The History of the The Old Towne Mall in Torrance, CA.
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Old Towne Mall was a shopping mall in Torrance, California that did not have department store anchors but was focused on a mix of shopping, amusement and entertainment. It opened on October 9, 1972 and cost $30 million to build, and launched with 142 specialty shops, individual food vendors and artisans.
Grew up within sight of Old Towne Mall!
nice
I’ve been super nostalgic for this place lately. I think about it often. Too bad times have changed so much that a place like this just couldn’t exist these days. I remember my brother and I begging my parents for money to ride what we called the haunted forest ride. You rode in a rail gondola type of chair through the dark ride. It was really short, but super cool. I bet we rode that thing a thousand times. We moved to Torrance in 1977. All through middle school and high school Old Towne was a place we visited almost every weekend. I remember the carousel, the food court, the strolling singers, even its distinctive smell of popcorn mixed with a sweet scent. I will never forget this place. It is near and dear to my heart.
thanks for sharing your memories
Mine too, who remembers the weird horror ride that was im this mall it still haunts me. To this day thanks for thia ❤
AMAZING!! Thank you.
When I was growing up and my parents divorced in 1973, my groovy dad Alan moved to Redondo Beach in 1974 to live the free-spirited beach playboy life at Harbor Cove apartments (there was a Red Onion downstairs, ideal for singles) + the new sport of racquetball and Fat Face Fenner's bar nearby.
BUT for kids like my brother and I, there was a very magical mall in nearby Torrance that had just opened - the new $30 million OLD TOWN. There was nothing like it - entirely themed like a mini Disneyland, every store front unique with faux stone like it was part of a ride. This was the ideal place for divorced dad's to bring the kid's on weekends! (along with Kiddieland on the other side of town).
The place was filled with entertainment every day and a carousel, a shooting gallery, some rides even + a huge arcade, and themed characters roving the place. Even the security guards were dressed like Keystone cops! There were also lots of Hippie type shops there - unique handmade crafts & candle + clothing and health food stores. Who else remembers OLD TOWN? In your video you didn't mention the OLD WEST SHOOTING GALLERY, ye olde Photography dress-up (like at Knotts Berry Farm), video & pinball arcade, comic book & magic store, and I do recall a haunted house ride (?)
Thanks for watching, sorry if I left out things like the old time photography. Hope you subscribed, more videos coming soon. If you have any suggestions on future videos, leave a comment. Thanks.
Check out my main channel: Eric C Productions. I have a TON of defunct stores that you may remember. Subscribe there too.
I remember the haunted house ride. I believe you sat on broomsticks as you went through the dark ride
I believe the arcade was a 'Sega Center' franchise, where the machines used tokens. In addition to the carousel, I remember two other sit down rides. One ride when through a forest and was kid friendly; and there was a second scary dark ride. My favorite store in the mall was 'Paul Frieghlers (?) Historical Models".
My grandparents lived in Hawthorne and would take us there to walk around and have dinner. I can remember the train set that you could control for a nickel and a western shop where my grandfather and I purchased hats. There was also a shop where they would clean your glasses with steam for free. Those days are long gone, but the memories are like yesterday.
Remember the dark rides and the giant merry go round?
I remember in the early 70's as a kid I used to do a "long bike ride" from South Torrance to Old Towne because of Paul Freiler's Model Shop, which was the best place for plastic models in the area... Later when I was in high school I worked at the Mann 6 Theater (which was the best theater in the area until the Mann 9 opened at Del Amo) and used to visit my friends at Hot Dog on a Stick around the corner... there was also an old fashioned candy store right there I can't remember the name of it, but they introduced me to Gummi Bears... Later I used to enjoy going to Dimensions in Stereo, which eventually moved to Redondo Beach near the Galleria as well as Federated where I used to enjoy watching the ABBA videos on laserdisc in their listening rooms hahaha... thanks for the memories!!
thanks for sharing your memories
Yes, we remember this Mall. I was born and raised, in West Torrance, lived one block from Del Amo mall and 14 blocks from Olde Towne.
1. This must be the best mall, of all time. So a creative genius, made this, and it's so sad to not have had the other types of people needed to keep it going.
Just the uniqueness alone, is enough that this mall, should have remained until now.
The feel of the mall, was so wonderful. You could go often, and there would still be something, to see
I was 12, when it opened, and went often.
Baseball card store, music store, and all the other stores, that other commenter mentioned, were all, so great.
The carousel, was quintessential.
