Tucson Mall is the largest shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona. Tucson Mall features over 200 stores and two levels of indoor shopping. The mall is owned and managed by General Growth Properties. It is anchored by Forever 21, J. C. Penney, Macy's (formerly Foley's and Robinsons-May), Dillard's, and Sears. The Tucson Mall contains a food court containing several fast food restaurants, as well as "Arizona Avenue," an arcade containing Southwestern-themed items. The mall is located on the north side of Tucson, bounded by Oracle Road (Arizona State Route 77), Wetmore Road, Stone Avenue, and the Rillito River.
Anchor stores
- Dillard’s (197,958 sq ft.)
- Forever 21 (86,596 sq ft., formerly Mervyn’s)
- J. C. Penney (136,864 sq ft.)
- Macy’s (139,078 sq ft., formerly occupied in a 135,000 sq ft (12,500 m2) originally Broadway Southwest. Current location originally Foley’s; chain’s Arizona locations rebranded as Robinsons-May February 2, 1997 changed to Macy’s in 2006)
- Old Navy (19,996 sq ft.)
- Sears (162,816 sq ft.)
Former anchors
- Diamond’s sold to Dillard’s 1984.
- Foley’s became Robinsons-May February 2, 1997, closed sometime shortly after the chain was bought out by Macy’s, reopened as Macy’s no earlier than May 25, 2006, & no later than December 25, 2006.
- The Broadway, became Macy’s 1995 or 1996, closed 2006, demolished 2007.
- Mervyns closed 2008, became Forever 21 2009.
Idea for the Tucson Mall
According to historian David Leighton, it was Helen Wetmore, who's husband's family had homesteaded the land in the late 1800s, that came up with the idea for the Tucson Mall. During a trip to Chicago, Illinois, in the 1930s, she spotted a shopping center on the Skokie Highway and thought to herself, "That's what I am going to have on my land." She kept the parcel of land together until 1978, and at that point plans for the mall were initiated with Forest City Enterprises.
History
In October 2007 the former Broadway store was demolished in preparation for an extensive remodel and addition on the south side of the mall. The changes include the addition of a grand entrance hall in the location of the Broadway, extension of stores on both the east and west side of the new entrance, addition of multiple water features, complete update of facade from current Macy's to Mall Security Offices, and the addition of REI and The Cheesecake Factory on the south side of the Tucson Mall. Also being added is a parking structure in front the current Macy's. In 4th quarter of 2008, GameStop, formerly an Electronics Boutique, in the bottom floor was relocated to the center as a Software ETC on the top floor, also owned by Gamestop, hyped a bigger, better Gamestop, this larger center one being the result. Mervyn's has closed their store with the chain's demise. On March 28, 2009 Forever 21 opened in the approximately 80,000-square-foot (7,400Â m2) space formerly anchored by Mervyn's as part of its strategy to open larger stores with a more diverse merchandise selection.
Brio Tuscan Grille closed in 2013.
Transportation
Sun Tran's Tohono Tadai Transit Center, located adjacent to the Mall, was opened in 1994.
References
- ErSys: Tucson, AZ - Area Malls - Shopping Experience
External links
- Tucson Mall Official Site
- General Growth Properties: Tucson Mall
- Aerial View
