PERIMETER was Greater Atlanta's second "OTP" (Outside The Perimeter expressway) mall. The first had been COBB COUNTY CENTER. PERIMETER was also one of four malls dedicated by Maryland's Rouse Company during the year 1971. These were FRANKLIN PARK MALL {Ohio}, HIGHLAND MALL {Texas}, THE MALL IN COLUMBIA {Maryland} and PERIMETER.
PERIMETER MALL TENANTS 1971:
RICH'S (with Beauty Salon, Rich's Store For Homes, The Eighth Edition restaurant, The Corner luncheonette and freestanding Auto Center) / J.C. PENNEY (with Beauty Salon, Coffee Gallery cafe and freestanding Auto Center) / V.J. ELMORE 5 & 10 / Airport ladies' wear / Alexander Stinson ladies' wear / Amalie III Accessories Boutique / Andrew's of New York Beauty Salon / Armer's fashion accessories / B. Dalton Bookseller / Baron's men's wear / Bailey, Banks & Biddle Jewelers / Bennett's Jewelers / Bland Terry / Bride Beautiful / Brooks ladies' wear / Butler's Shoes / Casual Corner / Chandler's Shoes / Chick-Fil-A / Cricket Shop / Docktor Pet Center / Edition '71 Gifts / Feminique Wig Center / Fifth Avenue Card Shop / Franklin Music & Electronics / Florsheim Shoes / GNC / Hahne's Shoes / Hickory Farms of Ohio / Hess Red Barn Bootery / Interior Systems / J.P. Allen ladies' wear / J. Riggings men's wear / Jarman Shoes / Jason's ladies' wear / Jean's West / Joseph R. Harris ladies' wear / Joyce Bertram bath accessories / Judi Lesli ladies' wear / Kinney Shoes / Lerner Shops ladies' wear / Lillie Rubin ladies' wear / Love Furniture / Mangels ladies' wear / Meating Place / Medi-Mart Mall Pharmacy / Merry Go Round ladies' wear / Morrison's Cafeteria / Motherhood Maternity / Muse's / Oshman's Sporting Goods / Paraphernalia ladies' wear / Parks-Chambers men & boy's wear / Patti Carr ladies' wear / Peck & Peck ladies' wear / Play Shops / Radio Shack / Regal Slacks-Shirt Rack / Regenstein's ladies' wear / Richman Brothers men's wear / Ritz Camera / Romel Cosmetics SHE Boutique / Russell Stover Candies / Sandbar Casuals ladies' wear / Singer Sewing Center / Size 5-7-9 Shops ladies' wear / So-Fro Fabrics / Storehouse furniture & home accessories / Surrey's / Susie's Casuals ladies' wear / Spencer Gifts / Taber's Jewelry / The Cheese Shop / The Golden Rooster home accessories / The Horse With The Yellow Umbrella gourmet cookware / The Limited / The Vogue / Thom McAn Shoes / Tinder Box Tobacconist / Tip Top Ties / Trust Company of Georgia / Wellington Jewelers / Wilbar's ladies' wear / Wine Art of Atlanta
The original 836,000 square foot -102-store- shopping center was expanded in the early 1980s. Work commenced on a 20 million dollar West Wing addition in September 1981 and was completed a year later. A third anchor -Atlanta-based Davison's- was built, along with fifty-two inline stores. A new mall logo was commissioned to accompany the grand opening.
Graphic from The Rouse Company
At its September 1982 dedication, the PERIMETER Davison's was the chain's thirteenth store and largest branch ever built. Among its many amenities was the Vie De France croissant counter. Alas, the store's days as a Davison's would be brief. Within 3 years, it would be rebranded by Macy's.
Photo from http://livemalls.blogspot.com / Steven Swain
The renovation of the mall continued into the decade. In September 1983, a 23-bay Food Court was installed in existing store space. Rich's Furniture Showroom, which was added to the existing store, made its debut in January 1987. PERIMETER MALL now encompassed approximately 1,216,000 leasable square feet and housed 175 stores and services.
