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The year was 1960 and all roads leading to Calgary's new landmark, Chinook Centre, were gravel country roads, easily accessible to both city and country residents. Western Canada's largest shopping centre was constructed at a cost of $12.5 million to meet the retail needs of Calgarians as the city rapidly expanded to the south.
The brainchild of Calgary businessmen Mervyn (Red) Dutton, Reg Jennings and
Frank Kershaw, the mall was constructed on a 40-acre site, formerly occupied by the Chinook Drive-In Theatre.
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The Centre opened August 17, 1960 as an outdoor mall with 45 retail shops. The "mall" was a new shopping concept and Chinook Centre set the retail trend with a fashionable promenade designed exclusively for pedestrians.
Described as "a city within a city," the Centre employed 1,000 people in upscale shops including Woodwards, Birks and Holt Renfrew. It housed a 32-alley Bowladrome, an art gallery and a library. Retail advertisements in 1960 featured French mohair skirts for $9 and men's suits for $39.95.
"Chinook Centre was the number one property in Western Canada," says Chinook Centre retailer Don McGregor whose father, Ken McGregor, was the first general manager of Chinook Centre. Don was a high school student working as a Woodwards parcel pick up employee when the Centre opened in 1960. "There was an excitement in the property - you weren't going to Chinook Centre to buy new shoes or a blouse - Chinook Centre was the place to be."
McGregor opened his first Orange Julius shop at Chinook Centre in 1968, a business that has blossomed into a successful chain of 12 stores throughout Alberta. Orange Julius is still at Chinook Centre and so is McGregor, managing his operation from his office in the professional building.
The times have changed and so has Chinook Centre. In 1961 the mall was enclosed. In May 1965, the $4-million Southridge Mall was opened immediately north of Chinook Centre at Macleod Trail and 58th Ave. S.W. It contained 33 stores including Simpson Sears, the forerunner of today's Sears.
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In 1974, a section of 60th Ave. S.W., dividing the two centres, was purchased and the shopping malls were united as Chinook Ridge Shopping Centre.
In 1981, the mall underwent a $22-million renovation project. The redevelopment included bringing a self-standing Safeway into the centre, adding new fountains, flooring and more parking. By 1985, Chinook Centre had revenues topping $150 million. |
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As the city expands, Chinook Centre continues to grow and set the standard in Canadian retail. In March 1998, Chinook Centre announced plans for a $120 million renovation. Since then, additional renovations and new retailers have increased the scope of the project to a construction budget of more than $300 million. Chinook Centre has invested $210 million and approximately $100 million is being spent by retailers.
Chinook Centre, completed a $300 million dollar renovation, the most extensive shopping centre redevelopment in Canadian history in the Spring 2001. Two hundred thirteen of the 220 merchants in the centre have completely redesigned or built new stores. |
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