Jefferson City's Capital Mall

Mid-Missouri's CAPITAL MALL was officially dedicated in February 1978. The original center encompassed around 335,400 leasable square feet and contained fifty-three stores and services.

Graphic from General Growth Development

During the mall's early years, Sears was its lone anchor. The store operated on the west end of the shopping facility for 39 years.

Photo from www.showcase.com

The CAPITAL MALL Sears encompassed 74,300 leasable square feet on a single level. The store had an attached Sears Auto Center.

Photo from www.showcase.com

CAPITAL MALL was the sixteenth built by General Growth Development (the mother company of General Growth Properties). The complex was one of General Growth's "A Malls." These were based on an A-shaped shopping concourse at the center of the center. Other "A Malls" were SOUTHRIDGE (1975) {Des Moines, IA}, WESTLAND (1977) {West Burlington, IA} and GREENWOOD (1979) {Bowling Green, KY}.  

The CAPITAL complex is fully-realized by the mid-1980s. Two anchor stores have been added, along with a 2-screen cinema. The mall now covers around 534,400 leasable square feet.

Little Rock-based Dillard's opened their CAPITAL MALL store in early 1985.

Photo from www.showcase.com

Two additional auditoria were eventually added to the mall's 2-screen cinema. This theater shut down in the summer of 2009.

Photo from http://cinematreasures.org / Norman Plant

A second movie house opened, on the mall's northeastern periphery, in 1996. 

Photo from http://cinematreasures.org / Norman Plant

A small CAPITAL MALL expansion enlarged the existing twin cinema into a 4-screen operation (in medium gray). By 2008, the shopping hub encompassed 560,000 leasable square feet and housed fifty-four stores under its roof. There was free parking for 3,100 autos.

Plano, Texas' J.C. Penney chain has anchored CAPITAL MALL since January 1981.

Photo from Wikipedia / Rob Stinnet

Ross Dress for Less opened at CAPITAL MALL in late 2015.

Photo from http://www.capitalmall.com

A comprehensive indoor-outdoor renovation got underway in 2015. All common area entrances were rebuilt, and exterior doorways were installed in four of the larger stores. A Food Court, which had been at front center of the complex, was moved closer to Center Court.
Drawing from http://www.capitalmall.com

When construction dust settled in late 2017, this is how the new & improved CAPITAL MALL was configured. Half of the inline space in the East Wing was now devoted to a large Dunham's Sports. Almost as sizable was the Ross Dress For Less store, which now occupied half of the North Wing.

CAPITAL MALL TENANTS 2021:

DILLARD'S / J.C. PENNEY (with Sephora store) / HY-VEE supermarket (outparcel) / Auntie Anne's Pretzels / Bath & Body Works / Buckle apparel / Camelot Gifts / Capital 8 Theatres (outparcel) / Citi Trends apparel / Claire’s / Cricket Wireless / Dunham’s Sports / Epoch Escapes / Factory Connection apparel / Family Force Martial Arts / Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar / Great American Cookie Company / H&R Block / Head Lines Salon / Hibbett Sporting Goods / Hy-Vee Gas (outparcel) / Itsy Bitsy Broadway / Jo-Ann Fabrics  / Kay Jewelers / Marble Slab Creamery / Mid-Missouri Conservatory of Dance / Pizza Hut (outparcel) / Ross Dress For Less apparel / rue21 ladies' wear / Show Me Gold & Silver / Slackers CD & Games / SSM Health Children’s Experience / Stir Fry 88 / Studio 573 Fitness / Subway / Sweet Smoke BBQ (outparcel) / Taqueria El Tapatio / Tiny Tumblers gym / US Post Office / Wendy's (ouptparcel) / Xtreme Trends apparel / Wipro, Limited

CAPITAL MALL
West Truman Boulevard (Ten Mile Drive) and Country Club Drive
Jefferson City, Missouri

Missouri's capital city shopping mall was developed by Des Moines-based General Growth Development (the mother company of General Growth Properties). The single-level complex was built on a 48.9-acre plot, located 4.5 miles west of the Show Me State State House.

