Post Oak Mall
Post Oak Mall is a regional shopping center in College Station, Texas, serving the Brazos Valley with department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment, and community-oriented services.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Post Oak Mall is a regional shopping mall in College Station, Texas, and the largest enclosed retail center in the Brazos Valley. Developed and owned by CBL Properties, the mall was conceived in response to the growing populations of College Station and neighboring Bryan and to the area’s limited supply of major retail destinations. Construction began in the summer of 1979, and the first phase opened on February 17, 1982. The original center covered approximately 800,000 square feet and contained about 80 stores anchored by Foley’s, Dillard’s, Sears, and H. J. Wilson Co. The project was significant for College Station because it created the city’s first major enclosed mall and helped retain shoppers who previously traveled to Houston for broader department-store and specialty-retail choices. A second phase, planned before the initial opening, was completed in 1985. It expanded the property to roughly 1.02 million square feet, approximately 125 stores, and six anchor spaces, while adding JCPenney and a second Bealls location among the major tenants. Post Oak Mall became an important economic and commercial catalyst for the city. Its opening increased sales-tax and property-tax collections, created a large number of retail jobs, and helped stimulate additional development along Harvey Road and the Earl Rudder Freeway. The surrounding area subsequently developed into one of College Station’s principal retail corridors. The mall has also been an important employer for students from nearby Texas A&M University and draws shoppers from communities throughout the Brazos Valley. Over time, the tenant mix changed as department-store chains consolidated or entered bankruptcy. The original Wilson’s location was converted to a Service Merchandise store and later became a second Dillard’s location. Foley’s was converted to Macy’s in 2006 following corporate consolidation. Steve & Barry’s opened an anchor-sized store in 2005 but closed in 2008 after the chain entered bankruptcy. Sears closed in late 2018, and its former space was later occupied by Conn’s HomePlus. Bealls was converted to Gordmans in 2020, but Gordmans closed after Stage Stores entered liquidation. Macy’s announced its closure in January 2021, with the store scheduled to close in March of that year. The property has undergone operational and physical updates as retail patterns changed. In 2006, it became the first of several CBL malls to receive a mall-based digital advertising network. A substantial modernization program announced in 2012 refreshed flooring, paint, entrances, lighting, seating, décor, and the food court; the work was completed in November 2012. The center has continued to combine department stores and specialty shops with restaurants, food-court vendors, entertainment, salons, optical retailers, local merchandise stores, and military recruitment offices. Its current anchor lineup includes two Dillard’s stores, JCPenney, Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply, and Dave & Buster’s, while at least one former anchor space has remained vacant or been subject to redevelopment plans. As a physical retail destination rather than a conventional consumer-goods brand, Post Oak Mall’s value proposition is based on convenience, tenant variety, regional access, dining, entertainment, and its role as a central gathering place. Its performance is closely tied to the population and university economy of the Brazos Valley, the strength of department-store and specialty-retail tenants, and the continuing attractiveness of enclosed shopping centers.
History
Post Oak Mall emerged from the rapid population and commercial growth of the College Station–Bryan area in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Local planners and developers believed that the two adjoining cities needed a regional shopping center capable of serving residents who otherwise traveled considerable distances, including trips to Houston, for department stores and specialty retailers. The original plan considered a site in Bryan near Earl Rudder Freeway and Briarcrest Drive, but the landowner would not sell. The project was therefore moved to College Station, where it was developed at the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway and Harvey Road. Construction began in the summer of 1979. CBL & Associates Properties served as developer, Eugene “Buck” Schimpf acted as project manager, and Architectonics Inc. designed the center. More than 1,000 workers were involved in construction. When the first phase opened on February 17, 1982, the approximately 800,000-square-foot mall contained about 80 stores and four anchors: Foley’s, Dillard’s, Sears, and H. J. Wilson Co. It also included a three-screen cinema, a food court, large atrium areas, planted interior spaces, and a prominent fountain. Bealls added another anchor location soon after opening. The mall was planned for expansion from the beginning. The second phase was completed in 1985, enlarging the property to roughly 1.02 million square feet and approximately 125 