Oak Park Mall
Oak Park Mall is a large enclosed shopping center in Overland Park, Kansas, and the largest mall in both the Kansas City metropolitan area and the state of Kansas.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Oak Park Mall is a super-regional enclosed shopping mall in Overland Park, Kansas. With more than 180 stores and approximately 1.61 million square feet of covered space, it is described as the largest shopping mall in the Kansas City metropolitan area and in Kansas. The property serves a broad regional customer base rather than only the surrounding Overland Park community, combining department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment-oriented amenities, and seasonal or family attractions. The mall opened in 1975 with JCPenney, Macy's, Montgomery Ward, and Stix, Baer & Fuller as its original anchors. Its tenant and anchor composition changed substantially over the following decades as department-store chains consolidated and regional operators disappeared. Stix, Baer & Fuller became the mall's first Dillard's location in 1984. A second Dillard's was added in 1985 when the former Macy's location was converted after Macy's sold its Midwest stores. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001; its renovated space later became The Jones Store in 2002. After Macy's Inc. absorbed The Jones Store, the Macy's name returned to Oak Park Mall in 2006, following a 20-year absence. The property's physical scale also expanded over time. A major renovation took place in 1993, followed by an expansion in 1997. The southeast wing added a two-level shopping area and a three-level Nordstrom store of approximately 200,000 square feet, which opened on March 6, 1998. The mall underwent another extensive renovation in 2011, including changes to its food court and the construction or redesign of entrance vestibules. A Target store opened south of the mall in 2005, adding a major general-merchandise component to the wider retail complex. Oak Park Mall has also had a notable role in regional popular culture and retail experimentation. A 1982 CBS News special report about the growth of American shopping malls was filmed entirely at the property. The mall formerly hosted the Kansas City area's only Rainforest Cafe, which opened in 1999 and prompted a small northern expansion. After the restaurant left roughly a decade later, its space was divided among several tenants, including an American Girl store that later closed permanently in 2020. A double-decker carousel has occupied different central locations over the years, returning in 2009 before being removed again in 2023. The tenant mix has continued to evolve with changes in retail technology and consumer behavior. A Microsoft Store opened in June 2012 in a former Talbots location, but Microsoft permanently closed all of its physical stores in 2020. Nordstrom considered moving its Oak Park Mall store to Kansas City's Country Club Plaza in 2018, but reporting in 2022 indicated that the relocation was no longer under consideration and that the store would remain at Oak Park Mall. Ownership arrangements changed in 2011, when TIAA-CREF was announced as receiving a 50 percent interest in Oak Park Mall and several other CBL properties as part of an effort to reduce CBL's debt. The mall remains an active regional retail destination, anchored by two Dillard's stores, Macy's, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Barnes & Noble, and H&M, although individual tenant occupancy and operating arrangements may change over time.
History
Oak Park Mall opened in 1975 in Overland Park, Kansas, as a major enclosed retail project developed by Copaken, White & Blitt in association with Frank Morgan and Sherman Dreiseszun. Its initial anchor lineup consisted of JCPenney, Macy's, Montgomery Ward, and Stix, Baer & Fuller. From its beginning, the mall was designed to draw customers from beyond the immediate suburban market and became an important component of the Kansas City area's regional retail infrastructure. The anchor lineup changed as department-store ownership and branding evolved. In 1984, Stix, Baer & Fuller was converted into the mall's first Dillard's store. A second Dillard's location followed in 1985 when the chain acquired the former Macy's space after Macy's divested its Midwest operations. In 1982, the mall gained national exposure when CBS News filmed a special report there about the expansion and cultural significance of American shopping malls. The property was renovated extensively in 1993 and expanded in 1997. The expansion created a two-level southeast wing and added a three-level Nordstrom store measuring approximately 200,000 square feet. Nordstrom opened on March 6, 1998, strengthening the mall's position as a high-volume regional destination with a premium department-store anchor. Other additions and changes broadened the center's appeal. Target opened south of the mall in 2005, creating an adjacent general-merchandise destination rather than a conventional interior mall tenant. Montgomery Ward closed its Oak Park Mall location in March 2001. After renovation, the former anchor space reopened as The Jones Store on August 14, 2002. When Macy's Inc. took over The Jones Store Company, the Jones Store brand was retired. Macy's returned to Oak Park Mall on September 9, 2006, restoring a department-store name that had been absent from the property for two decades. The mall's amenity history includes several family-oriented attractions. A Rainforest Cafe opened in 1999 and required a small northern expansion to accommodate the restaurant. It operated for about a decade before leaving when its lease was not renewed. The former restaurant area was subsequently divided into multiple tenant spaces, with American Girl occupying much of the footprint before closing permanently in July 2020. A double-decker carousel has also moved between central atrium locations. It was removed during an early-2000s remodeling that introduced a woodland theme, while a conventional carousel and miniature train were used in the area. The double-decker carousel returned in 2009 near the northern Dillard's atrium and was removed again in 2023. Another major renovation occurred in 2011, with work focused in part on the food court and entrance vestibules. The same year brought an ownership restructuring: TIAA-CREF was announced as obtaining a 50 percent interest in Oak Park Mall and several other CBL malls, a transaction associated with CBL's effort to reduce debt. The property continued to operate under the CBL portfolio while maintaining its regional shopping-center role. The mall participated in the retail technology boom when the area's first Microsoft Store opened there in June 2012 in a former Talbots space. Microsoft later announced the closure of its physical retail stores, and the Oak Park Mall location permanently closed in June 2020. In February 2018, Nordstrom announced plans to move its store to Country Club Plaza, but by April 2022 reports indicated that the proposed relocation was no longer being pursued and that Nordstrom would stay at Oak Park Mall. Oak Park Mall has remained active despite repeated changes in department-store ownership, specialty retail, entertainment, and consumer habits. Its principal anchors are identified as two Dillard's stores, Macy's, Nordstrom, and JCPenney, with Barnes & Noble and H&M among its prominent additional retailers. The mall also received regional attention after a November 2023 food-court incident in which a shoplifting suspect obtained an undercover officer's firearm; one shot was fired and no injuries were reported.
