In the Wonderland of the Americas shopping mall, the Rhodes Brothers department store was constructed first, followed next by the Wonder Theater.
At the time of its opening in 1961, the mall boasted 650,000 square feet of air-conditioned shopping area, 62 stores, and two anchors, a 2-level Montgomery Ward in a 149,000 square foot store and a 66,000 square foot Handy Andy supermarket. In 1963, construction began on a 155,800 square foot Rhodes Brothers department store, which opened the next year. 
In 1963, construction began on a 155,800 square foot Rhodes Brothers department store, which opened the next year. This was soon followed by the construction of the Wonder Theater, which showed its first film in November 1966. September 14, 1961 Wonderland of the Americas 