It seems like yesterday
thank you for sharing your memories
@@echang1976 Hi Eric. You are welcome
Thank you also. I learned some things from your video
Wow! Great job, I just subscribed! I grew up in Torrance I saw Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Arc at the Mann theater there as well as many other classic hits. I used to ride on the carousel as well as the other forest ride. I remember the food court as well, the Chinese food was ok, but the burger and pizza place were awesome. I also remember the puppet theater, must have been mid to late 70's. I still shop there at the Trader Joes and the original lock and key shop is still there on the back side of the mall, Old Town Lock and Key.
thank you for subbing. Check out my other channel: Eric C Productions. I have a ton more videos there.Thanks for sharing those nice memories.
I'm 37 years old but I remember going to the theater there. If I remember correctly the mall itself was gone but the carousel remained near the entrance which was by the theater, both of which was at the very end south side of the mall. I wanna say there was a small arcade on that side too.
awesome. thanks for sharing that memory
Wow I remember that arcade and movie theater there. I watched goodfellas there with my old man.
The carousel was originally just inside the center entrance, but at the end it was moved to the right side entrance near the multi-plex theatre, right next to the arcade.
My mom, brother and I loved going there when we lived in Santa Monica in the early 1970’s. Some of my best memories. The two rides, the model shop, the smells, as someone said, of popcorn and candles and all. Thank you for the video!
thank you for watching
I remember Paul Freiler"s (sp) model shop, the music shop at the southern end where an 8 year old me would drool at the Ludwig Vistalite drum sets.....and the smell of carmel corn everywhere!!!! I remember the older gentleman at Ultimate Dog at the food court would say, "We at Ultimate Dog thank you!" after each purchase.............great memories.....
thanks for sharing that nice memory and thanks for watching
Yes! the model shop! I remember my Dad taking me in there when I was 5 or 6 a lot. He used to paint those tiny soldiers. What a good memory!
I remember the smells of popcorn, candles, and caramel. I really miss the two dark rides there. One was a sort of haunted forest and the other more like a fairy tale holiday season ride. I would go there in the early 1980’s for the hobby shops and the head shop/ place to get UV posters.
I remember the scary darkride they had. Good times.
thanks for watching. IF you check out my other channel, Eric C Productions, I have a TON of other videos.
I remember that too.
Yeah, the dark ride were awesome loved the shooting gallery.
@@1313coffeeguy me too the merry go round too. I Miss the place
My Uncle(R.I.P.) used to work at that Federated Store when I was a kid.
I remember the "Federated Group" jingle, and their full page ads in the Sunday LA Times.
Loved this mall! The dark rides were creepy.
They were great
The Castle
Long before Mall of America and even Old Chicago, there was Old Towne Mall, combining amusements and shopping. There was a second kiddy carousel down near the crafts area, but the double-decker carousel was the focal center of the mall. The upper deck was just horses on rockers, but they worked well when it was in motion, and lower level also had a couple spinning cups that were surprisingly easy to turn, besides the standard prancing horses.
Then it had two or three dark rides. One was a haunted house, the other was a pastoral fantasy ride called Phantasia. Then bumper cars that really hit hard, and a couple flat rides, one of which was a Dumbo-like ride where you rode in a bee. Then there was a large golf store where half of the store was a small miniature golf course. No props or landscaping, just 18 flat holes of skill.
Then a puppet show, a bandstand in the middle of the food court, a player piano that sometimes had live ragtime musicians, etc.
thanks for sharing that info
Yes! The Bee ride! I havent thought of that in 45 years. Such good memories.
@@ranamohr7811 thanks for sharing your memories
Yes- I remember the buzzy bee ride as my favorite thing to do there. I was 7 in 1976 when I remember loving it. Such a great, cozy, sweet treat of a mall. It’s a shame it couldn’t make it. I can imagine it being really successful now. Ah well. ❤
@@yellowbird2157I was 7 in 1976 as well. Loved this place,and my Grandparents took myself and my little Brother many times,!!🍨🍿🐶😺The movie theatre,puppet show,rides,pet store...
Interesting video, thank you! The modern Galleria and Del Amo mall images aren't anything like what they looked like in the 70's. Jackie Brown has a lot of footage of the old pre-renovation part of Del Amo for those who are interested.
Thank you for watching. I have more local mall videos on my other channel:
ua-cam.com/channels/4Kk8qAzFEfv3uzGDm9wm4w.html
Loved this mall as a kid. I remember there was a roller coaster type ride in it that was taken out early on. There also was a diorama model-train centerpiece. This was encased in a see thru plastic bubble that would operate when a person added a quarter. So awesome for a young kid, like me. I do remember Federated and an animal store aside from the carousel. Fun times with my grandmother and great times with my friends. A nice walk down memory lane. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing that nice memory. Thanks for watching
There were two dark rides. I only went on the non-scary one. So many regrets.
