Enclosed walk-ways at Shopper’s World
March 16th, 2007 In my internet travels I found an old ad for Rohm and Haas Plexiglas signs for sale on ebay. The ad boasts that “Three-fourths of the stores at Shopper’s World use Plexiglas signs”. I remember I did actually wonder what kind of factory could make those humungous letters for the “CINEMA” sign.
This ad was interesting because of what seems to be the presence of enclosed walkways, which were before my time and I think I remember being mentioned in great the documentary “Shopper’s World: A look back“. I forget the reason they did away with these, maybe it got insanely hot in the summer.
I always liked the exposed walkways, even in the winter. It’s no different than shopping in the city in the winter and it was kind of fun before leaving a store to make the game plan of what store to run to next.  I know it wasn’t fun for some people but I think it was a fair trade off to have such a unique shopping experience as S.W.
Any new readers can click on the Shopper’s World category to read my feelings about Shopper’s World. I’ll save my usual rant…for now!
They used to put those up in the winter, to protect the shoppers from the wind and cold. Over the years, whenever there was talk of outdoor malls vs indoor, the idea of enclosure would come up. South Shore Plaza in Braintree successfully enclosed their mall. I don’t understand why Framingham never showed an interest in doing this.
The Metrowest Tab did a story on my web sites today, by the way, so if anyone is interested, here’s the link.
http://www.townonline.com/natick/homepage/x140630683_
Comment by dave — March 17, 2007 @ 3:02 am
A little off-topic but where was the Toys R Us in the old Shoppers World? I can’t seem to find it in even the final days photos. Was it a free-standing store?
Comment by XISMZERO — March 19, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Toys R Us was in the corner, next to where Jordan Marsh was, other side of the mall, same end as the movie theater. The entrance was sort of down the ramp, so I don’t think there was any signage on the interior portion of the mall.
Anyone else, correct me if I’m wrong.
Comment by scott — March 29, 2007 @ 11:10 am
HAHAH A blast from the past I love it.
Toys R Us would not let you in unless you were with an adult!! (trying to keep out the mall rats I guess) And we used to run into Filenes basment and slide down the middle of the esculator too ! And the workers would chase us out and yell at us !!!! TOO funny I miss the old mall !
Comment by JeNi — October 30, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
Actually, before the TRU was there it was a Stop & Shop. Can’t recall what it was before that. I loved that mall. Even in the winter. It was the best
Comment by Sharon — March 22, 2011 @ 7:23 pm