Great Scott! Lakeforest Mall certainly knew how to take the edge off of chilly temperatures and schoolwork in September 1986, with a month-long promotion called "the ultimate fall." Thirty-six years ago, the mall was in its golden age, which arguably ran from its opening in 1978 through the 1990s. Looking back now, one has to admit the fall promotional campaigns of today's retail properties pale in comparison to Lakeforest's ultimate fall 1986.
For starters, the mall had celebrity guests targeted to the younger crowd. Children attending the Back to School Best fashion show had a chance to meet actress Cherie Johnson of the then-popular TV show, Punky Brewster. On the same September afternoon, Rooty, the Great Root Bear mascot of A&W was on hand to serve everyone a free A&W Root Beer in a collectible mug.
Did you know there was once such an entity as the Lakeforest Fashion Panel? Members of this esteemed body modeled the latest junior back-to-school wear in another fashion show. A week later, "Lakeforest covergirl" Do Hopkins walked the runway during a men's and women's fashion show featuring "the season's best from the stores at Lakeforest."
When was the last time the mall helped you advance in your life and career? September 1986 also saw Lakeforest Mall offer men and women the opportunity of a "business and social etiquette seminar...designed to help you handle any business or social situation." Attendees heard from Entertaining Etiquette author Dorothea Johnson and "body language expert" Karen Diamond.
"Discover Lakeforest living. And discover fall at its best!" the promotional copy read. "Hecht's, JCPenney, Sears, Woodward & Lothrop and over 160 other fine stores, restaurants and services" awaited mall patrons. The same cannot be said today! A better and simpler time. A better and smarter mall owner. These - and a frosty mug of A&W Root Beer - were the ingredients for the ultimate fall at Lakeforest Mall in 1986.
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