Lost Mall Musings
Huntsville, for years served by five mall-type shopping centers, is now down to only one; PARKWAY PLACE. The opening of MADISON SQUARE, in October 1984, most definitely put the hurt on the four previously-existing centers......especially THE MALL, which was too close for comfort to the shiny new, superregional center just a hop, skip and a jump down University Drive.
Photo from http://mallmanac.blogspot.com
However, what comes around goes around.....especially in the ever-changing world of retail. One of those new-fangled, open-air, lifestyle centers opened for business in Huntsville. BRIDGE STREET TOWN CENTRE, located 3.5 miles northwest of the city center, held its grand opening November 1, 2007. There was a great deal of speculation over what this 300 million dollar project would do to the regional shopping scene.
PARKWAY PLACE, positioned as the area's upscale, high-fashion retail venue, was not greatly affected by the new shopping venue in town. However, out of its ninety-nine inline store spaces, sixteen were vacant in early 2014.
In late 2010, MADISON SQUARE had a vacant anchor, empty junior anchor and twenty-four unoccupied inline spaces (out of a total of 120). By early 2014, the anchor and junior anchor spots were still sitting idle. There were thirty-nine vacant inline store spaces. The mega mall continued on a downward spiral and was unceremoniously demolished in February 2017.
Graphic from https://www.cblproperties.com / CBL Properties
The owner of PARKWAY PLACE, Chattanooga's CBL Properties, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2020; this as a result of temporary mall closings made necessary by the Covid-19 pandemic. Officials at CBL made it clear that properties such as PARKWAY PLACE would not be adversely effected by the bankruptcy proceedings.
Sources:
http://www.madisonsquaremall.com
http://www.parkwayplacemall.com
http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Heart_of_Huntsville_Mall::sub::History
http://huntsvilledevelopment.blogspot.com/
http://wyrmis.livejournal.com / W. Doug Bolden
www.bridgestreethuntsville.com
www.southeastbusiness.com / "Retail Construction" / By Katie Foxworth
"Huntsville" article on Wikipedia
"Madison Square Mall" and Parkway Place Mall" articles on Wikipedia
https://www.cblproperties.com
