Chesterfield Towne Center
An enclosed shopping mall serving the Richmond metropolitan area in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Chesterfield Towne Center is an enclosed regional shopping mall in unincorporated Chesterfield County, Virginia, serving the Richmond metropolitan area. The property opened in 1975 as Chesterfield Mall with Miller & Rhoads as its only anchor. Its early performance was weak enough that local observers reportedly nicknamed it the “Chesterfield Morgue,” but later expansion, rebranding, and changes in its tenant mix helped establish it as one of the Richmond region’s principal retail destinations. A major redevelopment in 1987 added Hess’s and Leggett-Belk anchor stores, a food court, a nine-screen cinema, and a long interior corridor running parallel to Mall Drive. The renovation was accompanied by the Chesterfield Towne Center name and a more upscale visual identity using diamond and palm motifs. Subsequent retail consolidations altered the anchor lineup: Miller & Rhoads became Hecht’s in 1990, Hess’s was sold to Proffitt’s in 1993 and then to Dillard’s in 1996, and the former Leggett-Belk location also became a Dillard’s store. Sears joined the center in 1997, while JCPenney opened in 2001 as retailers responded to the decline of nearby Cloverleaf Mall. The mall changed ownership in 1994 when The Macerich Partnership acquired it. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Chesterfield Towne Center expanded its competitive position and became the largest mall in the Richmond area, despite the opening of Stony Point Fashion Park and Short Pump Town Center in 2003. In 2006, Hecht’s converted to Macy’s. Both Dillard’s locations closed in 2008, after which the former theater space was redeveloped for Barnes & Noble and the surrounding food-court and entrance areas were refreshed. Former department-store space was later reused by Garden Ridge, which became At Home, and by a combined TJ Maxx/HomeGoods store. Macerich sold the property to Rouse Properties in December 2013. Retail updates continued with renovations and new or relocated stores, including H&M in 2015. Sears announced the closure of its Chesterfield Towne Center store in November 2019, and the location shut in February 2020. A 2020 shooting at the mall resulted in one man’s death and became a significant public-safety incident associated with the property. The mall was reportedly sold in December 2025 to a joint venture involving New York-based JRE Partners and Swiss company Anastacia AG, with Pacific Retail Capital Partners taking responsibility for leasing and management. In February 2026, the combined TJ Maxx/HomeGoods store reportedly closed after relocating to an off-mall site. The center’s known anchor lineup includes At Home, JCPenney, and Macy’s, alongside vacant spaces formerly occupied by Sears and the combined TJ Maxx/HomeGoods operation.
History
Chesterfield Towne Center opened in 1975 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, under the name Chesterfield Mall. Miller & Rhoads was its original and only anchor. The center struggled during its early years and acquired an unflattering local nickname reflecting its low traffic. Its fortunes changed after a substantial 1987 renovation and expansion, which introduced Hess’s and Leggett-Belk, a food court, a nine-screen movie theater, and a new interior corridor parallel to Mall Drive. The project also accompanied a renaming to Chesterfield Towne Center and a more upscale design direction based on diamond and palm imagery. Anchor changes shaped the mall throughout the following decades. Miller & Rhoads became Hecht’s in 1990. Hess’s sold its location to Proffitt’s in 1993, and Dillard’s acquired the store three years later. The Leggett-Belk location was also transferred to Dillard’s, which operated two stores at the center for a period. The Macerich Partnership acquired the mall in 1994. Sears opened in 1997, followed by JCPenney in 2001, as the center benefited from the decline of nearby Cloverleaf Mall. The mall subsequently became the largest shopping center in the Richmond region. Competition increased after Stony Point Fashion Park and Short Pump Town Center opened in 2003. Nevertheless, Chesterfield Towne Center remained an important regional destination. Hecht’s became Macy’s in September 2006. Both Dillard’s stores closed in May 2008. Barnes & Noble opened in June 2008 in space vacated by the former theater complex, while the mall refreshed its food-court facade, added a Red Robin restaurant, and renovated the North Entrance. Additional redevelopment occurred from 2010 onward. The former Leggett-Belk, Belk, and Dillard’s space was replaced by Garden Ridge in November 2010. The former Hess’s and Dillard’s space became a combined TJ Maxx/HomeGoods store in 2011. Garden Ridge later changed its name to At Home. The property also saw renovations and new tenants including American Eagle Outfitters, Old Navy, Rue21, and H&M. Macerich sold the mall to Rouse Properties in December 2013. Sears announced in November 2019 that its store would close, and the location shut in February 2020. On June 23, 2020, a confrontation at the mall led to a shooting in which one man was wounded and later died. The property was reportedly sold in December 2025 to a joint venture of JRE Partners and Anastacia AG, while Pacific Retail Capital Partners assumed leasing and management responsibilities. In February 2026, the combined TJ Maxx/HomeGoods store reportedly closed after moving to an off-site location. The center continues to be identified with Macy’s, JCPenney, and At Home, as well as vacant former anchor spaces.
