We lived in La Puente and West Covina all my childhood. When we went to Eastland my Mom would make sure we were clean and dressed nicely. I remembered how sad I was when they roofed it in. Thanks for the memory.
Aw man! I wasn't alive during that time but have gone there many times in it's present day. Can't believe it was built so long ago and sure was more beautiful back in the day! Wish I could have been alive at that time to visit the beautiful place in it's youth. Thank you for posting this! It made my day. :)
That's what I would like to see, because that is what I remember it as-enclosed. Yet I have not been able to find any pics to date. I remember going from the May Co. side over to Mervyns, stuff like a See's candies store, a custom t-shirt store, and a Waldenbooks by the Mervyns entrance. Very gold and brown late 70's look to it.
Hi Gary, thanks for putting this up on TH-cam. Sure brings back alot of memories. I grew up in West Covina, just across the freeway, and was there many, many times.
Same here. I lived behind Cortez park. Did you hear Covina bowl became a historical landmark so they can't tear it down like the Eastland bowl. What a shame
Dave Page it was right across the 10 freeway from the Eastland mall. It was right behind Crestveiw Cadillac on south Garvey st. I rode my bike there all time to mess around and eat at their cool dinner. And when I got older. I would have cocktails 🍹 at their dive bar (the cave) that had a entrance from the outside parking lot. SGV still has some charm left. But it ain’t what it used to be.
Thank you Gary for the great memories. Yes the world had it's problems then but I was young and really didn't care. We moved from Seattle, in 1957 when I was 9 yrs. old, to Redondo Beach. I remember the Southbay May Co. shopping center, and the Whitefront Discount Store on Hawthorne Blvd. I also remember the A&W Rootbeer drive-in on Hawthorne Blvd. Your part of Los Angeles County was really no different than mine. Bob's Big Boy, Clifton's, Thom Mcann Shoes, The Broadway Stores etc. etc. They and the families who shopped there all looked the same. Again thank you and God Bless.
Happy emotions of my early childhood going to Eastland with my mom at that indoor-outdoor mall setting with MAY CO embedded in my memory. I remember standing in line there one evening to get polio shots with a mix of kids crying and some not making me apprehensive until I got mine and thinking "that wasn't so bad"
May company was always my favorite store. Then it was Robinson/May. Now Macy's. I remember when Robinson's had a tea room, with finger sandwiches and sorbet. Real silverware, cloth napkins and tablecloths. This was mid 1970s. It was a joy to sit down and be served.
So glad you actually find these pictures and tell a story. I too was very young at the end of life for the mall but I have fond memories. My mother retired from mayco, just as the store was nearing its last years. I truly enjoy your storytelling. I love the Life story about moving to La Puente. That's were I was born and raised. Thanks again Gary!
I was 8 when it opened. We lived on Ruddock St. near Grand Ave, so it was bicycle distance. I remember eating at Clifton's and getting a toy from the toy box after dinner. From my bedroom window, I could see the Eastland tower and especially the Christmas tree they made with the lights. Fond memories all. That Googie masterpiece is just a drive-around mall now.
Many thanks for this video. My mom worked at this May Co. when I was very young and I bought my first records at the Wallach's Music City that was across the parking lot. Wonderful to revisit.
Great job. Really nice to go down memory lane. My mom would take me with her when she went to Eastland, early 60s and I think we got dressed up a bit. It was step up from going to food giant.
No sir we cannot because baby boomers gave America over to leftist ideology. Which has slow destroyed many beautiful things for my generation the baby boomers children.
chargalant. Yes Redondo Beach was on the other side of the county but it was still LA. As I stated earlier the houses, the people and the clothes they wore were all the same. They acted the same (a simpler time). The Bob's Big Boy, the May Co., the shopping centers, the cars all alike. This wasn't just West Covina this was America. Thanks Gary for the memories.
Back when the Eastland Center had a May Company store. It closed in early 1993 as a result of merging with J.W. Robinson's, forming Robinsons-May (a new Robinsons-May store opened at West Covina Mall later that year (currently Macy's since 2006), replacing the Eastland store). Today, May Company is now Target on the upper level and Burlington Coat Factory on the lower level.
@@davidmata9952 Well, at least a new power center came along with Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies R Us (now Ashley HomeStore), Bed Bath & Beyond (now Hobby Lobby), Chick's Sporting Goods (now Dick's), and the existing Mervyn's (now Walmart), Ross, Marshalls, and Office Depot (now Pottery Barn) stores.
Hi Gary, love all your hard work of the Covina and area thank you so much. I was wondering if you have any pictures or video of the skateboard park that was on I believe Covina Boulevard and Azusa next to the A&W Drive-In and the opposite side was the fire department. Would love to see some pictures and videos of that please if you have any. Thank you so much, Shelley
Parents bought a new house off of Azusa near Citrus, this was THE place in the day and still have pics of sitting on Santa's lap at May Co. 1958. Also thought Clifton's was nice, now MCM inside?
