tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post4657918814908028387..comments2024-03-27T14:28:33.393-04:00Comments on The Caldor Rainbow: Way Back WestfarmsNicholas M. DiMaiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063999916020250354noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-67503932559174865022015-09-03T17:02:47.059-04:002015-09-03T17:02:47.059-04:00I lived about a mile from West Farms when it opene...I lived about a mile from West Farms when it opened (I was 9) and spent all my young working life in there. My first job was at 16 at York Steakhouse. Then on to Musicland for a few years (a bitchin' job when you are 17 and in the 70s!) and then a few years at Cohen's Fashion Optical. Back then, CFO was across from another large corner store in that corridor, the yummy Bagel Nosh. I also worked other jobs simultaneous to those, including 100% Chocolate Chip Cookie (or something like that), which had been Mother Hubbard's Cookie Cupboard when my brother worked there. I worked at Hickory Farms, where a pervy man and his wife taught me all about cheese (which interestingly enough has come in handy many times since). When I worked at Musicland, we used to have lunch and dinner at Sage Allen or Magic Pan, we used to buy snacks and Jo Ann's Nut House and get our after-work wine bottles chilled in some cool zippy wine chill thing that Harold Feigenbaum had downstairs at Blum's Wines & Spirits. Back in those days, smoking and drinking on the job were socially and otherwise acceptable, so our breaks were beer-pitcher filled (downstairs restaurant on the Corbin's Corner corridor side, but I can't remember the name) and we used to fight for shoplifter-watching duty in Musicland so we could staant in the very back at the ashtray and just puff away watching people. hahaha so strange to think of that being the norm now. So many more WestFarms memories, I could write a book! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-49521086501628071172015-07-16T03:37:07.743-04:002015-07-16T03:37:07.743-04:00I worked at that Mall in 1984 at Showcase Card and...I worked at that Mall in 1984 at Showcase Card and Gift not too far from CVS. I ended up spending most of my paycheck at either the record store, the bookstore or Munsons chocolates! All my friends and family worked there too. My father worked at a men's store called Arthur's. My sister worked at four different stores.a formal wear store called Gingams or something like that, then a store called Body Accents that sold leotards, then This End up furniture store, then Lord and Taylor. One friend worked at the hot dog place. Another friend worked at showcase, then Lane Bryant, then The Disney store. It was a bitch to park at Christmas time. We used to go to the movies all the time. The last movie I saw there was Return Of The Jedi. I saw it like 20 times there. I miss Italian delight. We used to get a slice after the movie for a buck. It pretty much looked like it did in that old seventies postcard. The fountain was still there. I remember the pie plate. There was some bakery upstairs that my boss used to get pastry at when we worked the morning shift. It was so good! Meryl Streep came into a shop my sister was working at. She got scared away when she was recognized by workers from the tore next door. I haven't been to the mall in a couple of years, but they have a really realistic looking Santa at Christmastime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-49646682948979492892015-05-25T21:52:21.687-04:002015-05-25T21:52:21.687-04:00I grew up in the 1970's at this mall . I remem...I grew up in the 1970's at this mall . I remember seeing star wars back in 77 they showed it in stereo .I also remember begging my mom to take me to the pie plate .I am so glad they left the alphabet sculpture and rolling ball up and the glass elevator .Those were all there back in 77 .It was such a treat to eat as a teen at Arthur Treachers .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-28985097018023832822014-11-26T20:22:19.925-05:002014-11-26T20:22:19.925-05:00What was the name of the place to buy cookies? Bef...What was the name of the place to buy cookies? Before there was a Mrs fields. They were GOOOOOOD!