BIGMallrat | lost malls, department stores, and Bay Area retail history

There’s something uniquely nostalgic about holding a physical mall directory from a time before smartphones made wayfinding effortless. In my collection of mall memorabilia, one piece stands out: a Summer 2001 directory from Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose, California — a mall in the midst of major transformation, both architecturally and culturally. I’ve scanned both the front and back of this directory, and they tell a fascinating story about where the mall was — and where it was about to go. The front: services, smiles, and shopping hours The front side of the directory serves as a time capsule of early 2000s mall culture. It includes: Mall services: Everything from stroller rentals to gift card kiosks — all the essentials for a full day of shopping. Dining guide: Fast-casual favorites of the time, as well as some sit-down options. Think food court classics like Panda Express and Sbarro before foodie culture took over the mall scene. The Westfield Promise: A friend...

In 1988, Sunvalley Mall in Concord, California stood as a gleaming example of late 20th-century suburban retail—a boxy, two-level mall filled to the brim with department stores, specialty shops, and a distinct sense of '80s mall culture. The mall's official directory from that year is more than a guide—it’s a time capsule, capturing the final chapter of Sunvalley’s original design before its sweeping early '90s renovation. Four anchors, endless possibility Sunvalley was a powerhouse of retail, anchored by four major department stores: Macy’s Emporium-Capwell Sears JCPenney Each corner of the mall was dominated by one of these giants, drawing in a mix of shoppers—from back-to-school parents to fashion-conscious teens. Inside, over 160 specialty retailers filled the mall's two linear levels, including mall-era staples like Contempo Casuals, MerryGoRound, B. Dalton Bookseller, and Docktor Pet Center. Flat, boxy, and built for foot traffic Before the 1991...

Princeton Plaza, located at the intersection of Blossom Hill Road, Meridian Avenue, and Kooser Road in San Jose's Blossom Hill area, opened in 1963 as an open-air community shopping center. Developed by Anthony Perrucci and A. C. Morici, the mall was built on a 15-acre site and featured its first anchor, Safeway, which opened on March 13, 1963. Shortly after, Thrifty Drug Store joined the mix, and a series of smaller shops were added between the anchor stores. 1963 newspaper rendering of Princeton Plaza Shopping Center in San Jose, showcasing the full layout as originally planned. The design highlights an open-air shopping strip anchored by Safeway and Thrifty, with landscaped walkways and surface parking—typical of early suburban retail developments. With just the front portion of the center opened first, it acted as a local hub for the nearby residential community. The center’s open-air design was ideal for San Jose’s mild climate. However, Princeton Plaza was about to transform...

Downtown Salt Lake City in the 1980s had its share of landmarks, but few were as polished, bright, or utterly of their time as the ZCMI Center shopping mall. (ZCMI was pronounced “zee-see-em-aye”—each letter said out loud.) Opened in 1975 and anchored by the historic ZCMI Department Store, this two-level indoor mall was once a retail powerhouse—and in 1985, it was humming with over 60 stores. In this post, I’m sharing a scanned copy of the official 1985 ZCMI Center mall directory—a rare piece of Utah retail history and a nostalgic throwback for anyone who spent time beneath those infamous ceiling lights. Fluorescent glow and downtown flow If you ever set foot inside the ZCMI Center, you'll remember that ceiling. A vast grid of fluorescent lights bathed the entire mall in an ultra-bright, almost clinical glow—unmistakable, unforgettable, and likely seared into your memory. The combination of tan tiles, glass railings, and a second bank of lights between the first and second level...

If you lived in or visited Pleasanton, California in the early 2010s, you probably spent some time at Stoneridge Shopping Center. Back in 2013, the mall was in full swing — with major anchor stores, popular fashion retailers, and a lively food court that made it a go-to destination for shopping, dining, and socializing. Today, we’re taking a look back at the 2013 Stoneridge Mall directory— a snapshot of a retail era that many in the East Bay still remember fondly. 2013: a snapshot of Stoneridge Shopping Center In 2013, Stoneridge Mall was anchored by: Nordstrom Two Macy’s stores JCPenney Sears It featured over 160 stores across two floors, and was one of the largest malls in Alameda County. While some of those stores have since closed or changed, many locals remember 2013 as one of the mall’s busiest years. Key stores in the 2013 directory Here are just a few of the major retailers you would’ve found in Stoneridge Mall in 2013: Apple Store– always a hotspot, esp...

If you’re curious about Birdcage Walk shopping center in Citrus Heights, this deep dive into the 1989 vintage directory offers a rare glimpse at the mall’s vibrant past before its de-malling and renaming to The Marketplace at Birdcage. From anchors like Macy’s and Montgomery Ward to unique local shops and memorable features, Birdcage Walk was a beloved open-air shopping destination for the Citrus Heights community. Thanks to a preserved 1989 directory, we can take a snapshot of the center at a time when it was still thriving in its original form. Front cover of the 1989 Birdcage Walk Shopping Center directory featuring a watercolor illustration of the gazebo and pond, an alphabetical list of store tenants, and a return address section for mailing. Birdcage Walk anchors in 1989: Macy’s and Montgomery Ward In 1989, Birdcage Walk was anchored by two major department stores that drew shoppers from across the Sacramento region: Montgomery Ward on the north end of the center, which o...

Before Valley Fair became the retail powerhouse we know today, Stevens Creek Plaza played a key role in shaping Santa Clara’s shopping scene. Anchored by the iconic Emporium Stevens Creek, this open-air shopping center bridged the gap between mid-century department store glamor and the enclosed malls that would soon dominate the suburban landscape. The origins: The Emporium Stevens Creek (1957) The story begins on March 8, 1957, when The Emporium unveiled a striking three-story, 230,000-square-foot department store on a 24-acre site along Stevens Creek Boulevard in Santa Clara. Designed to serve the rapidly growing South Bay suburbs, it was the largest department store in Central California at the time. Its exterior featured off-white Zolotone panels accented by brown pilasters, giving it a clean, modernist look. While only two floors were dedicated to retail, the third housed maintenance and mechanical operations. Grand opening ad for The Emporium Stevens Creek – March 8, 1957. ...