- 2020
Sears closed and a fatal shooting occurred
[1]The Sears store closed in February, and a June shooting following a fight resulted in one death.
- 2015
H&M opened
[1]H&M took over space formerly occupied by Coldwater Creek.
- 2013
Rouse Properties acquired the mall
[1]The property changed hands from Macerich to Rouse Properties.
- 2008
Barnes & Noble opened in former theater space
[1]A Barnes & Noble store replaced the former theater complex, accompanied by facade and entrance improvements.
- 2006
Hecht's became Macy's
[1]The Hecht's location was converted to the Macy's banner.
- 2001
JCPenney opened
[1]JCPenney became another department-store anchor at the center.
- 1997
Sears opened
[1]Sears joined the anchor lineup as the mall benefited from changes in the surrounding competitive landscape.
- 1994
Macerich Partnership acquired the mall
[1]The Macerich Partnership became the property's owner.
- 1987
Major expansion and rebranding
[1]The mall added two anchor stores, a food court, a nine-screen cinema, and a major corridor, and adopted the Chesterfield Towne Center name.
- 1975
Chesterfield Mall opened
[1]The enclosed shopping center opened in Chesterfield County with Miller & Rhoads as its sole anchor.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping center focused on department stores, national specialty retailers, home goods, apparel, dining, and services for consumers in the Richmond metropolitan area.
Department store · 2006
Macy's
Macy's is one of the mall's principal current anchors. The location occupies the former Miller & Rhoads and Hecht's department-store lineage, connecting the center to its original anchor history and later national department-store consolidation.
Department store · 2001
JCPenney
JCPenney has operated as an anchor at Chesterfield Towne Center since opening at the property in 2001. Its assortment typically covers apparel, footwear, beauty, home merchandise, and family-oriented department-store categories.
Home furnishings retailer · 2010
At Home
At Home occupies space associated with the former Leggett-Belk and Dillard's anchor lineage. The store offers home decor, furnishings, textiles, seasonal goods, and related household merchandise. It previously operated under the Garden Ridge name.
Off-price retail and home goods · 2011
TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
A combined TJ Maxx/HomeGoods store opened in former Hess's and Dillard's space in 2011. It combined off-price apparel and accessories with discounted home furnishings and decor before reportedly closing in February 2026 after relocating away from the mall.
Controversies
2020
Fatal shooting following a mall fight
A confrontation between two men on June 23, 2020 escalated when one opened fire. The other man was hospitalized and later died. Available reference material identifies the event but does not provide enough detail to characterize it beyond this public-safety incident.
Brand decisions
2025
Reported sale to JRE Partners and Anastacia AGM&ABackground
The property entered another ownership transition after its period under Rouse Properties and subsequent management arrangements.
Action taken
A joint venture involving JRE Partners and Anastacia AG reportedly acquired the mall on December 12, 2025, with Pacific Retail Capital Partners taking over leasing and management.
Aftermath
The available material does not describe the new owners' redevelopment plans or operating results.
2019
Sears closureOtherBackground
Sears announced a nationwide program to close 96 stores.
Action taken
The Chesterfield Towne Center Sears store was selected for closure and shut in February 2020.
Aftermath
The mall lost one of its anchor locations, leaving the former Sears space vacant in the available reference material.
2013
Sale from Macerich to Rouse PropertiesM&ABackground
The mall continued operating in a competitive Richmond-area market that included newer lifestyle and open-air shopping centers.
Action taken
Macerich sold Chesterfield Towne Center to Rouse Properties in December 2013.
Aftermath
The property remained active and continued tenant renovations and additions after the ownership change.
2008
Conversion of former theater and entrance areasStrategyBackground
The mall had lost its theater complex and both Dillard's stores closed during the same period.
Action taken
Barnes & Noble was brought into the former theater space, while the food-court facade, North Entrance, and adjacent retail presentation were renovated.
Aftermath
The changes replaced obsolete entertainment space with a bookstore and refreshed the center's customer-facing areas.
1987
Expansion and upscale repositioningStrategyBackground
Early traffic was reportedly weak, creating pressure to improve the mall's appeal and competitive standing.
Action taken
The property added anchors, entertainment, a food court, and a new corridor, adopted the Chesterfield Towne Center name, and introduced a more upscale diamond-and-palm design theme.
Aftermath
The redevelopment established the center as a larger regional shopping destination.
Sources2 sources
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