I remember the federated electronic store and watching the movie E.T in the movie theater over there.
the model shop, record store, the bumble bee ride and music plus out front... bad ass space!
I lived right across the street when it opened in 1972. I was 10 years old at the time. My sister Toni and I were there all the time. My friend Kim and I got a jobs when we were 15 years old, sweeping the floors and stocking the bathrooms with tp. We made $1.65 and hour, lol. We had to wear a white tee-shirt and a long skirt with a long apron. One time the cast from Happy Days was there and we got Anson Williams (Potsie) autograph. One of our friends mother, named Alda, had a store there that sold Italian Ice and my Uncle Tom worked there when he was in high school. So many fond memories of the Old Towne Mall.
thanks for sharing your memories about this place.
When I was a little kid, the dark rides were scary but fun. There was also a collector comic store in the mall.... Thanks for posting
thanks for watching....I have other videos on my other channel: Eric C Productions
Loved that place, I remember the dark ride very well. Fun memories.
This was Damn cool and Nostalgic! Thanks!!!
thanks for watching
I remember this mall so well it was like Farrells Ice cream parlor on steroids ! It was great to go to and hang out and have a lot of fun. Also the security guards were all dressed up like the Keystone cops.
thanks for sharing that nice memory.
It was my childhood. Loved that place.
thanks for watching
I was born in 1985 and remember a lot of the stores within the mall were closed or vacant by the early 1990’s. But I of course remember the big double decker carousel. That was my favorite.
I loved to go here for Paul Freiller's Historical Model shop, it was the best place for model kits. But sadly, the mall aged poorly, I remember walking through and seeing all of the boarded up store fronts, foolishly thinking they would re-open soon. It was sad seeing this mall die. I remember walking by the carousel, it was always closed, I don't remember ever seeing it working. I think I last went there in about 1992, it was too depressing. I missed its heyday.
We used to love to hit the movie theater and the arcade. I remember driving out from San Pedro with friends to go play games like Tempest.
thanks for sharing your memories
Loved that place. Dimensions it Stereo was one of my favorite stores.
thanks for sharing that nice memory
When we used to go to this mall we always stopped at Dimensions in Stereo. What high end speakers and high-fi gear they sold! Loved it!
I met Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazzard there when I was a little kid... We didn't have much money growing up, but mom would take me there to ride the merry go-round weekly.
This was the best mall ever as a kid!!! I later worked at Fritzenkotter's. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times! I'll never forget a minute of either!
thank you for sharing your memories of this place.
I remember the Food Court. The food was so good. It was a fun mall to go to.
I remember my siblings and I getting our photos taken at a Western dress up photo location. I also remember spinning in the cup on the carousel. Lots of great memories!
thank you for sharing your nice memories
@@echang1976 You're most welcome. :)
@@aliciakern645 I have made a number of Southern California malls so check them out. Thanks.
@@echang1976 Will do, thank you!
I have been to the Torrance Promenade well known today, but I never noticed it used to be a mall back then.
It was open late on Saturday. My bestie and I would go after our store at Del Amo Fashion Square closed. We loved that mall. So much fun. Years later I have a memory of my daughter (who loved the carousel) walking down the mall with a cucumber chomping away. There was a vendor who sold vegetables on a stick. Since she was 2yo I removed the stick.
Thanks for sharing!!
I used to love Old Towne Mall, back in the 70's when I was a kid. I wished I lived closer to it, but I lived near Torrance High, which is infinitely far away when you had no transportation. Occasionally we'd get rides to get see a movie there.
Well done! My first job was there in 1973. It was a nice and cozy mall with great shops. I likes the arts and crafts stores.
awesome, thanks for watching
Yeah I rode the carousel in the early-mid 80's! My grandma would take me and my sister to old towne when she would do some shopping. We would get a carousel ride or two and a cookie or some other treat.
I remember the old Town mall as a teen those were the good days.
thanks for sharing that nice memory.
My dad worked at the movie theater at Old Towne Mall back in the summer of 1975. He died last year in 2022.
I'm sorry for your loss.
@echang1976 Thank you. I have faith in the resurrection and I will see my dad again. Acts 24:15
When I lived in Torrance, I was fascinated this place had been there. Wish I got to see it back in the day.
