Crestwood Mall 1986
That may seem simple to most people, but to us, it was a big event. The mall had a Woolworth's inside it, having been swallowed by the mall in a then-recent remodeling. After having spent the day wandering the mall visiting the usual stores like B. Dalton's, Walden Books, Radio Shack and K.B.Toys while my mother and sisters shopped the anchor stores Sears, Famous Barr and Stix, Baer & Fuller, lunchtime would find us in the Woolworth's cafe.
Given the season, the special of the day was always the turkey platter. Let's face it, it was turkey loaf, but having any turkey outside of Thanksgiving was a treat for me. And it came with all the pre-made fixings: mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
This coffee shop looks a lot like our Woolworth's cafe did.
This cashier's pin worn sometime in the '70's is a reminder of those times. To me, Woolworth's really was The Christmas Headquarters.
Woolworth's was dissolved in 1994, either closed or sold and converted to other stores.
Crestwood Mall closed in 2013 and was demolished in 2017.
The site of Crestwood Mall 2018
Great memories. We had a Woolworth's in a mall near us, and shopping it at Christmas was just so much a part of the season. And they had a dining space next door, that even had a connecting door from the store, so you didn't have to go back into the mall. Thought that was so cool.
ReplyDeleteThat's how ours was. Just a dividing half wall between the store and the cafe. There were 2 floors to the store.
DeleteAs a young child I remember my mother taking me to an in-store restaurant, I think it was in Sears. I barely remember it, although that picture is somewhat reminiscent. Never found the restaurant when I was older, so I assume it was removed at some point. Now Sears is gone altogether.
ReplyDeleteGotcha. In my neck of the woods twas a Walgreens restaurant. Thought their open faced Turkey sammy with mashed potatoes was 4 star dining. Looking back now was most likely a few banquet meals warmed up
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the memory, Gamer. I recall a Walgreens with a lunch counter in downtown St. Louis as well, but I never ate there. Hmmm. Banquet meals. That's a thought. Maybe we can recreate our lunchtime memories...nah.
DeleteOh how I miss Woolworth's ours never left the downtown to join the ranks of Mall walkers.
ReplyDelete