BIGMallrat's Editorial Review
 Alameda
Towne Centre (previously known
as South Shore Center) has served the Oakland area since 1958. It's
one of the few outdoor malls in the Bay Area that manages to keep
most of its
stores actually facing the mall. However, it appears as if the shiny
new stores all faced the parking lot (similar to the Fremont
Hub and Westgate
Mall).
Atmosphere
The weather is usually quite agreeable and couldn't
be better for shopping, so there really is no need for a roof on
Alameda Towne Center. The landscaping is outstanding. Well-placed
trees, perennials, trellises, and potted shrubs
all add to the elegance of the mall. A rarity today, you'll also
find plenty of unique and interesting artwork. Finally, there
are
plenty
of
benches for lingering and resting tired feet.
Look for placards
hung in various locations throughout the interior for historical
pictures
and stories
of
the area.
New and Improved!
Alameda Towne Center is going through an extensive
renovation. Adding lots of big-box stores without loosing the middle
walkway. It appears as if the smaller shops will occupy the interior
while the big-box stores occupy the exterior. It's really what this
shopping mall needs and I think we are going to get it.
Stores
Alameda Towne Center features Mervyns as its anchor
tenant. The other anchor, JC Penney, closed a while ago, but was
replaced with Trader Joe's and a minor renovation in 2003. We didn't
see any vacancies and were generally pleased with the selection of
one-of-a-kind mall stores.
One thing we found interesting: Some stores appeared
to be original, that is, since the mall opened. It's almost nostalgic.
Location
Finding Alameda Towne Center may not be so easy
for the first time visitor. It's located at the far side of the island
and there aren't many large avenues like the newer suburbs. However,
Alameda has such a charm, you may find winding through its tidy neighborhoods
enjoyable (the bane of the locals).
Mall History
In 1958, South Shore Center opened with JC Penney,
Walgreens, Woolworth, and Lucky supermarket anchoring the mall. Safeway
was off to the side, where it stands today.
Of the original stores, only Walgreens remains.
Mervyns and the surrounding wing was added later. Recently, JC Penney
was replaced by Trader Joe's. In 2005, the mall's name was changed
to Alameda Towne Centre. Link
to South Shore Center history site.
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