Northern Florida Retail Blog

Target #811 2340 Hwy 77 (M.L.K.- Jr. Blvd.) Panama City, FL Long after the Panama City Mall opened in 1976, the corner of Hwy 77 and 23rd Street had been a relatively quiet corner, with the exception of the super large Albertsons #4355, which opened in 1983 at the northwest corner. Heavy commercial/ retail developments had also happened westward along 23rd Street (FL-368) during the 1980's. Shopping centers such as Stanford Station, Wilbro Plaza, and Panama City Square had opened between 1985 and 1987. Stanford Station was anchored by Bruno's- owned Food World, which opened in 1986. Also opening directly across the street in the sprawling Panama City Square was Walmart and nearby a Delchamps Super Store.  So by the late 80's people in Panama City had 3 large supermarkets along 23rd Street between Stanford Rd. and Hwy 77 (Then Cove Blvd) that were open 24 hrs a day and offered liquor sales separately (at least I'm sure about Albertsons and Delchamps hav...

Above Photo of Panama City Mall on August 11, 1976 It was an exciting day for folks in the Panama City area in early August 1976. A much anticipated shopping destination would soon open to the public. As would always be the case, it was more than likely the typical hot, humid Florida summer morning. School kids were getting prepared to return to classes at local schools and were in need of not only school supplies and clothes (which would be purchased by their parents), but also a nice indoor, climate controlled shopping center to give them comfort from the miserable, humid heat found in Panama City, FL in August.  The Panama City Mall held its grand opening on August 11, 1976 (as can be seen in the above photo). The Panama City Mall was designed and built by Charles N. Agree, an architect from Detroit. The mall's original anchor stores were Sears, and Gayfers. There's no way I would be able to figure an entire list of stores to have operated in the mall, but a fe...

                                    Former Publix #489 (1994-2008)                                                                                                                11220 Hutchison Blvd                                            Panama City Beach, FL   While much of Florida is dominated (well I would say SUPER dominated by Publix Supermakets), they don't have quite the large store count or concentration in the neck of the woods where I hail from, the...