Gaston Mall opened in Gastonia in the early-60's and was the first enclosed mall in Gaston County (and the second in the greater-Charlotte area). With Eastridge Mall just down the street, the mall has fallen on hard times and will be closing sometime next year.
A fabric store (people come from all over the state to shop at Mary Jo''s) and the only cafeteria in the area keep people coming at the moment (plus a Harris-Teeter on the side). There was a Media Play on the front side, but it closed last year.
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Main entrance, November 2006. (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Sign pylon, November 2006. (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Harris Teeter supermarket (Pat Richardson). More on this supermarket at Grocerying
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Corridor leading from main entrance to center court, November 2006. (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Center court holiday display, November 2006 (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Interior corridor, November 2006 (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina Mary Jo's Cloth Store, November 2006. (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Jackson's Cafeteria, November 2006 (Pat Richardson)
Gaston Mall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Various storefronts. (Pat Richardson)Thanks to Patrick for this great contribution.
Just a quick note about these pictures--I took them on a late Sunday afternoon. Most all of these stores don't open on Sunday (the cafeteria had just closed for the day). From these pictures you might assume these stores were closed forever, but it's just because it was a Sunday. I figured there would be less people around. Even Santa didn't have a line (he was hidden in the middle of the Christmas display--he wouldn't let me take his picture). Also, I like the various storefronts because they alll have a late-70's vibe to them. I wish the barbershop had been open--they have tons of stuffed animal heads mounted on the walls--very tacky!
ReplyDeleteI figured it would have to be a little busier than it looked. Thanks for clearing that up :-)
ReplyDeleteGaston Mall was officially opened with the grand opening of the Woolco on February 18,1970. Just wanted to clarify.
ReplyDeleteGaston Mall's grand opening officially opened on February 18,1970 and it was anchored by two major department stores.... Woolco and Grant City. On February 3,1971 the opening of the third department store G.C. Murphy's became final. It was anchored by a Winn Dixie grocer and inside of the mall was an Ultravision Theatre,called the Gaston Mall
DeleteThanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteThe "Mall" has been redeveloped and is now a bunch of store-front shopping places (Dick's, TJ Max, Lowe's Foods, Target, McAlister's Deli, Sweet Frog, Quizno's, and of course, tried-and-true Mary Jo's Cloth and Yarn store. I have overheard ladies in McAlister's talking about their vacation (from Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and other places) to Gastonia JUST for Mary Jo's
ReplyDeleteThe Gaston Mall Theatre was Gastonia's first-ever Ultravision Theatre that offically opening on January 22,1971 with the premiere attraction of "The Wild Country" starring Steve Forrest and Vera Miles. It was a 750-seat single screener with a 180-degree Ultravision screen under ABC Southeastern Theatres and later operated by Plitt Southern and Cineplex Odeon. It closed in 1999.
ReplyDeleteAnybody remember the Assistant Manager Becky? She was super and always nice.
DeleteDoes anyone have pics/info of a music store from the mid 70's called Bobby Lee Music? It was across from Radio Shack and on the sane side as Murphy's, which wasn't far from the music store.
ReplyDeleteThe Gaston Mall was also operated under the name “Oak Tree Plaza” and it was a vibrant and alive place. I remember James Atherton and Becky running the Theatre back then. There was also a sandwich shop called “Ma’s Place” and I here was an girl that work there and was always on the
ReplyDeletemove. Her name was April Lynn Hulsey. I remember all those good ole times.
The Gaston Mall was also operated under the name “Oak Tree Plaza” and I remember the Theatre was operated by James Atherton and Becky. James was a retired Sargent Major and he was a good guy. The Theatre had lots of great movies and was a thriving place especially on the weekends. There was a sandwich shop called “Ma’s Place” and there was a girl there that kept things running. Her name was April Lynn Hulsey. It was a great place to grab a quick meal on the go. The food was always good too. I remember all those good ole times.
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