Two enclosed shopping hubs were built in Grand Island during the 1970s. The discount-based counterpart of CONESTOGA was originally known as GRAND ISLAND MALL. Built on a pad a mere .3 of a mile north, "GIM" took an astounding 8 years to complete. 
Graphic from Grand Island Mall, Limited 


CONESTOGA had been substantially enlarged by 1983. Sears now anchored the north end, with a new J.C. Penney on the east. With these additions, the shopping center encompassed approximately 670,000 leasable square feet and contained sixty-two store spaces beneath its roof.