The newest registered user is mark5
Our users have posted a total of 48862 messages in 7215 subjects
WORLD CLOCK
AZ HISTORY *Do you remember the Park Central shopping mall? Here's a look on the influence it had on the Valley *
Valley of the Sun Casual Club :: Current Events ,,Announcements , Bulletin Board , 2 Pages :: ARIZONA :: ARIZONA HISTORY
AZ HISTORY *Do you remember the Park Central shopping mall? Here's a look on the influence it had on the Valley *
SEE VIDEO
PHOENIX — Park Central Shopping City is a paradox. While it marked a major milestone in the Valley's growth, it was also the gravestone of shopping in downtown Phoenix.
City historian Steve Schumacher joined us to share how one mall reshaped a city.
The mall opened in 1957 at the corner of Central Avenue and Osborn Road. Like most of what stands in the Valley today, it was built over what used to be farmland: Central Avenue Dairy, to be precise. When Park Central opened, it hosted a then-staggering 31 different stores. As many locals can personally tell you, it was a game changer.
Up until that point, most shopping was done in downtown Phoenix, Schumacher explained. Go downtown, find parking, brave the Arizona heat as you wander from store to store -- at Park Central Shopping City it was all in one place... With free parking to boot!
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
The mall hosted local storefronts like Goldwater's, Diamond's, and a J.J. Newberry five and dime store. Eventually these companies would close their downtown locations, shifting more fully into Park Central's area.
As the Valley grew and became more reliant on cars, Park Central's location pulled commerce towards midtown and uptown Phoenix. Park Central's ease of access meant that residents could spread further outwards into the suburbs around the city. But times were changing.
Park Central couldn't keep up with more modern enclosed shopping malls. By the late 80s and early 90s, retailers were pulling out of Park Central, and the mall was emptied.
Today, the location is a mixed-use development center, housing Creighton University Health Sciences and several other businesses, but many residents still fondly look back on Park Central's glory days.
» WHEN THEY TAKE US SHOPPING
» Justice Department Finds Civil Rights Violations by Phoenix Police Department and City of Phoenix
» IN THE LOCAL NEWS...2
» IN THE LOCAL NEWS...3
Valley of the Sun Casual Club :: Current Events ,,Announcements , Bulletin Board , 2 Pages :: ARIZONA :: ARIZONA HISTORY
Yesterday at 11:51 pm by Paul
» *POPULAR CONTENTS* Valley of the SUN Official Newsletter
Yesterday at 6:45 am by Paul
» Disneyland vacation
Yesterday at 6:37 am by Paul
» WGT POETRY , QUOTES , MOMENTS , & MORE
Mon 18 Nov 2024, 9:48 am by Paul
» Word Genius Word of the day * Spindrift *
Mon 18 Nov 2024, 6:45 am by Paul
» Tales of Miurag #3 in Paperback Patreon Story in December!
Mon 18 Nov 2024, 5:33 am by Paul
» Download WhatsApp
Sun 10 Nov 2024, 5:39 am by mark5
» WORD DAILY Word of the Day: * Saponaceous *
Sat 09 Nov 2024, 8:57 am by Paul
» Word Genius Word of the day * Infracaninophile *
Thu 07 Nov 2024, 9:03 am by Paul
» THE TRUMP DUMP .....
Wed 06 Nov 2024, 4:30 am by Paul
» INTERESTING FACTS * How do astronauts vote from space? *
Tue 05 Nov 2024, 8:47 am by Paul
» WWE Crown Jewel is almost here! Don't miss the action LIVE today only on Peacock!
Sat 02 Nov 2024, 7:59 am by Paul
» NEW GUEST COUNTER
Fri 01 Nov 2024, 6:56 pm by Paul
» Merriam - Webster Word of the day * ‘Deadhead’ *
Fri 01 Nov 2024, 5:35 pm by Paul
» WWE Universe: Your Crown Jewel Broadcast Schedule has arrived!
Fri 01 Nov 2024, 1:38 pm by Paul