Comments on: Pierre Moran Mall; Elkhart, Indiana

By: Mustangsal

Mustangsal — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 06:14:04 +0000

@Chris B.,

Grants was absolutely in the space later occupied by Target. Used to ride my bicycle there daily during the summer – buy 45 rpm records for 67 cents each! ; )

By: ConcordGrad

ConcordGrad — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:31:34 +0000

Some of these posts were a real blast from the past. I grew up shopping these malls in the 80’s and early 90’s and remember most of the stores that were mentioned. Pierre Moran had The Finish Line which was right inside the main entrance (and really the only reason a kid would go in there). This was early 90’s before the internet, so if you wanted a pair of fresh Jordan VI’s it was your only option. It wasn’t long before MC Sporting goods opened down on US33 near Goshen to give you a good second option on popular kicks. MC is a real disappointment now. I was in there a few years ago and the wall that used to have floor to ceiling shoes was now nothing. I’m not sure they even sell shoes anymore. The old standby was always Concord Mall though. Chess King had all the trendy clothes in the early 90’s. Bum Equipment, 8 Ball Jackets, and Skidz pants. Wow. Pitstop USA had the popular Big Johnson and Coed Naked shirts that my parents never let me wear. I think I still have some $19 cassette tapes I bought at Super Sounds near the front. There was a short lived store called Dudes Jeans that sold Guess jeans for $100 a pair. Had to have ‘em. I could go on and on. I’ll post more memories later.

By: Tom Stevens

Tom Stevens — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:02:13 +0000

Does anyone have pictures of any of the old stores?

The mall was four blocks from my childhood home. My first job was at O’Connell’s in 1971, a restaurant which later became the Meeting Place and then Alley Oops. Later I taught guitar and bass at Harmony House of Music, and worked at Suspended Chord. They were both owned by Jim Neher. Harmony House was a musical instrument store on the right near the front entrance, past the jeweler, Orange Bowl and the hobby shop. Suspended Chord, a record store, moved around the mall. It was once next to Karmelkorn, in the corner next to Grant’s, and in the former Mr. Smorgasbord. Two old friends managed the Tie Hut and Pants Port. Yes, W.T. Grant’s was originally in the “Pierre Moran Shopping Center” where G.L Perry was and Big Lots is now. Grant’s was indeed in the large store that became Carson Pirie Scott and Target in the mall.

By: Sen McCartney

Sen McCartney — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:22:42 +0000

I also worked at the Kline’s Department store for a short time. I did displays with a gal named Gigi, and remember when a hand form used to promote umbrellas and scarves lost one of it supporting lines and swooped down on the remaining line, gently lifting off the wig of one of the sales ladies in the department. Just imagine a flying hand swiping an old lady’s wig! Now THAT was funny!

By: Tom M.

Tom M. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:05:07 +0000

@Goshen Dave,

I vaguely remember the Midway drive-in. I DO remember in the mid to early 1980’s it was one of the only public structures on the north side of Goshen / south side of Elkhart/Dunlap. Kline’s department store wasn’t just an Goshen/Elkhart thing … they were based out of Michigan (Ann Arbor maybe?) and had locations in Indiana and Michigan. Nice department store as far as small towns are concerned. During the SWATCH craze of the ’80’s Kline’s had special prices on the weekends … $35 for a SWATCH.

So there was a Newell’s in Pierre Moran? I am trying to remember the name of the shoe store across from Carousel Card and Books, in the Sears corridor. I think there was also a location of this shoe store in downtown Elkhart or Goshen. The Target at PMM was the first Target in Elkhart County and seemed to be the only busy store in the mall on any given day in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

I miss G.L. Perry’s.

By: Goshen Dave

Goshen Dave — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0000

I was 1 1/2 when the PS tornado attacked our trailer in the Midway MH park(we were VERY lucky). I remember the Midway drive-in. I played with all the toys on open display at Sears at Christmas. I bought my first camera at Grants. Carousel Card and Books had a great selection of magazines. Kline’s was a old dept store from Goshen. Newell’s was also from Goshen, I went to school with one of the Newell kids. I think I spent more time at Concord Mall though. They had Ward’s, Penney’s, Robertson’s, Osco Drug (with an open gun rack), Grinnell’s Music, Musicland, and Soundmasters. Haven’t been to PMM for 25+yrs. I don’t recall that it was ever busy.

By: Tom M.

Tom M. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:58:02 +0000

I believe PMM originally started as an open air shopping center with Ziesel’s, Sears and Kroger as anchors. Sears and Kroger remained at PMM until the end. Ziesel’s became Carson Pirie Scott and later Kline’s Department Store. Target was added onto the mall sometime in the 1980’s. Alley Oop’s Diner was in the mall along with a Hallmark store, Leather Banana, Coin & Stamp store, $5-$10-$15-$20 Women’s clothing store, a funky record store that sold Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts and a women’s shoe store. GLPerry was part of the mall but I don’t know if it was an original tenant.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:42:45 +0000

Wow. I was in this mall back in early 2002 and ate at some cool 1950s era diner place (Alley Oops?) with my parents and a family friend. After i ate, i explored the mall and was suprised at how dated it was. LOL, I almost thought i went back to 1982! The mall reminded me of the Southtown Mall in Fort Wayne which by then was pretty much done for and closed.

By: Gordon Brooks

Gordon Brooks — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:17:49 +0000

I like change and progress, however somethings can make a person sad as they think back.
I lived in Elkhart in the late 70’s.
Two things come to mind when I think about this mall.
Having our first family photo taken there. My oldest was less than a year old.
And being talked into buying him a train set for Christmas (he’s was only 4 months old at the time) by a fellow co-worker..”Every boy need a train set”.
I will always remember Mike B.

By: John Wells

John Wells — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:49:06 +0000

Local Guy, that is a crazy idea. PMM didn’t survive as a enclosed mall,turning it into a strip mall was an even worse idea! Who wants to walk outside and shop in freezing cold temps and espeically that part of town?!? PMM was screwed from the begining in 1971 when they built the low income housing projects down the road. That area was actually at one time one of the more upscale parts of elkhart in the 50s-60s. Save your money and look somewhere else for your store