How cool is this? A reader sent in this vintage photo of everyone’s favorite mall — back in the ’60s, Brookdale looked like one GROOVY, FAR OUT place:
Brookdale Center, 1962
From Dave:
“This store opened on May 17, 1962. You’ll notice the little kangaroo
(or whatever it is) sign on the parking lot light pole. The architect
who designed this mall, Victor Gruen, was big on cartoon-style signs
as a reminder for shoppers to remember where they parked their cars.”
Thanks Dave!
Dave has a blog – Pleasant Family Shopping — that has lots of old skool pictures of shopping centers and stores — check it out!
I should have new entries coming up soon, hopefully a new post tomorrow.
#1 by Tim G on August 6th, 2009
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We used to giggle everytime we parked the shiny new ‘63 Pontiac in the Camel Lot… get it, camelot?
#2 by TheOldScowl on August 8th, 2009
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Sweet pic! I think I see my Dad’s old VW Bug there in the center (was there a Brook’s Brothers in Brookdale then?). He rolled it a couple years later and got a decent insurance settlement because his friend (a good photographer with nice gear) made his head injury look ghastly. He bought another bug with it, I think, because he had one that he drove away in with my Mom on their wedding about six years later.
#3 by jayson on August 10th, 2009
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what a shame… brookdale is located in a great area. i think they should raze the whole area the old kmart etc. rebuild around the mall and make it nice again get the trast outtat there.
#4 by Josh on August 10th, 2009
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Loves it!!
#5 by briguy on August 18th, 2009
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I was just at Sears Brookdale last night, its pretty much the only thing left in the mall. I wish they’d put a Vikings stadium there, I think it would be a boost to BC revenue and help out that area. Would be alot easier to get to for the expanding northern suburbs as well. Realistically, though… I bet when Sears moves, Super Walmart comes in. They would do well in BC, and give Cub and Target some competetition.
#6 by Paul Duca on August 28th, 2009
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I came across your site and found it interesting (like Pleasant Family Shopping).
Another website I visit regularly is one with airchecks of classic Top 40 radio stations. One offering is of KDWB from October 1967, when the AM side was the place for the latest hits–and it features a spot for the opening of the Donaldson’s store at Brookdale. I’d post a link but you have to be a paid subscriber to the site to hear it. But here is a transcript (imagine lots of echo and “space-y” sound effects)
“The Innovator…Donaldson’s Brookdale. It’s here, now…a new concept in shopping magnificence–the most beautiful store you’ve ever seen”
“The Innovator…Donaldson’s Brookdale. Futuristic lighting…invisible, subtle –yet it explodes like the dawn”
“The Innovator…Donaldson’s Brookdale. Triple adjacency with parking on three sides, fronting on a plural promenade–joining four major department stores…a fusion new in the shopping world
Plus…scintillating satellites–dozens of shops, presenting wares and services of every imaginable kind”
“But the Innovator is unimaginable….Donaldson’s Brookdale. Where you arrive with amazing ease on superbly conceived highways”
“Donaldson’s Brookdale…the Innovator”
I like the jingle that can found on another KDWB aircheck from the year before…
Exciting things are happening at Donaldson’s
At Donaldson’s, a most exciting store
The friendly people there
Will show you that they care
With values that will always save you more
At Donaldson’s, a most exciting
Donaldson’s, a real inviting
Donaldson’s, a most exciting store!