Chris-Town - Guest Book

Chris-Town Guest Book

Please share your Chris-Town memories and other comments here. Thanks!

If you experience a problem trying to post to the Guest Book, you may e-mail your entry to jdacrusader@aol.com

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Your site is neat! Can you add a stores index? I remember the Red Baron arcade, across from the barber shop (Sal's?) and the Bert Eisley fun shop. And what was the little book store that used to be there (I don't think it was one of the common chains like Waldens or B.Dalton...it was later replaced by the Carl's Jr.). Also there was a deli (Miracle Mile?)... I can be reached at Sam27b_6@hotmail.com for comments/updates/

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I was a high school student at Central in the early seventies and Chris-Town was practically my 2nd home. I am anticipating a possible move back to Phoenix next year - looking for a feeling of home - and for the few minutes of enjoying your pictures and article, I really felt like home again. Thanks!

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Saw the mention of your website in the New Times. I've only lived here for 5 years, but I am very interested in the history of the area and wish I could go back to the simpler times that you wrote about. John Schroeder Chandler, AZ

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Since 5 years I am the owner of an MG Midget sportscar that was shipped to the US on 4 February 1963. On my car there is a small sticker "JC Penny Auto Centre, Chris Town Mall Phoenix Arizona". Can you imagine, that I am amazed with the fact that there is a website decicated to the shopping mall that sold my car new in the spring of 1963? Great pictures, but is there someone out there who has pictures or other information on JC Penney Auto Centre? Kind regards, Paul Joppen Nijmegen, the Netherlands mailto:p.joppen@vkj.nl

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Hi It's me, Barbara Bueker, the famous mall-trawler from the 60's and 70's.....the New Times did such a good job on the story about Christown, I'm sure there's lots of former mall rats who remember those days well. Anybody else spend time at the Bob's Big Boy on the corner of Christown's parking lot? How about across the street at 500 Bowl (is it still there?) :) BB

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I grew up a block east of Chris-Town from the 60s through the 80s. In the late 60s-early 70s my mother and kids from the neighborhood, including myself, put on puppet shows featuring Punch & Judy. I was the clown on the bicycle. The older kids, Richard as well as brothers Bruce & Clark were puppeteers, with hand made puppets and an elaborate stage. We drew a lot of people and wondered if anyone out there remembers the shows. Would love to hear your memories, please respond. Paul Saffell

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Great site. Read about you in the Republic. Definitely miss the old Chris-Town..... edvard@edvard.biz

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Hi - I worked at The Broadway in candy/cards when I was a freshman at Glendale Comm. College in l972 to about l972. Then, when Metrocenter opened in l972, I worked at The Broadway there. I loved working at Chris-town. I used to work every Tues/Thurs. night and all day on Sundays for time and a half. I used to weigh all the candy (it was behind glass windows), peanuts, cashews, etc. for the customers and sell all the greeting cards for every occasion you could imagine. I especially liked the holidays, because business was brisk! Candy/cards was located between the two elevators on the first floor and I had many friends in other departments. For example, Frank Manson worked in lamps/picture frames on the lst floor and he is now the Chief of Police of Williams, Arizona. Barbara Bueker worked in cosmetics selling Shisado and Sharon Manson (I cannot remember her maiden name, but she is a supervisor at DPS in Phoenix and later married Frank Manson) worked in handbags, lst floor. I'd go shopping on my lunch hr. - I remember the dress shops "Jennifer's" and "Seven to Heaven." I bought a lot of stuff there! Chris-town rocked and now it's gone.

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Thanks for this great trip into the past! Who can forget ChrisTown's "curtain of air". We were amazed - no doors into the mall just that great air conditioning blowing down as you walked in. And Ferdinand the Bull. I actually remember watching "Old Man Chris" plow his field where ChrisTown now stands. Word was that he refused to sell the property - just leased it out for 100 years.

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Thank you for commemorating such a wonderful time and place in Phoenix's past. Gone, but not forgotten!

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Does anyone know the family history of the farm where the Christown is located? Kathleen Drey

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This was a wonderful treat! My family moved to Phoenix from Missouri in 1960 and I grew up shopping at Chris-Town. The pictures took me back in time and warmed my heart thinking of the times spent shopping there. My grandparents loved the Picadilly Cafeteria and ate there on Sundays after church. Sadly, although there has been a rebirth of sorts to the old mall, it's but a shadow of the fun place it once was. The signs now proclaim it to be the Spectrum Mall, but to me it will always be Chris-Town.

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I remember when Chris-Town was firt built. I was working for Korricks in the downtown store and did not want to be transferred to Chris-Town because I did not have a car. I had just graduated from Phoenix Union High School. I rode the bus to the new mall and wondered why they wanted to build so far away from the main area of town, little did I know. Chris-Town became my favorite place to shop. It was sad when things begain to change and all the main stores moved out to other places. I still miss the old Chris-Town.

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I was born in Chandler Arizona and moved to Glendale when I was nine. I grew up with Christown Mall and have fond memories. I remember Ferrell's Ice Cream parlor where you could order a pig's trough and get sick stuffing yourself just so you could here the drum roll and get your ribbon that read, "I made a pig of myself at Ferrell's". Christown Mall had everything! From prom dresses to pets. I am really sad that it has changed, but at least we have our memories to keep it alive! Thanks!!

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Thanks for your web site. I used to tag along with my parents in the 60s and 70s...loved the fountain and always saw Santa there every Christmas. Nice memories...

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I was born at Luke AFB in 1961 and lived in Maryvale and the Sunnylsope area until 1971. My grandparents lived across from Chris Town Mall and my step-grandmother took me to see my first movie there, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Also, enjoyed ice cream there and remember Bob Big Boys Rest. My step-grandmother's mother worked at at dress shop (Lerner's?) for years. I have recently made trips to Phoenix after being gone for 30 yrs. and love that it remains there. I can capture a part of my past. Chriseve Maupin Cronan

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Pizza D'Amore to die for. Every time I could save up and had time to wait in a usual long line, I would stop to savor a couple of pieces of their pizza. Ralph

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I remember my first experience at Chris-Town mall, summer 1973 . . . what a place it was!! I returned in 2004 and was deeply saddened by the changes. It was unrecognizable from the "glory days." Where did everything go? The sand castles? Fun Foods' fry bread? Thank you for the return down "memory lane." Chris-Town WAS truly a treasure to those of us who grew up during the 70's.

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When I was 15, I helped my Uncle Marvin clean the barber shop in front of the Red Barron Arcade in the early eighties. I remember getting hot dogs and other yummy deli foods at the Miracle Mile. Later on in High school (sophomore year Central High), I got a job at Music Land (Sam Goody/ The Warehouse) near the movie theater. I worked there untill I graduated in 1985. What a great time! Oh yeah...Playing Spy Hunter at Farrell's during my breaks was another fun-ity! Great site! OH! Sheesh...I lived at 10132 Joan De Arc from 1972-1976...then we moved to Keim Dr. off of Central and Bethany Home. I do miss the Phoenix of the 70-80 time frame. Now...Too crowded and icky.

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I worked at Montgomery Ward's in the mid-80's. I was recently in town and drove by the center. I could barely recognize it. Thanks for the website. Well done.

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I was about 8 when the mall opened, we lived nearby and walked over. I attended Solano Elementary School, which was nearby. So many memories flood back looking at the pictures. Thanks!! (Miracle Mile was a favorite lunch spot for us) R. Bishop

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Awesome website! Thank you for putting it together. It brought back so many old memories but I was surprised there was no mention of the monkey grinder that used to be out in front of JC Penneys! One of my favorite things was to give the monkey a penny and he would tip his little hat. Can you imagine a monkey in a mall now? Those were the days!

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I am trying to find out who the lady was that played the organ for the opening of Christown? Thanks. Babe!

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WELL, I READ ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND LOOKED AT ALL THE PICTURES. WHAT A GREAT IDEA, THANKS! I REALLY ENJOYED THE MEMORY TRIP TOO! I WAS BORN NEAR 27th AVE AND BETHANY HOME RD. IN 1961. I TOO LIVED AT CHRISTOWN. I REMEMBER VIVIDLY PLAYING WITH THE MONKEY. ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS ALSO HAD A SPIDER MONKEY SO I WASN'T AFRAID. AS I GREW UP AND HAD KIDS, WE MOVED TO THE WEST SIDE, 75th AVE AND CAMELBACK, AND HAD LESS AND LESS OCCASSION TO SHOP AT CHRISTOWN. WHEN I WENT BACK OVER THE YEARS THOUGH, I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES OH WELL WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY FOND MEMORIES KEVIN WESOLOWSKI

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this is so awesome thanks for putting it together as long as I'm alive I will never call this mall spectrum that's just not right a phx native Cindy Shrum born 1963

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Looking back at all of the pictures brought back a lot of fond memories. It is sad how such a big part of your childhood can change. I have recently moved away but all of the changes had happened before I left. I can say that I stopped shopping there when they changed the name.....It will never be Spectrum Mall. It will forever be Christown. The place I hung out with all of my friends, had parties at Farrell Ice Cream Shop and went on dates with my boyfriends. What terrific memories I will forever have of Christown. Thanks for walk down memory lane.

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I moved out here in 1977 from Calif and one of the first malls I can remember is Chris-Town. To this day I still call it Chris-Town and always will. Some of the changes or I say additions are expected, but I never thought they would ever change the name. But I will always remember it as Chris-Town. And with Cindy Shrum we saw Grease there when it came out at the movies. Diana Ramsey-Wiseley

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I was born in 1961 and grew up with Christown. I moved from Phoenix in 1982 and was saddened every time I visited to see the decline of Christown. I have alot of fond memories of my time working at Walgreens Cafeteria, meeting my friends, goofing off and certainly shopping. This was a great visit back to my childhood. Thanks. Saam Roth Geistmann

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I loved the site, it brought back such great memories of my childhood and teenage years, i was born in 1961, i remember going to Bob Fox to buy all my Girl Scout supplies! Barbara Brohner Garrison

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I remember going to Chris-Town Mall with my father when I was little....late 60s into the early 70s. Our favorite place to eat was the Miracle Mile Deli and we liked sitting by the fountains and watching the people walk by. The first time I remember talking to Santa was there, also. My first job in high school was at the Walgreens Cafeteria, and my 16th birthday party was at Farrell's. I always loved Chris-Town!!

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I grew up in Phoenix in the 70s and always loved Chris town mall--Farrells, the double-features at the movie theater, the ice rink, and that cool bar that looked like half an airliner! I really miss those days.

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brings back alot of memories.saturdays at the movie theatre with wallace and ladmo,the organ grinder and farrells ice cream,and bobs big boy resaurant on saturday evenings

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As a four year old shopping with my Dad and brother and sister, I became lost and remember very well the nice woman who took me to a Security Guard. He dried my tears, put me on his shoulders and we walked through the mall until we found my Dad. That was 1967.

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How nostalgic, loved the pictures. I remember the bird cages no one every does. Have lots of great memories, sad to see Christown name is gone. Stephanie

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I remember X-Town as it was in the 80's. Reading the comments of others brought back some memories. What a great site! Thanks for all your effort! Change, change, change. Phoenix is sometimes hard to recognize!

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My family used to visit Chris-Town regulary from the early 80s to the mid-90s. I thought the JCPenney there was the best in town for men's clothing when I started working. I still go to the mall occasionally, and am saddened by the decline. Anytime I walk to the Wal-Mart, I realize that somewhere under the tile floor is a staircase that goes down to a tavern. Remember that? At least the mall remains, and it is metamorphosizing. The new 14-screen Harkins is set to be open by Christmas, 2006, and who knows what changes light rail will bring? Kevin

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Many, many memories of mine happened at Farrell's after going to Saturday night dances in the early 80's. It was a great place to congregate and continue to have fun. I also remember the sand sculptures during that time. I seem to recall a New Year's Eve Dance as well. All great memories.

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I fondly remember Chris town in the early 80's. Farrells, Judy's, Bullocks, PizzaD'Amore just to mention a few Christy Burns Weaver

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There will never be another Chris-Town, and I truly miss it. Thanks so much for this wonderful look back.

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I remember the organ grinder and his monkey, and my mom would always give us change to give to the monkey.

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THANKS FOR HAVING A MALL THAT I COULD SHOP IN COMFORT AND LEARN TO WALK AGAIN IN THERAPY JOHN HASLAM OF SURPRISE

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Just happened on your website today. Does anyone know if Farrell's IceCream Parlors are still in exhistance?

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I loved Chris-town! I loved the pizza place, and there was also a store that sold indian artifacts and jewelry and stuff. What was that bar where you had to walk down the spiral staircase? Of course, wasn't old enough to go down there, but we would try to sneak a peak I've lived in San Francisco for 30 years now, but never forget Chris-town and other places in Pheonix from my childhood 1960-1974. Thanks for this site!

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My memories of Chris-Town are of shopping with my Mother who frequented a cellar-type cocktail lounge below ground. Does anyone recall its name? It was just east of Penney's.

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I loved ChrisTown Mall as a child! Used to go there with my parents! My mom bought all of my brownie and girl scout items at Bob Fox! Used to eat the mountain of fries with all my friends after the Saturday night dances at West Stake! Saw my first R rated movie at the United Artist theater inside the mall! You could smell the popcorn all over the mall! LOVED shopping at Woolworths as a kid! You could get all kinds of fun stuff there! It was what my Grandma called a Dime store! The real ChrisTown is gone now. But it will always remain in my heart! Lori Garman, Phx, AZ

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I recall as a child, the No Iron polyester dresses from Bob Fox. They were made with a foam backing that allowed them to stand up on their own. I felt like I had a space suit on. They were great as a penthouse for my barbies too. Mona

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I have lived in the valley for 30plus years and have Christown Mall through its evolution. As an electrician I also worked on some tenent improvements. Now we have all the mega malls and I still like to visit the older malls.

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I worked at Walgreens from 1977 to 1985, I think. I remember Miracle Mile, Janitors Closet - the bar down the stairs, Orange Julius, Farrells, Pizza D'Amore, Woolworths, My boyfriend managed the Red Baron for a time, Fry Bread, the Italian Ice place, Elephant Bar, Leonards, Bakers shoes, etc, etc, etc. I really have fond memories of my time spent in that mall. Jean E.

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Wow! What a beautiful tribute to a long ago wonderful place. I have many a memory, some of them my earliest, of Chris-Town. Getting separated from my mother because I had to see the birds, portraits at JC Penney, sitting on the Bull, back to school shopping, my best friend's family all working at Farrell's, my first retail job at Bullock's, Pizza d'Amore! And movies, movies, movies, just too numerous to count. I was so sorry to see it go, as I watched it slowly being devoured by bulldozers. R.I.P. my friend.

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I see an earlier comment about 300 Bowl. My father bowled there every Wed. night from my early childhood into my tweens. I remember going with him to the bowling alley and helping the nursery lady, or so I thought, with the babies while he bowled. Afterwards, I always got a Hershey bar from the vending machine. Good times.

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Used to be a great place to shop and visit. Spend most of my shopping time at Metro now.

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I loved Chris-Town and came to Phoenix many times from Winslow to spend the day shopping there and then spend the night in a motel so I could go back the next day and shop some more. Oh--for those good ole days!! rlk

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want the blueprints of dead valley west mall at 59 and northern? contact me at www.glendaledailyplanet.com

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Thank you for your webpage. I enjoyed looking at all the old photos and remember those times myself. My family moved here in 1960 from Holland and I remember shopping in Chris-Town and also El Rancho Market for groceries. They are nice memories and I am another that will only know the mall as Chris-Town. Thanks...Anne H.-Alhambra '72

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I was 10 or 11 years old when Chris-Town Mall opened. My Aunt took me shopping there when I stayed at her house for summer vacation. It was a world apart from the little store front stores in Miami, AZ. Thanks for the great photos!

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Anybody remember the carrollers that use to stroll the mall at Christmas time? How about the corvette and corvair shows or the Wallace and Ladmo stage shows?

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I moved in five blocks from Christown one and a half years before it opened. I loved it then and I love it now. Can't wait for construction of the new west end to be completed. Got my first credit card ever from Wards. LONG LIVE CHRISTOWN Okay Spectrum Mall.

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Hi. Great website I have lived my entire life on 39th ave and Bethany Home. I even worked in Montgomey Wards in my early teens long ago..heheh. I used to eat at the WOOLWORTHS cafeteria right next to Woolworths. I wanted to ask if anyone knows if Pizza D Amore is still around. I did some research and found the owners name and some information of its birth east coast plus the story of how it ended up in Christown. But that is all I have....INFO. nothing more. Hopefully someone here can shed some light on where and if Pizza d Amore is still alive because I really Really REALLY do miss their fantastic pizza. If you have any info..please email me at mrstever.msn.com thanks all. and great memories..sad.

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Wouldn't it be wonderful to make Christown CHRISTOWN again, from the interior to the name. Ahhhh - what great memories!

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I grew up in the area in the 70's and 80's. The mall was so close to our home that my friends and I could easily walk there or ride our bikes. What has become of my childhood mall greatly saddens me. Thank you for sharing your pictures so that we can remember her in all of her glory.

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Wow, blast from the past. I spent a lot of time at Christ-Town in the 70's and early 80's. I remember the organ grinder and his monkey, the birds and the fountains. Orange Julius, Pizza D'Amore, Farrells. Saw many a movie there and ate I don't know how many Chimichangas at Tortilla Flats, drank gallons of Margaritas there too...

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I was born in Phoenix in 1951 and still have not left. I went to Solano School and remember watching Chris Town Mall being built. We used to wave to Chris at recess when he was plowing his fields. He and his family lived in houses down towards 19th Avenue. In 6th grade, it was a special treat for the sixth graders to get a sack lunch and eat at the tamaraks which are now the library and Walmart's parking lot. Solano only went to 6th grade then. I then went to Grandview School for 7th and 8th even though Grandview was a first through 8th grade school. I was the first class to go 1st through 6th at Solano. While at Central High, my girlfriends and I would cruise the mall. I always got my glasses at Lee Optical and had many fun times at Farrell's. I was sad to see the name change and I was very sad to hear last night from my husband that part of the mall has been taken down. Thanks for this website to bring back some wonderful memories. debigarrett at yahoo.com

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I also enjoyed Chris Town as a kid, we use to walk over to the mall in the early 60's. I attended Solano School through 4th grade, and went to Grandview from 5th through 7th grade. We moved to California when I went into 8th grade.

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My family moved to Phoenix 47 years ago when I was seven because my dad was transferred there by his employer, Del Webb Corporation. My dad, Chuck Powers was the Project Manager for Chris Town when it was built. Julie Powers Fonda

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Loved the site, would anyone have any pictures of the inside of Montgomery Ward? Thanks Arnie

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BORN IN 1954 I SURE DO REMEMBER Chris-town mall,we lived on 19th ave Van buren. I remember birthday parties at Farrells,Walgreens.All we had were evaporated coolers so it was nice to spend day and cool off.does anyone remember gemco and fedmart?

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I remember Gemco and Fedmart. When my husband and I were first married and Atari came out, we lived right next door to Gemco and we'd go over there to get new games. And when our puppy ate the last chapter of the book my husband was reading, he would go read his last chapter while I did the grocery shopping. I also remember getting 50 cents credit to my purchase when they did away with the Gemco card. debigarrett at yahoo.com

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The underground bar was more in front of Farrell's and Broadway - call The Janitor's Closet, I think.

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I used to visit and shop at Christown in the early 1970's with my mom and siblings. We would come down to Phoenix from our home in Flagstaff on the weekends. I can still remember the cool of the air conditioners and the sound of the fountains. Too bad Christown is past its prime. Good memories remain, though.

