With MGM Liquor as a neighbor, the Northtown Mall gives off that high class, puttin' on the Ritz kind of vibe.
Now that the Minnesota State Fair is over, us Minnesotans will have to wait an entire YEAR before we can see Minnesota’s best mullets, rat-tails, and muffin-tops on parade.
Don’t deny it – we all know you’re not going to the fair to oogle the riding lawnmowers or fawn over all that informerical shit in the bazaar. Quit kidding yourself; you go there for the PEOPLE WATCHING. And when the Minnesota State Fair shuts down for the season, the people-watching side show also shuts down. So how’s a people-watching afficiando supposed to get their jollies the other 50 weeks of the year? Well folks, I have the answer.
Come to the Northtown Mall.
Along with Billy Big Mouth Bass and mounted deer heads, these moving light pictures are a popular fixture in the local homes
Normally, you'd see several Camaros with flamed-out paint jobs in the parking lot. I must've visited on an off day
Serving the exquisite north suburban communities of Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Coon Rapids, and Blaine, the Northtown Mall naturally attracts some very interesting clientele. Common creatures include -
- Mulleted men in wife-beaters with a round can popping out of the back pocket of the wranglers (Chicks dig that)
- Pregnant teens
- Toby Keith fans
- Middle-aged ladies with bottle-blonde frizz, teased mall bangs standing 8 inches high, hot-pink nails, and a stained NASCAR t-shirt pushing a stroller with 5 screaming brats fighting over a bag of rapidly cooling Burger King french fries.
Burlington Coat Factory sells CLASS and STYLE to Northtown Mall shoppers
See, it’s just like the people-watching at the state fair! Only in an enclosed, climate-controlled enviroment, open year-round! What fun.
110 stores? Really? I think someone's doing a little fuzzy math here... (photo taken August, 2007)
OH NOES! (2008, Herberger's remodel)
Herberger's is coming to save the mall! And hopefully help the Northtown shoppers dress like they're from this decade)
Northtown Mall is a one-level mall, which opened in 1972 with a whopping 33 stores. It was remodeled in 1988 and, at the time, had 120 stores. Prior to this renovation, I’ve read that this mall was very dark & dreary (probably very Brookdale-esque), but I never visited this mall until 1992. I was a tween in 1992, and the best part about going to the Northtown Mall was checking out Spencer Gifts, Mr. Bulky, and Woolworth’s for their selection of “RUSS” Troll Dolls. Actually, I shouldn’t include Woolworth’s on that list – they only sold the “Treasure Troll” brand Troll Dolls, which weren’t as desirable as the Russ trolls. Anyway.
So if Brookdale is the Twin Cities’ ghetto mall, then Northtown is its trashy counterpart. I wouldn’t quite say it’s in Brookdale Center dead mall territory yet, but it has seen its better days. This isn’t a mall around which you’d plan your entire afternoon – unless you’re people-watching.
A popular smoke break hangout for Northtown Mall workers
Northtown’s anchors have seen a lot of turnaround. Here’s how some of the anchors have changed (I am going completely by memory – if you have corrections, please let me know!)
Donaldsons (closed early 90s) > Carson Piere Scott (closed early 90’s) > Mervyn’s (Closed 2004) > empty space/hallway/Banks (sealed off early 2008) > Herbergers
MainStreet (closed 1989) > Kohls (closed Summer 2004) > Burlington Coat Factory
HomeGoods (Closed 2001) > Steve & Barry’s (opened 2003)
Montgomery Wards (closed 2001) > sealed off > demolished to make way for Home Depot
Woolworth (closed early ’90s) > Best Buy
Ahoy, mateys!
Another view of old skool Northtown signage
Other former non-anchor stores in the Northtown Mall include:
Applebee’s (now moved to a location in the middle of the mall parking lot)
Petite Sophisticate
Casual Corner
First Barber Stylists
Some pet store, next to the hair salon
Mr. Bulky
Picadelly Circus Arcade
Kay Bee Toys
…I honestly can’t remember any other stores. If you know of any, please let me know!
