The malling of Greater Charlotte, during the 1960s and '70s, created too much competition for the city's oldest -and smallest- mall to withstand. By the early '80s, CHARLOTTETOWN MALL was in decline. As a remedy, The Rouse Company remarketed the complex as a low-price-point shopping venue. The new OUTLET SQUARE debuted in late 1981.

Graphic from the James Rouse Company 

The complex was given an indoor-outdoor face lift, although no new store space was added. Two parking garages had been built in the 1970s, increasing the mall's parking capacity to 1,800 autos. Ivey's, who were outpositioned in the new outlet mall scenario, moved out in May 1981. They were followed by Burlington Coat Factory. By late 1984, a 4-bay Food Court was also in operation.

OUTLET SQUARE TENANTS 1985:

BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY / HARRIS TEETER supermarket / Alpine Flowers / Burlington Shoes & Accessories / Cinemas I-II-III (outparcel) / Cosmetic Market / Creighton Shirtmakers / Cress Jewelers Outlet / Dansk Factory Outlet / Decorator's Accessories / Decorator's Outlet / Dress Barn / Eckerd Drugs / Exxon Service Station (outparcel) / Famous Footwear / Fashion Door / Furniture Showroom / Gingiss Formal Wear / Hit or Miss ladies' wear / Kristina's Jewelers, Limited / Li, Limited / Linens 'n Things / North Carolina National Bank (outparcel) / Plumm's Women's Fashion Discounter / Publisher's Book Outlet / Radio Shack / Shannon's Hallmark / SunShades / The Casual Male men's wear / The Children's Outlet / The Finish Line / The Sock Market / Toys & Gifts Outlet / Tropik Sun Fruit & Nuts / World Bazaar 

FOOD COURT:
Eatout! / Piece of the Pie Pizza / Robertson's Old-Fashioned Hamburgers / Tanners