The restaurant has closed permanently as of 2020. The new Supercenter opened in October 2017, though it is not accessible from the mall. In January 2004, Metrocenter was sold by DVM Co., a joint venture of Simon Property Group and Rusty Lyon, Jr., to a joint venture of The Macerich Company and AEW Capital Management. In 1974, the mall opened a triple-screen movie theater by General Cinema Corporation. Metrocenter experienced a decade-long decline. Rhodes Brothers was converted to Liberty House in 1974, then to Joske's in 1984. Rahman said he still had plenty of inventory to sell and didn't want to close. The mall was opened for business in Early 1973, and when it opened as the first two-level, five-anchor mall in the U.S., it was the largest shopping center in Arizona and was considered one of the largest shopping centers in the United States. When Metrocenter mall opened in 1973 many considered it "the place" to go in Phoenix. There are a lot of questions surrounding the woman who now owns the largest portion of Metrocenter Mall, including her past and the deal itself.Emily Sanders’ name started trending online a few days ago when she announced the purchase. According to court documents, … The mall officially closed on June 30, 2020. according to the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office. Flagstaff Mall is a regional shopping mall located in Flagstaff, Arizona, is operated by Cypress Equities. What is that sculpture outside of Sears? JCPenney moved to Christown Spectrum Mall in 2007 and the former location of JCPenney in Metrocenter Mall is currently vacant. Hanes Mall Boulevard, the road named after the mall, has become a very high traffic count area with over 250 businesses stretching over 2.9 miles. Cortana Mall was an enclosed shopping mall in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was at the intersection of Airline Hwy. Dillard's remained in the mall until 2006, leaving two active department store anchors at Metrocenter. [6] More than 300 trees were removed[7] (most of them eucalyptus) and desert-friendly landscaping was planted. [ citation needed ], In June 2014, it was announced that a Walmart Supercenter would open, taking over the space occupied by the vacant Broadway building. It is located on 75th Avenue and Thomas Road. Don't forget to look up at that futuristic ceiling! Fountain with Sculpture in front of Rhodes store and King's Row Fireplace Shop, Another fountain in Metrocenter Mall, 1974 magazine photo. [5] In addition to increased competition, crime in the mall's neighborhood and parking lot increased. This will provide jobs and will hopefully draw more shoppers to the area. It was designed by architect Wenceslao Sarmiento, who also designed the Phoenix Financial Center (sometimes called the Punchcard Building) at Central Ave and Osborn Rd. [1]. The mall had an ice skating rink on the ground level overlooked by the mall's food court, which was designed to resemble the fuselage of an airliner. The parking lot was repaved and 35 percent more lighting was added. JCPenney moved to Christown Spectrum Mall in 2007 and the former location of JCPenney in Metrocenter Mall is currently vacant. University Mall, previously University Square Mall, is a shopping mall located near the University of South Florida, just north of the city limits of Tampa on Fowler Avenue; a major eight lane, east-west corridor. [9], After 47 years of service, Metro Center Mall was closed on June 30, 2020 due to low store occupancy levels following the COVID-19 pandemic, and failed rejuvenation projects to boost foot traffic. Phoenix has long been on the cutting edge of retail, especially when it comes to shopping malls. The theater was acquired by Harkins Theatres in March 1999, and converted to a 12-screen theater. 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