The old Mervyn's location was converted into a mall hallway. This was sealed up in 2008 to make room for the Herbergers
Another view of the creepy hallway, July 2007
In 2006, this was a "Banks" store for a little while
Today, Northtown mall keeps chuggin’ along. In the past year, LA Fitness and Home Depot have set up shop, as well as a new Herberger’s store that’s expected to open within the month. Sure, it’s a trashy mall, but it has character, which many of the new malls simply do not have. In all honesty, it might not be the prettiest place, but it’s an okay-place to shop. It’s safe, has your typical mall offerings, and it usually isn’t terribly crowded (especially when NASCAR races are on the boob tube).
Enjoy the rest of the photos! (Photos taken August 2008)
This way to Steve & Barry's!!! Hurry, quick! Ill-fitting highwater olive green chinos are on sale! ONLY $8.98 (or less!) Supplies are limited!
Northtown Mall has a kids play area with equipment that looks like a giant piece of dog shit atop a blue bowl
Creepy mall hallways have been frightening Northtown shoppers for decades
Lockers at the mall. WTF. I suppose if all the lockers at LA Fitness are in use, you can stuff your gym bag in here
Applebee's is closed. You'll have to walk across the parking lot to get your microwaved dinner, folks
Another view of the dead Applebee's
Ladies, if you're looking to flirt with the Federline-type, pick up a man at the Northtown Best Buy! Hubba, hubba!
The Northtown Bath & Body Works still uses the old store front
Speaking of old store fronts, Express hasn't updated its signage since 1986! A rare sight indeed! "Camgainge Internationale"
This shiny blue tiled wall once housed the Picadelly Circus arcade, ripping off thousands of teens back in its heyday
At Victoria's Secret, they just don't leave you alone until they've chased you around the store a few times and forced a black shopping bag in your hand
Seduce your man by picking up some new polka dot lingerie at Victoria's Secret. That's hot.
Upon entering Victoria's Secret, a perky sales associate will chase you around the store, pestering you to apply for an Angels card
Radio Shack is still in business. I bet you could even find a VHS deck inside, if you looked hard enough!
A picturesque view of the cosmopolitan food court
Northtown's recently renovated food court
Which way to the Dollar Tree?
Nothing says "class" better than an outfit from DEB
This is where Kohls used to be.
#1 by The Old Scowl on September 21st, 2008
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Northtown (back in the day) had somewhat of a water theme. In the early 1980’s I recall two aquatic/nautical displays. One was an enormous aquarium or aquariums in the center of the main court. I have no idea of what fish were in there, but over time, it began to remind me more of a example of one of Minnesota’s small lakes, with gloomy, murky water, or algae crust on the glass. The second item was more historical. There was a showcase window type display in one of the creepy hallways that is now where Best Buy is that had a diorama of the RMS Titanic. It was at sea at night, and presumably minutes before hitting the iceberg. The thing looked to be 12 feet long, but it left long before I reached the age of figuring out dimensions of arcane sights in public places, which for a suburban Minnesotan male, would be about 11 years of age.
#2 by Drew Williams on December 15th, 2008
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I always thought Northtown was a boring turd. Being from Mounds View, Apache and Brookdale were our usual haunts when Northtown was first built in ‘72, but seeing as how it was a new mall, we gave it a try.
Long story short, didn’t go back again until 1977 and then once again in ‘80 before moving away. Three times in 35 years? I know what you’re thinking: once too much, shoulda’ skipped that ‘77 visit. Agreed.
In my opinion, Brookdale and Apache were much more attractive places in their primes than this bunghole has ever been. Should have torn this one down and saved Apache.
#3 by Mike on December 16th, 2008
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Power’s was one of the original anchors, Donaldson’s bought them… I remember Team Electronics, Schaack electronics were in several malls… you list Wilson’s Leather, but it always sounded cooler when it was “Berman’s Buckskins”… and the Titanic display was in front of one of the anchor tenants… I heard a local newscast say the model was in storage but brought out for the Titanic wreckage display at the old depot in downtown St Paul
#4 by Steve on January 9th, 2009
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The Best Buy at Northtown is one of the best ones I’ve been to. Compared to the service and knowledge of the employees at the Coon Rapids and Blaine locations, this one houses by far the best of the best. Anytime I have to go into the mall, I park in the Best Buy parking lot, so that on my way out I can check out the latest and greatest.
#5 by Beth on January 9th, 2009
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First off, I love this blog!
Secondly – the anchor you have listed as HomeGoods was actually called Homeplace – I know this because I used to work there – worst job ever!! I lasted one summer. Yuck!