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Everytime we would visit my grandparents in Phoenix we would make a visit to stores such as Fed Mart off of Grand Ave. and Gov Way that was on Indian School Rd and 39th Avenue. However, my favorite place to go was Chris-Town in the 60s. Those rickshaws used to take you around the mall in no time at all and seeing cages with parrots in them was a sight to see. In the 70s I would get the latest 45s at J. C. Penney where there was decent record selection. Getting a cold Orange Julius by The Janitor's Closest was a treat in the hot summer. Not much changed at Chris-Town until the extensions were built to hold the UA Cinemas and Dillards in the 80s. Those were great years for dating and shopping. It is too bad that we can't transport back in time to revisit the mall in its glory days. Greg

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We moved to Phoenix in 1970, the summer before first grade. I attended Solano School. I remember my mom and I getting stopped by a police officer for driving on 17th Ave just north of Missouri Ave. It was a non thru traffic, dirt road. Going to ChrisTown mall was the best treat for a kid in the wonder years. I loved the ice cream goodies at Farrell's and the candy shopping in the little store. My friends and I would gather our small change to buy Zotz, that hard shell candy with a fuzzy bitter inside. When I was in high school my girlfriends and I had a Soda Water drinking contest at Farrells where the price was only 2cents per mug. I won the contest and we laughed so hard soda shot out of my nose and I got the nick name Soda Pants. One of the best pizzas I have every eaten was from Pizza D'Amore. They were first located in front of The Broadway right next to the Janitor in the Closet stairwell. We would eat pizza by the slice and sit up on the stools. When ChrisTown opened the wing with the AMC movies I remember being in the long line to see JAWS. My mom had tuna sandwiches for lunch when we got home, but I couldn't eat tuna after that movie. There was always a buzz in the air when Santa came on the helicopter that landed on the north parking lot. I was there in the crowd of anxious youngsters to give my requests for Santa and get my candy cane. At 16, my first job was at the Bathtique, an upscale bathroom boutique with all the classy bathroom stuff a bathroom could have. It was located next door to Bullocks Dept. Store. When ever I was depressed or down in the dumps my dad would give me some money and say, Why don't you call a friend and go shopping at ChrisTown? So, I would call my best friend Ann Black and say let's go to ChrisTown, we can meet at 17th Ave and JC Penney's. The child hood years.Thank you ChrisTown for being there when I needed you. Missy Moore Williams

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We moved to Phoenix in 1970, the summer before first grade. I attended Solano School. I remember my mom and I getting stopped by a police officer for driving on 17th Ave just north of Missouri Ave. It was a non thru traffic, dirt road. Going to ChrisTown mall was the best treat for a kid in the wonder years. I loved the ice cream goodies at Farrell's and the candy shopping in the little store. My friends and I would gather our small change to buy Zotz, that hard shell candy with a fuzzy bitter inside. When I was in high school my girlfriends and I had a Soda Water drinking contest at Farrells where the price was only 2cents per mug. I won the contest and we laughed so hard soda shot out of my nose and I got the nick name Soda Pants. One of the best pizzas I have every eaten was from Pizza D'Amore. They were first located in front of The Broadway right next to the Janitor in the Closet stairwell. We would eat pizza by the slice and sit up on the stools. When ChrisTown opened the wing with the AMC movies I remember being in the long line to see JAWS. My mom had tuna sandwiches for lunch when we got home, but I couldn't eat tuna after that movie. There was always a buzz in the air when Santa came on the helicopter that landed on the north parking lot. I was there in the crowd of anxious youngsters to give my requests for Santa and get my candy cane. At 16, my first job was at the Bathtique, an upscale bathroom boutique with all the classy bathroom stuff a bathroom could have. It was located next door to Bullocks Dept. Store. When ever I was depressed or down in the dumps my dad would give me some money and suggest I call a friend and go shopping at ChrisTown. So, I would call my best friend Ann Black and say let's go to ChrisTown, we can meet at 17th Ave and JC Penney's. The child hood years.Thank you ChrisTown for being there when I needed you. Missy Moore Williams

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I lived directly across the street 1620 W.Bethany from 1960 pre-mall until 1968. What a great place it was to go to for air conditioning and to hang out with your friends. Me and my brothers also lost about 6 bikes over there through the years. Our mother worked at JCPennys for years where we would run to with any fighting or disputes we had. This always thrilled our mother!

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I grew up all my life on 17th ave. Behind Christown mall. Left only for a year and a half, married, had a kid,and moved back here on Denton just behind the mall again. You can tell who the natives of phoenix are just by asking them if they know where Chris-Town mall is. If they say what is Chris-Town you know they aren't from here. I have many happy memories of the mall. My first kiss, the first time I shopped with money I earned on my own was there, my first date, my first santa picture, my first movie, and so many more. For us that grew up in the neighborhood the mall was like a second home where we spent most of our time. This was the only mall that you were not harrased by security for hanging out. They actually encouraged it. I loved this mall and still do. I just wish it still had the original stores for old time sakes. Bradley Evertsen

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When I was young, in the 60's, early elementary, I believe, we had relatives who lived at Luke, AFB. When we'd visit, I don't remember going anywhere, really. It was rare, anyway. I think the majority of our vacation was just spent in each other's company. One place, however, emblazed itself in my memory all of these years. The Chris Town Mall. So much, I remembered the name. I think what impressed me the most was the birds and bridges and that whole venue. I loved it. It was beautiful. I'd always wanted to go back and I don't think we ever did. I received my first helium balloon -which I lost within the first 2-3 hour- there. I remember it was a lot of fun. We now have kids living in Mesa and when we come for Christmas, we plan on visiting the mall. I'll see if it's all I remembered. This is a great service. Thanks, Vickie

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When I was young, in the 60's, early elementary, I believe, we had relatives who lived at Luke, AFB. When we'd visit, I don't remember going anywhere, really. It was rare, anyway. I think the majority of our vacation was just spent in each other's company. One place, however, emblazed itself in my memory all of these years. The Chris Town Mall. So much, I remembered the name. I think what impressed me the most was the birds and bridges and that whole venue. I loved it. It was beautiful. I'd always wanted to go back and I don't think we ever did. I received my first helium balloon -which I lost within the first 2-3 hours-. Those are the 2 memories I have of that day. Funny what we remember, though I remember it was a lot of fun and very special. We now have kids living in Mesa and when we come for Christmas, we plan on visiting the mall. I'll see if it's all I remembered. It's a shame the name is changed. It would have been hard for me to find it had I not had a link to the name. This is a great service. Thanks V

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This is a great website! I've really enjoyed perusing the pics from the days of old. Does anyone remember the Saturday mornings in the fountain area with Wallace and Ladmo? I think the birds were gone by then. The Clydesdale horses came once. And the End Of the Month sales? The Woolworth fountain used to have balloons with little pieces of paper that would be the price of your ice cream sundae. The good ol' days!

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I grew up in my midteens going to Christown. I had many happy memories there. Sad to see it go. What a wonderful job you did bringing back old memories. If I could find Pizza D' Amore again in Phoenix I would travel just to savor it again. Thank you, Brigid Price

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I live around this area right now. It looks way better in those pics than it does now but there remodeling so hopefully itll look better.

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Great pictures. I currently work at the PetSmart where Wards used to be, watching them knock down the mall has been sad... I can only imagine what it used to be back in the 60s.

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Good pictures, I enjoyed looking at them. I am a Phoenix native, and I grew up in the areas of 3rd Ave and Highland and 27th Ave and Bethany Home Road and I remember hanging out in Christown with my parents and my teen friends in my early and mid teen years before before I started driving and Metro Center opened in late 1973. I hope Christown Spectrum mall continues to be an attraction for the people in the area.

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I store that I remember was national shirt store. It was a great place to buy Mod style shirts in the 60's.

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In the late 80's, in front of The Broadway, I recall a planter bed with a staircase in the middle leading downstairs to a door. Not really a spiral staircase, but the door was at a 90 degreee angle to the stairs. Was that the entrance to the Janitor's Closet cocktail bar, or perhaps a back exit? It wasn't anything special, but I do recall wondering what was down there. By that time it was just a closed door--no markings of a business.

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I learned to drive in the Chris town parking lot. It was my favorite place to go as a teen. I can still smell those yummy 3 inch thick corned beef sandwiches from miracle mile. You can't find anything like them today!

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I read your story about ChrisTown and others in the February 2007 issue of Phoenix magazine and that is how I found this website. I am a second generation AZ native and as a child in the 70's, I grew up being taken to ChrisTown Mall by my parents and grandparents. My mother bought my clothes at Bob Fox. Your website is wonderful and I had such a good time remembering the good old days reading and looking at all of your pictures. You are right, Phoenix and the Valley in general is nothing like it used to be when I was a kid in the 70's. Very sad because I can remember how great it used to be as well. Thank You for this tribute to ChrisTown and those better days, and I appreciate all your hard work to bring those days back if only on a website.

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What wonderful memories, although mine are mostly from the 70's, I remember all too well, Farrells, only one in town!! The movie theatre, the pet shop, and of course the old Yoshi's chinese shop where we would buy candy with edible wrappers. Also, Newburrys, where we ALWAYS could buy cheap xmas presents.!!

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Great site! If anyone has any old 8mm, 16mm movie film footage of chris town, my company would be happy to transfer it for free so it can be posted to this site. www.bluetransfers.com

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My cousin sent me your website. I loved reading all the comments. I worked at Korricks, later The Broadway, first at their downtown store and later at Christown. It's been fun to take a trip back in time to my high school and college years. As I recall, I spend practically my whole paycheck at the mall each week.

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I remember shopping at Lerners, carrying the boxes, I felt like a princess. I always wanted to walk up those stair on the side of the main entrance. I use to think only famous people were allowed up there Annette

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What fun--I worked at David's shoes from around 1970 for about three years and then again for Buster Brown a few years later. I was there when they had their 10 year celebration for the mall employees--what a blast. I also remember when the Phoenix Suns used the entrance area to do some practice routines! I confirmed that with a former player and coach--it wasn't my imagination. Sidewalk sale time--what a crazy weekend that was!!Great mall to work in--but then everything was so different in Phoenix at that time. My Mom and Dad LOVED the Picadilly! Thanks for a walk down memory lane--they are great memories!

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For anyone interested, there is a you tube video online of Metrocenter mall circa 1980's. Shows footage of old food court, ice rink, and the interior before the renovation in 1990's. Go to www.youtube.com and search for metrocenter mall. Sorry, but the message board wouldn't let me post the link.

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Your site is so cool! Brought back wonderful memories. I went to Wendy Ward Charm School,sponsored by Montgomery Wards. Classes were held on the second floor above the winding stair case. I remember my first modeling job and coming down the stair case. I felt like a princess. Even though I was suppose to stay thin, I remember the mile high sandwiches at the deli and the wonderful pizza. Shopping till I dropped at Lerner's. Thanks again! Jackie

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I definately remember ditching school with my high school buddies, getting some Pizza D Amore, cheese was the best, and then going upstairs to the theatre and movie hopping, watching everything from Xanadu to The Fog. I remember the Orange Julius stand at the Diamond's store entrance as well.

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Does anyone have any idea if Pizza D Amore is still available anywhere? I googled it and they list one on Cactus, but the phone number is disconnected. Any idea, anyone, of whether or not one can still find a Pizza D amore and if so, how to get in touch with the owners? you can email me any info to - abba2007 at npgcable.com

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I stumbled upon this website tonight and LOVED the stroll down memory lane! I was born in PHX in 1965 and my mother frequently took me shopping at Chris-Town for many years. We had a wonderful time together shopping and lunching at Miracle Mile Deli or Piccadilly Cafeteria. As a little girl I have very fond memories of shopping there and seeing the Court of Birds and the famous monkey grinder who would tip his hat at me. My mother recently passed away and I think about the great times we had at Chris-Town together. These photos bring back so many fond, nostalgic memories for me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Carla

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I am wondering if anyone knows a Cynthia that worked at Bobs Big Boy in 72 or 73. She would have been pregnant in mid 73. Please contact me trbo2 at hotmail. Thanks.

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Always love seeing other period 1960s shopping malls and centers, baby-boomer here with memories of the glory days of retail from that era. Thanks for sharing the memories.

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Chris Town was THE shopping mall in Phoenix. We shopped there frequently and I knew the area quite well. I spent two summers working at The Chris Town Car Wash right across Bethany Home Road on 19th. This is a very well done online collage. Tim Sawdey

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My Aunt, Jacqueline Handlin, managed Lerner's from 1961 when it opened, to around 1980 something when Lerner's transferred her to a west side mall. She retired awhile after that, but died in September of 2005. I remember opening day in 1961 and all the classy people who would shop there. Sadly, those days are gone too. Hanny's and Switzer's were the upscale stores. This is a great website. Nancy Riggs Shaughnessy, Bluffton, SC

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Great site! Does anyone remember the office that took utility payments around back by the Penny's rear entrance? They had a model train and village set up in their front window.

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I was born in Phoenix two years after Chris-Town opened and lived in a house near 19th Ave and Missouri. Seeing your website brings back a lot of memories from my childhood. I remember that there were some military recruiters upstairs around the main entrance. Also in some photos you can see an upstairs walkway with access doors that, I think, led to the roof. I remember my friend daring me to go up there but I was too afraid of being caught by security. I used to walk home through the empty fields south of the mall. I think there were some cement foundations that may once have been for small houses. I, too, was at the matinees with Wallace and Ladmo and Gerald. I didn't win a Ladmo bag, though. Thanks for having a great website.

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I worked at JC Penny's in the late 70's. but before that my brothers and sisters and I spent many an afternoon at Christown. I remember the smell as you first walk into the mall and the sound of the fountain. I remember my Grandma bying me school clothes at Bob Fox. My husband and I still crave Pizza D'Amore. I sure wish we could find pizza like that again. Thanks for the memories! jane

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I went to school in the area and as a matter of fact, I was shot with a shot gun for stealing pomegranates in the field at 19th and Bethany Home Road. I've always wondered if I was shot by Mr. Chris.

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Thank you for a great site! I grew up in Flagstaff but what a treat it was to come down to Phoenix and visit Chris Town! Most of my memories from from the 80's but what memories they were. One of my favorite memories was getting to the mall early and having lunch at the Ward's resturaunt. Does anyone remember that? I also once got sick off of a Pon's egg roll. Good times.

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Awesome site! My very first job was at Red Eye, then I worked at Contempo Casuals. I am also looking to find a Pizza D'Amore. One popped up at the PV Mall a couple years ago but now it's gone. Email me if anyone has info on it. Thanks for the walk down memory lane! kimmyinaz at cox.net

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Thanks for the memories! I used to love to go to Chris-Town back in the 60's. It was a great place to go at Christmas to sit on Santa's lap. It was also fun to meet at Guggy's for pie. When I drive by it now I hardly recognize it. Even though it is called The Spectrum Mall now, it will always be Chris-Town Mall to me!!

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It was early 1969 and I was a nite announcer at KMEO-KUEQ located in a second floor office suite of Chris-Town. Any former listeners or employees are welcome to contact me radiodonld at hotmail.com Let's share some memories.

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Incredible memories of days that have sadly passed. What I wouldn't give to live in those days again. Chris Town was THE mall... nothing came close...no pretentions, no security issues, no mallmaggots. I remember buying LPs form Walgreens, Member's Only jackets from Chess King, books from Hunters, suede Converse from Kerr's, Levi's from The Gap...later years, ties from the Tie Rack, boots from Gallenkamps, cheese from Swiss Colony, cards from Remer's, and a zillon hot dogs from Miracle Mile. Here are other stores and restaurants long gone from the Phoenix area...remember any of these? Super X, T G and Y, Yellow Front, Angel's, Ole's, Standard Brands, Woolco, U Totem, Sandy's, Burger Chef, Arthur Treacher, Shakey's, Blakely Gas, Tastee-Freez, Pepper Tree, Hansa House, Copper Belle, Bailey's, Treulich's, Beefeater's, Rudolph Chevrolet, Hanny's, Switzer's, Stan's Haufbrau, McCrory, Lucky's, Smitty's, Skaggs, Put 'n Take, Anthony's, Foodarama, Tang's, the Food Bazaar, Western Savings, First Federal, Western Airlines, Hughes Airwest, Bonanza, the Pop Shoppe, Big Sky drive in, the Indian, the Roundup, the Indian, the Thunderbird, the Glenn, the Kachina, the Bethany, the Palms, Sears Rhodes Mall, Liberty House, Pettett's, Malcolm's, Low Cost, El Rancho, Govway, FedMart, Grant's, E Z Save, S and H Green Stamps, Gold Bond Stamps, Daniel's, K G Men's Store, Pomeroy's, Skomer's, Goldwaters, Diamonds, West Plaza, Maryvale Shopping City, Jumpin' Bean, Bolero, Lantern Inn, Lunt Ave., Willy and Guillermo's, Maximillans, Kinney's, Thom McAn, Earth Shoes, the airline hanger aka the Food Court at MetroCenter, A. J. Bayless, Pioneer Bank, Organ Stop Pizza, Cinema Park drive-in, Mugs Up, Lincoln Thrift, Sambo's, Hobo Joe's, Humpty Dumpty, Love's BBQ, Little Messina, Singing Canary, I. Magnin, the Trend Shop inside of Diamond's, Yates, O'Malley's, Payless Cashway, Besta Wan Pizza, Der Weinerschnitzel, the Boston Store, Valley West Mall, Miller's Outpost, Gross' Delicatessen, Carnation Ice Cream Coffee Shop, Arizona Music Center, KRUX 1360 and KRIZ 1230 radio stations, Oscar Leverant drapery, Bea's lighting, Barrow's, Caf' Casino, Green Gables, Village Inn Pizza, Thrifty Drug and their cheap ice cream cones, C.R. Anthony's, Hobby Lobby,...hope you can add to the list.

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some more...Navarre's, the Island's, Neptune's Table, Reuben's, Alpine Village, Lee Optical, Furr's, Luby's, American Grill, Bobby McGee's, Velvet Turtle, Westward Pontiac, Kartland, Rollero Skate Rink, Zody's, LaBelle's, Best, Service Merchandise, Heddy's House of Wigs, Hardy Shoes, Long Hair, Ray Lumber, Alpha Beta, Mitchell's, Pic and Save, Dunn Edwards, Helsing's, Mehagian's, Just Pants, Guadalaharry's, Fotomat, Graham Central Station, Denim and Diamonds, Cowboys, Dooley's, Rundle's, Spaghetti Company, Rainbow Bread, Rosensweig Jewelers, Read Mullen Ford, Entz White, Dax, Sir Speedy, ...the list goes on....

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They just closed Harkins Christown 11 recently. The very first THX theater closed 04-2007 dont know exactly what day. I was driving and shock to see it closed, I recently saw DISTURIA my last movie in the GIANT Autuimoruim now its closed. Please if anyone knows what day it was closed? I know that there opening Harkins Spectrum 14 on the opposite side of the mall on July 2007 so just curious when they closed this one.

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And then there's Ryan Evans Drug Stores, Farm 2 U, Grandview School, Solano School

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I worked at Monkey Wards during the mid 80s while I was going to school. The mall was still very vibrant then and we went to the theater very often, especially for midnight showings of The Wall. I was in town last year and drove over to the area to check the mall out. I drove right past it, not even recognizing it until I turned around and went back. Not quite the same now.

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I use to play at the battle of the bands in the mid 1960's at Christown. It provided an outlet for the teenagers to go someplace wholesome on a Friday or Saturday night. Boy times were simpler back then. Richard Mickle Mile Ends Guitarist

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Thanks for memory lane, my mother stills says I wore out the esculators in korricks when it first opened. I was born about a block away. I would like to see more history or Chris Harri is there any info on him ?

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Like many of the other commenters, I also grew up,nearly literally,at CT. Being the age I am, I remember going over to Chris' field with my older brother to shoot birds before they built it. When it opened, I was 11 or 12, and spent the entire day there. We went over bare foot, running on the white lines in 300 Bowl's parking lot, because they were 'cooler' than the blacktop and then darting across 19th to a patch of grass to cool the soles of our feet, then white lined our way over to Monkey Wards, then into the mall. My first job was at Walgreens restaurant washing dishes. I later worked at Bill's Records, where you could listen to 45s in a little row of 'booths'before you bought them. I also remember the dances they had in the court of fountains. I remember Floyd and Jerry playing at one of them. I also liked Miracle Mile, but also we dug Guggy's down at the Korricks' end of the mall. Wow. What a flashback. Thanks They called me LAGNAF.

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Irode horses where Chris Town is. The land owner, Chris Harry, would let kids ride his horses as long as they brushed them down after. There wer 3 or 4 houses in a row in the middle, hence Chris Town. John Engstrom

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It was definitely a walk down memory land, seems like it was just yesterday going to Kerr's sporting goods store or Bill's Records, the two main places I frequented. I guess the big box shopping malls are the new wave. For Now. Thanks for the memories. dv

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I have shopped at this mall since I came to Arizona in 1968. I hate the new name which sounds like something unpleasant. I still shop at Chris-Town, not at Spectrum. I miss the old stores but I remain loyal to the area so I will continue to shop there. Welcome back, JC Penney!

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Bobs Big Boy. Mirale Mile. It brings back fond memories. Rememeber the movie theatre? I believe it was on the NW Corner of 19th Ave. and Bethany

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I moved to Phoenix in June 1963 and we practically lived in this mall. I took my small children, Heidi and Frankie there every week and we loved to sit in the first and only air conditioned mall. This brings back so many memories! I re-maried in 1970 and my husband's mother worked at Korricks from the time it began in 1961. This is a wonderful history and have enjoyed all the pages. I knew about the mall even before I moved here and could ahrdly wait to visit it. Ruth Graham Parker

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What a great site. I lived a few blocks from Chris Town and have many fond memories. Eating at Guggy's, Bob's Big Boy and Ferrells Ice Cream. Getting Girl Scout supplies at Bob Fox and working at the Broadway in High School from 72-74. Thanks for the memories.

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We moved in at 2315 W. Montebello in July of 1957. My older brother rode Chris's horses in the fields that became ChrisTown. It was a fantastic place to hang out during the summers as a pre-teen and teenager. And that's not to mention it being my namesake. Thanks for the memories. Chris Kempley

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VERY NICE!! Brought back old memories my dad used to work in the Barber Shop!!! And i sold Scout-A-Rama tickets there as a kid!

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I was there the at the Grand Opening! A few years late, I worked during my teenage years at Walgreens. Great memories! Thanks for the reminders. Dennis Newkirk

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What a neat bunch of memories! My most vivid one is losing my 3 year old daughter in Montgomery Ward. She just walked around a counter and disappeared. Thank goodness in those days people were not as scary. Everyone in the mall looked for her and here came a security guard from down the mall with her. She thought it was a ball.

