Town Center Corte Madera, originally known as Corte Madera Center, officially opened its doors on July 17, 1958, bringing the suburban shopping boom to Marin County. Just a few months later, JC Penney joined the growing lineup, followed by Montgomery Ward, which opened on March 16, 1960.
Like many mid-century shopping centers across the Bay Area, Corte Madera Center arrived with ambition and architectural flair. Designed for easy access just off U.S. Route 101, it featured large department stores alongside specialty retailers, a format that would become a standard in American retail.
Today, Town Center Corte Madera stands as a revitalized open-air shopping hub, blending its historic roots with modern lifestyle and community-focused retail.
A vintage look at Town Center Corte Madera
One of the best glimpses we have of the center’s early years is a 1960s postcard, most likely taken not long after Montgomery Ward arrived. The scene is carefully staged—photographer Mike Roberts, known for his iconic mall postcards, ensured Mount Tamalpais and the rolling hills of Marin were front and center.
The postcard’s back reads:
"Corte Madera Center, Marin County, California. This extensive Shopping Area (too big for a single picture) of large stores and specialty shops is easily accessible and adjoins U.S. #101."
And while the photo feels natural, there’s some unmistakable colorization magic at play—Woolworth’s and Thrifty glow a little too brightly to be real. Still, for anyone who remembers Thrifty’s legendary 15¢ ice cream cones, we’ll allow a little photographic exaggeration.
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| A vintage postcard view of Corte Madera Center in the early 1960s, with Mt. Tamalpais in the background and colorized storefronts of Woolworth’s and Thrifty taking center stage. |
Looking ahead
Though the center went through multiple evolutions—now known as Town Center Corte Madera—it still holds a unique place in Marin's retail history. A significant remodel in the mid-2000s revitalized the property, bringing in new tenants and fresh architectural elements. Today, it’s once again the focus of attention with the arrival of Barnes & Noble, sparking local debate due to its proximity to beloved independent bookseller Book Passage.
While the name may have changed, the story of Corte Madera Center reflects the changing tides of retail—from mid-century optimism to modern-day competition. And for many longtime residents, the memories of striped awnings, glowing signage, and those first department store visits remain as vivid as ever.
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Comments
Penneys was not the only anchor. Montgomery Ward took up the west side of the mall in a building that is mostly Safeway now. So you had Penneys, Wards, Woolworths, Grants, Thrifty....IN MARIN COUNTY? I tell you, if any Bay Area mall has done a complete 180 in its format, it's this one.
But it didn't happen overnight. If I recall, this mall struggled a bit after it was remodeled, probably due to The Village across 101. In fact, I think they had a Goodwill store there for awhile, possibly in the old Penney building which is now Container Store.
I believe the Corte Madera Penneys(along with Alameda and Daly City)were the first Bay Area stores in a traditional mall setting, though there were others before that in strip center formats. I'm also certain they were the last Bay Area stores built that just sold apparel and soft goods.
The Corte Madera JC Penney would add a second floor in the 80's and double its size, but even after that it was still not considered a "full-line" store.
The shift in shopping center design has become profound -- to the point where entire small "downtowns" or similarly themed shopping areas are being recreated for shopping in, (some refer to them as "lifestyle centers"). Ironically, places like Irvine Spectrum and Victoria Gardens are still significantly detached from the surrounding areas a traditional shopping district would connect with. In stead of the Taumbman-style super regional mall in a sea of parking, one now has a quaint shopping district in a sea of parking.