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07816587388414769536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-8342603549693858932014-09-02T21:31:30.477-04:002014-09-02T21:31:30.477-04:00Wow!! The fountain brings back memories. I grew u...Wow!! The fountain brings back memories. I grew up near New Haven so a trip to Westfarms was a much looked forward to event. Your right by the way about the large drain in the fountains. I used to joke that it lead to some other dimension! My folks would give us change to toss in and I used the "hole" for target practice as much as funds would allow. I saw Return of the Jedi in the theater here. Rolling disc sculpture and the alphabet eifil tower were always objects to ponder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-65431100513892269972014-03-12T20:47:59.004-04:002014-03-12T20:47:59.004-04:00I used to go there all the time from the early 80s...I used to go there all the time from the early 80s onward… we ate at a particular steak house there all the time, with a long entrance hall where you could look through spoked-slats in the place, and my grandmother took us to some restaurant where they had pictures of the Marx brothers all over the wall. Anyone know the name?Relaxshackshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18023611938934118675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-72178870223425834772014-03-12T20:39:00.049-04:002014-03-12T20:39:00.049-04:00I went to that place all the time in the very earl...I went to that place all the time in the very early 80s and on…. we used to eat at a particular steak house there, and another restaurant that had images of all the Marx brothers on the wall? Anyone remember the name of that place? Relaxshackshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18023611938934118675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-80815695400508822172012-02-07T06:24:18.163-05:002012-02-07T06:24:18.163-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-73326953186897479812011-10-28T03:33:44.945-04:002011-10-28T03:33:44.945-04:00I saw so much helpful info here!I saw so much helpful info here!restaurante arkupehttp://www.alava-3d.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-89625469310503916462011-10-06T13:06:54.702-04:002011-10-06T13:06:54.702-04:00I think everybody should glance at this.I think everybody should glance at this.www.leon-3d.comhttp://www.leon-3d.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-43252575834666231772011-05-21T01:01:08.394-04:002011-05-21T01:01:08.394-04:00Worth's was a women's clothing store based...Worth's was a women's clothing store based out of Waterbury. It catered to the 40 something crowd. There was an attempt to attract younger crowds in their "juniors" department but most of the ladies that worked there were in their mid to late thirties. I was the stock boy in 1979 through 1981. I believe the chain of stores went bankrupt in the mid 1980's.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-16469428227653054012008-11-19T15:01:00.000-05:002008-11-19T15:01:00.000-05:00If you're talking about the store "Merry-Go-Round"...If you're talking about the store "Merry-Go-Round", yes it did. I'm sure Cohen Fashion Optical has at least half of its former placement today.Nicholas M. DiMaiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063999916020250354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-43555591499717712522008-11-19T14:32:00.000-05:002008-11-19T14:32:00.000-05:00I swear they had a Merry-Go-Round. Tell me I'm wr...I swear they had a Merry-Go-Round. Tell me I'm wrong if I'm wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-28623738029732197112008-06-14T02:16:00.000-04:002008-06-14T02:16:00.000-04:00Actually, I remember that pretzel shop being calle...Actually, I remember that pretzel shop being called Frankly Speaking Hot Dog Company (now the key shop and Sbarro). Sbarro also occupies the old Arthur Treachers. Used to love the crepes at Magic Pan (later Uno's, soon to be PF Chang's). Also remember Top of the Mall Restaurant inside Sage-Allen. Think they added Lord & Taylor some time around 1984. Last movie I saw at the theater was Return of the Jedi. I remember the lobby being bright orange. Kathy John's was a sandwich shop not much unlike a Friendly's or AC Peterson. It became Chi-Chi's, then Brew Moon, now CA Pizza Kitchen. Also remember a leather shop called Jekyll's Hide upstairs near where Macy's (original G-Fox) is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-70094998575891909002008-03-12T10:54:00.000-04:002008-03-12T10:54:00.000-04:00i remember cvs, aw, friendlys, stride rite when th...i remember cvs, aw, friendlys, stride rite when they were connected to another shoe store and they had a little entrace that only children could fit into, thom mccan, 5-7-9 houllahons, chi chis, g fox sage allen, the pet store then i grew up and in hs got a job in the mall working for hallmark, and i remember when cvs left, and all these jewelry stores were comming in and a bunch of us co workers were thinking is the mall nuts, food places comming and going as fast as they came, some turkey