tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post116536313114647167..comments2024-03-27T14:28:33.393-04:00Comments on The Caldor Rainbow: East Brook Mall; Willimantic-Mansfield, ConnecticutNicholas M. DiMaiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063999916020250354noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-88061772519115519612011-11-15T02:26:27.630-05:002011-11-15T02:26:27.630-05:00This can't have effect in actual fact, that...This can't have effect in actual fact, that's exactly what I think.www.mueblescebreros.comhttp://www.mueblescebreros.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-17481001483460369322011-10-02T01:04:36.890-04:002011-10-02T01:04:36.890-04:00What was the name of the music store that was next...What was the name of the music store that was next to Radio Shack - Music Land or Record World? Anyways, I was born in Mansfield in '73 and still remember the outside entrance to Caldor. And how empty the mall was on Sundays. And Water & Air (don't sit on the waterbed!). And Shetucket Harness (sp?). And Waldenbooks. And Nassiffs. And Fotomat. And CVS. And Rein's New York-Style Deli-Restaurant (before Al's). And Casual Male. And So-Fro Fabrics. And The Optical Bar and Style Shoppe. And Pac-Man at A&P. And the jukeboxes at Papa Ginos. And Super Mario at Yummy's. Learned how to drive in the parking lot. Always wanted that big raft at Caldor. And the latest Atari cartridge.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-22553385458934855292010-11-10T12:59:02.561-05:002010-11-10T12:59:02.561-05:00What memories when I graduated high school in 74 ...What memories when I graduated high school in 74 my first job was with Caldor. Great little mall and ended my career with them after five years and being the shipping and receiving manager. The topper was thats when the stores were starting to fight to open on Sundays. Couldn't walk through the mall to A&P had to exit mall and go in their own entranceway.Couldn't believe they increased the size of the mall as parking was always in short supply but Mall purchased the land that used to be where "Shaboo Inn"once stood which was a bar and recording studio. They held some great headliners JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND, JAMES COTTON BAND, N.R.B.Q., FABULOUS RHINESTONES, JONATHAN EDWARDS, ROOMFUL OF BLUES, ORLEANS, SHABOO ALL-STARS, ...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07768744119485068522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-55934984281716630072010-09-17T20:21:15.612-04:002010-09-17T20:21:15.612-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-31457384901972062792010-05-08T04:54:09.097-04:002010-05-08T04:54:09.097-04:00What about Fayva and Two Leggs..What about Fayva and Two Leggs..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-7670461720190543992010-04-22T16:32:05.790-04:002010-04-22T16:32:05.790-04:00What about Smith-Keon Jewelers, which has been the...What about Smith-Keon Jewelers, which has been there since the back wing was added in the 80's!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-12387410532000968962010-01-20T14:01:31.319-05:002010-01-20T14:01:31.319-05:00In 1974 it may have opened, but it was also the ca...In 1974 it may have opened, but it was also the catalyst and key factors in the demise of the shops on Main St. in Willimantic contributing to the negative feelings people have for the city. Like the Manchester Parkade, let's not forget that these small strip malls were from an era that broke up our main streets and actually introduced the mall concept of shopping. Now it's ironic that they are being eaten up to even bigger malls but it's just another phase in urban sprawl. Additionally, I did notice the aging Crystal Mall is starting to appear as vacant as the earlier days for the Norwichtown mall. I'm not certain if it's just the lingering economy, the owner refuses to act, or maybe the lease fees on space are just too high. All that said, it was still the time of my childhood and many fond memories of the East Brook Mall exist. Someone mentioned the ice cream shop Yummies and pet store which are fond memories, but nobody mentioned the great burgers you used to be able to get and all the other good food at Al's Deli... It used to be where the hallway to the Kohl's rear entrance now sits. Also I remember as a kid one of the key features in the mall before the renovation was the large fountain in the center of the mall. We used to beg my poor mother to walk to the thing each time just so we could toss a penny in and make a wish. Good times...RJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-3764641075132882052009-05-17T01:50:00.000-04:002009-05-17T01:50:00.000-04:00Wow! I grew up going to East Brook...I loved it! ...Wow! I grew up going to East Brook...I loved it! My late grandmother lived in Willimantic and we would go there once a week with my mother and great grandmother and younger brother. I absolutely loved Papa Gino's, but I did notice