone shopping center

Prior to its renovation, the mall did not have a food court. Restaurants were scattered all around the mall, so if you were there with a group of friends, and one person wanted Rocky Rococo, one wanted Baskin Robbins, and another wanted Subway, your group would have to branch out all around the mall.

That said, the closet Brookdale had to a food court was a Taco Bell and a frozen yogurt stand (I think it was owned by Daytons) in the middle of the mall, near the tent stores – 2+2 and Piercing Pagoda, and some stationary store) They had a few tables and chairs, but it certainly was not your traditional food court.

Brookdale boasts of having a Kohls store. As if! In reality, the Kohls store is across the street.

Brookdale boasts of having a Kohls store. As if! Time to come back from Make-Believe Land, Brookdale! In reality, the Kohls store is across the street.

Today, there is no reason to go to the Brookdale Mall, unless you have a taste for danger and like urbanwear, fake “gold” that will turn your skin green, dollar store shit, and knockoff sunglasses. You won’t even find many of your typical mall chain stores here. Many of the stores are shady local businesses lured into the mall by the cheap rent.

Fashion-forward Steve & Barry's will make your whole family look straight out of 1998

Amazingly, two of the mall’s anchors – Macy’s (formerly Dayton’s/Marshall Fields) and Sears – are still around today.

Brookdale isn’t much of a destination for shopping anymore as it is for loitering and mall walking. Early in the morning, you can see elderly people holding 1lb neon handweights walking laps around the mall. As the day goes on, Grandma leaves to go play Canasta and in come the baby mamas, teens skipping school, and hoodlums packing heat.

Nothing to see here - just your typical day at the Brookdale Mall *photo courtesy of WCCO*

The perception of crime at Brookdale is probably worse than ACTUAL crime. It stays out of the local 10pm newscasts, so I guess that’s a good thing. In recent years, the only newsworthy item from the mall was in 2005, when a tween riot broke out over some boyband no one’s ever heard of.

Helpful parking lot animals will direct you to your car

I’ve read articles of yet ANOTHER renovation coming Brookdale’s way, with perhaps a Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and an LA Fitness coming to save the day. In my opinion, Brookdale’s day in the sun has come and gone. No amount of home improvement centers or chain gyms is going to save it, so might as well tear it down and build some condos

Just outside the mall, Applebees tempts shoppers with their delicious menu of reheated entrees

A list of FORMER stores in Brookdale:
1 Potato 2
American Eagle
Arby’s
An arcade
B. Dalton:
Bachman’s: Closed 1994
Bakers Shoe Store: Closed prior to 1990
Baskin Robbins
Bath & Body Works: Opened in 1996, closed in winter 2008.
Brauns
Bridgeman’s Ice Cream
Brookdale Pet Center: Closed prior to 1990
Burger King: Closed in 1995
Carlton Cards
Champs
Contempo Casuals
Daytons/Marshall Fields
Dejaiz (young men’s clothing)
Donaldsons: Turned into a Carson Pierie Scott in 1987, then later into a Mervyn’s in 1995. Mervyn’s closed in 2004 and has remained empty since.
Duling Optical
Fanny Farmer
Foot Locker
Forever 21: Opened 2004, closed 2008
Fredelle Shoes: Closed prior to 1990
FYE
Ganger’s Hobby Store
Gantos: Closed 1991
GAP: Opened ’00s, closed 2005
Glamour Shots: Closed in 1995
Gloria Jeans Coffee Beans: This place alone gave the Brookdale Mall its distinct smell of day-old coffee
Golddiggers
Gordan’s Jewelers
Hal’s (men’s wear): Closed prior to 1990
Hallmark: Closed early ’00s
Haugland’s for Kids: Closed prior to 1990
Helzberg Diamonds
J. Riggans
Jarman Shoes
JC Penny’s: Currently a Steve & Barry’s. Went out of business in Feb. 2004
Jo-Ann Fabrics: Closed prior to 1990
Kay Bee Toys: Closed in 1995
Lady Foot Locker
Lechters Housewares
Limited: Closed Summer 2007
Maurices
Milton’s Bridal: Closed prior to 1990
Mr. Bulky: Opened around 1992/1993. Closed: ??
Musicland
National Uniform: Closed prior to 1990
Northern Reflections: Closed 2001
Old Navy: Opened ’00s. Closed 2006
Piercing Pagoda
Pinstripes Petites
Pipe Seller: Closed prior to 1990
The Record Shop
Rocky Rococo Pizza: Closed prior to 1990. It was awesome – 2 stories tall!
Sbarro: Closed in 1995
Snyders: Closed in 1991.
Stride Rite
Stuarts
Susie’s Casuals: Closed prior to 1990
The Closet
The Eye Guys
The Limited: Closed August 2007
The Wooden Bird
Things Remembered
Trade Secrets Salon
Two Plus Two
Wicks N Sticks
Wilson’s Leather
Wonderful World of Pets
Wrangler Roost

