The Mall has enough memories for me to write a book on. We spent a great deal of time there, especially in junior high. We’d ride the bus, walk, get dropped off… we would get there anyway we could.
Paul and George, remember Crazy Ed, he was always at the bus stop in front of Strawbridges, walking back and forth and clucking.
I remember the bird cage, it was right in front of the Paperback Forum – great bookstore in the days before Borders. I still have a bookmark from that store. I think Tim Appel worked there in high school.
Also remember the Woolworth’s Grille in the center of the mall, we’d get sodas and lunch there. And the bakery down near Bamberger’s that sold great sticky buns and crumb cakes. And the German deli store that had all kinds of odd stuff.
Favorite stores… Spencer’s and A Shop Called East, they sold posters and all kinds of cool 60’s stuff.
I know who poured the bottle of Octogon dish soap (bought at Woolworth’s) into the fountain (though I’m sure similar acts were done on a regular basis by many others).
A whole lot of memories Ken, WE sure could write a very large book about our visits to the Mall ! Remember the arcade with the mini roller coaster? Crazy Ed I remember, how about the tavern with the roast beef in the window, which they would carve for sandwiches? Hey at least the fountain got cleaned.
I have great memories of the Mall. From my early trips every Friday nite with my big sister Karen, to my bus trips with my friends when I was old enough. And of course being the youngest of 5 my mom and I would take many of trips to the mall to go school shopping. I was fortunate and maybe a little spoiled as I did not have to go shopping for my school clothes at John’s Bargain. lol
I was around 5 or 6 when Karen would drag me to the mall every Friday on her payday, we would do some shopping and then eat at the Calico Restruant next to the Woolworth’s. Hey Kenny, why do you think sister Karen would always drag me into the back of the East Shop. Hhmm? I wonder.
One of the things I miss most about NJ and cannot seem to find here in Texas are sticky buns and the crumb cakes that we use to get at the mall bakery. They were the best
i worked at the hot dog stand next to the fruit tree.
i adored that mall. it’s where i met my husband of 39 years, but i can’t eat a hot dog to this day.
Love the pictures!! I never lived in East Camden, but my mom is Cheryl Brown (Ken’s oldest sister, WWHS ‘65). We were always at Grandmom’s house on 32nd St., and since I’m not much younger than Laurie and Ken I remember a lot of this stuff. Anyway, my brothers and I thought that “midgets” worked at the Woolworth’s grill before we realized that the floor behind the counter was lower than the floor beneath the seats. I loved going to the mall with my mom, Grandmom and my aunts. We would either take the bus from 32nd and Westfield or Karen would drive us there in her red ‘69 Mustang. The best was when Grandmom took me to get my ears pierced at Bangles and Beads for my 9th birthday (1976). I’m sure we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts on the way home!
Hey Michele, I’m glad you are enjoying the site. You mean they were not midgets that worked at the Woolworth’s Grill??? Karen actually worked at Strawbridge and Clothier for a while and she would sometimes take Mike and I to the mall with her, and we would hang out and wait for her to get off of work when the Mall closed. It was on one of those nights that the famous dish soap in the fountain prank went down. We bought the Octogon soap at Woolworths… though we also considered buying a bag of goldfish, but we were concerned they would not survive in the fountain, so the soap plan won out. We then watched the excitement from the balcony at Strawbridge’s that overlooked the fountains. What I won’t admit to is who climbed through the plants and palm trees like a commando to pour the soap in the fountain… hahah.
Wow! Just found this site. Great Stuff! The postcard pics of the mall are exactly how I remember it!
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the kiddie amusement park at the north end of the mall (before the JC Penney’s wing was built). I remember a carousel, air fan boats, a haunted house ride (Laff in the Dark), and a mini rollercoaster. The “pit” the coaster was in is still there. I know KB Toys used it as a “lower” level when they were at that location.
It was my favorite mall and I think still would be. The fountains and trees and plants. I loved it and spent most of my young years there. Gosh I miss Bamburgers and Strawbrige and Clothier and even the little bird sanctuary.
March 1, 2008 at 3:36 pm
The Mall has enough memories for me to write a book on. We spent a great deal of time there, especially in junior high. We’d ride the bus, walk, get dropped off… we would get there anyway we could.