The first phase of CAPITAL MALL, officially dedicated in February 1978, enveloped approximately 335,400 leasable square feet and was anchored by a 1-level (74,300 square foot) Sears. Charter tenants included Thomas Jefferson Men's, Maurices, Kinney Shoes, So-Fro Fabrics, Osco Drug, Kirlin's Hallmark & Gifts, Shepherd of the Hills, Karmelkorn and Orange Julius.

A second construction phase was completed in the early 1980s. A 1-level (75,200 square foot) J.C. Penney was dedicated January 7, 1981. As this addition was being built, the Crown Cinema Corporation Capital 2 Theatres was added to the north side of the mall. With the completion of the cinema and J.C.Penney, CAPITAL MALL housed approximately 458,700 leasable square feet.

The next expansion added a 1-level (70,000 square foot) Dillard's, which was built on east end of the mall. This store began business on March 15, 1985. Some time after, the twin cinema was expanded into the Capital 4 Theatres. CAPITAL MALL now housed approximately 560,000 leasable square feet and housed sixty-one stores and services.

CAPITAL MALL had no regional-class competitors in its vicinity. However, it is not uncommon for Jefferson City residents to drive out of town to shop. When they do, they may go to COLUMBIA MALL (1985) {26.7 miles northwest, in Columbia, Missouri} or to OSAGE BEACH PREMIUM OUTLETS (1986) {37.5 miles southwest, in Osage Beach, Missouri}.

A freestanding movie house was built as a northeast outparcel of CAPITAL MALL. The Crown Cinema Corporation Capital 8 Theatres opened for business in 1996. Capital 4 Theatres was shuttered on August 27, 2009.

Since its grand opening in the late 1970s, ownership of CAPITAL MALL has changed five times. First there was General Growth Properties, then the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Following this, the mall became a holding of a joint venture of the Prudential Insurance Company of America and CenterMark Properties. 

A joint venture of Australia's Westfield, Des Moines' General Growth Properties and New York City's Whitehall Street Real Estate Limited Partnership acquired nineteen malls in six states; these owned by CentreMark Properties (a.k.a. May Centers). The deal closed in November 1993. The joint venture divided up management of the malls, with GGP's share including CAPITAL MALL. In December 2012, GGP sold CAPITAL MALL again, with the buyer being the Farmer Holding Company, of Jefferson City.

A 36 million dollar indoor-outdoor face lift got underway in January 2015. All five entrances were updated and the parking lot repaved. After the exterior of the structure had been updated, work began on interior spaces. A (24,000 square foot) Ross Dress For Less opened in October 2015.

In March 2017, the CAPITAL MALL Sears was shuttered, as one of forty-two decommissioned Sears stores around the nation. By this time, the southeast corner of the shopping complex was being gutted. A (48,000 square foot) Dunham's Sports was built, which was dedicated in November 2017. Wipro, Limited, an India-based information technology, consulting and business process services provider, set up shop in the vacant Sears in December 2020. 

Sources:

The Daily Capital News (Jefferson City, Missouri)

The Jefferson City News Tribune

http://www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)

http://www.neatocoolville.blogspot.com / Todd Franklin

https://www.colecounty.org / Cole County, Missouri

https://www.cinematreasures.org

http://wikimapia.org

http://www.capitalmall.com

http://www.connectmidmissouricom / Daniel Winn

Missouri's Biscayne Mall

Northern mid-Missouri's BISCAYNE MALL was in operation between 1972 and 2002.

Graphic from the Hanson Development Company

The BISCAYNE MALL Montgomery Ward opened its doors in February 1972. The store anchored the south end of the complex for 24 years.

Drawing from the Montgomery Ward & Company

Woolco, which presided over the mall's north end, held its grand opening in March 1972. It would be a BISCAYNE MALL anchor for 11 years.

Drawing from the F.W. Woolworth Company

The mall's tri-screen movie house debuted in March 1973. 