This used to be the Old Navy. Brookdale shoppers will now need to go to Maple Grove to get their Performance Fleece

This used to be the Old Navy. Brookdale shoppers will now need to go to Maple Grove to get some Performance Fleece

A few of the CURRENT stores in Brookdale:
AJ LOMAX Famous Labels
Barnes & Noble
Big Harry Deals (WTF??)
Boba Café
Champs Sports
Charlotte Russe
d.e.m.o
Footlocker
GNC
Golden Razor
Journeys
K Fashion
Macy’s
Orange Julius
Payless Shoe Source
Sears
Steve & Barry’s
T-Moblie
TwinsTown
Victoria’s Secret

ENJOY the rest of the photos!

***Updated 9.2.08: Steve & Barry’s is closing, but no word yet on an exact date. Another one bites the dust!

Inside the enterance at the Brookdale Mall

Inside the entrance at the Brookdale Mall

Wet Seal, in the former Contempo Casuals location

From a distance, this mall looks quite quaint

Lord knows what lurks down the creepy yellow hallway...

The closed Mervyn's store

Brookdale Mall: Duck & Cover

Barnes & Nobel is the busiest store at the mall

Barnes & Noble is the busiest store at the mall

Sears has been in this mall since Day 1. Now that's loyalty!

Best thing about the Brookdale Mall? There are no Dead Sea Salt people to harrass you

Best thing about the Brookdale Mall? There are no "Dead Sea Salt" people to harass you

One of these stores used to house Mr. Bulky - were you could ALWAYS find something worth getting fat over

You will not find an Abercrombie & Fitch lurking around the corner in this mall

Its no surprise that this cell phone kiosk is the busiest spot in the mall. In the background, a closed Forever 21 (Formerly MAURICES)

It's no surprise that this cell phone kiosk is the busiest spot in the mall. In the background, a Forever 21 (now closed. Formerly MAURICES) *photo courtesy of T-Mobile*

Shop at Steve & Barry's for the $8 fashions of Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Brookdale Food Court has plenty of tables, just in case.

Another view of the spacious food court

Bath & Body Works is closed, depriving Brookdale's DOZENS of shoppers of the joys of Cucumber Melon and Sun Ripened Raspberry

Victoria's Secret is one of the few national chains still left in this mall

To my surprise, TwinsTown is closed.

A labelscar of the Brookdale Mervyn's

Updated 12.15.08 – NEW PHOTO! Found this in one of my old photo albums and thought my readers would like to see this – note the slight change in the mall exterior. Sears now has a white exterior, JC Penny’s is now an empty Steve and Barry’s, and the blue & white building (an auto repair place) has since been demolished)

July, 1994 at Centerbrook Golf Course (the golfer is my brother). Brookdale Mall is in the background

UPDATE: 01.09.09: The Brookdale Macy’s is closing. No word yet on an exact date. With another anchor leaving, Brookdale Center is headed for the guillotine.

