Oliver Ideas Written by Oliver

Explore Historic Strip Mall: A Blast from the Past

By Oliver Oct 07, 2026
Historic Photo : 2003 Strip mall, San Bernardino, California | Margolies | Roadside America Collection | Vintage Wall Art : - 12in x 08in
Historic Photo : 2003 Strip mall, San Bernardino, California | Margolies | Roadside America Collection | Vintage Wall Art : - 12in x 08in

Main Street. : John Margolies 2015 (DLC/PP-2015:142). : Credit line: John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive (1972-2008)

People ask me all the time... "David, where’s the soul of Waxhaw?" It’s right here. Maxwell’s Tavern isn’t just a restaurant. It’s the anchor of downtown. In a world of manufactured "town centers" and strip-mall chains, Maxwell’s is the real deal. Historic brick. Cold drinks. The kind of place where you actually know the person at the next table. I’ve closed deals here. I’ve celebrated closings here. I’ve definitely spent too much time here on a Tuesday. But that’s the point. When yo...

Historic Photo : 2003 Strip mall, San Bernardino, California | Margolies | Roadside America Collection | Vintage Wall Art : - 12in x 08in
Historic Photo : 2003 Strip mall, San Bernardino, California | Margolies | Roadside America Collection | Vintage Wall Art : - 12in x 08in

Searching for L.A.’s Best Thai Soup in a San Fernando Valley Strip Mall Called Armenia

Wu's Garden. Littleton, CO. Its strip mall exterior might not look like much, but it's the only Chinese food I've found in Denver that I like.

an outdoor restaurant with tables and umbrellas in front of the storefront at sunset
an outdoor restaurant with tables and umbrellas in front of the storefront at sunset
Searching for L.A.'s Best Thai Soup in a San Fernando Valley Strip Mall Called Armenia - LAmag
Searching for L.A.'s Best Thai Soup in a San Fernando Valley Strip Mall Called Armenia - LAmag

Explore jacqlennon's photos on Flickr. jacqlennon has uploaded 1390 photos to Flickr.

The life and death of the Toronto strip mall
The life and death of the Toronto strip mall
two cars are parked in front of a goldsmittt store on the street
two cars are parked in front of a goldsmittt store on the street

Week 5: A 90's strip mall is the perfect analogy to technoburg. Suburbs formed and buisness' looked to the neighborhood for employees and tradesmen. If you only had a parking ticket then it was safe to get a lawyer from the strip mall. If you killed someone, strip mall lawyer is not your guy.

Everyone wants the "next big thing." But the smart ones want the classic thing. Welcome to Matthews. It’s the historic charm you think only exists in movies. Red brick storefronts. Locally owned coffee shops that actually know your name. A downtown that’s actually walkable. Living in Matthews NC isn't just about a zip code. It's about having a community that doesn't feel like a strip mall. The market is moving fast here because "character" is the ultimate luxury. If you’re hunting...

San Fernando Strip Mall Truman Ave 1964

Strip_mall_Lancaster
Strip_mall_Lancaster
an intersection with cars parked and people walking on the sidewalk in front of shops, stores, and businesses
an intersection with cars parked and people walking on the sidewalk in front of shops, stores, and businesses
an overhead view of people walking and sitting at tables
an overhead view of people walking and sitting at tables
an indoor shopping mall filled with lots of shops
an indoor shopping mall filled with lots of shops
an empty street lined with shops and benches
an empty street lined with shops and benches
people are sitting on the bench outside of a restaurant in front of a building with a sign that says hello robin
people are sitting on the bench outside of a restaurant in front of a building with a sign that says hello robin
cars are lined up under the liquor - dell sign
cars are lined up under the liquor - dell sign
Shopping center on 8 mile 1989
Shopping center on 8 mile 1989
two people walking down the middle of a shopping mall with lots of plants on either side
two people walking down the middle of a shopping mall with lots of plants on either side
an old photo of the front entrance to a building with arches and letters on it
an old photo of the front entrance to a building with arches and letters on it