Gayfers operated a METROCENTER store until early 1999. In this image, we see the 1st Level entrance as it appeared between the store's closing and 2007.
Photo from www.loopnet.com
In August 2007, the first floor of the store re-opened as a Burlington Coat Factory.
Photo from www.loopnet.com
In 2009, the second floor of Gayfers was renovated into Metro Marketplace, a mall within a mall. This concept failed to catch on. In 2012, La Plaza de MetroCenter, a Latin-themed mercado, opened in the space.
Photos from www.loopnet.com
METROCENTER began to decline in the 1990s. In early 2009, the complex had just one vacant anchor space (Dillard's had gone south in late 2004). However, Belk (a rebranded McRae's) would soon be pulling the plug on their store. This would leave the struggling shopping hub with eighty-four stores (out of a total of 150 spaces).
METROCENTER MALL TENANTS 2009:
BELK / BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY / SEARS (with Coffee House and attached Auto Center) / 4-Ever Young / 88 Keys Catering / Ashley Stewart / Bath & Body Works / Beeper’s Incorporated, Cingular Wireless / Boots, Jeans & More / Catherine’s / Champs Sports / City Gear / Coast Ink / Community Resource Center / Diva / Dr. Kemily Alexander Rankin, Optometrist / Enzo / Eve’s Shoes / Exclusive / EyeMasters / Foot Locker (Lower Level) / Foot Locker (Upper Level) / FootAction USA / Footworks / Foto Engraving / Fun Station / Gem World / GNC / Gold & Diamonds / Happy Shoe Repair / Hat World / Hibbett Sports / Hip Hot / Holliday’s / Italian Jewelry / Jewelry World / Jewels & More / Job Corps Office / Joy Collection / KB Wireless / Kid Games / Kid’s Avenue / Kid’s Foot Locker / Kris Jewelers / Lady Foot Locker / Man of Fashion / Mississippi Highway Patrol Office / Nails Elite / Napoly / Perfume ‘N Fashion / Payless Shoesource / Pepsi One Stop Vending / Radio Shack / Rainbow / Rave / Rose’s Nails / Shoe Show / Signatures / Snap Man Designs / Sno Biz Treat Center / Style Setter / The Barber Shop / The Cookie Store / The Finish Line / The Shoe Department / The Source / The Sunglass Shop / Time Square / Top Model Hair Salon / T-Shirt City / Tuxedo Junction by Gingiss / US Air Force Recruiting / US Army Recruiting / US Marine Corp Recruiting / US Navy Recruiting / Underground Station / Victoria’s Secret / Video Visions / Zales Jewelers
FOOD COURT:
4 Real Grill / American Deli / Appetizer’s / Mandarin CafĂ© / Steak Escape / The Ice Cream Shoppe