Tags: brookdale mall, Brooklyn Center, dead malls, malls, minnesota

The former Kmart location: Brooklyn Center, MN

Aug 27

Posted by dumpystripmall in Brooklyn Center | 11 Comments

Kmarts been long gone, but as Metallica would say, THE MEMORY REMAINS. For some reason, they couldnt bear to remove the rusty sign

Kmart's been long gone, but for some reason, they couldn't bear to remove the rusty sign

I don’t even think this little strip center, which is located right off of Highway 100, has or HAD a name. Back in the day, all this place housed was a Kmart and a Slumberland/Laz-E-Boy, so it really wasn’t much of a strip mall. Just a lonely Kmart with a furniture store for a neighbor.

One would never know this place was once a Kmart

We shopped at the Brooklyn Center Kmart an awful lot. More than I’d like to admit, but in my defense, we didn’t have a lot of options in the BC. We had no Target until 1986, so this was the only mass merchandiser in town. My parents purchased many Barbies, Hot Wheels, coloring books, Lego playsets, and Nintendo games for us here back in the day.

But once Target opened up in 1986, less than a mile away in the Shingle Creek Center, going to K-Mart was on a “need-to-go” basis. No longer would we spend a lazy Sunday afternoon strolling up and down the aisles looking for various doodads to buy – that’s what Target was for. Sure, Target didn’t offer bargain shoppers the thrill of getting a steal by chasing a blue strobe light down the aisles, but they didn’t need a gimmick to get the shoppers through the doors. The clean stores, nice displays, and great merchandise spoke for itself. Who needs Route 66 when you’ve got Cherokee and Honors?

So unless Kmart had an amazing deal advertised in their Sunday circular, we wouldn’t step foot in the store. We weren’t the only residents who felt that way; after Target opened, this Kmart location when downhill FAST.

The Dollar Tree is where the sleazy Kmart Auto Center once proudly stood

I-spy a delivery of more off-brand laundry detergent and shitty plastic Chinese goods!

I don’t remember when I last visited this Kmart store – it would’ve had to have been in the late ’90s because that’s when we moved out of the city. I do know that the store closed its doors in 2000 and shortly after, the entire center was remodeled and divided up to house more stores. The current Dollar Tree location is where Kmart’s sleazy auto center was located. In December 2001, Thunder Alley Speedway opened, which was an indoor go-kart place of some sort. I never had the desire to go in there. But much like the shine on a cheap pair of Kmart shoes, the novelty wore off and Thunder Alley closed sometime in 2004 (I believe). The community has been in mourning since.

Undiscouraged by the changing demographics, Slumberland Furniture remains loyal to its original Brooklyn Center location to this day

Unshaken by the changing demographics, sincere Slumberland Furniture remains loyal to its original Brooklyn Center location

Today, a Slumberland, Big Lots, and a Dollar Tree remain. Exciting stuff, no?

Tags: big box stores, Brooklyn Center, kmart, strip malls

Humboldt Square: Brooklyn Center, MN

Aug 25

Posted by dumpystripmall in Brooklyn Center | 4 Comments

Nothing says "dumpy strip mall" better than seeing housing projects in the distance

When it comes to dumpy strip malls, Humboldt Square takes the cake. It’s got it all – weedy parking lot that needs resurfacing, skid row neighbors, questionable clientele, a couple boarded up shops, a random smattering of local businesses, and about 4 different barber shops.

I didn’t snap many pictures because I wanted to get the hell out of dodge. This isn’t the safest area for a gal who’s by herself to be wandering around with an IPhone and a Coach bag, snapping pictures. Relatively speaking, of course. It isn’t like this is the south side of Chicago. After seeing a drug deal go down in broad daylight in front of Main Street Video, I knew I wasn’t getting out of the car.

This ain’t your mama’s Brooklyn Center.

