The shuttering of J. Byron, in January 1986, sent the mall into a downward spiral. A Texan company acquired the complex in mid-1987 and initiated a demalling project late in the year. Structures shown in black, on this circa-1992 plan, were retained and worked into an all-new CORTEZ PLAZA. The revitalized facility encompassed 276,000 leasable square feet.   

Circuit City, once a prominent electronics retailer, was an original anchor of the demalled CORTEZ PLAZA. The store opened its doors in November 1989 and shut off the lights -for good- in March 2009.

Photo from Inland Southeast Property Management Corporation

PetSmart joined the CORTEZ PLAZA tenant list in September 1992. The store is in operation -in the same location- to this very day.

Photo from Inland Southeast Property Management Corporation

Chuck E Cheese's moved into space that was vacated by Walgreen Drug in September 1998. The family entertainment center and pizzeria began business in the spring of 1999. It, too, is still in operation at CORTEZ PLAZA.

Photo from New Link Management Group