Cross County Mall
A former partially enclosed shopping mall in suburban West Palm Beach that was redeveloped as the Cross County Plaza power center.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Cross County Mall was a partially enclosed shopping mall west of West Palm Beach, Florida, at the intersection of Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard. The property was positioned approximately two miles west of Interstate 95 and within convenient reach of Florida's Turnpike and Palm Beach International Airport. Developed as a local regional shopping destination, it served suburban residents through a combination of department-store-style anchors, discount retail, entertainment, restaurants, and smaller specialty tenants. The mall was developed by Wespac Investments and originally included an eight-screen AMC Theatres, Jefferson Ward, and Britt's. Jefferson Ward later became Kmart, while Britt's was subsequently replaced by Ross Dress for Less. Restaurants and other businesses occupied surrounding out parcels, including Chili's and Red Robin, the latter later becoming an IHOP location. The center's tenant mix reflected the practical, value-oriented character of a suburban retail property rather than a luxury or highly specialized shopping destination. The property's condition deteriorated after Wespac Investments entered bankruptcy in March 1988. As maintenance and investment declined, a number of tenants became dissatisfied and chose not to renew their leases. A 1993 fire at Builders Square, attributed in the reference material to an irresponsible employee, further accelerated the mall's decline. These pressures contributed to the eventual decision to remove the original mall structure rather than continue operating it in its existing form. The property was purchased in September 1997. Following the completion of demolition later that year, Swerdlow Group redeveloped the site as Cross County Plaza, a power center that retained or replaced several of the former mall's major retail components in newly configured premises. New leases were negotiated with Kmart, Ross, and Winn-Dixie, with the tenants relocating into new buildings under then-current market rental terms. AMC Theatres did not return; the chain had already exited Palm Beach County earlier in 1997 after closing its final location in Delray Beach. Cross County Plaza represents a transition from the enclosed regional-mall format to an open-air, convenience-oriented power-center model. Its later tenant base included Ross Dress for Less, Presidente Supermarket, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, and a mixture of national chains, local shops, and restaurants. Kmart closed its location in summer 2016, and Southeastern Grocers announced in 2019 that the Winn-Dixie store at Cross County Plaza would be among 22 stores slated for closure. The current property identity is therefore Cross County Plaza, while Cross County Mall refers primarily to the demolished predecessor.
History
Cross County Mall was developed by Wespac Investments as a regional shopping mall serving the suburban area west of West Palm Beach, Florida. Its location at Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard placed it near major transportation routes, including Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike, and close to Palm Beach International Airport. The property combined enclosed mall retail with surrounding out parcels occupied by restaurants and other commercial tenants. The original anchor lineup included an eight-screen AMC Theatres, Jefferson Ward, and Britt's. Over time, Jefferson Ward became Kmart and Britt's became Ross Dress for Less. Chili's and Red Robin were among the businesses operating around the mall, with the Red Robin site later associated with IHOP. This mixture made the center a broad-based shopping and dining destination for nearby residents. The mall's fortunes changed after Wespac Investments declared bankruptcy in March 1988. Underinvestment and declining physical conditions affected the shopping environment, and several tenants chose not to renew their leases. A 1993 fire at Builders Square, described in the reference material as having been caused by an irresponsible employee, added to the property's problems. The mall consequently entered a prolonged period of decline rather than receiving the reinvestment needed to maintain its earlier regional role. The property was purchased in September 1997 and was subsequently cleared. Demolition was completed late that year, after which Swerdlow Group reorganized the site as Cross County Plaza, an open-air power center. The redevelopment preserved the commercial value of the location while replacing the aging enclosed-mall format. Lease agreements were renegotiated with Kmart, Ross, and Winn-Dixie, allowing each to occupy newly constructed or reconfigured premises at current market rental rates. Not every former component returned. AMC Theatres did not reopen at the redeveloped property, and the chain had already departed Palm Beach County earlier in 1997 after closing its last Delray Beach location. The post-redevelopment center instead emphasized practical retail and everyday services. Its later tenant mix included Ross Dress for Less, Presidente Supermarket, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, national and local retailers, and restaurants. The property's subsequent history reflects wider changes in American discount retail and supermarket retailing. Kmart closed its Cross County Plaza store in summer 2016. In 2019, Southeastern Grocers announced that its Cross County Plaza location would be among 22 stores slated for closure. Although the original Cross County Mall no longer exists as an enclosed mall, the site continues under the Cross County Plaza identity as a power-center retail property.
- 2019
Southeastern Grocers closure announcement
[1]The supermarket operator announced that its Cross County Plaza store was included in a group of 22 planned closures.
- 2016
Kmart store closes
[1]The Kmart location at Cross County Plaza closed during the summer.
- 1997
Property purchased
[1]The site was purchased in September, setting the stage for redevelopment.
- 1997
Conversion to Cross County Plaza
[1]Demolition of the enclosed mall was completed late in the year and the site was reworked as a power center.
- 1993
Builders Square fire
[1]A fire at Builders Square further hastened the decline of the original mall.
- 1988
Owner enters bankruptcy
[1]Wespac Investments declared bankruptcy, after which the mall's condition deteriorated and tenant dissatisfaction increased.
Products and positioning
A suburban, value-oriented retail property that evolved from an enclosed regional mall into an open-air power center focused on discount retail, groceries, general merchandise, dining, and everyday convenience.
Shopping mall format
Enclosed regional mall
The original Cross County Mall was a partially enclosed suburban shopping mall with department-store-style anchors, specialty tenants, restaurants, and an eight-screen cinema. Its principal retail anchors included Jefferson Ward, later Kmart, and Britt's, later Ross Dress for Less.
Power center · 1997
Cross County Plaza
Cross County Plaza is the redeveloped open-air retail format occupying the former mall site. It combines large-format discount and grocery tenants, including Ross Dress for Less, Presidente Supermarket, and Ollie's Bargain Outlet, with chain restaurants, local businesses, and other shops.
Brand decisions
1997
Redevelopment from enclosed mall to power centerStrategyBackground
The original mall had suffered from deteriorating conditions, tenant departures, and the loss of commercial momentum following the owner's bankruptcy and a later fire.
Action taken
Following the September purchase, the mall was demolished and the site was reorganized as Cross County Plaza. New leases were negotiated with Kmart, Ross, and Winn-Dixie for relocated premises.
Aftermath
The property shifted to an open-air, value-oriented retail model. AMC Theatres did not return, while the redeveloped center gained discount, grocery, restaurant, and local retail tenants.
Recent events
- 2019
Southeastern Grocers announces closure of Cross County Plaza store[1]
Other
Southeastern Grocers announced the closure of 22 stores, including its Cross County Plaza location.
- 2016
Kmart closes its Cross County Plaza location[1]
Other
The Kmart store at Cross County Plaza closed during summer 2016, ending the location's tenure as one of the property's retained major anchors.
- 1997
Cross County Mall site purchased for redevelopment[1]
M&A
The property was purchased in September 1997, leading to demolition of the former mall and its conversion into Cross County Plaza.
- 1997
Cross County Plaza replaces the former enclosed mall[1]
Other
After demolition was completed late in the year, the site was reconfigured as a power center under the Cross County Plaza name.
- 1993
Fire at Builders Square accelerates decline of Cross County Mall[1]
Other
A fire at the Builders Square store, attributed in the reference material to an irresponsible employee, further weakened the already troubled mall property.
- 1988
Wespac Investments enters bankruptcy as mall conditions deteriorate[1]
Bankruptcy
The mall's owner, Wespac Investments, declared bankruptcy. The resulting deterioration contributed to tenant dissatisfaction and non-renewals.
Sources1 sources
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