Graphic from the Network Cinema Corporation

In 1973, CoMo's 1-Stop Shopping Center encompassed around 270,000 leasable square feet and housed twenty-seven stores and services.

BISCAYNE MALL TENANTS 1973:

WOOLCO (with Red Grille) / MONTGOMERY WARD (with Buffeteria snack bar and Auto Center) / KROGER supermarket / Almar Bookstore / Ann's Fashion Center / Body Bazaar / Bresler's 33 Flavors Ice Cream / Cloud 9 Gifts / Columbia National Bank (outparcel) / Endicott Johnson Shoes / Glover The Clothier / House of Fabrics / Jerry Lewis Cinemas / Kirlin's World of Hallmark / Krisman Jewelers / McDonald's Hamburgers (outparcel) / Merit Shoes / Music Land / Orange Bowl / Pearle Vision Center / Plant Plant Too / Robinson Shoe Store / Royce Shoes / SupeRx Drugs / Team Electronics / The Now World Gal's & Guy's Fashions / The Stag Shop Men's / Worthe Clothes / Wyatt's Cafeteria / Zodiak II Texaco (outparcel)

The commercial predecessor of BISCAYNE MALL was PARKADE PLAZA, which opened in March 1965. Housing 215,000 square feet, it was the first enclosed shopping center in Greater Columbia.

Photo from www.loopnet.com

Graphic from Parkade Plaza, Incorporated

The region's third enclosed shopping center was built in the mid-1980s.  COLUMBIA MALL, which encompassed approximately 709,000 leasable square feet, was located across the street from BISCAYNE MALL. 
Photo from www.ggp.com / General Growth Properties

BISCAYNE MALL took a direct hit from COLUMBIA MALL in the mid-to-late 1980s. By the early 2000s, the older complex was being gradually demolished and replaced by an "upscale power center." A circa-2005 site plan shows the last remaining section of BISCAYNE MALL in black. Structures in dark gray were completed in May 2005. Those in light gray were still under construction.

The SHOPPES AT STADIUM power plaza encompassed 365,000 leasable square feet and contained seventeen store spaces. One of these was vacated by Macy's (formerly Famous-Barr), in March 2016.
Photo from Maly Commercial Realty

BISCAYNE MALL

North Stadium Boulevard and West Worley Street
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia, Missouri is located 111 miles west of St. Louis and 119 miles east of Kansas City. The first fully-enclosed mall in -or around- "CoMo" was PARKADE PLAZA, which was dedicated in March 1965. The region's second interior mall was built on a 32-acre parcel, located 2.3 miles northwest of center city Columbia.

BISCAYNE MALL was built by Gladstone, Missouri's Hanson Development Company,. The original shopping complex encompassed approximately 270,000 leasable square feet and housed twenty-seven stores and services. The mall was anchored by a 1-level (80,000 square foot) Woolco discount mart and 1-level (81,300 square foot) Montgomery Ward. 

The first operational store, a freestanding McDonald's restaurant, opened on February 1, 1972. The mall proper, including Montgomery Ward, was dedicated on February 23rd. Orville E. Hobart (Mayor of Columbia) officiated at the grand opening. He and Mrs. Kit Pace (wife of the manager of Montgomery Ward) cut a ceremonial ribbon. 

The Woolco store was inaugurated on March 15th, 1972. When fully realized, the 4 million dollar BISCAYNE MALL featured House of Fabrics, Wyatt's Cafeteria, Glover the Clothier, Cloud 9 Gifts, Ann's Fashion Center and the Stag Shop. 

A freestanding Convenience Center housed two stores. A (21,000 square foot) Kroger supermarket opened for business on February 29, 1972, with an (11,200 square foot) SupeRx Drugs welcoming first customers on May 30th. The Jerry Lewis Cinemas, a 3-screen venue, showed first features on March 15, 1973. 

During the early years, BISCAYNE MALL had one major competitor, the aforementioned PARKADE PLAZA {1.4 miles northeast, in Columbia}. A more formidable rival mall was completed in October 1985. COLUMBIA MALL -located directly across West Worley Street- sent BISCAYNE MALL into a downward spiral.

