The center of Reno moved south in the 70s and the Reno Town Mall was responding to that building this beautiful warm and inviting mall. The neighborhoods near the mall were full of kids , parents, and seniors. The center became a very relaxed meeting place whether in the library, inside the mall, or even in the Raley's where you could get a nice cup of coffee and talk to your friends. After the kids grew up and moved on it became a real active meeting place for the parents who were becoming seniors and remained that way through the 90s and into the 2000's. This was a center that was built with no concept of the Internet. People went their to read newspapers and magazines and check out books, like my Dad did a few times a week. He read hundreds of books from those inviting book shelves. He made friends there with the librarians, including reference librarian Tim, and others who did the same as my Dad. Eventually, most of the kids had moved away and the Seniors passed on. The walking traffic has slowed considerably. I will drop in to remember those days soon just to admire and enjoy a center that made so many people feel relaxed and happy. RIP Dad. I love you.
This was originally Old Town Mall, the only original tenant is the Round Table Pizza, the Burlington Store was the movie theater, many memories from my youth in this place, it's a shell of it's former self yet so we'll preserved. Thanks for the video.
@@DrTopGun Indeed it could be. It's amazing to me that it still exists. The remnants of the grocery store you see through the glass wall was a Food Source, originally a Raleys. The movie theater is literally still intact beneath the Burlington Coat Factory Store, so bizarre. The mall was for a time a community college hub and had a library in it. The anchor store was a Marshall's located between the 2 escalators which now is just a wall with a huge space behind it. Just a bizarre pseudo mall that has somehow stayed open and avoided the wrecking ball.
@@shawnmckenzie6867 thanks for all the information! i wanted to cover some of that in the video but wouldn't have time and felt it would detract from the visuals.
I remember losing myself in books at the library as a kid, getting my ballet leotards at Judy’s Dance Shop, shopping for groceries at Raleys, and taking a few courses when TMCC was there. So much nostalgia. I hope they preserve this place as long as they can. 😊
@@joseescobedo7899 In the late 70's as well. Probably one of the original anchor stores. It was one of the nicer Raley's at that time with a gourmet food and wine selection back then.
I worked at Mann Theatres there from 1977 to 1980. I loved that mall. I remember most all the stores there. There was a Curtis Mathis TV store ( kids will have to look that up ). Next to that the owner of Model Dairy owned a coffee store. It served fancy coffee roasts, espressos, lattes etc. You could buy the coffee beans and teas. Also coffee and tea making equipment you couldn't find any where else. This was way before Starbucks. Then there was a tee shirt store where you picked a design to be heat applied to your shirt. Next to that was Round Table pizza. There were clothiers 'In Good Company', 'Saturday in San Francisco' and an expensive store upstairs that I think was Stefano Ricci. There was Grey Reid department store. A Stride Right shoe store. Ince Jewelers, a leather goods store, a hair salon. French themed Cafe Marjay in the center that had the best chicken crepes. Same owners with a reverse take on their two combined names owned Jaymar draperies. There were short lived tenants too. Like the steak house restaurant upstairs next to Grey Reid. It was good. But that mall was a hard one to get foot traffic into. For a while there was a soft pretzel stand gazebo in the front entry area. There was even a nightclub disco, The Magic Factor. And of course there was Raley's. I loved going to that Raley's. The mall was in a part of town that I liked. Also when I worked there, across the street where The Atlantis Casino parking lot is now, was the Governor Sparks Mansion. It was still there on it's rural ranch property with all the out buildings. It was in disrepair but still was something to look at. I thought it was so cool. Felt like looking at Reno's old west past. They moved it during this time to South 395. I hope the Old Town Mall doesn't get torn down. It really was a unique mall. I have great memories of spending time in my younger years there.
Lived in Reno for awhile. Some of these old malls are now planning on conversions to mixed use housing and shopping. Seems like something that might work to bring some life back to this one.
I’ve lived in Reno for most of my life and can only remember going in this mall once. It’s pretty dead and is in a bit of a sketchy shopping center. But I remember walking in and being amazing the time I decided to grab coffee here. I should check out the library sometime
SO glad this showed in my feed today! I absolutely love the look of this vintage mall design. Reminds me of a mall I went to in Houston when I was a kid in the 80s. Great video!
This mall has gone through a variety of uses. At one point, all shops were filled and thriving. It has always been well taken care of. There is still a Burlington and a couple food options. As stated in this video, most of it is being used as office space and the library, which has held for a few years now, so I would say it found its niche. The grocery being dismantled was a Raley's grocery store at one time, and it did a good business. But they decided to swap it out for one of their more discounted versions, and it never took, even though several companies gave it a shot. So it is now becoming storage units which I suspect will do well as they all seem to.
If you’re wondering, yes it still looks the same. I live in the area and the times I’ve gone inside it has never changed. The nostalgia and sense of comfort this place brings is almost childlike. It’s timeless design is just simply divine. Hope you guys have a chance to visit. I also hope they never get rid of it.
