Summer 1964: The Dream That Built a Corner —
The Birth of the 3500 South & 4000 West Shopping Center
In the summer of 1964, what was then a quiet stretch of farmland at the corner of 3500 South and 4000 West was poised for a transformation. Announced with great anticipation by the 35-40 Corporation, a sweeping plan for a major shopping center was unveiled—promising to bring modern commerce, jobs, and growth to the heart of the southwest Salt Lake Valley.
Led by Leon “Pete” Harman, president of the corporation and already a community visionary, the proposed center would sit on 48 acres of prime land and cost more than $5.5 million—a massive investment for its time. Plans called for an impressive 492,000 square feet of floor space and a diverse mix of tenants: a major department store, a junior department store, a super discount outlet, several national chains, and grocery markets. Leasing efforts began immediately, and interest was strong.
Harman believed deeply in the strategic value of the site. With 3500 South slated to become a four-lane highway, and major north-south traffic corridors including 4000 West, 3600 West, and the proposed State Highway near 3800 West, the location was ideal to support a regional retail hub.
Behind the scenes, respected community leaders and professionals came together to move the vision forward. Lester Wade, a former Ogden bank officer turned Salt Lake mortgage expert, served as chairman and general manager. James Fenton, a security dealer, was vice president, and the prominent architectural firm Bruce McDermott & Associates was selected to design the complex. Financing letters of intent had already been secured from a mortgage company and Zions First National Bank—a clear signal that this dream had the muscle to become reality.
The announcement came with a splash of fun: a naming contest hosted by the 35-40 Corporation and the Valley View News. The community was invited to submit name ideas for what would eventually become the Granger-Hunter Shopping Center, with a brand-new GE color television offered as the grand prize.
The site, owned by Harman and his associates, would go on to serve as a vital commercial hub in what would later become West Valley City. Over the next six decades, businesses would come and go, roads would expand, and neighborhoods would blossom around it. But it all started with a visionary plan, a few bold leaders, and the belief that this corner of the valley could be so much more.
Pete Harman’s legacy didn’t stop there. Best known as one of the founding forces behind Kentucky Fried Chicken, Harman also left his mark on the valley through his generosity and civic leadership. He played key roles in the establishment of the West Valley Senior Center, helped preserve and maintain the Taylorsville Cemetery, and supported the arts through projects like Hale Centre Theatre. His contributions to the quality of life in this community are nearly immeasurable.
Today, as we look at the bustling crossroads of 3500 South and 4000 West, it’s hard to imagine that once it was just open land and big dreams. But thanks to Pete Harman and the team behind the 35-40 Corporation, that summer of 1964 was the beginning of something remarkable—a foundation for sixty years of growth, commerce, and community.
