Photo from Wikipedia / "NitekMobilian"
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
BEL AIR MALL in the beginning. Forty-sum years ago, the center
was a 514,000 square foot venue of fifty inline tenants....all on a
single level.
BEL AIR MALL in 1974. The new, 409,200 square foot Penney's
Wing had just been completed. It added over thirty new stores to
the directory.
A 2008 plan of Alabama's second-largest shopping center. From
humble beginnings -as a two-anchor complex- it had evolved
into a 1.3 million square foot -five-anchor- megamall, featuring
one hundred and six inline stores. In November of '08, a Forever
21 opened, using 3/5 of the space originally occupied by the F.W.
Woolworth 5 and dime.
The mall's outparcel Bel Air Cinema (now abandoned) is seen on the
left. The tall building is the Region's (Bank) Tower.
Photo from "NitekKetin"
Center Court and its Carousel.
Photo from www.colonialprop.com (Colonial Properties Trust)
BEL AIR's Parisian opened in February 1984. It was expanded in 1996
and "Belked" in 2007.
Photo from NitekKetin"
BEL AIR MALL
Airport and Bel Air Boulevards
Mobile, Alabama
Alabama's fourth enclosed shopping center, BEL AIR MALL, sits on a 99 acre parcel, 4 miles west of center city Mobile. The complex, designed by D.C.-based Herbert H. Johnson and Associates, was developed by the Mobile-based Mitchell Company, along with Kenneth R. Giddens, William Lyon and Jay Altmayer.
The original, single-level venue encompassed 514,600 square feet. Its anchor stores were a 1-level (104,400 square foot), Mobile-based Hammel's and 1-level (142,800 square foot) Sears.
There was an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10, as well as Lerner Shops, Singer Sewing Center and a Winn Dixie supermarket. The grand opening at BEL AIR MALL took place August 16, 1967.
The complex was located across Airport Boulevard from SPRINGDALE CENTER, which had opened in 1959. This open-air plaza was renovated into an enclosed shopping venue in 1974.
As a one-up measure, a 409,200 square foot, north-south wing was added to BEL AIR MALL . It featured a 2-level (191,000 square foot) J.C. Penney.
This expansion also included a new second level for the Hammel's store, which had been rebranded by New Orleans-based D.H. Holmes in 1973. This location now encompassed 208,900 square feet, with the entire mall housing 1,023,800 leasable square feet.
With its new expansion, BEL AIR was Alabama's largest shopping mall, a distinction held until the 1986 completion of Birmingham's 1.2 million square foot RIVERCHASE GALLERIA.
Birmingham-based Parisian built a 1-level (90,000 square foot) store at BEL AIR, which was completed in February 1984. This was part of a 127,000 square foot expansion of the existing north-south wing, which included a new Food Court.
In 1989, the Hammel's / Holmes had a new nameplate attached, that of Little Rock-based Dillard's. The following year, the mall was given a major facelift, with new signage, exterior landscaping, new exterior facades and entrances.
This was followed by a third augmentation of mall floor space, in 1996. This 40 million dollar construction project included a 1-level (116,000 square foot) Target, 90,000 more square feet, a second level and new exterior for Sears and expansion of the existing Parisian into adjacent store area, overtaking the former Food Court. The new Parisian housed 126,000 square feet; the recently-expanded BEL AIR MALL, 1,331,074 square feet.
Birmingham-based Colonial Properties Trust acquired the center in December 1998, renaming it COLONIAL MALL BEL AIR in the summer of 2000.
In November 2005, they sold a 90 percent share in the shopping venue; the buyer being an Australia-based joint venture of the GPT Group and Babcock and Brown. Colonial continued to take care of the mall's management and leasing but soon farmed this job out to Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle.
Meanwhile, in August 2005, COLONIAL MALL BEL AIR suffered a minor hit from Hurricane Katrina. The center reopened in 3 days. In 10 days, it encountered a surge of business, as there were no other large shopping centers open along the devastated coastline. It was likened to a Christmas rush that continued for several months.
The most recent changes at the shopping venue occurred in 2007, when the mall's official name reverted to BEL AIR MALL. In September, Parisian was rebranded by Charlotte-based Belk.
Sources:
"Bel Air Mall" article on Wikipedia
www.deadmalls.com
Joey M., Mobile resident
Business Wire, November 29, 2005
www.semoonchang.com
www.colonialproperties.com
www.joneslanglasalle.com
Airport and Bel Air Boulevards
Mobile, Alabama
Alabama's fourth enclosed shopping center, BEL AIR MALL, sits on a 99 acre parcel, 4 miles west of center city Mobile. The complex, designed by D.C.-based Herbert H. Johnson and Associates, was developed by the Mobile-based Mitchell Company, along with Kenneth R. Giddens, William Lyon and Jay Altmayer.
The original, single-level venue encompassed 514,600 square feet. Its anchor stores were a 1-level (104,400 square foot), Mobile-based Hammel's and 1-level (142,800 square foot) Sears.
There was an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10, as well as Lerner Shops, Singer Sewing Center and a Winn Dixie supermarket. The grand opening at BEL AIR MALL took place August 16, 1967.
The complex was located across Airport Boulevard from SPRINGDALE CENTER, which had opened in 1959. This open-air plaza was renovated into an enclosed shopping venue in 1974.
As a one-up measure, a 409,200 square foot, north-south wing was added to BEL AIR MALL . It featured a 2-level (191,000 square foot) J.C. Penney.
This expansion also included a new second level for the Hammel's store, which had been rebranded by New Orleans-based D.H. Holmes in 1973. This location now encompassed 208,900 square feet, with the entire mall housing 1,023,800 leasable square feet.
With its new expansion, BEL AIR was Alabama's largest shopping mall, a distinction held until the 1986 completion of Birmingham's 1.2 million square foot RIVERCHASE GALLERIA.
Birmingham-based Parisian built a 1-level (90,000 square foot) store at BEL AIR, which was completed in February 1984. This was part of a 127,000 square foot expansion of the existing north-south wing, which included a new Food Court.
In 1989, the Hammel's / Holmes had a new nameplate attached, that of Little Rock-based Dillard's. The following year, the mall was given a major facelift, with new signage, exterior landscaping, new exterior facades and entrances.
This was followed by a third augmentation of mall floor space, in 1996. This 40 million dollar construction project included a 1-level (116,000 square foot) Target, 90,000 more square feet, a second level and new exterior for Sears and expansion of the existing Parisian into adjacent store area, overtaking the former Food Court. The new Parisian housed 126,000 square feet; the recently-expanded BEL AIR MALL, 1,331,074 square feet.
