River City Marketplace
River City Marketplace is an outdoor shopping center in North Jacksonville, Florida, serving the city’s Northside and nearby communities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
River City Marketplace is a quasi-regional outdoor shopping center in the Northside area of Jacksonville, Florida. Located south of Airport Road on the east side of Interstate 95, approximately two miles east of Jacksonville International Airport, it is positioned as a major retail destination for North Jacksonville, Nassau County, and parts of southeast Georgia. The center is notable for being the largest shopping center built on Jacksonville’s Northside and for being the only comparable major retail center north of the St. Johns River in the city. The project was developed by Ramco Gershenson as part of a much larger mixed-use concept. The original $300 million plan covered approximately 425 acres and contemplated a 125-acre retail district, 900 residential units, 300 hotel rooms, and approximately 133,000 square feet of light-industrial space. The retail component was planned to reach roughly 1.13 million square feet and attract shoppers who previously had to travel across the river or to Orange Park for a broad selection of stores and services. The marketplace opened on November 17, 2006, with three principal anchors: Walmart, Lowe’s, and a 14-screen movie theater originally operated by Hollywood Theaters. The cinema opened earlier, on September 21, 2006, in a purpose-built 62,000-square-foot facility with stadium seating. Gander Mountain became a fourth major anchor in 2007, approximately ten months after the shopping center’s initial opening. The development did not ultimately reach every element of its original mixed-use vision. One residential complex was completed, while another residential phase was placed on hold following the 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless, the retail district established itself as an important commercial hub for the Northside. Its tenant mix has changed over time in response to retailer closures, replacements, and new consumer demand. The former Gander Mountain space later became associated with Sportsman’s Warehouse and Burlington, while HomeGoods replaced Bed Bath & Beyond. Ulta Beauty and Five Below were among the newer additions identified in 2024. The cinema also changed hands. Regal Entertainment Group acquired the Hollywood Theaters operation in 2013, resulting in the Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14 name. The theater closed in August 2022, and the building was demolished in December of that year. The site was connected to a previously approved BJ’s Wholesale Club project, reflecting the continuing redevelopment of the property’s tenant and anchor mix. By 2024, the center contained approximately 72 stores and remained a significant retail destination for North Jacksonville and surrounding areas. In January 2024, Kimco Realty completed its acquisition of RPT, bringing River City Marketplace into Kimco’s property portfolio. The marketplace’s identity is therefore tied less to a single branded product than to its role as a large, accessible, open-air retail hub serving communities that historically had fewer nearby shopping options.
History
River City Marketplace was conceived as the retail centerpiece of a broad mixed-use development in North Jacksonville. Ramco Gershenson's original plan covered approximately 425 acres and carried an expected investment of about $300 million. In addition to the shopping district, the concept included residential units, hotel rooms, and light-industrial space. The retail portion occupied approximately 125 acres and was designed to grow to roughly 1.13 million square feet, with the aim of drawing customers from North Jacksonville, Nassau County, and southeast Georgia. The retail and entertainment components were delivered before all of the wider mixed-use plans were realized. A 14-screen Hollywood Theaters cinema opened on September 21, 2006, in a 62,000-square-foot stand-alone building at the southern end of the site. The broader marketplace opened on November 17, 2006, anchored initially by Walmart, Lowe's, and the cinema. Gander Mountain joined the project as a fourth major anchor about ten months later. The development emerged as a significant commercial destination for the Northside because residents previously had to travel across the St. Johns River or to Orange Park for many large-format retail needs. Although the completed project differed from the initial vision, it became the largest shopping center constructed on Jacksonville's Northside. One residential complex was built, while another was deferred in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. The retail district, however, continued to operate as a concentrated destination for general merchandise, home improvement, home goods, apparel, sporting goods, beauty products, dining, and services. The cinema's ownership and identity changed during the center's history. Regal Entertainment Group acquired Hollywood Theaters in 2013, and the venue became Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14. The theater closed in August 2022. Its structure was demolished in December 2022, with the site associated with a previously approved BJ's Wholesale Club development. This removed one of the center's original entertainment anchors while creating an opportunity for a different large-format retail use. Other anchor and tenant changes similarly reshaped the marketplace. Gander Mountain closed in 2017, and its former space later accommodated Sportsman's Warehouse and Burlington. HomeGoods replaced the former Bed Bath & Beyond location. By 2024, the center was reported to contain approximately 72 stores, including newer tenants such as Ulta Beauty and Five Below. These changes illustrate the property's ongoing adaptation to retailer closures, replacement demand, and shifts in shopping behavior. In January 2024, Kimco Realty completed its acquisition of RPT, placing River City Marketplace within Kimco's portfolio. The marketplace remains an active open-air retail hub near Jacksonville International Airport and continues to serve North Jacksonville and nearby regional communities. Its present significance derives from its location, scale, concentration of national retailers, and role in providing Northside residents with retail choices that were previously less accessible.
