We’re back at Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville, Florida, designed by Joseph Amisano of Atlanta and opened in 1967. The shopping center is currently being demolished.
This postcard depicts the mall’s original center court, and if the photographer wanted it to look as dead and dreary as possible, they certainly succeeded.
No one in the picture appears younger than 60, and the frail woman plopped on the bench with her walker doesn’t exactly suggest a hip, happening place. More like a displaced hip.
Even the plants look despondent.
The postcard was published by Marsh Post Card Service of Jacksonville, and contained the following description on the back:
REGENCY SQUARE
The largest Air Conditioned shopping Mall in the southeast, featuring over 50 stores, located in Jacksonville, Florida. On State Rd. 10 at Alt. U.S. 1. Color by C.L. Marsh.
The card was postmarked in Jacksonville in February 1969 and addressed to Scott in Binghamton, New York, with this note:
“We go here a LoT
Hi: How are You? How are all the statues? Did Stacey get them? I want to see them when I get home. Mommy sent
your report card marks. How much do I owe you? I want-you to figure iT up for me + put note inMoneyMommy’s letter.80-55-5¢ 90-95-15¢.
85-90-10¢ 95-100 20¢figure for 20 weeks + test marks
Love Grandma + Grandpa
Literally everything about the note is capitalistic and gross: Shopping was apparently Grandma + Grandpa’s pastime, their idea of love tied cash to Scott’s academic performance, and they accidentally called Mommy “Money.” Ick.
I bet Scott grew up to be a corporate wage slave, and I’m sure Stacey’s statues were awful.