In the summer of 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Die Hard were burning up the movie screens, artists like George Michael and Debbie Gibson were rocking the airwaves and, at the corner of Markham Street and University Avenue, the "new" Park Plaza opened its doors to avid shoppers and mall-hungry central Arkansas teenagers. (The original shopping center opened in 1960 and was updated to a mall in 1988.)
Now people can relive the era in all its shoulder-padded, blue-eyeshadowed glory at Park Plaza's 30th Anniversary Celebration, Friday and Saturday.
Park Plaza 30th Anniversary Celebration
Today-Saturday, Park Plaza Mall, Markham Street and University Avenue, Little Rock
Admission: Free
(501) 664-4956
bit.ly/2O0AVT5
"We're going to celebrate all things '80s," says the mall's marketing director, Alicia Easley.
The highlight of the weekend, "most definitely," Easley says, will be a concert by pop icon Tiffany.
"She obviously toured malls in the '80s and that's how she got her start," Easley says. "It makes sense to put that together."
The concert will actually be outside the mall, in the Dillard's east parking lot at the corner of Markham and University. While the concert itself starts at 7 p.m., a DJ will start playing retro tunes at 6 p.m. and Chick-fil-A will sell food. Lawn chairs are encouraged and so is '80s attire.
Easley says, "Feel free to get here early. Set up a chair, pick a spot, hang out, have a Chick-fil-A, beat the rush. Wear your '80s best out here. Live it up."
Admission is free, but the mall asks people to donate two canned goods for the Arkansas Foodbank.
Easley also recommends people not try to use the mall's south entrance on Friday, since they'll be using part of that outdoor space: "Try to go behind the mall and either park in the parking deck or the west end of Dillard's," she says.
The Tiffany concert won't be the only '80s flashback.
On Friday, the cosmetics department at Dillard's will give '80s beauty makeovers. Cartoon characters Hello Kitty and Michelangelo (of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) will be near Dillard's men's department for a meet and greet. They'll be joined by Smurfette and Mario on Saturday.
On Saturday, children can make slap bracelets with help from the Little Rock Police Department and Dillard's will host a back-to-school fashion show.
To set the mood, a DJ will play '80s music on both days.
"I think it'll be fun," Easley says. "A lot of people will be rushing to get last minute back-to-school things. You'll be here anyway to pick up last-minute backpacks or tennis shoes so just come and relive the nostalgia."
Besides, "How many people can say they saw Tiffany perform at a mall?"
Weekend on 08/09/2018