The first phase of Valley River Center opened for business in 1968. The mall is located across the Willamette River northwest of downtown. This first phase extended northwesterly from Meier & Frank to JC Penney. A new wing extending southwesterly from the center of the mall to Montgomery Ward was added in the 1970s. A NE wing extended to a fourth department store building. I believe that this building was occupied by Lippmans, Frederick & Nelson, and Lamonts at different times. This building is now a branch of Copeland Sports. The Bon Marche moved from Downtown Eugene to a new store between Wards and Penneys at Valley River Center in 1990. Wards went out of business in 2000 and the store is now vacant. The Bon Marche became Macy's in early 2005.
The Meier & Frank store at Valley River Center was the first to be built after the May Company had purchased Meier & Frank. The store looks similar to those of other May Company stores of similar vintage such as the Famous-Barr store at Northwest Plaza near St. Louis, Missouri.
The photo was taken in April 2005.
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