Concord Mills
A large super-regional outlet mall and entertainment destination in Concord, North Carolina.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Concord Mills is a large single-level outlet mall in Concord, North Carolina, in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The property is located in Cabarrus County near the Mecklenburg County line and Charlotte city limits, approximately 12 miles from Uptown Charlotte and close to Interstate 85 and Charlotte Motor Speedway. With approximately 1.36 million square feet of floor area, it is one of the largest shopping centers in the state and is designed to serve local residents, regional shoppers, tourists, and visitors attending nearby motorsports events. The center was conceived in the 1990s as a super-regional “shoppertainment” destination rather than a conventional enclosed mall. Western Development Corporation, which later became Mills Corporation, developed the project in partnership with Germany-based KanAm. The design by Kiku Obata & Company used a large oval, single-floor plan and a series of themed retail and entertainment areas. The original concept combined outlet shopping, dining, family attractions, and highly visual architectural elements intended to make the mall a destination in its own right. Concord Mills opened on September 17, 1999, with more than 200 stores and approximately 4,000 jobs associated with its operation and surrounding economic activity. At opening, the mall featured themed courts and neighborhoods, including areas associated with fashion, basketball, music, entertainment, food, and NASCAR. These features reflected the Mills Corporation’s strategy of combining value-oriented retail with attractions and strong visual branding. The mall’s proximity to Charlotte Motor Speedway helped establish it as a visitor destination, while its position along I-85 made it accessible to the broader Charlotte region. The property was reported to have attracted 17.6 million visitors in 2005 and has been described as North Carolina’s largest single-site tourist attraction. Ownership and management changed during the 2000s. Simon Property Group and its predecessor organizations had early joint-venture interests, while Simon later sold its interest in 2002. After Mills Corporation encountered financial difficulties, Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired Mills assets, including Concord Mills, in a transaction announced in 2007. Simon subsequently assumed full control of management of the Mills portfolio after acquiring Farallon’s interest in 2012. KanAm Grund Group has remained associated with the property as a co-owner, while Simon has operated and managed the center. The mall has continued to evolve as tenant preferences and consumer habits changed. Retail turnover included the closure of Borders Books and Music in 2011 and H. H. Gregg during that company’s bankruptcy and liquidation. Family-oriented attractions remained part of the property’s offer, including the opening of a Sea Life Aquarium in 2014. Simon began a major interior renovation in 2016, modernizing the food court as the Dining Pavilion and adding updated finishes, lighting, Wi-Fi connectivity, and charging stations. A second renovation phase refreshed the exterior, signage, lighting, and visibility from I-85; the work was completed in 2019. Concord Mills has also added newer retail and entertainment concepts. H&M opened in 2017, Primark arrived in 2023, and subsequent announced additions included BoxLunch, HEYDUDE, Cavender’s Boot City, Hi Level Fashion, a children’s play area, and updates to Dave & Buster’s. The center marked its twentieth anniversary in 2019 and its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2024. Its role in the suburban Charlotte economy has been repeatedly associated with employment, sales-tax generation, tourism, and regional shopping. The property has faced operational and public-safety challenges, including traffic congestion, incidents involving violence, and a youth-supervision policy introduced by Simon in 2021 after disturbances involving teenagers. A flyover bridge completed in 2021 improved access between Concor…
History
Concord Mills emerged from the Mills Corporation’s 1990s strategy of developing large, visually distinctive outlet centers that combined retail with entertainment. Western Development Corporation, later spun off as Mills Corporation, planned the Concord project as a super-regional destination serving the Charlotte metropolitan area and travelers using nearby Interstate 85. The development was undertaken with KanAm, a German investment partner, and designed by Kiku Obata & Company of St. Louis. The resulting mall differed from a conventional department-store shopping center. It used a single-floor oval layout and incorporated themed neighborhoods and courts devoted to fashion, sports, music, entertainment, food, and NASCAR. The design was intended to create a strong sense of place and encourage visitors to spend several hours at the property. Its location near Charlotte Motor Speedway reinforced the connection to tourism and motorsports. Concord Mills opened on September 17, 1999, with more than 200 stores. The project was associated with approximately 4,000 jobs and substantial local tax contributions. The center expanded its regional importance during the early 2000s. It was reported to have attracted 17.6 million visitors in 2005, making it one of North Carolina’s most significant tourism-oriented commercial properties. Simon DeBartolo Group, which became Simon Property Group in 1998, had interests in the project during its early ownership history. Simon sold its interest in 2002, but later returned through the acquisition of Mills Corporation assets. Mills