Comments on: Westgate Mall; Madison, Wisconsin http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2 News and Views of Malls, Shopping Centers, and Retail Chains Past and Present Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:40:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: David http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-151419 David Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:13:19 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-151419 @Rick, When I moved to Madison in '75, the grocery store at Westgate was Eagle Foods. The discount department store on the west side of Whitney was called Copp's Department Store. There had been three in Madison, the other two were at Northgate and off Broadway where the Menards is. A good decade after Copp's closed their discount operation in Madison, they opened grocery stores, one only a few hundred feet north of their old store on Whitney. @Rick,

When I moved to Madison in ‘75, the grocery store at Westgate was Eagle Foods. The discount department store on the west side of Whitney was called Copp’s Department Store. There had been three in Madison, the other two were at Northgate and off Broadway where the Menards is. A good decade after Copp’s closed their discount operation in Madison, they opened grocery stores, one only a few hundred feet north of their old store on Whitney.

]]> By: regularjoe http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-132453 regularjoe Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:21:50 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-132453 There was a HUGE toy store there when I was kid, before Madison got the big box toys - r - us places. Can't remember the name of it but they really did up the windows. I would come visit family in Madison and they would take me there and I thought it was just like what you would see in old movies. Remembered the name - Uncle Paul's Toy Country! Moved to the city in 90 and Westgate was well on it's way to ghost town. My dad would hang out with his retired buddies at a place called CJ's [they had a couple other spots in Madison but I think that this was the only mall based one]. Westgate did have one heck of a movie theatre. I've seen so many movies there I couldn't even try to count them, It was trying to hang on for a while in the 90s and would do theme weeks....Kubrick, Hitchcock, that sort of thing. A Hyvee is working on demoing a huge part of the mall to build underground parking as part of a proposed store there. There was a HUGE toy store there when I was kid, before Madison got the big box toys – r – us places. Can’t remember the name of it but they really did up the windows. I would come visit family in Madison and they would take me there and I thought it was just like what you would see in old movies. Remembered the name – Uncle Paul’s Toy Country!

Moved to the city in 90 and Westgate was well on it’s way to ghost town. My dad would hang out with his retired buddies at a place called CJ’s [they had a couple other spots in Madison but I think that this was the only mall based one].

Westgate did have one heck of a movie theatre. I’ve seen so many movies there I couldn’t even try to count them, It was trying to hang on for a while in the 90s and would do theme weeks….Kubrick, Hitchcock, that sort of thing.

A Hyvee is working on demoing a huge part of the mall to build underground parking as part of a proposed store there.

]]> By: Jan Smith Mailey http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-132151 Jan Smith Mailey Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:57:49 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-132151 @Martha, Yes, in the '60's there were Penney's and Manchesters. Another clothing stores included 3 Sisters--> was that the one w/ the play corral w/ toys for the kids, Uncle Pauls Toy Store, Piggly Wiggly grocer, Forbes Maher music, S.S. Kresge, there was a candy store, a sporting goods store and a dry cleaners on the south end. A beauty shop was located there as well. We used to have lunch at the counter in Renebaums Drug store when we came down from Odana School Anyone else recall these?. @Martha,
Yes, in the ’60’s there were Penney’s and Manchesters. Another clothing stores included 3 Sisters–> was that the one w/ the play corral w/ toys for the kids, Uncle Pauls Toy Store, Piggly Wiggly grocer, Forbes Maher music, S.S. Kresge, there was a candy store, a sporting goods store and a dry cleaners on the south end. A beauty shop was located there as well. We used to have lunch at the counter in Renebaums Drug store when we came down from Odana School
Anyone else recall these?.

]]> By: TJ http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-108543 TJ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:22:04 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-108543 I attended Odana Elementary School next to Westgate in the early 1960's and remember it very well. Penney's & Manchester's were the anchors with Piggly Wiggly and Rennebohms at the other end. I also recall the shoe store with the talking birds, Uncle Paul's Toy Store, Kresges, and Richman Bros menswear. Vern's barber shop was in the alcove next to Penney's -- 50 cents for a buzz cut in 1961. Every Christmas they would move a red "Santa House" to the parking lot where kids could visit Santa. I attended Odana Elementary School next to Westgate in the early 1960’s and remember it very well. Penney’s & Manchester’s were the anchors with Piggly Wiggly and Rennebohms at the other end. I also recall the shoe store with the talking birds, Uncle Paul’s Toy Store, Kresges, and Richman Bros menswear. Vern’s barber shop was in the alcove next to Penney’s — 50 cents for a buzz cut in 1961. Every Christmas they would move a red “Santa House” to the parking lot where kids could visit Santa.