After finishing up their drug deal, these upstanding citizens head into Main Street Video to rent Half Baked

After finishing up their drug deal, these upstanding citizens head into Main Street Video to rent "Next Friday"

Main Street Video was a childhood favorite. Mom would drive my siblings and I down to Humboldt Square and before she could even put the mini van in “park”, we’d be dashing into the store to see what Nintendo games were checked in. When I hit my teens, my brother and I were allowed to bike down to store and rent movies and games on our own.

Judging by the looks of this place today, I don’t think Mom would’ve let us bike there ourselves — much less pay a visit to this lovely strip mall.

And now it’s a video store AND an income tax place? Or is the business simply named “Main Street Video Income Tax”? Whatever it is, the “Income Tax” sign looks like a kindergartener cut it out of red construction paper. Either that or someone did a really bad impression of Comic Sans.

I suppose if those drug dealers get the munchies, they can head down to Scoreboard Pizza

Scoreboard Pizza was a Friday night staple in our household, but I wasn’t a fan. I would’ve rather had Little Caesar’s, Pizza Hut, or Dominos, but despite my coaxing, my parents weren’t having it. Their house, their rules = pizza from Scoreboard.

I haven’t had their pizza since mid-nineties, but I can still taste fennelicious sausage, the cardboard crust, and the greasy pools in the cheese to this day. Scoreboard’s pizzas came in a plain white pizza box that would be soaked in greasy splotches during the 5 minute commute home. I don’t even think the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would touch this shit.

We never ate inside, always did carry out. There was a reason for that too – the ambiance is a flashback to the ’70s – dark and dreary with wood paneling and dark carpeting.

Don’t mind having to use an entire roll of paper towels to sop up all the grease? Then Scoreboard Pizza is for you! In all fairness though, despite my dislike for their food, Scoreboard Pizza found a way to survive in “30 Minutes or it’s FREE!” trend in the ’80s and 90’s and is still kickin’ today. This dive joint must be doing something right.

Despite the vast amounts of competing Chinese buffets in the area, House of Hui's remains in business

House of Hui’s was another family favorite. Well, to everyone but me. Being the picky eater that was (still am…), I would throw a fit if I found out we were having House of Hui’s for dinner. Think slimy stir fry over a mountain of white rice, topped with a bucket of soy sauce. Wash it down with a stale fortune cookie as you enjoy the inevitable post-dinner coma.

Krispy Kreme couldnt stay in business in Minnesota, but the Donut Connection lives on!

Krispy Kreme couldn't stay in business in Minnesota, but the Donut Delight lives on! Then again, it's next to the Movin' On Up Church...

Here’s the other end of the strip mall. There’s a Donut Delight (they have good donuts!) and a New Horizon Child Care center (looks like it’s still in business, to my surprise). Both have been a part of Humboldt Square for as long as I can remember.

Like most of Brooklyn Center, Humboldt Square has gone downhill since the ’90s and continues to slide. It was never meant to be a high class shopping destination, but at least it was a safe place in my day. You didn’t feel intimidated by the loitering locals or fall witness to teens slanging crack.

Across the street from Humboldt Square lies more low income housing projects.

Another housing project with a carefully manicured lawn

Tags: Brooklyn Center, restaurants, strip malls

Brookdale Square: Brooklyn Center, MN

Aug 20

Posted by dumpystripmall in Brooklyn Center | 10 Comments

The Brookdale Square strip mall was built in 1981 and was a landmark to all north suburban children, as it housed a Children’s Palace toy store, complete with a castle-style roof. The warehouse-style toy store always had shelves stocked to the ceiling with Cabbage Patch dolls, 8-bit Nintendo games, Transformers, and Matchbox cars.

The former OFFICE DEPOT/Children's Palace(???). Considering this is Brooklyn Center, I'm honestly surprised this place isn't overrun with graffiti

It didn’t hold a candle to the nearby, much smaller Toys R Us store. Geoferry Giraffe claimed to have everything from bikes to trains to video games, but our hearts were with Peter Panda. He was much cuter

Paper Warehouse - now THAT's a blast from the past!

WHERE'S THE GOVERNMENT BAILOUT?

