The malling of Greater Charlotte, during the 1960s and '70s, created too much competition for the city's oldest -and smallest- mall. By the early '80s, CHARLOTTETOWN MALL was in decline. 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 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