Like the rest of America, Northeast Ohio saw a boom in malls and shopping centers from the 1950s to the 1970s, many of which don’t exist today. There was Severance Center, which began construction in 1962 and which was celebrated as Ohio’s first indoor shopping mall. There was Westgate, which opened as a shopping center in 1954 and was noted as Ohio’s first suburban shopping mall. Originally designed with an open-air plaza surrounded by stores, a roof was added in the late 1960s to compete with Parmatown and Great Northern. Euclid Square Mall joined the party in the late 70s. Let’s take a wayback trip through the good times.
Severance Center main concourse fountain, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectSeverance Center main concourse fountain, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Severance Center.” — photo verso. Holiday decorations at Severance Shopping Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Winkleman’s Severance Center.” — photo verso, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Kid with balloons, families and shoppers take advantage of school day off and Presidents Day to visit Severance Center.” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Ross Portaro & Sons beauty salon, Severance Center.” — photo verso, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Thom McAn Shoe Store, Severance Center.” — photo verso, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectCrowds celebrate the holidays at festively decorated Severance Shopping center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. 1964 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectFood court at Severance Shopping Center. 1964 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Sev. Ctr. Theatre line up.” — photo verso. A line of movie goers wait to buy tickets to Star Wars at Severance Shopping Center. 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Joe Harris Men’s Store Severance Center. Joe Harris & Sally Hitter.” — photo verso, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Men’s dept. in Higbee Severance Store.” — photo verso, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”First customers at Higbee’s new Severance Center store were Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kane, of 2245 Harcourt Dr., Cleveland Heights. They were served by saleswoman Mrs. Esther Harris, of 2440 Channing Rd., University Heights, shortly after the store opened at 10 this morning for a dry run preparatory to next Monday’s formal opening.” — photo verso, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Halle’s at Severence Center on its last day.” — photo verso, 1982 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectHigbee Co., Severance Center, 1963 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Empty Aisle, Severance Shopping Center.” — photo verso, 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Geranium Room, Halle’s, Severance” — photo verso, 1964 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectWestgate Mall concourse looking North towards Halle’s Department Store. ”Westgate Mall looking North.” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectInterior view of Westgate Mall main concourse.. ”North End of Westgate Mall.” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectWestgate Mall holiday display, featuring giant candy canes and miniature locomotive. 1979 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Fountain at Westgate Mall.” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Senior Citizens Dance Contest – Westgate Mall.” — photo verso, 1980 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Shrubbery’s not forgotten at enclosed Westgate Mall, as this view looking down shows.” — photo verso, 1969 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectHigbee’s new budget store, Westgate Mall, Rocky River, Ohio. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectBenefit at Westgate Shopping Center. ”Cleve Ozik Benefit at Westgate.” — photo verso, 1969 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Biggest Santa in town is this 32-foot model on the mall at Westgate. Young visitors crowd around to hear him speak and to watch him write addresses on the package in his hand.” — photo verso, 1954 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Antoinne Salon, located on upper level, Halle’s Westgate” — photo verso, 1954 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project”Site of Ohio’s Most Modern Shopping Center.” — photo verso. Westgate Shopping Center highway sign. 1954 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectEnclosed outdoor area in Westgate Shopping Center. 1958 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Richmond Mall central fountain.” — photo verso. A black tie crowd stand around the central fountain at Richmond Mall. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Mr. & Mrs. Earl Richmond, 427 Richmond Rd., Richmond Hts.”” – photo verso. The Richmonds stand inside of Richmond Mall in front of the Franklin Simon store. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Jo Ann Ragels showing jewelery and Debbie Rubenstein customer at Tammy Jewelry, Richmond Mall.” — photo verso, 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectHanover Shoes storefront and Le Petit Cafe French cafe in Richmond Mall. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Center of Richmond … Mall Richmond Hts., O. Shopping Center” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“South Concourse, with J.C. Penny’s at the end, The Richmond Mall, Richmond Rd., Richmond Hgts.” — photo verso, 1967 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Mall Area Richmond (top).” — photo verso. Customers walk around the Richmond Mall shopping area under hanging decorations. 1967 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Fountain, Richmond Mall.” — photo verso, 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectDisplay under stairway in Richmond Mall concourse. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectInterior view of Richmond Mall concourse fountain and Christmas display. 1970 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“North Concourse, Richmond Mall, with Sears at the end.” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Stores … Rich Set … Richmond Mall.” — photo verso, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Santa Claus East Mall.” — photo verso. A little girl poses with the Santa Claus of Richmond Mall’s Santa Workshop. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Mrs. Stanley Noch gets explanation on New Sears services from Sally Mainano (center) and Valla Kolman (right) fashion co-ordinator for Sears.” — photo verso. New Sears services include charm schools, sewing schools, cooking classes, and a variety of clinics. 1966 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Euclid Square Mall Euclid” —photo verso. Florsheim shoes can be seen in the background. 1980 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“The interior of Euclid Square Mall as seen through the eyes of an artist. Famed for the live plants, carpeted lounges furnished with upholstered furniture, Jacobs, Visconsi & Jacobs Co. will again produce a happy combination of aesthetics and pleasant shopping atmosphere.” — photo verso. 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Euclid Square Mall” — photo verso. 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Euclid Square Mall” — photo verso. 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Wayne Poe (left) mngr. Euclid Sq. Mall, Warren Goodwin, security chief” —photo verso. 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectChristmas display train at Parmatown Shopping Center, 1979 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectThe May Company department store in Parmatown Mall. Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“Shoppers under the new roof at Parmatown Mall Parma – Shopping Center – Parmatown” —photo verso. 1968 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectGiant popcorn ball being made at Parmatown Shopping Center. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectKonhee Joe, the porpoise at Parmatown Shopping Center. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectOutside view of Parmatown Shopping Center. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectWinkelman’s. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectPatrons watch construction outside of Parmatown mall. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectCredit: Cleveland Memory ProjectDavidson’s department store entrance. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectCasual Center department store front entrance. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectFountain in front of May Company. Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectShoe Salon, Parmatown Shopping Center Credit: Cleveland Memory Project“MILES SHOES, ANOTHER FAMOUS NAME TO BE FOUND AT PARMATOWN ” 1968 Credit: Cleveland Memory Project
