Today marks another in a series of retail goldenanniversaries in a year already full of them. While less renowned than theothers we’ve talked about here in recent months, it’s the one closest to myheart. Fifty years ago today, Randhurst Center, the “pinwheel on the prairie”to cite one nickname from its early days, opened in Mount Prospect, Illinois, about20 miles northwest of Chicago.I’ve written about Randhurst several times on this site inthe 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 thewondrous Randhurst Christmas seasons from the 1960’s, and introduced theRandhurst book - a comprehensive, entertaining and copiously illustratedhistory of the mall from then to now. Asmentioned, I contributed some research and had the honor of writing theforeword to the book. It was a great experience and I learned many things, notthe least of which was how to spell “foreword”. But just look at these photos. Taken right at the time ofRandhurst’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 settingthat 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. Takethe anchor stores’ inside entrances, for example – contrast today’s “one stylefits all” signage on whitish or rustish or grayish marble tile backgrounds withthe exquisite variety of old. The prominent columns and filigreed second-levelopenings of Wieboldt’s. The handsome brick and globe lights of The Fair, whichremained through much of the Montgomery Ward era. Carson Pirie Scott’s (not pictured here,unfortunately, but viewable on earlier posts) stunning blue tile with antiquegold signage.
Then there are the kiosks – no tacky stands, no pushysalespeople hawking vitamin supplements or cell phone covers (granted, therewasn’t a 60’s equivalent for those), or toy airplanes flying into your face. Instead they were quaint, low key andbeautifully designed, reflecting architect Victor Gruen’s Europeansensibilities. Even the amusements for children are vastly different. Wheretoday outdoor playground or Little Tikes equipment and rubberized floors arethe norm, once upon a time we played on cement-sculpted animals. On polishedgranite bases. On top of a cement floor. Yes, friends, the insurance industrywould love that today.
And now, at Randhurst and a number of other malls across thecountry, the mall “core” itself is disappearing. Outdoor walkways and parkingspaces have replaced the seating coves and fountains of the past. One thingthat 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, isdisappearing. Now they sound like…parking lots. (For those of you who tend tostay a step ahead of me, I’ll spare you the expected Joni Mitchellparaphrases.)
But forget all of that for now, this is a milestone worthcelebrating! And in light of that I’m going to do something completely newhere. 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 randomdrawing, 5 copies of Randhurst: Suburban Chicago’s Grandest Shopping Center, writtenby Greg Peerbolte of the Mount Prospect Historical Society and published by TheHistory Press. The book contains a free foreword by me, and was voted one ofthe 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 toidentify you on the winners’ list. “A way to identify” means something otherthan Anonymous (one of my most loyal commenters), and can be your real name, anassumed name, you Army serial number, checking account number and pin, whateveryou’re comfortable with!
On Saturday, August 25th, each name will bewritten on an appropriate piece of paper, placed into an enclosure of somesort, and five names will be drawn at random. I will publish the winners’ names (or whatever youuse) on the site that evening, and winners will need to contact me with theiraddress info. It’s that easy! Don’t delay - enter today! NOTE: No purchase necessary, but of course we alwaysappreciate such things. This offer is void where prohibited, taxed or generallyfrowned upon. One entry per person, please. Odds of winning are somewherebetween 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 Societyor their families (like I’m gonna know) or employee (singular) of PleasantFamily 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 cÅ“ptis, Quid - Me Vexari? and allother conditions apply. Thankyouverymuch,you’re a beautiful audience.
* on the subject of Mount Prospect area shopping malls.
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