Birmingham-based Colonial Properties Trust acquired the center in December 1998, renaming it COLONIAL MALL BEL AIR in the summer of 2000.
In November 2005, they sold a 90 percent share in the shopping venue; the buyer being an Australia-based joint venture of the GPT Group and Babcock and Brown. Colonial continued to take care of the mall's management and leasing but soon farmed this job out to Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle.
Meanwhile, in August 2005, COLONIAL MALL BEL AIR suffered a minor hit from Hurricane Katrina. The center reopened in 3 days. In 10 days, it encountered a surge of business, as there were no other large shopping centers open along the devastated coastline. It was likened to a Christmas rush that continued for several months.
The most recent changes at the shopping venue occurred in 2007, when the mall's official name reverted to BEL AIR MALL. In September, Parisian was rebranded by Charlotte-based Belk.
Sources:
"Bel Air Mall" article on Wikipedia
www.deadmalls.com
Joey M., Mobile resident
Business Wire, November 29, 2005
www.semoonchang.com
www.colonialproperties.com
www.joneslanglasalle.com
Jacksonville's Regency Square Mall
A '60s cool, Mid-Mod mall interior if there ever was one! Here we see
the Center Court and Fountain. Woolworth is to the left.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
A '60s cool, Mid-Mod mall interior if there ever was one! Here we see
the Center Court and Fountain. Woolworth is to the left.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
The first incarnation of the North Florida shopping venue. At the time,
the dumbell layout complex housed 670,000 leasable square feet.
A contemporary view of the mall's Main Entrance, which is at the front
of the original, circa-'67 center.
Photo from "The SuzyQs"
The Food Court Entrance, on the north-facing side of the complex.
Photo from "The SuzyQs"
REGENCY SQUARE MALL
Arlington Expressway and Monument Road
Duval County, Florida
Jacksonville's first enclosed shopping center, NORMANDY MALL, was completed in 1963. Next came GATEWAY CENTER, in 1966, which was a climate-controlled structure added to an existing (circa-1958) strip shopping plaza.
REGENCY SQUARE, the city's third interior mall, was completed in 1967. Developed by the Jacksonville-based Regency Group, the venue was located on a 106 acre plot, 7 miles east of downtown Jacksonville.
The original anchors of the 670,000 square foot, single-level complex were a 2-level (188,800 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (105,300 square foot), Jacksonville-based May-Cohen. Other charter tenants included F.W. Woolworth, Charlotte-based Ivey's, Russell Stover Candies and the -single-screen- Regency Cinema.
At the time of the grand opening, the mall site was within unincorporated Duval County. A metro consolidation election was held in August 1967, whereby Jacksonville and the entire county (save for four previously-existing cities) became a single political jurisdiction. In October 1968, REGENCY SQUARE MALL officially became a part of the corporate limits of Jacksonville.
The first expansion of mall space was completed in 1982. A 2-level (191,417 square foot) Sears and 2-level (115,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward were added as part of a 1-level, 500,000 square foot, West Wing.
A second addition to the mall was completed in 1992. It included a 2-level (188,300 square foot) Dillard's and 27,600 square feet of new retail area.
The first anchor rebrandings at REGENCY SQUARE had transpired in the late 1980s, when its May-Cohen had brief stints as a May Company Florida and then New Orleans-based Maison Blanche. In 1992, the store became a Mobile-based Gayfer's, a nameplate it sported until Gayfer's was bought, and rebranded, by Charlotte-based Belk in 1998.
Soon after, this store was expanded to 195,600 square feet, with the mall, itself, emerging from a 2-year (30 million dollar) facelift renovation. The shuttered Woolworth had been made into a Food Court and a 6-screen, outparcel multiplex was replaced with a 24-screen venue.
In late 1999, Chicago-based General Growth Properties purchased the holdings of Dallas-based MEPC America Properties, with REGENCY SQUARE being added to the GGP portfolio.
A new century brought a second mall renovation. This time around, the existing Food Court was expanded into newly-built space. The year 2000 was also when the Montgomery Ward was shuttered.
By this time, old and new commercial competitors were sharing the REGENCY SQUARE market area. THE AVENUES MALL (1990), in the south city/county, was the original retail rival of REGENCY SQUARE.
The year 2005 brought on three new lifetyle centers; ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER {in the southwest city / county}, RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE {in the far north suburbs} and KENDALL TOWN CENTER {immediately north of REGENCY SQUARE}.
Thus far, the forty-sum year-old mall appears to be holding its own.
Sources:
Malls of America Blogspot, Keith Milford webmaster
www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
www.referenceforbusiness.com
www.jacksonville.com
www.historicaltextarchive.com
Jacksonville Business Journal
www.coj.net (Jax property info)
Arlington Expressway and Monument Road
Duval County, Florida
Jacksonville's first enclosed shopping center, NORMANDY MALL, was completed in 1963. Next came GATEWAY CENTER, in 1966, which was a climate-controlled structure added to an existing (circa-1958) strip shopping plaza.
REGENCY SQUARE, the city's third interior mall, was completed in 1967. Developed by the Jacksonville-based Regency Group, the venue was located on a 106 acre plot, 7 miles east of downtown Jacksonville.
The original anchors of the 670,000 square foot, single-level complex were a 2-level (188,800 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (105,300 square foot), Jacksonville-based May-Cohen. Other charter tenants included F.W. Woolworth, Charlotte-based Ivey's, Russell Stover Candies and the -single-screen- Regency Cinema.
At the time of the grand opening, the mall site was within unincorporated Duval County. A metro consolidation election was held in August 1967, whereby Jacksonville and the entire county (save for four previously-existing cities) became a single political jurisdiction. In October 1968, REGENCY SQUARE MALL officially became a part of the corporate limits of Jacksonville.
The first expansion of mall space was completed in 1982. A 2-level (191,417 square foot) Sears and 2-level (115,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward were added as part of a 1-level, 500,000 square foot, West Wing.
A second addition to the mall was completed in 1992. It included a 2-level (188,300 square foot) Dillard's and 27,600 square feet of new retail area.
The first anchor rebrandings at REGENCY SQUARE had transpired in the late 1980s, when its May-Cohen had brief stints as a May Company Florida and then New Orleans-based Maison Blanche. In 1992, the store became a Mobile-based Gayfer's, a nameplate it sported until Gayfer's was bought, and rebranded, by Charlotte-based Belk in 1998.
Soon after, this store was expanded to 195,600 square feet, with the mall, itself, emerging from a 2-year (30 million dollar) facelift renovation. The shuttered Woolworth had been made into a Food Court and a 6-screen, outparcel multiplex was replaced with a 24-screen venue.