Other stores that I know used to be there – Braun’s/Christopher and Banks (my mom’s favorite store), Stuarts, County Seat, B Dalton, Ragstock
Great stuff!
#6 by The Old Scowl on January 11th, 2009
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I think that many years ago (like 25 or more) there was an outparcel business that was a movie theater (4 to 6 screens) on the north or east side of Northtown.
#7 by Sentimental Expat on January 15th, 2009
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My family used to come here from Anoka all the time when I was a kid, and there was only one way to get us to behave: the threat of withholding the coveted Cheese Dog from Orange Julius. It was the only place (outside the State Fair and Valleyfair) we could find them, and that was all it took. That and one of them gigantic cookies.
If we were really good, though, theyd take us to ogle the puppies at Pet Ranch. This was, I can only imagine, a supreme sacrifice for anyone whose sense of smell was not overpowered by “puppy love”, as the place had a STANK that let you know you were getting close.
When I graduated from Anoka High School, they gave us all coupon books for Northtown, which included a free goldfish option from Pet Ranch. I tried it three times, and they all died within days. Lucky I never tried to buy a puppy.
#8 by The Swedish Meatball & The Manly Slovenian on January 18th, 2009
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I predict that Northtown will make a comeback. The Herberger’s is small, but I’d rather deal with Northtown than Riverdale or Maple-Effing-Grove. I’m surprised by what they still have lurking around inside (besides my fellow East Anoka Rednecks).
Thank you to the Old Scowl for the Titanic reminder!
#9 by Darin on January 22nd, 2009
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Cool article – Here’s a few other non-anchor stores I remember. Some might still be there for all I know, I haven’t been there in about 5 years.
20/20 Sound – independent music shop, seemed to specialize in used and bootleg CD’s – was around for most of the 90’s
Musicland, later changed to Sam Goody
Mrs. Fields
2 Hallmark stores on opposite ends of the mall, one by KB Toys, the other close to Montgomery Wards
Schmitt Music – Opened a small-scale store (around 1995?) next to what is now Burlington. Closed maybe 5 years later.
Waldenbooks
B. Dalton
Structure
Suncoast Pictures – I believe this was their first mall location anywhere (it was owned by Musicland, a Minnesota company). The concept of actually owning a movie on VHS was slightly crazy in the mid-1980’s since they were so expensive. It went on to be pretty successful.
P.S. I can’t believe that Deb store hasn’t changed since 1985, ho-ly shit
P.P.S That Picadilly Circus was awesome, somebody please revive 1980’s style arcades
#10 by Crusty Dan on January 26th, 2009
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I kind of grew up around this mall, watching it start from the Love Boat motif in the 70s, comlete with the ginormous aquarium and the tacky Woolworth’s diner next door. Captain Stubing would have been proud.
In the late 80s, they opened a food court featuring some of the worst food I’ve ever encountered. I once had some pork fried rice at the Chinese place there, where the pork was an unnatural shade of purple/pink, and it was explained to me that it was the color was from the BBQ sauce. Huh?
I do agree, what’s old is new and I could see this place making a comeback. They’ve done pretty well vs. other malls with the odd niche stores that have popped up inside over the years, so it’s possible. Anchors there can forget it, however.
#11 by Muddy289 on February 15th, 2009
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Don’t forget about the Bombay Bicycle Club Restaurant!! It was knocked down was used as a parking lot and now Applebee’s is there, I think. Anyways Bombay Bicycle Club was across the parking lot from what is now Herbergers.
Also, you can thank Gold’s Gym for attracting LA Fitness to the mall. They set up a gym in an old storefront that was across from the dollar tree. I know it was a clothing store but don’t know the name. Structure maybe?
Gold’s gym is now at the corner of hwy 65 and main street/county road 14 on the south side. There used to be a strip mall there with a rainbow foods grocery store at one end and wallgreens at the other the only other stores that I remember being there was Video Update and a pet store.
Anybody remember the name of that one? I was too young to care….
On north side of main street/county road 14 was another strip mall. It had Snyders drug store and the original Anoka County Library. Now Cub Foods is there along with the other stores in that strip mall. Anybody remember the name of that old strip mall also? Once again, I was too young to care…I’m 22 now and moved to Blaine in 1993…oh the good ol’ days, the area has changed so much I think it sucks!