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Having grown up at 15th Avenue and Maryland, it was so exciting to have a shopping center right up the street. Before that we either shopped at Park Central or in the really early days, downtown. Christown was the happening place.

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I wish it was still THE place to hangout and visit friends without all the crime. Glad to see they are resurrecting the ol mall Steve McDonald, 45

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Thank you very much for this! It brought back wonderful memories and I loved it!

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Absolutely enjoyed the Chris Town retrospective. As an ex-Del Webb exec, it brought back many memories. Glenn McArthur

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Christown was the neatest place. You could always feel comfortable there, no matter who you were. I miss the good old days of Santa, the mall gatherings with special vendors, eating chinese food at Pon's, Miracle Mile lunches and so much more. Thanks for the great website-it has allowed me to relive a part of my past forgotten.

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I was born and raised down the street from Chris-Town and have fond memories of Farrells Ice Cream....the opening of the theaters.....mother shopping at Switzers....the Woolworth cafe and the Walgreen cafe....Just too many fun memories ducking into Kerr's Sporting Goods and trying on new baseball glovesa and putting the glove next to my nose to smell the leather....thanks for this Website Dan Childers

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I was born in 1962 and grew up on 7th St. and Bethany. For most of my youth, this was THE ONLY MALL I knew. I can think of weekend after weekend that we rode our bikes to this mall. Metro Center came along later, but it just didn't have the same flavor! In the 5th grade, I had my ears pierced at Broadway, went to the movies with friends by ourselves at this mall, and shopped at Bullocks! We saw JAWS the first time at these theaters! That indian fry bread at the center exit doors was A MUST every trip, that, or an orange julius down by Broadway. Oh, and we can't forget FARRELL's with those fabulously fattening sundaes and ridiculously loud circus like surroundings. I, like so many of you, will always recall this mall as Chris Town and by no other name...OMG, thanks SO MUCH for putting this together! Beth Stewart

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How wonderful it is that so many of us have such fond memories. Mine is and forever will be of the adorable little monkey,who as a child, i would happily give my only coin to. Thank you for the memories!

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Whoa! Flashback!!! One thing was missed that I remember most for some reason...the sand castles just inside the main entrance around Christmas.

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I remember the challenge in the mid sixties of seeing how many times we could make the rounds of Chris-Town while barefooted. If the security people caught us in there without shoes they would always kick us out. Did anyone else ever try that? Jay Nickell

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Christown was the place to hang out when I was at Washington High School 1965-1969. It's decline over the years has always been a sad spot in my visits home. Thank you for providing these memories of its glory days.

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We moved to Phx.in 1968 and still shop at CHRIS-TOWN,liked it better then, a great website to bring back many good memories, the cars in the parking lot were a real hoot. I almost cried a couple weeks ago when they tore down my Harkins. Karen Stewart

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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! AFTER I WAS MARRIED IN '58 WE LIVED DOWN 19TH AVE SOUTH OF INDIAN SCHOOL RD. SHOPPED MANY TIMES AT THE MALL AFTER IT WAS BUILT IN '61. i REME BERIT WELL. hAVE BEEN BACK A FEW TIMES AFTER THE 90s AND DO NOT LIKE WHAT IT HAS BECOME. TO BAD WE CAN'T GO BACK TO THE HEYDAYS OF THE 60s WHEN IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO SHOP, EAT AND WATCH ALL THE PEOPLE GO BY. RJ DAY

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When I was nine, my friend and I used to go to the JC Penneys food counter and buy hot dogs and pop. There was an old man there who asked us if we needed sissy sticks. We finally realized he meant straws.

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I remember when Chris Town was a farm field in which Chris plied his trade by driving a tractor around at night, and gave rides on a horse to the neighborhood young girls. He didn't care for boys. It's about all gone now, even the name! I believe the small park between the parking lot and the school now used mostly for soccer, was a condition of his selling the land for development. Lee Graham

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My family moved to the valley when I was 3 in 1962. We moved to townhomes at Missouri and the I-17 in 1973 - I was 14. I remember how big I thought the mall was and loved to go when my mother went shopping. My memories of childhood are largely engraved with the signatures of times spent window shopping and meeting friends. My first job was at the Corner Candy Company just outside of Baker Shoes. I pulled, cut and wrapped taffy. Later, both my brother and I worked at Fox Christown theaters. I also worked at the Broadway Southwest. My highschool boyfriend, now husband, worked at Farrel's Ice Cream Parlor. Christown lead the pack with novel sandcastle displays and activities that drew us back year after year. I have returned to the neighborhood living within 2 miles and look back with nostalgia and resist the changes I see. My entire family still call it Chris-Town Mall and always will until our audience begins to return blank stares at this reference. When that time comes, I know the Chris-Town era has passed.

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Chris-Town had an Ice Rink? Boy, I don't remember that! Tower Plaza had one in the 60s. I remember Old Chris plowing the field where Chris-Town was built. We moved to 7th Ave and Bethany in 1954 when I was not quite 2 yrs old. NOTHING was out there then. The nearest shopping was at Park Central. My, my how times have changed!! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Pastor Patsy Perkins Koeneke

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This was one of the best places to go while young,of course mtro wqas a blast being new and big.But nothing beat Farrel's Bob's Big Boy and D'Amore Pizza.Hopefully after this remodel it will be great again.Let's keep the Gang's out this time.

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I worked for Harkins Christown 11. our last day of buisness was April,22. I am forced to work for Metro-center but am looking forward to going back when the new one opens July, 13th

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Hi, I stumbled on this website during my internet search. It seems like some of you are history buffs. Does anyone know the history of Beefeaters Bar on Central Avenue? Thank you, Ken

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what a great site!! I used to live near Christown in the late sixties and early seventies. I was little at the time, but have many fond memories of frequenting the mall. This site brings back many fond memrories.

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Does anyone remember that the Steve Allen Show would take pictures of people near the entrance and show them on TV and you had to call in and say who you were if that was your picture and you'd win something or other. They took a pictue of my daughter Lisa when she was about 1 year old and now she is 39. The Limited had a sale rack way in the back with great deals and my daughter still has a leather jacket and it's still in great shape. My bridesmaids bought their dresses in Switzers in 1967. I lost my sunglasses in the Janitors Closet has anyone seen them? I really think Chris Town looked a lot better back then than it does now. Where are all the creative thoughts and designs? I certainly agree with everyone else Chris Town was a much better name. SH

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Anyone prepared to admit that they bought clothing from Chess King? disco man 1977

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Our son sent your site to us and we have enjoyed all the memories..We shopped at Chris Town often for our little family..When money was tight we put things on the Penney's lay away..One day my sister and I took our 5 kids, Kara, David, Danny, Suzy and Kenny to Guggy's for lunch her son Kenny turned a bowl of spaghetti upside down on his head we left totally embarrased..Life was good.

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Thank you for this gift to a person who lives in the Northeast now I would love to see a similar retrospective on the original Scottsdale Fashion Square Goldwaters Guggys Jennifers etc and Camelview Plaza Sakowitz, Lillie Rubin Tne Mole Hole patriciakaycrow at aol.com

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I'm not sure if I remember my mom buying anything from the Chest King but I definitely remember buying ties for my dad from the Tie Tack along with the different flavored liquor suckers they sold.

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I worked at Christown for years.I worked at Regal Shoes my wife worked at Gifts III I remember the bird cages in the entry by Monkey wards, the monkey grinder that was always infront of JC Penney's and most of all the Farrel's and the underground bar at the East end of the mall just outside of Broadway Dept store. Christown was a great place to grow up at. I bought my first box of cigars at the original Stag Tobacconist there. My best memory was the day they turned middle area of the Mall,entry in front of old JC Penney's, into a tennis court. I got to be the ball boy for Bobby Riggs that day. I rode my skateboard from our house at 41st ave and Bethany just to see the spectacle. What an awesome place Christown was. I do not think that a name change can bring back the magic though.

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Great Pictures! Remember climbing the huge Tamarak Trees that ran along Bethany Home Road. Went to Maryland School and lived quite nearby. Grew up, moved away, married, went to Germany. Returned to Phoenix in 1964, and there was Chris Town. Thanks for the memories. The Kinmans of Prescott.

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I played a few battle of the bands against the Tubes and Alice Cooper in 1964 in The Court of Fountains. They had live music on the weekends. The bands would battle, and the one that won would get paid and play the next three weekends. Then another battle. Phoenix was great back then, it's all concreate now. D.D.

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It was 1969 or 1970 and I took my very small daughter to the mall to watch Santa arrive by helicopter. He was accompanied by H R Puff and Stuff who was a in a kids TV show at the time and very popolar. My daughter was so excited and I cried because I was so touched.

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I grew up with Christown Mall. I was two when it was opened. My mother, a frequent shopper at Park Central, was ecstatic to have someplace to go that was cool and indoors for her family of eight. We lived in Gila Bend and came to phoenix regularly, but going to Christown was always a treat. Thanks for the memories! A Daughter of Richard and Frances Imhoff

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I was a second place winner in a baby contest sponsored by Broadway. The black and white picture of my smiling mug in the gold plated frame still hangs at my parents' home. Thank's for the memories...

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This recount makes no mention of the highly popular teen dances that were held at the mall. It would be great to see some pictures from those. Anyone got any to share?

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Since this writing the owners of Cris-Town have realized that the up-start re-naaming of this grand old mall was a mistake and the original name will once again grace the landmark of Phoenix history. Thanks to the Sam Grossman tradition. Dewey Shirley

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PIZZA D'AMORE WAS THE BEST. I WENT TO CHRISTOWN ALL THE TIME AS A TEENAGER. LATE 70'S EARLY 80'S. CINDY

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I used to buy my penny loafers at Hardy's Shoe Store whenever i needed a new pair. I could get a pair of black loafers for 7.50 and they would last a full school year . We would always go to Chris-town on Saturdays and walk the lanes and sometimes you would meet girls and end up taking them to the movies. Bob's Big Boy was my all time favorite place to go on Friday nights after a game. The food was great and the prices were that you could feed two peeps for right at five bucks,which was my weekly allowance. You have open a can of memory worms that shall not soon be forgotten. Thanks for taking me back in time. I turn 62 in August. Peter the Courier

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I'm trying to figure out when Harkins built the Christown 11, my friend says he went there in the 60's, and I belive it was built in the late 70's

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Thanks for taking me back 44 years, when I worked at Household Finance on the southside of Chris-Town in 1963-64. Spent lunch hours shopping at Wards, Penney's, Korricks and even put a coat on lay away at Lerner's. I remember being at the front desk at HFC, when a customer came in crying. It had just been announced, over the mall PA system, that President J.F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. Lynn S. of Mesa, age 64

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This is an old Central High Graduate who worked first at Baker's Shoes, and then in the Janitor's Closet for old Billy Bart. For a person who now lives on South Beach, takes me back years to remember that old field where we rode horses, watched Chris Town grown, and later shopped till we dropped. Saw my first sexy movie Irma La Douce there. Great memories.

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My spouse and I moved here in 1972,Metro-Center and Christown were the get out of the heat for a walk for a while routine.We heard your memory lane this morning.Fond Memories! Well HI there to the GOOD Ole' old days.

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Thank you so much for putting this together. I was born in this town in 1961 and I remember the Guggy's Coffee Shop, the birds in the bird cages, seeing Santa, Broadway, Diamonds, and the man with the monkey that took your change and tipped his hat. I have lived here all but 2 of my 45 years, and will be moving to California next year after we get married.

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My Father was one of the first tenants to commit to opening a store in Del Webb's new mall extravaganza, known as CHRISTOWN. It was to be the first enclosed mall in the Southwest U.S. It would dwarf Uptown Plaza, Arizona's first regional shopping center, where we also opened Jerand's in 1955, and make Park Central, not yet a mall, all but obsolete. His name, as well as that of our store, was BOB FOX! My name is Randy Fox. I spent a good deal of my youth and adult life at Christown, from before opening day in 1961 until August 1986, when I had to make the sad decision to close down. I ran BOB FOX with my Mother, Dorothy, after my Dad died in 1975. My memories are too extensive to discuss in this forum. Suffice to say, I am still very sentimental about those 25 of my now, 57 years. I can identify with virtually all the comments that have been left by those of you lucky enough to have nostalgic rememberences of the days when CHRISTOWN was KING! To those of you who recalled, We're Going Back To School With BOB FOX, getting your Girl Scout Equipment or fancy dresses at our store, I am gratified that you singled out BOB FOX and have such fond memories about us. It's nice to know we made an impact. Thank You! Since 2004, my wife, Becky, and I now live outside of Atlanta. But, I do miss Phoenix. If any former employees at BOB FOX or old friends from CHRISTOWN, wish to reminisce about days gone by or catch up with the present, please contact me at randyjfox at aol.com. Thanks again, Randy Fox.

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I am 47 now and I still can remember back when I was a child going to Chris Town Mall. My favorite places were Bob Fox, Googy's, Montgomery Wards and all the other places too. I can remember my Dad handing me a penny to give to the little monkey and watching him take it then scamper up to his master, the organ grinder, and giving it to him! I miss those days and wish I could have a piece of it back for maybe just a day! I still dream of Christ Town every now and then and I wake up happy! Maggie

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I worked at Leonard's Luggage in Chris-Town beginning Christmas 1979. I loved the mall back then and I still live just north of the mall now. Wish bringing back JC Penney's could restore the mall, but alas, I am afraid this mall will just have to live on in our memories-thanks for this great photo collection. Jill

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I'm an AZ native, born at St Joes and raised in Scottsdale... what a great site! Thank you so much!

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1964 My cousin Linda and I spent many, many saturdays window shopping at Chris Town. We loved to have lunch at Walgreen's. We would wait just to sit at the window seats. If our parents wouldn't drive us we would take the bus. Those were to good old days. Jacque Marble

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This brings back many many memories. You need to add a picture of the Organ Grinder and his Monkey, one of my favorite attractions just before I stuffed myself at Miracle Mile.

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Moved to Phoenix in 1971. I was 11 and remember fondly the days of shopping at the mall. Going to Bills Records for my first stereo system complete with eight track player.. Thank you for providing this website with a fond look back at a once great mall.

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I was so happy to hear they were changing the name back to Chris-Town. I have many fond memories of that mall. C. Cantarella-Croswell

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I was born in '65, so I grew up with Christown. We lived on Oregon Avenue, just southeast of the mall. We rode our bikes there all the time, went to the movies, hung around at the pet store, the Gap, Farrell's, Orange Julius, etc. It was fun! Lots of good memories. Piccadilly was our regular Sunday lunch stop after church, and when I had my son, he ate there as a baby, also. Their fried chicken and chocolate cream pie was the best ever. And we'd see all the neighbors there, too. Ah, the memories. THANKS! Kristina Stellhorn

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Forgot my e-mail - kstellhorn at hotmail.com So neat to see an old childhood friend again.

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I remember the property before the mall was ever built. Then it was such a hang out for everyone and their friends. Also the Bob's Big Boy on the corner. Great memories!! The name Chris Town had to do with the original owner of the property and should never have been changed. It will always be Chris Town Mall to me!! signed a 3rd generation Phoenix native!!

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Christown was the most beautify mall to go to. As a parent the children where safe to be by themselves. Christmas was beautiful there with Santa on the fountian. Boy do I miss those days.Christown will never be the same.

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Sept 1987 I moved here in 1987 from Kansas. My first job was at Penneys in Christown. I loved the Sand sculptures as well as the Penneys family. Some very good memories. Glad to see Christown make a comeback.

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I moved here from Kansas in July 1987 and my 1st job was with Penneys in Christown. I loved watching the making of the Sand sculptures in the center of the mall and the Penneys family. Glad to see Christown making a comeback

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Christ-Town is part of my childhood memories. My mom used to take my brother and I shopping and then we would have lunch at Guggi's. In later years we had lunch at The Miracle Mile Deli. Christmas was so special when we would do most of our shopping there. In High School, I was in plays and musicals and on Friday Nights after our plays, we would go to Ferrell's. The mall is not the same anymore. I don't even go there now. In fact, my heart was broken when the name changed to Spectrum. I still call it Chris-Town anyway. Thanks for the pictures and the chance to reminisce. --From LeAnn in Chandler

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I can remember the great times as kid seeing all of the great sand sculptures and having lunch at Miracle Mile deli, mmm. My grandmother will be very happy to know of JCpenny opening back up.

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I was shopping there from 1977-1994...I really enjoyed going there back then. Now I live elsewhere...Bonnie Irving

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Thank You for the pictures of Christown I can think of so many memories from the age of 10 up to my adult years Flu shots to holidays shopping and seeing the great displays Saw Star Wars at the cinema Hope they do rename it just Christown

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What memories this gives to so many who have shopped and loved this mall for so many years. Thank You Elaine K. Shirley

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There is an entry from June 25th regarding Bobby Kennedy's campaign speech in the north parking lot. YES!!! Thank you!! I was there, and I remember it clearly. I was twenty years old and working at the Lucky Store at 19th and Bethany. My girlfriend met me for my lunch break and we walked over to the mall to hear.....Bobby Kennedy. I've done a lot of checking and found nothing to verify this, but it happened. Thanks again!!

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During the summer months our Mom would drop off my sister, Robin, and I at the Mann's Chris-Town theatre on 19th avenue for these summer flicks geared towards kids. Movies like THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG, and THE INCREDIBLE MISTER LIMPIT. After the movie we would go over to the mall and immediately head to Pizza D'Amore. Originally, it was set up near the Orange Julius and Farrell's. We managed to squeeze our way in through the crowd of Pizza D'Amore lovers and try to grab and empty stool seat. One stool did fine for the two of us. Even though neither one of us live in Phoenix, my sister and I still talk about that pizza. I remember sneaking in to the UA Cinema movies held upstairs. Some friend would open the doors at the bottom of the exit and we would climb up the stairs and watch JAWS or THE EXORCIST. Some pervert even exposed himself to my friend and I once while we were at a movie called RATTLERS. I think later I saw the same guy coming out of the mysterious Janitor's Closet. A place I always wanted to check out because it was under the ground. Once I turned of age I did manage to partake in a few drinks. A fun place. ---Keith Wick

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During the late 70s and early 80s there was a man that appeared to be severely challenged mentally and physically. He walked around the mall a lot and spent a large portion of his time on the Miracle Mile side of the mall. I could always count on him being there whenever I went to the mall with my friends. Even though I never said a word to him he will always be a part of the history of Chris-Town. KW

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Coool site. I am also a Solano, Grandview, Central High person. I see Melissa Moore, Carla Archer, Kris Stellhorn - names I have not seen in years. My friend, Keith Wick, has written in. Let me throw in my tid bits. I saw ROCKY HORROR at Christown for 3 dollars at least 40 times. Loved Pizza D Amore cheese pizza, after one used a napkin to damp off the grease first. Loved to visit Spencers to look at posters and laugh at the gag gifts. Would visit Bullocks as a kid, and they were nice to let us play video games there. Always wanted to sneak and peek and that downstairs bar, but just KNEW I would get caught. The book store, by the elevater. As a kid, I'd try to look at nudity through the photography books, and wound up learning much about art. Also, discovering Bill James abstract baseball books, just amazed at those strange numbers, and I'd keep reading it in the store until I finally broke down and bought it. The outside Christown movie place, to watch monster movies, cheer Ladmo and boo Gerald. I am STILL MAD that I never won a Ladmo bag. Visiting Farrells for ice cream. One friend's birthday, he BEGGED the waiter not to sing. So the waiter made everybody stop eating so we could all not sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my embarrassed friend. Most important, all the cute girls that we'd follow around, and they'd follow us around, and we'd all be too shy to talk to each other. I HATED when Christown changed its name and now I am glad the RIGHT NAME is back. If anyone from Grandview or Central remembers me and wants to write, that'd be great. We don't have to become pen pals or best friends, it is just nice to hear people are still alive. Christopher Shelton. Krypto21dog at yahoo.com

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In 1961 my older sister worked in Woolworth's at the lunch counter. My future brother in-law, Leaky, stopped in for a glass of ice ea after baseball practice. She waited on him and he asked for her phone number. They have been married for 45 years! Our children, Keith and Robin, still talk about Pizza D'Amore. Our son-in-law Paul worked in the paint department at Wards and met his best friend , who was later best man when Paul married Robin. The connections seem to go on and on. Petra

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I am VERY SURPRISED to be the only memorialist to the ROCKY HORROR MIDNIGHT SHOWS at Christown, so for the sake of accurate history, please allow me to share some thoughts. The first time I attended, underaged, was March 19, 1982, and I still have an 8 of Clubs that was thrown at me during the performance. There was never anything to do on the weekend in Phoenix, high school age, so I would gather with my friend, Phil St. George, and fellow misfits for Friday or Saturday late nights. We strangers would gather in an empty mall, eerily quiet, waiting for workers to allow us up the escalator. Everybody would mind their own business and there were never any problems. Once inside the theater, all the introversion would explode into extroverted joy. The costumed stage performers were experienced and excellent, while the key transvestite scientist, Frank N Furter was always the same guy, JUST AMAZING EVERY TIME! We all knew the lines in unison, these strangers who are not strangers, with perfect teamwork. For instance, as they prepare to dine on biker Eddies mutilated body, we chant as one, OH NO. NOT MEAT LOAF AGAIN! I would pray before each performance for a costumed, Janet Weiss, and if that happened, it was the best spent 3 dollars of my life. Like many fools, when the opening guitar chords for Riff Raffs TIME WARP began, my friend and I would rush up front and join strangers as everybody would dance The Pelvic Thrust, which drives you insane. Whenever Charles Gray, the narrater appeared on screen, all the hurt and venom from our personal lives released as the audience called that man every vile name in the book. WHERES YOUR F NECK? OPEN YOUR F EYES! My heart thumping every time Susan Sarandon sang TOUCHA TOUCHA TOUCH ME and wishing I could lose my actual virginity to her. My friend always liked Columbia. I sort of liked Magenta. The freak performers on stage were also the cops, and they kept everyone behaved. Maybe some people smoked pot in their personal lives, but this was not a drug scene. For every parent TERRIFIED about their teenager attending Christown at midnight for this crazy movie and its crazy audience, rest assured. We embarrassed virgins, and they should have brought newspaper protection or get rain soaked, but we never humiliated anyone. The whole show would be geared toward first timers, as we watched them laugh, relax around us and stop being nervous. We were strangers to one another, but a virgin quickly learned, this was to be an experience where fellow misfits could share and feel protected by frindship and good will. Christopher Shelton. LET THERE ALWAYS BE LIPS! krypto21dog at yahoo.com

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Final Christown memory, this one a bit troubling. Keith Wick and I have been friends, boy are we getting old, for 33 years now. Great guy, terrific theater actor, and I applaud the courage of his site note about the guy who exposed himself to him at Christown during youth. So I will add story. My friend, Phil St. George and I were throwing a baseball around Solano Park. Afterward, we went to Christown, standing in line at my small bank underneath the military recruitment stairway. An adult man approached, said he had been watching us at the park, had followed us, and would we like to earn extra money by going back to his truck for some undefined job. My friend, usually intelligent, asked me what I thought. I did not hesitate, it sounded creepy and weird with this guy unknowingly watching and following us, and I told him in no uncertain terms to get lost fast, and he did. I have no bad memories over this, and only remember Christown with sentimental fondness. But I support my long time friendship with Keith and the truthfulness and trauma of his experience, too. Christopher Shelton.