]]> By: apm http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-102210 apm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:13:31 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-102210 I went to UW-Madison from 92 to 96 and my only visit to this mall was to see Braveheart at the theater (I went to South Towne only once to see a movie too...but I can't remember which one). To me, it was always just part of the gigantic, crowded, sign-filled mess that you had to drive (or bus) past to get to West Towne. But looking at the interior pictures, the narrow hallways remind me of the Hilldale Mall, which I did visit on a few occasions. I wonder if the same design firm enclosed both malls? I went to UW-Madison from 92 to 96 and my only visit to this mall was to see Braveheart at the theater (I went to South Towne only once to see a movie too…but I can’t remember which one). To me, it was always just part of the gigantic, crowded, sign-filled mess that you had to drive (or bus) past to get to West Towne. But looking at the interior pictures, the narrow hallways remind me of the Hilldale Mall, which I did visit on a few occasions. I wonder if the same design firm enclosed both malls?

]]> By: Elise http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-92290 Elise Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:54:08 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-92290 I remember my mom shopping at Westgate, but I do not remember it being enclosed. Neither was Hilldale enclosed. I'm fairly sure that those stores were enclosed several years after they first opened. I remember my mom shopping at Westgate, but I do not remember it being enclosed. Neither was Hilldale enclosed. I’m fairly sure that those stores were enclosed several years after they first opened.

]]> By: Jeffery Gauss http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-89154 Jeffery Gauss Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:42:37 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-89154 I grew up with this mall. Way back in the day when the grocery store on the south end was there. I think it was a Piggly Wiggly. I remember Uncle Paul's Toy store, back when it was a strip mall along with Rennabaums,s Rexall drug store, Kresge,s was a like a Woolworth's Dime store. There was a mens store called O&V. It stood for Olson and Verhusen and was there til Hart Schaffner Marx bought it and changed the name to Baskin's. JC Penny and Manchester's were the anchors. I remember when they enclosed it and tried to make it more like West Towne, where most of the stores had moved. Boreman,s Department store came in later and I remember back in the early 80's when the mall added the walls and a movie theater. There was a Pizza Pit pizza on the far north end that was still outside and I remember an 1812 Overture record store. I miss the good ol' days and boy it makes me feel old. I grew up in the area and I went to Odana elementary school and used to run through the farm fields that are still to the north of the mall. I grew up with this mall. Way back in the day when the grocery store on the south end was there. I think it was a Piggly Wiggly. I remember Uncle Paul’s Toy store, back when it was a strip mall along with Rennabaums,s Rexall drug store, Kresge,s was a like a Woolworth’s Dime store. There was a mens store called O&V. It stood for Olson and Verhusen and was there til Hart Schaffner Marx bought it and changed the name to Baskin’s. JC Penny and Manchester’s were the anchors. I remember when they enclosed it and tried to make it more like West Towne, where most of the stores had moved. Boreman,s Department store came in later and I remember back in the early 80’s when the mall added the walls and a movie theater. There was a Pizza Pit pizza on the far north end that was still outside and I remember an 1812 Overture record store. I miss the good ol’ days and boy it makes me feel old. I grew up in the area and I went to Odana elementary school and used to run through the farm fields that are still to the north of the mall.

]]> By: protector http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-86193 protector Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:20:12 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-86193 WOW!!! What has happened to Westgate Mall? I used to do security there back in the mid to late 80's and back then it was a happening place compared to now. TJ Maxx, The Avenue, Famous Footwear, and the shops on the North side strip part are about the only ones left from when I worked there. Now it seems like a ghost town with at least 40 to 45 percent of the Mall being empty. Can a big box grocery store really bring Westgate Mall back from the slow death it seems to be facing? It seems like the big stores all want to go to the big mega type Malls instead of the small family type Malls of the old days. I can't believe that Marcus closed the movie theater. Yeah it was a small 3 or 4 screen theater but it was nice and comfrontable compared to the big mega theaters. CJ's was a nice family restaurant and there used to be an ice cream shop in the center of the Mall, and a snack shop down by TJ Maxx (Lunch N Munch). Karate America was next to Cost Cutters and the Cosmotolgy school. Tilt was next to the movie theater and the kids were always hanging out there. I hope someone that knows how to run a Mall can get things going again and bring Westgate back to what it used to be. The company that owns Hilldale Mall seems to know what it takes to keep an old but yet nice Mall going. Maybe the day of the small Malls is gone just like there doesn't seem to be any small movie theaters anymore. Everything now days has to be big and it seems the bigger the better. I also really liked going to Southtowne Mall when that was still a Mall. Who was the person that decided to change it from an indoor Mall to a strip Mall? Now the movie theater there is closed and Famous Footwear moved out to. I heard a company that didn't have any Mall experience bought it and things went down hill from there. A rumor was going around that someone was thinking about building a Mall in Fitchburg around the same time the super Target was being built but nothing every came of it, yet!!! I think the West side has enough Malls. Maybe someone can build another Mall on the North or South side this time. How about another Mall of America type Mall? They keep saying bigger is better!!! WOW!!! What has happened to Westgate Mall?

