February 10, 2020

MID-CENTURY ♥️ MONDAY.

February 10, 2020

Why do I love my Mid-Century Monday blog series so much? It’s purely selfish 😜. It’s my all-time favorite posts to research, write and push publish.

I can indulge my childhood design and imagination in my adult world ♥️. Below are a few of my favorite hall of famers from over the years:

Jens Risom PreFab A-Frame via Dwell Magazine

CABIN FEVER

This ONE was a favorite to research and write. Full of A-Frames, MCM Cone Fireplaces and some vintage Thermos to just name a few. I do think Wes Anderson would love it:)

Poolside Glamour, Slim Aaron. Palm Springs, California. January 1970.

POOL PARTY

Who doesn’t love a summer dip in the pool. In 2017, I featured a 1960 Life Magazine Photo Find on the Joys and Style of the Mid-Century Pool Culture and even shared a fun round up of Party Pool FAVORS to Lounge along. Dive in HERE.

SUPERMARKET

There’s a Mid-century Monday SUPERMARKET Spill in Aisle 10.

In this ONE I share some of my favorite memories of grocery shopping as a kid even though it technically wasn’t Mid-Century anymore😂. But, the remnants were still hanging on before our Today’s Target Runs.

THE PINK BATHROOM

This one has my pink heart a flutter. Pink Bathrooms are a legacy in my family. I even Currently have one now and a post is in the works for May 💕. But, in the meantime enjoy this ONE.

UP NEXT

Buckle your seats and come ✈️ with me for Next Weeks Mid-Century Monday’s virtual visit to TWA Hotel.

Love, C.

Cynthia Friese

October 14, 2019

Minnesota, Mid-Century Monday

SOUTHDALE.

Cynthia Friese

October 14, 2019

Minnesota, Mid-Century Monday

Heritage Mural at Southdale Center/2019. Photo: StoryboardC. — Heritage Mural at Southdale Center/2019. Photo: *StoryboardC.*

This Mid-Century Monday Post hits close to home. Yes, Location wise its a short 15 minute auto jaunt from my Downtown Minneapolis Studio. But, also a bigger hitter of memories for me and many other Minnesotan’s.

Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota also holds quite a title, The First ever fully enclosed, climate controlled Shopping Mall in the US. Yeah, before you yawn:) Read on:

Southdale Shopping Center and it’s over 5000 parking spots in Edina, Minnesota, February 1957. Source: Buzzfeed.news Guy Gillette / The Life Images Collection — Southdale Shopping Center and it’s over 5000 parking spots in Edina, Minnesota, February 1957. *Source: Buzzfeed.news Guy Gillette / The Life Images Collection*

Opening its doors for the First Time on October 8th, 1956 to epic attendance. 75,000 in fact. Minneapolis first Ring suburb of only 15,000 residents must of been completely overwhelmed by the influx of excited shoppers.

As I write this I’m trying to wrap my brain around one question?… Where in the heck did all these people park on this inaugural opening? Right?!?!

I know most of the new shoppers were taking advantage of the over free 5,000 parking spots, which lots were organized by animal symbols. Cute right? I do actually remember this:) and I didn’t realize until doing the research that Southdale was the first to do this and like the Mall itself would be imitated over and over again.

The Animal Themed Parking Section Signs, My favorite was the Alligator. Gillette / The Life Images Collection — The Animal Themed Parking Section Signs, My favorite was the Alligator. *Gillette / The Life Images Collection*

And a new Hometown Consumer Gathering Space that I’m sure would make Norman Rockwell cringe. But, for a mid-century enthusiast like myself. It’s a fascinating look into the changing landscape of America’s Post-War boom and it’s awesome design story.

Guy Gillette/The Life images Collections

Baby, its A Cold outside Beginning.

Donald Dayton (I almost wrote Donald Draper, thanks Mad Men), the then family Head of Minnesota’s Iconic Dayton’s Department Store commissioned a study in 1952 of what Minnesotans wanted for their shopping experience.