#12 by Disco Studd on February 19th, 2009
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Muddy – I live down the road from the former “Northgate Mall” (that was the one with Rainbow that they knocked down.) I don’t believe the mall on the north side of 65 with Cub ever had a name (neither my wife, who grew up in the area, nor I can recall it having an official name.) I remember when the mall had an indoor corridor, with Snyders on one end and a Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx-style store called “Sylvester’s” on the other end. Snyder’s is now in a free-standing store in the parking lot of Cub. The space occupied by Sylvester’s is now home to a liquor store, and the rest of the mall was converted to “outdoor” style.
They relocated the Taco Johns, KFC, and Perkins and the old structures were knocked down to make room for a new interchange at Main & 65.
And holy crap, do I ever remember the Bombay Bicycle Club! My wife and I were there with some friends 13 or so years ago, and one of said friends had a complete meltdown after downing close to a dozen shots of Rumple Minze at the bar there. He caused such a commotion that we had to drag his ass out of there before our food arrived. I don’t think we ever set foot inside there after that! And yes, Applebees has risen from the ashes of the Bombay.
And speaking of shitty restaurants at N-Town, anyone remember Pasquale’s? One of my friends from high school became a Karaoke junkie and spent every Thursday night there for Karaoke night. Ugh that place sucked! From the decor to the food to the drinks, I wish I had more hands so I could give that place 4 thumbs down!!!
#13 by dumpystripmalls on February 19th, 2009
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Oh my gosh – I completely forgot about Pasquale’s!! (If anyone doesn’t remember, it was that sports bar-type place located in a creepy corridor, near the pet store and the North County Barbers salon). Talk about a blast from the past. I can’t believe I forgot about that place! In high school, my best friend and I would eat there every time we went to Northtown. Yes, the food was bad – their fries were ALWAYS soggy and greasy. But my friend LOVED that place for whatever reason.
For some reason, I don’t remember the Bombay Bicycle Club restaurant AT ALL. Obviously, I never ate there, but I can’t even picture the place
#14 by Disco Studd on February 19th, 2009
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I can’t believe I forgot to mention the old TGI Friday’s that used to reside next to where Home Depot sits now. They converted an old 2-story Minnesota Federal (Savings & Loan) Bank building into a Friday’s, complete with a banquet hall on the 2nd floor (which I never personally saw, but they had pictures of it inside the lobby.) The thing that I remember the most about that Friday’s is my wife and I met my mom and step-dad there for lunch on the day Paul Wellstone’s plane crashed. We were sitting in a booth right next to the bar when the news broke on the TV we were watching. Everybody in the whole place was huddling around the TV’s in complete shock. They knocked that place down ~ 3 years ago to make way for Home Depot, but the funny thing is when they re-routed the frontage road behind HD, they put in curb cuts in the same location as if they plan on putting another business there.
Pasquale’s – I remember when you ordered a pizza there, they’d bring it out on a rack with stilts on it and set a lit Sterno can underneath it. The intent was to keep your pizza warm but it just baked it to the bottom of the pan. I also remember they had a scoreboard on the wall that they salvaged from some old arena, and when they had Karaoke night, if you sucked they’d blare the scoreboard’s buzzer and kick you off the mic. My friend who thought he could sing used to butcher “Look Away” by Chicago every chance he could get at Pasquale’s (surprisingly he never got buzzed – he wasn’t horrible, but not as great as he thought he was.)
To Muddy again – I happened to drive by the “Sylvester’s Mall” today and it seems as if they finally given it a name. There’s a new monument sign next to the liquor store proclaiming “River Town Plaza.” They also added that moniker to the top of the free-standing Cub Foods sign that’s visible from Hwy 65. It must’ve gone up within the last month, as it sure wasn’t there the last time I went to Cub…
#15 by Muddy289 on February 24th, 2009
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Oh, that’s right! Sylvester’s was the name…I remember now. The only other thing that I remember at North Gate Mall is the shitty burger king that was in southern corner of the mall lot before they knocked it down. I went there once and then never again. even after they built the new one.
North Town Mall did have a movie theater in the parking lot. that’s why there’s a big empty corner in the north eastern corner of the mall parking lot. I remember that Mervyns was quite a big place too. escalators and 2 floors oh wow! fancy compared to the other stores. On the side that pasquale’s is on was there always a chicago pizza restaurant that was there? how about the buffalo wild wings?