Even in its heyday, this strip mall didn’t have much to offer other than Children’s Palace, so it’s no surprise that when the toy store got of dodge in the early ’90s, it was the beginning of the end for this mall. Other tenants were Wallpapers to Go and T. Wright’s Saloon and Supper club. I don’t remember anything else. If you know of any, please let me know!

Circuit City is closed folks. Go ahead & throw away your 15-ft. long receipt. Its okay!

Circuit City is closed, folks. Go ahead & throw away your 15-ft. long receipt for that Smash Mouth CD you bought in 1997. It's okay!

I’m not quite sure if the Circuit City or Office Depot went in its place – Circuit City was in the middle of the mall with a the large roof (closed in Feb. 2005), and Office Depot (not sure when it closed) was at the end of the mall. I cannot quite remember if Children’s Palace was in the center or at the end. I want to say that Circuit City took over – but if anyone knows for sure, please let me know. Other tenants around this time were Drug Emporium (closed in the early 00’s), Blockbuster Video, USA Karate, and Weight Watchers. With flashy tenants like those, this mall was one groovy place! It even held a Hennipen County Services/DMV center for a while, in the mid ’00s – a clear sign of a mall on its last legs.

Pretty much the last remaining tenant at Brookdale Square

PepBoys and WeightWatchers were the last businesses standing. Troopers, indeed!

Today, this place is all but empty. The Pep Boys sign is still up, but the store is long gone. I couldn’t tell if the Weight Watchers was still in business or not – it looked like it was, though there were no cars at all in this deserted mall lot.

Why not tear this place down and put up a Starbucks in its place?

Why not tear this puppy down and put up a Starbucks in its place?

Sorry folks, its closed. Not sure if it was just time of day I visited or if it was permanatly closed

Sorry folks, it's closed. You'll have to find some other place to lose the Freshman 15. Not sure if it was just time of day I visited or if it was permanently closed

The outlot of Brookdale Square contained a Fuddruckers (Ruddfuckers) that closed in the early ’00s and two movie theaters, only one of which is still operating today. First, we have UA The Movies (Now “Brookdale 8″). Like the strip mall, it was also built in 1981 and was THE place to see movies for Brooklyn Park/Center residents in the ’80s and most of the ’90s.

A well-maintained Brookdale Movies sign. Over to the right, you can see the old Ruddfuckers

UA the Movies, circa early '00s

The last time I saw a movie at this place was in 1996 to see “A Very Brady Sequel.” It was a dump even back then – the place smelled like cheese and my feet stuck to the floor. Amazingly, this place is still operating today, on a bare-bones schedule (looks like only Thurs-Sun after 4PM), showing second-run and Indian (”Bollywood”) movies — a far cry from the days when, on Friday nights, the lines would be around the building just to see Jurassic Park. I’m not sure why someone would even WANT to see a movie at this place. Not even for a $1. It just looks absolutely disgusting – I haven’t been in there since 1996, but just looking at the outside of this place, I wouldn’t want to step foot in there, let alone sit in a soiled seat and eat at their “snack bar”.

: If you didn’t catch the Love Guru the first time, you can still catch this theatrical masterpiece at the Brookdale 8 Cinema

Call the hotline - you don't want to miss this week's showing of "Baby Mama", do you?

Right next door to the Brookdale 8 is the Brookdale General Cinema. Built in 1972 and closed in the early ’00s (my guess…might’ve been late ’90s). I believe this place only had 4 screens. This was considered the ugly step child of the Brooklyn Center theaters – you only went here if the movie was sold out at the other place.

I'm quite surprised this place isn't condemmed

Calling this place an "eyesore" is kind

Today, this place is some sort of religious event center. I’m not sure if it’s still in business. I hope not. I wouldn’t be surprised if this place is covered in asbestos. Ick.

My guess is that within the next few years (maybe months?) all of these places will meet the same fate as Brookdale Ford.

