Thursday, December 6, 2012

La Gran Plaza Mall Fort Worth TX

La Gran Plaza Mall is located in Fort Worth Texas. This mall originally began as an open air shopping center in 1962 called Seminary South Shopping Center. In the mid 1980's the shopping center was enclosed and included JCPenney, Sears (original anchor), and Dillard's as anchors. By the early 2000's all of the anchors had left and the mall was in trouble. For more historical information click on the following three links. The first link shows the mall before the most recent renovation. 
The mall was purchased in the mid 2000's by a group that included Boxer properties and the mall was renovated and brought in several new businesses to fill the mall. The result has been a successful transformation of the property that has benefited the community. Boxer properties is the same company that manages operations at the PlazAmericas Mall in Houston. 
The former Dillard's is now a three level El Mercado
The Ross and next door Burlington are in the former Sears building. 
The food court is attached to El Mercado on the first floor. The second floor is where the majority of the mall stores are located. 
Many of the pictures of the mall were taken at closing time, but the mall was packed when we first arrived. This mall is very successful and a great example of how to re-position a mall that was failing. 
For a full store list click on the following link.
The sign for the Cinema Latino at the entrance to the mall concourse. 
This is the central part of the mall and where Sears was originally located. Burlington and Ross are the main anchors of the mall along with Factory 2 U.
The Food Court area. There are also several restaurants throughout the mall. 
As you can see the mall is nearly full of a mix of name brand and local merchants. 
The front of the former JCPenney which is now a college. 
How about a retro 1980's style Foot Locker store. 
The Footaction is also a retro late 1980's-1990's style. 
The former Dillard's which is now El Mercado. El Mercado is packed on all three floors shops and businesses. These photos were taken after closing time, but this place was packed when we first arrived.  
Inside of El Mercado.
More new articles coming soon including a return to San Antonio.

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