Time again to visit the yesteryear’s shopping experience. Here are some fresh assorted postcards from two different shopping centers in Sweden, one from Stockholm and the other one from Gothenburg. I have only visited the latter a couple of times, and it is still there – but it looks slightly different today (as many other things from the past). Enjoy Keith!

Trams are a thing of the past. Nowadays, they have been replaced by buses, subways or cars. Sweden have had its share of trams. I can name at least five major cities that had them. Stockholm was one of them, but the Stockholm transport authority decided to remove them when Sweden switched from left side, to right side traffic in 1967. The cost of replacing cars and what not would have been too big.

Malmö (third biggest city in Sweden) on the other hand, decided to convert their remaining tram cars to right side traffic, which prolonged the tram service until 1973. When it was decided that too few people used the remaining lines and cars. The transport authority felt that buses were cheaper and easier to maintain. I have been lucky enough get hold of some photos taken on the last day of the tram service in Malmö, April 27, 1973. I’ve always felt that a tram service in a city makes it more alive and more pleasant. But I guess, it really is a thing of the past.

I have a keen movie interest and I try to fit as many movies as possible into my busy schedule each week, although my spare time seams to have become smaller and smaller recently. However, I would like to recommend some lush movies I have seen the past. Most of them are what most people would refer to as “oldies” (why does that name have a bad ring to it?), but I think some of the best movies was made in the 50s, 60s and 70s. If you are thinking that I am going to recommend huge masterpiece by famous directors, you are wrong. I watch movies that make me feel good, happy or movies that has a certain feel to them. And that is all that counts.

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Time for another visit to yesteryears shopping malls in Sweden, this time focusing on a gem located in the suburbs of Gothenburg in the southwest parts of Sweden. The Frölunda Torg mall was built in 1966 and was by its completion the biggest mall in Europe. It took seven years and 80 million Swedish Krona (approx. $100 000 000) to complete it.

In 1974, another 13.300 squaremeters was added with 14 new shops and one restaurant. In the 1983 there was another big expansion phase, when Domus (ex nationwide department store chain) moved out from two of their three levels in the mall and made room for another 11 stores. Today there are over 100 stores and 11 restaurants located within Frölunda Torg, but all the swank and lush design has been rebuilt to unrecognition. You can find their current website here.

UPDATE: Turns out that the design and layout of the mall hasn’t changed that much over the years as I suggested, but in a recent proposal they have major changes and additions planned for it.

Postcards from various shopping centers, malls and department stores in Sweden from the 1960s and 1970s. Pay attention to the various plants, swank architecture and lovely colors.

Have you started making your Christmas shopping yet? If not, take a trip to the northern parts of Sweden and visit this Tempo department store. Sure looks swell with all the busy people running around.