River Roads Mall
A former enclosed shopping mall in Jennings, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
River Roads Mall, also called River Roads Shopping Center, was an enclosed shopping mall in Jennings, Missouri, in the St. Louis metropolitan area. It opened in 1962 and was among the early generation of enclosed shopping malls developed in the United States. Its original tenant mix combined nationally recognized retailers, a St. Louis department-store chain, a supermarket, a discount-style variety store, and smaller specialty merchants. The initial anchors and major tenants included J. C. Penney, Stix, Baer & Fuller, Kroger, and F. W. Woolworth, with other stores such as Walgreens, Lane Bryant, Thom McAn, Bakers Shoes, Bond Clothing Stores, and Hess and Culbertson also represented. The property underwent its most significant expansion in 1972. J. C. Penney moved from its original mall location into a newly constructed store behind it, while the former space was converted into additional mall shops. At the time, the new J. C. Penney was described as the company’s largest Missouri location. The project expanded the mall from approximately 620,000 square feet to about 835,000 square feet and brought the complex to roughly 60 stores. The work also included an enlarged and re-landscaped parking lot and renovations for several established tenants. New occupants included local boutiques, a fabric store, Foxmoor Casuals, and Waldenbooks. River Roads began losing important tenants during the 1980s as retail competition and changing shopping patterns weakened the property. J. C. Penney closed its main store in 1983 after declining sales and the availability of nearby company locations. Part of the space reopened in 1984 as a J. C. Penney outlet carrying excess merchandise from other stores. In the same period, Dillard’s acquired the Stix, Baer & Fuller chain and converted its stores to the Dillard’s name. The River Roads location was allowed to operate under the new name for a period, but its improved profits were not considered adequate, and the store closed in 1986. Kroger’s former space was subsequently occupied by Food for Less. The decline continued through the early 1990s. Woolworth had left by 1992, making the J. C. Penney outlet the only remaining anchor. The then-owner, Benderson Corporation, considered converting the center into an outlet mall, but abandoned the plan amid concerns about the economy and excess retail capacity in the St. Louis market. Although some retailers expressed interest in former anchor spaces, the outlet store closed in 1994. The interior mall was effectively abandoned in 1995, while Food for Less and some shops with exterior entrances continued separately for a time. The vacant structure deteriorated, with accumulated refuse and uncontrolled vegetation becoming visible problems. Churches United for Community Action worked with the city of Jennings to clean the property. Benderson sold the mall property in 1997. The site also served as a MetroBus transfer point until 2006. Demolition of the abandoned mall structure began in 2006, ending the physical presence of one of the region’s early enclosed shopping centers.
History
River Roads Mall opened in 1962 in Jennings, Missouri, as an early enclosed shopping mall serving the St. Louis area. Its original retail plan centered on J. C. Penney and the locally based Stix, Baer & Fuller department store. Kroger operated a supermarket in the complex, while F. W. Woolworth supplied variety merchandise. The mall also contained a broad selection of smaller stores, including Walgreens, Lane Bryant, Thom McAn, Bakers Shoes, Bond Clothing Stores, and Hess and Culbertson. The center expanded substantially in 1972. J. C. Penney constructed a new store behind its original location, and the older space was converted into a new row of shops. The enlarged complex reached approximately 835,000 square feet and contained about 60 stores. The expansion included parking-lot enlargement and landscaping, as well as renovations for several established tenants. The new retail space included local boutiques, a fabric store, Foxmoor Casuals, and Waldenbooks. The mall’s tenant base weakened during the 1980s. J. C. Penney closed its main store in 1983 after declining sales, although a portion of the space reopened as a J. C. Penney outlet in 1984. Stix, Baer & Fuller was acquired by Dillard’s in 1984 and converted to the Dillard’s brand. The River Roads store operated under that name temporarily, but closed in 1986 after the chain determined that its improved results did not justify continued operation. Kroger had already departed in 1983, and its former space was occupied by Food for Less. By 1992, Woolworth had also closed, leaving the J. C. Penney outlet as the mall’s only anchor. Benderson Corporation, then associated with ownership of the property, explored converting River Roads into an outlet mall. The proposal was abandoned because of economic uncertainty and an oversupply of retail space in the St. Louis region. The outlet store closed in 1994. The interior mall was abandoned in 1995, although Food for Less and certain stores with exterior entrances continued independently for some time. Vacancy led to physical deterioration, including overgrown vegetation and accumulated trash. Churches United for Community Action cooperated with Jennings officials in cleaning the property. Benderson sold the property in 1997. River Roads also functioned as a MetroBus transfer point until 2006. Demolition of the vacant mall building began that year, marking the end of the site’s mall era.
- 2006
Vacant structure is demolished
[1]Demolition begins on the abandoned mall building; the property had also served as a MetroBus transfer point until this period.
- 1997
Property is sold
[1]Benderson sells the mall property after the center’s interior closure.
- 1995
Interior mall ceases operation
[1]The interior mall closes, with limited exterior-access retail activity continuing separately.
- 1994
J. C. Penney outlet closes
[1]The remaining anchor-format retailer leaves the property.