place were ranch one was located now that is gone, nathans, which became a rug place oriental place, framing store and a home to some other fast food places that have come and goneUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06622566368024651777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-55690047378803173202008-03-12T10:49:00.000-04:002008-03-12T10:49:00.000-04:00does anyone know where i can get a link or a websi...does anyone know where i can get a link or a website that has info on old stores that are no longer around like the history of themUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06622566368024651777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-75735371969788567262008-02-19T09:48:00.000-05:002008-02-19T09:48:00.000-05:00I remember when this mall was Anime Fan friendly, ...I remember when this mall was Anime Fan friendly, well, still is in a way. But I am going to take you back to the WestFarms I knew. The place was cool, still is, but they have too much pricey stuff, although there are deals there too and everyone loves a good deal. Well, back to my rant. I remember the fountain, I remember when they had lockers. I remember their movie theater, what is the theater now? Well, I remember the late great G.Fox and Sage Allen. Filenes was okay, but not as spectacular as Fox's. I remember the first pretzel place, that old steakhouse, Kathy John's, A&W, and Arthur Treachers the fish place where a friend of mine worked. I remember Musicland and it's blue walls, Sam Goody, and the oh so great Suncoast, which I was so sad to see pass, since they sold a lot of Anime goodies for me and my little friends. B. Dalton was there, I think, well, I remember another bookstore. I remember the CVS and The Friendly's. What happened to The West Farms of my youth! I guess she decided to grow up.Orochimaruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01660342484456591694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-32085192381446047272008-01-20T19:25:00.000-05:002008-01-20T19:25:00.000-05:00wow, I can't believe my eyes to look at this pictu...wow, I can't believe my eyes to look at this picture... I don't know if anyone will have the patience to read my story about this mall but here goes... my high school years were 76 through 80, we used to skip school to come to this mall, I remember going to see "The Kentucky Fried Movie" here... anyway, in my freshman year, all of my friends were in Jazz band and they played on these steps at christmastime... I went with my friends just to watch the performance, but for some reason, maybe just the whole atmosphere of christmas carols, etc., watching them play gave me the bug for the first time to want to play a musical instrument. I remember watching the trumpet players and thinking, 'okay, that's it. Before my high school days are over, I'm going to be standing up there with the jazz band, playing trumpet like that at christmastime.' I found an old cornet in a friend's closet, got some music books, and taught myself how to read music and play trumpet for the next year. I went in at the start of my sophomore year in high school and the band teacher had no reason not to let me in the band, I could sight read anything he put before me. He did start me in third chair, though, and said I wasn't good enough for the jazz band... anyway, long story, but by my senior year, I was first trumpet in regular band and third in jazz band. <BR/>And yes, I did stand on that very stage in my senior year and play christmas carols with the jazz band, just as I envisioned it.<BR/><BR/>Part two of this tale involves getting drunk after graduation and throwing my trumpet in the lake(along with my 'Most Valuable Speller" award from the spelling team, but that truly is another story...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-31710734507387517742007-07-31T09:03:00.000-04:002007-07-31T09:03:00.000-04:00I (barely) remember the opening of West Farms and ...I (barely) remember the opening of West Farms and lived half a mile from it from 1982 to 1995. <BR/><BR/>Sights & Sounds was this dark little first-run record shop that for some reason had a little display area just inside the door on the left with an Atari 400 and Atari 800 when those existed. About midway back along the right wall they had an Atari VCS (2600) st up and a big stock of games which were oddly mostly Mattel's M-Network brand.<BR/><BR/>Thom McAn had 3 locations in WFM - one each for women, men and children.<BR/><BR/>Not sure about the live model thing at Cache mentioned in the article, but the first place I ever saw live mannequins was at Ups-N-Downs at WFM. At the time they were on the lower floor, slightly clockwise of the staircase in the picture.