I used to do security there back in the mid to late 80’s and back then it was a happening place compared to now. TJ Maxx, The Avenue, Famous Footwear, and the shops on the North side strip part are about the only ones left from when I worked there. Now it seems like a ghost town with at least 40 to 45 percent of the Mall being empty. Can a big box grocery store really bring Westgate Mall back from the slow death it seems to be facing? It seems like the big stores all want to go to the big mega type Malls instead of the small family type Malls of the old days. I can’t believe that Marcus closed the movie theater. Yeah it was a small 3 or 4 screen theater but it was nice and comfrontable compared to the big mega theaters. CJ’s was a nice family restaurant and there used to be an ice cream shop in the center of the Mall, and a snack shop down by TJ Maxx (Lunch N Munch). Karate America was next to Cost Cutters and the Cosmotolgy school. Tilt was next to the movie theater and the kids were always hanging out there. I hope someone that knows how to run a Mall can get things going again and bring Westgate back to what it used to be. The company that owns Hilldale Mall seems to know what it takes to keep an old but yet nice Mall going. Maybe the day of the small Malls is gone just like there doesn’t seem to be any small movie theaters anymore. Everything now days has to be big and it seems the bigger the better.

I also really liked going to Southtowne Mall when that was still a Mall. Who was the person that decided to change it from an indoor Mall to a strip Mall? Now the movie theater there is closed and Famous Footwear moved out to. I heard a company that didn’t have any Mall experience bought it and things went down hill from there.

A rumor was going around that someone was thinking about building a Mall in Fitchburg around the same time the super Target was being built but nothing every came of it, yet!!! I think the West side has enough Malls. Maybe someone can build another Mall on the North or South side this time. How about another Mall of America type Mall? They keep saying bigger is better!!!

]]> By: Steve http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-80500 Steve Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:06:02 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-80500 In the late '60s and early '70s the grocery store (which is now Dunham's) was Eagle Foods. I also remember WJ Rendell's, which I believe was a woman's clothing boutique that my mom would bring me to. I remember it because they had a children's play area with great wooden blocks and trains that would keep me busy (seemingly) for hours while my mom shopped. I also recall Uncle Paul's toy store, which was located where half of the TJ Maxx store is now. My parents would occasionally take the family to the Friday night fish fry at the Westgate Rennebohm's (eating out was a BIG deal for us). During my high school years in the mid-'80s I worked at TJ Maxx and the mall hasn't changed much since then. We would go have beers after work (even as a 17 year old) at CJs, which was the fancy restaurant in the mall located near the open area around the now Rocky's location. In the late ’60s and early ’70s the grocery store (which is now Dunham’s) was Eagle Foods. I also remember WJ Rendell’s, which I believe was a woman’s clothing boutique that my mom would bring me to. I remember it because they had a children’s play area with great wooden blocks and trains that would keep me busy (seemingly) for hours while my mom shopped. I also recall Uncle Paul’s toy store, which was located where half of the TJ Maxx store is now. My parents would occasionally take the family to the Friday night fish fry at the Westgate Rennebohm’s (eating out was a BIG deal for us). During my high school years in the mid-’80s I worked at TJ Maxx and the mall hasn’t changed much since then. We would go have beers after work (even as a 17 year old) at CJs, which was the fancy restaurant in the mall located near the open area around the now Rocky’s location.

]]> By: Ted http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-76670 Ted Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:17:53 +0000 http://www.labelscar.com/wisconsin/westgate-mall-2#comment-76670 I remember going to the mall in the early 70's to see a Christmas train. Does anyone else share this memory? I remember going to the mall in the early 70’s to see a Christmas train. Does anyone else share this memory?

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