@@cyndy338 Thanks for your reply, but digging deep into my memory banks, could it have been "Park Lane Mall"? I'm going back to the early-mid 60's to early 70's. Yea, that long ago.
@@paulfrederick8902 I lived in Reno from 1987-2003. Park Lane was at S Virginia and Plumb Lane and was one story. Old Town Mall was further south on Virginia/McCarren. Had a Raleys supermarket and a movie theater. Hope that helps!!😊
@@cyndy338 That would be it Cindy. Family moved to Tahoe in '63. It was a great day trip to go to Reno back in the day. Then there was Meadow-wood, but that was late 70's......80's
The mall designer was given pictures of a doodoo brown Kenmore refrigerator and orange v8 station wagon with faux wood panels as the inspiration for this mall. Success!!!😂
OMG this place is positively gorgeous. Fantastic video, thanks for sharing!!
The center of Reno moved south in the 70s and the Reno Town Mall was responding to that building this beautiful warm and inviting mall. The neighborhoods near the mall were full of kids , parents, and seniors. The center became a very relaxed meeting place whether in the library, inside the mall, or even in the Raley's where you could get a nice cup of coffee and talk to your friends. After the kids grew up and moved on it became a real active meeting place for the parents who were becoming seniors and remained that way through the 90s and into the 2000's.
This was a center that was built with no concept of the Internet. People went their to read newspapers and magazines and check out books, like my Dad did a few times a week. He read hundreds of books from those inviting book shelves. He made friends there with the librarians, including reference librarian Tim, and others who did the same as my Dad. Eventually, most of the kids had moved away and the Seniors passed on. The walking traffic has slowed considerably. I will drop in to remember those days soon just to admire and enjoy a center that made so many people feel relaxed and happy. RIP Dad. I love you.
lovely story. i love this mall!
It's extremely dated yet very clean, well-kept and almost brand-new looking, as if it were frozen in time for 50 years.
This was originally Old Town Mall, the only original tenant is the Round Table Pizza, the Burlington Store was the movie theater, many memories from my youth in this place, it's a shell of it's former self yet so we'll preserved. Thanks for the video.
I agree on the preservation. Do you believe this could have been another Stranger Things mall? Just asking. 😁😎🤟🖖👍
@@DrTopGun Indeed it could be. It's amazing to me that it still exists. The remnants of the grocery store you see through the glass wall was a Food Source, originally a Raleys.
The movie theater is literally still intact beneath the Burlington Coat Factory Store, so bizarre. The mall was for a time a community college hub and had a library in it. The anchor store was a Marshall's located between the 2 escalators which now is just a wall with a huge space behind it. Just a bizarre pseudo mall that has somehow stayed open and avoided the wrecking ball.
@@shawnmckenzie6867 thanks for all the information! i wanted to cover some of that in the video but wouldn't have time and felt it would detract from the visuals.
@@TheVintageSpacesChannel Absolutely yw, I plan on stopping by this place later this week for some nostalgia lol.
What a beautiful and unique mall. One of those interiors where any attempt to renovate would just ruin it. Perfect as is
It still has the copper ceilings! My dad was on the construction team of this mall. I saw Glory first run at it's movie theater. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful Video!!!!! I Love the Fountain!!! F+L, Corey
That place is absolutely gorgeous, so cozy. If I worked there, or nearby I would take my lunches there
I remember losing myself in books at the library as a kid, getting my ballet leotards at Judy’s Dance Shop, shopping for groceries at Raleys, and taking a few courses when TMCC was there. So much nostalgia. I hope they preserve this place as long as they can. 😊
great stories, thanks for sharing! i agree i hope it lasts forever
Damn thier was a raleys there?
@@joseescobedo7899 Yeah, back in the 90s.
@@ashdukesbear9700 oh I was around back then 🤣
@@joseescobedo7899 In the late 70's as well. Probably one of the original anchor stores. It was one of the nicer Raley's at that time with a gourmet food and wine selection back then.
Dang!!! Did I just time traveled to my child's Arcade Mall era!!! Beautiful nostalgia... Thank you, my man. 😎🖖💪🤟👊🙌
The old Town Mall back in the day. Still love this Mall, the only one that hasn't been tore down
Wow that empty grocery store- I remember shopping there in the early 90's with my grandmother.
