Rolling Acres Mall Archives

Complaint Department – Merry Go Round

September 11, 2021 — PS GitanoLeave a comment

The Merry Go Round store at Rolling Acres Mall definitely had a rather long rap sheet with mall management. In this early complaint, a written warning was finally given from Vivian Poe, the Mall Manager to store employees after multiple verbal warnings were ignored about playing the music too loud.

Rolling Acres Mall Complaint — Written warning from the desk of Vivian Poe.

Through exhaustive research I was finally able to track down the image below via a Merry Go Round Alumni Facebook Group which shows two of the possible perpetrators working at the store in question. The photo was taken near the date of complaint so these two must be considered suspects.

Two Merry Go Round store employees at Rolling Acres Mall in the early 1980s showing signs of obvious guilt and remorse.

In these girls defense they were probably just doing what they were told. There have been many studies on the volumes and genres of music played to retail shoppers. Some studies say that loud music disorients customers, while others say certain types of music makes a customer spend more money. There’s even a theory about how playing music loudly keeps certain age groups out of the stores which would otherwise detract from the target customers experience, which makes perfect sense as I never noticed the loud music when I was younger, but now an older age I steer far clear of these stores.

Advertising

Rolling Acres Mall – Bubble Elevator

August 21, 2021August 24, 2021 — PS GitanoLeave a comment

It was a pleasant surprise to come across this old Dover Elevator ad while recently thumbing through an old Architectural Record from 1979. I always thought the elevator at Rolling Acres Mall was special, but I’m glad to see that I wasn’t the only one who thought so. Dover Elevators apparently thought so highly of the elevator that they featured it in this ad which ran for several months in multiple trade publications.

Elevator Rolling Acres Mall — 1979 Dover Elevators as featuring the “Bubble Elevator” at Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio.

With a design similar to what one might expect to find in a big city hotel, The elevator at Rolling Acres Mall was touted as “Akron’s First Bubble Elevator” and would serve customers as they traveled from the main level down to the Promenade Level.

This Beacon Journal clipping from 1976 points out that the mall’s bubble elevator was supposed to be yellow.

Though the ride on the elevator itself only lasted 15 seconds, it was definitely worth waiting for to take in the the beautiful fountains and and the French-styled greenscaped Parc from above before gliding to a smooth landing at the Promenade level.

Rolling Acres Mall Promenade — A 1978 Beacon Journal Ad featuring the Bubble Elevator promoting the opening of the Promenade Level at Rolling Acres Mall.

The elevator was a hit with shoppers, especially children. It was claimed that the because of its novelty the elevator had probably carried nearly as many shoppers up and down as the double escalators that it compliments in the Court of Lights.

Head over to The Court of the Twelve Trees or take a video tour of Rolling Acres Mall from 2003 where you can see the bubble elevator and the escalators running.

Rolling Acres Mall

Court of the Twelve Trees – Rolling Acres Mall

August 15, 2021 — PS Gitano1 Comment

This 1979 Ohio Edison publicity photo shows the fountain in The Court of the Twelve Trees at Rolling Acres Mall. This is the only photo I’ve ever seen showing the fountain running in full in its full glory (the main fountain as well as the smaller fountains).

If you look close you can see a Davy Jones Locker store peeking out from behind the fountain and lush foliage. This was one of my absolute favorite storefronts in the mall. I was always fascinated with their nautical theme.

court of the twelve trees rolling acres mall — 1979 Rolling Acres Mall – Akron, Ohio

The below image shows a difference of about 20 years. The mighty twelve trees that provided amazing scenery and a sense of living have been removed. The smaller fountains no longer in operation. Being the late 90s and mall traffic had greatly slowed, its somewhat surprising the fountain was even still in use at this point.

rolling acres mall fountain in the 90s — Late 90s at Rolling Acres Mall

The fountain, the trees and the mall are all gone now now, but many of us still have the wonderful memories of this magnificent shopping center.

For me, most of my memories of Rolling Acres Mall come from the 80s, and the logo on the shirt pictured below is the logo I most identify the mall with. What a wonderful time to be at the mall…

This cool shirt and as well as many other classic retail related gear is available from Untitled Colours.

I have this shirt and love it. Be prepared for people to strike up a conversation about the mall, it happens nearly every time I wear it.

Malls

Christmas at Rolling Acres Mall

December 25, 2018December 25, 2018 — Mallwalker J2 Comments

“Our Christmas wish for you are these: May you always see Christmas with the eyes of a child. May you always know the warmth of love, the joy of giving, the magic of Santa Claus and the wonder of a star. May your days be filled with laughter and your lives be filled with peace.” from the Rolling Acres Merchants (The Akron Beacon Journal, 1991)

Lions…

and Reindeers…

and Bears…

Oh my!

Seriously, how long is this going to take?

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…denim and a black light.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a department store with three Christmas carolers near.

I’m sorry, but that floor, how did they get it so shiny?

Well, this is a little sad.

♪♫ JB Robinson ♫♪

Best darn job in the mall!

Could it be the WQMX “Wish Upon A Star” Wish Wheel where you could spin for a free trip, a telescope kit, or a $1,000 shopping spree? I’m in!

That reminds me, I still need to get my Christmas cards.

