Pompano Citi Centre

Pompano Citi Centre is a primarily open-air shopping center in Pompano Beach, Florida. Its current format combines a strip of large-format retail stores with a smaller lifestyle-center component, making it a hybrid between a traditional regional mall and a contemporary power center. The property is associated with major national retailers and has historically served shoppers in Pompano Beach and the wider Broward County market. The center originated in 1970 as Pompano Fashion Square, developed by Leonard L. Farber, Inc. It was described as Broward County's first regional shopping hub. The original enclosed mall included a two-level Burdines, Sears, and JCPenney, together with a single-level Jordan Marsh. This anchor arrangement became a model that was later repeated at other Broward County shopping centers, including Coral Square and Pembroke Lakes Mall. The property was renamed Pompano Square and renovated in 1985 as competition from newer retail developments increased. Its department-store mix changed over time. Jordan Marsh became Mervyn's in 1992, while Burdines was converted to Macy's following the 2003 Burdines-Macy's merger. JCPenney reduced the size of its store in 2005. Mervyn's closed in 1997, and the former building was subsequently acquired by Dillard's, although a Dillard's store never opened there. The vacant structure was demolished in 2003 and replaced by a Lowe's store, which opened in 2004. By the early 2000s, the enclosed mall was widely characterized as underperforming or a dead mall. Redevelopment discussions began in 2004, and Faison revitalized the property in 2006 into the open-air configuration associated with Pompano Citi Centre. The redevelopment shifted the center away from a conventional enclosed regional mall and toward a convenience- and value-oriented mix of home improvement, apparel, discount, pet, and other big-box retailers, supplemented by lifestyle uses and events. Sterling Organization acquired the mall from Faison in 2012. After the acquisition, the owner pursued additional rebranding, refreshed the center's website, promoted events, and sought to improve the tenant mix. A carousel was installed in front of JCPenney in 2012 as an entertainment feature. The property's later retail changes reflected broader shifts in American department-store and shopping-center economics. Sears sold its store to Sterling Organization on January 2, 2018, creating an opportunity for redevelopment; the Sears store closed on December 16, 2018. In January 2020, Macy's announced that its Pompano Citi Centre location would close in April as part of a nationwide store-reduction program. The center's identity is therefore rooted less in a single consumer product than in the evolution of a local retail destination. It has moved through several names, anchor combinations, ownership periods, and physical formats while retaining a role as a shopping hub for the Pompano Beach area. Known tenant plans and historical descriptions have included JCPenney, Lowe's, Ross Dress for Less, PetSmart, Sears, Macy's, Burlington, TJ Maxx, Five Below, and a planned Nordstrom Rack. Individual tenants and future plans may change over time.

Pompano Citi Centre began in 1970 as Pompano Fashion Square, a regional enclosed shopping mall developed by Leonard L. Farber, Inc. in Pompano Beach, Florida. It was presented as the first regional shopping hub in Broward County. Its initial department-store anchors were a two-level Burdines, a two-level Sears, a two-level JCPenney, and a single-level Jordan Marsh. The configuration reflected the department-store-led suburban mall model that expanded rapidly across the United States during the period. In 1985, the property was renamed Pompano Square and underwent renovation. The work was intended to strengthen the center's position against newer competitors, including Coral Square. The tenant lineup evolved during the following decade. Jordan Marsh became Mervyn's in 1992, giving the mall a department-store combination similar to that at the then-new Pembroke Lakes Mall. Mervyn's closed in 1997. The former store was acquired by Dillard's, but a Dillard's operation never opened, and the building remained unused. Burdines became Macy's in 2003 after the Burdines chain was incorporated into Macy's. The former Mervyn's/Dillard's site was demolished in 2003, and Lowe's opened on the location in 2004. JCPenney downsized its store in 2005. By the early 2000s, Pompano Square was struggling as a conventional enclosed mall, and it was commonly regarded as a declining or dead retail center. Redevelopment interest emerged in 2004. Faison revitalized the property in 2006, transforming it into the primarily open-air shopping center that became known as Pompano Citi Centre. The new concept retained large-format retail but added a smaller lifestyle-center component. This change reflected a broader shift toward open-air, convenience-oriented retail environments and away from the enclosed department-store mall format. The center's mix came to include large national retailers such as JCPenney, Lowe's, Ross Dress for Less, and PetSmart, with additional discount, apparel, and general-merchandise tenants associated with the property. Sterling Organization bought the center from Faison in 2012. The new owner pursued a renewed identity for the property through branding, a new website, events, and efforts to attract more active and appealing tenants. A carousel was placed in front of JCPenney in 2012, adding a family entertainment feature to the center's public-facing environment. The property continued to experience changes in its anchor stores. Sears sold its store to Sterling Organization on January 2, 2018, providing the owner with an opportunity to reconsider the use of the space. Sears subsequently closed the location on December 16, 2018. On January 8, 2020, Macy's announced that its store would close in April as part of a national plan to close 125 locations. Other reported tenant plans included the movement of Burlington, TJ Maxx, and Five Below into the former Sears space, with openings scheduled for fall 2020, and a planned Nordstrom Rack location. These plans illustrate the center's continued repositioning toward off-price and value-oriented retail. Pompano Citi Centre's history is consequently one of adaptation rather than uninterrupted expansion. It evolved from an enclosed department-store mall into an open-air retail center, changed names and ownership, replaced obsolete or vacant anchor buildings, and adjusted its merchandising strategy as shopping habits and retailer economics changed. Its continuing identity is tied to serving the Pompano Beach market through a flexible mix of big-box stores, discount retailers, home-improvement uses, lifestyle functions, and community-oriented activities.

• 2020

  Macy's closure announced

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Macy's announces that its store will close in April as part of a nationwide store-reduction program.

