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 and faux cobblestone flooring *photo courtesy of MN HistSociety*
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.
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! 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 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 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 & 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 harass you
You will not find an Abercrombie & Fitch lurking around the corner in this mall
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.
#1 by The Old Scowl on June 24, 2009 - 8:28 pm
Quote
I just remembered that there was a smoke shop right down from the Woolworth’s store back in the 1980s or up to the 1980s(across the corridor from where the Barnes and Noble is–make that WAS). I had the decor as dark paneling and brass lamps that reminds me of smoking lounges in wealthy clubs of many decades ago. It seemed classy and highbrow to a 10 year old. But I really enjoyed the smell of the different blends of tobacco that were stocked there that you could catch a whiff of when passing down the corridor. Anyone here recall the name of the place?
#2 by Ally on June 28, 2009 - 10:57 pm
Quote
I was just at Brookdale Mall today. No, I’mnot from the “glory days” of the mall…I’m 17, and visited the mall last summer when it seemed to be doing fine–Steve and Barrys, Barnes & Noble, Macy’s…still all intact, and quite a bit of traffic. My mom remembers it being quote, “the shit” when she was a kid!!
The mall was pretty empty store-wise. Here’s what I remember being open (there may have been a few more):
Sears, a tailor, a jewelry repair shop, a jewelry store, Claire’s, Champs (VERY WELL STOCKED!!!! =]), Foot Locker, Journeys, Famous Labels, Harry’s Big Deals, a personalized photo memorabilia booth, a cell phone booth, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, K-Fashion, TwinsTown, Payless, GNC, Radio Shack, an detatched Kohl’s and a few places in the Food Court. Most of the open stores are clustered around the Food Court/Sears area. I would say the mall is 50% empty =[
As I said earlier, the Champs was VERY impressive!!! It was a big store, had quite a few customers, and had a lot of products that most Champs locations don't have. They had an amazing selection, as did the Footlocker. The sales people were all extremely helpful.
The mall actually had a great atmosphere: It has a lot of skylights, so it's nice and bright. Both the interior and exterior were clean, and I'm surprised the renovation wasn't successful. If Brookdale could just acquire another anchor store (the only remaining being Sears), it may be able to get back on it's feet. Some bad luck: Steve & Barry's closing all locations, (as did Mervyn's), and Macy's cutting back big time, plus an awful economy and a bad reputation. But really, the reputation of "crime"...crime happens in every mall and public place, and people need to accept it. Immature racist idiots just blow everything out of proportion.
I'd like to see the mall get back up, but it will be difficult...more stores are closing around the country than ever before, so it'll take some great marketing and new management. The stores that were open were fairly busy, so they're doing something right to appeal to customers!!!
Best of luck to Brookdale =]
#3 by Carol on July 2, 2009 - 2:07 pm
Quote
I worked at Sears from 1978 to 1981. Growing up we went to The Brothers alot, and I ate lunch there, got their box lunch. My sister worked at Wicks n Sticks, and was actually robbed at knife point during the 70′s. I remember in 1973ish grabbing a taco at Woolworths and visiting their pet shop area, and buying several horse crafts at the Hobby Store. I remember hearing Chicago’s “If you leave me know” while walking into Casual Corner. Loved the County Seat. We ate at “Jimmy’s Lemon Tree as a family, that was on the outside perimeter near 50′s grill. I remember the under cover security wresting a shop lifter right outside the Sears mall entrance and the candy counter at Sears. I remember the LaBelles “catalog” store where like the Target store is, and of course “Uncle John’s” where Perkins is now. Best chocolate chip pancakes. Oh yes and Merle Norman cosmetics…Stuarts, Woolworths must have had a restaurant and a snack bar. The Limited. If I remember more, I’ll bring them up. It’s fun to reminisce.
#4 by The Old Scowl on July 9, 2009 - 3:09 pm
Quote
Dear Dumpy Strip Malls:
I think you should get a picture this month (July ’09) of the Brookdale Sign in the south parking lot (forgot what the animal is there)of the mall to give the audience a “before and after” look of approximately one year’s time. That sign looked pathetic in ’08. Now it just looks like a grave marker for a dead mall.