how different it was in the image. Like another commenter said, there were indeed bricks outside of it. It was more dimly lit inside as well. Mmmm, I can almost taste the food :) This is so awesome, thanks for the great trip down memory lane, I haven't been since my family members have since passed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-73303028169236525822009-02-06T04:37:00.000-05:002009-02-06T04:37:00.000-05:00Wow thanks for posting about the East Brook Mall. ...Wow thanks for posting about the East Brook Mall. I practically grew up there! <BR/>Everyone's birthday parties were at Papa Gino's (although I remember there being bricks around the outside of its entrance). I remember the ice cream place and The Hoot (is it really still there?) and a hair salon in that same short hallway as The Hoot where my brother and I each had our first haircuts. I also remember the grocery store being a Waldbaum's and it closing after the Big-Y moved in. I think we must have moved away just before JCPenney moved in. Did JCPenney remodel its location at all before opening or am I remembering wrong?<BR/>Thanks for that great trip down memory lane!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-55999986357669909422009-01-11T23:21:00.000-05:002009-01-11T23:21:00.000-05:00A small correction: Better Val-U was across the st...A small correction: Better Val-U was across the street from the mall where Staples and Sears are now.<BR/>A&P became Waldbaums prior to becoming TJ-MaxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-71090569386898860352008-09-10T21:38:00.000-04:002008-09-10T21:38:00.000-04:00East Brook opened the year I was born, and having ...East Brook opened the year I was born, and having lived in town my whole life I have seen it all. Hallmark used to be Sacketts, TD Banknorth was once American Savings, Yummies always had Bubble Gum Ice Cream (my fav!) and joke shop in the hall area next to the then-Caldors had everything a kid needed to drive parents crazy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-77674573253832159582008-09-03T21:57:00.000-04:002008-09-03T21:57:00.000-04:00Yummies, Puppy Love, Cricket (the children's c...Yummies, Puppy Love, Cricket (the children's clothing store)...Willimantic Bank and Trust (or was it Independent Bank and Trust?) Tubridy's was the store that filled the back corner when they expanded to the "T" in the 80's, and moved The Hoot back in that section as well. Strawberries opened up in there at that time as well. I worked at Caldor over Christmas 1986 in the makeup department and also part time at Papa Gino's, my first real job. I had friends at Onstage and Weathervane too. The adjoining grocery store became a Better Val-U after A&P...and there used to be lots of vendors in the hallway like spraypainted shirts, posters, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-88729467625421627092008-08-15T08:59:00.000-04:002008-08-15T08:59:00.000-04:00There is also now an 'outparcel' Applebee's worth ...There is also now an 'outparcel' Applebee's worth mentioning, at least for the sake of completeness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-15695155404006579102008-07-04T16:54:00.000-04:002008-07-04T16:54:00.000-04:00For me, a Hamptoner, just a good way to get out of...For me, a Hamptoner, just a good way to get out of the house and hang around or buy something without having to go all the way to Manchester.<BR/><BR/>I never knew the history behind it. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-46526892968850369672008-03-29T10:52:00.000-04:002008-03-29T10:52:00.000-04:00I have been going to this mall since I was a kid. ...I have been going to this mall since I was a kid. I love it all the more because it isn't like driving into Manchester and isn't really crowded. There is a Fairy Hop Gift Shop, which is also one of my favorites. I do miss the pet shop though, which is where Eblens is now. The Kohl's here is much better than the one in Manchester because it is never as crowded, and there is always racks of things on sale. The movie theatre is less expensive and typically less crowded also, making it easy to go out any night of the week to see a movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-62057076196648921002008-02-27T15:11:00.000-05:002008-02-27T15:11:00.000-05:00Also memories of On Stage and The Weather Vane as ...Also memories of On Stage and The Weather Vane as well as the little glass make-up store which was later turn into a candy store located in the hallway (across from where the Hoot is located today)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-33919046545407111402008-01-17T22:59:00.000-05:002008-01-17T22:59:00.000-05:00Great write up, very interesting. However, I was s...Great write up, very interesting. However, I was surprised there was no mention of RadioShack. Like Papa Gino's directly across the hall, they have been in East Brook Mall since day one. RadioShack closed their store in the Norwichtown Mall 1/08, leaving just two stores, making it the "Ghost Town Mall".