1977 mall directory shows Fairlane Town Center at its peak
Imagine it's 1977 and a typical Saturday in Dearborn, Michigan. What did teenagers do? They went to Fairlane.
Maybe they flipped crepes at the Magic Pan. Or bought a gift for Dad at Chess King and a Viennese coffee from the Coffee Beanery. Then they hopped on the tram connecting the sprawling, state-of-the-art mall and the Hyatt Regency next door, to see one of the many conventions held there, like the Gem and Mineral Show or the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
Once the vibrant hub of America's shopping culture, malls now mark a dying breed across the nation. But the glory days of malls live on in online archives, movies, entertainment and the fabric of American culture.
The A. Alfred Taubman-built Fairlane Town Center opened its doors in March 1976, boasting 150 shopping options in its first few years across fashion, dining, entertainment, electronics, home goods, sporting goods, stationery and more. A popular spot for socializing, shopping and entertainment at its peak, Fairlane Town Center played a key role in metro Detroit's mall culture in the later 20th century.
A blast from the past
Fairlane Town Center came to metro Detroit in an America where the shopping centers marked a popular teen hangout after school, as reflected in 1980s films like "Valley Girl" and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and the Netflix series "Stranger Things."
With the federal minimum wage at $2.30 an hour in 1977, shoppers flocked to the mall's wide variety of stores and restaurants, taking advantage of the latest trends. Patrons known as "mall walkers" strolled through the halls to burn calories, while regulars or "mall rats" roamed the center and some seniors passed through, looking for coins or valuables dropped on the ground.
Fairlane was one of several malls that dominated the metro Detroit shopping scene. Others include the now-defunct Northland Center in Southfield, Summit Place in Waterford, Westland Shopping Center in Westland, Eastland Center in Harper Woods and Southland Center in Southgate, to name a few.
Here's a look at Fairlane Town Center's layout in 1977.
Department stores
J.C. Penney
Hudson's
Lord & Taylor
Sears
Women's apparel
Alvin's
Himelhoch's
Winkelman's
Gantos
Arden's
Hartmans
Alberts
Marianne
Jean Nicole
Women's sportswear
Nawrot Pendleton Shop
Casual Corner
The Limited
Cover Story
Alcove
Paul Harris
Foxmoor
Susie's Casuals
Ups & Downs
Merry Go Round
The Pant Station
Here & Now
The Gap
County Seat
Just Pants
Today
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Women's specialty
Page Boy
The International Skor
The Tall Girls Shop
Size 5-7-9 Shop
Joan Bari
Donna Sacs
i Natural Cosmetics
Olga's Place
National Uniforms
Parklane
Bernard Wigs
Suzy's
Wilson's
Women's shoes
Joyce by Roberta
Naturalizer Shoes
Phillips Red Cross Shoes
Chandlers
The Wild Pair
Bakers
Shoe Review
Fine & custom jewelry
Charles W. Warren Jeweler
Wright Kay Jewelers
Meyer Treasure Chest Stores
Shifrin Willens
J.B. Robinson Jewelers
DeRoy Ringsmiths
Corey's Jewel Box
Ad Libs
Torri Fashion Jewelry
Buck N' Ear
Engravers Point
Silver Brick Road
Men's apparel
Hughes & Hatcher
Anton's
The Barn/Napoleon's Closet
Chelsea
Fifth Avenue
Men's sportswear
Nawrot Pendleton Shop
J. Riggings
Jimmy's
Silverman's
Proving Ground
Americana Shop
County Seat
The Gap
Here & Now
The Pant Station
Just Pants
Teen/Man
United Shirt
Oak Tree
Chess King
Men's specialty
The International Skor
Churchill's
Wilson's
Men's shoes
Bally of Switzerland
Shermans Florsheim
The Wild Pair
Vanguard
Father & Son
Thom McAn
Family & children's shoes
Stride Rite
Roots Natural Footwear
Kinney Shoes
Nobil Shoes
The Athletes Foot
Playmakers
Sibleys Florsheim
Chester
Children's apparel
The Gum Drop Tree
Youth Center
Restaurants
The Magic Pan Creperie
Toll Gate
Olga's Kitchen
Broadway Deli
Bonanza
Captain Chips Potato Ship
Burger King
Elis Brothers Big Boy
Happy Hero
Koney Island Inn
Friendly Ice Cream
Jonathon B. Pub
Piccadilly's
Food specialty
Candy Hut
Cookie Factory
The Coffee Beanery
Tiffany's Bakery
Miami Bake Shoppe
Alpen Pantry
General Nutrition Center
Hot Sam
Tasty Pastry
Fanny Farmer Candies
Optical
Detroit Optometric Centers
Dearborn Optical Center
Bookstores
B. Dalton Bookseller
Almar Books
Record stores
Musicland
House of Music
Music Village
Electronic specialties & music
Anderson Music
Wurlitzer
Kimball Keyboards
Fabric stores & sewing
Singer
Home furnishings
Homemaker Shops
Raimi's Curtains
Austin Galleries
Murphy's Landing
St. Clair
Gifts, cards, flowers, stationery & office supply
Finger's
European Flower Markets
Fischer's Hallmark
Hugh Jarvis Gifts
Glass Gallery
Asian Bazaar
Cricket Box
Sporting goods, toys, hobbies, cameras & luggage
Schneider's Sport Shops
Lobby Hobby
Toy & Hobby Shop
Hobby Center
Rug Crafters
Services
Hair Cut House
National Bank of Dearborn
Michigan National Bank
J.C. Penney Automotive Center
Sears Automotive Center
Theaters & entertainment
The Movies
Ice arena
Fairlane Ice Arena — This ice skating rink started out on the mall's main floor, featuring a pro shop with skate purchase, rentals and repairs; 60 hours per week of public skating; private rentals and skating lessons. The facility was later converted into a movie theater.
Did you work at a mall growing up, or spend time hanging out at one? What's your favorite tale from back in the day? The Free Press wants to hear about it as we look back on the heyday of shopping in metro Detroit. Send your stories to [email protected] or message us on Facebook or X.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fairlane mall once had 150 shopping options, directory shows
