Kmart Burwood East, Eastland, Myer: How shopping centres have changed

From Australia’s first Kmart to the early days of Eastland, amazing photos show how our shopping centres have grown.

Melbourne shopping centres then and now – there’s been no shortage of development over the years.

From the opening of Australia’s first Kmart in Burwood East, to shopping for bargains at the Myer basement in Bourke St, amazing photos show how our shopping centres have grown.

From the early days of tucking into a pie with mashed potatoes and peas in the Coles cafeteria, to playing on the rocket ship at Forest Hill Chase, take a walk down memory lane with these images.

KMART BURWOOD EAST

Prams lined up outside Kmart as shoppers headed inside.

The store in the 1960s.

Walking up Burwood Highway in 1969, the year Kmart opened.

The carpark in 1969.

Busy at the check-outs.

Shoppers flocked to the store at midnight after lockdown finally ended in 2021. Picture: Josie Hayden

A more recent shot of the store, now open 24 hours.

FOREST HILL CHASE

The centre in 1979.

A recent shot of the Canterbury Rd corner.

Forest “Hills” shopping centre in 1968.

The centre in 2007. Picture: John Young, Victorian Places

The Mahoneys Rd entrance. Picture: Forest Hill Chase Facebook

The same entrance in 2003.

The centre in 1989.

An entrance to the centre in 2020.

In April 1965 a multi-level, children's climbing structure in the shape of a rocket was installed in the eastern garden forecourt, next to the radio booth, of the then Forest Hill Shopping Centre. It has been at Syndal South Primary school since 1987 in the playground. Picture: Lost Melbourne Facebook page

The rocket ship at Syndal South Primary School. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

EASTLAND

Eastland Ringwood opened in 1967.

The early days of the centre.

A current shot of Eastland, including a new dining precinct, and hotel next door.

BOURKE STREET MALL

Shoppers hunting for goodies in The Bargain Basement at the Myer Emporium in 1952.

Shoppers return to shopping in Bourke Street Mall on the first Saturday after the last lockdown ended in 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

The exterior of the Myer Emporium in 1952.

The Myer clock in 1997.

An interesting seating set up in Bourke St Mall in 1982.

Smartly dressed shoppers in 1974.

Busy Bourke St in 2022. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

COLES

Many shoppers remember dining in The Coles Cafeteria.

Shoppers in Coles Bourke St in 1987.

The days of dining in are sadly over, but the new Coles Local store at Camerwell sells a huge range of cheeses, warm flat breads, and ice creams to take home.

THE JAM FACTORY

The Jam Factory in Chapel St, Prahran, in 1973 before it was converted into a shopping, entertainment and tourist set-up.

A rooftop bar, hotel, luxury apartments and a giant entertainment and retail precinct will be at the centre of the drastically renovated Jam Factory, it was revealed last year. An artist's impression of the reimagined site. Picture: Supplied.

DAIMARU/MELBOURNE CENTRAL

Daimaru department store in Melbourne Central shopping centre before it closed in 2002.

Shoppers grabbed last minute bargains.

A worker cleans the large Daimaru clock at night.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte with Melbourne Town Crier Ian Morrison under the clock in 2016.

THE ROYAL ARCADE

The Royal Arcade in 1934.

People walk through the arcade in 2022. Picture: Ian Currie.