 

The BISCAYNE MALL Woolco was shuttered in January 1983. The space was leased as a shopping mall-format Wal-Mart, whose official dedication was held in October 1983. By January 1990, BISCAYNE MALL was in receivership. It was acquired by the Columbia-based Kroenke Group in August 1991. 

Wal-Mart considered replacing their aging BISCAYNE MALL store with a new SuperCenter, but abandoned the plan...at least for the time being.  The mall's decline was exacerbated by the shuttering of Montgomery Ward, on June 15, 1997. The store sat vacant for over 2 years. It was reoccupied, in September 1999, by a Call To Serve International Warehouse. This was shuttered in October 2001. 

 

In January 2002, it was announced that a 2-level (140,000 square foot), St. Louis-based Famous-Barr would be built on the south end of the BISCAYNE MALL site. The mall was demolished, leaving Wal-Mart temporarily standing.

Famous-Barr opened for business on November 15, 2003. This new store was incorporated into an upscale power center, known as THE SHOPPES AT STADIUM. Its first section, completed in May 2005, housed a (19,200 square foot) Old Navy, (8,300 square foot) David's Bridal, (10,000 square foot) Shoe Carnival and (28,100 square foot) Linens 'n Things.

Famous-Barr was "Macy-ated" on February 1, 2006. On October 18, the old BISCAYNE MALL Wal-Mart relocated into a (173,000 square foot) SuperCenter, which was built on a site located .4 mile southwest. The old Woolco-Wal-Mart -the last remnant of BISCAYNE MALL- fell to a wrecking ball in 2007. 

Woolco-Wal-Mart was replaced by a 2-level (64,500 square foot) Dick's Sporting Goods and (17,100 square foot) PetSmart. These were dedicated between March 2009 and July 2010. Linens 'n Things had been shuttered in late 2008. The store re-opened, as a Bed, Bath & Beyond, in December 2010. Macy's closed for good on March 20, 2016.

 

Bed, Bath & Beyond was replaced by HomeGoods on February 20, 2025. The vacant Macy's was substantially renovated, with the building divided into several store spaces. A (14,500 square foot) Trader Joe's was proposed. A Burlington store was also planned for the old Macy's building. Burlington was scheduled to open in July 2025, but its grand opening has been postponed.

 
Sources:

The Columbia Missourian
The Columbia Daily Tribune
http://cdm.sos.gov / Missouri Digital Heritage
http://www.ggp.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
https://www.cinematreasures.org

Kansas City's Antioch Center  

The Show Me State's first shopping mall opened for business in August 1956. The sign above stood at a western parking lot entrance and enticed mid-century shoppers into the complex.
Graphic from the Charles F. Curry Real Estate Company 

An aerial view of ANTIOCH CENTER, from the late 1950s. As was the case with most early American malls, the structure was completed in phases over the course of several years. The initial stage of ANTIOCH CENTER was anchored by a W.T. Grant variety store, which is seen in the foreground.
Photo from http://antiochcrossing.com

Our first ANTIOCH CENTER site plan, from late 1958, shows the 3 million dollar mall's first expansion in medium gray. The original 246,000 square foot structure now encompasses approximately 271,000. There are fifty stores and services under its roof, with free parking for 1,500 autos.

ANTIOCH CENTER TENANTS 1958:

