The Bangor Mall in the 80s

Content provided  for educational use only.

“The mall was a real ‘wow’ thing for the area...From the time it broke ground in 1977, it was being hailed as the Second Coming or something.”

- First Mall Director Roy Daigle, Bangor Daily News

The Bangor Mall was built in 1977 on the site of what used to be a dairy farm and has grown/changed hands many times in the 27 years since it was built. It went from being the largest indoor mall in the state until the Maine Mall (Portland) expanded in 1983, but stayed strong throughout the 1990s and even saw some revitalizing activity into the 2000s despite a fight with Santa Claus over the word "Damn." Life seems to go on just fine. Needless to say, she's doing better than the Airport Mall.

The only original 'anchor' stores remaining are Sears and JC Penney, since Porteous closed down in 2002 and was replaced by Dick's Sporting Goods.

This is one of those posts that is heavy on images and light on history, have a look at what the mall looked like in the mid 1980s:

Since the Bangor Mall's opening in the late 1970s, JC Penney was one of the mall's original anchor stores. In fact, it is one of two remaining -- Sears is the other. The photo above and the photo to the left and slightly below are taken in the same wing of the mall, facing different directions, about 20 years apart. Planters are still present and the skylights are still there, but much of the green space and seating has been removed in favor of more pedestrian space.

In the photo on the left compared to the photo above you'll also notice that the old fashioned lamp-post style lights (visible in the rear of the above shot near JC Penney) and the light globes on the planters are gone. Replaced by more natural lighting, and brighter ceiling mounted lights. Also, note that the tile work in the modern mall has been lightened, and "mosaics" inlaid under the skylights. Photography is currently prohibited in the mall, the interior photos are not mine -- they're available here. (I cannot vouch for the safety of external websites, and feel compelled to inform you that unless you can read Chinese, you won't get much out of the site I just linked to.)

Porteous was another of the mall's anchor stores with its storefront overlooking center court. It closed in 2002 and Dick's Sporting Goods now resides in its place. Also theres no more pool fed by small waterfalls and surrounded by greenery. The ceiling is less elaborate now. Video or still photography are not allowed in the mall, currently, otherwise I would have before and after pictures. I did manage to find some photos that show how much character the interior of the building has lost.

Photo from here. I did not take this photograph.

In the photo on the right, you're looking at center court as it currently is. Porteous would have been to your left. As you can see, there are hardly any plants in sight, the fountain, its small water falls and pleasant walkway are gone and the multi level earth toned/white ceiling and its warm lights have been replaced by a more sterile columned look and a generally cooler color temperature. Walking through the Bangor Mall today feels a lot like walking through an airport.

While I admit that the airport comparison is a little unfair, but the interior of the Bangor Mall is much more utilitarian today than it used to be. Have a look at the image below of the Sears entrance. While most people's eyes may be drawn to the 80s hot pank signs, observe the floor. A walkway surrounded by benches, lamp posts (before CFLs = warm colors!), and greenery welcomed you to the end of the wing.

At the other end of the mall, you had pools in the floor, lamp post lighted walkways, plenty of greenery and mirrored ceilings to complement the skylights. The Bangor Mall of today looks very sterilized by comparison.

Recalling that Sears and JC Penney had a pleasantly lighted walkways leading to them, lined with benches, lampposts, shallow pools and greenery while being reminded that there used to be a fountain fed by small waterfalls complete with a small wooden jetty at center court made me pretty nostalgic and a little sad at how sterile the mall is today.

Nevertheless, have a look at this December 1986 commercial for the Bangor Mall -- dat hair. You can find this commercial and many other 80s commercials on the Maine Man YouTube channel.


I don't mean to overtly criticize whomever redesigned the interior of the Bangor Mall. Personal tastes are personal tastes, and so long as people keep shopping there the mall's purpose is served. :)

---

DISCLAIMER

This blog and its contents are intended for non-profit and educational uses. (Seriously, I don't even use AdSense) Its author engaged in no photography onsite and is not employed by, and never has been employed by Simon Kravco or any of its, predecessors, subsidiaries or competitors. Nor has its author ever been employed by any retail establishments associated with Simon Kravco, any of its predecessors, subsidiaries or competitors. 

 The Maine Man youtube channel is not mine, nor did I receive any compensation for linking to it. 

Thank you.