Yes, MarkO, it was a full-fledged McDonalds and I have *many* pleasant memories of going there for cheeseburgers & coffee on Saturday afternoons in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Nash, there was definitely an escalator! And at the bottom, one of those cinnamon roll stores (Cinnabon?)… and a CD place, which encouraged me to finally buy a CD player in about 1987.

That lower-level must have been developed in the mid-80’s: I have even earlier memories of going to Kresge’s Merle Hay store, which was then two levels and quite large — I wonder if Kresge’s lower-level was eventually turned into the area we all remember.

Many thanks for these Merle Hay memories!

My first memories of MHM were visiting as a child in 1960 when it was open air and the glass stairs by Sears were there as well as a little train with rubber wheels for kiddie rides around the mall. For several years 1989-1992, my husband’s office was in the tower which was so poorly constructed (or ill-maintained) that snow blew in between the walls and window frames.

I remember the Younkers fire, had shopped there in town on business a week or 2 before it happened, always felt trapped by their meandering snake paths around circular clothing racks designed to keep customers in the store longer.

All the strip malls, some rather extensive, near MHM have had tough times the last ten years as the DsM economy has deteriorated. MHM’s Kohls is like a cheap junk shop, and the MHM Target (relocated from flood-prone Targhetto east of MLK Blvd.) is the dumpiest Target I’ve ever been in anywhere, certainly not their corporate image.

Felix & Oscars local Pizza/pasta north of MHM is the gem of the neighborhood & opened a restaurant between Valley West and Jordan Creek Town Center. Hobby Lobby does brisk trade, but locally owned craft, embroidery, & scrapbook shoppes nearby struggled then closed over the last 10 years.

Before moving back to civilization in our native bi-state Quad Cities, we lived near Valley West but chose Jordan Creek or Ankeny (the latter quite a drive) for our shopping. MHM deteriorated rapidly when they removed their lighted marquee with crawls of community info & mall events.

I question the “largest mall” stats. Northpark in Davenport was at one time the largest in Iowa and had the largest lighted marquee (still operating and visible for a mile) in North America.

Sorry I haven’t responded to any of the Emails that you’ve sent me…I just haven’t had the time to respond to them…

But I got some pictures on my Flickr photostream (including the newly built Staples and other mall storefronts)…the main mall entrance is near completion.

UPDATES TO THE MALL:

Storefronts have completed construction mostly.
Arby’s and Ocean Beach Fries have left the food court, leaving only a newly remodeled Villa Pizza, Taco John’s, Chinese Gourmet, and Maid Rite.
Jay’s CD and Hobby closed, no surprise there…
A sports outerwear store is opening in the former GAP (No Borders Books *tear*)
Staples is almost open…apply if you’re in the area!
The Charm Connection in the Kohl’s wing next to U.S. Cellular is closing.
Wilson’s Leather still sits empty with the sign still up (after a year of closing).

Also, the sign that is at Douglas Ave. and Merle Hay Rd. has updated…Ulta (which isn’t signed on the mall yet) has been added as well as Staples.

here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21241102@N00/3261336351/

Leave comments, please! Thanks!

PS…I also got a tour of the South Park Mall in Spencer, Iowa on there…check it out (it’s in one of my photo sets) if you’re interested. Thank you!

As for Waldenbooks, they are owned by Borders and are in very deep financial trouble, they are closing stores across the country, i seriously doubt that the mall “kicked them out”

Everyone also needs to realize that the entire complex where Hobby Lobby is located is not owned by Merle Hay Mall, it is owned by a company in New York and niether is the former movie theatre, it is owned by a resident of Urbandale who is a home builder and it is rumored to be in foreclosure right now.

People need to get over their stereotypes and see that this mall is safe and not “ghetto”