Dillard's, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. New Morrison Boulevard facade under construction, 11/11/2006. (photo by Pat Richardson)

Dillard's, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. New Morrison Boulevard facade under construction, 11/12/2006. (photo by cantnot)

Dillard's, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. New Morrison Boulevard facade under construction, 11/12/2006. (photo by cantnot)

Dillard's, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. New Sharon Road facade under construction, 11/11/2006. (photo by Pat Richardson)

Previously on LiveMalls
Dillard's, SouthPark

The Village at SouthPark, Charlotte, North Carolina. Rear facade under construction, photographed from Dillard's parking deck, 11/11/06. (Photo by Pat Richardson)

The Village at SouthPark, Charlotte, North Carolina. Rear facade under construction, photographed from Crate & Barrel parking lot, 11/11/06. (Photo by Pat Richardson)

Previously on LiveMalls
The Village at SouthPark

Belk, Richmond Plaza, Rockingham, North Carolina. November 2006. (Pat Richardson)

JCPenney, Richmond Plaza, Rockingham, North Carolina. November 2006. (Pat Richardson)

Maxway, Richmond Plaza, Rockingham, North Carolina. November 2006. (Pat Richardson)

Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Unique two-story carousel, November 2, 2006. (Pat Richardson)

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina - UPDATED

Belk Beery, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Exterior entrance, circa 1979. (Gordon Schenck)

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Exterior entrance, August 7, 2007. (roadgeek89)

Belk-Beery, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Exterior entrance, July 1979. (Pat Richardson)

Frequent LiveMalls contributor Patrick Richardson went to the Independence Mall (Westfield Independence) in Wilmington, North Carolina, and took these great pictures (as noted) of the Belk store there. His comments are in italics below.

UPDATE - 8/13/07 - LiveMalls contributor Billy (roadgeek89) recently shot some additional photos of this same Belk store on his beach trip. I have included them here, as noted.

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Exterior entrance details, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

Each set of doors into Belk feature a "balcony" that features three different murals that depict scenes that represent Wilmington (each set of doors has three murals unique to that entrance--there are nine paintings altogether)

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Exterior lighting, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

Exterior lights outside of Belk---most older Belks have these -- usually with a light or two that is burned out

Belk-Beery, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Escalator well, July 1979. (Pat Richardson)

These pictures of Belk-Beery, Independence Mall, were taken the week before the store opened in July 1979. The escalator well featured a glass-sided elevator -- framed by antique brick, marble, and wrought iron -- in the style of the antebellum houses in Wilmington.

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mall entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mall entrance, August 7, 2007. (roadgeek89)

Belk, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mall entrance with holiday display, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

Thanks to Patrick and roadgeek89 for these great contributions.

JCPenney, Independence Mall, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mall entrance, November 2, 2006. (Pat Richardson)

Belk, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina

Belk, Monroe, North Carolina. circa 1955. (Belk, Inc.)

Frequent LiveMalls contributor Patrick Richardson went to the Monroe Mall in Monroe, North Carolina, and took these great pictures (below) of the Belk store there. His comments are in italics below.

This is Belk's store # 1 -- obviously the original store was downtown [above] -- when it moved to the Monroe Mall [in 1979], it kept the same store number. The Belk store is so desperate for room they have leased two storefronts in the mall (shown below).

Belk, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Exterior entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

I've always thought the exterior was a bit strange--the Belk's sign is too one far side--leaving the area where the doors are fairly plain (other than the "Belk-blue" awning and cool stone border). This is the back entrance--there are three entrances---all look the same.

Belk, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Exterior entrance detail, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

Close-up of the side doors--always loved the "shop tonight until..." message over the doors

Belk, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Mall entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

Never knew what to think of the Belk "cube" on a pedestal--and I always thought the gold metal awning was unusual.

Belk Home Store, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Mall entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

The Belk Home Store--this is in a storefront just outside of the store--it was an Italian restaurant for years.