In late 1999, Chicago-based General Growth Properties purchased the holdings of Dallas-based MEPC America Properties, with REGENCY SQUARE being added to the GGP portfolio.
A new century brought a second mall renovation. This time around, the existing Food Court was expanded into newly-built space. The year 2000 was also when the Montgomery Ward was shuttered.
By this time, old and new commercial competitors were sharing the REGENCY SQUARE market area. THE AVENUES MALL (1990), in the south city/county, was the original retail rival of REGENCY SQUARE.
The year 2005 brought on three new lifetyle centers; ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER {in the southwest city / county}, RIVER CITY MARKETPLACE {in the far north suburbs} and KENDALL TOWN CENTER {immediately north of REGENCY SQUARE}.
Thus far, the forty-sum year-old mall appears to be holding its own.
Sources:
Malls of America Blogspot, Keith Milford webmaster
www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
www.referenceforbusiness.com
www.jacksonville.com
www.historicaltextarchive.com
Jacksonville Business Journal
www.coj.net (Jax property info)
A circa-'73 site plan, with the newly-completed Sears. There
are several "very '70s" retailers inline at the time, including
J. Riggings ("Clothes To Go..."), Casual Corner, The Bottom
Half and Pier One Imports.
NORTHGATE MALL TENANTS 1972:
MILLER BROTHERS / J.C. PENNEY (with outparcel Auto Center) / Der Stein Restaurant and Bar / Men’s Den Barber Shop / Vanita's Beauty Shop / Paraphernalia ladies apparel/ Dr. C. Michael Phillips, DDS / General Shale Products / State Farm Insurance / Northgate Shoe Repair / NORTHGATE CINEMA (with interior entrance) / Modern Bridal / Russell’s Tuxedo Rental / Cardan’s Jewelry / Size 5-7-9 Shop / Romay / Lillie Rubin ladies apparel / Ira Trivers / Bakers Shoes / Hardy Shoes / Jarman Shoes / Parklane Hosiery / Mrs. Stover’s Candies / Motherhood Maternity / Baskin Robbins Ice Cream / J. Riggings apparel / Gateway Card Shop / General Nutrition Center / G.C. MURPHY / Anderson-Little / Frederick’s of Hollywood / Fifth Avenue Cards / Wicks ‘N Sticks / Pelican Pipe / Cheese Villa / Ace Uniforms / American Wig Center / PICCADILLY CAFETERIA / Hour Glass Gifts / Optical Fashion Center / Waldenbooks / Young Age / Helen Gallagher / Mary Lester Fabrics / Swiss Colony / Singer Sewing Center / Pet-A-Rama / Bottom Half apparel / Carousel Snack Bar / Craig’s Shoes / Once Upon a Happy House / Merle Norman Cosmetics / Hamilton National Bank / Arts and Craft Center / Cosmopolitan Health Spa / Zales Jewelers / Tie 'N Tac Shac / ECKERD DRUG / Susie’s Casuals / Butler Shoes / Record Bar / Chess King apparel / Thom McAn Shoes / Lerner Shops / Kinney Shoes / Young Men’s Shops / Casual Corner / Pier 1 Imports / KROGER supermarket (outparcel) / SEARS (with outparcel Auto Center) [opened late 1972]
MILLER BROTHERS / J.C. PENNEY (with outparcel Auto Center) / Der Stein Restaurant and Bar / Men’s Den Barber Shop / Vanita's Beauty Shop / Paraphernalia ladies apparel/ Dr. C. Michael Phillips, DDS / General Shale Products / State Farm Insurance / Northgate Shoe Repair / NORTHGATE CINEMA (with interior entrance) / Modern Bridal / Russell’s Tuxedo Rental / Cardan’s Jewelry / Size 5-7-9 Shop / Romay / Lillie Rubin ladies apparel / Ira Trivers / Bakers Shoes / Hardy Shoes / Jarman Shoes / Parklane Hosiery / Mrs. Stover’s Candies / Motherhood Maternity / Baskin Robbins Ice Cream / J. Riggings apparel / Gateway Card Shop / General Nutrition Center / G.C. MURPHY / Anderson-Little / Frederick’s of Hollywood / Fifth Avenue Cards / Wicks ‘N Sticks / Pelican Pipe / Cheese Villa / Ace Uniforms / American Wig Center / PICCADILLY CAFETERIA / Hour Glass Gifts / Optical Fashion Center / Waldenbooks / Young Age / Helen Gallagher / Mary Lester Fabrics / Swiss Colony / Singer Sewing Center / Pet-A-Rama / Bottom Half apparel / Carousel Snack Bar / Craig’s Shoes / Once Upon a Happy House / Merle Norman Cosmetics / Hamilton National Bank / Arts and Craft Center / Cosmopolitan Health Spa / Zales Jewelers / Tie 'N Tac Shac / ECKERD DRUG / Susie’s Casuals / Butler Shoes / Record Bar / Chess King apparel / Thom McAn Shoes / Lerner Shops / Kinney Shoes / Young Men’s Shops / Casual Corner / Pier 1 Imports / KROGER supermarket (outparcel) / SEARS (with outparcel Auto Center) [opened late 1972]
A vintage, northward view from Center Court. How about stepping
into Record Bar (third store on the left) to see if they have any of
those new compact discs?
Photo from Northgate Mall brochure, circa-1982
Originally a Chattanooga-based Miller Brothers, the mall's north
anchor had a new "Miller's" nameplate by the early 1980s.
Photo from Northgate Mall brochure, circa-1982
The NORTHGATE MALL Sears with its original nameplate.
Photo from Northgate Mall brochure, circa-1982
The mall's J.C. Penney was among the first stores in the chain to sport
the company's new logo. The circa-'60s "New Look" trademark had been
retired in 1971.
