Comments on: Walnut Mall; Petersburg, Virginia

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:12:57 +0000

I grewe up in Petersburg and left in 1983 when the mall was still open and strong. I too spent many a day in Aladdins castle which had to be the coolest arcade around. I also remember going to the record store alot, I think it was called Gary’s . My Mom and her friends used to go to Thalhimers alot and I remember getting donuts and cakes from the bakery in the middle of the store and those black and white checkerd bags and boxes. There was also a fountain in the center of the mall close to the entrance which looked like it had been built over and used as a small stage or something in its later years. I visited a few times after it closed in the 90’s and it looked like a ghost town. I was back recently in october and saw the new shopping center in its place and it looks just like any other shopping place now. Somewhat lost it;s charm. I would be interested to see more pictures of this mall if anyone has them. Too bad we didn’t have digital cameras in those days; i’m sure we would have lots of pics to look back at.

By: bill

bill — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:01:10 +0000

great post , i remember the thalhimers at military
circle mall, that particular store had a restuarant
insidecalled the sword and kilt.brings back teenage memories,use to walk in store and spray all the polo cologne i could spray!!!!

By: Ed Jones

Ed Jones — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:17:39 +0000

I have fond memories of that mall as a kid in the 1970s through the 80’s before Southpark Mall opened in 1989. I went to many movies at the theater next to it, remember the billboards out front, the Walden books, the Halloween stuff at People’s Drugs, comics, the Gary’s record shop, toys at Penny’s, the dimly-lit fish restaurant, bakery at Thalhimers, etc, etc and eating down the road at King’s BBQ. I’m 41 now but still remember those days.

By: Jeff Seymour

Jeff Seymour — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:59:46 +0000

Man old man those were the days. Ran across this site again so I will leave this. First of all I met my wife there at the Aladdin’s Castle in the mall. I used to work at Skateland down the street from the mall and after my girlfriend said it was over I left Skateland and stop going to the mall. Them after about 11 months later I went back to the mall and I met her at Aladdin’s Castle. We kept going there for awhile and Move to Colonial Heights and stop going to mall’s. But I tell you what the Walnut Mall was so cool and love the stores there. So take care you guys that read this. My e-mail is ares96@aol.com

By: Jeff Seymour

Jeff Seymour — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:56:15 +0000

Man old man those were the days. Ran across this site again so I will leave this. First of all I met my wife there at the Aladdin’s Castle in the mall. I used to work at Skateland down the street from the mall and after my girlfriend said it was over I left Skateland and stop going to the mall. Them after about 11 months later I went back to the mall and I met her at Aladdin’s Castle. We kept going there for awhile and Move to Colonial Heights and stop going to mall’s. But I tell you what the Walnut Mall was so cool and loe the stores there. So take care you guys that read this. My e-mail is ares96@aol.com

By: keesha

keesha — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:12:45 +0000

I remember that there used to be a Sew-fro or So-fro fabric store next to Miller & Rhoads

By: Pauline

Pauline — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:33:55 +0000

When I was stationed at nearby Fort Lee back in 1982, I used to go to Walnut Mall a lot, especially to eat at Family Fish House (every Sunday). My then-fiance and I went there to buy things for his niece. Thank you for bringing me back fond memories with your site

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:20:59 +0000

I remember when the Walnut Mall opened, Troy Donohue made an appearance there for the Grand Opening. Other stores not mentioned include Standard-James Shoes, Wices (ladies clothes) and a record store.
At the Plaza across the street WSSV Radio had a permanent kiosk in the parking lot where they broadcast every day when school let out.

By: nc

nc — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:33:52 +0000

Yes great memories, I grew up in the burg in the 60’s -70’s Adolphs was the mens clothing store in the plaza while the mall had Taylor’s formal wear, rented my prom tux there in 1974.

By: TS

TS — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:25:37 +0000

Re: Todd – As all shopping centers evolve over the years; stores come and go, but I can tell you some of what was there in the 1980’s, at least the larger stores. (Can’t remember all the smaller businesses.) Starting on the northwestern end, closest to Crater Rd was Miller and Rhoads. There was a Pantry Pride grocery store located about midway in that section of the Plaza. I think that’s close to the space in question. Closer to the ‘middle’ of the Plaza was a Rite Aid Pharmacy, then Shoe Show. There was (I guess still is) a ‘gap’ or access to the rear parking area, and then Woolworth’s. At the southern end was Bradlees, which, originally in that spot, was J.M. Fields. Between Woolworth’s and Bradlees was a Hallmark store, a Pic n Pay (?), and a local men’s store (Adolph’s?), not necessarily in that order . I’m sure there were a few smaller stores / businesses that I’m missing, and I’ve offered way more info than requested. I’m just enjoying this trip down ‘retail memory lane’!