The Bangor Mall opened in October of 1978, and Mainers were exposed to a new way of shopping and eating that was far from Main Street. The 60 acre brick and mortar shopping plaza that was built on a dairy farm off Stillwater Avenue had 50 stores at it's peak, and unfortunately most are gone at this point.

Last week, we asked fans of I95Rocks on Facebook what Bangor Mall store or eatery that they missed the most, and here's what they came up with.

The recent closing of Macys was still fresh on everyone's mind.  Porteous, Chess King, Rue 21, Gap, Deshops, Radio Shack and the Hallmark Store were mentioned often.  But the store that stood out was the Disney Store, with folks missing that magical shopping experience that they didn't have to travel to Orlando or Anaheim for.  Now, the closest Disney Stores are in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

As far as restaurants went, York Steak House was the clear winner, as grabbing a tray and choosing your lunch or dinner buffet style while your steak was being cooked in front of you was something new and novel for Maine shoppers.  Oriental Express, Ruby Tuesday and Thatchers was also mentioned numerous times.

The Bangor Mall may be a shell of what it once was back on the late 70s and early 80s, but as we walk through the halls and wonder, we truly hope that a new and improved shopping experience materializes there someday that will give us the thrill that it once did.

 

 

More From WWMJ Ellsworth Maine