Augusta Mall
A two-level super-regional shopping mall serving Augusta and the surrounding area of Georgia.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Augusta Mall is a two-level super-regional shopping mall in Augusta, Georgia, United States. It is the largest shopping mall in the Augusta metropolitan area and is among the larger enclosed retail complexes in the state. The property combines department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment-oriented uses, and an outdoor lifestyle component known as The Augusta Promenade. The mall opened on August 3, 1978, shortly after the opening of Regency Mall in the same metropolitan area. Its original tenant mix included approximately 90 retail spaces and two department-store anchors, Rich's and Davison's. Several of its architectural features reflected design approaches associated with The Rouse Company, including a prominent space-frame ceiling, a central fountain, and a distinctive elevator installation. These features connected the project visually with other major malls developed or influenced by Rouse during the period. Augusta Mall expanded repeatedly as the Augusta retail market grew. A 1987 addition created a larger JCPenney location. In 1990, Sears joined the property as an additional anchor in conjunction with a major renovation that modernized the interior and increased the number of retail spaces to more than 130. During the late 1990s, J. B. White moved from the declining Regency Mall to Augusta Mall and subsequently became associated with Dillard's, strengthening Augusta Mall's position as the region's main shopping destination. Growth also placed pressure on surrounding roads, prompting publicly funded improvements around Wrightsboro Road and nearby Interstate 520 connections. Further infrastructure work took place in 2002, including parking, drainage, and interior improvements. The mall's next major development was The Augusta Promenade, a roughly 180,000-square-foot lifestyle-center expansion announced in 2006 and opened on November 8, 2007. This addition broadened the complex beyond the traditional enclosed-mall format and added space for restaurants and specialty retailers. Tenant turnover continued over the following years, with some stores closing and others entering the property, including Vans, Torrid, rue21, and QC Nails Salon. Buca di Beppo, Abercrombie & Fitch, Williams Sonoma, and other retailers eventually departed. The property has also adapted to changes in department-store retail. Macy's underwent changes during the 2002 work, and Sears announced its closure in 2020 as part of a nationwide store-closing program. The former Sears space was later identified for redevelopment, with Primark announced as a future anchor tenant. Construction for a Primark store was reported as beginning in 2025, with an expected opening in 2026; that timetable should be treated as subject to change. Augusta Mall has periodically appeared in local and national news because of political events, thefts, vehicle incidents, robberies, and violent disturbances. A 1992 campaign rally by Vice President Dan Quayle drew more than 5,000 supporters. Later incidents included a vehicle being driven into the mall, theft from a Victoria's Secret store, an Apple-store robbery, and several shootings or weapons-related disturbances between 2020 and 2025. These events affected public perception and led to evacuations or temporary closures in some cases, but the mall remains an active regional retail destination.
History
Augusta Mall opened on August 3, 1978, in Augusta, Georgia, one week after Regency Mall opened in the same region. The original complex contained approximately 90 stores and was anchored by Rich's and Davison's. Its architecture drew on design elements used in other large shopping centers associated with The Rouse Company, including a space-frame ceiling and a central fountain and elevator arrangement. The property began a series of expansions as Augusta's population and retail demand increased. In 1987, the mall added a 132,000-square-foot JCPenney expansion. The second major project arrived in 1990, when Sears became an additional anchor. That project included a substantial renovation and increased the number of retail spaces from roughly 100 to more than 130. By the late 1990s, Augusta Mall had become the area's principal retail destination. J. B. White relocated from Regency Mall and became the mall's fifth anchor; the store later operated under the Dillard's name. Increased traffic required improvements to Wrightsboro Road and the nearby Interstate 520 access system. Infrastructure work in 2002 included storm-drain maintenance, parking improvements, and interior upgrades. Macy's closed during this period, and part of its lower level was converted for furniture retail. The mall's fourth major expansion, The Augusta Promenade, was announced in 2006. Construction began that summer, and the approximately 180,000-square-foot lifestyle-center addition opened on November 8, 2007. The project diversified the property by adding an outdoor-oriented retail and dining component alongside the traditional enclosed mall. Tenant changes continued throughout the 2010s. Abercrombie & Fitch closed in 2013. New or planned tenants reported during the decade included Vans, Torrid, rue21, and QC Nails Salon, while Buca di Beppo and Williams Sonoma later closed. The mall also received a rooftop solar installation in 2018, reported at 435 kilowatts, as part of an effort to supplement its electricity supply. Sears announced in February 2020 that its Augusta Mall store would close within a nationwide round of closures, and the location shut in April of that year. The vacant anchor space subsequently became the planned site of a Primark store. Construction was reported to have begun in 2025, with completion and opening anticipated in 2026. Augusta Mall has also experienced several public-safety incidents. A vehicle was driven into the mall in 2007, and the property was the scene of theft and robbery incidents during the following decade. More serious violence included a fatal shooting in October 2020, a gun-brandishing incident in June 2022, shootings in April and July 2024, and a fatal shooting following a fight in September 2025. The latter incident resulted in an evacuation and temporary closure. These events form part of the mall's documented recent history, although they do not define its primary commercial function as a regional shopping center.
