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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