The results concluded: Consumers ultimately desired a Warm, Comfortable and Convenient setting for a all-year around Shopping Experience. Who wants to trek downtown to shop when it’s 10 below outside?

Armed with Dayton Corporation research, they decided to partner up with Los Angeles based Architect, Victor Gruen. Whose is interesting in his own right, A Viennese Jewish Socialist immigrant, who escaped Nazi occupied Vienna to bring his Design talents to the US. Once hired Gruen soon envisioned the Southdale Design as American Twist of Europe’s timeless Grand Shopping Arcades including a “Town Square, Streets and Cafes.” Bringing a traditional downtown to the burbs.

The Modern mall invented.

Yes, before Southdale there had been similar concepts in the US, but nothing completely indoors and with this unique European Model of a traditional Mall. And did you know? The word "mall" comes from the wide, tree-lined promenade in St. James's Park, London, dubbed the "Mall" starting in the 18th century (source). I wonder if teenagers back then went to hook up with their friends and try the latest perfumes and colognes for free like we did 😜 ?

The Town Square

Built at a cost of 20 million, Southdale’s main crown jewel was The Garden Court Atrium which showcased Skylights, a fish pond, large faux trees and lush hanging plants off of its 3 floors of balconies. Also modern Ceiling Metalwork sculptures (which still exist in its current state, yet sadly the only design attributes that still exist from its heyday) and the creme de la crime, a 21-foot cage filled with colorful birds.

A perfect designed space for shoppers to mingle and at the time it was the biggest indoor public space of its kind.

*Guy Gillette / The Life Images Collection*

The Streets

The ‘Streets’ included 72 stores including two Anchor Department Stores, Dayton’s (fast fact: if you love Target, the Dayton’s Corporation founded Target as a new upscale discount Shopping alternative in 1962. Openings its first store in the St. Paul suburb of Roseville) and now forgotten Donaldson’s Department Store.

*A Modern take on Streets full of Shops. A second level peek. Guy Gillette / The Life Images Collection*

The Sidewalk Cafe

The Sidewalk Cafe similar to the one’s found in European cities was the best place to dine and be seen among the hustle and bustle of Southdale Shoppers..

It’s outdoor vibe with table umbrellas included. Allowed it’s Patrons to enjoy the comforts of inside as if they outside even when it was below zero.

The Shoppers

Glancing at the Photos featured in Life Magazines 1957 article on Southdale , definitely paints a picture of a by-gone era and consumer. Well-dressed, Perfectly coiffed and ready to shop.

Even Stylish Hats included. Fedoras for Gentleman too.

And lovely Handbags while browsing the Housewares Department of Dayton’s.

Or maybe having Lunch and enjoying A Winter Outdoor activity fashion show.

Not all shoppers were wide awake, like this little guy resting in a complimentary Southdale baby stroller with Its trademark logo featured on Mall employees uniform as well.

Even Dad’s got in on the Southdale Sensation enjoying a game of Boxing with his Son

There was also a kiddie maze and even a petting zoo at one time.

Fun for the whole family indeed among this mid-century design Mecca of shopping.

They don’t Make things like they Use too.

By the time, I experienced Southdale Center in the late 1980’s. A lot had changed. The Mall had become not so much a Urban indoor village like Gruen and Dayton originally envisioned instead a hustle and bustle of shoppers enjoying the search to buy stuff.

Gruen later regretted the project and the negative impact it had left on Downtown and the community overall. A echoing of what famed Architect Frank Lloyd Wright said while visiting Southdale in 1957, “ You should of left Downtown Downtown.”

Today its only a shell of its Mid-Century design magic. Struggling to keep stores open and re-inventing it once again with hopes of Health Club complex to resurge shoppers interests.

Now it’s Mecca is a Apple store, where customers wait in line to fix/buy they’re smart phones or a few destination stores like Sephora, J.Crew or Madewell that people trickle into as they please. It’s Anchor Stores have all but gone, except for the once bustling Dayton’s which has now turned into a library quiet Macy’s. A reminder that On-line shopping rules the roost and America’s Mall’s are a thing of the past. Even it’s first one.