Corporation experienced financial problems by the middle of the 2000s. In 2007, Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired Mills assets, including Concord Mills, for a reported transaction value of $1.64 billion. The property was subsequently operated under Simon’s Mills platform. In 2012, Simon acquired Farallon’s interest in the Mills portfolio and took full control of management. KanAm Grund Group remained associated with Concord Mills as a co-owner. Tenant changes reflected wider shifts in American retail. Borders Books and Music closed in 2011 when the chain exited the U.S. market. A Sea Life Aquarium opened in 2014, adding a family attraction and strengthening the mall’s destination character. H. H. Gregg later closed following its bankruptcy and liquidation. Other restaurant and retail additions helped maintain the center’s broad mix of value shopping, dining, services, and entertainment. Simon launched a substantial renovation program in 2016. The first phase modernized interior common areas and transformed the food court into the Dining Pavilion, with updated flooring, a white-and-gray visual scheme, LED lighting, Wi-Fi connectivity, and charging facilities. H&M opened in 2017 after Saks Off 5th departed. A second phase, announced in 2018, focused on the exterior. It introduced new signage, LED lighting, and a prominent tower sign intended to improve visibility from I-85. Although initially expected to finish in 2018, the exterior work was completed in April 2019. The mall celebrated its twentieth anniversary in September 2019 with Simon’s “20 Days of Style” promotion. The event combined retailer promotions with anniversary programming and coincided with the replacement of old payphones by mobile-device charging stations. The same year also saw a fatal shooting connected to a disturbance involving teenagers, following an earlier shooting inside the mall’s movie theater. These incidents contributed to public concern about safety at the property. Following teen disturbances reported in 2020, Simon announced and implemented a youth-supervision policy in 2021. The policy required visitors under 18 to be accompanied by an adult during specified weekend hours. Also in 2021, a flyover bridge was completed near Concord Mills Boulevard to reduce traffic congestion and improve access to I-85. Local planning discussions subsequently considered additional sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and small public green spaces around the mall. Primark opened at Concord Mills in May 2023, adding an international value-fashion retailer to the tenant mix. The property celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in September 2024. Further tenant and entertainment additions were announced later in 2024, including BoxLunch, HEYDUDE, Cavender’s Boot City, Hi Level Fashion, a children’s play area, and improvements to Dave & Buster’s. Concord Mills remains an active super-regional outlet mall whose identity is based on value retail, family entertainment, tourism, and accessibility from the Charlotte-area highway network.
- 2024
Twenty-fifth anniversary
[1]Concord Mills marked 25 years of operation and announced additional retail and entertainment additions.
- 2023
Primark opens
[1]Primark opened at Concord Mills as part of its U.S. expansion.
- 2021
Youth policy and traffic improvements
[1]Simon implemented a youth-supervision policy, while a flyover bridge improved access to the mall from I-85.
- 2019
Renovation program concludes
[1]The exterior renovation phase was completed in April, followed by a twentieth-anniversary promotion in September.
- 2017
H&M opens
[1]H&M opened in space formerly occupied by Saks Off 5th.
- 2016
Interior renovation begins
[1]Simon began an interior modernization program, including improvements to the food court and common areas.
- 2014
Sea Life Aquarium opens
[1]The aquarium opened on February 20, adding a family attraction with thousands of marine animals.
- 2012
Simon gains full management control
[1]Simon acquired Farallon’s interest in the Mills portfolio and assumed full management control.
- 2007
Simon and Farallon acquire Mills assets
[1]The Mills portfolio, including Concord Mills, was acquired by Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management.
- 2002
Simon sells its property interest
[1]Simon sold its interest in Concord Mills to KanAm.
Products and positioning
A destination-oriented super-regional outlet mall combining value retail, dining, entertainment, tourism, and family attractions.
Retail property · 1999
Outlet retail center
The core offering is a large outlet-shopping environment with stores spanning apparel, footwear, accessories, sportswear, home goods, beauty, and other consumer categories. The tenant mix is designed to attract both value-conscious local shoppers and visitors traveling through the Charlotte region. Its scale, single-level layout, and highway access support regional and tourist traffic rather than only neighborhood shopping.
Food and beverage · 2017
Dining Pavilion
The Dining Pavilion is the renovated food-court component of Concord Mills. The 2016–2017 improvements introduced updated flooring, neutral finishes, LED lighting, Wi-Fi connectivity, and charging stations. It complements the mall’s full-service restaurants and other food operators by providing a central dining area for shoppers and families.
Family attraction · 2014
Sea Life Aquarium
Sea Life Aquarium opened at Concord Mills in 2014 and added an educational attraction to the mall’s retail-led business model. The facility presents marine life and is intended to appeal to families and tourists, reinforcing Concord Mills’ positioning as a destination where visitors can combine shopping with entertainment.
