Check out the escalators at the Sunvalley Mall in Concord, from way back in the 70s. They’re still there, but the JC Penney sign shown in the postcard is long gone.
Groovy!
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22 comments
The escalators aren’t what I notice. I see quite a few people. Nowadays, the mall is a semi-empty teen hangout. I wouldn’t assume it will even be around in another 10 years. The anchor store chains aren’t doing well.
I havn’t been to the mall in about 5-6 years, at least. Is Penney’s gone? Or just the sign?
J.C. Penney is still there at Sunvalley. I was there this past Sunday and it was quite busy. The inventory has been reduced (due to online shoppers) , some of us still need retail therapy.
The real question is what are the manikins in front of the green backdrop???
@matt… it is difficult to tell on my small screen, but those may not be statues. I remember late 60’s early 70’s people from either a modeling school or maybe even DVC Theater program (not sure where they were from) would be at the mall and pose as manikins for long periods of time. Maybe they were just modeling the new fashions… anyway, interesting memory… anyone else remember???
I seem to remember they had fashion shows in that area, occasionally.
The mall used to be a decent place. It’s not appealing these days. Run down, dated and hood rats.
Hood rats…is that what you you call members of your community who shop at Sunvalley Mall. The newer generation doesn’t deserve to be called such disrespectful names. You are misinformed. The mall is an older establishment but we’ll managed. Dating back to when you were younger, the SV Mall was exciting for old timers. Because that’s all you had as far as retail goes. Retail stores are having a hard time competing with this modern era of online shopping. You and the rest of those who comment in the usual negative manner are part of the problem, not the solution. If you would support the local retail in your city than you would have nothing to complain about. Visit the mall again, it’s not as run down as you say it is. And look around, you will see decent members of the community who are your neighbors. Stay positive my friend.
Hood rats still exist,and still hang around the mall and still don’t spend any money,they just like the free air conditioning.
You must be one,why would anyone get offended by a 40 year old term?These are not “members of the community who shop at the Sun Valley Mall.
No Peggy, I’m speaking of the hood rat criminals that fight each other and rob the establishments in the mall. Probably the same ones who leave garbage in the parking lot and vandalize with grafitti. Round1 robbery, numerous fights in BJs, kidnapping, carjacking. These are some of the crimes that have taken place there in the past few years. Just local kids having fun, I presume.
I worked in the mall in the 80s as a teenager, and I don’t recall these types of issues. Even when the plane crashed on the roof, I did not witness any looting, as I was there when it happened. My now deceased father used to walk in the mall as part of a senior group for exercise. All I’m saying is it’s not a rosey as it once was. I don’t think this is negative, just a statement based on reality.
In the background you can see the store ANITAS…. as a little kid (probably 4 or 5) I remember going with my Mom – she loved that store and from what I recall they had a big stage as part of their interior design (kind of like a runway for shows?). Of course I was very young and it seemed like a real full size stage – probably wasn’t but it seemed that way. Also remember all the great stores and food there – Anna Millers (2 of them – one at each end!), Orange Julius, the old ice rink, old movie theater, etc. good old days…
May they RIP
One quick question for old times does anyone know if the movie 8 to 5 was filmed there. the scene when Violet and Judy go to buy a scarf for Mr. Hart’s wife where the purses where looked awfully familiar to me back then. Thanks for answers
I googled and found a website that list locations for movies… 9 to 5 was all SoCal…. You seen one Mall you seen ’em All?????
That escalator led right down to Orange Julius!
Sorry for mistakes in my last post it should read Old-timers and the Movie 9 to 5 not 8 to 5 this is the one with Jane Fonda Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin
The arcade was at the very end of the food court I believe.Across from where Burger King used to be.
Wasn’t a cookie shop also near the base of the escalator?
It was Mrs. Field’s, wasn’t it?
Recall first going to the SV mall on a blazing hot day circa 1975+/-. Remember hearing (rightly or wrongly) that SV mall at one time was the biggest mall in the country. At the time it seemed likely as I had never been to a mall before. Remember getting an Orange Julius….and it wad delicious.
Those escalators led right down to the ice rink. Monday Nights were $1 and they played Madonna’s “Borderline” and “Holiday.”
I loved getting a hot chocolate from the vending machine & watching it being made in the window.
Once the ice rink left, it was the beginning of the downward spiral for Sun Valley Mall.
I took ice skating lessons there as a little girl sad when they took out both the rink and movie theater then started taking other things for kids to do no wonder tagging went up and vandalizing started happening more and more they was nothing left for kids to do anymore now I heard they want to take down the concord skate park which is dumb because they will just start doing it somewhere they shouldn’t I was told it was because of graffiti but who cares about graffiti it’s a skate park as long as it’s not hand related it’s not that bad and it fits with the skate park look
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