Randall Park Mall in the 70s: Beauties, air bags and John Lanigan

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Sing along with me. Ready? Randall Park is exciting, Randall Park is inviting, it's the biggest mall in all the world!

That's what the jingle said in 1976.

How often have you visited a different part of the country and the locals tell you their mall was either
a) One of the first malls in the country,
b) At one time, the biggest mall in the country or,
c) Both a and b.

The Cleveland area could say b) was true, for a short while anyway. Randall Park Mall in North Randall did indeed open as the biggest mall in the world on August 11, 1976. It was greeted with great fanfare and with greater expectations.

The mall was two levels of shopping with multiple anchor stores. Higbee's, May Company, Sears, Penney's and a store new to Cleveland-Joseph Horne's all populated the massive retail center, plus a strange twist. Some national chains had two stores in different parts of the mall.

The mall was a destination and drew shoppers from all over northeastern Ohio. Located north of I-480 off of either Warrensville Center or Northfield roads near Thistledown, it had location going for it. I-480 was not yet complete west of I-77, making a visit to Randall Park quite a trek for west siders who came nonetheless.

Let's head off to the video vault for our film clips.

The first clip is from early 1973, developer Ed DeBartolo issuing a warning to downtown Cleveland retailers that the face of shopping is about to change. A very short clip of the site being prepped for construction follows his remarks. The mall was built on the former Randall Race Track.

Next is the opening day of shopping in 1976. Where's MY balloon?

I've added a couple of clips of events at the mall.

First is the 1220/WGAR radiothon for cancer research. You'll see current WMJI morning man, and then WGAR morning man John Lanigan in summer, 1977.

Next is a Department of Transportation demonstration of an air bag. It was quite the technological wonder in the day. I won't spoil the surprise of what happens to the occupants of the car.

The last event clip is the Mrs. Ohio Swimsuit contest. Look closely and you'll see legendary Cleveland businessman and former Cavs' owner Ted Stepien.

We close with the mall's impact on nearby Southgate USA. It's February, 1977 and the first holiday shopping season since the mall opening has passed. WEWS reporter Allen Davis interviews a Southgate USA businessman.

Southgate changed. Randall Park Mall closed in 2009.

Enjoy.