CLEARWATER, Fla. — Opened in 1975 — with its iconic ice-skating rink coming three years later — Countryside Mall in Clearwater has been a community social hub for 50 years.
But as the shopping and eating center celebrates this major milestone, it's leaning even more into its "local" role.
More and more mall space is being filled by local vendors and merchants.
Bacon Street Diner — a thriving brunch spot with Instagrammable deliciousness — is a mom-and-pop restaurant owned by a Palm Harbor couple.
The brand new Launch Family Entertainment is a locally owned fun zone with bowling alleys, a trampoline and obstacle course, arcade games and more.
Market in the Mall celebrates dozens of area makers, giving many of them their first brick-and-mortar experience.
The first weekend of September, Countryside Mall is inviting the community to a series of free events, including ice-skating shows, a food showcase and more.
For a full list of 50th anniversary events at Countryside Mall, go here.
For more Sean Daly stories, follow him on Instagram at @seandalytv.
'That day hurts me a lot,' Brothers to the Rescue pilot says Raul Castro faces indictment over 1996 shootdown
A Brothers to the Rescue pilot from Tampa says U.S. officials plan to indict Raul Castro on May 20 over the 1996 shootdown of two American planes that killed four people.