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-26673869664465070322007-11-18T11:02:00.000-05:002007-11-18T11:02:00.000-05:00The HOOT!..I spent alot of time at this mall as a ...The HOOT!..I spent alot of time at this mall as a youngster D&L,Sage Allen,CALDOR,papa gino's pizza,Yummies ice cream,puppy love pet shop,, and of course my little sisters friend Rachael getting her head stuck in the iron railing that surrounded the fountain in the middle of the mall!the memories..............Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-24760243393504869172007-10-20T22:32:00.000-04:002007-10-20T22:32:00.000-04:00To clarify...the outparcel bank is Savings Institu...To clarify...the outparcel bank is Savings Institute Bank and Trust. <BR/><BR/>The mall has the only multiplex movie theater in the area which surely has added to the odds that the mall will continue to be successful especially since the movie theater must be accessed through a mall entrance. <BR/><BR/>Also, you forgot to mention that this Kohl's is quite small compared to many others, probably because of the 25% building demolition like mentioned. <BR/><BR/>The store typically has smaller departments and has more holiday clearance merchandise staying much longer after the holidays than a typical Kohl's. Same goes for JC Penney, which typically is setup in malls on two levels or more. <BR/><BR/>TJ Maxx here is the typical size of any TJ Maxx store but must be accessed through the outside entrance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-1655402940740773142007-06-17T10:05:00.000-04:002007-06-17T10:05:00.000-04:00I used to shop here from the time it opened in '75...I used to shop here from the time it opened in '75 to 1983 when I left Connecticut for Florida. There was an entrance to Caldor in the front right where the Kohls sign is now, and was easier to get from the parking lot to the store without going through the mall entrance. Caldor sealed up the lot entrance in early 1977 due to the security personnel having to watch two check-out register areas (mall entrance and lot entrance). As a photographer, the photo department was better at Caldor than any Wal-Mart could ever be. Barkers (closed late 1980) had an excellent photo dept. as well! Just some thoughts. S. Rand-Chestertown, NYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-1168490265336116122007-01-10T23:37:00.000-05:002007-01-10T23:37:00.000-05:00I must confess I didn't spend too much time inside...I must confess I didn't spend too much time inside. I have plans to go back, but probably not as soon as I originally said I would. I thought I read somewhere of them replacing Ames shortly after they closed. <BR/><BR/>In writing the piece I realized they've chopped off a wall which contained the old receiving area in favor of a driveway and even that infamous 70's Caldor labelscar seen on Ames Fan Club's gallery of the store - presumably overwritten for Kohl's rear entrance?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the corrections! We aim to be as accurate as possible given our resources.Nicholas M. DiMaiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063999916020250354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-1168235551929112032007-01-08T00:52:00.000-05:002007-01-08T00:52:00.000-05:00While you are fairly accurate in your historical p...While you are fairly accurate in your historical perspective regarding this mall, I would like to point out that the renovation did not occur while Ames was an anchor store. In fact, it occurred in preparation for Kohl's, long after Ames sat vacant. perhaps only two years ago or so now? Technically, I might add, this mall is located in the municipality of Mansfield and only holds the Willimantic address due to zip code and delivery issues imposed by the US Postal Service. Similarly, Champagne Chevrolet, Staples, Big Y and all the surrounding retailers are also located in Mansfield proper yet their zip codes are from Willimantic - owing in part to the volume of mail they generate and Mansfield Center's small Post Office - Hence the need for the Willimantic PO to attend to them. <BR/>Most assuredly, the taxes generated by the retailers in this mall are paid to Mansfield and not to "The Heroin Capitol of the Northeast" (WIllimantic). A distinction we in the Quiet Corner of Northeastern CT like to maintain (smile).<BR/><BR/>I am very surprised however, that you neglected perhaps the most unique shop located in this mall; The Hoot. A very nice, upscale gift shop with items not typically found in malls anywhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-1167505857089731442006-12-30T14:10:00.000-05:002006-12-30T14:10:00.000-05:00We had our company holiday lunch at Asian Bistro a...We had our company holiday lunch at Asian Bistro and while I was there I noticed all the things you pointed out here that I never would have noticed before...thanks for that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com