On October 8, 1956, the nation’s first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall opens in a Minneapolis suburb.
Southdale Mall, located in Edina, Minnesota, was created to lure shoppers during frigid winters. The concept took shape in 1952, when Donald Dayton—head of Dayton’s department store—sought a way to boost sales on cold days when shoppers typically stayed home. Dayton teamed up with Austrian-born architect Victor Gruen to develop an enclosed shopping center where stores faced inward. In this climate-controlled building full of amenities, people could shop comfortably and conveniently.
Southdale Mall opened with 72 tenants. The $20 million, 80,000-square-foot mall included a skating rink, a giant bird cage and a post office. The complex also included an auto showroom, a playground and a Red Owl grocery store.
The press release announcing the new mall stated: “Southdale shopping center could be called in psychological terms ‘an introvert center.’ On the outside it presents a quiet and dignified appearance, inviting the shopper to enter through one of 10 huge all-glass entrances into the interior… Here he finds himself in an atmosphere of unparalleled liveliness, colorfulness and beauty.”
Now owned by Simon Property Group, Southdale Center has more than 85 retailers and restaurants.
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