Note the nice canopied walkway built out into the parking lot. This parking lot later became a large short parking garage to accommodate the vehicle parking. The north entrance was at the 1st floor level of Burdines and the mall entrance was on the 2nd floor level.

Thank you to Jeff Levine for the following information: The Grand Opening of 163rd Street Shopping Center was on November 1, 1956. George Friedlander, founder of Food Fair Stores built a number of shopping centers with his real estate division.

Rumored to have been slated for NE 125th Street in North Miami, but rejected by a city not ready for the increased traffic and business growth, a parcel of former farm land - and an "island" of county property not subject to North Miami Beach taxation, was purchased by Friedlander, and everything came together into what was one of the most popular shopping venues until it's decline in the 1980's.

The opening tenant list consisted of:

Arcade Barber Shop
Arnold's Kiddyland
Bank of Dade County (Nov. 15)
Abe Barnett Luggage and Jewelry
A.S. Beck Shoes
Blessed Event Maternity Shop
Burdine's Department Store
Chandler's Shoes
Chase Federal Savings and Loan Association
Cole's Candy Store
DeLoy of Hollywood, Inc.
Dr. Arthur Eichner, Optometrist
Especially for You Gift Shop
Ferris Grove (Fruit Shipper)
Flair Fashions in Hair
Food Fair Supermarket
Ben Graber's Dress Shop
Grable's Bakery
Graymor Studios & Photo Center
Harmony Music Shop
The Home Mart
The Hub
Johnson's Travel Agency
Junior Town
M.& M. (Bickford's)
Mangel's Department Store
Merchants Green Trading Stamps
New Fairfield Dress Shop
Niagra Massage Equipment
Parson's Bridal Shop
Parician Florist
J.C. Penney Department Store
Pestuggia Shoe Repair & Dry Cleaning
Rabin's Delicatessen
Richard's (opening March 1st)
Samson's
Sarron
Schiff Shoe Store
Slack Bar, Inc.
Stardust Jewelers
Stauffer System Slenderizing Salon
Swim 'n' Sport Shops
Termplan Financing
Three Sisters, Inc.
Walgreen Drugs
Walls Beautiful
Woodrow Store for Men
F.W. Woolworth Co.
Young Fashions