Remember Central Coast Plaza? We want your memories and photos of SLO mall’s glory days

Kaytlyn Leslie
·2 min read

Before we got REI and Sprouts, the property that’s now SLO Promenade was home to a very different type of shopping center: San Luis Obispo County’s first and only enclosed mall.

In the 1980s and ‘90s, the Central Coast Plaza was the rad place to go for shopping, hanging out with friends and family and checking out community events.

During its heyday, the mall was home to a range of classic stores such as Wet Seal, Miller’s Outpost and Gottschalks, as well as an Embassy Suites hotel. And don’t forget about the food court —Hot Dog on a Stick, anyone?

Though the mall itself was demolished in 2000 — making way for the current SLO Promenade — we know the Central Coast Plaza made a lasting impact on the people who frequented it during its prime. So we want to hear your memories of this bygone landmark.

The Central Coast Plaza, San Luis Obispo’s first and only enclosed mall, was running out of steam by Feb. 19, 1998. Some of the store fronts near the end of the mall nearest Embassy Suites never found tenants. It was later torn down and rebuilt.
The Central Coast Plaza, San Luis Obispo’s first and only enclosed mall, was running out of steam by Feb. 19, 1998. Some of the store fronts near the end of the mall nearest Embassy Suites never found tenants. It was later torn down and rebuilt.

This effort part of a new series The Tribune is launching this spring, looking back at the glory days of San Luis Obispo County’s recent past. We’re focusing primarily on the last 30 to 50 years, looking for favorite experiences that forever hold a place in residents’ memories.

Throughout the coming months, we’ll share throwback pictures from our archives, reader memories and in-depth features on a whole slew of nostalgic Central Coast topics. Whether its leaving a masticated bit of chewing gum in Bubblegum Alley, watching movies at the Sunset Drive-In or even tubing on the Salinas River — we plan to highlight all the things that make longtime residents go, “I remember that!”

First up, we want to hear your favorite memories and see your photos of the Central Coast Plaza.

The Central Coast Plaza, the first and only enclosed mall in San Luis Obispo, was taken over by a receiver after then-owner Bill Bird misses loan payments. Here is how the mall looked on Nov. 11, 1993.
The Central Coast Plaza, the first and only enclosed mall in San Luis Obispo, was taken over by a receiver after then-owner Bill Bird misses loan payments. Here is how the mall looked on Nov. 11, 1993.

Fill out the form below, or send your stories to reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com to have them featured in an upcoming story. You can email photos as well.

Have a suggestion for other nostalgic memories from SLO County’s history you want us to dive into? Send those recommendations along as well. We can’t wait to see what you all dig up.