- 2025
Primark redevelopment announced
[1]Primark was announced as the planned replacement for the vacant Sears space, with an anticipated 2026 opening.
- 2020
Sears closes
[1]The Sears anchor closed in April after being included in a nationwide closure program.
- 2018
Rooftop solar system installed
[1]The mall began using a rooftop solar-panel system reported at 435 kilowatts.
- 2007
Augusta Promenade opens
[1]The approximately 180,000-square-foot lifestyle-center addition opened on November 8.
- 1998
J. B. White relocates to the mall
[1]J. B. White moved from Regency Mall to Augusta Mall and later became associated with Dillard's.
- 1992
Vice-presidential campaign rally
[1]Vice President Dan Quayle held a campaign rally at the mall during the 1992 election.
- 1990
Sears joins as an anchor
[1]Sears opened as an additional anchor during a large renovation that expanded the retail lineup.
- 1987
JCPenney expansion
[1]A major addition created a 132,000-square-foot JCPenney location.
- 1978
Mall opens
[1]Augusta Mall opened on August 3 with approximately 90 retail spaces and Rich's and Davison's as its initial department-store anchors.
Products and positioning
A large regional shopping destination combining enclosed-mall department stores, specialty retail, dining, and lifestyle-center space for the Augusta metropolitan area.
Department stores · 1978
Department-store retail
The mall's department-store component has historically included Rich's, Davison's, JCPenney, Sears, Dillard's, and Macy's. Current and continuing anchor references include JCPenney, Dillard's, and Macy's, while the former Sears space is being redeveloped for Primark.
Apparel, footwear, beauty, and accessories · 1978
Specialty retail
Augusta Mall's specialty-retail mix serves everyday apparel, footwear, sporting goods, beauty, jewelry, accessories, books, and other consumer categories. The tenant roster has changed over time as national chains and local service operators have opened or closed locations.
Lifestyle-center retail and dining · 2007
The Augusta Promenade
The Augusta Promenade is the mall's major lifestyle-center addition. Opened in 2007, it extends the property beyond the enclosed mall format with additional retail and restaurant space.
Value apparel
Planned Primark store
Primark is planned for the upper level of the former Sears anchor. Construction was reported as beginning in 2025, with an expected opening by August 2026, subject to completion and schedule changes.
Controversies
2025
Fatal shooting following fight
A 17-year-old male died after being shot following an escalated fight on September 23. The mall was evacuated and closed temporarily.
2024
Dillard's shooting
A man was injured in a shooting inside Dillard's on April 28.
2024
July shooting
A man was injured in a shooting at the mall on July 4.
2022
Gun brandished during food-court dispute
A gun was displayed during a verbal dispute in the food court; no shots were fired.
2020
Fatal shooting after mall altercation
A shooting following an altercation on October 3 killed one victim and injured another.
Marketing campaigns
- 1992Dan Quayle campaign rally
United States
The mall hosted a campaign rally for Vice President Dan Quayle during the closing phase of the 1992 United States presidential election campaign.
Outcome. Attendance reportedly exceeded the organizers' expectation, drawing more than 5,000 supporters.
Brand decisions
2025
Redevelop vacant Sears space for PrimarkM&ABackground
The closure of Sears left a major anchor space available for reuse.
Action taken
Primark was announced as the future tenant of the upper level of the former Sears location, with construction reported as beginning in 2025.
Aftermath
The store was expected to open by August 2026, although the reported schedule may change.
2007
Open The Augusta PromenadeStrategyBackground
The enclosed mall format was supplemented with a lifestyle-oriented retail and dining component.
Action taken
The approximately 180,000-square-foot Augusta Promenade opened on November 8.
Aftermath
The property broadened its offer beyond enclosed shopping and added another source of retail and restaurant space.
1990
Add Sears and renovate the interiorGeneration changeBackground
Augusta Mall continued to expand its position as a major shopping destination in the region.
Action taken
Sears opened as a fourth anchor, while the interior was renovated and additional retail spaces were created.
Aftermath
The mall's tenant capacity grew to more than 130 spaces.
1987
Expand for JCPenneyGeneration changeBackground
The mall expanded as demand for regional department-store and specialty retail space increased.
Action taken
A 132,000-square-foot addition was developed for JCPenney.
Aftermath
The project strengthened the mall's anchor lineup and increased its regional capacity.
Recent events
- 2025
Primark announced for former Sears space[1]
Product launch
Primark announced plans to open a store on the upper level of the vacant Sears space. Construction was reported as starting in 2025, with an expected opening in 2026.
- 2020
Sears closure announced[1]
Bankruptcy
Sears announced that its Augusta Mall location would close as part of a nationwide program affecting dozens of stores. The location closed in April 2020.
- 2017
Apple store robbery reported[1]
Other
Several men robbed the Apple store at Augusta Mall.
- 2007
Vehicle driven into Augusta Mall[1]
Other
A man drove a vehicle into the mall, an incident recorded in the mall's historical account.
- 1992
Dan Quayle holds campaign rally at Augusta Mall[1]
Campaign
Vice President Dan Quayle held a rally at the mall during the final phase of the 1992 United States presidential campaign. Attendance reportedly exceeded expectations, with more than 5,000 supporters present.
Sources2 sources
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