Crystal Mall Should Recognize its Past as it Celebrates a New Future

While the Crystal Mall’s recent acknowledged the completed $10 million facelift anticipated to make the mall more viable for the future, there was no component included to recognize the history behind the 1984 mall. 

When this blogger asked about whether shoppers are able to read about the mall’s history while shopping, management on the mall‘s Facebook page stated “we do not have that information posted anywhere, but we do appreciate your interest and knowledge in some of the stores that have resided at the Crystal Mall!”

Back in January, this blogger had suggested decorating the hallway on the lower level near Sears with photos and a timeline. 

At that time, management responded stating “we are considering ideas like that.”

Such a historical exhibit could include photos of the construction of the 85-acre mall, its grand opening celebration, its previous architectural elements, along with the many shops and restaurants that have called the mall home. 

The mall opened with red and brown tiling with select areas featuring yellow flower patterns in the tile. Wooden handrails lined the mall’s upper level with wooden light posts. 

The mall was formerly anchored by Filene’s (1984-2006) and Jordan Marsh (1984-1996). It was sub-anchored by D&L, Tweeter, and a large Waldenbooks.

Burger King and Arby’s had their own dining rooms alongside Charley’s Eating and Drinking Saloon. 

According to the 1996 Directory of Major Malls, former electronics and music/video stores have included Music World, Record Town, Ritz Camera One Hour Photo, and Suncoast Motion Pictures. 

Photos of the former staircase in front of Christmas Tree Shop, the original tiling, the white tiling that was installed in the 1996 renovation project, and the old center mall staircase are on the mall’s Facebook page.  

It is currently the ninth largest mall in Connecticut.

At Westfield’s Meriden Square Mall, the concourse leading shoppers to the restrooms highlights the mall’s history since it opened in 1971.  

There are aerial photos of the mall showing its stages of development alongside historical photos of Friendly’s, B. Dalton Bookstore, G. Fox, and a Radio Shack with old fashioned phones.

I give the Crystal Mall credit for saving the historical in the center of the mall until plans changed to . 

The crystal chandelier gives the mall character and is its namesake. 

I recommend that the mall install a sign near it so that shoppers can read about its history. 

It is not too late for the Crystal Mall to give shoppers a blast from the past.

In fact, the Crystal Mall has a longer history compared to several other enclosed malls in Connecticut including the Danbury Fair Mall which opened in 1986, Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester which first greeted shoppers in 1990, and the 1997 Brass Mill Center in Waterbury.

If you have historical photos of the Crystal Mall, please attach them to this article. What do you think of adding a historical exhibit to the mall? What stores and restaurants do you remember?