Tags: Brooklyn Center, movie theaters, strip malls

Kmart: Coon Rapids, MN

Aug 15

Posted by dumpystripmall in Coon Rapids | 6 Comments

A Big K and a Chuck E. Cheese still tarnish the Minnesota retail landscape well into the 21st century

There is simply no room for Kmart in today’s retail landscape. On one end, we’ve got Target. Target has become way too upscale and pretentious over the past five or ten years (but I love them anyway). Target’s gotten all haute couture on us – why, these days you can buy a $200 leather jacket at Target! Whatever happened to Honors, Pro-Spirit, and Cherokee?

On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve got Wal-Mart, where fashion knows “No Boundaries”, the floors are dirty and the merchandise is in utter disarry. But they offer cheap prices, so the masses flock to the stores.

And where does Kmart fit in? Simple answer – it doesn’t. It’s a lost relic of the days gone by. Everything in the store just screams 1985 to me, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I haven’t stepped foot in a Kmart since then, and realized that not much has changed. I half expected the electronics department to be boasting VCRs as a great new technology. The merchandise might say “2008″ but the feel of the store says otherwise. It looks like an indoor flea market.

Shoppers are nowhere to be seen inside this local Kmart

We shopped at Kmart in the 80s because we did not have a Target store in our neighborhood until 1986. After 1986, all bets were off and shopping at Kmart became a big no-no. If you came to school and mentioned that you shopped at Kmart, you’d get your ass kicked.

The Pizza Shoppe has gone dark

Restaurants were in most Kmarts and were tucked away near the back of the store. I never understood the purpose of having a restaurant inside of a discount store. Did some people plan on making an afternoon inside of the Kmart store?

My memories are spotty about little cantina in Kmart, as my parents did not let us eat there because “We have plenty of food at home!!!” Thanks to Thrifty Mom, I will forever be deprived of the childhood experience of slurping an icee while walking through the Garden Center and removing all of the flower tags from the potted plants. I do remember that the eatery had yellow vinyl seating and brown brick walls which made it very dark inside. The restaurant was usually empty, with the exception of a lone grandpa inside, gumming on a donut, just waiting for the blue light to come on.

Later, most were converted to Little Ceasers Pizza (yum. I love Little Ceasers and miss it dearly). In the Coon Rapids Kmart, they couldn’t even keep the Little Ceaser’s name. “Pizza to Go” is the name of the game and it appears to be closed.

A neighboring Chuck E. Cheese is probably the reason why the Pizza-To-Go restaurant inside is closed

The most memorable aspect of Kmart is Blue Light Special, and I don’t even think they do that anymore. I didn’t hear or see one blue light in my entire visit to the store.

Kmart used to have a cart with a tall pole with a blue police light on top. The cart would be rolled into the aisle of the blue light special, a cattle-drive style announcement would be made over the intercom, the light would spin, and shoppers would stampede over to Aisle 4 to save 25 cents on Palmolive. Today, the Blue Light is a jolly cartoon character with bulging eyes that pops up in their TV ads, but I really don’t know its purpose. I think it’s their new mascot or something.

Kmart's got balls

As a kid, the checkout was the best part about shopping at Kmart. Even with a failed attempt at getting an Icee from the restaurant, we’d behave like saints as Mom trudged through up and down the aisles, shopping for various humdrum dry goods. It was all worth it because when we were finished, Mom would roll the cart up to the cashier and my brother and I would make a mad dash to the capsule machines! If we were well-behaved, we knew the odds were pretty good that Mom would pull a quarter out of her purse and let us gamble the coin away in hopes of a new superball or a slimy hand you could whip against the wall.

Kmart’s checkout was KID HEAVEN – rows upon rows of kiddie vending machines along the walls, filled with cheap plastic doodads. Clear balls filled with bouncy superballs, Runts candy, lucky rabbits feet, plastic charm bracelets, gum, jawbreakers, wacky walkers, sweet-tarts…and only 25 cents! The teaser card would draw you in with the promise of a gold wristwatch (which would no doubt turn your skin green), but most of the time, your bounty ended up being shitty plastic spider ring.

