The Fair Store, Randhurst Mall, Mt Prospect 1963

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1963, showcases the exterior of The Fair department store at Randhurst Mall in Mt Prospect, Illinois. The archival image highlights the store’s distinct mid-century architectural style, consisting of a large red brick wing accented by a grid of small, square white window frames, and a secondary tan-colored wing. The bold, cursive script of “the FAIR” signage is visible on both sections of the building. In the background, the mall’s famous white geodesic dome—a landmark of 1960s engineering—rises above the retail complex. The vast asphalt parking lot in the foreground is occupied by various period automobiles, including a red and white 1956 Ford Fairlane and several full-sized sedans. The Fair was one of the original anchors of Randhurst Mall, which was the first enclosed, multi-level shopping center in the Chicago suburbs. Shortly after this photo was taken, the store was rebranded as Montgomery Ward. While the original enclosed mall structure was demolished in 2008 to create the open-air Randhurst Village, this factual record preserves the massive scale and unique design of the original shopping center during its first year of operation. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.