Photo from Northgate Mall brochure, circa-1982
NORTHGATE MALL TENANTS 1982:
CHARTER TENANTS:
J.C. PENNEY (with outparcel Auto Center) / SEARS (with outparcel Auto Center) / Men’s Den Barber Shop / Vanita's Beauty Shop / Paraphernalia ladies apparel / State Farm Insurance / Northgate Shoe Repair / NORTHGATE CINEMA (now twinnned) / Size 5-7-9 Shop / Lillie Rubin ladies apparel / Bakers Shoes / Jarman Shoes / Parklane Hosiery / Mrs. Stover’s Candies / Motherhood Maternity / Baskin Robbins Ice Cream / J. Riggings apparel / Gateway Card Shop / General Nutrition Center / Wicks ‘N Sticks / PICCADILLY CAFETERIA / Hour Glass Gifts / Waldenbooks / Swiss Colony / Bottom Half apparel / Carousel Snack Bar / Merle Norman Cosmetics / Zales Jewelers / ECKERD DRUG / Susie’s Casuals / Butler Shoes / Record Bar / Thom McAn Shoes / Lerner Shops / Kinney Shoes / Casual Corner / Pier 1 Imports / KROGER supermarket (outparcel)
NEWER TENANTS:
MILLER'S / Added Dimensions ladies apparel / Brooks Fashions / Catherine's ladies apparel (outparcel) / J. Miller Fashions / On Stage ladies apparel / Ormond ladies apparel / Fine's For Men / Jonathan's of Chattanooga mens apparel / The Gap / Sadler's Children's Wear / T.J. Maxx (outparcel) / The Leader family apparel / Foot Scene / Michael Tobin Shoes / Naturalizer Shoes / Coffee, Tea Or... / Cookies Inc. / Federal Bake Shop / Frontier Fruit & Nut / Karmelkorn / Olde Fashioned Popcorn Cart / Arby's (outparcel) / Burger King / Chick-Fil-A / Glen Gene Deli (outparcel) / Lucy's Egg Roll / Orange Julius / Cafe Italia restaurant / Mr. P's restaurant / North China restaurant (outparcel) / Pizza Hut / NORTHGATE CINEMAS 3, 4, 5 & 6 (outparcel) / Land of Oz / Natural Cosmetics / Showcase Jewelers / Sujen's / Barbizon (outparcel) / Diet Center / Eaves Formal Wear / Eyear Optical / Fantastic Sam's / Happy's Contact Lens / Northgate School of Cosmetology (outparcel) / Tender Sender / 21st Century Spa / Vision Master / Weight Watchers (outparcel) / Northgate Dental Clinic / Hakky's Instant Shoe Repair / Pioneer Bank / Bacchus Package Store (outparcel) / Craft Castle / Gailco Gallery / Mr. Sport / One Hour Photo / K & K Toys / Wolf Camera / Spencer Gifts / Summit Cards & Gifts / Lampligher Books / Radio Shack / Radio Shack Computer (outparcel) / Video Village (outparcel) / Habersham Plantation Furniture / Royal John Furniture / Pine Factory Furniture / Blazer Finance / C & S Smokery / Humphrey's Flowers
CHARTER TENANTS:
J.C. PENNEY (with outparcel Auto Center) / SEARS (with outparcel Auto Center) / Men’s Den Barber Shop / Vanita's Beauty Shop / Paraphernalia ladies apparel / State Farm Insurance / Northgate Shoe Repair / NORTHGATE CINEMA (now twinnned) / Size 5-7-9 Shop / Lillie Rubin ladies apparel / Bakers Shoes / Jarman Shoes / Parklane Hosiery / Mrs. Stover’s Candies / Motherhood Maternity / Baskin Robbins Ice Cream / J. Riggings apparel / Gateway Card Shop / General Nutrition Center / Wicks ‘N Sticks / PICCADILLY CAFETERIA / Hour Glass Gifts / Waldenbooks / Swiss Colony / Bottom Half apparel / Carousel Snack Bar / Merle Norman Cosmetics / Zales Jewelers / ECKERD DRUG / Susie’s Casuals / Butler Shoes / Record Bar / Thom McAn Shoes / Lerner Shops / Kinney Shoes / Casual Corner / Pier 1 Imports / KROGER supermarket (outparcel)
NEWER TENANTS:
MILLER'S / Added Dimensions ladies apparel / Brooks Fashions / Catherine's ladies apparel (outparcel) / J. Miller Fashions / On Stage ladies apparel / Ormond ladies apparel / Fine's For Men / Jonathan's of Chattanooga mens apparel / The Gap / Sadler's Children's Wear / T.J. Maxx (outparcel) / The Leader family apparel / Foot Scene / Michael Tobin Shoes / Naturalizer Shoes / Coffee, Tea Or... / Cookies Inc. / Federal Bake Shop / Frontier Fruit & Nut / Karmelkorn / Olde Fashioned Popcorn Cart / Arby's (outparcel) / Burger King / Chick-Fil-A / Glen Gene Deli (outparcel) / Lucy's Egg Roll / Orange Julius / Cafe Italia restaurant / Mr. P's restaurant / North China restaurant (outparcel) / Pizza Hut / NORTHGATE CINEMAS 3, 4, 5 & 6 (outparcel) / Land of Oz / Natural Cosmetics / Showcase Jewelers / Sujen's / Barbizon (outparcel) / Diet Center / Eaves Formal Wear / Eyear Optical / Fantastic Sam's / Happy's Contact Lens / Northgate School of Cosmetology (outparcel) / Tender Sender / 21st Century Spa / Vision Master / Weight Watchers (outparcel) / Northgate Dental Clinic / Hakky's Instant Shoe Repair / Pioneer Bank / Bacchus Package Store (outparcel) / Craft Castle / Gailco Gallery / Mr. Sport / One Hour Photo / K & K Toys / Wolf Camera / Spencer Gifts / Summit Cards & Gifts / Lampligher Books / Radio Shack / Radio Shack Computer (outparcel) / Video Village (outparcel) / Habersham Plantation Furniture / Royal John Furniture / Pine Factory Furniture / Blazer Finance / C & S Smokery / Humphrey's Flowers
NORTHGATE's original cinema was eventually converted into the
Creative Discovery Museum Science Theatre. A newer multiplex
operated in the T.J. Maxx strip center until relocating to a new
complex, at the southwest of the mall proper, in 2005. In addition
to two original anchor stores (Sears and Penney's), the mall has
three charter tenants still in their 1972 locations; Piccadilly Cafe-
teria, Zales Jewelers and GNC.
NORTHGATE in '08. Here we see the mall's Southeast Entrance.
In the 1972 center, this area was occupied by a G.C. Murphy 5
and dime.
Photo from "GA Catcher"
Today's American Eagle Outfitters was a Lillie Rubin in the 1972
NORTHGATE.
Photo from www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
NORTHGATE MALL
Highway 153 and Hixson Pike
Hixson, Tennessee
Chattanooga's NORTHGATE MALL, the city's first fully-enclosed shopopolis, held its grand opening March 15, 1972. Miller Brothers, its north anchor, had been in business since March 2 of the same year.
The 800,000 square foot, single-level center was designed by Jerry Cooper and Roger Dodson and developed by Chattanooga-based Arlen Realty. The seventy store complex occupied a 65.4 acre plot, 9 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga, in suburban Hixson.
