Did you know Evergreen Plaza was once considered the first modern mall in America? Stand here with me and let’s journey back to 1952. Picture this open-air shopping paradise a sprawling 500000 square feet of retail heaven. Anchored by giants like The Fair and Carson Pirie Scott it set a new standard for suburban shopping. Evergreen Plaza wasn’t just a place to buy things it was a community hub. Families strolled its walkways children played while parents shopped. The Jewel supermarket even boasted a conveyor belt carrying groceries to waiting cars a marvel of its time.
Evergreen Plaza’s success wasn’t accidental. It was the brainchild of Arthur Rubloff a visionary developer also known for coining the phrase “Magnificent Mile”. He secured funding from the Walgreen family a testament to the plaza’s potential. The mall underwent a major expansion in 1961 adding a south wing a movie theater and a parking garage. It was enclosed in 1966 transforming into the indoor shopping haven many remember.
The Plaza wasn’t immune to the changing tides of retail. Montgomery Ward replaced The Fair in 1964. Circuit City arrived in the 1990s. But the late 2000s brought challenges. Office Depot and Walgreens closed their doors. Smaller stores followed suit. The once bustling mall faced closure in 2013. After 61 years of serving the community Evergreen Plaza closed its doors for the last time.
But the story doesn’t end there. Demolition was planned but the building remained. New proposals emerged promising a revitalized outdoor shopping center. The remnants of the old Plaza still stood for a while. Carson’s briefly reopened but ultimately closed again. Eventually a new Macy’s opened in its place. The Evergreen Plaza story is a reminder of retail’s evolution its successes and challenges. It’s a story of community memories and reinvention. It’s a story that continues to unfold even today.