Key to the success of this new kind of shopping center was the concept of “anchor stores,” a feature that is now
a standard in American shopping malls. Jordan Marsh, as a forward-thinking, Boston-based business, was a natural fit to be one of the first mall anchor stores in the country. Hat and bag from Jordan Marsh. From the Framingham History Center Collection.

Sharaf's Restaurant, which could seat up to 800 diners, is seen here on opening day of Shoppers' World in 1951.

Despite the presence of multiple department stores in the Shoppers' World complex, specialty shops like Van's Hosiery were able to thrive in this new model of shopping.

Four men stand with a Buick outside C & T Paint and Wallpaper, ca. 1955.

A trained chimpanzee and its handler performing in the courtyard outside Modell's.

A Dalmatian show held in the courtyard outside Gorin’s Department store in the 1960s.

Lepies was one of many home furnishing stores selling items like draperies and yardgoods. Here a lion tamer is seen performing in the courtyard outside the store.

Crowds gathered in the courtyard around a swimming pool outside Spencer Shoes.

Looking down the walkways of Shopper's World towards The House of Kenney, one of the many home goods and interior decoration stores in the shopping center, ca. 1960.

A man vacuums the interior of Talcoff's Shoe store in the wake of a water main break in the 1970s.

A diorama of men in livery and a horse-drawn carriage in the courtyard at Shoppers' World. Idea Box Gifts can be seen in the far back.

Berny's Linen in September 1954, after flooding from Hurricane Edna.

In addition to the standard retail fare, Shoppers’ World was also home to a studio for WKOX, Framingham’s local daytime radio station. Shown here are a reel of tape from WKOX and The Game of South Middlesex, produced by WKOX to support the March of Dimes. From the Framingham History Center Collection.

A trip to Shoppers’ World was often a musical experience, and not just because there was a record store! Concerts were a regular feature of the entertainment offered both in the Cinema and on the Courtyard.

An employee at Fitts Photo Shop mops in the wake of a water main break in the 1970s.

Shoppers' World's key demographic was young women and stay-at-home mothers, so the inclusion of a beauty shop in the mall was considered a natural fit. In general, the Shoppers' World of the 1950s and 60s was a proponent of mainstream femininity, as can be seen in this image of Beauty Queens, including "Miss Shoppers' World", ca. 1960.

Like everything at Shoppers’ World, the Cinema was revolutionary. It was a brand new concept to pair a shopping center with a movie theater, and the Framingham theater was the first American commercial venture to bear the name “Cinema.”

The courtyard at Shoppers' World was just as important as the businesses that surrounded it. It was a space for visitors to congregate and was host to most of the shopping center’s special events. It was the courtyard, with its award-winning landscape design, that truly gave Shoppers’ World its unrivaled sense of place.

Duncan McAndrew operated the only independent Tailor's shop in Shoppers' World. After visiting the shopping center's many clothing retailers, shoppers could drop off new purchases for alterations during the same visit.

There was lots for children to love at Shoppers' World! Kids loved coming back to enjoy all the center had to offer them, from candy shops to special events like the Easter Egg Hunt depicted here.

Beverly's sold "Misses' and girls' sportswear." Seen here is the window display of an unidentified women's wear shop.

Shoppers' World opened with two salons in 1951, Peirre Marcel Coiffures and Femina Beauty Shop. The mall would continue to house a series of hair salons, nail salons, and eventually a barber shop throughout its operation.

There was no shortage of treats to be had at Shoppers’ World, including the donuts at Tic-Toc Donut Shop. Later Shoppers’ World eateries, such as Joan and Ed’s Deli and the bakery at Jordan Marsh (and their famous blueberry muffins!) would gain iconic status.

The developers of Shoppers’ World wanted to offer an unprecedented level of convenience, allowing their customers to shop, eat, and even bank while visiting the mall. Seen here are promotional products from the Framingham Trust Company, which had locations all over town, including at Shoppers' World. From the Framingham History Center Collection.

“The Barbershoppers” perform in the courtyard outside Sears at Shopper’s World, 1963.

Although it wasn’t up and running for opening day, Jordan Marsh’s furniture department was slated to fill its own building soon after Shoppers’ World went began operations. Seen here are a business card and booklet from the Jordan Marsh furniture department, 1980s. From the Framingham History Center Collection.