Step back to the 1980s with vintage Maine Mall photos

The Maine Mall in South Portland opened in 1971. In 1983, it underwent a major expansion that doubled its size. Over the years, stores have come and gone, but the mall has remained a popular destination for generations of shoppers and hungry people who love to hit the food court. Here are six photos from the ’80s of scenes from the Maine Mall, including Stephen King at Waldenbooks, an Up with People performance and a look at the fabled Dream Machine arcade. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Maine-Mall-1983-historical-photo-070226.jpg) Author Stephen King signs books at Waldenbooks at the Maine Mall on Dec. 2, 1983. (Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Maine-Maine-FIVE-historical-photo-070226.jpg) A young girl tries her luck on the Atari TX-1 at the Dream Machine arcade at the Maine Mall in August 1984. (Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Maine-Mall-FOUR-historical-photo-070226.jpg) A trippy photo of the Dream Machine arcade in August 1984. (Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Maine-Mall-1984-historical-photo-070226.jpg) Members of the community outreach group Up with People perform at the Maine Mall in July 1984. (Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Maine-Mall-THREE-1984-historical-photo-070226.jpg) Up with People members dance by the Woolworth at the Maine Mall in July 1984. (Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Maine-Mall-TWO-1984-historical-photo-070226.jpg) Up with People members sing at the mall. (Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives) Copy the Story Link Tagged: [Throwback photo](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/throwback-photo/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/aimsel-ponti) [Aimsel PontiStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/aimsel-ponti) Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. [More by Aimsel Ponti](https://www.pressherald.com/author/aimsel-ponti)