Aladdin’s Castle: Southbridge Mall

Southbridge Mall opened in 1970 in Mason City, Iowa, and for decades its central arcade was run by Aladdin’s Castle. Local newspaper clippings from 1988 advertise its newest games—Ridge Racer and NBA Jam.

School groups often organized mid‐winter excursions there, taking advantage of the arcade’s “ski holiday” token discounts.

The arcade closed by 2001 when the mall struggled; the space is now offices, but Mason City residents still recall it as a bright spot in long Iowa winters.