At this particular Kmart, I only noticed a few machines, but didn’t snap a picture. Kmart downsized the vending machine lineup to about 2 machines, not nearly the wall of dime-store baubles that I grew up knowing.

The coin-operated entertainment doesn’t stop at the checkout, folks. Outside, the spectacle continues with a musical carousel and thrusting dump truck.

A dump truck is great, but where is the mechanical bull?

It’s nice to see the ride-on toys still here. I’m quite surprised to see these mechanical eyesores still around; they look like lawsuits waiting to happen.

Kids these days can still beg their parents for a 25 cent joyride in a plastic helicopter

Kids these days can still beg their parents for a 25 cent joyride in a dirty plastic helicopter

At any rate, Kmart’s ship has definitely sailed. It’s probably only a matter of time before this place closes up shop for good. On my visit to this store, I saw maybe 6 cars in the Kmart side of the parking lot, all of which were probably store employees.

Enjoy the rest of the photos!

These filthy playthings still taunt and tease kids today

Most merchandise looks like it's been here for 30 years

I think this is supposed to be the garden center

The racks are packed full of goodies, but no one is there to buy it

The racks are packed full of goodies, but no one is there to buy anything

If Payless Shoe Source isn't in your town, Kmart's your next best choice for pleather shoes

Need the latest Martha Stewart collection but can't quite afford it? Layway is always an option!

A stop sign controls the chaos outside the Kmart store

The end is nearing

Tags: big box stores, Coon Rapids

Holly Center: Fridley, MN

Aug 5

Posted by dumpystripmall in Fridley | 4 Comments

The Holly Center boasts many exciting shops!

Located in Fridley, MN off of Central Avenue, the Holly Center definitely qualifies as a dumpy strip mall.

Offering a smattering of mostly local businesses, Holly Center houses your typical shitty inner-ring suburb strip mall establishments and tries to be your one-stop shop. I guess it doesn’t do that bad of a job…after all, it has…

A tobacco store to get your smoke on. Earn those Marlboro Miles!
An auto parts place to soup up your Camero
A flower shop to show her you care
A shitty local pizza place with cardboard-style crust,a chinese restaurant & an Old Country Buffet to load up on MSG and other preservatives
A plasma center to make some cash. Why bother getting a job?
A Snap Fitness to work off your meal from Holly Center’s fine dining establishments
His & Her Salons: A Cost Cutters for the ladies to trim the mall bangs, and a barber shop for the guys to trim the mullet
and a year-round H&R Block to get the feds off your ass.

The eye-catching architecture of the Holly Center

See – it’s got it all. Except for a check cashing place and a pawn shop. Then the circle would be complete.

So many stores, so little time

Treat yourself to culinary punishment at its finest by bellying up to the Old Country Buffet.

Holly Center’s biggest draw is the Old Country Buffet, which is basically your school cafeteria masquarding as a restaurant. Love eating microwaved food that’s been sitting under heat lamps for the last 4 hours, protected only by a sneeze guard? This place is for you! OBC offers low quality cuts of meat as well as your choice over 100 appetizers, salad toppings, fruit, veggies, and more! And on Wednesday nights – visit the taco bar! If you have a taste for institutional cuisine, you’ll love the OCB. So if you ever enjoyed a meal in a hospital cafeteria or served time in prison, I guess this means you. Bon Apetit!

The Plasma Center used to be a Snyders. I made a few Beanie Baby runs here back in the day

The parking lot is a bitch to exit. If you’re trying to get back on University Avenue, THINK TWICE! Holly Center’s parking lot exits to the right, onto a one-way, meaning the only way to get back on University is to swing an illegal U-Turn, lest you want to drive all the way down to West River Road. Pray the fuzz isn’t anywhere near!

Here are a few “vintage” Holly Center items. These photos are from a Fridley 1999 50th Anniversary Celebration booklet.

