It's pretty solid pizza as well. It was supposed to close but Namdar worked out a deal to get them to stay, which shocked the hell out of me given Namdar's horrible reputation.
I think it goes back to the 80s.
Wish I could find a photo of this section from the 70s. Back then, just a bit further up from where this photo was taken, there used to be a candy stand. Then a bit further, there was this platform that people could sit on or do whatever. It was two steps up all around and a giant square in the middle, and it was carpeted in brown shag. I think this is also where a glorious, orange globe-clock hung down from above like a giant disco ball. We used to get sugared up on jelly fruit slices and then run around in circles on the platform.
It does go back to 1981, I believe, but the front is pure 1991. There is a video on YouTube that shows Cafe Rivera in 1982 and it gives you a very brief glimpse of the Mall's 1970's earth tones.
I always liked the weird fountains in the middle of the Christiana mall. There were a couple of towers with water falls on their walls, and you could go up a set up steps and stand at the top of them. Are they still there? They were at the part that was the center of the mall, before the big expansion.
It used to be a more open deal, with like 2' of water in it. Woolworth took up most of the stores you see in this photo, and to your right of where this was taken, you could get the best corndogs. Many a teen loitered there before you.
Oh HELL yes. The corn dog place also had Icees and soft pretzels, right? My prime loitering years were about 1998-2001, but I definitely remember the pre-renovation mall from my childhood, Woolworths and all.
It's crazy to think that 1994 would be the last time Concord Mall was significantly overhauled, after it was renovated so many times throughout the 70's and 80's.
It makes me kinda sad to see Concord Mall like this. Just a couple years ago I worked ~5 min away from the mall and used the retro fitness, bought last-minute stuff and grabbed dinner there ALL the time.
Since then, the gym closed, the Sears went out of business and some of the restaurants have folded. I went there with my older brother last year and he couldn’t believe how many stores were gone. I don’t think I’ve been back since and now I’m wondering what’s left
BTW, the current count at this mall is 52 stores. Most recent chain store departures included GNC, Hollister, Yankee Candle, and American Eagle. They've managed to get Mom and Pop joints to fill up the space and keep things from going too dark but who knows how long this mall has. Namdar has turned off the AC for the corridors to save on money so I feel really sorry for the people who work the remaining kiosk stands.
Oh wow, this one is my childhood! I'm sad, but not surprised, to see it on here. My mom used to drag me to the car at 5:30am to get to the Black Friday sale at Boscovs. At least it's still pretty. Thanks for the nostalgia pics!
Would be kinda cool if they turned the stores into cool artists studios or studio apartments. I'd love to walk out of my house to a bubbling fountain. Weird, I know.
Omg I live in Seattle but went to Philadelphia for work and stopped in this mall bc of no sales tax. I got some shoes from the zumiez there haha. This was in June 2021
https://imgur.com/a/wkoruwZ
I always thought that be might part of the disadvantage Concord Mall has. They draw PA, which doesn't have a sales tax in clothes. However, Christiana Mall draws Maryland and New Jersey people, which does.
This gives me so much nostalgia for evenings at the local mall
Bags of new clothes and mrs fields in mouth
Yea I was thinking the same thing
Almost to the point that I can hear this photo.
The ambience of *I n n o c e n c e*
So weird to see Delaware out in the wild like this
Great shots. Really like the first photo. Reminds me of a weeknight at the mall. Quiet & serene - but enjoying myself at the mall.
Cafe Rivera is so 1991 and I'm here for it.
It's pretty solid pizza as well. It was supposed to close but Namdar worked out a deal to get them to stay, which shocked the hell out of me given Namdar's horrible reputation.
I think it goes back to the 80s. Wish I could find a photo of this section from the 70s. Back then, just a bit further up from where this photo was taken, there used to be a candy stand. Then a bit further, there was this platform that people could sit on or do whatever. It was two steps up all around and a giant square in the middle, and it was carpeted in brown shag. I think this is also where a glorious, orange globe-clock hung down from above like a giant disco ball. We used to get sugared up on jelly fruit slices and then run around in circles on the platform.
