marston's (later the broadway) and montgomery ward were the original two anchor stores. marston's, which had a location in downtown san diego, had begun consultations in 1956 to choose the site of the grossmont center store, their first branch location. the store design featured of moldings, gold leaf lettering, murals painted by five artists, and a gothic-style canopy over its entry. other major tenants included longs drugs, a barbershop, several shoe stores, a florist, a fabric shop, a jeweler, and two dime stores: s. h. kress & co. and f. w. woolworth company.