I heard that the TGI Fridays at the mall was closed because of health code violations. who knows though….
#16 by Disco Studd on February 25th, 2009
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Yeah, who could forget the movie theater! They tore it down shortly after they put up Showplace 16 Theaters up the road at Hwy 10 & Foley Blvd. The lot sat vacant for a while, but they ultimately put up a new mini-strip mall in its place that has a Potbelly Sandwich shop, a Starbucks, a Verizon store, and a Game Stop.
Old Chicago used to be “Budget Power.” I never set foot inside Budget Power, but I believe it was a home improvement-type store. The entrance to Old Chi-town still has the remnants of the “pressure pads” from Budget Power’s antique automatic opening doors.
The building housing Buffalo Wild Wings used to be another mini-strip mall, converted into a gigantic restaurant. I remember there used to be a Fantastic Sams or some other type of franchised “salon” in said mall. They used to have an H&R Block in one of the parcels as well before they moved into Northtown, proper. I seem to remember a Mail Boxes, Etc. store there as well.
I never heard about any health code violations at Friday’s. I thought it was closed in part due to the construction of Home Depot. That and they had just built a new one up in Riverdale Crossing.
I can remember going into Carson Pirie Scott right before it became Mervyn’s. The escalators were on the very front edge of the store, and the walls surrounding the escalators looked like they hadn’t been painted since 1972. Thankfully they gutted the whole store when Target Corp. took over.
I drive by N-Town at least twice a week, but I don’t recall having setting foot inside since Kohl’s was still there (okay, not counting the time I bought a Hawaiian shirt at Steve & Barry’s last summer for Hawaiian Shirt Day at work LOL.) Now I feel like I gotta go there and walk the mall for shits & giggles just to see whether it’s thriving or not…
#17 by Muddy289 on February 25th, 2009
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Damn, there should be a history of all of the stores that came and went in in/around northtown mall. It would be a long list…
I for one think that this mall is in the begining of the end, i see it as a lame horse just waiting to be shot. just like brookdale mall, only northtown is a younger horse. They’ve attracted large stores back but I think the smaller stores will slowly be leaving. After all, apple bee’s moved out.
Look at the google maps satellite view of northtown. It was before all of the new construction was done. you can still see the outline of Montgomery Wards and TGI Fridays.
I forgot about Mervyn’s being owned by Target, heh, smooth move there! It was a failure in the south and since target headquarters were in Minnesota i would guess that there were big expectations and the store was closely watched when mervyn’s was tried at northtown. I don’t know of any other mervyn’s that were around the twin cities. Target also made a smooth move with their grocery department add-ons. They chose the cheapest refrigeration equipment out there and now it’s all falling apart.
#18 by Disco Studd on February 26th, 2009
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Ha, that’s awesome! You can even see the outline of where the Ward’s Auto Center and Bombay Bicycle club used to stand. If you zoom in close, you can see the old turquoise pyramids that used to frame the mall entrances. I looked up the aerial image using Google Earth and it said the pic is from April 2006.
Regarding Mervyn’s, I believe all of the ‘Dales had one at one time. I’m pretty sure all of the former Carson’s stores were converted (except for the one in City Center, which was converted to a Monkey Wards well before Target bought up the rest of the Carson’s.)
I think the next 10-15 years will prove to be interesting for N-Town. The “Lifestyle Centers” popping up around “New” Blaine and “New” Coon Rapids are certainly stealing both traffic and tennants away from N-Town today, leading to rumors of its demise. Its ultimate survival in the future will hinge upon how much of a ghetto Fridley, Spring Lake Park, southern Blaine, and southern Coon Rapids become. You know damn well it’ll become another Brookdale if the ghetto moves up into southern Anoka County.
#19 by Muddy289 on February 26th, 2009
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and you know the ghetto will move into southern anoka county. this area is going down hill at a steady pace. Maybe I’ll move to canada where EVERYONE likes hockey and beer, eh?
Also, I was not alive at the time but I heard one time long ago that Columbia Heights was once a nice area…..HUH?I can’t remember the last time I drove through that shit hole.
I do remember visiting an aunt’s house in North Murderapolis and that we couldn’t go to the park anymore because of the people getting arrested because of the drugs and gangs there.