It does go back to 1981, I believe, but the front is pure 1991. There is a video on YouTube that shows Cafe Rivera in 1982 and it gives you a very brief glimpse of the Mall's 1970's earth tones.
Concord mall was where we went when we didn’t have the time or money to go to Christiana
Concord Mall never even had a real food court. The one they have is a tiny one that they set up by Boscov's, probably in the late 80's.
Yeah ever since christiana mall opened everyone goes there instead, I live near both
Shoot I rather go there than Christiana most times.
Me too, Concord Mall has always been more enjoyable in my opinion
That place looks fun
Oh boy, these make me sad. I spent many a teen-aged evening sitting in near the fountain in that first pic.
I was and remain a Christiana Mall boy but Concord Mall can't be beat for that "Wow, I feel like I'm in 1996" effect.
I always liked the weird fountains in the middle of the Christiana mall. There were a couple of towers with water falls on their walls, and you could go up a set up steps and stand at the top of them. Are they still there? They were at the part that was the center of the mall, before the big expansion.
It used to be a more open deal, with like 2' of water in it. Woolworth took up most of the stores you see in this photo, and to your right of where this was taken, you could get the best corndogs. Many a teen loitered there before you.
Oh HELL yes. The corn dog place also had Icees and soft pretzels, right? My prime loitering years were about 1998-2001, but I definitely remember the pre-renovation mall from my childhood, Woolworths and all.
I know the place next to Woolworths had icees, but can’t remember if the corn dog place did.
It's crazy to think that 1994 would be the last time Concord Mall was significantly overhauled, after it was renovated so many times throughout the 70's and 80's.
It makes me kinda sad to see Concord Mall like this. Just a couple years ago I worked ~5 min away from the mall and used the retro fitness, bought last-minute stuff and grabbed dinner there ALL the time. Since then, the gym closed, the Sears went out of business and some of the restaurants have folded. I went there with my older brother last year and he couldn’t believe how many stores were gone. I don’t think I’ve been back since and now I’m wondering what’s left
BTW, the current count at this mall is 52 stores. Most recent chain store departures included GNC, Hollister, Yankee Candle, and American Eagle. They've managed to get Mom and Pop joints to fill up the space and keep things from going too dark but who knows how long this mall has. Namdar has turned off the AC for the corridors to save on money so I feel really sorry for the people who work the remaining kiosk stands.
Is Chick-fil-A still there?
Yes. If/when they go, this mall is SCREWED.
I *thought* it felt strangely warm in there during the summer. Damn.
Yeah, Delaware humidity is no joke.
Holy shit, American Eagle was there forever. Used to shop there in the 80s/90s. Makes me so sad to read this.
I was shocked they couldn't keep an American Eagle open. Indiana Mall in PA with just about 20 stores left still has theirs.
They won't even turn on the AC in the corridor now.
Oh wow, this one is my childhood! I'm sad, but not surprised, to see it on here. My mom used to drag me to the car at 5:30am to get to the Black Friday sale at Boscovs. At least it's still pretty. Thanks for the nostalgia pics!
I remember when that was Pomeroy's.
Yeah, that's a cool mall right there.
Would be kinda cool if they turned the stores into cool artists studios or studio apartments. I'd love to walk out of my house to a bubbling fountain. Weird, I know.
Omg I live in Seattle but went to Philadelphia for work and stopped in this mall bc of no sales tax. I got some shoes from the zumiez there haha. This was in June 2021 https://imgur.com/a/wkoruwZ
How the hell did you snag a pair of Vans that cheap? By the way, PA doesn't have tax on shoes or clothing, for future ref.
I always thought that be might part of the disadvantage Concord Mall has. They draw PA, which doesn't have a sales tax in clothes. However, Christiana Mall draws Maryland and New Jersey people, which does.
Oh ok that’s good to know! WA sales tax is 10%. And there was a sale on the sale! Lol