<BR/><BR/>The mall also had a 2-screen movie theatre until the mid-80s, with a tiny ticket kiosk in the middle of the corridor. Across from the movies was a pretzel shop that's been a shoe-repair-and-key-cutter for a long time now. Moving down the hall was Arthur Treachers, a little wannabe head shop called NewsCenter, and a florist that fascinated me in my youth with a potted plant that would control a light with a dimmer switch when touched.<BR/><BR/>As far as I can tell, some time around 1985 the mall owners decided that teenagers were a blight and started to jack up the rent on any business that primarily appealed to people under 25. Half the restaurants disappeared, the movie theater, the cheaper book store, the music store, the knife shop that had more teenage browsers than adult buyers purchasers ....<BR/><BR/>Found this page because I was thinking about how complete the turnover at that mall has been a couple of nights ago.<BR/><BR/>The things I miss most from that era were two restaurants: The Pie Plate and The Magic Pan. I currently live about half a mile from the site that the last Pie Plate to close occupied. Ooh, and there was Kathy John's, a restaurant with a little penny candy store in the fron of it. From her description, they were identical in almost every way to a place my wife grew up with in south Jersey called Farrels. Same uniforms, same candy store, and same bell that they'd ring whenever someone ordered the sundae-large-enough-for-twelve-people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-66926807032838753152007-05-16T18:17:00.000-04:002007-05-16T18:17:00.000-04:00When I saw that 1975 picture, wow! I wish I've vi...When I saw that 1975 picture, wow! I wish I've visted that mall during my childhood. I'm suprised to see marble on the fountain and the stage. That sure makes the mall ahead of its time. <BR/><BR/>I'm very happy that I am going to school for Architecture. Maybe I can find a way to bring the trends of the past back! Brown floors, globe lights, fountains....<BR/><BR/>Oh by the way. Happy late birthday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-35188149319717097492007-04-28T17:30:00.000-04:002007-04-28T17:30:00.000-04:00Sam, we definitely have a connection.Sam, we definitely have a connection.Nicholas M. DiMaiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063999916020250354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-80717993089576365762007-04-27T15:59:00.000-04:002007-04-27T15:59:00.000-04:00I had forgotten about those Star Wars-ian totem po...I had forgotten about those Star Wars-ian totem pole lights, but now I can see why me and my friend used to pretend that Westfarms was in fact Cloud City from The Empire Strikes Back! Back in the 70's my grandmother used to work in the Ormond clothing store, so between familial visits and frequent unsanctioned jaunts from my babysitter's house on nearby Beechwood road, I spent a ton of time in that place as a kid. Thanks for the trip back. By the way, was I the only one who fantasized about climbing all the way up to the 'Z' on the alphabet sculpture? Or about what would happen if the giant circle somehow snapped off of the art deco metal sculpture at the other end of the mall and went rolling away a la the boulder in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Now I'm over thirty and still find myself wondering if I could safely leap off of the second floor onto one of the mushrooms at The Rainforest Cafe. I guess some people never grow up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-3210536266302697642007-04-23T08:24:00.000-04:002007-04-23T08:24:00.000-04:00bakers was and still is a womens shoe store which ...bakers was and still is a womens shoe store which also sells accessories. they have one in buclkand wow seeing the mall from the 70s was like going back in time i was born in the early 80s and remember hermans being there when i was a child just for a short while i wonder if anyone else has photos of the mall from way back whenUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06622566368024651777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-82358825115314402262007-04-23T08:22:00.000-04:002007-04-23T08:22:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06622566368024651777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33709921.post-69971996856833608742007-04-02T21:17:00.000-04:002007-04-02T21:17:00.000-04:00Goood story. Susie's was a women's causalwear cha...Goood story. Susie's was a women's causalwear chain owned by Woolworth.Livemallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567198484359363455noreply@blogger.com