I didn’t know about mervyn’s being part of other stores at one point. I did read on wikipedia that target tried to save the stores they had in the south and failed.
I thought that because Target is so special that they just pulled mervyn’s out of their asses. They can do that y’know. Say your prayers north town. your glory days are OVER!
!!!!THE SKY IS FUCKING FALLING!!!!
#20 by Your pal, Erin on March 15th, 2009
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Musicland
County Seat
KG Menswear (home of S.E.X. musk cologne & Zubas!)
Hallmark
Pearl Vision
Claire’s Boutique
Things Remembered
Suncoast Video
Kenny’s Shoes
B Dalton Bookstore
Joanne Fabric
Walgreens (with a SODA FOUNTAIN woo-hoo!)
Karmel Korn
Mrs. Field’s Cookies
Picadilly Circus
Some game & hobby shop (Chessmate, maybe?)
The art gallery across from that that sold statues
An office supply store
Schmidt Music
Maurice’s
The Kitchen Store
Foxmoor
Wilson’s Leather
#21 by Kelly on March 17th, 2009
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Don’t forget about JR Riggins. It was located on the southeast side of the mall.
#22 by Shirley on March 29th, 2009
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Erin… Woolworths had the soda fountain, not Walgreens.
And yes, TGIFridays got shut down for a health code violation. I was thinking they re-opened, but I could be mistaken.
#23 by Jon on March 29th, 2009
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I don’t think anyone mentioned Spencer’s Gifts which I think is still there. My friends and I always stopped in there if we wanted to see anything raunchy or crude humor. Good times.
#24 by Disco Studd on April 6th, 2009
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The store that sold board games (and darts) was called Games By James.
Okay, Things Remembered was (or still is) in a kiosk down the “Wards” corridor, but anybody remember the standalone booth that sold watches with the giant watch over the top of it?
Couple of other stores I remember were Herman’s Sporting Goods (which later housed Ragstock) and The Eye Guys (a booth/kiosk/whatever that was near the giant water fountain.) I bought a pair of neon-yellow Oakley Razor Blades with the Iridium lens at that place (and a matching Oakley sticker that I put on my car’s back window – WOO HOO!)
Wasn’t there also a Foot Locker there at one time? There was a Kay Bee Toys there before the chain went belly-up as well.
I’ll never forget Spencer’s. That was THE place to shop for gag gifts (as lame as they were.) I still have my cassette tape of “Forbidden Spanish” that I bought there when I was taking Spanish class in High School. Aah, good times!
Oh hell, can’t forget about Helzberg Diamonds. I’ve dropped thousands of dollars at the one in N-Town in my lifetime!
#25 by Darin on April 10th, 2009
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Disco, you get big points for remembering Herman’s Sporting Goods – I have been racking my brain trying to remember the name of that place.
Got my “Bo Knows” Nike airs there circa 1989, hells yeah.
#26 by Spaz on April 19th, 2009
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Were the fishtanks recessed into the floor, where you had to go down steps to go up to them? Cuz I vaguely remember being really young (early 1980’s) visiting a mall with these fishtanks, and couldn’t remember what mall it was, not thinking it was my own hometown N-town.
The new Herbergers seems out of place considering the locale and the economy, I had a bit of sticker shock looking through their mens clothes, I felt like I was in Edina! Classy!
It seems like the whole place will just be Dollar stores/Jewelry shops/cell phone stores-kiosks in a few years, padded out with a rotating selection of doomed small niche stores (brass crap, calender stores).
I remember the Best Buy used to be where Steve&Barry/Homeplace was and when Woolworths closed Best Buy moved into that spot.
I recall about 10 years ago DEB changed their sign from an ugly 1970’s look to an ugly 80’s look. Apparently they sell enough fugly prom dresses to stay in bizness.
Is the NASCAR crap store still open? Its near the Hot Topic of course.
Suncoast was where you went if you wanted to pay $5-10 more than you would at Best Buy (see also Musicland/Sam Goody). I think there was a creepy mini arcade in the old sam goody spot. Always empty.
Their used to be another Schmitt music store with pianos and stuff in the 80s.
And as someone who grew up there, the area is full of morbidly obese mulleted trash, and the elderly. As the generation that moved there in the 60s-70s dies off, their trailer trash spawn moves in. And Anoka county votes pretty rightwing (Michelle Bachman represents most of it) as its full of creepy homeschool folks. And also Meth. Lots of Meth.