stores. JCPenney moved from Bryan’s Manor East Mall into the expanded Post Oak Mall, giving the center six anchor spaces. The growth of Post Oak Mall altered the commercial geography of the region. It retained local shopping activity, attracted customers from across the Brazos Valley, and helped make the Harvey Road and Earl Rudder Freeway intersection a major retail corridor. The center also became a major source of employment and public revenue for College Station, although its opening produced concerns about traffic, pressure on city services, and declining sales in downtown Bryan. The tenant and anchor structure changed repeatedly as national chains consolidated or failed. H. J. Wilson Co. was acquired by Service Merchandise in 1985, and the location ultimately became a second Dillard’s store after Service Merchandise entered bankruptcy in 1999. The original Foley’s store was converted to Macy’s in 2006 after the corporate merger involving May Department Stores and Federated Department Stores. Steve & Barry’s opened a 30,000-square-foot store in 2005 but closed in 2008 after its parent company entered bankruptcy. Sears announced its closure in 2018, and Conn’s HomePlus later occupied the former Sears space. Bealls became Gordmans in 2020, though Gordmans subsequently closed following Stage Stores’ liquidation. Macy’s announced its own closure in 2021. Post Oak Mall has also adapted through technology, physical renovation, dining, and entertainment. In 2006, locally founded Anuncio Digital Media installed a mall-based advertising-screen network, initially using 20 plasma displays around the main concourse and food court. Plans for a major renovation were discussed during the late 2000s, and CBL formally announced a modernization program in 2012. The work introduced updated flooring, paint, entrances, lighting, seating, décor, and a redesigned food court, with a reopening celebration in November 2012. The mall’s economic significance extends beyond its stores. It became College Station’s largest taxpayer and one of the area’s largest employers, while also serving as a particularly important workplace for Texas A&M University students. The center has been credited with stimulating nearby strip centers, offices, restaurants, and other commercial development. Its continuing role depends on maintaining a varied tenant mix and adapting former department-store space to new retail, dining, and entertainment uses.
- 2021
Macy’s closure announced
[1]Macy’s announces that its Post Oak Mall location will close in March.
- 2020
Gordmans conversion and Conn’s opening
[1]Bealls is converted to Gordmans, while Conn’s HomePlus opens in the former Sears space.
- 2018
Sears closes
[1]The Sears anchor closes in November as part of a nationwide store-reduction program.
- 2012
Modernization completed
[1]CBL’s renovation program updates common areas, entrances, lighting, seating, décor, and the food court; the grand reopening occurs in November.
- 2008
Steve & Barry’s closes
[1]The Steve & Barry’s store closes after the retailer enters bankruptcy proceedings.
- 2006
Digital signage launched
[1]Anuncio Digital Media activates a network of advertising displays throughout the mall.
- 2005
Steve & Barry’s opens
[1]Steve & Barry’s opens a 30,000-square-foot store, becoming the mall’s only anchor without an exterior entrance.
- 2004
Electrical fire at Journeys
[1]An electrical-box short causes a small fire at Journeys. Sprinklers contain the fire, while nearby stores and kiosks experience smoke or water damage and close temporarily for repairs.
- 1999
Service Merchandise location closes
[1]After Service Merchandise enters bankruptcy, its former Wilson’s anchor space is subsequently repurposed as a second Dillard’s location.
- 1985
Expansion completed
[1]The second phase expands the property to about 1.02 million square feet and approximately 125 stores, adding JCPenney as an anchor.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping and entertainment destination serving College Station, Bryan, Texas A&M University students, and communities across the Brazos Valley.
Apparel, accessories, home, and general merchandise · 1982
Department-store retail
The mall’s historical and current department-store offering has included Dillard’s and JCPenney, alongside earlier anchor tenants such as Foley’s, Macy’s, Sears, Bealls, Wilson’s, Service Merchandise, and Gordmans. These stores have provided broad assortments spanning apparel, footwear, beauty, home goods, and general merchandise.
Fashion, beauty, services, electronics, and merchandise · 1982
Specialty retail
Post Oak Mall’s specialty-retail mix has included clothing and accessory stores, salons, cosmetics retailers, optical shops, video-game stores, a Dallas Cowboys merchandise shop, Texas A&M merchandise through Aggieland Outfitters, and other locally relevant services. The precise tenant roster changes over time.
Restaurants, quick service, snacks, and beverages · 1982
Dining and food court
The property offers a small food court supplemented by restaurants and kiosks. Historical and referenced food options have included Charley’s Philly Steaks, pizza, burgers, Asian food, smoothies, Taste of the Tropics, Nestlé Toll House Café, Auntie Anne’s, Dippin’ Dots, Casa Olé, and Chuck E. Cheese’s. Individual tenants may change.