A list of Holly Center businesses and shops from 1999

In the early '70s, Holly Center had a Penny's Market and a Ben Franklin

Tags: Fridley, strip malls

Brookdale Ford: Brooklyn Center, MN

Aug 5

Posted by dumpystripmall in Brooklyn Center | 3 Comments

Hurry in, NOW!

I drive on Highway 100 every day for work and noticed that a wrecking crew set up shop in the parking lot. Naturally, wanting to be a hero and preserve this place for tomorrow’s youth, I sprung into action and had to snap some photos. The dealership was closed for some time, though I’m not quite sure how long. Prior to its closing it was a general bargain lot type dealership promising EASY CREDIT APPROVAL-BAD CREDIT OKAY and LOW-LOW FINANCING WITH NO MONEY DOWN, among a lot filled with Studebaker stationwagons, Jesus Mobiles, and rusty Chevy Cavaliers.

Let Brookdale Ford help get you into your next trouble-prone car!

You’d think a bargain dealership like this would survive. This IS the red-light district of the Twin Cites area known as Brooklyn Center, and many frugal car lots make their home within the city limits. The bargain lot formerly known as Brookdale Ford just couldn’t survive for some reason. It’s not like Lexus is going to swoop in and buy up this dealership on THIS side of town. Nope. Not when the majority of your customers want to come in to “ghost ride one of the whips.”

A chain-link fence helps keep the riff-raff out

I grew up in this area, so I passed this dealership on a regular basis. When my parents were looking to buy a new mini van, we were dragged to the dealership for an afternoon of free hot dogs, balloons (for the kids), and high-pressure sales. I tried lobbying my parents to get a mini-van with wood paneling because I thought it was SO COOL. Luckily my parents had a bit more taste than I did as a 10 year old, and went with a gray mini van, sans wood paneling.

Ring the scam alarm - I dont see any deals!

Ring the scam alarm - I don't see a "huge selection"!

I bought my first car at Brookdale Ford, back in 1995 – a used, 10-year old Honda Accord with an out-of-order radio that broke down on me 3 months later.

Dude, where's my car?

A punched-out sign is a common sight in this Twin Cities suburb

Back in the day, it was just like any other car dealership. It had the same low-life playboy huckster salesmen you’d find at any dealership, pouncing on you the minute you entered the lot. Helium-filled balloons would pepper the lot, and you’d often see a giant inflatable gorilla waving in the breeze, atop of the building, beckoning the passersby to stop in and see what all the hullabaloo is about. Radio stations would have on-location promotional broadcasts at Brookdale Ford, and try to lure you down to the wild party with the promise of free bratwursts and hot dogs! The wacky DJ would give away free t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, and beer can koozies featuring the radio station’s call letters, all while playing “today’s best hits” as you shop for a new vehicle.

If Denny Hecker owned this dealership, this would've never happened.

Sadly, those days are gone. Apparently, this area is being razed to make way for a “lifestyle center” that will resemble Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove. O RLY? Lifestyle Center and Brooklyn Center are two phrases just don’t work well together. Unless this new lifestyle center is going to include a 24/7 Check Cashing place, a Family Dollar, a liquor store, and an Aldi, I don’t think it’ll be a hit. But we’ll see. I doubt Pottery Barn is stomping down the doors to become a tenant.

Your new ride awaits!

This body shop once helped THOUSANDS of Ford F150s with peeing Calvin decals get back on the road

***Updated 8.27.08 – The demolition is complete.

Brookdale Ford as it stands today.

Tags: Brooklyn Center, car dealerships

A tongue-in-cheek look at Minnesotas dead malls and other retail establishments

Archive for August, 2008

Brookdale Mall: Brooklyn Center, MN

The former Kmart location: Brooklyn Center, MN

Humboldt Square: Brooklyn Center, MN

Brookdale Square: Brooklyn Center, MN

Kmart: Coon Rapids, MN

Holly Center: Fridley, MN

Brookdale Ford: Brooklyn Center, MN

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