• 2018

  Sears store closes after ownership transfer

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Sterling Organization acquires the Sears store on January 2, and Sears closes the location on December 16.

• 2012

  Sterling Organization acquires the center

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Sterling Organization purchases the property from Faison and begins a renewed branding and tenant-development effort.

• 2006

  Faison completes revitalization

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Faison redevelops the struggling enclosed mall into a primarily open-air shopping-center format.

• 2004

  Lowe's opens

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A Lowe's home-improvement store opens on the site of the demolished former anchor building.

• 2003

  Burdines becomes Macy's and former anchor is demolished

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The Burdines store is rebranded as Macy's, while the unused former Mervyn's/Dillard's building is demolished.

• 1997

  Mervyn's closes

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Mervyn's leaves the center; the building is later acquired by Dillard's but never opens as a Dillard's store.

• 1992

  Jordan Marsh becomes Mervyn's

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The Jordan Marsh anchor is converted to Mervyn's, changing the department-store mix.

• 1985

  Property renamed and renovated

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The center becomes Pompano Square and receives a renovation intended to improve its competitive position.

• 1970

  Pompano Fashion Square opens

  [1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Leonard L. Farber, Inc. develops Pompano Fashion Square as a regional enclosed shopping mall and a major retail hub for Broward County.

A locally oriented, value-conscious open-air shopping center that combines national big-box retailers with lifestyle uses and family-oriented amenities.

• Department store · 1970

  JCPenney

  JCPenney has been one of the center's original anchor retailers since the 1970 opening. The store was later downsized in 2005 but remained a notable component of the property's retail identity. A carousel was added in front of the store in 2012 as part of the center's family-oriented amenity program.

• Home improvement · 2004

  Lowe's

  Lowe's replaced the vacant former Mervyn's/Dillard's site. The store opened in 2004 and represents the center's shift toward large-format, destination-oriented retail rather than reliance solely on traditional department stores.

• Off-price apparel

  Ross Dress for Less

  Ross Dress for Less is part of the center's reported value-focused tenant mix. Its off-price apparel and home-merchandise model supports the open-air center's positioning toward practical, discount-oriented shopping.

• Pet supplies and services

  PetSmart

  PetSmart is listed among the center's major retail anchors. The store adds a recurring-needs category to the property, broadening the tenant mix beyond apparel and department-store merchandise.

• Department store · 2003

  Macy's

  The center's Burdines anchor became Macy's in 2003 following the conversion of the Burdines chain. Macy's later announced that the Pompano Citi Centre location would close in April 2020 as part of a national store-closure program.

• Department store · 1970

  Former Sears store

  Sears was one of the original two-level anchors at the 1970 mall. Sterling Organization acquired the store property in January 2018, and Sears closed the location in December 2018, creating space for later redevelopment plans.

• 2012Pompano Citi Centre rebranding and events program

  Pompano Beach · Broward County

  After acquiring the property, Sterling Organization pursued a refreshed identity through a new website, more active event programming, and efforts to attract stronger tenants. The campaign supported the center's transition from a struggling enclosed mall to a more active open-air destination.

  Outcome. The center continued operating under the Pompano Citi Centre identity and added family-oriented features such as a carousel.

  Source

• 2020

  Macy's announces store closureOther

  Background

  Macy's announced a national plan to close 125 stores, including its location at Pompano Citi Centre.

  Action taken

  The company announced on January 8 that the Pompano Beach store would close in April.

  Aftermath

  The announcement marked another major change in the center's department-store anchor history and created additional pressure for tenant repositioning.

  Source

• 2018

  Redevelopment opportunity created by Sears closureStrategy

  Background

  Sears sold its store to Sterling Organization on January 2, 2018, and the store was later scheduled to close.

  Action taken

  Sterling obtained control of the Sears store and could reconsider the use of the large former anchor space after Sears ceased operations on December 16.

  Aftermath

  Reported plans called for Burlington, TJ Maxx, and Five Below to move into the former Sears space, with openings scheduled for fall 2020.

  Source

• 2012

  Sterling Organization acquires the propertyM&A

  Background

  The center required continued repositioning and tenant-development efforts following its conversion from an enclosed mall.

  Action taken

  Sterling Organization purchased Pompano Citi Centre from Faison and assumed ownership of the retail property.

  Aftermath

  Sterling introduced refreshed branding, event programming, and tenant-recruitment initiatives.

  Source

• 2006

  Convert the enclosed mall into an open-air retail centerStrategy

  Background

  By the early 2000s, the enclosed Pompano Square format was struggling and was described as a dead mall amid competition from newer shopping centers.

  Action taken

  Faison revitalized the property into a primarily open-air center with big-box retail and a smaller lifestyle section.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment established the physical and commercial format associated with Pompano Citi Centre.

  Source

• 2020

  Macy's announces closure at Pompano Citi Centre[1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Macy's announced on January 8 that its location at the center would close in April as part of a nationwide plan to eliminate 125 stores.

• 2018

  Sears sells its Pompano Citi Centre store to Sterling Organization[1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Sears transferred ownership of its store at the center to Sterling Organization on January 2, creating a potential redevelopment opportunity.

• 2018

  Sears location closes[1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Sears store at Pompano Citi Centre ceased operations on December 16, following the sale of the property to the center's owner earlier that year.

• 2012

  Sterling Organization acquires Pompano Square[1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Sterling Organization purchased the shopping center from Faison and began efforts to refresh the property through rebranding, events, marketing, and tenant recruitment.

• 2012

  Carousel added near JCPenney[1]Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A carousel was installed in front of the JCPenney store as an entertainment and family-oriented feature.

1. 1Pompano Citi Centreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Pompano Citi Centre official websitepompanociticentre.com