1965: Westown Shopping Center: Part 3
Westown Rising: Big Dreams, Big Deals, and Big Community Spirit (1965)
One of the Largest Commercial Loans in Utah's History Fuels Granger’s Bold New Future
In mid-1965, the future of the Westown Shopping Center in Granger was officially cemented with the announcement of a $6.5 million loan from Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company—at the time, one of the largest commercial loans ever made in Utah. This infusion of capital funded the first phase of construction for what was billed as a modern retail center unlike anything previously seen west of Salt Lake City.
The development was spearheaded by 35/40 Inc., led by local visionaries including Lester Wade, who saw Granger and Hunter not as outposts, but as the new heart of Salt Lake Valley’s suburban growth. The loan, facilitated by local manager Donald R. Huenger, covered 420,000 square feet of retail space.
Work had already begun on the Woolco store—118,000 square feet of cutting-edge retail, complete with a Red Grille Restaurant, full-line departments, and even an automotive center. Meanwhile, Auerbach’s Department Store—planning a 179,000 square foot, three-story building—announced its groundbreaking would begin in just a few weeks.
Confirmed tenants continued to grow, including:
Dan’s Foodtown
Zions First National Bank
Kinney Shoes
Wally’s Flowers
GEM Music Co.
Hatch Hallmark
Harman’s Take Home
Kay’s Men’s Wear
Baker’s Shoes
Mode-O-Day
Rollnick’s Shoes
Mountain Fuel Supply
Zale Jewelry
Muir Barbershop
Harman’s Hardware & Appliance
Auerbach’s Auto Accessories
House of Fabrics
The completed Westown Shopping Center would boast over 650,000 square feet of space with 50+ stores, constructed with steel and masonry. It would feature something revolutionary for the time: a $1.6 million “Total Energy” system using nine turbines to automatically generate and adjust heating, cooling, and electricity based on demand—a forerunner to today’s smart energy systems.
Jaycee and Jayceette Pride: Civic Spirit and Parade Glory
While Westown was rising, community pride and civic engagement were thriving, led by the local Jaycees and Jaycee-ettes. These groups weren’t just holding meetings—they were building award-winning Days of ’47 Parade floats, organizing fundraisers, and launching innovative civic programs for teens.
The Granger Jaycee-ettes, in particular, earned first place for their float in both the Salt Lake Days of ’47 Parade (out-of-town division) and the Magna Civic Club Parade. Their float, decorated in a “Pioneers of Progress” theme using modern pom-pom art, carried Miss Granger, Patricia Soutas, and her attendants Myrna Woodbury and Lavell Bennion.
Meanwhile, over in Kearns, the Miss Kearns float—featuring Susan Cafarelli (Miss Kearns 1965–66)—won the Grand Entry Award at the Magna Parade and placed top three in Salt Lake’s Days of ’47 out-of-town division. Built by the Kearns Jaycees and Jaycee-ettes, the float was a labor of love—completed at 1:30 a.m. the night before the parade!
From dances at the Village Green Condominiums, to community meetings at the Coachman Inn, to the creation of one of the country’s first Jaycette girls’ clubs for teens ages 13–19, these women (and the men they worked alongside) helped knit together the fabric of growing neighborhoods.
A Community in Motion
This moment in 1965 represents something more than just a shopping center or a pretty float. It was a turning point—a snapshot of Granger and Hunter boldly stepping into the future with vision, investment, and community unity.
From multimillion-dollar financing deals to homemade floats built in garages, the people of this area showed what could happen when business, civic pride, and optimism came together.
