You might know it as a failing mall in an iffy part of town, but to me it was one of the best places in the world.
My grandmother, Mia, would take me to Eastland Mall when I was a child. It had both an ice skating rink and a pet store. Which meant endless entertainment for me.
Oh, I didn’t actually go ice skating. I was content to watch from the top floor. I could see straight down into the rink. I did attempt to skate myself, once, at age 10 during a friend’s birthday party, and I hated every minute of it. Watching the others skate suited me just fine.
I don’t remember too much about the pet store except doggieeeeeees! More endless entertainment for me. No wonder Mia brought me there.
I went back a few years ago and found it virtually unrecognizable. The main thing missing was the atmosphere, the people – the happy people, that is. There were still people, but there was a dank, depressing vibe among almost everyone there.
So when I heard this week that the mall was in foreclosure and shutting its doors, I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t surprised but I was sad. It’s a reminder that I’m grown up. It’s a reminder that things change.
But in that mall, in my mind, it will always be 1980-something and I will be holding the hand of my 60-something year old grandmother, looking up at her with glee when an ice skater does a particularly good twirl or a big fluffy dog licks my face.
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8 responses to “End of an era”
I have those same kind of feelings about the old Rock Hill mall. Got my first bra there, some great scrunchies from Claire’s and Sebago’s at the shoe store. The old Belk and Sears and Radio Shack. Ah, it still brings back memories.
I had almost forgotten about the ice skating rink at Eastland. I loved watching the skaters too! I think I skated a two or three times there.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Cooking with The Pioneer Woman Weekly Update =-.
I have those same kind of feelings about the old Rock Hill mall. Got my first bra there, some great scrunchies from Claire’s and Sebago’s at the shoe store. The old Belk and Sears and Radio Shack. Ah, it still brings back memories.
I had almost forgotten about the ice skating rink at Eastland. I loved watching the skaters too! I think I skated a two or three times there.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Cooking with The Pioneer Woman Weekly Update =-.
I think I know the feeling. When I used to go home to visit the parents when I was in college we’d often head into Fayetteville – my old stomping grounds – and I’d feel that same vibe. It’s kinda weird, in a weird kinda way.
I know the feeling. The most random places create the best memories. Remember that chain Woolworths? There used to be one in my town. I guess you can say it was like a Walmart lite. I used to go there and just check out the “pet” section, which was pretty much just a few gerbils and a couple dirty tanks with cheap goldfish. But I loved it. That place is long gone, replaced by some glitzy Barnes and Nobles or something like that. I miss my ghetto fish 🙁
.-= BusyDad´s last blog ..To Rock =-.
I know the feeling. The most random places create the best memories. Remember that chain Woolworths? There used to be one in my town. I guess you can say it was like a Walmart lite. I used to go there and just check out the “pet” section, which was pretty much just a few gerbils and a couple dirty tanks with cheap goldfish. But I loved it. That place is long gone, replaced by some glitzy Barnes and Nobles or something like that. I miss my ghetto fish 🙁
.-= BusyDad´s last blog ..To Rock =-.
I hate that feeling!!! I also hate that I will never be able to take my kids to share the same experiences 🙁
.-= Staci´s last blog ..Update on Dr. Appointment…. =-.
I ended up ice skating there a number of times as a kid. I hadn’t been in the last decade almost ever since it became clearly known as a good place to go if you’ve got crack and a gun and time to waste.
Plus they didn’t have a Cinna-bon and well fuck that. Papa needs him some Cinna-fix.
NOM NOM NOM NOM
.-= Graham´s last blog ..Greenville, and How to Swing It =-.
I ended up ice skating there a number of times as a kid. I hadn’t been in the last decade almost ever since it became clearly known as a good place to go if you’ve got crack and a gun and time to waste.
Plus they didn’t have a Cinna-bon and well fuck that. Papa needs him some Cinna-fix.
NOM NOM NOM NOM
.-= Graham´s last blog ..Greenville, and How to Swing It =-.