Montgomery Mall
Montgomery Mall was an enclosed shopping mall in Montgomery, Alabama, that opened in 1970 and closed in 2008 after years of declining traffic and tenant departures.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Montgomery Mall was an enclosed regional shopping mall in Montgomery, Alabama. It opened in 1970 with Montgomery Fair and JCPenney as its principal anchor stores, serving as a major suburban retail destination during a period when enclosed malls were expanding across the United States. Its early tenant mix included Lerner New York, Morrison's Cafeteria, Singer Sewing Center, and Elmore Variety Store, reflecting the department-store, apparel, food-service, and specialty-retail format typical of regional malls of the period. The center later underwent a substantial expansion. Work that began in 1987 and was completed in 1988 added a new wing anchored by Parisian, a department-store chain with a strong presence in the Southeast. Montgomery Fair was subsequently rebranded as Gayfers. These changes broadened the mall's department-store lineup and helped it remain competitive as the Montgomery retail market developed. Ownership changed in 1998, when Glimcher Realty Trust acquired the mall for $70 million. During the early 2000s, however, Montgomery Mall experienced weakening traffic and a series of tenant closures. Stores and restaurants that left included Piccadilly Cafeteria, Gap, Eddie Bauer, Ruby Tuesday, and American Eagle Outfitters. The departure of major anchors further damaged the mall's drawing power: JCPenney closed in 2005 and relocated to a new store at Eastdale Mall, while Dillard's, which had acquired the Gayfers chain in 1998, also left in 2005 and moved to The Shoppes at EastChase. Steve & Barry's replaced the former Dillard's space in early 2005, but this did not reverse the property's decline. Parisian closed in 2006, followed by additional stores. In 2007, Montgomery mayor Bobby Bright publicly criticized Glimcher's stewardship of the property and argued that the owner had not demonstrated sufficient willingness to improve the mall. Glimcher sold the property in May 2007. Montgomery Mall ultimately closed in 2008, although Steve & Barry's continued operating at the site until September of that year. The vacant property later became the subject of redevelopment proposals rather than a conventional mall revival. In May 2011, Keith Corporation announced plans to purchase approximately 440,000 square feet of mall space, including the former JCPenney building, for conversion into health-related offices. Redevelopment began in February 2013. Plans called for the former Steve & Barry's building to become a fire station, the former JCPenney store to become a magnet high school, and the former Parisian building to be used by the Montgomery Technical Education Center. Thus, Montgomery Mall's legacy is tied both to the growth of enclosed retail in Montgomery and to the later repurposing of obsolete mall infrastructure for public, educational, and institutional uses.
History
Montgomery Mall was developed as an enclosed regional shopping center in Montgomery, Alabama, and opened in 1970. Its original anchor lineup included Montgomery Fair and JCPenney. The mall's initial tenant roster also included Lerner New York, Morrison's Cafeteria, Singer Sewing Center, and Elmore Variety Store, giving it a conventional department-store and specialty-retail profile for its era. Montgomery Fair was later converted to the Gayfers name as department-store branding in the region changed. The center expanded during the late 1980s. Construction began in 1987 and was completed in 1988, adding a new wing anchored by Parisian. This expansion strengthened Montgomery Mall's position as a full-scale regional destination and increased its ability to attract shoppers from across the Montgomery area. The property later became part of Glimcher Realty Trust's portfolio when the company acquired it in 1998 for a reported $70 million. By the early 2000s, the mall faced the structural pressures affecting many older enclosed shopping centers: falling traffic, store closures, and competition from newer retail areas. Piccadilly Cafeteria, Gap, Eddie Bauer, Ruby Tuesday, and American Eagle Outfitters were among the tenants that departed. The loss of anchors was particularly consequential. JCPenney and Dillard's both closed in 2005. JCPenney moved to a new location at Eastdale Mall, while Dillard's relocated to The Shoppes at EastChase after Dillard's had acquired the Gayfers chain in 1998. Steve & Barry's took over the former Dillard's space in early 2005, but its arrival did not restore the mall's former level of activity. Parisian closed in 2006, and more stores followed. In 2007, Montgomery mayor Bobby Bright criticized Glimcher's approach to the property, asserting that the owner had not shown adequate willingness to improve the declining mall. Glimcher sold the property in May 2007. Montgomery Mall closed in 2008, with Steve & Barry's remaining in operation until September of that year. The former mall site subsequently entered a redevelopment phase focused on institutional and community uses rather than a return to enclosed retail. In May 2011, Keith Corporation announced a plan involving approximately 440,000 square feet of mall space, including the former JCPenney store, for conversion to health offices. Redevelopment began in February 2013. Proposed and reported reuse plans included a fire station in the former Steve & Barry's building, a magnet high school in the former JCPenney building, and use of the former Parisian structure by the Montgomery Technical Education Center. The property's history therefore spans the rise of the enclosed mall model, the erosion of department-store-centered retail, and the adaptive reuse of a closed shopping complex.
- 2013
Redevelopment begins
[1]The former mall property begins conversion to institutional uses, including educational and public-service facilities.
- 2011
Redevelopment proposal announced
[1]Keith Corporation announces a plan involving conversion of substantial mall space into health offices.
- 2008
Mall closes
[1]Montgomery Mall shuts after years of declining traffic and tenant losses.
- 2007
Property sold
[1]Glimcher sells the mall after public criticism concerning the property's decline.
- 2005
JCPenney and Dillard's depart
[1]Both major anchors close, with each relocating elsewhere in the Montgomery market.
- 1998
Glimcher Realty Trust becomes owner
[1]Glimcher Realty Trust acquires the property.
- 1988
Expansion completed
[1]A new wing, anchored by Parisian, is completed after construction began in 1987.
- 1970
Montgomery Mall opens
[1]The enclosed mall opens in Montgomery with Montgomery Fair and JCPenney as anchor stores.
Products and positioning
Former regional enclosed shopping mall positioned as a major suburban retail center for Montgomery, Alabama, before declining traffic, anchor departures, and competition from newer retail developments led to its closure and later institutional redevelopment.
Shopping mall · 1970
Montgomery Mall enclosed shopping center
The mall's principal offering was a regional enclosed-shopping experience combining department stores, apparel retailers, specialty shops, restaurants, cafeterias, and consumer services. Its anchor lineup changed over time, beginning with Montgomery Fair and JCPenney, later including Gayfers, Parisian, Dillard's, and Steve & Barry's. The format was designed to concentrate a broad range of retail categories under one roof for shoppers in Montgomery and surrounding communities.
Brand decisions
2011
Pursue institutional reuse of vacant mall spaceStrategyBackground
Following the mall's 2008 closure, the vacant property required an alternative use after conventional retail operations failed.
Action taken
Keith Corporation announced plans involving approximately 440,000 square feet of space, including the former JCPenney building, for conversion to health offices.
Aftermath
Redevelopment began in 2013 and expanded the reuse concept to include a fire station, a magnet high school, and Montgomery Technical Education Center facilities.
1987
Add a new Parisian-anchored wingOtherBackground
The mall pursued expansion during the late 1980s to increase its regional retail capacity and strengthen its department-store anchor mix.
Action taken
Construction began on an additional wing, which was completed in 1988 with Parisian as its anchor.
Aftermath
The expansion temporarily broadened the center's offering, although the property later experienced long-term traffic and tenant declines.
Sources2 sources
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