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The North Shore Shopping Center

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April 1956, Razing of Juniorate Seminary


In April 1956, the last buildings were razed at the Juniorate Seminary, making way for the North Shore Shopping Center. It ushered Peabody into a new era of shopping – away from mom-and-pop businesses on Main Street to the big stores at the mall

We would love to hear your memories of the North Shore Shopping Center of the 1950s and 1960s. What were your favorite stores? Did you work there? Did you go to Kiddie Towne with your family? Was the Shopping Center a part of your Christmas traditions? We want to hear from you.

North Shore Shopping Center, 1958.

The North Shore Shopping Center was formally opened to the public on September 12, 1958. Over 50,000 people attended the opening.

The Shopping Center was designed by architect John Graham. The John Volpe Construction Co. was general contractor and National Planning and Research of Boston acted as land development specialists.

Map, circa 1958.


Kiddie Towne Entrance, May 1958.
Postcard, Kiddie Towne, SS Kresge and Stop & Shop, circa 1959.
Postcard, 1959


Jordan Marsh was the largest store when the Shopping Center opened, at 250,000 square feet.
Opening of Sears, circa 1959
Opening Program for the Cinema at the Shopping Center, May 29, 1963.
First movies shown at the Cinema, May 29, 1963.
Actor Jerry Lewis made a special appearance at the movie theater opening, May 1963.

Christmas at the Shopping Center, Toy Soldiers, circa 1960.
First Tree Lighting Ceremony, December 1958.
Fishing contests were held in a pool in common area. Photograph is circa 1960.

Please note that the photographs in this blog are courtesy of the Ray Wallman Collection.