Now I would love for you to join the story and share your own memories of Southdale or your own hometown Mall.

Love, C.

Cynthia Friese

October 7, 2019

Mid-Century Monday, Minnesota

MARY TYLER MOORE/ MINNEAPOLIS MINI TOUR.

Cynthia Friese

October 7, 2019

Mid-Century Monday, Minnesota

Even though it’s been over 40+ years since the Mary Tyler Moore Show first aired on CBS. It still definitely has a place of Honor in its fictional hometown of Minneapolis and mine.

I never actually watched much of MTM re-runs growing up. But, when I made Downtown MPLS my new home a couple years ago. I couldn’t resist ‘Hanging’ out with Mary and the gang via Hulu. It’s sorta become a fall tradition now. Every time the light and leaves begin to change, I Cozy up in my own studio and watch in the evenings before I doze off.

And this year I took it even a bit further, Finding the real places that colored the iconic opening sequence in my neck of the woods.

Yes, things have changed over the years. But, surprisingly a lot of Mary’s “Turning the world on with her smile” magic still exists. Here is my mini peek:

The Mary tyler Moore House- 2104 Kenwood Parkway

Nestled in the beautiful Minneapolis historic Neighborhood of Kenwood. This is where the exterior shots for the first five seasons of the show were filmed. Mary Richards Lived on the top floor and Rhoda had her swinging single pad in the Attic.

Now: Well,its always been a private home and couple years back it even went up for Sale. The exterior colors have changed since the show aired, but those beautiful Victorian bones are still there. The Kenwood neighborhood is a quick jaunt for me, just up the hill where I love to walk around the nearby Lake of the Isles.

Lake of the Isles

Near Mary’s Fictional Apartment home is where many of the opening outdoor sequences of her walking we’re filmed. Minneapolis is literally branded as the City of the Lakes and Lake of the Isles is my personal favorite of the chain of Lakes. It’s my own oasis in the hustle bustle of the city. I love how quiet it is and the neighborhood feel it has. The houses are epic too. I can so see why the producers picked it, Mary fits right in:) You can just see Mary putting on her fall coat and going on a stroll.

Mary Tyler Moore statue-505 Nicollet Mall

Right in the heart of Downtown resides a permanent statue commissioned by TV Land back in 2002 of the final opening shots of Mary tossing up her classic tam. It’s actually one of my favorite spots down on Nicollet. I always have to stop in between my errands to remind myself, “I can make it after all” in my own urban experience:)

Other Mary Bonus Spots:

IDS Center Crystal Court-80 8th St. S

Several shots from the opening credits for later seasons were shot here. The epic skyscraper in Minneapolis wasn’t finished until 1972 and that’s when you could catch Mary riding the escalator or dining on the balcony at the now Jolliet House Restaurant.

RSM Plaza-801 Nicollet Mall

The building where the exterior shots of the fictional offices where Mary worked for WJM-TV. When I stop by I can totally imagine Newscaster Ted Baxter sauntering out onto the street in his classic Powder blue On-Air blazer. Loving all the fan fair of passerby’s:)

riverside plaza-1600 6th St. S

The colorful skyscraper apartments that became her new home in Season 6. For the locals like myself, it has quite a unique reputation. Over the years, I’ve affectionately called it The Good Times building after another favorite 70’s sitcom.

The best way to view it is from highway 35W.

Love is all around.

It truly is most day’s (ask me how I feel in winter though 😂) for me in my new hometown of Minneapolis. When I hear that iconic theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Love is all Around. I am reminded of how far I’ve personally come and the challenges I have overcame to initially navigate this city alone.

Now I’m surrounded by amazing little community of friends and neighbors I can’t now imagine my life without. Maybe, I have to throw my own hat up on Nicollet sometime soon😜.

I hope you enjoyed my little Mary tour:)

Love, C.