Port Plaza Mall (Washington Commons)
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| Washington Commons (Port Plaza Mall) | |
| Mall facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Location | Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA |
| Opening date | August 4, 1977 |
| Developer | Hunzinger |
| No. of stores and services | 120 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 3 |
| Total retail floor area | 7 acres |
Washington Commons, formerly known as Port Plaza Mall was once an urban shopping mall and is now a multi-use facilty located in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin in the United States. It was open in 1977, expanded in 1981, given a new name and owner in 2001, and a makeover in 2002. Its demise is due to the popularity of Bay Park Square Mall in Ashwaubenon (since 1980) and Fox River Mall in Appleton, Wisconsin (since 1984). Since its name change it has become more and more of a dead mall. The mall currently has space for lease, consisting of space for offices, convenience, and restaurants.
On February 20, 2006, mall tenants were informed that Washington Commons would be closing. Tenants must vacate the mall by Monday, February 27 2006. Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said that the city will help relocate the disclosed businesses.
Contents |
[edit] Port Plaza Directory - August 1977
Department Stores
Women's Clothing
- Nau's
- Seifert's
- Braun's
- Brooks
- The Limited
- Casual Corner
- Peck & Peck
- Sunflower
- Nina B
- Foxmoor
Mens's & Women's Clothing
- Cross Country
- Wilson's Leather
- County Seat
- Golden Hanger
- id Boutique
- Suns of Britches
Gifts & Cards
- Coach House Gifts
- Evenson's Hallmark
Music & Electronics
- Galaxy of Sound
- Laab's
- Musicland
- Radio Shack
Books
- Book Market
- Mustard Seed
- Waldenbooks
Jewelry
- Diamonds & Gold
- Jewelry Hut
- Keepsake
- Stone Jewelry
- Zales
Shoes
- Athlete's Foot
- Kinney Shoes
- Nobil Shoe
- Thom McAn
Restaurants & Food Specialty
- Bresler's 33 Flavors
- Buddy Squirrel
- Carousel Hot Dogs
- General Nutrition Center
- Herlick's
- Hole 'N One Doughnuts
- Hot Sam
- Karmelkorn
- Main Street Ice Cream
- Nibble's
- Orange Julius
- Johnny's Loaf & Stein
- Quality Candy
- Smaks
- Swiss Colony
- Tiffany
Services
- First Wisconsin Bank of Green Bay
- Kellogg-Citizens National Bank
- Kindy Optical
- Regis Hairstylists
- United Savings
Miscellaneous
- Bubble Factory
- Claire's Boutique
- Clock Shop
- Flowerama
- So-Fro Fabrics
- Kay-Bee Toys
- Nickels & Dimes
- Osco Drug
Port Plaza Mall's grand opening celebration in 1977. Port Plaza's grand opening (escalator and Thom McAn inthe background) Second floor of Port Plaza in 1977. Port Plaza Boston Store (1990s)
[edit] Port Plaza Directory - February 2000
Department Stores
- JCPenney
- Younkers
- Boston Store (closing soon)
Candy & Gifts
- Coach House Gifts
- Jane's Hallmark
- PJ's Collectibles
- Things Remembered
- Touch of the World
Jewelry
- Claire's Accessories
- Diamonds & Gold
- Kay Jewelers
- Rogers & Hollands
Women's Clothing
- Braun's
- Casual Corner
- Petite Sophisticate
- Gantos
- The Limited
- Lerner-New York
- Northern Reflections (closing soon)
- Vanity
- Victoria's Secret
Clothing
- The Buckle
- Contempo Casuals
- Eddie Bauer
- Gadzooks
- Maurices
- Wilson's Leather
Music, Electronics & Entertainment
- Great Explorations Children's Museum
- Musicland
- Radio Shack
- Sam Goody
- Tilt (video arcade)
Services
- Community Room
- Downtown Green Bay, Inc
- Northeastern Wisconsin Arts Council
- Go Wireless
- Cellcom
- Cellcom Green Bay Marathon
Books
- B. Dalton
- Waldenbooks
Shoes
- Athlete's Foot
- Foot Locker
- Payless ShoeSource
Beauty
- Cost Cutters
- Regis Haistylists
- Trade Secret
- Studio Nails
Restaurants & Food
- The Crockery Pub & Grill
- Diamond Dave's Taco Co.
- McDonald's
- Orange Julius
- Sbarro
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Auntie Anne's Pretzels
- Mr. Bulky Treats & Gifts
- GNC
[edit] Timeline
- August 4, 1977 - Port Plaza Mall opens with space for two anchor stores and 99 smaller stores. The mall is owned by Mansur & Associates of Chicago, Illinois. JCPenney opens.
- August 9, 1977 - The clock tower at Port Plaza is turned on. The bell in the clock tower is originally from a city hall in Winona, Mississippi.
- 1981 - Boston Store and a food court featuring McDonald's, Sbarro, Arby's and Taco Bell opens.
- 1986 - Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. buys Port Plaza Mall from Mansur & Associates.
- 1988 - Port Plaza Mall is renovated. New features include the use of neon lights and fountains. Renovations are done by the Hunzinger Construction Co., the construction company also responsible for the 1986 Mayfair Mall renovation.
- 1991 - H.C. Prange is acquired by Younkers.
- 1997 - Port Plaza Mall is purchased by Whitehall Funds and Zamias Services.
- 2000 - Boston Store closes.
- 2001-2002 - Development Associates LLC. purchases Port Plaza and changes the mall's name to "Washington Commons" to reflect on the reconnection of Washington Street which was where the food court portion of the mall once was. McDonald's and Osco Drug close their downtown locations.
- 2005, June - SpongeBob SquarePants visits Wild Air! Play Zone in Washington Commons as part of a promotion between Time Warner Cable, Nickelodeon, and Wild Air! Play Zone
- 2006 - A lawsuit with APAC Customer Services leaves Development Associates with a lawsuit and debt. The last six tenants are forced to leave by February 27. The mall is closed to the public and is kept clean and secure daily by maintenance crews for future developments. The property is up for sale for $8,000,000.
