Plaza del Sol, Guadalajara’s first commercial mall, located at the convergence of Avenidas Lopez Mateos and Mariano Otero, marked its 50th anniversary this week.
Inaugurated on November 25, 1969, the mall was located on the western fringes of the city in a sparsely populated area. No one really knew whether the mall would be accepted, since there was no precedent in the city. The 12 founders of the mall were all respected local citizens and ran well-known family businesses, including Tiendas Maxi, Fábricas de Francia, Mueblerías Bertha, Casa Baruqui and Ferreterías Calzada. While the design of the mall may seem dated in comparison to today’s plusher facilities, Plaza del Sol is still one of Guadalajara’s most popular shopping centers, with around 275 outlets offering a large range of merchandise.