Richardson Square Mall

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Richardson Square Mall was an enclosed shopping center located in Richardson, Texas, United States. The site has been redeveloped into an outdoor retail center.

[edit] History

The single-level mall first opened in 1977 at the intersection of Beltline Road and Plano Road. It was a thriving regional mall. The center's location, directly across the street from Berkner High School, made it a popular destination and employer for high school students from both Richardson and Garland well through the 1980s.^{[1] [2]} The three adjacent corners of Beltline and Plano Road were also occupied by shopping centers. At one point, the mall had four full anchors: Sears, Dillard's, Titche-Goettinger (which became Joske's in 1979 and a second Dillard's location in 1987), and Montgomery Ward. It also featured a multi-screen movie theater.

By 1981 Collin Creek Mall--a much larger mall--opened in nearby Plano, but Richardson Square continued to be popular through the rest of the 1980s. Stores began rapidly closing in the early 1990s. By 1993, the property was at about 60% occupancy. Dillard's maintained both its store and the former Joske's location, which it would close in 1995.

A small free-standing strip of stores was built in 1985 on the outer corner of the property closest to Berkner High School. Tenants included a realtor and dry cleaning business, but most of the stores were never leased.

In 1998 the mall was remodeled ^[3], with many new tenants and a food court added, as well as a Barnes and Noble bookstore which occupied the space of half a dozen stores. The entrance corridor near Sears, formerly occupied by a movie theater, video arcade, and several food vendors, became a Stein Mart. Shortly thereafter Montgomery Ward filed for bankruptcy and closed its stores^[4]. The former Ward's pad was demolished and converted into a Super Target. Stein Mart, Oshman's, and several other small stores soon closed as well. The mall continued to operate until Garland's Firewheel Town Center opened in 2005. Dillard's, Old Navy, and Barnes and Noble all relocated to Firewheel ^[5].

The loss of the mall was significant for the city, but, in 2006, with the announcement that Simon Properties would be renovating the site, city leaders expressed optimism that the new development would flourish. ^[6]

Richardson Square Mall demolition began in June of 2007. Now located in its place is a outdoor retail center which now goes by the name Richardson Square. Currently undergoing a new development, and in addition to the existing Super Target and Sears, Richardson Square now features Ross Dress for Less and a Lowe's home improvement store.

[edit] References

[edit] External Links

• Photos of Richardson Square Mall just prior to and during demolition.

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