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Even though I was only 11 years old at the time Cristown opened I still remember growing up with Christown thouhout my younger years. Yep I have found memiores of Christown. Thanks Ed Hill

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I remember seeing Robert Kennedy on his presidential campain at Christown.I remember an old man named Chris who slept under his truck used to own this property and he would let us girls ride his horse named Bronco.If he thought you were a boy, he would shoot rock salt at you.

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Love this website! I grew up shopping at Chris Town in the 70s and have such wonderful memories of it. My brother and I loved Pizza Damore and ate there as much our mom would let us. We would always run down to the Polar Bar afterwards for ice cream on a stick rolled in chocolate then in peanuts. I laugh now at how we used to dare each other to run down the stairs into the Janitors Closet without getting caught. Farrells was such a fun ice cream parlor. It is sad to see how the mall is now but at least we have this website to see it in its original glory. Robin K.

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I just moved back to Phoenix, June, 2007 after 20 plus years of living in California. I wanted two things, to eat at Piza D'Amore and Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. My first date at Bob's Big Boy will never be forgotten! Wonderful website, what a treat to take a trip down memory lane! Jeanne597

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No mention of Wallace and Ladmo...what gives. Go my first of 5 Ladmo Bages at Christown in 66 or 67.... Bought 2 dress suits in August of 73 at Penny's. Grandma worked at Koricks downtown on 1st and about Washington after it closed she transferred to Broadway at Christown.....great memories. Thanks

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No mention of Wallace and Ladmo...what gives. Got my first of 5 Ladmo Bages at Christown in 66 or 67.... Bought 2 dress suits in August of 73 at Penny's. Grandma worked at Koricks downtown on 1st and about Washington after it closed she transferred to Broadway at Christown.....great memories. Thanks

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Thanks for bringing back some awesome memeories of shopping at Chris Town. I am no longer in Az..but hearing the name of Chris Town takes me back to when my children were little and we did a lot of shopping there, at Christmas time especially.

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I remember shopping at Chris Town many times, especially at Lerners..my first credit card. Just hearing the name Chris Town brings back many memories. I remember that monkey..so cute...Thanks for the memories.. Mae Hainline McCoy, no longer living there, but still have a lot of good memories..

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My head is swimming...my mind rushing like a Timothy Leary flash back...only better! How many formals did I have from Sweetbriars...fantastic shoes from Switzers, on sale but still feeling rich, a green and cream mohair pullover sweater from Learners purchased with my first summer babysitting paycheck ...or in 1965 watching our beautiful cousin, Brenda McNeal, walk across the stage as a Dairy Princess contestant during Dairy Week...while my father tried to block rocks my baby brother David was pitching at the caged birds ahhhh! BOBS BIG BOY! Man, I can go on and on...but I think I'm gonna have to lay down and revel in my sweet memories, you're probably wanting to do the same it feels like a warm hug Enjoy

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We moved to AZ in '85, and my mom and I spent a few hours in Chris Town Mall. LOL And in Park Central Mall. Alas, my hubby and I moved to TX, last year and though we love it here, we miss all things Arizona, including Chris Town Mall.

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there was a french resturant once and it had the best crepes. would go there for lunch with girlfriends. back in the 70's. virginia mcelvain

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Wow what memories people have of Chris Town. When I am asked where I live I say you know where Chris Town Mall is? So it will always be Chris Town Mall. Great place to walk. I have pictures of the sand castles.

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I was 10 in '63 when my family moved to Phoenix. My friends and I would ride our bikes all the way from Sunnyslope to Christown. Quite a distance back then. I especially remember the book store, beautiful memories.

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I was born at Good Sam in 1960. I remember seeing Chris out plowing his field. I have pictures my Mom took of me and my brother by Ferdinand. The Mall was so pretty with the flowers and parakeets. I also remember giving the monkey pennies in his tight little fist. He would tip his little hat. There was a store front by the Barber Shop that had the Beaver Valley Train. We would watch the train go through the mountians and the city. Also the store by the monkey sold Mexican Jumping Beans which were really just trapped maggots stuck under a hot red lamp. Wallace and Ladmo, Shopping for clothes at Lerners, Seeing Jaws and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at the movie theatre. Good times.

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Hi- I attended the Chris Town Dances. The mall was closed off and a band was brought in and played between the stairwells. I was also ago-go dancer at theRed Dog in Scottsdale and one Saturday evening Tony Evans was the hosting DJ's with his wife Nancy at his side and we were the go-go dancers at the Chris Town Dance circa 1965-Sally

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I remember Chris Town Mall very well. Loved it!! Mary Jo Foote Class of 59 Glendale Union High Thanks for the memories!!!

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Great site! I grew up in the 80's, but loved the old photo's. As a kid we would get cones at the thrifty's shop, which I miss. You might be glad to here that JC Penny's will be back at Christown as of next month.

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I grew up at 15th and Indian School I remember Farrells and bobs big boy, AMC theaters where I met MrT for the premier of RockyIII. I grew up at Chris Town. used to take the bus or ride my bike. This was truly a great area to grow up in.

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As I browsed through your site I thought, 'what an enjoyable place.' I know the history of Chris-Town because my husband's parents had a house in the area, and still does. He shares the great times often with me. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. We bought our house in the area thirty years ago, and we've just retired back here. Good news, the name, if I'm not mistaken, is coming back to Chris-Town Spectrum Mall. Whoo hooo

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I am a native of Phx and remember it well,at least the way it used to be not as it is now all hispanic Latin Town Harry Woody of Phownix.

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I was born here in 1954 and I remember when Christown opened. It was the first indoor mall in the valley. My first job was at the Walgreens in Christown. I can't believe that they changed the name. Somethings should remain the same. It has been and always will be Christown Mall. Nothing else. Patti

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what memories............been in phx. since 1955 and i luved chris town. my mother got her hair done at mont wards. spent alot of time in the janitors closet as i worked at picadilly cafeteria good old days.too bad we can't go back ate at guggys alot they had a pink champagne cake that was too die for. spent alot of time there with my parents.was a great place thanx for taking me back. i luved it.

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I too remember fondly the infamous ChrisTown Mall. I worked at Lerner Shops during my last two years of high school. ChrisTown was a great place to see and be seen. I met many a boyfriend there and made friends with many of the people who worked there, everyone was so friendly. It was a great time in my life and I remember shopping there for my graduation dress, party dresses and so much more. It is part of my growing up in the valley experience and I remember it fondly. Those were special times in Phoenix. Molly DeLeon

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I'd like to share my memories of not only Chris-Town Mall but also of Chris Harri for whom the Mall was named. When I was three years old my parents bought property on the NW corner of fifteenth ave and Camelback. The year was 1928. I lived there till 1943 when I married. In 1928 was no fifteenth ave, just a huge ditch. My siblings and I loved to play in that ditch when we were not swimming in the canals or playing at Chris Harri s farm. Just east of the ditch was Chris Harri s property all the way to seventh ave, with big Mulberry trees lining Camelback Rd. Chris and my Dad, Tony Strope, were good friends. He, Chris Harri, had a very big dairy farm. He grew corn and sugar cane and made silage, in his silo, for his cows. He also grew fields of alfalfa hay. I belive at one time Chris owned about three quarters of a section. Chris had a beautiful rock house on seventh ave, but as he had no family, his bookkeeper lived in the big house. He also had some small houses for his hired workers.The Bickle family was one family I remember. Chris, himself, lived in one of these small houses, when he was not sleeping along a ditch waiting for the irrigation water to come in. When the water hit his arm, that would leave hanging in the ditch, it would wake him and he would tend to the head-gate. His work was his hobby, plus watching and putting up with, all the children who liked to, ride his horses, jump from the loft in his barn into the loose hay, and I remember watching his pigs wallow in the mud, I think they were keeping cool. He had at least two big ponds to water his cattle. One of the ponds is where Chris-Town sits today. The favorite jacket of this wonderful man was a gunny sack wrapped around his shoulders held together with a big nail. He had a Model T Ford with the original license plates on it because he never took it off of his own property. I also have a very fond memories of sitting on a bench in the Chris-town Mall, with my Mom and Dad,and watching people go by, while we enjoyed the refrigerated air conditioning. I had my 50th Anniversary picture taken at Wards. And of course I'm very happy to see Chris officially put back into the name

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Hi all, even tho' I am not a Phoenix native I spent many many times over the summers growing up, at Cris-Town.I can remember my first time there. Do you realize how easy it was to get lost in there?!! It really compares to the Mall of America for it's time!My cousin and I had lots of fun there and I always thought it was an amazing place and so beautiful inside.I could never window shop enough!I liked the custom liscense plate place and getting orange Julius!My parents were Phoenixins and my mom grew up at 15th and Camelback with 5 siblings so I feel close to Cris-Town also. I hope they have the sense to bring it back to it's former glory and statis! Phoenix at heart.

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This has brought back a lot of happy memories. We moved to Phoenix in 1962 and my husband worked for El Rancho Markets. He worked at the Chris Town store and I spent a lot of time in the mall. His idea of Christmas shopping was to buy something, take it to be gift wrapped and then go down to the Janitors Closet to wait till time to pick up the gifts. My son had pictures taken with Santa in the mall, and gave pennies to the little monkey. I'm glad to hear they are returning to the Chris-Town name, but it has always been Chris-Town Mall to me. Thanks again for all the great memories this brings. L Walker

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I am honored to sign this guest book! Born in Phoenix in 1955 my sisters and I rode Mr. Chris horses and spent many days just walking to his little ranch behind now Christown! I was sad to hear when they changed the name because Mr. Chris had much history connection to this landmark! Phoenix is a great town with value...it is places like this that make our lives rich with great memories...money cant replace everything!! Blessings...Teresa Domenzain

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I'm glad someone remembers the organ grinder and his monkey. I wonder if any of his relatives are still around in Phoenix?. I can still remember how the monkeys paw felt when he would take your penny! Jessica

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I would like to elaborate on a fave Christown Farrells story. If I recall, they specialized in banana splits and I always liked their hot fudge sundaes and thick chocolate shakes. One day, my friend Phil Hodesh and I visited Farrells, we were kids who never had money, and it was his birthday and farrells offered free ice cream for birthday kids, and all the waiters and waitresses would sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Well, my friend wanted the ice cream but confessed shyness and begged our waiter not to sing. I fervently protested, YOU HAVE TO LET THEM SING, ITS PART OF THE DEAL, YOU CANNOT HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER. The waiter pushed for music, my friend declined. I told Phil, IT WONT BE THAT BAD, AND YOU ARE HURTING OUR WAITERS FEELINGS, AND ITS RUDE. Our gregarious waiter advocated birthday music again, stubborn friend resisted, until the waiter shrugged and surrendered. When our waiter arrived with ice cream, I think he had free scoop for me too, he made a HUUUUGGGEEE COMMOTION, with bells and whistles and he banged pan with spoon, as he commanded the crowded place to silent attention, insisted all work help stop what they were doing, AND THIS IS PHIL HODESH as he shouts and points, and instructs everyone to follow along with him as he DOES NOT sing Happy Birthday to Phil. Our waiter was animated and manic enthusiastic throughout, easy to follow as he mouthed song without noise, and it was ridiculous and funny. When our waiter stopped, the place roared with applause as my friend shrank in his seat. He said it was soooo much more embarrassing without the words and he wished our waiter had sung normal if he had to sing at all. SEE PHIL, I said, I TOLD YOU IT WOULD NOT BE THAT BAD. christopher shelton

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Thanks,It was fun to walk down Memory Lane. I remember ChrisTown fondly,the Bob's Big Boy sign and restaurant were a great place for teens. I once worked as a waitress for the 300 Bowl Coffee Shop by the bowling alley on the SW corner of 19th and Bethany, and would often walk over to ChrisTown after my shift. It is interesting to see that they are planning to add the name ChrisTown back to the Spectrum mall sign. I hope with the renovations and remodeling, that it will survive. Thanks again Susan Pritchard, formerly Simon

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This story was reminiscent even to someone who moved here in the early seventies. The only thing missing, because it was a biggie to the kids, is Farrels, BOOM BOOM Happy Birthday to you! Definitly a slower, more peaceful lifestyle. Thanks.

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Wow!! What a blast from the past these photos of our precious Christown Mall were!!! I so remember, Wallace and Lladmo at the Christown Theaters with my brother Mike Dugan, when we saw this huge rat cross in front of our feet!!! Everyone thought it was part of the act all our screaming!!! Cruising Central and all the great times at the Miracle Mile Deli!!! Thank you for bringing our homestead back to life!!!

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I worked at Grossman Company Properties. They use to be the property management company.

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What memories this brings of a different age and era. How simple life was in that time. Thank you for the reflection into the past. Gigi Itule Thomas

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Wow, a site dedicated to Chris-Town! I grew up accross the street from CT and actually walked in the big holes created in the dirt before construction began in 62? Spent my childhood there and loved it! R D Miller

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Before Christown there was Park Central, Uptown Plaza and Town and Country clear out on 20th Street and Camelback. The westside showed up all the rest,even Scottsdale, when Christown opened with its air condioned mall. My mom would by me a few dresses at Bob Fox to start school but usually made the rest. Later, I bought my own daughters' dresses there during their final months. My first job was at Leonard's Luggage as a gift wrapper during Christmas of 1966 earning 1.00 per hour. At those wages I could only shop at Lerner's for clothes and Bakers for shoes hoping I would not run in to any friends as I desperately wanted clothes from Korricks and later Broadway. My husband of 38 years remembers the grand opening and says they buried a time (capsule) near the flag pole at the main entrance. Wonder if anyone else remembers or if it has been dug up. Rhonda

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What Great memories. I lived here all my life, 50 plus years. We enjoyed the mall and remembered the air condtioning and that Park Central had shading but was still outside. Chris-Town was the place to be. We hung out at Park Central until we were old enough to get to Chris-Town. It was fun to take the bus from West High after school or go hang out at Encanto Park. Got any pictures of Encanto?

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My family moved near ChrisTown during the summer of 1962, and I spent lots of time there. I recall that some group, probably the National Guard, set up a 50 caliber machine gun, for about a week, on the east parking lot side in those early 60s years. The group let persons fire blanks, and that gun could be heard miles away. I also remember seeing Woodstock at the CT Theater. It was the first movie for which I paid 4 bucks a ticket!

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Wow, a trip down Chris-Town memory lane! It's amazing how many people remember Pizza D'Amore. Their pizza was so good! During weekends, the counter would be packed with people ordering slices. The company moved later to a larger space down by the movie theater but it never seemed quite as good as when it was just the original counter in front of Broadway with ovens constantly cooking pizza! If that company reopened a counter at CT mall again, they would surely get a lot of business! It's also fun to remember the tiny monkey that used to be in front of Penney's. Somewhere, I'm pretty sure my Mom has a photo of me giving a coin to the monkey! It would be great to see more photos on this site from the '70s since that's what I remember. Farrell's was great, it's a shame corporate America drove that into the ground. I live in San Diego now and the last Farrell's store here closed in 2006. My husband and I went to it once but it didn't have the fun, bustling atmosphere I remember at CT's Farrell's! I also remember eating lunches with my Mom at a place called The Olive Tree. Does anyone remember it? Someone mentioned the French crepe restaurant, I believe it was called La Creperie. It was located in the Bullock's wing when that area was built. Someone commented about the Pepper Tree, near 7th Ave., which has been gone a long time. There was also a neat Polynesian restaurant called The Islands. Two places I think are still around are Los Compadres and China Doll, both on 7th Ave. I remember Los Compadres when it only had a takeout window! They slowly expanded into the restaurant they have now. Do I ever miss all the great Mexican food places Arizona has. San Diego just isn't the same! Another place I remember as a kid was the Toy Cottage store on 7th Ave. I spent my elementary school years at Cambridge Day School (nicknamed Candy Cane) if anyone remembers driving by the pink building with Casper sliding down a candy cane out in front! It was on 7th Ave., near Park Central mall, and across from a Catholic school. During college in the early '80s, I worked at a clothing store called Foxmoor, mostly at the Park Central, Colonnade and Los Arcos mall locations. Occasionally, I filled in for someone at the CT mall store. None of these malls are the same now, that's for sure! I have many memories of tagging along with my Mom on her shopping trips to all of these malls, including Tower Plaza, Thomas Mall, Tri-City and Metrocenter, when it opened. Regards, Annette

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It will always be Chris-Town. I spent many wonderful fun times there. I loved the sand sculpting times. Joyce Zaharis

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Oh my gosh! I am loving this site. My dad managed the 300 Bowl, not 500 and I grew up at Chris Town. My mom would take us to Woolworths for their great hotdogs and we would just waunder. The mall was air conditioned, our house was not. I too took the bus from West High, 1966 - 1970, straight up 19th ave. It was so cool to see Mr. Chris on his tractor. I'm not sure when the mall started to change, I noticed after they built the east side addition the dynamics changed a little and then more and more it became a different place. Or, maybe I was just getting older. I remember Switzers, 7th to Heaven, Lerner's, Baker's shoes by the entrance, going over to Bob's for a Big Boy, getting Christmas trees from the parking lot, and so much more. Thanks for the great memories!! Pam

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Just a quick note about the crepes. The name of the restaurant was The Magic Pan. It was a small chain and there were a couple in San Francisco as well. They served a salad with mandarin oranges, sliced almonds and a dressing I've never been able to duplicate.

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I remember Chris- town well..I went there with my folks as a kid in the early 60s and worked at the Walgreens soda fountain my senior year of high school in 1969. My girl friend who is now my wife would come down and I'd give her free cherry and vanilla cokes after school until I got caught because she wore my letter sweater to the shop. I went shopping there the night before I left for the army in 1970 and still have the lock I bought there..We bought our 1st furniture set at Montgomery Wards in 1973. I still get a warm glow when I drive by it.. Good ole Chris-Town.

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Hi all, My parents moved from downtown Phoenix to the burbs in 1952. We moved to a house at 14th Ave and Solono Dr., about a 5 minute walk from the field which was to become Christown in the 1960s. We played over there constantly. It was a large field, but surrounded with an irrigation ditch and lined by Tamarack trees. The ditch was of great concern to our parents in the early 50's because of the polio scare. Polio was thought to be transmited by dirty water. But we played in the water, climbed the trees and ran through the fields. The owner was a man named Chris Harry sp?. Hence the name, Christown. He was allegedly very mean to kids he caught trespassing in his field. I never had a personal encounter with him, but from afar, he looked like a scary, mean old man to us kids. My family moved from Phoenix just as Christown was being build, so I never got a chance to experience it as anything but a field.

