6 historical photos of Tucson shopping centers
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Elvia Verdugo
Digital Features Reporter
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These photos were recently featured in the Star's Tucson Time Machine newsletter, which highlights Tucson's history through snapshots of people, places, and events.Β
Here's a taste of the free weekly newsletter that you canΒ subscribe to here.
This week's Tucson Time Machine newsletter features historical photos of local shopping centers from the 1950s, 1960s and 1980s. These photos show just a few of the shopping centers from around the city.Β
What shopping center was your favorite?
(P.S. A Tucson Time Machine newsletter including historical photos of department stores is coming soon, too!)
This photo shows the Amphi Plaza Shopping Center located atΒ North First Avenue and East Fort Lowell RoadΒ on Dec. 4, 1957. The shopping center featured a Jarrold drug store, Goldwyn's, Goodman's, McLellan's, Wilson's furniture store and a Southern Arizona Bank.
This photo from April 7, 1960, shows thousands attending the formal opening of the new $2 million Campbell Plaza Shopping Center at the northeast corner of North Campbell Avenue and East Glenn Street.
Originally, the parking facilities were designed to handle 850 vehicles but it was overflowing for the event. The plaza was situated on 18 acres and had 18 tenants.
Which shops can you spot in this photo?
TG&Y opened its 216th store in the new addition to the Monterey Village Shopping Center on East Speedway and North Wilmot Road in Tucson in November 1960.
The store featured one of "the biggest selections of family goods in Tucson," according to a Tucson Citizen article.
The new S.S. Kresge Store at the Oxford Plaza Shopping Center on East 22nd Street near South Wilmot Road was one of several new businesses in the area in October 1961.
S.S. Kresge stores were renamed Kmart in 1977.
Shoppers check out the new shopping center at South 12th Avenue and West Ajo Way on July 5, 1968.
The center featured a Safeway grocery store and a Walgreens drug store.
Plus, check out all of the sweet rides in the parking lot!
This photo shows the Broadway Village Shopping Center on East Broadway at South Country Club Road in Tucson in 1980.Β
The shopping center use to have a gift shop, floral shop and a clothing shop. Now, the shopping center features a salon, boutique and plenty of food options including Sushi Garden, Barrio Bread and Bisbee Breakfast Club.
What was your favorite shopping center in Tucson? Let us know at timemachine@tucson.com.
Elvia Verdugo
Digital Features Reporter
