by cmorse222 » Sun Jul 28, 2019 5:37 pm
Well, I can share this: I used to walk to the Woodward and Fashion Fair malls lots as I was too young to drive at the time. My best friend and I would trek the several miles out to do some sight seeing (girls), and to get ice cream, snacks, etc. We were poor compared to the middle class and rarely had extra cash to spend. We also trekked to Manchester Mall, and to Blakley's swimming facility all from the central Tulare area near Belmont and First.
You have to understand that during the summer families would dress up and head to the mall in the evening hours to escape Fresno's incredible heat. One of the hottest areas in California as the heat is trapped in the valley in between the Bay Area and LA Basin. The malls, like Fashion Island were air conditioned and there were nice restaurants around to have dinner. This was a huge evening, or weekend event. Going to the malls to get cooled off and to have a great dinner. People would dress up for evening mall outings.
Families now a days aren't too much interested in many of the older traditions and values, like family, we held dear in the 50s, 60s. Chock that up to Social Media changing the way people think about their lives.
Another escape from the heat, or just plain boredom was to frequent all the air conditioned cinemas that were housed in most of Fresno's larger malls, like Fashion Island. Advertising was different in those days. It was honest, straight forward and prices were reasonable compared to today's outlandish price structure. Merchandise was of a higher quality, standard.
I hope this helps.
Cary Morse
Roosevelt 1967
Well, I can share this: I used to walk to the Woodward and Fashion Fair malls lots as I was too young to drive at the time. My best friend and I would trek the several miles out to do some sight seeing (girls), and to get ice cream, snacks, etc. We were poor compared to the middle class and rarely had extra cash to spend. We also trekked to Manchester Mall, and to Blakley's swimming facility all from the central Tulare area near Belmont and First.
You have to understand that during the summer families would dress up and head to the mall in the evening hours to escape Fresno's incredible heat. One of the hottest areas in California as the heat is trapped in the valley in between the Bay Area and LA Basin. The malls, like Fashion Island were air conditioned and there were nice restaurants around to have dinner. This was a huge evening, or weekend event. Going to the malls to get cooled off and to have a great dinner. People would dress up for evening mall outings.
Families now a days aren't too much interested in many of the older traditions and values, like family, we held dear in the 50s, 60s. Chock that up to Social Media changing the way people think about their lives.
Another escape from the heat, or just plain boredom was to frequent all the air conditioned cinemas that were housed in most of Fresno's larger malls, like Fashion Island. Advertising was different in those days. It was honest, straight forward and prices were reasonable compared to today's outlandish price structure. Merchandise was of a higher quality, standard.
I hope this helps.
Cary Morse
Roosevelt 1967