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I grew up 2 blocks from Chris-Town since my family moved there in 1966. We would always walk to the mall. In 1968, at 8 years old, I went early and stood in front of Chris-Town for hours to see Robert F. Kennedy speak as he campaigned for the Presidential nomination. He gave a speech at a podium outside, but I don't remember a word of it. I just knew he was super-famous and I couldn't care less what he said. In later years, my best friend and I liked browsing the record albums at JC Penney. Then in 1974, we heard that Olivia Newton-John, having just started climbing the record charts, would make a personal appearance at JC Penney ! Being 14-15 year old boys, guess why we were interested. Hint - it wasn't her music. We walked over to Penney's and sure enough, there was Olivia Newton-John, smiling at the customers who bought her albums to be autographed ! What a beauty. I remember thinking how unfair it was that you must buy one of her albums if you wanted to stand in line and get her autograph. We didn't have money to spend on sugary music, so we just ogled her from afar. My family's old house, sold years ago, is still there 2 blocks away, but it's all changed and aged ungracefully. The neighborhood has really gone downhill. Someday it will all be completely gone. I know it's just a large-scale version of 'rearranging the furniture, but it still hurts. We didn't think it was all that special back in the 60's and 70's, so it's really not the man-made structures, or loss thereof, that moves us. But seeing the structures certainly triggers the memories and strong feelings that follow.

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Yes, I remember chris-town I first visited, late sixtys as a little boy. remember the circus like coulors those chirping birds, that old man with that evil money grubbing monkey and his green hat, tipping it for change. that monkey assaulted my cousin in broad day light! Damn I hate that monkey but love that mall...

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Great web site.. I worked at Wards from 78 - 80.. It was my first job and I met plenty of great friends and I am still in contact with many today..Eric, JJ, Jeff, Scott, Mark, Steve, Joe, Doug, Paul R., Danny, Mounty, Brad, and JC to name a few... I remember underage drinking at Loves BBQ bar and parties that severly impacted weekend attendance at Wards--anyone remember WWK Productions on 62nd ave and Thomas?. Saturday Night Live was the show everyone had to watch. We had a company softball and broomball team that didn't do too bad.. I remember Miracle Mile Deli, Miller's Outpost, Woolworths, Chess King, and Tortilla Flats.. Great times and thanks for the memories.. Paul -Kegs

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I was born in Phoenix in the 1940's and remember well when Chris Town opened. I had just graduated from Phoenix Union High School and I loved that mall. It was a great Saturday treat to spend the day at the mall. Thanks for the wonderful memories. I still live in the area.

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this website is sooo cool i learned so many things about what happened in the old days and thx for who ever created it!

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I promise your website will have a few more hits. I am definatly going to tell my family about this website. I appreciate the history I learned and the pictures that I saw from when my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and parents shopped in this spectacular mall. Sadly I only had a few memories but hearing everyone's stories I learn more. Thank you very much. It will always be Chris-town! Frances AZ

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Just wanted to say thanks. My grandmother would take me to Chris-Town when I was a younger and my dad before me.

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I had the priviledge to meet someone who was a friend of Mr. Chris who the property which later became the mall.. chris,town.. She said she would go over to Mr. Chris' House and clean but Mr. Chris would not sleep in the house but in the Barn and did not care so much about materialism. It was quite interesting. His house was in the outskirts of town and Glendale ave. was a dirt road. Mr. Chris owned the whole lot of Bethany to south of Montebello and from 19th ave. to 15th. it was a huge ranch at the time. This was in the 1950's. There was a horse pass going down what is now Central ave. and this would be the commute for most ranchers to come into town. Written by Margarita Cooper of Phoenix, Az.... Owner of a John F. Long home, just north of Glendale. So I am very much in favor of keeping the name CHRIST,TOWN MALL because it has quite a history and the people that would drive by it would be the same exact people that drove by Mr. Chris' Farm.

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I remember the bull outside the entrance as a kid. I never wanted to leave the bull behind when it came time to leave. He was made of concrete and painted bright orange with flowers. He was also laying amongst a few daisies. I remember the beautiful birdcages and the organ grinder and monkey. I remember once sitting down to order ice cream with my Mom at Farrell's but when she saw the prices, we had to leave. I remember going to see Wizard of Oz and other films at the theatre with Wallace and Ladmo there on a Saturday. I remember shopping at Chess King as a teenager. I remember seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show at the midnight showing. I remember being hired as a professional caroler and actually singing in a men's trio with the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, sans costume. Years later in college, circa '82, I went to a piano students home for their lesson. Upon arrival I was greeted by an old friend... the Bull in their front yard. I asked where they had gotten it. She said that their father used to be a security guard for Chris-town and had found it in the dumpster. He brought it home. I recently saw that student and inquired about the bull. She said that it had finally been put out to pasture because of irreparable deterioration. I'm now 46 years old and Chris-town still has many wonderful memories for me. Mr. Dana Graybeal

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This was a real trip down memory lane and lots of time spend at Chris Town in my childhood, teen and young adult years. I was a Santa's Helper in the Court of Fountains...an elf, dressed in white tights and green velvet, in 1973-74. Thanks for doing this.

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christown was the funnest mall on earth they should have it just the same as it was i miss it.i worked at all-time,wild pair and merry go round...christown was the bomb...kirk...

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Thanks for the memories. I grew up around Christown and worked for Montgomery Ward for a few years. I can remember Farrell's ice cream shop near the old court of flowers.

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Your page brought back memories of a good time. the only thing I found missing was Farrel's Ice Cream Parlour, a favorite haunt of Wallace, Ladmo and Gerald! I can't begin to tell you how often I ate lunch at Guggy's.

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My family would drive all the way into Christown from Buckeye, Az in 1969. We would make a day of it. There wasn't a freeway to get us there quickly back then. B. Bittick Buckeye, AZ

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What a great site!!! It was neat being able to remember all the cool stuff there...miss the Tower Records south of the mall.

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Boy....did this bring back memories for me.....my mother worked at Woolworths when I was small....infact she worked there until she retired.......and all the times we spent just hanging out at the mall.......thanks for putting this together........ Elaine Shuster Hamilton

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Someone asked about the fate of Pizza d' Amore. The last I heard, there is one at Paradise Valley Mall. I heard this first about six or seven years ago and then again about two or three. I've never gone there to look, but I may today. I'll be adding more comments later. Daniel R. maxidious at hotmail.com

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I enjoyed taking a trip back in time. I had forgotten how wonderful and lovely Chris-Town was. It has been many years since I have visited it but it gave me great pleasure in seeing a mall that we long ago had here in Phoenix.

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I loved looking at the pictures. I grew up shopping at that mall. got my 8th grade graduation dress at Bob Fox , worked at Penneys during the summer, went to the movies in high school and frequented the Janitors Closet when I was old enough to drink.

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I just revisited my youth! I shopped and worked in Chris-town in the 60, 70's and 80's. It was a great place , thanks for reminding me of it.

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I was born in 62 and Chris Town was the best. I always gave the monkey some change and I saw Santa there as well. My grandfather was friends with the old guy that opened Pizza damore and we used to always have a slice. It was in a booth in the middle of the mall not a store front initially. There was a Pizza D'amore in PV Mall for years and it closed about 3 years ago. The pizza was the same as always. I would buy the recipe from the family that ran it if I could. Pizza Damore is the best Pizza ever!!!!!!!!!! There must be 30 references to Pizza Damore on this list...Someone please re open the place!!!!!.

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Thanks for all the memories. I remember my best friend and I used to sneak cigarettes from her mom's house and go the the bathroom upstairs at J.C. Penny's and smoke them. We were real daring. Didn't get alot of allowance in those days 1964 but it was fun to go and cruise the mall and see all our friends. We spent most of our time at Bill's Records where records were a dollar. I saw on TV the other day that there is a frozen pizza at the grocery stores called Treshetti's or Trushetti's Pizza D'Amore. Wonder if it is the same company. Miss the old Chris-town name but heard they may bring it back. Thanks for the memories. Annie

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WOW! Memories that were all but forgotten. Moving to Phoenix from Indiana in 1956 and seeing many changes since, it was a joy to look back and remember all the times spent at Chris Town Center. What a great job, well done. Thanks for the travel back in time! Nancy

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There needs to be photos of Love's restaurant that was adjacent to the Mann Theatre.

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I remember the monkey, ice cream cones, the miracle mile deli that had the best chili dogs and the candy counter at MOntgomery WArds. Thanks for the memories. Alison

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Thanks for the mememories. At some point there was a large fish tank with piranah in it. Do you have any pictures of that and any of the Wallace and Ladmo shows there?

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This is great! Thank you for putting this together and for preserving a little bit of history.

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As teenagers we used to go to Christown on Saturday mornings and afternoons to see all the other teenagers. I'm 53years young and my husband also went to Christown on Saturdays, although we didn't meet there. Talking about high school, we both said, Christown on Saturday's It brings back great old memories. Maureen J. Pelletier-Begley

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Ahhh Farrell's. I worked there in the mid 70's with Casey, Cliff, Marcia, Denny, Dion, Shelly, the Kinnetts, and others. Those were fun times that we through would never end. One Saturday afternoon we dropped two of the huge zoo bowls in a row as we ran through the restaurant. It made one heck of a mess, but we didn't get fired. Alex V

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Nice memories! I was born in a little house on Denton Lane just north of Chris' property in 1942. Before the mall was built, we used to watch Chris drive his tractor in the fields.

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What a great site. We moved from Phoenix in 1976, when I was 8. I have fond memories of many places. I remember seeing a movie at Chris Town mall theater shortly before we moved. I think it was Hawmps. April 2007 mentioned alot of great places. I remember, Legend City, Encanto Park, Angels, Smittys I loved, Skaggs, TG Y, Tastee Freeze, Shakeys Pizza, Wallace and Ladmo, the old Pendergast Elementary I attended 73 to 76, Burger Chef, U totem conv. store they had my favorite candy bar Rally. I took skating lessons at the rink on Indian School near the Tastee Freeze that burned down. There was another store, was it AJ Baileys? Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

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I am surprised no one has mentioned the MONKEY!!!! Remember when you handed him a penny, he tipped his hat and shook your hand? Just outsideo JC Penney.

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Wow! Thanks for the memories of the way I remember Cris-Town in the 60's and 70's. My father who started the Macayo Restaurant with my aunt and uncle, Vicki and Woody Johnson and went on to have Romley's Mexican Restaurant at 2525 W. Bethany Home Road just down the way from the shopping center. Cris-Town was so unique then with the birds and my favorite was Ferdinand the Bull. Susan Romley Moranz

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I am a mere 29 years of age and remember going to Christown mall as a kid wasn't there a bar that was underground by where the entrance to walmart is in the mall If you are confused it was where the East corridor of the mall meets the north or frontcorridor of the mall if anyone has some old pictures of the mall that are rare or not already on the web please send me copies even pictures of phoenix in general I am some what of a self proclaimed historian and welcome any chance I get to view this city in its infancy.

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I grew up at Chris Town, and also rode Chris' horses when he was still alive. He would let the girls ride Bronco the horse but not boys. At one time they were mean to him. He used to keep his food in the water trough, which was a drink that was made with milk, mollasses and raisins. Dee

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our family was there when Chris was still on his tractor harvesting carrots! they caught crawdads in the 15th ave. ditch. we lived in a hoffman house and there wasn't one signal from our house to palm springs!

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I was wondering if anybody else remembered Chris Harri leaving his mason jars of flavored raw milk in his troughs. We used to make halters at home, we were 7,8,9 years old, and go over to ride Bronco without a bit, just the halter. We all rode bareback around the corral and he would sometimes cover over and talk to us and offer us a drink of his milk if we were thirsty. We would cross 15th Avenue which was barely a dirt road and walk across a board over the ditch to get there.

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I can't put into words how transported I am seeing this website and reliving the memories of growing up at ChrisTown. Reading the posts brought back memories that I had long forgotten. As a 5th generation Phoenician who was born and raised in the neighborhood east of ChrisTown, I also was in the first graduating class of Solano, then on to Grandview, and Central. I remember before CT was built and I rode Bronco at Chris' farm. He would milk the cows and keep the milk in the water trough. He was missing some teeth and had a very thick accent. He would drink the milk out of a jug after it was cooled in the trough. He called the girls an endearing name that I can't recall. The boys could ride the calves but only the girls rode Bronco, and only bareback and with a halter. We had forts in the tamarisk trees along 15th Ave. next to the ditch before 15th Ave was paved and the ditch covered. I, too, had an encounter with a flasher who came out of the tamarisks on our way to CT. We used to go to Miracle Mile and get a bagel and a diet Dr. Pepper. Maharani used to have a small leather shop next to Orange Julius and they carried the Etienne Aigner leather goods. When you needed shoes dyed to match a fancy dress, Bakers did it. The photo booth was in Walgreens and we spent hours and lots of quarters having fun there. I had my first hair permanent at Korrick's when I was in the 3rd grade. I have LOVED this site and feel great remembering the innocent fun of growing up in that neighborhood. Thank you for bringing the memories back to life!

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This was my favorite mall as a kid growing up, especially when they added Farrell's ice cream parlor where you could 'pig out'! As a native Phoenician, now in my 50s, many happy high school memories are Pizza D'Amore and Orange Julius before or after a movie ... a fun, but cheap, date! I too was a high school student at Central, graduating class of 72 .... Christown was the place to hang out!!! I worked at the Broadway summers in between college at the U of A, heady days!

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hey, who remembers the Cinema Park Drive In, the Sombrero playhouse and of course, the Palms??!!!

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I was only 16 years old, with a driver's license in the 70's. Christown Mall was the place to hang out at and meet up with your high school friends. We could do a movie at the Christown Theaters, go shopping, and eat at the same location. Phoenix in the 70's was safe, fun, and a teenager's playground. I loved driving my 1965 Ford Fairlane and cruising up and down Bethany Home Road. In addition, I enjoyed the Bethany Theater and the pizza parlor next door to it. Like I said, Phoenix was a great place to live in the 70's. I've returned to Phoenix just this past April. Going by Christown Mall today sure isn't anything like it used to be...so sad.

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I HAVE ENJOYED READING THE MEMORIES, LIVED IN PHX 1959-76 GOT A SHOE SHINE JOB AT VELS BARBER SHOPIN 72 THEN AT MALL CONCESSION , FUN FOODS OWNED BY SAM CLIFFORD, RAN HIS POPCORN STAND IN FRONT OF PENNYS THE MONKEY AND THE GRINDER JACK SOPERRO WERE MY FRIENDS AND YES THE MAN THAT WAS DISTRURBED THAT WAS HERB. THOSE WERE THE DAYS I WORKED WITH ALOT OF PRETTY GIRLS. ATE ALOT OF GREAT PIZZA AND DRANK THAT OJ ANY OLD CO WORKERS OR FRIENDS ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME.THANKS AGAIN VERLYN WRIGHT MONTEBELLO 73 ALHAMBRA 77 580 3181761

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I remember Chris-Town from the late 70's and late 80's . Thank you for posting this. Farrell's was one those places I never see again. I left Phoenix in 87' ,and I really miss it . The memories are alive and well ! Thanks a bunch..-Andrea

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HI I LIVE IN OKC WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE MALL? DOES ANYONE KNOW THERE WAS A TIME CAPSELE TO BE OPENED AROUND THE FLAGPOLE LOCATED OUTSIDE TO THE NORTH OF PENNYS I CANT REMEMBER WHAT ALL THAT PLAC HAD ON IT BUT THE STUFF WAS PUT IN WHEN THE MALL WAS BUILT......

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THIS IS FOR THE PERSON THAT NAMED ALL THE EATING PLACES AND BUSNESSES I REMEMBER MARY COILS ICE CREAM PARLOR PIZZAOVEN OLD JOE RAN THAT HE HAD TWO PIZZA OVENS IN PHX TEXASBBQ AT BETHANY AND BLACKCANYON LOWCOST CHUCKWAGON MUGSUP ON GLENDALETHEY MADE THERE OWN ROOTBEER PULLMAN PIE ELTACO LAZY LUES FISH COWBELL LADMOS DRIVEIN PUTTAKE GROC USAVE GROC HILLS PATACAKEBAKERY CHAVELLOS THAT HAD THE BEST HOT SAUCE EVER THEY HAD TWO MEXICAN RESTRUNTS IN PHX EL TANGO MEXICAN TANGS RED DEVILPIZZA CAVALIER GROC SANDYS UNION JACK FISHCHIPS VILLAGEIN PIZZA I GUESS THATS ALLI STILL SAY IF I COULD MAKE HOT SAUCE LIKE CHAVELLOS AND PIZZA LIKE D AMORES ID BE RICHER THAN BILL GATES. OH I FORGOT SAMBOS COFFEE SHOP

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I CAN REMEMBER ONE SAT MORNING WATCHING WALLACELADMO AND GEROLD LEAVE THE THEATER WITH A KID CHASING THEM HE WAS AFTER GEROLD THEY WERE IN A FORD MAVERICK THAT WALLACE WAS DRIVING AND THAT KID WAS ON BACK OF THE CAR AS IT WAS DRIVING OFF ILL NEVER KNOW HOW FAR HE STAYED ON OR IF HE FELL KIDS SURE HATED GEROLD

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CAN ANYONE REMEMBER BARBAZON SCHOOL OF MODELING UP STAIRS I WORKED JUST UNDER IT HAD ALOT OF FUN LOOKING UP WHEN THE GIRLS WENT UP THERE THEY CAUGHT ON AFTER A WHILE

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FORGOT HOBBY DEN GOONEY GOLF MILTS DEP. STORE LOU GRUBB BIG APPLE WOODYS LL SMITH DAVES KART JACKS GROC. TONYS SHOEREPAIR REMEMBER BRUNO AT THE CHRISTOWN STORE HE WAS REALLY WEIRD. COULTER CADILLAC WHERE MY DAD WORKED. I WOULD TAKE OLD POPCORN DOWN TO JANATERS CLOSIT FROM FUN FOOD FOR THE GUYS TO SNACK ON THAT LITTLE BAR WAS COOL AND THE NUT HOUSE WAS NEXT TO THE PIZZA AND OJ I WOULD GO GET BOXES OF ORANGES FOR THE OJ GUY AND TAKE THE TRASH OUT AT THE RUSSELL STOVER CANDY SHOP FOR CANDY I HAD ALOT OF FUN AT THE MALL

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ALICE COOPER WAS IN A LITTLE BAND CALLED THE SPIDERS THAT JUST PLAYED AROUND THEPHX AREA ONCE AT CHRIS TOWN

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GREAT SITE DOES ANYONE REMEMBER A BIRD FARM ON 27TH AVE BETWEEN BETHANY AND GLENDALE THEY HAD EVERY KIND OF BIRD AND YOU COULD PAY AND WALK IN TO SEE OR BUY BIRDS WELL THIS IS WHERE ALL THE BIRDS CAME FROM THAT WERE IN CHRIS TOWN

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MEMORIES OF CHRISTOWN CAN ANYONE REMEMBER THE GIANT HOT WHEEL TRACK THEY SET UP FOR JUST ONE WEEKEND THE THING WAS SO TALL THAT YOU WENT UP STAIRS TO RACE YOUR CAR DOWN IF WE JUST KNEW HOW EXPENSIVE THOSE LITTLE CARS WERE GONNA BE IN 2008 AND REMEMBER KIRK THE CLOWN AND HIS FIRE TRUCK AND PET PIG NOW YOU REALLY THINK I LISTENED TO KDKB RADIO

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AH YES CHRIS TOWN WHERE I LOST MY NEW SHWINAPPLE KRATE AND A LEMON PEELER NOT TO MENTION A PEA PICKER BIKE MY FAULT I DIDNT LOCK ONE OF THEM BUT IN ALL THOSE YEARS I NEVER HEARD OF A MURDER OR KIDNAPPING MAYBE A PURSE OR WALLET TAKEN BUT THEN IVE BEEN GONE SINCE 76

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HI DOES ANYONE REMEMBER WEST PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER ARC RENTALS FREEWAY LUMBER TAKING YOUR BIKE TO THE FIRE DEPT AND FOR A DOLLAR THEY WOULD STAMP LETTERS ON IT AND GIVE YOU A PLATE FOR IT CMA DEPT STORE WOOLCO CHAVELLOS MEXICAN FOOD NEVER WON A LADMO BAG OR GOT TO EAT AT LADMOS DRIVE IN IT WAS FUN GROWING UP IN PHX I LIVED BY MARYVELLE SWIMMING POOL ON MISSURI ST IS IT STILL THERE WILL THE SUNS EVER WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP

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glad i found this site every sat morning we would go to the movies and see wallaceladmo and then go to the mall for pizza then torment the monkey then talk to a mentally challenged man then go to that huge bathroom in jc pennys in the hardware dept look in if some of the stalls were occupied we would turn off the light and hear some loud muffeled yelling as we ran away then to tonys shoe repair to watch the blackman pop his shoe shine rag then you guessed it back next sat for the same old thing what fun those days thanks for this site

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thanks for having this there was a man that owned webbwebb reality on 27th ave that had alot of pics of chris town his name robert webb does anyone remember him any how was watching an old eposode of alice and chris town was mentioned interesting

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THIS BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES DOES ANYONE REMEMBER BOBS BIG BOY IN 67 MY SISTER WORKED THERE AND ID HANG OUT SOMTIMES WELL I WAS YOUNGER I HAD A CRUSH ON A YOUNG WATRISS THERE WE KNEW HER AS STEPANIE LYNN SHE QUIT AND MOVED ON WE ALWAYS LOVED HER VOICE AND SHE SIAD SOMTHING ABOUT A BAND ONCE IN A WHLIE DIDNT GIVE IT MUCH THOUGHT AND YOU KNOW HER TODAY AS STEVIE NICKS

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one time they had some wresling guys at christown they wresteled downtown phx on fri nights anyway they were there to sighn autograghs there was tito montez bulldog kent the mad mongo gorges george and a couple of canadian bold guys it was really neat

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DOES ANY ONE REMEMBER THE PHX ROADRUNNERS BOB BARLOW HOWIE YOUNG WAYNE HICKS GARY SIMMIONS ETC

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had to mention a little pizza place in frount of broadway store the pizza was the best ever and i think just 50 cents each i want to goback does wallace still have that time machine

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I was born in Phoenix in 1951 and still have not left. I went to Solano School and was a nember of the first graduating class. Then went to Grandview which is now Osborn Middle School and graduated from Central High School in 1969. We had a party at my house to commerate the first Solano graduating class and it was a luau-type affair. That was when I was Debbie Seaman. I remember watching Chris Town Mall being built. We used to wave to Chris at recess when he was plowing his fields. He and his family lived in houses down towards 19th Avenue. In 6th grade, it was a special treat for the sixth graders to get a sack lunch and eat at the tamaraks which are now the library and Walmart's parking lot. I had many fun times at Farrell's. I was happy to see they brought the name back. Thanks for this website to bring back some wonderful memories. debigarrett at yahoo.com

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Nostalgic Christown! The place to see anyone you knew. The Christmas shopping mystique was enebriating! The place to see cute girls! I miss it!! Roy Smeya

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DO you have anything on the Battle of the Bands that where held there? they would close the mall early six pm then they would set up a stage and have the contest usually three or four bands, often each band represented a different high school.It was a great place to meet girls from other schools, the VIP club on fri, night then sat, night at Chris- town. and the kids back then said there was nothing to do in Phx, it was a great Life. Barry -

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Thanks so much for putting this together!! I have such wonderful memories of roaming the mall - my favorite stops were Bill's Records, Lerner's and that gift shop - was it Remer's gifts? My family has photos of us kids playing on Ferdinand the bull when it was outside. Great memories!!