This looks better than the eastland center in West Convina we have today it looks so nice the parking lot years later could have been turned into stores and one location as a parking lot building I wonder if this was West Convina plaza but it's Eastland Center where Target , Burlington and many other stores are. Such an old fashion shopping mall that really deserved to stay this was quite impressive this was a matter of fact built during the mid century modern age which was during the 1950s and 60s. If anybody thinks this should have been kept comment and tell me what stores could have took down the parking lot this is such an amazing masterpiece this contains a little outlet and department stores with restaurants and more and the parking lot with a googie design diner called the Huddle Restaurant and Clifton Cafeteria a buffet with delicious meals. God Bless Mid Century modern California and hope the USA has a Successful future God Bless everyone who lived during this time and had a good life we hope we can make the world a better place. God Bless America 🇺🇸 a nation reborn may god be with you all.
I wish I was able to live during these times it just seems to nice it really for some reason hurts that I wasn’t able to live those times to experience and live through it. Now eastland center is just nothing at all compared to this it bugs me 😕
Diane Got to agree, I grew up there too. It was beautiful when I was young, in the early sixties to seventies. After church on Sundays, occasionally we’d eat at Cliftons Cafeteria. And May Company at Christmas was decorated so beautifully. A great economy until Carter, then Reagan revived it. Sadly once they closed it in, it was never the same. For sure, Trump 2020! The only one who cares about regular Americans!
We lived in La Puente and West Covina all my childhood. When we went to Eastland my Mom would make sure we were clean and dressed nicely. I remembered how sad I was when they roofed it in. Thanks for the memory.
I also grew up in those cities---it was so wonderful back then! Look at it today! SAD.
@@diane4537 Based boomer. Our city was ruined by liberal policies!
Why would it being enclosed make you sad?
Aw man! I wasn't alive during that time but have gone there many times in it's present day. Can't believe it was built so long ago and sure was more beautiful back in the day! Wish I could have been alive at that time to visit the beautiful place in it's youth.
Thank you for posting this! It made my day. :)
Why do you young people think we voted for Trump? We want it back!
It's funny how you see all of these old photos from the 1950's and 1960's, yet you can't find any 1980's/1990's photos when the mall was enclosed.
That's what I would like to see, because that is what I remember it as-enclosed. Yet I have not been able to find any pics to date. I remember going from the May Co. side over to Mervyns, stuff like a See's candies store, a custom t-shirt store, and a Waldenbooks by the Mervyns entrance. Very gold and brown late 70's look to it.
Hi Gary, thanks for putting this up on TH-cam. Sure brings back alot of memories. I grew up in West Covina, just across the freeway, and was there many, many times.
Dennis Weifenbach Glad you enjoyed it Dennis!
Same here. I lived behind Cortez park. Did you hear Covina bowl became a historical landmark so they can't tear it down like the Eastland bowl. What a shame
Dave Page it was right across the 10 freeway from the Eastland mall. It was right behind Crestveiw Cadillac on south Garvey st. I rode my bike there all time to mess around and eat at their cool dinner. And when I got older. I would have cocktails 🍹 at their dive bar (the cave) that had a entrance from the outside parking lot. SGV still has some charm left. But it ain’t what it used to be.
Hi Dennis, I was your neighbor..
Mom worked at May. Co. there from 60-63. Lived on Doublegrove in La Puente. Can we go back to those day's? PLEASE!!!!
OOPS! this was from Paul Frederick, not Jon P.
Thank you Gary for the great memories. Yes the world had it's problems then but I was young and really didn't care. We moved from Seattle, in 1957 when I was 9 yrs. old, to Redondo Beach. I remember the Southbay May Co. shopping center, and the Whitefront Discount Store on Hawthorne Blvd. I also remember the A&W Rootbeer drive-in on Hawthorne Blvd. Your part of Los Angeles County was really no different than mine. Bob's Big Boy, Clifton's, Thom Mcann Shoes, The Broadway Stores etc. etc. They and the families who shopped there all looked the same. Again thank you and God Bless.
+DeGreco Wow, grew up near this mall and my godparents lived in Torrance. All in the late 50's-early 60's.
Born in 61 lived in la puente till 1970 went to del vele elementary great days.
Happy emotions of my early childhood going to Eastland with my mom at that indoor-outdoor mall setting with MAY CO embedded in my memory. I remember standing in line there one evening to get polio shots with a mix of kids crying and some not making me apprehensive until I got mine and thinking "that wasn't so bad"
May company was always my favorite store. Then it was Robinson/May. Now Macy's. I remember when Robinson's had a tea room, with finger sandwiches and sorbet. Real silverware, cloth napkins and tablecloths. This was mid 1970s. It was a joy to sit down and be served.
