Holiday Season 1968: Almeda Mall

This holiday season, as we rummage through stores that have been intentionally deconstructed to produce a bare-bones discount atmosphere, let us take a fond look back to a time when retailers created impressive and exciting shopping experiences. In 1968, the buzz in this area centered around Almeda Mall.

Conceptual drawings of Almeda Mall

Almeda and Northwest Malls were a pair of twin malls conceived in the early 1960's by Foley's, Houston's then largest department store, to extend its reach into new suburban developments in southeast and northwest Houston. Almeda was the first of the two to open in October of 1968. The fanfare was still going strong during its first holiday season.

Architect's drawing of Foley's Almeda store

The Almeda Foley's store, with its innovative layout and signature turquoise "eyelids" opened two years earlier and stood alone on the open prairie along the Gulf Freeway at Almeda-Genoa road until plans for the mall were finalized and construction began. At 200,000 sq. ft. it was Foley's largest store outside of the 10-floor downtown headquarters.

Central atrium 1968
     Mall interior 1968
Foley's wing 1968

Small by today's standards, the mall was seen as amazing when it opened. Along with Foley's, it included J.C. Penney's, Battlestein's, Palais Royal and 70 other stores full of anything a typical Houston shopper might want: the latest fashions from New York, Paris and Milan; home furnishings ranging from North Carolina to Northern Europe; gourmet foods from around the globe; shoes, records, electronics, luggage, toys, pets, and even a children's playground. You could buy a grand piano, or drop a grand for a diamond necklace. Meadowcreek Village resident Ella Pryor opened her second fashion boutique there. If you were hungry, four full-service restaurants and a cafeteria —not just a food-court— were ready to satisfy any appetite. All of this was available in a climate-controlled enclosed environment with lush tropical gardens. In addition to all the merchandise, there were routine special events, product demonstrations, and imaginative displays. An annual holiday season tradition from the beginning was a 25-foot tall Christmas tree formed of hundreds of potted poinsettia plants that filled the central atrium.

Annual poinsettia Christmas tree

Although its twin, Northwest Mall has closed, Almeda has continued to update itself and is still relevant after 50 years, even in the shadow of newer and larger competition. That is a rare accomplishment in a city that quickly forgets its history and rushes headlong to the newest, latest thing.

Macy's wing 2018
Central atrium 2018
Mall entrance 2018

 

Historic images from Foley's Department Store Records. Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries

Find more images of Almeda Mall and other southeast Houston landmarks at http://southbelthouston.blogspot.com

 

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