If you live in Cleveland Park, or have ever seen a movie at the Uptown, you will recognize the photo below. This is the Park and Shop at Connecticut Ave. and Ordway St.

It was built in 1930 as one of the country’s oldest strip malls.

The development was done by Shannon & Luchs, and at the time was a major departure from existing commercial development plans. Parking had become a major problem for commercial areas, and creating a large setback from the street to allow for parking was a major boon to shoppers and store owners alike.

Check out the invitation for a public opening on Friday, December 5th, 1930. This was published that day in the Washington Post.