Original anchors of the mall were a 1-level (90,400 square foot), Chattanooga-based Miller Brothers, 2-level (158,700 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (153,000 square foot) Sears (which was completed in late 1972).
Also on the 1972-1973 retail roster were Lerner Shops, G.C. Murphy, Eckerd Drug, Piccadilly Cafeteria and the single-screen, Northgate Cinema. Outparcels included a Penny's Auto Center, Sears Auto Center and Kroger supermarket.
During its early years, NORTHGATE's only retail rival was EASTGATE CENTER (1962) [March 2008 archive], originally an open-air venue that became an enclosed mall soon after NORTHGATE's completion. In 1987, Chattanooga's sibling shopping centers were joined by HAMILTON PLACE MALL, a superregional complex.
During its 36 years in business, there has been only one NORTHGATE anchor store to change nameplates. Miller Brothers, bought by D.C.-based Garfinckel's, was merged with Knoxville-based Miller's in the early 1980s.
In turn, this store was rebranded by Allentown, Pennsylvania-based Hess's in 1987, Maryville, Tennessee-based Proffitt's in 1992 and Charlotte, North Carolina-based Belk in 2006.
NORTHGATE has been physically expanded just once over the years. After the closing of its G.C. Murphy 5 and 10 in 1983, an extended facade was built. The mall's original southeast entrance became retail space and a new entry, and small mall wing, were installed in the expanded Murphy's area.
Moreover, two facelift renovations have been given to the mall; the first in 1991, the second in 1997.
In May 1998, Chicago-based General Growth Properties entered into a joint venture with Montreal-based Ivanhoe Cambridge, which owned NORTHGATE MALL. The newly-formed venture was named GGP Ivanhoe III.
In June 2003, General Growth Properties bought out the minority interest of the Ivanhoe venture, establishing 100 percent ownership of the 823,000 square foot NORTHGATE property.
Sources:
"Northgate Mall" article on Wikipedia
"Memories Of Northgate Mall" / John Shearer
www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
Milwaukee Business Journal
"Northgate Mall" brochure (1982)
Highway 153 and Hixson Pike
Hixson, Tennessee
Chattanooga's NORTHGATE MALL, the city's first fully-enclosed shopopolis, held its grand opening March 15, 1972. Miller Brothers, its north anchor, had been in business since March 2 of the same year.
The 800,000 square foot, single-level center was designed by Jerry Cooper and Roger Dodson and developed by Chattanooga-based Arlen Realty. The seventy store complex occupied a 65.4 acre plot, 9 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga, in suburban Hixson.
Original anchors of the mall were a 1-level (90,400 square foot), Chattanooga-based Miller Brothers, 2-level (158,700 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (153,000 square foot) Sears (which was completed in late 1972).
Also on the 1972-1973 retail roster were Lerner Shops, G.C. Murphy, Eckerd Drug, Piccadilly Cafeteria and the single-screen, Northgate Cinema. Outparcels included a Penny's Auto Center, Sears Auto Center and Kroger supermarket.
During its early years, NORTHGATE's only retail rival was EASTGATE CENTER (1962) [March 2008 archive], originally an open-air venue that became an enclosed mall soon after NORTHGATE's completion. In 1987, Chattanooga's sibling shopping centers were joined by HAMILTON PLACE MALL, a superregional complex.
During its 36 years in business, there has been only one NORTHGATE anchor store to change nameplates. Miller Brothers, bought by D.C.-based Garfinckel's, was merged with Knoxville-based Miller's in the early 1980s.
In turn, this store was rebranded by Allentown, Pennsylvania-based Hess's in 1987, Maryville, Tennessee-based Proffitt's in 1992 and Charlotte, North Carolina-based Belk in 2006.
NORTHGATE has been physically expanded just once over the years. After the closing of its G.C. Murphy 5 and 10 in 1983, an extended facade was built. The mall's original southeast entrance became retail space and a new entry, and small mall wing, were installed in the expanded Murphy's area.
Moreover, two facelift renovations have been given to the mall; the first in 1991, the second in 1997.
In May 1998, Chicago-based General Growth Properties entered into a joint venture with Montreal-based Ivanhoe Cambridge, which owned NORTHGATE MALL. The newly-formed venture was named GGP Ivanhoe III.
In June 2003, General Growth Properties bought out the minority interest of the Ivanhoe venture, establishing 100 percent ownership of the 823,000 square foot NORTHGATE property.
Sources:
"Northgate Mall" article on Wikipedia
"Memories Of Northgate Mall" / John Shearer
www.ggp.com (General Growth Properties)
Milwaukee Business Journal
"Northgate Mall" brochure (1982)
Circa-'73 site plan of Knoxville's first shopping mall. The original complex
had a rather unique wrap-around layout, with a junior anchor at the
center and major anchors on the four corners.
The 1994-1998 expansion of WEST TOWN, adding over 700,000
square feet, more than doubled the mall's GLA. It trumped
Chattanooga's HAMILTON PLACE, becoming Tennessee's
largest enclosed shopping center.
Contemporary shots of the interior of Knoxville's premier shopping mall.
1. Dillard's, a November 1993 rebranding of the original Miller's (which
had been rebranded -as a Hess's- in 1987). 2. Merle Norman, the only
1972 tenant still in its original location. 3. The 15-bay Food Court, made
from space originally taken by a Frankenberger's apparel store. 4. The
new J.C. Penney, which opened in July 1994.
Photos from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
WEST TOWN MALL
Kingston Pike / US 11 and 70 and Morrell Road
Knoxville, Tennessee
As Chattanooga was opening its first interior mall in early 1972, Knoxville was preparing theirs for completion, as well. Plans for an enclosed shopping mall for Knoxville and its environs were announced in 1965. After many hurdles were overcome, construction finally commenced 5 years later.
Designed by Knoxville architects Robert Kahn and Ralph Biernbaum, WEST TOWN MALL was developed by a joint venture of Oliver Smith, Junior, Dr. John Montgomery and Mrs. P.A. McGinnis. The single-level, 600,000 square foot complex was constructed on 70 acres, 8 miles west of downtown Knoxville.
Original anchors were a 2-level (161,200 square foot) J.C. Penney, 2-level (178,500 square foot), Knoxville-based Miller's and 2-level (73,000 square foot), Alcoa, Tennessee-based Proffitt's.
The Proffitt's location, the first suburban store in the chain, became the company's new flagship. A 2-level (173,900 square foot) Sears came inline several months after the mall proper was dedicated on August 2, 1972
Among the seventy charter tenants at WEST TOWN were Frankenberger's apparel, M.S. McLellan for Men, Kimball's Jewelers, Gateway Books, J. Riggings apparel, Spencer Gifts, Record Bar, Morrison's Cafeteria, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Hamilton National Bank.
