Main Street Pedestrian Mall (Riverside, California)
The Main Street Pedestrian Mall in Riverside, California, stretching along Main Street from 5th to 10th street, was opened in 1966.[1] The mall is flanked by the City Hall and convention center at either end. In 2008, the city carried out a $10 million renovation to the mall as part of the larger "Riverside Renaissance" project.[2]
History
Before pedestrianization
Main Street was the main shopping street of Riverside for decades before it was pedestrianized in 1966. Major department stores included, at various times:[3]
- Sears, opened in February 1929 at 5th and Main, moved in June 1938 to a larger 38,000-foot store in a new art deco building (architect Henry L. A. Jekel) at the southeast corner of 7th (Mission Inn) and Main, on the site of the former Rubidoux Building.[4] It would further expand in the 1950s.
- Westbrook's (1935–1964)
- Grout's
- Montgomery Ward
- J. C. Penney
- Pic 'n Save (1930–1980)
- S. H. Kress dime store, east side of Main between 8th and 9th streets
- Reynold's, at 9th and Main
- Woolworth's, southeast corner of 9th and Main (1940–1957)
References
- ^ Riverside, Glenn Edward Freeman, p.23
- ^ "Riverside pedestrian mall gets face-lift", Riverside Press-Enterprise, April 1, 2008
- ^ Freedman, Glenn Edward. Riverside. p. 19, 26, 28, 29. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Sears advertising section". Riverside Daily Press. June 1, 1938.