Wow, that Post Office was also in this great video.

Ahhhh, I think I’m going to rest right here on this beautiful bench and just take in all the glory that is Rolling Acres at Christmastime.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mall.

May your shopping bags be full, and your local malls stay open!

Merry Christmas from everyone at Mallwalkers.net

Century III Mall

Advert Reactions – Vintage Mall Advertising

September 13, 2018 — PS GitanoLeave a comment

As much as I love to photograph and explore dead malls, I love the golden age of shopping even more. Who wouldn’t want to go back and experience those days just one more time? The following is a collection of advertising from some great old malls when times were better. I hope you enjoy.

Century III Mall – West Mifflin, PA

By 1980 the pieces were all starting to come together for Century III Mall. A brand new anchor, Montgomery Ward, was opening as well as the completion of phase two of the mall project which included the addition of over 40 new retail stores. Fast forward to 2018 and it’s completely fallen apart for for this once great mall. Today, only JCPenney remains as the lone anchor along with a small handful of stores. With a sale of the property looming this wonderful old malls days are certainly numbered.

Rolling Acres Mall – Akron, OH

Romig Road in Akron, Ohio is a desolate area full of broken dreams, shuttered shopping centers, closed restaurants and a field where Rolling Acres Mall once stood proudly, but it wasn’t always that way. Back in 1980 Romig Road was in the height of its golden age and the mall had themed shopping events such as this “Old Fashioned Days” which drew the likes of The Budweiser Clydesdales and a giant Barrel House that was brought into the mall for shoppers to view and enjoy.

Be sure and check out our previous articles for more on Rolling Acres Mall, including a 2003 video walk through.

Jamestown Mall – Florissant, Missouri

Summertime 1979. Fun times, a Fathers Day picnic, and of course, shopping at Jamestown Mall. Sounds like a wonderful time to be alive, or at least that’s how this illustration makes it look. Times have certainly changed haven’t they? Deemed no longer a viable location for a shopping mall in 2009, Jamestown Mall finally closed its doors for good in 2014.

Salem Mall – Dayton, OH

As Dayton, Ohio’s first enclosed shopping center, Salem Mall was charged with excitement and flying high in the spring of 1982. Sadly this flight would come to a devastating crash and Salem Mall would close for good in 2005. Mostly demolished and forgotten, all that remains today is the empty shell of the former Sears store.

Regency Mall – Racine, Wisconsin

Described by current management as a failed mall, Regency Mall in Racine, Wisconsin is easily the least “dead mall” of any on this list. However, after recently losing yet another major anchor in The Boston Store during the Bon-Ton closings, this mall is in desperate needs of a hero if it is to stay alive much longer.

Malls

Easter Eggs-travaganza at Rolling Acres Mall

April 1, 2018April 1, 2018 — Mallwalker J3 Comments

It was 1976 and Rolling Acres was bicentennial crazy. Now was the time for the All-American “Grand Opening ’76” to help celebrate the continuing growth at the mall. Sears, Penny’s and fifty other fine merchants were open and ready to offer many goods and services. There was an exact replica of the Liberty Bell in the East Court, the main entrance. And in the West Court you could find none other than Rolling Acres very own Bicentennial Easter Bunny. Dressed in red, white and blue and just waiting to take pictures with all the little ones.

Honestly if I could make one Easter wish, I’d wish with all my might that I could be there. To see the first Easter at Rolling Acres Mall. Instead I can spread some Easter cheer by sharing with you a few pictures we acquired along with a wonderful walk through of Rolling Acres Mall that you can find here. That promotional video is from 2003 but the pictures hint towards Easters which took place sometime in the 1990’s. Perhaps a lot less grandiose than their first Easter, these pictures do give you a nice glimpse into the last moderately good years at this mall. And without further ado…

Mallwalkers.net is proud to present an “Easter Picture Eggs-travaganza”

Enter here.

This little fellow just couldn’t wait.

Wonder what’s the light for?

You drive that train kid.

I can’t stop staring at that balloon bunny staring at that lady.

Why is the only one interested in the puppet show all the way in the back?

Thank you every bunny for scrolling through the Rolling Acres Easter Picture Eggs-travaganza. Be sure to scroll through again so you don’t miss any part!

Malls

Rolling Acres Mall – Full Video Tour 1-7-2003

November 28, 2017January 6, 2018 — PS Gitano6 Comments

This video cassette was found in the rubble of a mostly demolished Rolling Acres Mall. The tape was supposedly sent to potential buyers to help showcase the many beautiful features of the mall.

I acquired this video in early 2017 but it wasn’t until September that I finally hooked up my VCR to watch it. I had no idea what was on the tape and upon watching I was absolutely flooded with emotion and memories of Rolling Acres Mall. I watched the video at least 5 times that night and dozens more in the weeks that followed, it just never really got old.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Smooth Jazz by Pat Metheny
The Janitor cleaning the fountain in the court of twelve trees
The flickering storefront lights at the USPS store
Escalators in motion
The chandelier
Picnic Place
People shopping

This video is around 14 minutes long and it’s really worth watching the whole thing. It’s a full video walkthrough of an alive Rolling Acres Mall albeit long past it’s prime days.

Please let me know in the comments below what your favorite parts were.