Entertainment and community services · 1982
Entertainment and family services
Entertainment and service uses have included the original three-screen movie theater, a children’s play area, a nightclub, military recruitment centers, and later entertainment-oriented tenants. The mall’s entertainment offer complements its retail and dining functions and helps position the property as a regional destination.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Grand reopening after modernization
College Station · Brazos Valley
Following a renovation of common areas and the food court, Post Oak Mall held a grand reopening during the weekend of November 9, 2012.
Outcome. The project refreshed the customer environment with new flooring, paint, seating, lighting, entrances, décor, and food-court furnishings.
- 2006Mall-based digital signage rollout
College Station · Brazos Valley
Post Oak Mall partnered with locally founded Anuncio Digital Media for an in-mall advertising network using plasma screens across the concourse and food court. The project was intended to provide a modern promotional channel for mall tenants and local advertisers.
Outcome. The installation made Post Oak Mall the first of four CBL-owned malls selected for the initial digital-signage rollout.
Brand decisions
2020
Repurpose former anchor spacesStrategyBackground
The closure of legacy department-store anchors created large vacant spaces requiring replacement uses.
Action taken
Conn’s HomePlus opened in the former Sears space, while Bealls was converted to Gordmans.
Aftermath
Conn’s provided a new home-goods and furniture use for one former anchor location, while Gordmans later closed after Stage Stores entered liquidation.
2012
Modernize common areas and food courtStrategyBackground
CBL sought to refresh the mall’s physical environment and maintain its appeal amid changing retail conditions.
Action taken
The renovation updated floors, paint, entrances, lighting, seating, décor, and food-court tables and chairs.
Aftermath
The renovated property reopened with a public grand-reopening event in November 2012.
2006
Adopt in-mall digital advertisingStrategyBackground
Retail centers were beginning to use digital displays to communicate with shoppers and sell advertising inventory to tenants and local businesses.
Action taken
Post Oak Mall installed and activated a network of approximately 20 plasma displays in the main concourse and food court.
Aftermath
The property served as the first test location in a planned rollout across additional CBL malls.
1985
Expand the regional mall after initial openingStrategyBackground
Plans for a second phase were developed before the first phase opened because the project was intended to serve a broad regional market and accommodate additional department stores and specialty retailers.
Action taken
The developer completed an expansion that increased the mall to approximately 1.02 million square feet and about 125 stores.
Aftermath
The expansion strengthened Post Oak Mall’s position as the largest enclosed shopping center in the Brazos Valley and added JCPenney as an anchor.
Recent events
- 2021
Macy’s announces Post Oak Mall closure[1]
Other
Macy’s announced that its Post Oak Mall store would close in March as part of a broader program to close 46 stores.
- 2020
Bealls converted to Gordmans[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
The Bealls location was converted to Gordmans on March 17, but Gordmans later announced its closure after Stage Stores entered liquidation.
- 2020
Conn’s HomePlus occupies former Sears space[1]
Product launch
Conn’s HomePlus opened in the former Sears anchor location, bringing a home-goods and furniture tenant into the previously vacated space.
- 2018
Sears announces closure at Post Oak Mall[1]
Bankruptcy
Sears announced that its Post Oak Mall store would close as part of a nationwide store-closure program; the location closed in November.
- 2012
CBL announces major Post Oak Mall modernization[1]
Other
CBL announced updates to flooring, paint, entrances, lighting, seating, décor, and the food court. The renovated center held a grand reopening in November 2012.
- 2006
Post Oak Mall receives a digital advertising network[1]
Campaign
A locally developed network of plasma screens was installed around the concourse and food court, making Post Oak Mall the first of four CBL-owned malls selected for the initial rollout.
- 2006
Foley’s location converted to Macy’s[1]
M&A · Product generation
Following the merger of Foley’s parent May Department Stores with Federated Department Stores, the Foley’s anchor was converted to Macy’s and reopened on September 9.
- 1985
Second development phase expands Post Oak Mall[1]
Other
An expansion completed in 1985 increased the mall’s floor area, store count, and number of anchor spaces, and brought JCPenney into the enlarged center.
- 1982
Post Oak Mall opens in College Station[1]
Other
The mall opened on February 17 with approximately 80 stores and four major anchors, establishing the first major enclosed shopping center in College Station.
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