Today marks another in a series of retail golden
anniversaries in a year already full of them. While less renowned than the
others we’ve talked about here in recent months, it’s the one closest to my
heart. Fifty years ago today, Randhurst Center, the “pinwheel on the prairie”
to cite one nickname from its early days, opened in Mount Prospect, Illinois, about
20 miles northwest of Chicago.
I’ve written about Randhurst several times on this site in
the last few years, and there’s not much I can add to that. We started with a historical overview of Randhurst on the eve of its massive redevelopment, looked at the
wondrous Randhurst Christmas seasons from the 1960’s, and introduced the
Randhurst book - a comprehensive, entertaining and copiously illustrated
history of the mall from then to now. As
mentioned, I contributed some research and had the honor of writing the
foreword to the book. It was a great experience and I learned many things, not
the least of which was how to spell “foreword”.
But just look at these photos. Taken right at the time of
Randhurst’s opening, they are among the relatively few formal publicity photos
(many snapshots and slides exist) of the shopping center ever made.
Of course they show the place in its pristine state, but setting
that aside, many of us would still find it hard not to compare the classic Randhurst
(and the other great malls of the past) with what we frequently see today. Take
the anchor stores’ inside entrances, for example – contrast today’s “one style
fits all” signage on whitish or rustish or grayish marble tile backgrounds with
the exquisite variety of old. The prominent columns and filigreed second-level
openings of Wieboldt’s. The handsome brick and globe lights of The Fair, which
remained through much of the Montgomery Ward era. Carson Pirie Scott’s (not pictured here,
unfortunately, but viewable on earlier posts) stunning blue tile with antique
gold signage.
Then there are the kiosks – no tacky stands, no pushy
salespeople hawking vitamin supplements or cell phone covers (granted, there
wasn’t a 60’s equivalent for those), or toy airplanes flying into your face. Instead they were quaint, low key and
beautifully designed, reflecting architect Victor Gruen’s European
sensibilities.
Even the amusements for children are vastly different. Where
today outdoor playground or Little Tikes equipment and rubberized floors are
the norm, once upon a time we played on cement-sculpted animals. On polished
granite bases. On top of a cement floor. Yes, friends, the insurance industry
would love that today.
And now, at Randhurst and a number of other malls across the
country, the mall “core” itself is disappearing. Outdoor walkways and parking
spaces have replaced the seating coves and fountains of the past. One thing
that really strikes me about “lifestyle centers” is the acoustical difference.
The echoes, the dull rumble of even a small crowd at the good ol’ mall, is
disappearing. Now they sound like…parking lots. (For those of you who tend to
stay a step ahead of me, I’ll spare you the expected Joni Mitchell
paraphrases.)
But forget all of that for now, this is a milestone worth
celebrating! And in light of that I’m going to do something completely new
here. Yes, friends, we’re having a contest! In observance of the 50th anniversary of Randhurst and the somewhat less important 5th anniversary of Pleasant Family Shopping, I will be giving away, by random
drawing, 5 copies of Randhurst: Suburban Chicago’s Grandest Shopping Center, written
by Greg Peerbolte of the Mount Prospect Historical Society and published by The
History Press. The book contains a free foreword by me, and was voted one of
the Ten Best Books Ever*.
What do you have to do? Well, it’s simple! Just leave a
(hopefully tasteful as always) comment on this post, with a way for me to
identify you on the winners’ list. “A way to identify” means something other
than Anonymous (one of my most loyal commenters), and can be your real name, an
assumed name, you Army serial number, checking account number and pin, whatever
you’re comfortable with!
On Saturday, August 25th, each name will be
written on an appropriate piece of paper, placed into an enclosure of some
sort, and five names will be drawn at random. I will publish the winners’ names (or whatever you
use) on the site that evening, and winners will need to contact me with their
address info. It’s that easy! Don’t delay - enter today!
NOTE: No purchase necessary, but of course we always
appreciate such things. This offer is void where prohibited, taxed or generally
frowned upon. One entry per person, please. Odds of winning are somewhere
between 100,000,000 and 10 to 1. Many will enter (I hope), only five will win.
This contest is not open to employees of the Mount Prospect Historical Society
or their families (like I’m gonna know) or employee (singular) of Pleasant
Family Shopping and my family (except my Uncle Louie, who wouldn’t read the
#@&$ thing if I paid him, so I’m okay there). E Pluribus Unum, Annuit cœptis, Quid - Me Vexari? and all
other conditions apply. Thankyouverymuch,
you’re a beautiful audience.
* on the subject of Mount Prospect area shopping malls.