I worked at Mann Theatres there from 1977 to 1980. I loved that mall. I remember most all the stores there. There was a Curtis Mathis TV store ( kids will have to look that up ). Next to that the owner of Model Dairy owned a coffee store. It served fancy coffee roasts, espressos, lattes etc. You could buy the coffee beans and teas. Also coffee and tea making equipment you couldn't find any where else. This was way before Starbucks. Then there was a tee shirt store where you picked a design to be heat applied to your shirt. Next to that was Round Table pizza. There were clothiers 'In Good Company', 'Saturday in San Francisco' and an expensive store upstairs that I think was Stefano Ricci. There was Grey Reid department store. A Stride Right shoe store. Ince Jewelers, a leather goods store, a hair salon. French themed Cafe Marjay in the center that had the best chicken crepes. Same owners with a reverse take on their two combined names owned Jaymar draperies. There were short lived tenants too. Like the steak house restaurant upstairs next to Grey Reid. It was good. But that mall was a hard one to get foot traffic into. For a while there was a soft pretzel stand gazebo in the front entry area. There was even a nightclub disco, The Magic Factor. And of course there was Raley's. I loved going to that Raley's. The mall was in a part of town that I liked. Also when I worked there, across the street where The Atlantis Casino parking lot is now, was the Governor Sparks Mansion. It was still there on it's rural ranch property with all the out buildings. It was in disrepair but still was something to look at. I thought it was so cool. Felt like looking at Reno's old west past. They moved it during this time to South 395. I hope the Old Town Mall doesn't get torn down. It really was a unique mall. I have great memories of spending time in my younger years there.
yeah i LOVE this mall and hope nothing ever happens to it
Amazing. Some great vintage interiors here. Thanks for posting.
Lived in Reno for awhile. Some of these old malls are now planning on conversions to mixed use housing and shopping. Seems like something that might work to bring some life back to this one.
Wow this is mall is just brick & wood & brass & copper & amazing. Thanks for the share. Swoon!
That is such a great mall! Thank you for letting me see it🤗
Wow, the most visually striking and beautiful vintage mall i have seen yet....the copper ceiling and the second floor and amount of wood are amazing!
I’ve lived in Reno for most of my life and can only remember going in this mall once. It’s pretty dead and is in a bit of a sketchy shopping center. But I remember walking in and being amazing the time I decided to grab coffee here. I should check out the library sometime
Cool place, reminds me of the meadow mall before it's 1st remodel.
SO glad this showed in my feed today! I absolutely love the look of this vintage mall design. Reminds me of a mall I went to in Houston when I was a kid in the 80s. Great video!
do you remember the name of the mall in Houston?
What a beautiful mall. Much more visually appealing than the ones we have in Australia.
I used to shop there when I lived in Reno. Great little mall :)
It's a Beautiful, vintage mall. Thank you for the video!!!
That shop on the left at the beginning where you were turning use to be a comic book store.
I used to buy my comics there with my dad. I think it's still around but at a different location. I think it was called Comic Kingdom
This mall has gone through a variety of uses. At one point, all shops were filled and thriving. It has always been well taken care of. There is still a Burlington and a couple food options. As stated in this video, most of it is being used as office space and the library, which has held for a few years now, so I would say it found its niche. The grocery being dismantled was a Raley's grocery store at one time, and it did a good business. But they decided to swap it out for one of their more discounted versions, and it never took, even though several companies gave it a shot. So it is now becoming storage units which I suspect will do well as they all seem to.
Ah I was just in Reno! I wish I knew about this while I was there last week. Cool mall! Thanks for sharing!
It’s so different than anything out there.… it’s like the inside of county college in Montana from the 70s. Need…to…know…more!!!
OMG this place is amazing! Wish I was close to Reno so I could visit the library!
Wow! My favorite kind of mall AND it's two stories! I love this video!
Sal sent me here. This place has that particular "malaise" vibe that I can't resist. Thanks for posting.
Its the bricks. It like you are walking inside of a giant brick house with a big fireplace, warm and soothing.
i like the interior
Truckee Meadows Community College had an annex in this building for a time and night classes were held there.
Nice video, this place is literally stuck in time.
I think it looks Kool.
Simply Stunning
This place is gorgeous!
It's an aesthetic
If you’re wondering, yes it still looks the same. I live in the area and the times I’ve gone inside it has never changed. The nostalgia and sense of comfort this place brings is almost childlike. It’s timeless design is just simply divine. Hope you guys have a chance to visit. I also hope they never get rid of it.
They should convert this place into a housing complex.
Beautiful. Brick work is stunning. No inside shots of the library?
didn't have time. someone i was with went in while i filmed and said it was just your average mall library branch
@@TheVintageSpacesChannel
Ah ok
I'm only 13 but I like your videos
Thanks for keeping the narration down.
Is this the old Keystone Mall on S. Virginia St?
I don't believe so, I haven't come across anything that mentions that but I could still be wrong.
Old Town Mall
@@cyndy338 Thanks for your reply, but digging deep into my memory banks, could it have been "Park Lane Mall"? I'm going back to the early-mid 60's to early 70's. Yea, that long ago.
@@paulfrederick8902 I lived in Reno from 1987-2003. Park Lane was at S Virginia and Plumb Lane and was one story. Old Town Mall was further south on Virginia/McCarren. Had a Raleys supermarket and a movie theater. Hope that helps!!😊
@@cyndy338 That would be it Cindy. Family moved to Tahoe in '63. It was a great day trip to go to Reno back in the day. Then there was Meadow-wood, but that was late 70's......80's
The mall designer was given pictures of a doodoo brown Kenmore refrigerator and orange v8 station wagon with faux wood panels as the inspiration for this mall. Success!!!😂
That was stunning!!! Love love it 😍