A Leonards department store was the first structure built at the mall site. It opened, as a freestanding location, in July 1970. The adjacent mall was dedicated between March and November 1971.

Stripling's NORTH EAST MALL location was the chain's second branch store. The first had opened, in 1962, at Fort Worth's SEMINARY SOUTH CENTER.
Drawing from the Dunlap Company

A newspaper advert announcing the completion of the J.C. Penney at NORTH EAST MALL. It was the last of three original anchors to open for business. 
Advert from the J.C. Penney Company