So glad you actually find these pictures and tell a story. I too was very young at the end of life for the mall but I have fond memories. My mother retired from mayco, just as the store was nearing its last years. I truly enjoy your storytelling. I love the Life story about moving to La Puente. That's were I was born and raised. Thanks again Gary!
I was 8 when it opened. We lived on Ruddock St. near Grand Ave, so it was bicycle distance. I remember eating at Clifton's and getting a toy from the toy box after dinner. From my bedroom window, I could see the Eastland tower and especially the Christmas tree they made with the lights. Fond memories all. That Googie masterpiece is just a drive-around mall now.
Thanks for putting that together. Brought back a few good memories :)
Nice piece of history. I miss Thom McAnn shoes. It was a treat to come out sporting a new pair of tennis or oxfords.
Many thanks for this video. My mom worked at this May Co. when I was very young and I bought my first records at the Wallach's Music City that was across the parking lot. Wonderful to revisit.
bought my
I wish I lived during this time !
Great job. Really nice to go down memory lane. My mom would take me with her when she went to Eastland, early 60s and I think we got dressed up a bit. It was step up from going to food giant.
No sir we cannot because baby boomers gave America over to leftist ideology. Which has slow destroyed many beautiful things for my generation the baby boomers children.
Those were the grandest days of Southern California!
Thanks for the post. It's nice to see the original version. Sadly I first went there when it was already past it's prime.
One of the main locations of childhood and young adult memories, late 50's-early '70's. Thanks for posting.
Superb, Gary!
I am a W.C. and Walnut boy. The Sunset House store at Eastland...cheap novelties..but they were fun!
I remember these days. Not much smog back then! Fun to shop
chargalant. Yes Redondo Beach was on the other side of the county but it was still LA. As I stated earlier the houses, the people and the clothes they wore were all the same. They acted the same (a simpler time). The Bob's Big Boy, the May Co., the shopping centers, the cars all alike. This wasn't just West Covina this was America. Thanks Gary for the memories.
Back when the Eastland Center had a May Company store. It closed in early 1993 as a result of merging with J.W. Robinson's, forming Robinsons-May (a new Robinsons-May store opened at West Covina Mall later that year (currently Macy's since 2006), replacing the Eastland store). Today, May Company is now Target on the upper level and Burlington Coat Factory on the lower level.
The mall closing in 1997 was the saddest part.
@@davidmata9952 Well, at least a new power center came along with Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies R Us (now Ashley HomeStore), Bed Bath & Beyond (now Hobby Lobby), Chick's Sporting Goods (now Dick's), and the existing Mervyn's (now Walmart), Ross, Marshalls, and Office Depot (now Pottery Barn) stores.
Hi Gary, love all your hard work of the Covina and area thank you so much. I was wondering if you have any pictures or video of the skateboard park that was on I believe Covina Boulevard and Azusa next to the A&W Drive-In and the opposite side was the fire department. Would love to see some pictures and videos of that please if you have any. Thank you so much, Shelley
Parents bought a new house off of Azusa near Citrus, this was THE place in the day and still have pics of sitting on Santa's lap at May Co. 1958. Also thought Clifton's was nice, now MCM inside?
This looks better than the eastland center in West Convina we have today it looks so nice the parking lot years later could have been turned into stores and one location as a parking lot building I wonder if this was West Convina plaza but it's Eastland Center where Target , Burlington and many other stores are. Such an old fashion shopping mall that really deserved to stay this was quite impressive this was a matter of fact built during the mid century modern age which was during the 1950s and 60s. If anybody thinks this should have been kept comment and tell me what stores could have took down the parking lot this is such an amazing masterpiece this contains a little outlet and department stores with restaurants and more and the parking lot with a googie design diner called the Huddle Restaurant and Clifton Cafeteria a buffet with delicious meals. God Bless Mid Century modern California and hope the USA has a Successful future God Bless everyone who lived during this time and had a good life we hope we can make the world a better place. God Bless America 🇺🇸 a nation reborn may god be with you all.
i think it looks better as the old days then the new Eastland center, who doesn't want free coffee n cake n music played
I wish I was able to live during these times it just seems to nice it really for some reason hurts that I wasn’t able to live those times to experience and live through it. Now eastland center is just nothing at all compared to this it bugs me 😕
There is a large bomb shelter under that place that was sealed off in the 80s
I've seen the fallout shelter signs in the tunnels-didn't know it was sealed off though. Interesting.
Was The May Co A Flagship
yes
Is the 2nd song Ramsey Lewis?
I grew up in that area! That is why I loved Trump! He is trying to clean up this nation!
Diane Got to agree, I grew up there too. It was beautiful when I was young, in the early sixties to seventies. After church on Sundays, occasionally we’d eat at Cliftons Cafeteria. And May Company at Christmas was decorated so beautifully. A great economy until Carter, then Reagan revived it. Sadly once they closed it in, it was never the same. For sure, Trump 2020! The only one who cares about regular Americans!