Mall at Stonecrest

The Mall at Stonecrest, commonly known as Stonecrest Mall, is a super-regional shopping mall beside Interstate 20 in Stonecrest, Georgia, in the eastern Atlanta metropolitan area. The center opened on October 24, 2001, after a lengthy and repeatedly delayed planning process. It was developed on the growing Interstate 20 corridor and was intended to provide a major retail and entertainment destination for communities east of Atlanta and DeKalb County. The project was discussed under several proposed names, including Turner Hill Mall, Interstate East Mall, and Metro East. During the late twentieth century, possible opening dates shifted repeatedly as developers struggled to secure commitments from major retailers and as alternative uses for the site were considered. Public proposals at different times included a convention center, an outdoor theater, residential towers, a MARTA rail extension or station, and a satellite college campus. These alternatives did not replace the shopping-center plan, and the mall ultimately opened with Dillard's, JCPenney, Parisian, Rich's, and Sears as its principal anchors. The mall's retail offer has changed substantially since opening. Traditional department-store anchors have remained important to its identity, but several have closed or been replaced. Parisian was subsequently replaced by Kohl's, which closed in 2016. Sears announced the closure of its Stonecrest location in 2017, and the store shut in January 2018. The former Kohl's building later became associated with the Atlanta Sports City project, although that proposed development was abandoned in 2019 amid investor litigation. In 2021, the vacant Kohl's property was occupied by a Lisa Young beauty-supply store, while the former Sears space became home to a large SeaQuest aquarium. SeaQuest closed for renovations in 2023 and plans were announced for a future reopening under different ownership and a different name. Entertainment has been a recurring part of the center's positioning. The property includes a movie theater associated with the mall's upper level and outdoor plaza, as well as restaurants and other businesses around the main structure and pavilion food court. Round One Entertainment opened in 2017 with bowling, Japanese arcade games, billiards, karaoke, table tennis, darts, and a full-service restaurant and bar. It closed in December 2022. Restaurants in the surrounding plaza have also changed over time, with new operators replacing older businesses. The mall is part of a broader mixed-use corridor that increasingly includes apartments, condominiums, restaurants, offices, and civic amenities. Its location connects it to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, and the Arabia Mountain PATH provides access through the surrounding heritage landscape. The property also became closely associated with the formation of the City of Stonecrest. Stonecrest was approved by referendum in November 2016 and incorporated in 2017, making the mall one of the most recognizable commercial landmarks in the new municipality. The center has served a diverse customer base, including Black and Hispanic communities in the eastern Atlanta region. Its seasonal programming has included the presentation of both Black and white Santa figures during the Christmas period. Like many large shopping centers, Mall at Stonecrest has also faced security, crowd-management, vacancy, and debt-related challenges. Management introduced an adult-accompaniment policy for minors in 2009 after disruptions attributed to groups of teenagers, and several later incidents involved fights, weapons, or crowds responding to limited-edition product releases. Despite anchor closures and redevelopment setbacks, the mall remains an active retail and entertainment destination.

The Mall at Stonecrest emerged from a development concept that had circulated in DeKalb County for much of the late twentieth century. Early proposals used names such as Turner Hill Mall, Interstate East Mall, and Metro East, and projected opening dates changed several times. The project encountered repeated delays because of developer difficulties and uncertainty over whether enough major retailers would commit. At the time, South DeKalb Mall remained a significant competitor, making tenant recruitment more challenging. The site was cleared more than once while the mall proposal stalled. County planners considered several alternatives, including a convention center, outdoor theater, apartment development, a MARTA station or east-line terminus, and a satellite college campus. None of these concepts displaced the eventual shopping-center plan. The mall finally opened on October 24, 2001, with Dillard's, JCPenney, Parisian, Rich's, and Sears as its original principal anchors. Over the following years, the center became the commercial focal point of the Interstate 20 corridor east of Atlanta. The mall was supported by an outdoor plaza, a pavilion food court, restaurants, and a movie theater connected with the shopping complex. The surrounding area gradually developed into a mixed-use district with additional restaurants, apartments, condominiums, offices, and civic facilities. Stonecrest Library was one of the public projects that was built in the broader area after other proposed civic uses failed to proceed. The mall also played a role in local municipal development. In 2014, Lithonia officials considered annexation proposals that would have included the mall and much of the surrounding commercial corridor. Opposition from business and industrial-property stakeholders contributed to the abandonment of those annexation plans. A separate cityhood effort then advanced through the Georgia General Assembly and a public referendum. Voters approved the creation of Stonecrest in November 2016, and the city was incorporated in 2017. The shopping center became one of the new city's defining landmarks. The property has been connected to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area since the area received federal designation in 2006. The Arabia Mountain PATH provides access through the broader heritage landscape, illustrating the unusual coexistence of a large commercial development and a nationally recognized natural and cultural heritage area. Mall operations have included both retail expansion and periods of contraction. Kohl's occupied the former Parisian building before closing in November 2016. The building was later tied to the proposed Atlanta Sports City project, but that $200 million development was abandoned in 2019 and investor litigation followed. In 2017, Round One Entertainment opened in the mall with bowling, arcade games, billiards, karaoke, table tennis, darts, and food service; it closed in 2022. Sears announced its anchor closure in 2017, and the store closed in January 2018. The vacant Kohl's property later became a Lisa Young beauty-supply location in 2021. That same year, the former Sears space was used by SeaQuest for an aquarium attraction. SeaQuest closed for renovations in 2023, with a proposed future reopening under a new operator and name. Security and crowd management have been recurring operational issues. In 2009, management instituted an adult-accompaniment requirement for visitors under 18 after 4 p.m. on weekends. A 2010 parking dispute resulted in a stabbing and shooting, while a 2011 limited-edition Air Jordan release drew a large crowd and led to a disturbance after an entrance was forced open. The mall has nevertheless continued operating as a retail and entertainment center for eastern metropolitan Atlanta, with a customer base described as racially and ethnically diverse and seasonal programming that has included both Black and white Santa figures.

