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

A brief history of Northgate Mall Northgate Mall, originally known as Northgate Shopping Center, began development in 1961, when the first outer parcel stores opened in San Rafael, California. The main anchor, The Emporium, opened on June 26, 1964, followed by the center’s official grand opening celebration on March 10, 1965, featuring around 28 retail stores. Built by the Draper Companies, the open-air shopping center quickly expanded and, by the mid-1960s, had become a major retail destination for Marin County. Over the following decades, Northgate remained a local favorite, with JCPenney, The Emporium, Sears, and later Mervyn’s serving as its primary anchor tenants. The 1970s — Sears arrives and a new name During the 1970s, Northgate Shopping Center evolved into a more fully developed regional retail hub. In 1972, the mall gained a significant boost with the opening of a Sears department store, adding to its growing lineup of anchor tenants. As the decade progressed, the open-air...