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I moved to Phoenix in 1961, when I was 10 years old, and lived on 27th Ave. and Bethany Home Road. Chris-Town was a wonderful place to school shop and go to hang out with friends. There was a Ledermans Music store that I would frequent at least monthly and they would let me play their pianos and order special music. The tux that I rented for my high school prom in 1968 came from a tuxedo shop located in the mall. When my children were little, mid 70's I recall taking them to Chris-Town to see a lego exhibit and sand castles that were made in the mall. Many great memories of a wonderful time to be in the Valley of the Sun.

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I graduated from West High in 1961 and worked at Kreske's that summer before going off to the University of Arizona. I remember stocking the store and getting it ready for the Grand Opening. Great memories of the mall, Bob's Big Boy, and 300 Bowl across the street.

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This is great. Brings back so many memories. One thing that you are missing is a photo of the famous Chris Town dances on Saturday nights. I remember going to them in the 60s, they were very popular with local bands appearing. The dances were in the area in front of Penneys with the mall roped off so you could not wander to either end of the mall. Steve Newman dnewman911atcox.net There is an at sign where the word at is...couldnt send with that symbol

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Moved to Phoenix in 1970. As soon as my children, then 4 and 6 were bicycle worthy and of course older, they rode regularly from 37th Avenue and Claremont to Christown and spent the better part of summer days wandering around. Safety was not an issue - they had a time constraint that they honored, and I truly did not worry!! Sad their children, now older teens, did not have the same freedom of childhood. Thanks Christown, and I am so happy to see it come alive again! Patt Thompson

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This is too fun, thanks! Reading these comments and most of you all and I are about the same age, just makes me wonder how many of us hung around each other. I went to Grandview middle school and was the preverbal mall rat. I wish we still have the Hobo Joe's I loved their chili burgers. Lisa Johnson

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My Dad, Kai Bundgaard, used to manage the beauty salon at JCPenney's from 1968 to 1972, so I got to spend a lot of time at Chris Town hanging out as a kid. We lived south of Glendale and 27th Ave. just up the street from Roeher's Bird Farm, who supplied the birds at Chris Town. My Mom used to swap our Green Stamps at the mall, after my sister and I licked them all and put them into booklets, and we would sometimes get the family station wagon fixed at 'Monkey' Wards. My grandparents used to have a beer in the Janitor's Closet and we all enjoyed the Piccadilly, Bob's Big Boy and Guggy's. Farrell's was a wonderful place to celebrate birthdays, which included the whistles and sirens by the wait staff who carried the trough of ice cream to the table of anxious kids. Anyone remember the jingle 'We're going back to school with Bob Fox!' While my grandma shopped at the Mall, my grandpa and I would sit on one of the benches and talk to anyone and everyone. What great memories. Thank you for putting the time into creating this website! Please include a place for others to upload pictures or other reminders to your website for publication. Best regards, Scott Bundgaard.

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I lived just one block from Chris-Town and remember when it was only a cow pasture. My brothers and sisters, wife and children all have very fond memories of shopping at Chris-Town.

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I read the article in the Republic this morning and had to check out your web site. My parents moved us here in 63 after my dad was discharged from the Airforce. He worked out at Goodyear Aerospace. The pictures and the article really brought back a lot of memories for me. I got lost in Penny's when I was about 5 or 6 That must have been around 1965 or so. My parents found me sitting on one of the benches outside of the store. They were so angry they say that I walked away from them but, the way I remember it was that I was looking at toys and they were right behind me and when I turned around they were gone. I also saw Wallace and Ladmo at the theatre a couple of times. Never got a Ladmo bag though. You keep up the good work. Do you have any pictures of the old thomas Mall located at 44th st and Thomas? That Mall was pretty cool too. Mary MullinsLaCroix

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19 May 2008 Moved here from New Hampsire 30 years ago. Malls were a great treat compared to what New Hampsire had to offer. Cris-Town was one of the best for it's day. I hate to see the changes brought on by the population explosion. So many things become outdated and have to be changed or eliminated. Thanks for your Web Site. It's a pleasure to revisit. J. Massey Phoenix. Az.

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Wow! Such memories. I moved here after my stint in the U.S. Navy in June of 1960 and the mall opened the next year. We did most of our shopping at ChrisTown Mall for years. I too have missed what this mall used to be and have wished many times it could somehow evolve back into what it once was. However, Somewhere along there, the Korricks Dept Store became Diamonds for a number of years and then evolved into Dillards. Korricks and Diamonds was one of my favorite places to buy my clothes. 'By the way, back then, most of the clothes were made in America too.' If only we could turn back time! Donald Ives Phoenix, AZ 'I also, not happy what Phoenix has evolved into.'

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I grew up in Phoenix. It sure brings back fond memories to see Chris-Town. It was THE place to be for Christmas shopping. Not to mention the fun I had bringing my own kids to see the sand sculptures in the early 80's. THANKS for sharing. A Vegas fan

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As soon as I saw the article in the Republic today, I couldn't wait to check out your website. I grew up in AZ and Christown was a big part of it. We would go there to a store call Bob Fox and JC Penney's for back to school clothes and Girl Scout stuff. We attended a lot of birthday parties at Farrel's Ice Cream Parlor. Remember the Pig Trough ice cream sundae. The waiters and waitresses would run through the restaurant with this large group sundae on the a board on their shoulders and I think sirens would sound and they would make a big deal cuz it was so big. Those were some really good memories. And then later as a teenager, shopping at Broadway and Judy's for some great clothes and shoes! I even think there may have been a department store call Bullocks that we really liked. And as a young adult going to Janitor's Closet before going to a midnight movie. Thanks for the memories Christown! Amy Skiles

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The site was great, it took me back to all those shopping trips with my family. Christown was great!

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As a youngster, I can recall many fond memories of ChrisTown Mall. The tipping hat monkey being my most favored. Along with the Wallace and Ladmo stage shows. My older brothers worked in the mall at National Shirt and Chess King. I remember seeing a Vietnam display that showed what horrors the POW's might be facing, it was scary and startling. I can also recall seeing old movies the Incredible Shrinking Man, and other black and white oldies for a mere nickel. Childhood was spent in a safe, clean, beautifully air conditioned mall.What FUN! I am happy to hear they have renamed the mall as ChrisTown Spectrum. As it should remain. I no longer live on the West side of town, but I still hold fond memories of my childhood and ChrisTown Mall.

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Great memories. My husband used to go bird hunting on that property before it's purchase. He used to sit and talk to Chris Harri for hours at a time. He also used to get manure from him for his father's back yard and garden. Mr. Harris was very nice to my husband who was a teenager way before it was sold. He had many great chats with the old gentleman and has fond memories of those times.

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I was living on 20th Ave. and Maryland from 1958 to 1962 and I was at Chris Town's grand opening. I remember the merchants giving away free stuff and one of the things was a goldfish in a plastic bag full of water. I also remember going to Chris Town when Bobby Kennedy was there campaigning for president in 1968. Thanks for this website. Brings back a lot of memories. Danny Spitler www.dannypam.smugmug.com

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Thank you for this site! While I was very young the short time I lived in Scottsdale, I vividly remember Chris-town. My parents, along with my sisters and I, would take any out-of -town visitors to see the mall. I got my head stuck when I poked it in a white railing. I don't know what store in happened in front of, but I remember it hurt and I never did that again! Hey, I was 3 yrs. old! I thought the mall was named after me even at that age! Thanks for the memories, Chris Neuman-Tarter Than

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Wow! How this mall has changed. I remember going to Farrells Ice Cream Parlor every year for my birthday. It was so fun. Mom used to buy my clothes at Bob Fox Were going back to school with BOB FOX Now it's sad, I don't like going there at all. Too much like I'm in Mexico.

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Chris Town was the greatest hang out. I worked at Montgomery Wards thru Washington High School program called DECA,Distributive Education Clubs of America. I was on the Wendy Ward Fashion Board doing Fashion Shows in the Mall. Wards also had a Charm School providing girls poise, proper etiquette and modeling techniques. I loved the Battle of the BANDS,our version of the American Idol,with fun music and lots of dancing. It was always a safe place to go. Food to remember, Farrells pig trough, Miracle Miles pastrami sandwiches, Bobs Big Boy french fries late at night, later the Magic Pan crepes. I remember the salad with mandrian oranges with almonds that someone mentioned. I would even take the kids I was babysitting to Chris Town in the summer because of the air conditioning. My sister was deathly afraid of the monkey so we were always trying to get the monkey to jump on her. It was a wonderful place to people watch and loved your website for bringing back these memories. Debbie Lisonbee Holland

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It was nice reading about Christown mall in the paper yesterday. My family and I started going there in the 70's, it was such a nice upscale mall and always clean. I'm sure every kids favorite thing was giving the monkey a penny and watch him tip his hat. I thought it was so cool. Who could forget sitting on Santa's lap with that big gold chair with red velvet. I still have that photo and look at it every Christmas. Then there was Farrell's Ice Cream WOW! Where else could you go and scream and yell as they come running to your table with a pig's trough full of ice cream siren's going and someone beating on a big drum etc... I really miss that place my kids would of loved it. We did a lot of our family shopping there from JC Penny's,David's Shoes, Baker's Shoes, The Wild Pair,my sister's favorite shoe store as they where into the clog's and platforms shoes - WoolWorth's, Montgomery Wards -sister's got eye glasses there Chess Kings-I remember getting a suit from there the list goes on. There was also a pizza place there we always ate at but I can't remember the name just now but it was always busy and good pizza, don't forget Guggy's resturant, we ate there as well as Bob's Big Boy. I still have some of those comic books they gave you to order your food from. Picadilly's was my Grandmother's favorite and we would go there on Sunday after Church as a family. Hey don't forget about Wallace and Ladmo at the movie show on Saturday's, these guy's were crazy and fun. I still have my Ladmo bag, a slurpee cup, and a 8X10 picture of them. I had them on almost every morning before school, they always made my dad and I laugh. I'm 40 year's old now and remember a lot of other thing's that are gone from the valley and it make's me sad when I look back at old picture's or talk with old friend's. I'm glad you started this web site it look's like other's feel the same way. Thank you for the memories Mark Spangler

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Thank you!!! Even today Chris Town would be a remarkable mall to visit. Many childhood memories there. My first visit to AIR CONDITIONING!!! Beautiful flowers being grown indoors! The place was amazing. Can't foget going to see Wallace and Ladmo, missing a ladmo bag by only one seat! Growing up and going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show! They just don't make place like that any more. From Becky Loma Linda 1973 North High 1975, Paradise Valley 1977

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Such wonderful memories shopping with my mom as a young girl! I loved the litle things about Chris-Town like the bright sparkles in the sidewalk that would glimmer under my feet as I walked!!!It was a good time in Phoenix, simple and free living!!!

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I remember seeing Ferdinand the Bull is somebody's front yard in the early 70's, It was just south of Sweetwater and west of Sahuaro Elem. Thanx for the memories I used to Love Chris town. Sam Ferguson

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I HAD ALOT OF FUN TIMES AT CHRISTOWN EXCEPT THE FLU SHOTS CHRISTMAS SEASON AT THE MALL WAS 2ND TO NONE I WISH EVERYONE COULD HAVE BEEN AT ONE OF THEM REMEMBER SAM AND CHARRLETE CLIFFORD THAT HAD THE POPCORN AND ICECREAM IN FROUNT OF PENNYS

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We used to go see Wallace Ladmo and Gerald at the Mall when Santa came Us kids used to get so pissed off at Gerald for getting Ladmo in trouble with Wallboy One time when they were there they walked through the crowd of us kids and I had just the right angle to kick Gerald in the ass And I did But I kicked harder than expected and instead of hitting flesh I hit bone his tail bone. Gerald wheeled around looking for the little bastard that just kicked his ass I shrank back and blended in with all the other kids by the time he wheeled around I bet his ass was sore after that one Sam F

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I loved going into Chessking and smelling the insense an all the BlackLights and tapestries

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Was pleased to see the article in The AZ Republic. I went to work for the Del Webb Corp. at Chris-Town on August 28, 1961 as a part-time file clerk. The mall was such an exciting place that a few months later, I quit college and went to work full time. Although I left the mall on a couple of occasions, I always seemed to gravitate back! The last time was in 1977 when The Grossman Company execs -- Grossman Co. bought the mall in 1965 from Del Webb -- asked me to return as the Marketing Director. Two years later I was offered the opportunity to be general manager of the mall. I filled that position for three years. Talk about memories! Browsing through the many emails and entries in your journal--talk about nostalgia. Chuck Powers of Del Webb! Jackie Handlin from Lerners. Sam the Monkey Man! The YMCA dances in Center Court!! Santa arriving by helicopter the day after Thanksgiving! In 1962 to celebrate the first anniversary of the mall, we did a promotion called "Build the Zoo in '62" to support the construction of the Phoenix Zoo. We housed several animals that the zoo organization had acquired in cages throughout the mall! Imagine that happening nowadays! We also had the antique auto show every year and simply drove the cars through the "curtain of air" and parked them throughout the mall. We even landed a small private plane on the vacant area to the south of the mall one year and drove it to the mall and into the Fountain Court! Wallace and Ladmo, Hub Kap and the Wheels (pandemonium!) Jackie Gleason, The Phoenix Children's Theatre productions. Too many to detail. Am so delighted to find this website as I've often wondered if Chris-Town is held with as much affection by others as I have felt throughout the years. Obviously, I'm in excellent company!! -- Joan Lake

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I remember spending many evenings in Chris Town with my Mom just wandering the shops while my Dad took pictures of all the pretty Barbazon models! We had such a good time and would get an ice cream at the little snack shop under the stairs. We loved to people watch. It was the BEST of times! I remember going to Farrells on Wednesday nights with a bunch of kids from church and seeing if we could finish a PIG TROUGH! WOW that was a feat! Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories of simpler times. Elizabeth H

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What fun memories I have of old man Chris he let us climb the big fir trees and we rode his horse. This was 1956-57 I lived at 1938 W. Marshall and I spent a lot of time at Chris's and then they built Chris-Town which was great because almost all houses had evap coolers so the air conditioning was great. I went Robert E. Simpson grade school and then Central High. Thanks for the memories!

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This is an amazing walk though my childhood. Being raised in Prescott where shopping barely existed, my family would make a trip down the hill to go shopping at ChrisTown maybe 3 or 4 times each year. I couldn't sleep for the excitement the night before our trip. It's SO sad that the mall has changed, turned into such a crappy place. Seeing all the photos of when it was THE place to shop really makes me wish some things never changed. Thanks for the memories!

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I worked for a Company across the street in 1960. It was Fibreboard paper Products.5800 N 19thAve. It was a great addition to the City of Phoenix and I am happy to see them bringing it back to life including JC Penney. tom

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I remember taking my children to the parking lot to watch Santa come in by helicopter. That may have been the same time when Ladmo met him but everyone thot it pretty special for him to come in a helicopter. My neighbor worked there during it's construction as a night watchman. H. DeKay

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I just love that someone took the time to preserve these photos and more for all of us to remember. Thank you.

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Like many others, I also grew up going to Chris-Town Mall. I remember shopping at JC Penney's prior to school starting each year, and giving loose change to the crazy spider-monkey. I remember going to Farrell's Ice Cream inside the Mall on the eastside and getting a kick out ofwatching my cousin who worked there run around the restuarant with the huge tub of Ice Cream on the stretcher, which was called the zoo. I also have great memories of going to the movie theatres on saturdays with my bubbies to watch the triple feature monster movies, and see Wallace and Ladmo. Thanks for the memories..Brent Coombs

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My brother emailed me this site and it brought back some very fond memories of ChrisTown Mall. I remember well the Grand Opening and being a teenager at the time having a place to hang out with friends. Even after leaving Phoenix when I would come back to visit, we always went to Chris-Town to get a pastrami sandwich at the Miracle Mile. Sad to see the end of an era. Sharon Farris Thorwald

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GREAT memories -- Chris Town dances on Saturday night in high school, JC Penny's in the center of the mall, meeting friends for lunch at Googy's, browsing through the dimestores . . . oh, the good old days Nancy Macchione Blackburn

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My family moved to Arizona in 1970 when I was 7 years old. My Mom worked for Wards as a Interior Decorator. The trunk of her car as well as the back seat was filled curtain blinds and carpet samples. My sister worked at Bob Big Boys. I have so many fond memories of that mall. I always wanted to see inside the Janitor's Closet and have my birthday celebrated at Farrell's. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.

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I was there! I am a Phoenix native and visited Chris Town many many times. I carry fond memories of my shopping trips there with my family. Oh, the old days!

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Until very recently, I have been the General Manager of Christown Spectum Mall through its redevelopment of the past three years, from 2005 to 2008, as well as its renaming to Christown Spectrum Mall. I am so very pleased that this property has sparked so many positive comments and the multitude of fond memories. I had no idea of Christown's effect on so many people until some our regular community members began to fill me in on history which cannot be gleaned from any documents in our files. I want to thank these indivuals for allowing me to be part of their present, and now their history while I was there. It was a true pleasure being part of the planning and action which redeveloped this Mall from a neglected and decaying property into an active and vibrant shopping center that is once again, the hub of the community it services. My main reason for posting today is to answer those who made comments regarding an alleged time capsule that was supposed to have been planted beside the flag pole when the Mall opened for business in 1961. As we began the renovations at center court exterior earlier this year, word of this time capsule was provided to me by a number of our daily regular attendees. During our renovations, we dug all around the area of the flag pole and searched for this time capsule, but it was never found. Our research indicated that the flag pole location which we inherited was not actually the original site of the flagpole when the Mall was built. A number of years ago, the former owners installed an exterior fountain at the area in which the original flag pole was located in 1961. The flag pole was relocated at that time. This was our conclusion based on photographs, including one provided in the grand opening from a 1961 press article. The article also mentioned the time capsule, therefore, effectively giving creedence to the fact that the capsule did, indeed, exist. As we removed the fountain, we carefully excavated, searching the entire area which used to house the original flag pole location. This was based on these photographs which we had obtained, just in case it was still there. Again, there was never any time capsule found. We surmised that the time capsule must have been excavated by heavy equipment buckets excavating during the fountain's installation and the relocation of the flag pole in the Nineties. It must have been dropped in the back of a dump truck during the installation of this fountain. I have enjoyed my years at Christown immensely, maily due to the fact that so many of the residents and regular patrons, mall walkers and community residents welcomed me and treated me as if I had been part of their community for decades. It has truly been my pleasure to bring some history and culture back to the surrounding community in the reintroduction of Christown to the Mall's name. I truly hope you approve and enjoy what we have done with the property. In leaving Christown, I also am leaving the Phoenix Valley. I will always, however, keep a piece of Phoenix history with me from being a small part of the Christown legacy. Thank you for this time. Regards, Paul S. Rappaport, SCSM General Manager Christown Spectrum Mall 2005 to 2008.

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What a wonderful website thanks so much for taking me down memory lane. I was 8 years old when Christown opened in 1961. It was so nice to have it. I remember the shops the theatres I think it was 2 at first. Saw lots of movies with my friends there. M. James

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Thank You! What great memories. I visited Christown for many years as a child of the 60's and 70's then worked at Ward's in the early 80's. If we could only turn back time...

