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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> South Florida SHOPPING CENTERS, STORES, and MALLS Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > 1957 - the new Burdine's Department Store at the 163rd Street Shopping Center (list of other tenants in caption below)
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21-JAN-1957 Library of Congress

1957 - the new Burdine's Department Store at the 163rd Street Shopping Center (list of other tenants in caption below)

163rd Street Shopping Center, Dade County, Florida


The mall entrance (south) was at the 2nd floor level of Burdines, and the north entrance/exit was at the 1st floor level. The shopping center was open air for many years and it was later turned into an air-conditioned mall by the installation of a fabric curving roof.

Thank you to Jeff Levine for the following information: The Grand Opening of 163rd Street Shopping Center was on November 1, 1956. George Friedlander, founder of Food Fair Stores built a number of shopping centers with his real estate division.

Rumored to have been slated for NE 125th Street in North Miami, but rejected by a city not ready for the increased traffic and business growth, a parcel of former farm land - and an "island" of county property not subject to North Miami Beach taxation, was purchased by Friedlander, and everything came together into what was one of the most popular shopping venues until it's decline in the 1980's.

The opening tenant list consisted of:

Arcade Barber Shop
Arnold's Kiddyland
Bank of Dade County (Nov. 15)
Abe Barnett Luggage and Jewelry
A.S. Beck Shoes
Blessed Event Maternity Shop
Burdine's Department Store
Chandler's Shoes
Chase Federal Savings and Loan Association
Cole's Candy Store
DeLoy of Hollywood, Inc.
Dr. Arthur Eichner, Optometrist
Especially for You Gift Shop
Ferris Grove (Fruit Shipper)
Flair Fashions in Hair
Food Fair Supermarket
Ben Graber's Dress Shop
Grable's Bakery
Graymor Studios & Photo Center
Harmony Music Shop
The Home Mart
The Hub
Johnson's Travel Agency
Junior Town
M.& M. (Bickford's)
Mangel's Department Store
Merchants Green Trading Stamps
New Fairfield Dress Shop
Niagra Massage Equipment
Parson's Bridal Shop
Parician Florist
J.C. Penney Department Store
Pestuggia Shoe Repair & Dry Cleaning
Rabin's Delicatessen
Richard's (opening March 1st)
Samson's
Sarron
Schiff Shoe Store
Slack Bar, Inc.
Stardust Jewelers
Stauffer System Slenderizing Salon
Swim 'n' Sport Shops
Termplan Financing
Three Sisters, Inc.
Walgreen Drugs
Walls Beautiful
Woodrow Store for Men
F.W. Woolworth Co.
Young Fashions


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Judy Anne 30-Apr-2012 14:33
Oh goodness, this takes me back. Thanks for sharing. We used to wait all year for Burdine's Bathing Suit Sale evey July 4th. We'd stock up for the year. North Miami Beach was a litle slice of Heaven then. Melody Dianne Bakery and Deli, Wolfies Restaurant, 163rd street shopping center. The 5-7-9 Store was my dream store. Every once in awhile we were allowed to pick out one or two things there and it was momentous to me and my two sisters. Is this mall still closed in? It was fabulous as an outdoor mall. Morrisons Cafeteriea, Walgreens Drug Store, Woolworths' Pancakes every satuday with mom att the diner at Walgreens. We could NOT havve had a better youth experience. Though I left for the North Carolina Mountains in 1971, the old NMB is forever a part of me.
tmilone 28-Aug-2011 13:29
I worked the kiddy park back 67-68. Drove the train and worked the rides,worked the birthday house also. Lived in North Miami and North Miami Beach for 48 Years. A lot of changes of the years. I remember when Home Depot moved in to the old Gold Triangle on 183 st. I saw them build the new one behind the Shopping Center from my house on 169st. I have a lot of memories of South Florida.
dalec6z06 25-Aug-2010 19:29
I remember the small amusement park at 163rd Street Mall. I used to like the rifle shooting game w/ the loud bell that rang when you hit a target and it went down. I also remember the small train ride that was for small kids. When we had enough of the heat, we went into Burdines or Richards for the AC. Anyone remember the record shop in the mall. It was on the east end of the mall by the drinking fountains that had signs reading something like "White" and "Colored". In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Miami was the deep south. I must admit, some memories aren't so good.
BART G 19-Feb-2010 00:01
STEVE K THANKS FOR COMMENT ABOUT NMB. I WAS BORN IN NMB 1960 AND LIVED THERE UNTIL 1988. ITS SO TRUE ALL YOU WROTE. THANKS! ONE LAST NOTE- THE 163ST MALL HAD A SMALL PARK IN THE SOUTH SIDE WITH PARK RIDES. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT?
Steve K 25-Feb-2009 20:01
This is the only picture I could find where you can actually see part of the old 163rd St. shopping center. I remember it well. I lived in NMB from 1961 to 1982, born in Uleta then moved to Skylake. My family were active members of Beth Torah. As someone else noted on this website, it's a shame they didn't preserve this shopping center. It could've been revived like Lincoln Road.

Compared to places like Boca Raton, NMB back in the 50's and 60's was like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It was a real town with a creek running through all it's various neighborhoods. It wasn't until I moved to New York that I could fully appreciate the New York vibe of places like Corky's and Wolfie's.

I hate what they've done to Sunny Isles Beach. All the hotels are gone, replaced by high rise apartments. Apartments are fine for older retired people. But in a place like Miami, I think that families should live in houses with yards and patios, not high rise apartments. Where do kids living in these new apartment buildings lining Collins Ave. and the Lehman Causeway go to play ball? In New York you have lots of parks in urban areas.

Though I left Miami 25 years ago, I still visit every year, so I've seen all the gradual changes, for better or for worse. I have great memories of playing Optimist basketball at Uleta park with all the hardcore New Yorkers who lived near Victory Park, like Irv Goldfinger, Ron Vari, Howard Taab, etc, etc. What a bunch of wise asses! Those were the days.