W.T. GRANT (with Bradford Room restaurant) / KROGER supermarket / THRIFTWAY FOOD MART / T G & Y 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / Antioch Electric Center home appliances / Antioch Laundromat / Antioch Lanes bowling alley / Antioch Prescription Center / Antioch Record Shop / Bill Potter Men's & Boy's Wear / Charles F. Curry Real Estate / Collins Cafeteria / Cook Paint & Varnish Company / Crown Drug (with luncheonette) / Dunn's Shoes / Eisen House of Fabrics / French Rug Company / Fidelity Finance Company / Gladstone Television Sales & Service / Goodyear Service Store (outparcel) / Harold's Barber Shop / House of Flowers & Gifts / Jenkins Music / Joe Falk Toys, Hobbies & Sporting Goods / Jolene's Artists & Iron Shop / Knox Jewelry & Sporting Goods / Mars Cleaners / Mary Lou Wade Dance Studio / Mayberry's Gift & Card Shop / Midland Hardware Company / Mrs. Steven's Fine Candies / Mode O'Day Frock Shop / Olan Mills Portait Studio / Perkey Shoe Repair Service / Robinette's Dress Shop / Ronnie's Fashion Beauty Salon / Sacony Mobil Oil service station (outparcel) / Slater's Pastry Shop / Stella's Fashion Shop / Tot Togs /  The Travel House Camera & Travel Agency / Thom McAn Shoes / US Post Office / Velvet Freeze Ice Cream

The Missouri and Kansas division of R.H. Macy & Company anchored the second phase of ANTIOCH CENTER, which was built in 1962 and '63. The 70,000 square foot Macy's Antioch store was the chain's fifth branch.
Drawing from R.H. Macy & Company

President Shops men's wear was added to the mall as part of the early '60s expansion. In this rendering, we see the mall's unique arched canopies that gave the complex a very Space Age look.
Drawing from the Charles F. Curry Real Estate Company

The Antioch North addition (in dark gray) was completed in 1963. It expanded the gross leasable area of the complex to approximately 481,600 square feet. The store directory listed ninety retail and office tenants. Newly-expanded parking facilities now accommodate 3,000 autos.

The shopping hub was extended northward in 1965-'66, with two store blocks (in dark gray) built. These housed new Duff & Repp home furnishings and Kline's stores. Sears was completed in 1973. ANTIOCH CENTER now spanned approximately 700,000 leasable square feet and contained 113 stores and offices within its -still- open-air canopies.

 

A strip-type shopping venue was developed on a site northwest of the mall. The first phase of the ANTIOCH CENTER ANNEX was dedicated in March 1967. The single-screen, Commonwealth Theatres Antioch Theatre opened at this time. A second stage of stores (in light gray) debuted in July 1972.

The open courts and concourses at ANTIOCH CENTER were enclosed and climate-controlled between September 1978 and October 1979. During the renovation, the mall store count increased from 114 to 123. As a facet of the roofing renovation, the logo seen above was introduced.

Graphic from the Charles F. Curry Real Estate Company

Showbiz Pizza Place opened their very first location at ANTIOCH CENTER in early 1980. The combination restaurant, video arcade and animatronic entertainment venue was renamed Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza in 1992.
Graphic from www.showbizpizza.com

ANTIOCH CENTER was enclosed and climate-controlled in 1978-'79. An exterior face lift was done in 1993. By this time, a Payless Cashways home improvement center had been installed in the south end of the complex. Macy's had morphed into a Dillard's in 1986 and Burlington Coat Factory in 1993.

Sears operated at ANTIOCH CENTER for over 43 years.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"

One of the mall entrances rebuilt as part of the 1993 exterior face lift.
Photo from Wikipedia / "CloversMallRat"

The mall's interior was rebuilt during the late '70s enclosure. In this image, we see the old Center Mall section and one of the entrances of the Burlington Coat Factory anchor store.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"

The 8-bay Antioch Eatery was installed as part of the enclosure renovation. Some of its latter-day vendors were Pizza Hut Express, Orange Julius and Chinese Gourmet Express.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Prange Way"

By the dawn of the 21st century, ANTIOCH CENTER had been bested by other retail venues in its trade area...especially the METRO NORTH MALL. A redevelopment was announced in late 2004. This project was delayed several times and was eventually abandoned. A second initiative got underway in 2010, with demolition of the virtually vacant mall beginning in late 2011.
Graphic from http://antiochcrossing.com

A power center, known as ANTIOCH CROSSING, opened for business in late 2014. Structures remaining from ANTIOCH CENTER are surrounded in blue.
Original drawing from http://antiochcrossing.com