BIGMallrat | Retail history of Northern California

Opened in April 1977 Capitola Mall has long served the seaside communities of Capitola and Santa Cruz, California. As the only enclosed regional shopping center in Santa Cruz County, the mall played a vital role in bringing department store shopping and modern retail to the Central Coast. The mall debuted with two major anchors: Sears and Mervyn’s. In 1988, it underwent a major expansion that nearly doubled its size, adding a food court, a new JCPenney, and an expanded mix of national and local retailers. The final anchor addition, Gottschalks, opened in 1990, replacing the chain’s store in downtown Santa Cruz. Gottschalks remained in operation until July 2009, when the company went out of business. Anchor stores and shifting identities Mervyn’s was a cornerstone of Capitola Mall from day one. Its recognizable California-style signage remained in place for decades, even as the chain declined in the late 2000s. After Mervyn’s closed, the space was reoccupied by Kohl’s. For a time, tr...

Del Monte Center opened in September 1967, developed by the Dillingham Corporation with design by John Carl Warneke & Associates. The landscape was designed by Lawrence Halprin & Associates, incorporating the preservation of mature oak trees and the use of adobe brick and timber elements that reflected regional architectural references. The center is defined by its 17-foot exposed-beam overhangs and open-air courtyard configuration, which established a retail environment closely integrated with Monterey’s coastal and historic character. The distinctive 17-foot exposed-beam overhangs at Del Monte Center—built from adobe brick and redwood timbers, blending modern retail with regional heritage. A mid-century open-air retail center in Monterey The original design emphasizes shaded walkways, courtyard spaces, and landscape integration. A central fountain continues to serve as a spatial anchor within the retail layout. Since its opening, the center has undergone limited expansio...