Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Eastland Mall (Charlotte, North Carolina) Video, December 1979


Here's a home video of Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina, from Christmas 1979. Check out a great view of the ice rink taken from the down escalator.

Thanks to Pat Richardson for posting this video clip at YouTube

10 comments:

  1. Looked really awesome. Makes me wonder why malls don't have ice rinks anymore. I mean, there was a temporary one back in '06 at Triangle Town made of plastic, but still...

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  2. I hate to tell you, but apparently this rink is gone as of this year. No one knows what will replace it, but it's the end of an era at Eastland for sure.

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  3. Wow...simply wow. Pat, did you film this yourself, or is this something you found and posted on YouTube?

    The crowning moment of this clip is indeed the view of the rink from the down escalator. Not only is it a very intriguing subject matter, the sheer cinematographic framing of the rink behind the lighted sphere sent chills down my spine. Very nice work!

    By the way...where was Santa sitting? I don't remember there being any space in center court apart from the rink.

    Thanks for this one!

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  4. I did not film this (unfortunately!)--it came from the wonders of late-night public access TV. I think Santa was set up on the lower-level outside of Belk (coming out of Belk, you would be approaching the backside of the food court). I only wish there was more footage. I'm going to post similar footage of the 1979 Charlotte Christmas parade this weekend--equally wonderful--keep checking my YouTube account. Thanks!

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  5. Thanks for the clips, Pat, and thanks to both you and Matt for your continual support :-)

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  6. I can't view the video at work, but hopefully will check it out from home later.

    The ice skating rink was pure genius. It attracted the middle class and wealthy carpetbaggers/transfers from all over who migrated during the first wave circa late 70s/early 80s.

    My sister and I both went to skating lessons, and they had hockey teams play too. It established the pattern of going there, so might as well shop and/or eat too.

    I remember sitting on Santa's lap several times as a kid at Eastland. I don't remember if it was right in front of Belk's, but I know they set up in the first floor corridor by the food court.

    They set up for Jerry Lewis's MDA telethon every Labor Day around there too, with auction items on display throughout the mall. Good times!

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  7. Does anyone remember the name of a restaurant in Eastland that was on the corner near the movie theater and arcade? I had a birthday party there when I was around seven. It had a kind of "meet me in St. Louis" feel to it with old time candy at the counter and waiters wore straw hats. I'm dying to know the name. I miss going to that mall. I grew up near there in the 70's and 80's and moved before things started to decline.

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  8. Nicole--Originally, there was a restaurant at Eastland called "Tuesday's 1865" which had an old-timey theme. In the '80's it became a restaurant called Annabelle's. I also liked the "Farrell's" ice cream place that was at Eastland.

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  9. Pat--Thanks so much for your reply. Farrell's was where I had my party. I couldn't remember the name of that place to save my life. lol Thanks again.

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  10. Glad to hear everyone had such nice memories of the mall!

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