Explore the collection
The Mall Directory Archive preserves shopping mall directories as snapshots of retail history. Originally intended to help shoppers navigate stores and services, these directories now document how malls evolved through changing retailers, layouts, restaurants, and community life.
The collection focuses primarily on California—especially the San Francisco Bay Area—while also preserving directories from across the United States and around the world.
The archive currently contains 28 directories spanning 1957 to 2013.
California
Bayfair Mall
Published shortly after Bayfair's two-story retail concourse opened in November 1957, this directory documents the shopping center's first 22 stores alongside Macy's.
A snapshot of Bayfair Mall in San Leandro before its early-2000s renovation, when Macy's and Montgomery Ward still anchored the center.
Birdcage Walk
Step back in time when Macy's and Montgomery Ward anchored an open-air shopping mall in Citrus Heights, before a street was built through it.
Blackhawk Plaza
A look at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville—featuring its shops, restaurants, and scenic lagoon layout.
Eastridge Mall
Explore San Jose's Eastridge Mall in 2005 during a major redevelopment, featuring a complete mall map, store directory, and the transition to AMC Theatres and big-box retail.
Florin Mall
A snapshot of Florin Mall in Sacramento during its transition from a traditional regional mall to a community-focused shopping destination.
Hillsdale Mall
Explore Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo after its major 1981 expansion, including Nordstrom’s debut and a full-service map.
Napa Premium Outlets
Outlet malls were booming in 2011. Opened in 1994, Napa Premium Outlets was thriving.
San Mateo Fashion Island
Two surviving snapshots of Fashion Island’s retail life—1983 at its peak, and 1987 as vacancies and changes began to reshape the mall.
Santana Row
See the next generation of shopping centers in San Jose nine years after it opened.
Explore the 2011 directorySolano Mall
A look at Solano Mall in Fairfield when Sears was still in its first location and before Edwards Cinema was added to the upper level.
Explore the 1986 directorySomersville Towne Center
Explore Somersville Towne Center in Antioch just after Gottschalks and Mervyn's closed in 2009.
Explore the 2010 directorySouthland Mall
Discover "the new" Southland Mall in Hayward after its big 1985 remodeling, including Woolworth's, Emporium-Capwell, and Sears.
Stevens Creek Plaza
Explore Stevens Creek Plaza in Santa Clara two years after it opened as a transitional retail development during a period of rapid department store expansion.
Stoneridge Mall
Explore Stoneridge Mall directories capturing the stores, restaurants, and everyday experiences of the mall’s later years.
Sunvalley Mall
Step back and explore Sunvalley Mall in Concord on opening day and before the big makeover.
Explore the 1967 directoryExplore the 1988 directory
Sunnyvale Town Center
Discover Sunnyvale Town Center just before JCPenney arrived in 1992.
Explore the 1990 directoryTanforan Mall
Look at the Tanforan Mall in San Bruno just after its 2005 renovation that brought a huge food court and Target.
Explore the 2006 directoryVallco Mall
Explore Vallco Mall before AMC Theatres and its rebranding as Cupertino Square in 2007. Includes a mall map of the lower level, without any stores.
Explore the 2006 directoryValley Fair – Emporium-Capwell
Discover the Emporium-Capwell at the newly rebuilt Valley Fair in Santa Clara, complete with services like Ticketron, alterations, and travel bureau.
Explore the 1986 directoryValley Fair
Take a look at this 2001 mall directory, featuring a map in transition, dining options, and a peek at the upcoming changes.
Nevada
Reno, NV – Meadowood Mall
Explore Meadowood Mall before Sears and the food court arrived in 1989.
Reno, NV - Park Lane Mall
Explore Reno's first regional shopping center through a rare 1967 directory map, featuring Sears, Weinstock's, Woolworth, Joseph Magnin, and more than 50 stores during the mall's opening year.
Utah
Salt Lake City, UT - ZCMI Center
Explore the 1985 ZCMI Center mall directory—fluorescent ceiling and all.
Washington
Bellevue, WA – Factoria Square mall
A glimpse at Factoria Square mall’s 1989 directory, featuring anchors like Mervyn’s, Target, and Safeway before it became Marketplace at Factoria.
Explore the 1989 directoryCollection last updated: July 2026