I remember watching Brookdale Mall (Brooklyn Center, Minnesota) being constructed as we all eagerly peered out the school bus windows, on our way to Northport elementary. (It was my kindergarten year, and everything was bustling with “newness”.)
It was magical – Just imagining a mass of stores, under one cover, in a luxurious setting with restaurants attached – called: A MALL!
So many shopping firsts and fashion firsts were acquired at Brookdale Mall: Dayton’s, Penney’s, Donaldson’s, Snyder’s and……..Sears. I worked at Sears throughout High School….. it was a grand place to work. I can’t remember a time as a little girl when I didn’t look forward to the “Christmas Wish Book“, or going with my Dad to get a “Craftsman” tool. And when Mom’s washer went on the blink – off we’d go to Sears for a replacement. Sears was the store for the Everyman. 
The demolishing of Brookdale Mall a number of years back left one vestige standing: Sears. But now – it will soon be demolished as well.
I visited my flagship job/store/memory maker – in the last final days, and it was heartbreaking. Below are a few pictures on the history of Sears – as I remember it and photographed it.
Nothing stays the same.
And, at times, they simply vanish.
Dignity by Design 
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I too miss the trips to Brookdale, sometimes just for something to do. My wife grew up right next to Northport and has many stories about adventures at Brookdale Mall.