As a child it was so cool. It felt different and fun. It was a place to go on weekends like seaport village ....
thanks for sharing those nice memories
I grew up going to Old Town Mall....it was fantastic...it was like it was like in the 1920s....the music 🎵🎶 was great
I think that was a beautiful mall👍…..so sad 😢 is gone.
This is going to be a bit of a read. Bear with me as I pour on to you some of my most Treasured memories about this amazing mall.
My earliest memory was a Star Wars puppet show, where a little Chewbacca shot a little water gun at the audience.
The carousel was our favorite visit over the few years we go with my grand parents. With the last time we visited they were displaying the NES in an empty room to the side of it.
Funny how the author of this video didn't mention the 'Dark Ride' that was also in the mail. I never rode it, however it used to fascinate and scare the crap out of me Everytime we walked by.
My last memory of the mall was the Board game shop that had All sorts of Dungeons and Dragons stuff. Some of which my mom and I have to this day.
awesome, thank you for sharing your memories
Great video. Many memories. You left out the outdoor pony ride built by a local teen for the owner, and initially operated by that same kid during the summer of 1973.
I loved that mall…as a kid we used to go often. I remember there used to be a bumble bee ride just behind the big carousel…..I also remember the large food court! Great times….
I didn't see mentioned in the other comments, but I think there was a comic book store there too and got a few books there. Don't remember the name. Remember they had deep, wood boxes for bins that they put the multiple copies of each new comic book in. I too now remember the sweet smell of caramel corn. My parents never let me go on the rides! Would love to see photos of the rides or more of the mall stores if anyone has them. It feels like a lost history!
I remember playing alot at the Pinball arcade, I think it was called Oz. Also going to the movies at the south end which you BBC entered from inside the mall. One time while my friend were at the movies there he went down to the concession stand and met Chuck Norris there and talked to him. I heard Chuck Norris went to North High which is where I went from 1973-1978. Great memories Thanks Ken Castilho
Yup, you would be correct. Chuck Norris did go to North High school from 1955 to 1958. Chuck had a Martial Arts studio that use to be close to the Gable House bowling that was torn down a short time back. I remember spending a lot of time with my twin brother at the Old Towne mall.
I need to pull out one of my old annuals and look you up. Your name is so familiar. My brother and I were both class of '79. Looks like you were class of '78.
Wow I don’t remember this place at all. I am going to ask my mom if we ever went there when I was super little. Wouldn’t be surprised!
I didn't love Old Towne Mall, I just worked there shortly after it opened. I worked in the info./souvenir booth out front of the Belgian waffle place. My boss also ran the pony rides outside. I never saw it particularly busy, and thought it to gimmicky to last. Still, it's a time I'll never forget!
good times
Damn, I was almost grew up there from mid 70’s - early 80’s. Poster & Bong Shop / SEGA Center!!!!!!!
My first job outside my parents restaurant was at the Mann Theaters in Old Towne
It was fun, the next best thing ever!
I still think about that dark fairy tale ride with the spinning tunnel all the time
These are enjoyable!
thank you for watching
The $3 movies in 1992 , the book store where I bought my comics in the late 80’s . Pizza place .
Yes I remember the place
They had a theater where I watched the last emperor , Batman Michael Keaton and beetle juice , never ending story 2, I remember they had an arcade too. Everyone played street fighter 2 when it was a big success. And don’t forget the pet shop there. Damn those were the days. Either old town mall , galleria or Del amo mall
The movie theater I remember that is on fire on one Time and Hobbes shop too.
Was part of a performing group at the gazebo.
That is awesome, thanks for sharing that memory.
Merry go round inside❤
Those dark rides look extremely interesting...
I remember going here as a child puppet show and bumper cars maybe a few other rides I was very young 5 to 6 years of age
Lets see a video on the now abandoned Hawthorne Mall in Hawthorne CA.
It's on the same street that Old Town was about 5 miles North.
thanks for the suggestion. I will put it on my list. thanks.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will be posting it soon. Thanks.
I was a kid for a moment. I remember there were bumber cars
I had good times there but I just thought of it as a mall.
Didn't they have arcades? And movie theater? I am pretty sure we saw Robocop 2, Teenage Mutant Njnja Turtles, Terminator 2. Some other movies I can't really remember. Oh! Dances with wolves. I miss my childhood, everything is so different and not in a good way.
Was that just off Torrance Blvd going west towards redondo beach?
Rock an rolll hochico
You forgot about the movie theater I think was MANN cinema or united arts, my bro n I saw TMNT in 90
thank you for the information
The arcade too
Cheese dogs and Time Out...
thanks for watching
Nothing lasts forever sad
........and then the Koreans arrived LOL
It went downhill after blacks started going there.