Outparcel structures included a Penney's Auto Center, Sears Auto Center, Miller's Auto Center, A & P supermarket, twin-screen West Town UltraVision Theatre and (eventually) the Westview Towers apartment complex.
WEST TOWN was an instant success. It did not encounter a retail rival until EAST TOWNE MALL opened, in 1984.
The first anchor rebranding at WEST TOWN took place in 1987, when Miller's became an Allentown, Pennsylvania-based Hess's. This store was shuttered in 1992. On November 4, 1993, Dillard's opened in the space, which had been enlarged to 243,000 square feet.
A major expansion of the mall had been announced in 1990, with site preparation underway by March 1992. When completed, a new thirty-two store wing was anchored by a 2-level (147,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (144,000 square foot), Birmingham-based- Parisian. Penney's opened their new store at the mall July 9, 1994; Parisian on September 12, 1994.
Proffitt's, enlarged to 113,000 square feet over a 3 year period, held a grand re-opening September 17, 1995. Sears increased the size of their store to 182,100 square feet and built a new Auto Center (west of the previous one). Moreover, the Food Court -fashioned out of the former Frankenberger's some years before- had new space added.
A second phase of expansion involved the original -vacated- Penney's. During 1994, its lower level had been carved into an extension of the East mall corridor and eleven smaller stores. In May 1997, construction commenced on an 80,000 square foot Regal Cinema and FunScape family entertainment center.
These were built on top of the lower level of the old Penney's (the original upper level of the store had been removed). The new 9-plex / FunScape opened November 6, 1998 (it was to close eventually). A 6-level parking garage was included in the project.
With the completion of construction, WEST TOWN now encompassed 1,332,000 leasable square feet. It surpassed Chattanooga's 1,145,000 square foot HAMILTON PLACE MALL as the largest enclosed shopping center in Tennessee.
WEST TOWN had been acquired by the Youngstown, Ohio-based DeBartolo Realty Group in April 1991. In August 1996, DeBartolo merged with the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, forming the Simon DeBartolo Group. This title was used until 1998, when the company officially reverted to the original Simon Property Group heading.
Back at WEST TOWN, changes were in the making. TURKEY CREEK, a new lifestyle center, came along in 2004, providing retail rivalry. Also, stores in the Proffitt's chain, including the WEST TOWN location, were rebranded by Charlotte-based Belk in July 2005.
Belk also bought out Parisian 2 years later. After some shuffling of merchandise, the old Proffitt's became a Belk Women's Store...the previous Parisian, a Belk Men's, Children's and Home Store. The newly-reconfigured WEST TOWN Belks were dedicated September 12, 2007.
Sources:
Comment post by Brian
"West Town Mall" article on Wikipedia
Cinema Treasures
http://www.simon.com/
www.metropulse.com / "It's A Mall, Mall, Mall, Mall World" / Jack Neely
www.weeklywire.com / "Deconstructing The Mall" / Joe Tarr
Knoxville News Sentinel
Kingston Pike / US 11 and 70 and Morrell Road
Knoxville, Tennessee
As Chattanooga was opening its first interior mall in early 1972, Knoxville was preparing theirs for completion, as well. Plans for an enclosed shopping mall for Knoxville and its environs were announced in 1965. After many hurdles were overcome, construction finally commenced 5 years later.
Designed by Knoxville architects Robert Kahn and Ralph Biernbaum, WEST TOWN MALL was developed by a joint venture of Oliver Smith, Junior, Dr. John Montgomery and Mrs. P.A. McGinnis. The single-level, 600,000 square foot complex was constructed on 70 acres, 8 miles west of downtown Knoxville.
Original anchors were a 2-level (161,200 square foot) J.C. Penney, 2-level (178,500 square foot), Knoxville-based Miller's and 2-level (73,000 square foot), Alcoa, Tennessee-based Proffitt's.
The Proffitt's location, the first suburban store in the chain, became the company's new flagship. A 2-level (173,900 square foot) Sears came inline several months after the mall proper was dedicated on August 2, 1972
Among the seventy charter tenants at WEST TOWN were Frankenberger's apparel, M.S. McLellan for Men, Kimball's Jewelers, Gateway Books, J. Riggings apparel, Spencer Gifts, Record Bar, Morrison's Cafeteria, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Hamilton National Bank.
Outparcel structures included a Penney's Auto Center, Sears Auto Center, Miller's Auto Center, A & P supermarket, twin-screen West Town UltraVision Theatre and (eventually) the Westview Towers apartment complex.
WEST TOWN was an instant success. It did not encounter a retail rival until EAST TOWNE MALL opened, in 1984.
The first anchor rebranding at WEST TOWN took place in 1987, when Miller's became an Allentown, Pennsylvania-based Hess's. This store was shuttered in 1992. On November 4, 1993, Dillard's opened in the space, which had been enlarged to 243,000 square feet.
A major expansion of the mall had been announced in 1990, with site preparation underway by March 1992. When completed, a new thirty-two store wing was anchored by a 2-level (147,000 square foot) J.C. Penney and 2-level (144,000 square foot), Birmingham-based- Parisian. Penney's opened their new store at the mall July 9, 1994; Parisian on September 12, 1994.
Proffitt's, enlarged to 113,000 square feet over a 3 year period, held a grand re-opening September 17, 1995. Sears increased the size of their store to 182,100 square feet and built a new Auto Center (west of the previous one). Moreover, the Food Court -fashioned out of the former Frankenberger's some years before- had new space added.
A second phase of expansion involved the original -vacated- Penney's. During 1994, its lower level had been carved into an extension of the East mall corridor and eleven smaller stores. In May 1997, construction commenced on an 80,000 square foot Regal Cinema and FunScape family entertainment center.
These were built on top of the lower level of the old Penney's (the original upper level of the store had been removed). The new 9-plex / FunScape opened November 6, 1998 (it was to close eventually). A 6-level parking garage was included in the project.
With the completion of construction, WEST TOWN now encompassed 1,332,000 leasable square feet. It surpassed Chattanooga's 1,145,000 square foot HAMILTON PLACE MALL as the largest enclosed shopping center in Tennessee.
WEST TOWN had been acquired by the Youngstown, Ohio-based DeBartolo Realty Group in April 1991. In August 1996, DeBartolo merged with the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, forming the Simon DeBartolo Group. This title was used until 1998, when the company officially reverted to the original Simon Property Group heading.