#5 by Nunya on August 8, 2009 - 7:50 pm
Quote
I had a rumor on August 7th, 2009 that the mall is going to be torn down. I have fond memories of Brookdale but will not miss what it has become in recent years. If the rumor is true, I hope Brooklyn Center does something smart with the property…probably not.
#6 by The Old Scowl on December 13, 2009 - 4:30 pm
Quote
Well, according to the Strib (12/12/09), Brookdale Center is on the auction block. The Strib’s website story is insightful, and the comments left be readers is… well about the same as it has been involving anything about Brookdale Mall over the past few years.
#7 by GamesByJames on December 20, 2009 - 1:51 pm
Quote
I have more store info for you. I used to own a game store there named Creativity Stronghold in a glass inclosed island in the Dayton’s wing in front of Wilson’s leather. We were moved three times in that mall. First we took over a spot where there was a junk jewelry store, then next to the formal ware store by the bathrooms, then the old Wicks and Sticks spot on the other end when we changed our name to Games Gallery. This was all in a span of between 1998 and 2000.
James
#8 by KarrieJ on February 17, 2010 - 4:26 pm
Quote
Went to Brookdale yesterday, and while I’m not usually a sentimental person, I can honestly say I felt a pang in my heart walking thru the sad, empty space. Sure, there were “better” places to shop while I was growing up in the early eighties, but Brookdale was everything to this very poor little girl from Osseo. The hours I spent looking at (and longing for) all the things this mall had to offer, dreaming of becoming a teen and being able to get a job there; THEN I could afford those Guess jeans and Generra sweatshirt! Now, if there was anything left to buy at this mall… I wouldn’t. SO sad…
#9 by KarrieJ on February 17, 2010 - 4:30 pm
Quote
BTW; Thank you for reminding us all of Two+Two (crazy color cosmetics, and getting my ears pierced for the 1st time!), Wicks N’ Sticks (unicorn-shaped candle, anyone?) and all the other stores that no longer exist anywhere today.
#10 by CR on February 27, 2010 - 11:27 pm
Quote
Was just there today 2/27/10. Have not been there for about 11 years. It was so sad it left me with a really sick feeling. The renovation was so nice and it appears “they” tried so hard. Payless people and Charlotte Ruesse (sp?) people were soooo nice. They explained that as stores left none were allowed to come in due to the uncertainty of ownership. Only one place left in the food court. All non corporate owned stores got eviction notices today. I dont think they should close this place since a lot of it looks brand new. Very very sad :<(
#11 by punkie on March 24, 2010 - 8:03 pm
Quote
you forgot Hot Topic as a former store.
#12 by ghettogirl on April 5, 2010 - 2:18 pm
Quote
Wasn’t there a B.Dalton??? I think I remember buying the latest Baby Sitters Club, Sweet Valley Twins, and Sleepover Club books there!
#13 by Laggard on April 16, 2010 - 4:29 pm
Quote
Brookdale is done. Sold in a sherifs acution in February. A Walmart is rumored.
#14 by Joe on April 20, 2010 - 3:10 pm
Quote
Brookdale fountain. The water travaled down the strands suspended from the ceiling. Kind of like those tacky lamps with the statue in the middle that everone seemed to have in there living rooms.
#15 by Todd on April 24, 2010 - 1:40 am
Quote
I enjoyed your site. Thank you all for the flash back. I have been thinking about all the memories that popped back up from decades ago and decided to come back and share. As all the rest who have commented before, is was a blast from the past. My mother started work at Dayton’s when the mall opened. Does anyone remember the candy stand next to the escalators in Dayton’s? A quarter would buy a white paper bag of red Swedish Berries candy. I remember as a kid her taking me and my sister to the Christmas displays and at Easter time the kid rides they use to set up. The rides were the ones with the cars that went around in circles under the multi-colored umbrellas. They were next to the Sears store. Also at Easter, they set up chicken and duck pens and filled them with new just hatched birds to pet and hold. I also remember the large bird cage next to the JCPennys. One year, the Chevy dealership (Iten Chev) drove several 1971 Nova’s into the mall. They then let the kids paint them with watercolor paint. My friend and I once were in Donoldson’s near the back door to the Woolworths (which was in the middle of the Donoldsons). We stood very still next the clothes display manikins. One time, a lady was looking at my jacket and I startled her half to death when I moved. (Simple pleasures) When I was older and could get to the mall on my own, it was a fun hang out with my friends. My favorite store was Gager’s. I went to the elementary school across Brooklyn Blvd by the old Red Owl grocery store (North Port Elementry) for a couple of years. It was fun to go to the mall after school. I later worked at Dayton’s one year as extra Christmas rush help in 1980. (Was that really 30 year ago!)
