I’m a Westsider—but my grandpa used to commute-he worked in one of the factories on Miles—in Bedford Hts., I believe.
I’m pushing 50-left home in the summer of ‘78. Randall Park opened in ‘76, I think—My friends and I went a few times—no one had a car so we had a hell of a time getting there, but it was, especially to a kid, amazing. I think for a while, it was one of the biggest malls in the U.S. Beautiful.
Although I went home to visit several times over the years, I never went back to Randall Park Mall. In 2001, I had a chance to go back on a contract job—working in Richmond Hts., on the East Side. I was there 11 months. Long story short, some of my buddies were talking about Randall Park one day—they filled me in, and I went online to read up on it—My God!
What a damn shame.
I didn’t know you lived out that way—I’ve seen your name on here several times, and I always enjoy your posts, FWIW. Thanks for writing.
Why, thanks Mac!
Randall Mall is empty, except for Sears I believe. And I haven’t seen more than ten cars there at one time in the last couple of years! It’s slated to close soon. The whole area is blighted, with only stores like “Flava” still open. The Asian market where I shop, Cam’s, is located in half of the old Toys Are Us store. I’ll bet his rent is next to nothing!