Photo gallery: Azalea Mall, 1963-1999
From the Photo galleries: Richmond's shopping malls — dead and alive series
The second in our series of photo galleries of Richmond's "dead malls" focuses on Azalea Mall, which opened in 1963, closed in 1996 and was demolished in 1999.
Construction of Azalea Mall began in 1961.
Azalea Mall site on Brook Road at the intersection of Norwood Road and Westbrook Avenue during contruction in 1962.
Shoppers at Azalea Mall's grand opening on May 9, 1963. It was the Richmond area's first enclosed mall.
Shoppers got an early look at the Thalhimers in Azalea Mall on May 2, 1963. The store opened the next day.
The parking lot of Azalea Mall in 1964
In October 1966, the television game show “Supermarket Sweep” visited the Azalea Mall Food Fair for a taping. Before an audience of 300, contestants attempted to guess the correct prices of grocery items in order to win minutes of shopping for free merchandise. Bill Malone, behind the register, was the host of the show.
A woman and her two children pause at the fountain in Azalea Mall in 1967
Shoppers inside Woolco in Azalea Mall in March of 1967
Azalea Mall in 1970
Shoppers browse the stores at Azalea Mall in 1976
In June 1978, Safety Town at Azalea Mall in Henrico County launched its annual summer program. Marcia Carr (in vehicle) and Leigh Burke made appearances as clowns, and Mike Martin wore the owl costume.
The parking lot at Azalea Mall during a rainy November day in 1982.
An entrance to Azalea Mall, photographed in 1982
As traffic at the mall dropped, stores began to close. Ths Home Fashions store was closed in 1985.
The parking lot of Azalea Mall in 1983.
Azalea Mall closed in 1996.
Azalea Mall's demolition began on November 30,1999.
Martin's supermarkets is considering building a grocery store on the site of the former Azalea Mall. The developed part would be in the northwest quadrant, bounded by Dumbarton and 95
At the site of the former Azalea Mall. On the far left is Westminster Canterbury retirement community. March 18, 2015.
The directory to the former Azalea Mall. In the background is Brook Road. March 18, 2015.
On the property of the former Azalea Mall, where some drivers park their cars to catch a bus at a bus stop (far right). March18, 2015.
Capital City Empowerment Center, at the site of the former Azalea Mall. March 18, 2015.
Brian McLaughlin positions mulch at Azalea Garden Center, March 18, 2015. The business is located on the property of the former Azalea Mall.
A fence on the property of the former Azalea Mall. In the background is Westminster Canterbury, a retirement community. March 18, 2015.
In this Series
Photo galleries: Richmond's shopping malls — dead and alive
Nearly 18 years after Azalea Mall shut down, developers once again have plans for the property on Brook Road straddling the line between North…
Shopping malls can be places where the community still gathers or places that no longer exist, except in photographs that can trigger fond memories.
Richmond is full of malls that faded in the face of new competition. Now the sites of those dead malls are seeking new life through redevelopment.
Regency Square has been under new ownership since February, and the owners have been mulling what might be the best way to update the image of…
Once dominated by department stores, an increasing number of shopping centers are losing traditional anchor tenants such as Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Sears.
The on-again, off-again plans to redevelop the former Azalea Mall now has a new developer.