And finally... The Broadway in the Whittwood Center in Whittier, CA; Kodacolor photo dated May 1961. The store opened in February of that year: @Chrisbcritter Hello, One of the largest chain of department stores was the Broadway group. They had top quality stuff for everyone and every budget. They were a step above stores, like Sears and Penney’s. But, like most other big box stores like May Company and Bullocks, the merchandise was comparable. These stores were usually the main attraction of the outdoor shopping centers from the late 60s to the current times. The outdoor shopping centers had almost everything for shoppers. The big end of the row of shops were the big multiple level stores. If by chance the outdoor shopping center was large enough, the May Company or Bullock’s stores took up one end(s) of the mall. The other (middle T section) was Broadway. And in between the two major stores were Penney’s or the one group not on the ends of the long walkway. Perhaps a Bullock’s Store if the May Company took the favorite “end” locations. Some times, they became stand alone stores in a mini mall near the big outdoor malls. The larger of the company store, the more shoppers it brought to the bargaining table at the new construction outdoor malls that were being built in the late 60s through the 70s. Throw in a large Sears Company Store and now there is nowhere else anyone wants to go to shop for anything. Including furniture, tools, and the ever present, Automotive building with plenty of working stalls. The Sears Automotives stores were usually filled with the sedans of their times… We had one of the largest Broadway Stores near our college campus and later, we used it often for necessary household items. This store did not have auto parts/tools section like the big Sears Store a mile away. Jnaki From the time those outdoor large mall shopping centers rose in So Cal, we used them for a one stop shopping adventure. Yes, the smaller shops catered to individual tastes and then the larger multiple story shops had massive quantities of everything to try and lure those shoppers from the custom small shops. We have had one of our oldest pieces of furniture 40 years old glass dining table+ glass trestle bases we bought new from the old Broadway store in Laguna Hills. It has survived several household moves and is still scratch free. It just seems to fit in any décor. Back then, since our son’s play table was a solid oak trestle table with matching benches, it was as sturdy for toddler safety. But, as we remodeled that old house and our son was older, a glass table and glass trestle bases were now in place. The sturdy solid oak trestle table now lives in Carlsbad with a another younger family + kids. Now, that old Broadway at one end, Sears at the other end mall is in its destruction phase, it will be repurposed to come back around as something new. More shops and supposedly affordable living apartments… YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