Back at WEST TOWN, changes were in the making. TURKEY CREEK, a new lifestyle center, came along in 2004, providing retail rivalry. Also, stores in the Proffitt's chain, including the WEST TOWN location, were rebranded by Charlotte-based Belk in July 2005.
Belk also bought out Parisian 2 years later. After some shuffling of merchandise, the old Proffitt's became a Belk Women's Store...the previous Parisian, a Belk Men's, Children's and Home Store. The newly-reconfigured WEST TOWN Belks were dedicated September 12, 2007.
Sources:
Comment post by Brian
"West Town Mall" article on Wikipedia
Cinema Treasures
http://www.simon.com/
www.metropulse.com / "It's A Mall, Mall, Mall, Mall World" / Jack Neely
www.weeklywire.com / "Deconstructing The Mall" / Joe Tarr
Knoxville News Sentinel
Monday, February 11, 2008
Southern California's Broadway Center
A circa-1959 aerial of Orange County's first shopping mall. This was
before the Robinson's anchor store was added to the north end of the
structure.
Photo from Online Archive of California
A circa-1959 aerial of Orange County's first shopping mall. This was
before the Robinson's anchor store was added to the north end of the
structure.
Photo from Online Archive of California
Orange County's BROADWAY CENTER, a.k.a. ANAHEIM
CENTER, in 1963. Going under the name of ANAHEIM
CENTER became confusing after the dedication of the
"Anaheim Center" convention center, in July 1967. The
shopping venue's identity crisis was resolved in 1974 when
the mall's moniker was officially changed to ANAHEIM
PLAZA.
shopping venue's identity crisis was resolved in 1974 when
the mall's moniker was officially changed to ANAHEIM
PLAZA.
BROADWAY / ANAHEIM CENTER TENANTS 1965:
THE BROADWAY (with restaurant) / J.W. ROBINSON (with Round Robin Coffee Shop and restaurant) / C.H. Baker Shoes / Bank Of America / Bonds apparel / Cabot's Children's Shoes / California Federal Savings / Carats / Del Mar Accessories / Empire Silk / Gladys Fowler Candies / Gudes-Barnett Shoes / Judy's ladies apparel / Kinney Shoes / S.S. KRESGE / LERNER SHOPS / Hug J. Lowe & Sons / Manning's Coffee Cafe / Norm Meagers / Paul Allen Shoes / Quad Stationers / RALPH'S SUPERMARKET (outparcel) / Jean Ryan / Security First National Bank / See's Candies / Singer Sewing Center / Silverwoods apparel / Still's Store For Men / Tandy Crafts / Toyville / Vandermast's / F.W. WOOLWORTH
THE BROADWAY (with restaurant) / J.W. ROBINSON (with Round Robin Coffee Shop and restaurant) / C.H. Baker Shoes / Bank Of America / Bonds apparel / Cabot's Children's Shoes / California Federal Savings / Carats / Del Mar Accessories / Empire Silk / Gladys Fowler Candies / Gudes-Barnett Shoes / Judy's ladies apparel / Kinney Shoes / S.S. KRESGE / LERNER SHOPS / Hug J. Lowe & Sons / Manning's Coffee Cafe / Norm Meagers / Paul Allen Shoes / Quad Stationers / RALPH'S SUPERMARKET (outparcel) / Jean Ryan / Security First National Bank / See's Candies / Singer Sewing Center / Silverwoods apparel / Still's Store For Men / Tandy Crafts / Toyville / Vandermast's / F.W. WOOLWORTH
A circa-'77 site plan of the PLAZA. The open-air center
had become an enclosed mall three years earlier and a
Mervyn's was added in 1977. The GLA of the mall now
stood at 656,800 square feet.
The original ANAHEIM PLAZA met with a wrecking ball in 1993.
The three buildings surrounded in blue were left standing. 267,200
square feet of retail space was built, along with a 150,000 square
foot Wal-Mart. These were dedicated in 1994. Today, the power
center features stores such as Smart & Final, Fashion Q and a new
Forever 21 Outlet.
Original drawing from www.anaheimplaza.net
An impressive view of today's ANAHEIM PLAZA power center. The
shopping hub was acquired by New York State-based Kimco Realty
in October 2006.
Photo from www.anaheimplaza.net
BROADWAY CENTER
North Euclid Street and West Crescent Avenue
Anaheim, California
Orange County's first shopping mall was built in the northern corporate limits of Anaheim, 25 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The site was adjacent to the prospective route of the Santa Ana Freeway, which opened in 1956.
Known as BROADWAY CENTER -and also ANAHEIM CENTER- in its early days, the open-air complex was based on a single retail level with a service basement. It was designed by Welton Becket and Associates. Ground was broken in October 1954. The 396,600 square foot complex was dedicated October 14, 1955.
Its original anchor, a 3-level (210,800 square foot), Los Angeles-based The Broadway, stood at the south end. Charter tenants included F.W. Woolworth, S.S. Kresge, Lerner Shops, See's Candies and Singer Sewing Center. A single-level (48,000 square foot) Ralph's supermarket was built, as a southeast parking area outparcel, in 1956.
The shopping venue had a second anchor store added to its north end. Los Angeles-based J.W. Robinson opened a 3-level (164,700 square foot) store, their first Orange County location, in February 1963. The mall proper of BROADWAY CENTER now incorporated 561,300 leasable square feet.
The next construction project was completed in April 1974, when the mallway and entries were enclosed and climate-controlled and a 15,400 square foot addition was built onto the front of the mall. At this time, the name of the center was officially changed to ANAHEIM PLAZA.
The primary competitor of the early shopping center was SANTA ANA FASHION SQUARE (1958) [December 2007 archive], in Santa Ana. This was joined by WESTMINSTER MALL (1974), in Westminster, and BREA MALL (1975), in Brea.
ANAHEIM PLAZA became a 3-anchor shopping complex when a 1-level (80,000 square foot), Hayward, California-based Mervyn's was dedicated in July 1977. This was foIlowed by the opening of a Los Angeles-based Akron store (in the vacated Ralph's supermarket space) in 1983.
The commercial competition intensified in 1987, following the re-malling of the old SANTA ANA FASHION SQUARE. Most of this center was razed, being replaced by the new MAINPLACE MALL. By mid-1988, the Robinsons at ANAHEIM PLAZA was shuttered, with its operations having moved to a newly-built MAINPLACE store.
Within a few years, ANAHEIM PLAZA was faltering. This was exacerbated by the closing of The Broadway in 1993, leaving only Mervyn's to anchor the 656,800 square foot shopping mall.
A de-malling plan was announced, that would demolishing everything but Mervyn's and replace the "outpositioned" mall with an open-air power center.