Paul and George, remember Crazy Ed, he was always at the bus stop in front of Strawbridges, walking back and forth and clucking.
I remember the bird cage, it was right in front of the Paperback Forum – great bookstore in the days before Borders. I still have a bookmark from that store. I think Tim Appel worked there in high school.
Also remember the Woolworth’s Grille in the center of the mall, we’d get sodas and lunch there. And the bakery down near Bamberger’s that sold great sticky buns and crumb cakes. And the German deli store that had all kinds of odd stuff.
Favorite stores… Spencer’s and A Shop Called East, they sold posters and all kinds of cool 60’s stuff.
I know who poured the bottle of Octogon dish soap (bought at Woolworth’s) into the fountain (though I’m sure similar acts were done on a regular basis by many others).
March 1, 2008 at 4:07 pm
A whole lot of memories Ken, WE sure could write a very large book about our visits to the Mall ! Remember the arcade with the mini roller coaster? Crazy Ed I remember, how about the tavern with the roast beef in the window, which they would carve for sandwiches? Hey at least the fountain got cleaned.
March 16, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I have great memories of the Mall. From my early trips every Friday nite with my big sister Karen, to my bus trips with my friends when I was old enough. And of course being the youngest of 5 my mom and I would take many of trips to the mall to go school shopping. I was fortunate and maybe a little spoiled as I did not have to go shopping for my school clothes at John’s Bargain. lol
I was around 5 or 6 when Karen would drag me to the mall every Friday on her payday, we would do some shopping and then eat at the Calico Restruant next to the Woolworth’s. Hey Kenny, why do you think sister Karen would always drag me into the back of the East Shop. Hhmm? I wonder.
One of the things I miss most about NJ and cannot seem to find here in Texas are sticky buns and the crumb cakes that we use to get at the mall bakery. They were the best
March 18, 2008 at 1:03 am
Sticky buns are great. But do you remember how good they were at the Moorestown Mall?
March 24, 2008 at 9:29 am
I totally remember that gigantic bird cage. Or at least I thought it was gigantic when I was a kid.
Shira
August 28, 2008 at 1:02 pm
i worked at the hot dog stand next to the fruit tree.
i adored that mall. it’s where i met my husband of 39 years, but i can’t eat a hot dog to this day.
September 19, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Love the pictures!! I never lived in East Camden, but my mom is Cheryl Brown (Ken’s oldest sister, WWHS ‘65). We were always at Grandmom’s house on 32nd St., and since I’m not much younger than Laurie and Ken I remember a lot of this stuff. Anyway, my brothers and I thought that “midgets” worked at the Woolworth’s grill before we realized that the floor behind the counter was lower than the floor beneath the seats. I loved going to the mall with my mom, Grandmom and my aunts. We would either take the bus from 32nd and Westfield or Karen would drive us there in her red ‘69 Mustang. The best was when Grandmom took me to get my ears pierced at Bangles and Beads for my 9th birthday (1976). I’m sure we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts on the way home!
September 20, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Hey Michele, I’m glad you are enjoying the site. You mean they were not midgets that worked at the Woolworth’s Grill???
Karen actually worked at Strawbridge and Clothier for a while and she would sometimes take Mike and I to the mall with her, and we would hang out and wait for her to get off of work when the Mall closed. It was on one of those nights that the famous dish soap in the fountain prank went down. We bought the Octogon soap at Woolworths… though we also considered buying a bag of goldfish, but we were concerned they would not survive in the fountain, so the soap plan won out. We then watched the excitement from the balcony at Strawbridge’s that overlooked the fountains. What I won’t admit to is who climbed through the plants and palm trees like a commando to pour the soap in the fountain… hahah.
December 31, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Wow! Just found this site. Great Stuff! The postcard pics of the mall are exactly how I remember it!
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the kiddie amusement park at the north end of the mall (before the JC Penney’s wing was built). I remember a carousel, air fan boats, a haunted house ride (Laff in the Dark), and a mini rollercoaster. The “pit” the coaster was in is still there. I know KB Toys used it as a “lower” level when they were at that location.
July 1, 2009 at 9:02 pm
It was my favorite mall and I think still would be. The fountains and trees and plants. I loved it and spent most of my young years there. Gosh I miss Bamburgers and Strawbrige and Clothier and even the little bird sanctuary.