My teenage kids have a hard time understanding how this could have been fun. This was a time before computers, internet shopping, ipods, DVD’s, CD’s, and home video games. (In other words, we did not know better) The arcade pinball games cost a quarter each game which was worth a lot to a kid in the 70′s. So I played a few but mainly watched everyone else play. I can’t remember the name of the Arcade next to the Brothers restaurant and David’s shoe store??
There was nothing at all in Maple Grove then. Brooklyin Blvd was a two lane stop sign road that went through the gravel pits and crossed “county road” 18. I was not until you got to Villiage North shoping center that it was 4 lane. (“Into Town”) I left Minnesota in 1982 and went into the Air Force. I have not been back to Village North or Brookdale since.
I guess I am not surprised to read what has happened, but am sad to see that the area has changed. I guess what was fun and new in the 1960′s and 70 does not have the same appeal to the new crowd today.
All good things………..
#16 by NOMIWill on April 28, 2010 - 12:14 am
Quote
As of the end of business April 26th, 2010, Brookdale Center is now closed. Sear’s and Kohl’s (both own their buildings and land underneath) will be staying open.
http://wcco.com/local/brookdale.center.film.2.1660037.html
#17 by daledweller on April 29, 2010 - 1:25 am
Quote
I grew up a few blocks away and remember the wonder when it opened. We did a lot of shopping there and yes, we hung out some, not like the mall rats today. I even participated in school “shows” there, Christmas pageants and the like. Like the rest of Brooklyn Center, it was pleasant. Brooklyn Center became a city and the politicos wanted in the worst way for it to be a “big” city. Big apartment complexes, a fortress like Civic Center, all the liberal elite ideas. I left in the mid 80′s because it became just like the big city. Now they have the fruition of their dreams. In the 60′s kids could walk there without a care. The last time I went by the old neighborhood and stopped at Brookdale, I would have only been comfortable with a concealed weapon, in the daylight.. These are the big thinkers and planners that vilify suburban sprawl. The area didn’t fall apart, it was destroyed. The planners should be held accountable.
#18 by K. Beel on May 6, 2010 - 10:31 am
Quote
May 6, 2010
Brookdale is ancient history. It’s time to take obsolete news off the internet.
Who cares anymore; it is really boring. Let’s move forward and communicate “GOOD THINGS TO BE!”
#19 by TheOldScowl on June 13, 2010 - 10:03 pm
Quote
An update on a sighting of a previous tenant of Brookdale’s that is reborn: Along Bass Lake Road in Crystal and just east of AxeMan Surplus (in a strip mall) is a Twinstown store. I have not gone in, but I can’t think that anyone would appropriate the name for any item other then urban apparel.
#20 by it's dead, it's dead on June 19, 2010 - 11:50 pm
Quote
It’s gone, it’s all gone, goodbye brookdale. when i go to sears in brooklyn center, i always carry my sidearm with me just in case some gangsta wannabe thugs come at me with their stolen semi-automatic rifles. then i say “boom!” and away they go. i make b****es fly!!
#21 by Bonehead on June 26, 2010 - 8:14 pm
Quote
You forgot to mention Berman Buckskin, Brother’s Deli, Razor’s Court, and County Seat, just to name a few. Also, the hobby shop was Gagers, not “Gangers” – do your homework. I bought each and every one of my AFX cars at that place.
#22 by Bonehead on June 26, 2010 - 8:27 pm
Quote
Was it “Tabacconeer”?
#23 by TheOldScowl on June 27, 2010 - 8:29 pm
Quote
Bonehead:
“Tabacconeer” sounds good to me.