• 2023

  SeaQuest closes for renovation

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  The SeaQuest aquarium closed for renovations, with a possible future reopening under a different operator and name.

• 2022

  Round One closes

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  The Round One Entertainment venue closed on December 4.

• 2021

  SeaQuest opens

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  SeaQuest opened an aquarium attraction in the former Sears store, while the former Kohl's building became a Lisa Young beauty-supply location.

• 2018

  Sears closes

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  The Sears anchor closed in January after the retailer announced the decision in November 2017.

• 2017

  Stonecrest becomes a city

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  After a successful referendum in 2016, Stonecrest was incorporated in 2017, placing the mall within the new municipality.

• 2017

  Round One opens

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  Round One Entertainment opened on March 4 as a major leisure and gaming attraction.

• 2016

  Kohl's closes

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  Kohl's closed its store in the former Parisian building on November 1.

• 2009

  Parental Involvement Program begins

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  Management introduced an adult-accompaniment requirement for unaccompanied visitors under 18 during weekend evenings.

• 2006

  Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area designation

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  The surrounding area became part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, linking the mall corridor with the Arabia Mountain PATH and a federally recognized heritage landscape.

• 2001

  Mall opens

  [1]The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org

  The Mall at Stonecrest opened on October 24 with Dillard's, JCPenney, Parisian, Rich's, and Sears as its principal anchors.

A major suburban retail, dining, and entertainment destination serving a diverse population along the Interstate 20 corridor east of Atlanta.

• Retail · 2001

  Department-store retail

  The mall's traditional retail foundation consists of large department-store anchors and related apparel, footwear, home, beauty, and general-merchandise stores. Original anchors included Dillard's, JCPenney, Parisian, Rich's, and Sears. Macy's is also identified among the mall's traditional retailers in later descriptions, while the anchor mix has changed through closures and replacements.

• Food service · 2001

  Dining and food court

  The property includes a pavilion food court and an outdoor restaurant plaza. Restaurants have changed over time as older operators closed and new businesses opened, making dining an important supplementary use alongside conventional mall retail.

• Entertainment · 2001

  Movie theater

  A movie theater is associated with the mall's second floor and outdoor-plaza area near the pavilion food court. It forms part of the property's broader strategy of combining shopping with leisure and family entertainment.

• Entertainment · 2017

  Round One Entertainment

  Round One opened in 2017 as a large entertainment venue offering bowling, Japanese arcade games, billiards, karaoke, table tennis, darts, and a restaurant with a full-service bar. The venue operated as an entertainment anchor before closing on December 4, 2022.

• Family attraction · 2021

  SeaQuest aquarium

  SeaQuest opened an aquarium attraction in the former Sears building in 2021 and described the location as its largest aquarium. The attraction closed for renovations in 2023, with plans announced for a future reopening under new ownership and a different name.

• 2021

  SeaQuest aquarium launchProduct launch

  Background

  The former Sears anchor created an opportunity for a nontraditional family attraction after the department store closed.

  Action taken

  SeaQuest opened an aquarium in the building and promoted it as its largest location.

  Aftermath

  The aquarium closed for renovations in 2023, with a proposed reopening under new ownership and a new name.

  Source

• 2017

  Round One Entertainment launchProduct launch

  Background

  The mall sought to strengthen its entertainment offer and reuse commercial space with a large gaming and leisure operator.

  Action taken

  Round One opened with bowling, Japanese arcade games, billiards, karaoke, table tennis, darts, and restaurant service.

  Aftermath

  The venue operated for several years before closing in December 2022.

  Source

• 2017

  Former Kohl's building redevelopment proposalStrategy

  Background

  After Kohl's closed, the former Parisian building was selected for the proposed Atlanta Sports City project.

  Action taken

  The property became associated with a planned sports and mixed-use development reported at a projected cost of $200 million.

  Aftermath

  Atlanta Sports City was abandoned in 2019, and investor litigation followed.

  Source

• 2009

  Adult-accompaniment policy for minorsStrategy

  Background

  Management responded to reported disruptions and occasional violence by restricting unaccompanied visitors under 18 after 4 p.m. on weekends.

  Action taken

  The mall instituted its Parental Involvement Program, requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult or leave the property during the restricted period.

  Aftermath

  The policy became a prominent part of local discussion about security and youth access at the mall.

  Source

1. 1The Mall at Stonecresten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Mall at Stonecrest official websitemallatstonecrest.com