I moved to Sunnyvale in the beginning of ’98 and the mall was already heading towards its end. But the first couple of years I lived here I thought the mall was a great convenience, especially during the holidays. There was a cool little store that had some neat race-car die-cast models that you couldn’t find elsewhere, plus I always took our watches for batteries to this guy that had a little cart stand in the mall. We got our fridge at Wards and then a vacuum when the chain was going out of business. I think we got it at half price, still using it today, fridge is still working too. I seem to remember there was some pretty decent pizza in the food court. Plus I was a frequent customer at Orange Julius. I think we even saw a couple of second run movies at the theater before it became an Indian movie theater.

My request to all of you is, especially Marty Kim, Javier, Chris, Suzie, and Vace, do any of you have interior and/or exterior photos you can share of the mall during its good days and bad days, especially since you spent so much time there? A special request to Jeri and Monty, do you have any photos you can share of downtown Sunnyvale before the mall was built? I am putting together a little historical project about this area during the ’70s through the late ’90s and would greatly appreciate any help from all of you.

On the other hand, I do remember its last final gasps of breath before it closed. We had to get to Macy’s from Target and the doors to the interior of the mall were still open, however on the walk through the mall, there was only one vendor left open in the whole place. It was a small little Chinese food counter in the food court. The rest of the place was completely empty. I remember thinking to myself that day, I had to come back with my camera to get some interesting pictures, but I never did and still regret it today. It was very spooky but really fascinating.

I too am looking forward to what they are building there now. I went to the recent State of the City event that was held on top of the new parking garage and saw the plans and got a great look around of what they are building, plus I took a lot of pictures. They also had really good Willy’s BBQ, maybe they will open a eatery in there. Hopefully the new development brings back the downtown atmosphere. It looks very similar to Santana Row with a few differences here and there. Target is supposed to close for 6 months or so in January. They are going to knock the current building down and build a new one that is supposed to be huge, although the current one is pretty big. We’ll see what happens, especially in this economy.

Once again, any help on the historic images would be great.

Does anyone remember the Rocky Horror Picture Show in the old theatre?

When S’vale Town Center opened, we would spend hours with my mom there. Our favorite eateries were Chick Fil A, Giovanni’s Pizza, One Potatoe Two, Orange Julius & Hot Dog on a Stick. As a frequent business traveler, I seek out the closest Chick Fil A now! I miss that the most! We use to pronounce that place Chick Filla and Aladdin’s Castle as Al-ahdins because we were so young & never heard of those places before.

My adolescent life revolved around the mall. I started working there at the age of 15. I became the asst. manager for Lindsey’s Hallmark by age 16. I worked at Musicland 3 years later than the Athlete’s Foot. Ok so I’m sure some of you have guessed who I am now (circa 1987). During high school I would meet all my public school friends there because I went to a private school. I learned how to take the bus all over S’vale from the bus depot there. We use to have dates at the mall and walk around holding hands.

One thing we never appreciated was the outdoor courtyard. We never spent much time out there. I was scared of the wooden walk-ways and all the spider webs on the railings.

After moving back to S’vale after being gone for 8 years I am excited for the upcoming shopping district. I love Murphy St. and hope that they really develop the other side of Washington to incorporate the new shops with the privately owned restaurants on the block. I think this is a wonderful place for all the businesses surrounding S’vale and will again serve as a place for professionals to meet and socialize. I also hope the youth in S’vale will now have a place to work again. I just hope it ends up more like Santana Row rather than the Great Mall. I’d like it to cater more to the adults. I wouldn’t have thought that way back in high school though =)