Manchester Parkade

[dayville81]

I heard this was the ultimate shopping area in its day but half of it has a Stop and Shop, Home Goods, Blockbuster, and a few specialty store. The other half is abandonded and had Bradlees and Stop and Shop before it moved and expanded and a bunch of small stores and even a small indoor hallway with stores next to a former Marshalls. I also heard there used to be a Hoyts Cinema, which has been vandalized and broken into. What is the latest on this property and why has nobody tore down these old buildings?

[d_fife]

Originally posted by dayville81
I heard this was the ultimate shopping area in its day but half of it has a Stop and Shop, Home Goods, Blockbuster, and a few specialty store. The other half is abandonded and had Bradlees and Stop and Shop before it moved and expanded and a bunch of small stores and even a small indoor hallway with stores next to a former Marshalls. I also heard there used to be a Hoyts Cinema, which has been vandalized and broken into. What is the latest on this property and why has nobody tore down these old buildings?

I have not heard anything. Bradlees from what I hear was a King's. there are pictures of this on ames forum. it was built in 1966 with a gla of 30000 sf

[dayville81]

Tried to go onto ames forum to see the pics. they dont work

[d_fife]

Originally posted by dayville81
Tried to go onto ames forum to see the pics. they dont work

here http://www.amesfanclub.com/imageserver/road.trips/bradlees.manchester.ct/bradlees.htm

[dayville81]

Anyone know what was in the shopping center on the right hand side? Looks like it was a fancy department store, possibly D&L? You can see many label scars from the old plaza, Bradlees signage still there. Kids ride skateboards on the sidewalk. Broken glass in parking lot makes it look like a big eye sore. When will it get demolished and something useful move in?

[XISMZERO]

If you'll recall this post about C. Fontaine's funny story, then you'll see I've mentioned my finding this place and taking a trip there myself.

Following my curiosity, I went back (twice) and did a hefty photo shoot of the entire plaza. You can now find my galleries containing up for viewing. Check out the Facebook album for commentaries on each picture and my Yahoo album for the entire 104 count shabang. Since Facebook only allows 60 per album, I cut the best and brightest for everyone's digest.

Enjoy!

[XISMZERO]

Stopped by yesterday, again. To my complete surprise, the once vacant Hoyts has been revived as an independent "Parkade Cinemas". Luckilly it's not near the ugly, falling apart plaza that has yet to find fate with a steel ball.

Hoyts, March 13, 2006.

[XISMZERO]

Hoyts yesterday, December 5, 2006 as Parkade Cinemas & Entertainment.

[XISMZERO]

Close-up. Building received blue paint job, new windows, doors, etc. Would it be too creepy to see a film here?

[XISMZERO]

Bradlees signage still visible on the road. When coming down Broad Street looking at the sign, it feels like old times when Bradlees was in business...

Other logos patched up include CVS and Anderson Little; a long-gone fabrics chain.

[XISMZERO]

The dead-side strip with vacant Bradlees and old Stop & Shop since moved across the street at the live Manchester Parkade.

[XISMZERO]

Bradlees signage, sort of still intact...

[XISMZERO]

The former indoor mall portion once housed a Marshalls anchor. This place features much more graffiti from when I last visited (in August 2006).

[XISMZERO]

The entrance to the former Marshalls within the former indoor mall portion (I think).

[XISMZERO]

On the living side of the Manchester Parkade, here's the road sign from the Middle Turnpike West side. All photos were taken December 5, 2006.

[BillyGr]

Nice pictures!  However, just let me mention that Anderson-Little (I assume all the same chain) was a clothing store.

Originally posted by XISMZERO
Bradlees signage still visible on the road. When coming down Broad Street looking at the sign, it feels like old times when Bradlees was in business...

Other logos patched up include CVS and Anderson Little; a long-gone fabrics chain.

[JimSawhill]

Originally posted by XISMZERO
The former indoor mall portion once housed a Marshalls anchor. This place features much more graffiti from when I last visited (in August 2006).

Xismzero:

     The 'Indoor Mall' was a Forbes & Wallace department Store (based in Springfield) then when it closed, First Hartford (the owner of the plaza) started Butterfield's. When First Hartford went bankrupt, Butterfield's closed. (Manchester Parkade had 5 department stores -- Sears, D & L, W.T Grants,  Grand-Way and King's -- in the 1960s. In the 1970s,  it had Sears,  D&L, W.T. Grant, Treasure City and King's/Bradlee's.) In the 80s and early 90s -- Sears, D&L, bradlee's and Forbes&Walllace/Butterfield's/Marshall's.)
     Marshall's moved from where the supeior court is now (a former First National) to the indoor mall before moving to Buckland.
     
     
JimS

[JimSawhill]

Originally posted by XISMZERO
Hoyts yesterday, December 5, 2006 as Parkade Cinemas & Entertainment.

Nice job fixing it up!!  I hope they'll be successful!!

JimS

[Marc82]

Originally posted by XISMZERO
On the living side of the Manchester Parkade, here's the road sign from the Middle Turnpike West side. All photos were taken December 5, 2006.

.

Bad news. AJ Wright is closing in January.  

http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17554561&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=578783&rfi=6

[Caldor1999]

heres some old photos of the place that i found on a facebook group from the late 80's early 90's most of these pics are from stop & shop

[JimSawhill]

THIS IS THE BRADLEES AS IT SADLY STANDS TODAY

Did they knock down the old Forbes&Wallace/Butterfield's/Marshall's area yet?? UA Theater East is staying??