Belk Kids Store, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Mall entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

The Belk Kids Department---again in a storefront--about five doors down from the main store.

Thanks to Patrick for this great contribution.

Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Main entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

JCPenney, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina

Frequent LiveMalls contributor Patrick Richardson went to the Monroe Mall in Monroe, North Carolina, and took this great picture of the JCPenney store there. His comments are in italics below.

JCPenney, Monroe Mall, Monroe, North Carolina. Mall entrance, 11/2/06. (Pat Richardson)

The Penney's has a green tile background to their sign--don't know if this is standard. For years, the Penney's was much nicer than the Belk's (this was fairly common at these small-town malls)--the Belk's has now caught up.

Thanks to Patrick for this great contribution.

SouthPark | Halloween 1991

SouthPark, Charlotte, North Carolina. "Black widow" balloon spider hovering near the food court, Halloween 1991. (Pat Richardson)

Just in time for Halloween comes these great SouthPark pictures and memories from Patrick Richardson:

In the late 80's-early 90's SouthPark started to do trick-or-treating in the mall. I think it was in response to keeping kids safe. They would play eerie music over the mall's PA and all the stores would give out candy.

The cool thing was that the mall was decorated in all things Halloween. They even had actors dressed as monsters, mummies, ghosts, and witches prowling around the mall. They would usually get around 3,000 kids.

The mid-90's saw the abrupt end of this short- lived tradition.

The tradition may have been short-lived, but it's fondly remembered here at LiveMalls. Enjoy.

SouthPark, Charlotte, North Carolina. An Ann Taylor employee handing out candy, Halloween 1991. (Pat Richardson)

SouthPark, Charlotte, North Carolina. Balloon towers from the mall's Halloween decorations, 1991. (Pat Richardson)

Previously on LiveMalls
SouthPark, The Early Years
SouthPark 1975
SouthPark, circa 1990
The Evolution of the Fountain Court at SouthPark
Belk, SouthPark
Dillard's, SouthPark
Hecht's, SouthPark
Nordstrom, SouthPark
Neiman Marcus, SouthPark

"You're The Reason"

To celebrate Belk's 100th Anniversary in 1988, associates received a special birthday card which featured a unique collage featuring memorabilia from Belk and Leggett’s' first 100 years in business.

Above is the outside and inside of the card. Below is an original hang-tag banner celebrating the 100th anniversary.

These images come to LiveMalls courtesy of Patrick Richardson.


Find more Belk memories like these in The Belk Archive

SouthPark, Charlotte, North Carolina. Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Grand Opening, 1970. Pictured are anchor department store leaders George Ivey and John Belk. (Pat Richardson)

Find mnore SouthPark memories like this in SouthPark, The Early Years

Barneys New York, NorthPark Center, Dallas, Texas. Artist's rendering of the exterior facade at the main exterior entrance. (VisualStore)

Barneys New York, NorthPark Center, Dallas, Texas. Artist's rendering of a view inside the entry vestibule. (VisualStore)

Read more about the design of this store at VisualStore

The Bon-Ton, Park City Center, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Exterior entrance, 2006 (lancasteronline.com)

Belk meets Penney

An interesting photo of William Henry Belk (left) meeting with James Cash (J.C.) Penney from February 17, 1950. W.H. Belk said they were "friends first, then competitors occasionally." (Pat Richardson)

Find more Belk memories in The Belk Archive

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Artist's rendering of exterior. (Neiman Marcus)

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Fairview Road entrance. Photographed with camera phone 9/17/06.

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Fairview Road facade. Photographed with camera phone 9/17/06.

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Barclay Downs Drive facade. (DaAchiever)

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Parking deck entrance. (DaAchiever)

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Artist's rendering of mall entrance. (Neiman Marcus)

Neiman Marcus, SouthPark mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Mall entrance. Photographed with camera phone 9/17/06.

Previously on LiveMalls
Neiman Marcus, SouthPark