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What a fun site. Thank you. ChrisTown was within walking distance of my home growing up and I recall the fun of shopping there with my family and friends in the 60s and 70s. The original floors were really shiny and the mall was always clean and inviting. The main drive into the mall, north of where JC Penneys used to be, was lined with dozens of rose bushes. Ordering french fries and a cherry coke at the coffeeshops in Woolworths or Walgreens made my freinds and I feel cool. In the earlier days, I remember giving the monkey a penney and having him tip his hat and the pretty bird court area. Later, Farrells was a popular hangout when I was in high school. Ordering a 'combo meal' at Bobs Big Boy was a treat! Never got a Ladmo bag but attended many a Wallace and Ladmo show at the movie theater. Great memories! The mall is totally different now, but glad to see it has had a bit of a resurgence after a few years of decline.

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This brings back memories. Here is a little info on the theatres inside and outside the Mall. Outside was built in the late 60's and started as 1 theatre, 922 seats. In the early 70's a second theatre, 834 seats, was added to the north side of the original and called ChrisTown 2, quite imaginative. They were owned by the National General Corp, NGC, and soon bought by a California chain known as Mann Theatres. I believe this is the same Ted Mann who produced HBO's Deadwood and also owned the famous Chinese Theatre in LA. In the mid 70's theatre number 2 was split down the middle to create 2 smaller theatres as multiplex cinemas was becoming popular. Movies used to be what is called exclusive, first run and only showed at one theatre in town, ie. The Exorcist, Last Tango in Paris, Jaws, Earthquake, etc. In the late 70's three more smaller theatres were added to the south side of the original number 1, which incidentally had a stage and put on the famous Wallace and Ladmo shows on Saturday mornings, Ladmo's son is a Tempe firefighter. I don't know the exact date, but I believe Harkins bought the theatres in the early 80's and added 6 more screens. Danny Harkins' father, Red was actually known around town for his theatres like Tower Plaza, etc. The theatres inside the mall were originally owned and opened by United Artists theatres and were at the forefront of the multiplex movement. You would buy your tickets downstairs and go up the escalator to the lobby to buy candy and watch the show. Let's not forget the grand old Bethany Theatre on 23rd ave and Bethany Home. Lines were around the building for The Exorcist and they had to close it for a while because the ceiling cracked during Earthquake with Sensurround, your seat would shake during the show. FYI

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I did not get here until 1983, so missed the events pictured. However, I do have some snapshots of the wonderful sand sculptures that were created in the courts in the 80s. It was a fun place, and great for people watching. Wayne

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My mom drove a '65 El Camino with no air to go to the air conditioned mall to get the three of us a brisket of beef from the Miracle Mile Deli. One time we went there and it had been closed due to a kitchen fire, and we were all really let down. We didn't have a flot of money back then, and it was a special treat. I remember the organ grinder with the little monkey... I was intrigued by the sight of a monkey dressed up like a little gypsy. My mom gave me a penny and told me to hand it to him. He took the penny, tipped his hat and put the penny in the old man's tin cup. At Christmastime everybody would be there, and you were sure to see someone you knew, maybe several people. I was born in 1963, so by 1970 I was old enough to wear a watch and go to the men's room without mom or dad waiting around for you. Mom would just tell you where she would be. I had a twin brother and to us shopping was a bore, but the circular clothes racks were a great place to hide and wreak havoc. It was shady and cool... until you had to climb back into the blistering plastic seats...

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I will ALWAYS call it "Chris-town.” I worked as a waitress in Woolworth's when Chris-town very 1st opened. I even remember getting to meet Lorne Green (Ben Cartwright) at Bill's Records; & had a friend that worked at Korrick's (my mother-in-law bought me a Presto Pressure cooker at Korricks, over 45 yrs ago and I am still using it. Jane "Brooks" Harris

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I grew up going to Chris Town in the 70s, 80s, was always thrilled that the mall and I shared the same name. I learned now that it was named for Old Man Chris, the farmer...never knew that. Got my first Silly Puddy at CT and lost it messing around holding it out the car window on Bethany Home Rd. Used to save up to buy peacock feathers to decorate my room in the 70s LOL! Some friends and I were trying to remember the name of the Mexican restaurant inside the mall...Not Ricardo's on the outside, off the east entrance going toward the movies and the pet store. Thanks to your website I found it... Tortilla Flats Thanks again for the memories, Chris Ibarra

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I started with the Phoenix Police Department in 1960 moving from Chicago. I had a girl friend living just north of Bethany Home Road off 15 ave and recall all the heavy construction. My parents moved to Phoenix in the mid 1960s and dad worked maintenance at Chris till he retired 1974. Brought back many memories.

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Stumbled across this while looking up restaurants in the area. I grew up in the ChrisTown area until early to mid 1980's. Worked at Bullock's Dillards. But I lived at the mall from the early 70's on. Great pictures I no longer live in the Phoenix area and last time I went home, I was saddened on what ChrisTown has become. These are great pictures.

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Great site. do you remember the Farreles tounge twister? if repeated you would get a free piece of candy !!! Farreles Features Fabulous Food and Funtastic Fountain Fantasies For Frolicking Fun Filled Festive Families. Over by the El Rancho there was an S and H Green Stamps redemption store, got a cool hunting knife there for like, thousands of stamps. and there was also a Tandy Leather. Along with the W and Ladmo shows I recall seeing my first R rated movie over at the CT Theaters, it was Blazing Saddles, they gave out wooden nickels with Mel Brooks looking like a Chief. Also saw a Triple feature of James Bond Movies, that was a full day of fun and junk food with all my buds. Innocent fun times were had by all !

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GREAT SIGHT IM 48 NOW I CAN READ THESE LETTERS AND FEEL LIKE IM 13 AGAIN IN 73 I WENT TO MONTEBELLO GRADE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE AND HAD A JOB ON THE WEEKENDS AT CHRIS TOWN 72-73 WAS SUCH A COOL TIME GOT TO WORK WITH ALL THESE BEATIFUL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS AT MALL CONCESSIONS IN FROUNT OF PENNYS MISS THOSE DAYS THANKS VERLYN WRIGHT ALTUS OK 73521

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Hi. I enjoyed your web site, having lived near ChrisTown in the mid 1960s. How Phoenix and life has changed since those days. The big event at that time for my family was our every weekend visit to ChrisTown. Thanks for keeping the memories alive.

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Everyone remembers the movie theaters at Christown, there was the Harkins which just recently has been torn down and rebuilt near the south end of the mall, the Red Baron wing I believe. But the one I am referring to in this story is the old escalator to the stars AMC Theater near the front of the mall near the Broadway store. Gosh the movies I saw there the biggies that come to mind that I saw on the first day opening with HUGE lines were Jaws in seventy four and Return of the Jedi in eighty three. I was seventeen and no I did not drive thanks to a Mr. Hatch at Central High school that was my driving school instructor that took my driving habits a little to seriously. I mean where does he get off telling my parents never let me drive unless Hitler himself was standing directly in front of my automobile. Ok I know enough setup time for the meat and potatoes of the story. Now I was seventeen at this time and my buddy Chris Shelton was sixteen and harrier then Cornelius from Planet of the Apes. So we walk to mall to try and see Conan the Barbarian the Friday it premiered. I believe Risky Business was playing in the same theater that night also. But being Two Wild and Crazy Guys figured there would be more women in an Arnold Schwarzenegger film then a nobody actor, as Tom Cruise. And I wonder why the movie 40 year old virgin was based on my life story. Anyway we stand in a semi long line patently waiting to purchase tickets to this R rated movie. I remember those ticket booths were in the middle of the mall section near Sam Goodie or Pizza Di Amore. We finally get to the ticket counter and the lady looks at Cornelius who is sixteen and says I do not need to see his ID but I need to see yours. Again I did not drive so we had to walk all the way home get my birth certificate and then walk all the back to the mall to prove I was seventeen so we could see Conan the Barbarian. Good thing are efforts were for a quality movie like Conan the Barbarian, you imagine if we would have wasted our time to see something like Tootsie or Breakfast Club, Ha! Phil Hodesh. phodesh at hotmail dot com

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Im going to try and remember as many stores as I can. Im going to start at Wards and try to work my way around. Ill never remember them all, and I havent looked anywhere to see a list, so here I go Wards, somekind of eye place, kb toys, miracle mile deli, some sporting goods store,walgreens, footlocker, a plant or florist under the stairs, the 1st atm machine ever, bobby ball academy upstairs, ooooooooh okay, I'm going to stop trying to go in order.....boston store, lenards handbags, godbers, jcpennys, bullocks, millers outpost, I think there was a BOSTON store there too, spencers judys, pizzadamore, MUSICLAND, FARRELLS!!! boy i miss that place, Kresgees sp?, See's Candy, OH OH OH, JUST IN FRONT OF THE FARRELL'S THERE USE TO BE A PIZZA PLACE IN THE CENTER OF THAT END COURT YARD...PLEASE, SOMONE TELL ME WHAT THE NAME OF IT WAS....YOU COULD SIT AT THE COUNTER ON HIGH BAR STOOLS AND EAT PIZZA....RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHERE MILLER'S OUTPOST WAS.....ok, back to the list....hmmmm, GOOGYS, ua cinema 6 UP STAIRS or ESCALATORS....ARE THEY STILL THERE?.....B. Dalton, tortilla flats okay that's it for now.....i'll try again later.

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How I would love to take a time machine ride back and walk around and see those things again. I hadn't thought of them in ... forever. The birds! The monkey! I remember how soft his little hand was taking a penny. How sad that life has had to change for the worse. I was born in '56 and ChrisTown was all there was until Metrocenter, which was in the boonies in those days. Now, you could practically call it downtown! Remember the orange groves, and how cool it was driving between them? What was the name of the drive in on Northern? The Northern Drive In, is all I can think of. Where is that time machine? Roz ernie85017 at cox.net

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Three generations of my family have fond memories of Christown. We used to live within walking distance. Does anyone have any pictures of the organ man and his monkey?

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I have sooooo many great memories of this place from my childhood - it was THE place to shop! I was fascinated by the concrete outside that had glitter in it and sparkled in the sunlight. Childhood birthday parties at Farrells and back to school shopping trips to buy uniforms (for catholic school) at Penneys. I think my first communion dress came from the Bob Fox store- special because we normally didn't shop there because it was too expensive for us at the time. Christmas was the best there with Santa in center court in his big red velvet chair and the strolling "Dickens-like" carolers. I was in high school when they built Metrocenter and we moved closer to there and I didn't visit Christown for a number of years. I took my own daughter there to see Santa on her second Christmas in 1986 but things had already started to change. I went back in the 90's and was so disappointed in the direction things had gone with Walmart and the other discount stores. But times change and you can never go back as they say. I will always remember the shopping trips from my childhood with my Mom and my Grandma. Those were the days. -- Renee Edmonds (formerly Meeks)

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Wow, I lived in Phoenix from 1959 to 1962, and from 1988 to 2006. This truly bring back memories!

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I used to work at Guggy's which was located in Christown. Both my parents used to work there too. I remember making old fashion malts and shakes by hand, not by the shake machines you see now. My favorite was eating Pink Champayne Cake or the hot fudge brownie cakes. Yum.

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I was born in Phoenix in 1952. I went to Maryland Grade School and Washing High, class of 1970. I consider myself to be one of the first Chris Town Groupies. At about age 12 my friends and I went every weekend and in the summer nearly every day. I'm not sure why, but we had to go barefoot to be cool, so we would spend much of our time hiding from the security guards. Glad to read that at least one other person mentioned that. We would walk about a mile to get there, barefoot when it was 110 degrees. We had to walk on the white lines in the parking lot as they were cooler than the blacktop. Anyone remember the Walgreens restaurant that opened to the mall. You could sit there and make sure you didn't miss out on any of the action. We had so much fun there. I have really enjoyed reading all the memories from so many people. Debbie Arthur Dujanovic

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Yes I remember the Walgreens..I worked there at the soda fountain my senior year in 1970. I gave my girl friend free sodas as long as she'd sit there. I went to Moon Valley and was in the army with the son of a Washington HS school teacher named. MR. Sirrine and wrestled at MV with a guy whos mother was a WHS teacher named MRS Boyle. I liked the bird court..

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What a great site! I remember when walking to Chris-Town was the highlight of our weekend. I had a lot of birthday parties at Farrells and Chris-Town was the only place to get our girl scout uniform stuff. Thanks for providing this.

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Got arrested for rolling a joint out in the south parking lot in 1972. Couple of fifteen year old longhairs. The Phoenix Auto Theft Special Division had men on the rooftop with binoculars and in a van about 3 cars away from us. Figured us to be car thieves. We had hitch hiked to the mall from Maryvale. Heck we just thought we'd get high and go talk to some girls inside. Ended up Downtown! Those were the days my friends!

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Memorable mall! How sad that the flavor of this place had to be changed to be new and improved. I lived in Phoenix in the mid 70s, worked at Goog's on Camelback, and spent a lot of time at ChrisTown. Phoenix in the 70s was an incredible place for an 18 year old boy to live. I recently purchased a vacation home in Phoenix and have not even visited the area in 20 years, but one of my stops when I spend some time at the new place will will be ChrisTown if only to remember the great times that were once to be had there. At least the owner had the sense to try to recapture customers by recently adding ChrisTown back into the name.

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I worked at KMEO upstairs over Walgreens in the mid sixties. Christown was still going strong when I left for NAU in 1969. I came back for a reunion in 1998 and was surprised to see how bad the mall looked. Walgreens, Wards, Bills Records, and the Miracle Mile Deli were the only stores I recognized. It seemed sad

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Where was the entrance to the Janitor's Closet? I seem to remember a stairway down with a railing, but i didn't see it when I visited the mall in 1988

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Thanks for the memories. I spent much time there as a teenager in the 1960's. Love all the great American autos in the parking lots. Thanks, Marc Benson

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I REALLY ENJOYED LOOKING THRU THESE PHOTOS I HAD 4 STROKES A YEAR IN A HALF AGO,SO THIS WAS WONDERFUL

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I remember in the 70's just inside the main entrance was a small eatery where they served the Indian Fry Bread in Town.

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Wow does this bring back some memories! I grew up in the '60's in Phoenix and remember shopping trips with my mom - with lunch at Guggy's! I loved all the bird cages in the mall and had a real fascination with the slipper staircase. In '67 or '68 I was in a kids' back to school fashion show in the court of flowers outside JC Penney. I still have a photo of me in those wild bell bottoms with the huge daisies all over them. Thanks for your site and all the wonderful, memory-jogging photos!

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Hi my name is Dick Andrews and I worked at Penneys from nineteen sixtyfive to nineteen seventy0ne. I was in the men's dept. I had red hair then and was in my early twenty's. It seems like only yesterday. I moved back to Oregon in nineteen seventyfive and have been here since. ChrisTown was a great mall. Coming from a relatively small town and working in a mall was a new experience. Anyone that I worked with at Penneys during those years give me an email. They won't let me put in numbers so I will spell out the numbers and you will have to change it the actual number dick nine seven four seven nine at hotmail dot com

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We moved to Phoenix from Ohio when I was 10 in 1973 and lived within walking distance. MANY, MANY hours spent in the mall, especially during the summer. I saw JAWS 11 times in the new theaters inside the mall in 1975. We always had change for the organ grinder's monkey, always ate pizza at D'Amorre, and ALWAYS went to Farrells on our birthdays! LOTS of great memories of Chris-Town. I still live in the area and shop there now and then... it's not the same but everything changes... even me! Thanks for the memories!!! J.Mix

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Incredible memories Thank you! I'm an AZ native, born at St Joes 1961, and it is so nice to know Chris-town opened same year I was born. Chris-town! So many Memories. Christmas as a child I sat on Santa’s Lap in the fountain court. Saturdays at the movie theatre with Wallace and Ladmo. I think to see them/ movies popcorn was 75 cents. And all the great places to eat over the year's like Bobs Big Boy, Orange Julius, Farrell’s, Pizza D'Amore( Best Pizza!) Miracle Mile (emm!New Yorker on an Onion bun) . Hey and anybody remember years later in the 80s an Italian restaurant over near where Fox theater was. All the homemade garlic bread you can eat, great food! And I walked through Spencer’s to look at posters gag gifts. And do remember getting records at Bill’s and listening to Kupd, Kriz, Krux. I also remember Woolworths, Guggy's. By the way I am also looking for a Pat who worked at Heddy's House of Wigs . Yes too many good times to count Heck! I have brothers/Sisters because of Chris-town. A. Garrison ql4u@hotmail.com

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When I was little there was an Accordian player and his sidekick little monkey who performed near the main entrance inside the mall. The little old man would play on his accordian and the little monkey would approach you to take a penny if you had one. It was the best feeling every as the little monkey's hand brushed your fingers to grab the penny. Does anyone else remember this? I loved going to the mall and getting a soft serve icecream cone at the snack just to your left as you entered the main doors. Paradise!

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Thank you for a wonderful stroll down memory lane. I spent parts of my childhood in Phoenix. I remember Ferdinand The Bull, Gugeys Coffe Shop, and Bob Fox, which I hated but my mother still took me there. Denise Maindelle

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The memories here are incredible! I remember Bob Fox so much and also Guggy's. Most of Chris Town I remember fondly, and, I thought riding up and down in the J C Penney's elevator was big time when I was little in the early 60's!

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I was born as St. Joe's in 1960. My family lived across 19th ave. My older brother an I would walk across 19th ave to see Chris. We were afraid of him as first, but he was actually very nice. I was about 9 or 10, so Chris was in his nintys. He lived in a small block house just at the west end of the tamarak trees. He once gave me a dollar on my birthday. There was a large pile of empy cans under the trees were the corals use to be and the story was that Chris would eat beans every day and pile the emptys. I remember when Chris lost one of his cows that got stuck in the fence. Chris once told us that he moved to the valley as a young boy and that they farmed the land all around the area. I thought he was a nice old man and now feel lucky to have known him.

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We moved to Az in 78' , went to Richard E Miller school, Desert foothills , Sunset ,Cactus Wren and finally graduated from Apollo high school in 87'My mother had a business on 19th ave and Camelback . We use to go to Christown quite often . I remember the movies,Farell's and just thinking how wonderful it is to be young! Thank you for posting!!

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Thanks So much for this, this mall haunts the hell out of me. Theres something so lonely and nostalgic about this mall where sometimes you turn around and look behind you while walking down an isle and you're alone, and its strange, you can her hear music and suddenly its like you're back in the 80's again..this is the mall that refuses to let go..Thank you again!...Joe M.

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I was so pleased to find this website. What a trip down memory lane. In 1961-63 my husband was stationed at the Army Recruiting Station in Phoenix. Our son was born at a hospital in Phoenix in May 1962. Being on an army budget, our rented house had only a swamp cooler, which was not too effective over 100 degrees. I spent many a summer afternoon with my baby wandering the beautiful new air-conditioned Chris-Town Mall. I will always be grateful for the respite from the heat!

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Thanks for the memories. I remember Chess King had the hippest mens clothes-expensive too! Also the Armed Forces recruiting offices upstairs near the front above National Shirt Shop. Wards had an auto service center on the south-west end. I also remember Mel Blanc came once and did a show in front of Pennys. There must have been 20,000 kids there. And Farrells too with the ZOO.Tonys Shoe repair, try finding a shoe repair shop now. Couldn't wait until I was old enough to go down into the Janitors Closet. And I did-many many times, oh yeah! I practically grew up inside Chris Town. Well Done Mick

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I swear I posted here a couple years ago but can't find my comment. First of all, THANK YOU for this website. It is wonderful to see the photos and read the comments from others. I like this site so much I have a link to it on the website I run for my high school class. www.whsrams1981.com I spent many hours at Chris-Town in the 70's and early 80's. I remember the birds and the organ grinder's monkey. I'm sorry I missed the era of Chris's horse. I've been obsessed with them for forty years. I don't know how many hours my friends and I spent shopping and hanging out at Chris-Town. I also spent quite a few at the library branch on 15th ave. We hung out at Tortilla Flats, they had great food and they weren't so careful about checking id. The drinking age was 19 them but we were drinking there when we were younger.The bartender at the Janitor's Closet busted me for only being 18 and told them at Tortilla Flats and got me 86'd. I'd hung out there so much the manager and bartender knew my name. When the Oar House opened we went there a lot. They did check id. LOL I'm very puzzled by the Rocky Horror post. I don't have any memories of it ever playing at Chris-Town in 1982? I saw it over 30 times at the Sombrero Playhouse on 7th St. and after it closed we drove to Mill Ave in Tempe or to a theater in Scottsdale to see it. We never would have driven that far if it was playing at Chris-Town. I had friends that worked in the mall in 1981-1983 and I worked at Park Central, I'd be done closing earlier and would meet them at Chris-Town. Used to eat salad bar at Bob's Big Boy if we weren't going to Tortilla Flats or Miracle Mile. I'm sad to discover recently that Miracle Mile is closed though it is still open at Arrowhead and Park Central. LOVE that brisket. I moved to Tempe in 1987 and to Oregon in 1985 so have no clue what happened at Chris-Town after that but was horrified by the changes when I visited in 2000 and haven't been back...