Opposition, from a citizen's group -Residents For Anaheim Plaza- was unable to stop the process. Directed by Newport Beach-based Donahue Schriber, the razing of the 1950s-era shopping center commenced in 1993.
The new, 347,200 square foot ANAHEIM PLAZA came inline in late 1994. In addition to Mervyn's, the center included a 1-level (151,500 square foot) Wal-Mart, Comp USA and Ross Dress For Less. A 93,000 square foot "Phase II" addition featured a Gigante supermarket.
The shopping venue was acquired by New Hyde Park, New York-based Kimco Realty in October 2006.
CompUSA morphed into a T.J. Maxx and the Gigante supermarket became an El Super. 2009 brought the shuttering of Mervyn's, which closed early in the year and re-opened, as a Forever 21 Outlet, April 3.
Sources:
Malls Of America Blogspot / Keith Milford webmaster
Orange County Business Journal
Memories of "SoCalNative2007"
http://www.kimcorealty.com/
http://www.anaheimplaza.net/
Sunday, February 10, 2008
New Jersey's Moorestown Mall
The Main Entrance promenade, with Center Court -and Woolworth- in
the background.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
The Main Entrance promenade, with Center Court -and Woolworth- in
the background.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
A physical layout, circa-'64. The typical tenants of an early '60s center
were included, such as a 5 and 10, supermarket, cinema and drug store.
The interior was graced with fountains and even included a monkey cage.
A circa-1964 shot of the mall's West Court. The fountain features
the Wanamaker Eagle, designed by Henry Mitchell.
Photo from Malls of America Blogspot
A kinda-sorta "Now" shot of the same area. This part of the mall has
been entirely rebuilt, and the Macy's occupies a newly-constructed
store (on the site of the original Wanamaker's seen above).
Photo from www.preit.com (Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust)
MOORESTOWN MALL TENANTS (PARTIAL LIST) 1970:
GIMBELS (with Budget Store and outparcel Auto Center) / JOHN WANAMAKER / F.W. Woolworth-Harvest House Cafeteria / Hot Shoppes Cafeteria / ShopRite supermarket / Plaza Cinema / Walgreen Drug / Tobacco Village / Spencer Gifts / Holiday Shoes/ Florsheim Shoes / Thom McAn Shoes / Flagg Brothers Shoes / William H. Wanamaker apparel / Bonds apparel / The Blum apparel / Fifth Avenue Card Shop / Charming Shops / Laura's Fudge / Dairy Maid Candies
The epicenter of the present day center, Fountain Court and Sears.
Photo from www.preit.com (Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust)
The Boscov's at MOORESTOWN MALL, originally a Gimbels-Philadelphia,
sported a Stern's -and then Ports of the World- nameplate before getting
its present-day brand name in 1992.
Photo from www.boscovs.com
A fairly recent site plan of the shopping center. The gray area on the
right shows the West Wing that was rebuilt -from the ground up-
following the fire of the early '90s. New Strawbridge's (Macy's) and
Lord and Taylor stores were completed in 1999 and 2000. The most
recent rectifications involved the openings of new Eastern Mountain
Sports and Lane Furniture stores in the mall proper and completion
of a two tenant outparcel, in the northeast parking lot, in mid-2008.
A new freestanding structure houses Pei Wei Asian Diner and Potbelly
Sandwich Works.
Photo from www.moorestownmall.com
Existing space in the mall proper was refitted as a Petersborough, New
Hampshire-based Eastern Mountain Sports location. The store held its
grand opening in May 2008.
Photo from www.moorestownmall.com
MOORESTOWN MALL
Kaighn Avenue and Lenola Road
Moorestown Township (Burlington County), New Jersey
The second interior mall in New Jersey -and the Metropolitan Philadelphia area- opened in September 1963. MOORESTOWN MALL, designed by Seattle's John Graham, Jr., occupied an 83.4 acre tract, 13 miles east of Center City Philadelphia, in Moorestown Township, New Jersey.
The single-level mall, built a mere 3 miles east of South Jersey's CHERRY HILL MALL (1961) [May 2008 archive], was anchored by a 2-level (203,000 square foot) Gimbels-Philadelphia and 2-level (178,900 square foot), Philadelphia-based John Wanamaker.
These stores, retail adversaries of Philadelphia's Strawbridge and Clothier, were blocked -by Strawbridge's- from anchoring at CHERRY HILL. As a result, MOORESTOWN was developed as a showcase for new, suburban Gimbels and Wanamaker's locations not permitted to lease (or own) space at CHERRY HILL.
In addition to its two anchors, the original MOORESTOWN included an F.W. Woolworth / Harvest House Cafeteria, Walgreen Drug, Bond's Clothes, The Blum apparel, ShopRite supermarket and single-screen, Plaza Cinema (which opened in 1967).
The first expansion of the shopping venue was completed in 1971, when the main entrance was altered by the placement of a 2-level (205,500 square foot) Sears.
In 1986, the ShopRite supermarket (which had been rebranded as a Pathmark...and eventually shuttered) was gutted. Its area was rebuilt into a 13-bay Food Court and the entirety of the mall given a major, facelift renovation.
Moreover, Gimbels morphed into a New York City-based Stern's; soon to be rebranded Ports of The World, a Philadelphia-based discount branch of Reading, Pennsylvania-based Boscov's. The store was given a bona fide Boscov's nameplate in 1992.
A fire devastated parts of the mall's west wing in 1993. 2 years later, Wanamaker's was rebranded by Baltimore-based Hecht's, becoming a Strawbridge and Clothier in 1997.
The circa-'63 Wanamaker's / Hecht's / Strawbridge's was demolished the following year, being replaced by a 2-level (200,000 square foot) building. It was dedicated in November 1999 and "Macy-ated" September 9, 2006.
Lord and Taylor opened a 2-level (120,000 square foot) MOORESTOWN MALL store in March 2000. With this addition, the shopping center housed 1,044,800 leasable square feet and one hundred and twenty store spaces.
The Philadephia-based Pennylvania Real Estate Investment Trust acquired the shopping venue in March 2003. They initiated the most recent renovation of the property, which consisted of the installation of new stores along the northwest-facing front of the structure.
These included Lane Furniture, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Eastern Mountain Sports; the latter holding its grand opening May 2, 2008. A small outparcel was also built in the northeast parking area. This housed Potbelly Sandwich Works and Pei Wei Asian Diner. These came inline during the summer of 2008.
Sources:
Comment posts by Michael Lisicky
Malls of America Blogspot / Keith Milford webmaster
"Moorestown Mall" article on Wikipedia
Cinema Treasures
www.preit.com
http://www.moorestownmall.com/
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