- 2024
Kimco Realty adds the property to its portfolio
[1]Kimco Realty completed its acquisition of RPT, which included River City Marketplace.
- 2022
Regal cinema closes and is demolished
[1]The cinema closed in August and the building was demolished in December for a planned wholesale-club redevelopment.
- 2017
Gander Mountain closes
[1]The Gander Mountain anchor ceased operating, and the space was subsequently used by replacement retailers.
- 2013
Cinema rebranded as Regal
[1]Following Regal Entertainment Group's acquisition of Hollywood Theaters, the venue became Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14.
- 2007
Gander Mountain joins the anchor lineup
[1]Gander Mountain opened approximately ten months after the original launch, becoming a fourth major anchor.
- 2006
Cinema opens before the retail center
[1]Hollywood Theaters opened a 14-screen, stadium-seating cinema at the southern end of the planned marketplace on September 21.
- 2006
River City Marketplace opens
[1]The shopping center began operations on November 17 with Walmart, Lowe's, and the cinema as its principal initial anchors.
Products and positioning
A large open-air, convenience-oriented retail destination serving North Jacksonville, nearby counties, airport-area visitors, and parts of southeast Georgia. Its scale and anchor mix give it a quasi-regional role rather than that of a small neighborhood shopping center.
Shopping center · 2006
Open-air retail district
The core offering is a large outdoor shopping district with approximately 72 stores reported in 2024. Its tenant mix spans general merchandise, home improvement, home goods, apparel, beauty, discount retail, sporting goods, restaurants, and everyday services. The center is designed to serve both routine local shopping and larger regional trips.
Entertainment · 2006
Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14
The 14-screen cinema began as Hollywood Theaters in a purpose-built facility with stadium seating. Regal Entertainment Group acquired the operation in 2013, but the theater closed in August 2022 and the building was demolished later that year.
Big-box retail · 2006
Large-format retail anchors
Walmart and Lowe's were among the original major anchors. Later anchor changes included the closure of Gander Mountain and the arrival or expansion of replacement users such as Sportsman's Warehouse and Burlington. These stores support the center's regional-destination role.
Brand decisions
2024
Property ownership moves to Kimco RealtyM&ABackground
RPT was acquired by Kimco Realty.
Action taken
Completion of the transaction brought River City Marketplace into Kimco Realty's portfolio.
Aftermath
The property continued operating as an active Kimco retail center.
2022
Redevelopment of the former cinema siteStrategyBackground
The Regal cinema closed after operating as an entertainment anchor for the center.
Action taken
The building was demolished in December 2022 for construction associated with a previously approved BJ's Wholesale Club location.
Aftermath
The former cinema parcel was repositioned for a large-format wholesale retail use.
2013
Transfer of cinema operations to RegalM&ABackground
Hollywood Theaters' cinema operations were acquired by Regal Entertainment Group.
Action taken
The River City Marketplace theater was renamed Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14.
Aftermath
The cinema continued under the Regal banner until closing in 2022.
Recent events
- 2024
Kimco Realty adds River City Marketplace through RPT acquisition[1]
M&A
Kimco Realty completed its acquisition of RPT in January 2024, adding River City Marketplace to its real-estate portfolio.
- 2022
River City Marketplace cinema closes[1]
Other
The Regal cinema closed in August 2022. The building was demolished in December for redevelopment connected with a previously approved BJ's Wholesale Club location.
- 2013
Cinema becomes Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14[1]
M&A · Product generation
Regal Entertainment Group acquired the Hollywood Theaters operation and rebranded the marketplace cinema.
- 2007
Gander Mountain becomes a fourth major anchor[1]
Product launch
Gander Mountain opened at the center approximately ten months after the initial launch.
- 2006
River City Marketplace opens in North Jacksonville[1]
Other
The shopping center opened on November 17, 2006, with Walmart, Lowe's, and a movie theater among its initial major anchors.
- 2006
Hollywood Theaters opens a 14-screen cinema at River City Marketplace[1]
Product launch
A purpose-built, 14-screen Hollywood Theaters cinema opened at the south end of the development before the broader shopping center began operations.
Sources1 sources
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