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Many, many wonderful memories of Chris Town shopping with my family. Trips to the theaters. Wonderful site! Thank you!

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I grew up in Phx and Christown was where my girlfriends and I would go every Saturday! Thanks for bringing back so many memories!!

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I was 13 when Chris-Town opened and spent many hours hangin' out wfriends. When there to keep cool meet boys window shop. Met the Beach Boys at Bills Record Shop. Went to dances in the courtyard. Many great memories! My names is now Terry Mitchell used to be Terry Batroff. Thanks for the memories!

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Seeing this site and it's photos brought back fond memories of growing up in Phx. back in late 60's - mid 70's. We lived near the mall, actually on W.Rose Ln. and Central Ave. Times back then were so much simpler...ahhh the good ol days. Love the vintage photos! Thanks!

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wHAT ABOUT FERRALS,THE MONKEY IN FRONT WHO TOOK PENNIES IN HIS HAT AND THE PIZZA SHOP ABOVE THE JANITORS CLOSET,DO U HAVE PICTURES OF THOSE PLACES?? GREAT WEBSITE

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Anyone have a recipe for Guggy's Pink Champange Cake? The AZ Republic ran a recipe a few years ago...

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I remember going to teen dances on the weekend at The Mall. What fun!!! Janis Brown North High School

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Great site! Now, I wonder if there is a site about Old Town Scottsdale? And, like the previous visitor asked, any pix of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour?

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I remember Chris-Town Mall I was born in 66 my parents moved from Las Vegas to Sunylope, AZ In 1970 my dad would take me to that Bobs big boy he died in 1972 I went to Orengewood elamentry. How long was that little monkey around? because I do remember him. Farrell's Ice Cream was the best. I did a comercial for bubble yum way back then with ballons in front of JC Penny's I lived by the Gemco and a pizza place was it straw hat. I used to collect peoples old bottles and turn them in for the deposite. It was the only way I had any money to go to the mall. mostly with my Mom but then she started letting me go with friends like Rob Miller. I have spent hours reading everyones post. We moved to Glendale and I even talked one of my freinds into walking all way down Bethany home road from 65th ave to Chris-Town and we ate at Farrell's. I now live in Hollywood CA signed Tony Tomey

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Just stumbled onto this sight,what memories does it bring back I worked at chris town car wash, mid 60's would like to know anything about former owners Mr. Andrews and his son Chuck scoop was his nickname. bob's big boy, farrell's walgreen's had that restaurnt mongomery wards girls walking around half naked those were the days. oh yeah wineburger

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I used to buy stuff at Broadway Christown, the prices were cheaper than Broadway Biltmore for the same item! I loved the JC Penney Christown, they always seemed to have a better selection than any other Penneys store in Phoenix. Jess, Phoenix 1964

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Long live the memories of the Organ Grinder and his monkey. That monkey could be mean little guy but we all loved hanging him our parents pennies. Oh yea, and we can't forget the great sicilian pizza and Mircle Mile.

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Hi, I stumbled across your Christown Webpage and I wanted to say..THANKS I am not of age to say that I was a part of Christown, but I can definitely say I REMEMBER ITS BEAUTY. I was born in 1975, 14yrs after Christown emerged here in Phoenix, AZ. My parents purchased a house in 1965 on 43rd Ave and Bethany Home Rd. Obviously, Christown was my parents main shopping spot. I can recall many trips to the mall in my early years, but more importantly I remember my time in the MALL from age 15 thru 19. I was employed by Montgomery Wards at 15, and then fired immediately after I was told that I was under age. 1 year later, Montgomery Wards called me back, and I worked there until 19. That was in 1990 and 1991-1995 if you have not done the math . My favorite eating spots were Orange Julius, Pizza D' Amore, and Woolworths. I was working at Montgomery Wards during the DOWNFALL of Christown. I saw Dillards change to a clearance outlet, I saw Woolworths close. I saw Carls Jr. appear, and the foodcourt redesigned. Christown was becoming a COMMERCIALIZED mall. I literally felt the mood of peaceful shopping turn into MASS producing and quick shopping. It was very sickening. Later on, Orange Julius was parred with Dairy Queen, and the inside movie theatre was closed down. Kiosks and cart selling started to emerge and the sand castles were removed. The last straw was when they removed the Fountain in the center of Christown. That was my last part of its beauty. Christown became Spectrum and is now Spectrum Christown? YUK! I can keep going but I wanted to ask if anyone had a number or name for Pizza D' Amore or any information. I really really REALLy miss their pizza. thank you again for the memories. steve. mrstever.msn.com

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I think that there is a Pizza D' Amore in oldtown Glendale on Glendale ave between 56th and 58th ave.....My wife and I ate there last year and the food was the same as the old Chris-town shop. It was even square like the old shop..

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WOW...what a wonderful blast from the past. I grew up at Chris-Town Mall. Those were the days!

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Does anyone remember a novelty store near Bill's Records and Kerr Sporting Goods during the seventies? It had a funky name. Not to be confused with Charlie's House of Fun.

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I grew up a couple of blocks from Chris-town in the 60's and 70's. We used to walk to Solano School. I remeber riding Chris' horse, we called him Bronco.I saw Robert Kennedy in the parking lot in 1968.The beef brisket with gravy from Miracle Mile was to die for. My mom and dad and grandparents going to Picadilly for dinner.Thanks for the memories, it truly was a great place and time to grow up.Debbie Hodesh

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Thanks for the memories! I lived right by Christown growing up and knew Chris, the man who owned and leased the land that Christown was built on, and use to go over and ride his horse, Bronco. Chris was very hard of hearing and one time I asked him if I could give Bronco a bath,and he said Yes, you can have Bronco. I never could get it across to him that I only wanted to wash the horse, not take her home with me. Chris was a very strange old man when I knew him. I was there when Christown opened and still live in Phoenix, so I've seen all the changes and wish we could go back to the good old days.

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I grew up in the neighborhood just east of the mall. It was farmland then and 15 Ave was a dirt road. We used to watch Chris Hari plow his field and we would build forts where the Yucca branch library now stands. On Sept. 1st you could hear the shotguns as dove hunting season would start that day. Went to Grandview School now Osborn Middle School and West Phoenix High now Metro Tech I know I sound like a geezer but Phoenix was a lot more enjoyable back then.

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My mother, brother and sister used to drive down from Flagstaff every August to shop for school clothes. I remember crushed ice in my coke at Guggy's Coffee Shop and the Orange Julius stand. Very good memories! Flagstaff native

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Thank you for this walk down Memory Lane. I started going there when it opened. Enjoyed seeing all those pictures. Spent many hours shopping there and worked at Broadway for a couple of years. When I heard that the name was going to change to Spectrum Mall it was upsetting. I am very happy that Chris Town is part of the name of the mall again. M.L.

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i moved to phoenix from missouri 1n the 80s and worked at christown at a resteraunt called joes burgerama. does anyone remember that? it was a 1950s style resteraunt like something off grease or happydays. i worked their and it was the funnest job i ever had.still have great memories of that place. also does anyone remember the life size sandcastles they had thier?

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So many great memories! What a treat. I remember my first sale at Broadwy and fighting with other women for sheets and towel bargains. Nevver went to another sale!! I remember the Organ Grinder and his little monkey and the beautiful Chrismas decorations. Thank you for bringing back a wonderful time in my life. Barb Peace Wohlenhaus

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I started my career in retail at The Broadway Christown in 1974. I entered The Broadway's management training program in 1981 and spent many nights after work with my fellow employees at The Janitor's Closet. Those were great years in retail and carried me thru a 25 year career advancing in the business. Lots of good days and great people.

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I remember buying my first SPROUT album at Montgomery Wards .Me my friend and a girl went up to north mountian park drank beer and watched our girl friends two eyes glisten in the moonlite as we played that 8 track over and over again in my friends Ford Ranchero those were the days.

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When my father was stationed at Luke Air Force Base, my mother would take all three of us children to Chris Town Mall. It was the most unique Mall we had ever seen even to our home town of San Bernardino, California. I am sorry to hear of its demise but am not surprised. Malls are no longer in fashion. I now love in the Mid Atlantic and all of the malls that once were are being replaced by Power Stations with outdoor entires to each store.

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I loved the Organ Grinder and his Spider Monkey, Wallace and Ladmo, and Miracle Mile when it was really good.! It's been many years since I've been to Phoenix. I'm not sure I would like all the changes. As a native Phoenician I will just remember the way it was in the sixties. Miss that Frenchy's Shrimp House on 19th Ave too anyone know where it might have moved to?

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I loved Chris-Town as a little girl. I couldn't wait to give the organ grinder's monkey a penny. They had the best pizza and Italian ice - cherry was my favorite. But the best time to be there was at Christmastime! Thank you for allowing me to share this with my little girl!!!

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WOW!! This website is chock-full of anything Chris-Town! Lived in Phx since 1971, right by the center. Anything we did was at or around this place, if not working at many of the stores, too. Great website!!

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WOW WHAT A GREAT WEBSITE!I remember going to walgreens with my friend eight of a ton and buying a mickies big mouth and drinking it in the gazebo in the parking lot.Those were the days.

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Farrells ice cream had a trough piled scoops of ice cream and if you ate it all they ran thru the place beating drums and blaring a siren. Tammy Brown Apollo class of 81. washington Ram wanna be. Ocotillo elementary.

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hi there ive lived in phx 1945 ive been in the chris town mall about 5000 times, i stoped in 2002 when they changed the name i loved gong there .

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I remember coming to Chris Town Mall when I was in Camelback H.S. in 1992 with some friends and thinking it was one of the coolest and fun places to be... and hoping one day I would be part of it. Chris Town was later on my first professional place of work in 1998, as a receptionist in the management office moving up to Marketing Assistant the following year. Back then, the mall was owned by Grossman Company Properties, and I must say the group of people that managed it were all WONDERFUL... I handled, along with my boss, all the events... baby shots, sports cards shows, fashion shows, antique auto displays,such as the Studebakers, arts and crafts shows, etc... one of the most memorable in-house events we did, was when I did a history research of the mall for the 40th Anniversary... it was a treat to find out that all the comments sustained in this website do match the wonderful history of this great landmark. Thank you Mr. Chris Harri... P.S. This will always be the most gratifying work experience I've ever had... I moved on in 2005, a year after the mall was sold to DDR.

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I was born in Phoenix in 1960 and went to Alhambra Elementary and Alhambra High. Christown was THE place to shop for school clothes and just to visit. I remember Ferdinand the Bull. the noisy birds in cages and the old organ grinder with his monkey, he'd tip his hat and shake your hand for a penny. We'd always eat at Miracle Mile and get an Orange Julius. Kerr's Sporting Goods sponsored our Al-Villla little league all-star team. We made a pig of ourselves at Farrells after we won the league championship. There's a farm near the Christown 9-hole golf course. I wonder if that is owned by the family that sold the land for Christown.

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Thanks for the memories. I lived at 15th Ave and Glendale in 1972. I would ride my bike there all the time. I had my high school graduation party a Farrell's. I waited for years to see the time capsule, but heard it was not there when they started digging.

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I grew up on 20th avenue, a short walk to Christown. I loved visiting Santa Claus at the mall each year, and I think he arrived by helicopter in the mid-60's? I also gave that monkey a lot of pennies over the years and I would die for a slice of crispy Pizza D'amore! Also, good memories at the movie theater on Saturday mornings, and occasional meals at Bob Big Boy's with the family.

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hi just wondered who the person was that went to alhambra el, and high, verlyn wright class of 77 alhambra.

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i remember bumming spare change there. 10 bucks in one day . then went to washington park that night. and had a cool time man

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Great site. Chris-Town was one of my favorite malls from 1972 until I left Phoenix in 1982 after enlisting in the Coast Guard at, interestingly enough, Chris-Town Mall!

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I loved coming to Chris-Town! Best I can remember, there was a Bob Fox store at the front of the mall. I loved buying items for my Girl Scout uniform there. Now being a Texas girl and the memories getting fuzzy, I seem to remember a little monkey in a costume there too.

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great site would love to see some pics of the monkey or the old popcorn machine behind them lots of fun times there

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Thank you so much for keeping these memories I was born in Phoenix in 1964. I grew up shopping at Christown. My mom would take us. We would give the monkey a penny. We would make a day of it. My mom was also a native of Phoenix and we would eat at Bobs big boy or the miracle mile we would go to the ice cream place, We one time had my bithday party there. We did all our Christmas shopping there and we loved it. At the time I didnt know of course what a gem it was. NOw that I am older I feel very privelegded to have grown up with Christown. KImberly

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This was a wonderful trip down memory lane - thank you. Being born in 1971, I spent a huge amount of my adolescence there alongside my mother. I visited Santa there, I had several birthday parties at Farrell's and we would frequent Bob's Big Boy and Miracle Mile during our shopping visits. I remember a lot now after visiting your site but there are so many things that others have posted that I either don't recall at all or only vaguely ... like the monkey. Was he there during the late 70s and 80's? My mom is no longer with me, and having visited your site makes me yearn to ask her more about our visits there. It was a place where we did all our shopping and we often expressed our disappointment in latter years at how much the Phoenix landmark has changed from what it was. Thank you for sharing Chris-Town history with us. Nicole

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I basicly grew up in chris-town. we lived right behind it in the wishingwell apartments. i had many many goodtimes there. seeing these pictures brought back some really good memories, yet also saddens me that very little of my childhood still exist. phoenix is good at tearing down landmarks and replacing them with strip malls that cater to the undesirable aliens of the south.. just a fact.

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does anyone out there remember the chiis town dances? Tony evans of kriz radio organized and promoted the dances. kriz also made announcments on the air for the chris town dances.A local band called THE DOOR NOBS played for Tony evans for alot of his events.The door nobs had a local no.1 record HI FI BABY. The brothers that formed the band later went on as a brother act FLOYD AND JERRY. 1964 TO 1967, HAD 3 NATIONAL RECORDINGS. BELIEVE IN THINGS, SUMMER KISSES AND DUSTY. Any one remember? born in PHX in 1946 I remember lotts. the chris town days bring back lotts of great memories.the dances we played for was one of our favorite times ever.JERRY and I are in this years top 10 nomanies for the ARIZONA MUSIC AND INTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME. only one act will be selected. we feel that we are a product of CHRIS TOWN.IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO REPLY REACH ME AT FWESTFALL1atYAHOO.COM THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES GOD BLESS.

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This is amazing! I lived in the Chris-Town neighborhood as a child in the early 60's - early 70's. We used to go to Chris-Town all of the time. We shopped at Penney's and at Bill's Records! Ate Pizza d' Amore. I remember it being the best thing EVER! I remember Lerner's for dresses for school dances. And, going to see Santa in the 60's. Also used to go and see Wallace and Ladmo at the Fox Chris-Town theatres on Saturdays! Anyone remember a man who was mentally challenged who used to hang out at the mall EVERY day? I think his name was Herbie. I always felt so sorry for him. Especially when I was at the mall as a teen and seeing him every time I was there. Great website!

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I LOVED this website. The photos and commentary brought back so many memories. I grew up in the 60's and saw these things happen. Thank you so much!!! STEVE

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And it will never be that wonderful place again, was sad to see its demise. Charlie V

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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU PEOPLE IN PHX , IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME THE OLD CHRIS TOWN WOULD BE IN MY WISH..... VERLYN WRIGHT, ALTUS OKLAHOMA

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I recall Saturdays spent at Christ-town mall shopping, lunching at Farrells, lunch counter at JC Penny or Pizza d'Amore, taking in a movie and calling our arents for a ride home in the early evening. I also remember that bar that was down in the basement by Orange Julius. I never went in there but always wondered what it was like. Those were the days!

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Great Site, I went to Central High in the early 80s loved going to Christown Mall after the football games meeting the gang at Ferrells great memories

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Neat website! I was born in 1962 so some of my memories of Christown's early days are fairly vague. I think what sticks out in my mind the most are the Court of Fountains and the organ grinder. I ALWAYS had to give the monkey a penney. Entering the main entrance with a burst of cool air and hearing the sound of the fountains on a hot summer day, was incredibly refreshing. Christown was a special place. In 1980 I went to work at Wards in their Key and Gift shop. It was always entertaining to watch people walking the mall and there were some regulars that were at the mall on a daily basis just hanging out and people-watching. I really miss those days. Too bad corporations can't think outside of the box and see the value of providing a unique and comfortable environment.

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I remember fondly Chris-Town mall as a fun place to hang out when I was a teenager, getting a shake and burger at the coffee shop looking at all the clothes,shoes and makeup going to the theatre for a show or hanging out looking at boys. Those were the days.

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I LIVED IN THE 3800 BLOCK OF WEST TUCKEY LANE FROM 1965 TO 1978 AND WENT TO CATALINA ELEMENTARY AND ALHAMBRA HIGH - SO CHRIS-TOWN WAS ONLY 2 MILES AWAY.IT WAS COOL THERE AND FUN!I HAVE BEEN FASCINATED BY ALL THE NOSTALGIC POSTINGS HERE AND FEEL YOU ALL AS MY KIN HAVING MUCH THE SAME MEMORIES THAT I HOLD SO DEAR.YOUR DESCRIPTIONS ARE SO VIVID AND TRUE AND THEY, LIKE SOME OF YOU, LEAVE ME A LITTLE MELANCHOLY-BUT HAPPY FOR HAVING THEM!I AM GRATEFUL AS I WRITE FOR THE WONDERFUL SITE THAT I STUMBLED ONTO AND FOR YOUR SHARED MEMORIES AND FEELINGS.BILL HUGHES

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I loved the Miracle Mile Deli. Another favorite was JC Penney. They had antique show and sales about twice a year. The Bird Garden was awesome for a kid. When the birds got sick they were kept in the security office, Moonlighting Phoenix Police Officers filled the security rolls and my dad being a Phoenix Police Officer took me there when I was 8 or 9 and I got to play with a mynah bird. They were replaced periodically due to their ability to pick up "blue" language skills. As a kid I thought that the bull outside the main entrance was the best. My first apartment was at 15th Ave. and Camelback. I had a Goldwaters young account card and a Penneys card. Need I say more. I drove by there recently and didn't recognize it. The old Bob's is even gone. Christown and Park Central were the best. Thanks for the memories and smiles.

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LOVED this site. Great collection of photos and stories. I lived in Phoenix 88-90 and remember thinking the Christown mall was a relic back then. Thanks for the stroll in the way-back machine! Larry - Berkeley, CA

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LOL! I worked at UA Cinema's 6 and did Rocky Horror Picture Show there for awhile. I also worked Piccadilly Restaurant while still in high school!

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I used to go to Christown all the time in Junior High and High School. I went to my first movie there and used to buy tons of movies across the street at Tower Records. I remember the sand art that was on display sometime in the early 90s. Great to see pics of this mall when it was good.

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Hello, My first job was at the Walgreens food counter and I also worked at the movie theater. What fun memories, also when we were skipping school we were hanging out at Christown.

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Wow wow wow love the site. I remember coming to visit my mom in the summer time during the 90's and going to get clothes and eating at the deli viewing all the sand art. Years laters when I moved to Phoenix I remember my wife and I ,just dating and attending Central, going to the UA to watch Jurrasic Park, going to the arcade and watching several changes in the years that past. The mall is still great and I still go to the Target every once in a while, but I still get sad thinking about what it used to be and all the family memories I have there. Again thanks for the site.

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I managed the KayBee store from 89-91, I loved that mall, and especially loved the 'Black Forest Bakery' that used to be outside the main entrance...they had great cheese danish....and those straw sandwiches at the miracle mile...wow.

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I recall that the was an antique auto each year in the 60's and 70's. For about six years I watched a 1906 Pierce-Arrow 12 passenger auto be restored from the chassie on up. The last time I saw it, it was finished and it was beautiful. Used to spen many hours crusin' Christown Mall. Now I don't even want to turn into it. Metro Center is becoming the same way. Progress is not always good.Thank you for your fine effort. Joe Marshall Scottsdale, AZ

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Great site. A lot of great memories from days gone by. Anyone remember Paul E Parrot, similiar to Chuck E Cheese, in a building south of the mall - near the Elephant Bar?

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Love the memories and reading about everyone else's. I worked at Morrow's Nut House and then Montgomery Wards, in the early 80's. Does anyone remember Herbie? I always gave him a piece of candy or nuts everyday that I worked. I also remember, when I was young, the man with the little monkey. What fun I had there.

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I was there in the crowd when Chris-Town was dedicated. Seems like yesterday. Keep remembering. I'm still from Phoenix even though I have lived in Northern Virginia for years.

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Great site and great memories. I saw Wallace and Ladmo at the theater many times and would stop by the Orange Julius after the show, always wondering about what went down inside the mysterious Janitor's Closet.

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I worked at Wags Diner next to Walgreens It was one of my first jobs I think I was just 14 at the time back in the 70s

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I remember Govway back in 1960. I bought a few shares of Govway stock at that time. Wonder if it's worth any thing today?

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Love your site. It brought back great memories for me. I worked on the loading dock at Montgomery Ward from 1972 to 1981. Sadly, Phoenix will never again be the same as it was during those wonderful years. Bob Bombiadi

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