- 2023
Carousel removed
[1]The double-decker carousel is removed from the mall after its later period of operation.
- 2022
Nordstrom remains at Oak Park Mall
[1]Reports indicate that Nordstrom is no longer considering a move to Country Club Plaza and will remain at Oak Park Mall.
- 2020
Microsoft and American Girl locations close
[1]Microsoft permanently closes its physical stores, including the Oak Park Mall location, and the American Girl store also closes permanently during the year.
- 2012
Microsoft Store opens
[1]The area's first Microsoft Store opens at the mall in June in a former Talbots space.
- 2011
Renovation and ownership restructuring
[1]The mall receives major renovations to its food court and entrances; TIAA-CREF is also announced as receiving a 50 percent ownership interest.
- 2009
Double-decker carousel returns
[1]The mall's double-decker carousel returns and is relocated to the main atrium near Dillard's North.
- 2006
Macy's returns
[1]Macy's reopens at Oak Park Mall on September 9 after The Jones Store brand is retired following its acquisition by Macy's Inc.
- 2005
Target opens south of the mall
[1]Target opens in the surrounding retail area south of Oak Park Mall.
- 2002
The Jones Store opens in the former Montgomery Ward space
[1]After renovation, The Jones Store opens on August 14 in the former Montgomery Ward location.
- 2001
Montgomery Ward closes
[1]The Montgomery Ward anchor closes in March.
Products and positioning
A large, regional enclosed shopping destination positioned around department-store anchors, broad specialty-retail selection, dining, and family-oriented amenities.
Product categories. Department-store merchandise · Apparel and footwear · Beauty and cosmetics · Home furnishings and housewares · Books and media · Consumer electronics · Specialty gifts and accessories · Food and dining
Brand decisions
2018
Consider relocating Nordstrom to Country Club PlazaStrategyBackground
Nordstrom initially announced plans to move its Oak Park Mall store to Kansas City's Country Club Plaza.
Action taken
Nordstrom explored the relocation but ultimately did not proceed with the reported move.
Aftermath
By 2022, reporting indicated that Nordstrom would remain at Oak Park Mall.
2011
Transfer a 50 percent ownership interest to TIAA-CREFM&ABackground
CBL sought to reduce debt through ownership transactions involving several of its malls.
Action taken
TIAA-CREF was announced as receiving a 50 percent interest in Oak Park Mall and several other CBL properties.
Aftermath
Oak Park Mall continued operating as part of the CBL portfolio with shared ownership reported between CBL and TIAA-CREF.
2006
Restore the Macy's department-store brandStrategyBackground
Macy's Inc. assumed The Jones Store Company and discontinued the Jones Store identity.
Action taken
Macy's returned to Oak Park Mall on September 9, ending a 20-year absence of the brand from the property.
Aftermath
The mall again had Macy's among its department-store anchors.
2002
Replace Montgomery Ward with The Jones StoreStrategyBackground
Montgomery Ward closed in March 2001, leaving a major anchor space available for redevelopment.
Action taken
The former anchor was renovated and reopened as The Jones Store on August 14, 2002.
Aftermath
The Jones Store brand was later retired after Macy's Inc. assumed the company, and the space became a Macy's location in 2006.
1997
Expand with a southeast wing and premium anchorStrategyBackground
Oak Park Mall pursued a major expansion to strengthen its regional draw and broaden its department-store offering.
Action taken
The property added a two-level southeast wing and space for a three-level Nordstrom store.
Aftermath
Nordstrom opened in March 1998, reinforcing the mall's position as a super-regional shopping destination.
Recent events
- 2023
Shooting reported in Oak Park Mall food court[1]
Other
On November 12, a shoplifting suspect reportedly obtained an undercover police officer's firearm in the mall's food court and one shot was fired. No injuries were reported.
- 2022
Nordstrom abandons reported Country Club Plaza relocation plan[1]
Other
After previously announcing plans to consider a move to Country Club Plaza, Nordstrom was reported to be remaining at Oak Park Mall.
- 2012
Microsoft opens a store at Oak Park Mall[1]
Product launch
Microsoft opened the first Microsoft Store in the area at Oak Park Mall, using space formerly occupied by Talbots.
- 2011
TIAA-CREF to receive a 50 percent ownership interest in Oak Park Mall[1]
M&A · Other
TIAA-CREF was announced as receiving half ownership of Oak Park Mall and several other CBL shopping centers in a transaction intended to help reduce CBL's debt.
Sources2 sources
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