 Strawbridge & Clothier was the first store to open in September, 1978.It included a tall clock tower outside and a restaurant on a second floor balcony above the mall entrance overlooking a large inverted water fountain in which water cascaded into a deep pool in the middle.Shortly after, on October 16, 1978, the first phase of the mall opened to the public which included small shops from Strawbridge & Clothier to the Bamberger's court (which is now Macy's) which included a second fountain.