Entertainment
Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s provides arcade games, food, event facilities, and other entertainment. The announced modernization included darts and shuffleboard suites, a human-crane attraction, refreshed bowling areas, updated food offerings, and renovated event spaces, broadening the venue’s role for families, groups, and celebrations.
Cinema
AMC theater
The AMC theater is part of Concord Mills’ entertainment mix and helps extend visitor dwell time beyond shopping and dining. The venue was also the location of a 2019 shooting following a dispute over seating, an incident that led to an evacuation and subsequent criminal charges.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Twenty-fifth anniversary celebration
United States
Concord Mills marked its twenty-fifth anniversary with public recognition of the mall’s role in the Charlotte-area economy, tourism, employment, and family recreation.
Outcome. The anniversary reinforced Concord Mills’ positioning as a long-established regional shopping and entertainment destination.
- 201920 Days of Style
United States
Simon organized a three-week anniversary promotion for Concord Mills’ twentieth year. The event featured special offers and promotional items from participating stores, with emphasis on the mall’s fashion and value-shopping identity.
Outcome. The campaign supported the twentieth-anniversary celebration and coincided with upgrades to visitor amenities, including mobile-device charging stations.
Brand decisions
2023
Primark tenant launchProduct launchBackground
Primark was expanding its U.S. retail presence and sought additional high-volume locations.
Action taken
Primark opened a Concord Mills store in May 2023.
Aftermath
The opening added a major international value-fashion tenant to the mall’s retail mix.
2021
Youth supervision policyOtherBackground
Simon responded to teen disturbances reported around the property, particularly during weekend periods.
Action taken
The mall required people under 18 to be accompanied by an adult after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Aftermath
The policy became part of the mall’s visitor-management and safety procedures.
2018
Exterior rebranding and visibility upgradeStrategyBackground
The property required updated external branding and stronger visibility for motorists using I-85.
Action taken
Simon announced new exterior signage, LED lighting, a Simon-branded logo treatment, and a 70-foot tower sign.
Aftermath
The exterior work was completed in April 2019 after running later than the original August 2018 target.
2016
Interior modernization and Dining Pavilion conversionStrategyBackground
Simon sought to refresh the mall for families, tourists, and local shoppers amid changing retail expectations.
Action taken
Simon renovated interior common areas and rebranded the food court as the Dining Pavilion, adding new finishes, LED lighting, Wi-Fi, and charging stations.
Aftermath
The first renovation phase was completed in January 2017 and was followed by additional exterior improvements.
2007
Acquisition of Mills Corporation assetsM&ABackground
Mills Corporation was experiencing financial difficulties, creating an opportunity for a portfolio acquisition.
Action taken
Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired Mills assets, including Concord Mills.
Aftermath
The property entered Simon’s Mills operating platform, and Simon later obtained full management control of the portfolio.
Transaction value. $1.64 billion (Announced February 2007; completed April 2007)
Recent events
- 2026
Simon sues A Sneaker City over alleged rent and lease violations[1]
Lawsuit
Simon Property Group filed a lawsuit seeking more than $600,000 and alleging unpaid rent and lease violations involving a Concord Mills tenant.
- 2024
Concord Mills celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary[1]
Campaign
The mall marked 25 years of operation and continued to emphasize its role as a regional shopping and tourism destination.
- 2024
New stores and children’s play area announced[1]
Product launch
Simon announced additions including BoxLunch, HEYDUDE, Cavender’s Boot City, Hi Level Fashion, and a children’s play area, alongside an update to Dave & Buster’s.
- 2023
Primark opens at Concord Mills[1]
Product launch
Primark opened a location at the mall as part of the retailer’s expansion in the United States.
- 2021
Youth supervision policy is implemented[1]
Regulation
Simon introduced restrictions requiring guests under 18 to be accompanied by an adult during specified Friday and Saturday afternoon and evening hours.
- 2021
Flyover bridge improves access to Concord Mills[1]
Other
A flyover bridge project was completed to address recurring congestion on Concord Mills Boulevard and provide a more direct connection to I-85.
- 2019
Exterior renovation is completed[1]
Other
The mall completed a delayed second renovation phase involving exterior signage, LED lighting, and a large tower sign visible from I-85.
- 2019
Concord Mills marks its twentieth anniversary[1]
Campaign
The mall held a three-week “20 Days of Style” promotion and replaced its former payphones with more than 50 mobile-device charging stations.
- 2016
Interior renovation begins[1]
Other
Simon announced an interior renovation focused on the shopping experience, including a redesigned food court later branded as the Dining Pavilion.
- 2014
Sea Life Aquarium opens at Concord Mills[1]
Product launch
A Sea Life Aquarium opened at the mall, adding an educational and family-oriented attraction with thousands of marine animals.
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