#27 by El Basterdo! on April 23rd, 2009
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Good grief, no wonder you elect pro wrestlers, islamists and failed comic communists… Misery loves company.
#28 by amandilla on July 5th, 2009
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haha-
yeah…
deb kinda fucked up everything.
#29 by Rick on July 15th, 2009
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These comments really made me laugh. I was raised in Cooon Rapids and worked at N-Town from 1979-1984. (Montgomery Ward, Woolworth store, Woolworth Coffee Shop and The Great Hot Dog Experience) (all sucked) I moved away in ‘85 and only return to visit the parents. I remember all the stuff you guys mentioned and more. Remember how all the entrances were numbered with giant repeating numbers. I would tell my friend to pick me up at door 44444444. This door had the Titanic replica. And now I know what happened to it. Haha.
#30 by Dan on July 23rd, 2009
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This is an amazing fine! There’s such a rich history with Northtown. I’m almost 30 and I remember being in that mall when I was in a stroller! While my grandmother worked as a waitress at the Woolworth Restaurant, my mom used to manage Deb. Various other relatives growing up as teens, had jobs all over the mall.
Adding on the list…Bejeweled, and Cinema I-II-III-IV were a couple of places I remember as well.
I remember when the tv show “Puttin’ on the Hits” had a contestant audition at the mall. It was just packed! For me, the 80s were the true hey days of the mall.
There was one gameshop(once occupied by a Texas Hold Em store) that opened last year, that tried to compete with Games by James. Rumor has it, that it was operated by a corrupt former employee of Games By James. Didn’t last a year, let alone six months.
Pasquales, as yes. They had the business to keep running. Northtown trying to attract more higher class customers, just didn’t want them around anymore. It was sad to see it go.
Nowadays, the mall is now a shell of its former self. Expensive leasing and the bad economy, has lead to a number of stores boarding up. Walking along some areas of the mall, it’s like a ghost town. Hopefully well see it rise again.
#31 by Brooks Rownd on August 15th, 2009
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Around 1980 I remember they added the cramped “food court”, with two narrow hallways to get from the main mall concourses to the food court. Or maybe it was already there and it was just remodelled…I can’t quite remember? One of the hallways was lined with small shops. One of the shops was a coin store where I spent way too much money in 4th grade on old coins during the gold and silver boom. The next year I got into Dungeons & Dragons and I sold all the coins back at a huge loss to buy D&D stuff from the Waldenbooks and the good hobby store over in the West wing of the mall.
Interesting to see the old brown tile is still on the floors. I walked on those tiles 30 years ago. …and the creepy hallways, heh.
Powers was the central anchor before they were bought by Donaldson’s
#32 by TheOldScowl on August 15th, 2009
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Dan:
Thank you for mentioning the Woolworths. I have a testament to the power of store raffles to change one’s life due to that Woolworths store. It goes like this:
One Saturday morning in 1983 I answer the telephone to find someone calling for me, and it was no one I knew. It turns out that my name was picked in a raffle held that day held at the Northtown Woolworths and I was the winner of one stereo system, complete with record turntable and dual cassette decks (anyone remember those media?)! This was second prize, mind you (first was a color TV) but a stereo was good as gold to me!
I asked my mom about it, and my parents had gone to a movie up there the night before (the now-gone theater has been mentioned in the Northtown entry), and while killing time they put my sisters name and my name into the raffle box. And I lucked out it.
Before 2PM came around I was up there to claim my loot, and the stereo has faithfully served me since for over a quarter century, surviving adolescence, college, marriage, children, divorce, my sister’s stereo and it’s own obsolescence in the face of the the integrated chip, lasers, and downloading music from the “Internet”.
I continue to laugh as I pick up 99 cent LPs at the thrift stores and listen to the Captain and Tenille, Bruce Hornsby, Danny Wilson, Dexies Midnight Runners, Bad Pumpkin, and all those forgotten musicians that have gone the way of the the 1, 2, 3, and 4 hit wonders, for I can now get the albums (and cassettes) dirt cheap, AND make them sound as if Alvin and the Chipmunks are making a “I Love the 80’s” comeback album (those 33/45rpm switches bring out the imp in me).
I will have to see where it was made, because I like to listen to the music and not just look at the pretty pictures on the covers.