Today's Florence Mall looks much different than the Florence Mall of the 1970's and 80's. Remodeling on the mall began in 1994 and led to the current look we see each day as we visit this Florence landmark. The center of the mall was completely opened up and the current glass dome you see in the center court area now replaced the old roof. In the last few years, the mall completed a new food court area and added in the carousel at the end of the wing.
How can you forget that old multi-colored pipe sculpture that used to hang right over center court in the mall in the area where the current glass dome resides? The sculpture hung for many years in the center of the mall before finally being removed in 1994 to make way for the new open dome that replaced it. That old pipe sculpture was almost a local landmark.
The mall of old had a style that was very common at the time. In its early days, the mall was known for its mirrored and metallic surfaces, wood grain and warm colors. All of these were commonplace at the time the mall was built and in the decade of the 1980's. This image from 1982 gives us a great look back at some of the early tenants and store design styles that were in place at the time. The image features the facades of The Limited, Shoe Works and the original Spencer Gifts location.
For those who haved lived in the Florence community for a while, the Florence Mall is a place that holds many memories over the years. Looking back at these classic images from the past help to bring back some of those great feelings from shopping trips past.
The new version of the Florence Mall continues to be an economic center for the city of Florence and a place where residents and visitiors still gather together.