- 1992
Outlet conversion plan is canceled
[1]A proposed conversion to an outlet mall is dropped amid economic concerns and excess retail capacity.
- 1986
Dillard’s store closes
[1]The converted Dillard’s location closes after a short operating period.
- 1984
Department-store rebranding and outlet reopening
[1]A portion of the former J. C. Penney space reopens as an outlet, while Stix, Baer & Fuller becomes Dillard’s following Dillard’s acquisition of the chain.
- 1983
J. C. Penney closes its main store
[1]The principal J. C. Penney location closes after declining sales.
- 1972
Major expansion completed
[1]A new J. C. Penney store and converted former department-store space expand the mall to approximately 835,000 square feet and 60 stores.
- 1962
Mall opens in Jennings
[1]River Roads Mall opens as an enclosed shopping center with J. C. Penney, Stix, Baer & Fuller, Kroger, Woolworth, and specialty tenants.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping center serving Jennings and nearby St. Louis communities, combining department stores, grocery retail, variety merchandise, and specialty shops. In its later years, the property was considered for outlet-mall repositioning but ultimately declined as anchor stores and other tenants departed.
Department stores · 1962
Department-store retail
The mall’s principal department-store offering came from J. C. Penney and Stix, Baer & Fuller, later associated with Dillard’s. These stores provided broad merchandise assortments, including clothing, household goods, and other general department-store categories. J. C. Penney later operated an outlet format at the property.
Grocery stores · 1962
Supermarket retail
Kroger was part of the original tenant mix and supplied supermarket goods to local shoppers. After Kroger left in 1983, its former space was occupied by Food for Less. Food for Less remained among the later occupants after the interior mall closed.
Mall specialty stores · 1962
Specialty retail
River Roads housed specialty merchants covering apparel, footwear, books, pharmacy goods, jewelry, fabric, and accessories. Named examples included Walgreens, Lane Bryant, Thom McAn, Bakers Shoes, Hess and Culbertson, Waldenbooks, Foxmoor Casuals, and local boutiques.
Brand decisions
2006
Demolish the abandoned mall structureOtherBackground
The mall had been vacant and deteriorating since the closure of its interior operations.
Action taken
Demolition of the former mall building began.
Aftermath
The physical structure of River Roads Mall was removed after years of decline.
1992
Cancel proposed outlet-mall repositioningStrategyBackground
Benderson explored an outlet format as the mall lost anchor tenants, but the St. Louis market was experiencing economic uncertainty and a surplus of retail space.
Action taken
The proposed conversion was canceled.
Aftermath
The center continued to lose tenants, and the J. C. Penney outlet closed in 1994 before the interior mall shut in 1995.
1984
Convert Stix, Baer & Fuller to Dillard’sM&ABackground
Dillard’s acquired the Stix, Baer & Fuller chain and converted its stores to the Dillard’s name.
Action taken
The River Roads store was permitted to operate as Dillard’s until its lease expired, allowing the company to test whether the new identity could improve performance.
Aftermath
Although profits increased, Dillard’s considered the improvement insufficient and closed the store in 1986.
1983
Close the main J. C. Penney locationStrategyBackground
The store experienced declining sales and faced competition from other nearby J. C. Penney locations.
Action taken
J. C. Penney closed the large department-store location despite a proposal to reduce its size.
Aftermath
Part of the space returned to use in 1984 as a J. C. Penney outlet.
1972
Expand the mall and relocate J. C. PenneyGeneration changeBackground
The original shopping center required additional capacity and a larger department-store presence.
Action taken
J. C. Penney built a new store behind its existing location, while the former store was converted into mall shops. Parking and tenant facilities were also improved.
Aftermath
The complex grew to approximately 835,000 square feet and about 60 stores.
Recent events
- 2006
Demolition of the vacant mall begins[1]
Other
The abandoned River Roads Mall structure was demolished after years of vacancy and deterioration.
- 1995
River Roads interior mall closes[1]
Other
Following the closure of the J. C. Penney outlet in 1994, the interior mall ceased operating, although Food for Less and some exterior-access tenants remained for a period.
- 1992
Outlet-mall conversion proposal is abandoned[1]
Other
Benderson considered repositioning River Roads as an outlet center but canceled the plan because of economic concerns and excess retail space in the St. Louis market.
- 1986
Dillard’s conversion of Stix, Baer & Fuller store ends[1]
Other
After the Stix, Baer & Fuller chain was acquired and rebranded as Dillard’s, the River Roads store closed when its improved profitability was judged insufficient.
- 1984
J. C. Penney outlet opens at River Roads[1]
Product launch
Part of the former department-store space reopened as an outlet selling overstock merchandise from other J. C. Penney locations.
- 1983
J. C. Penney closes its main River Roads location[1]
Other
J. C. Penney shut its principal store at the mall because of declining sales and competition from nearby company locations.
- 1972
River Roads Mall expands to approximately 835,000 square feet[1]
Other
A new J. C. Penney building, converted former store space, parking improvements, and tenant renovations expanded the mall to about 60 stores.
- 1962
River Roads Mall opens in Jennings[1]
Other
The enclosed mall opened with J. C. Penney, Stix, Baer & Fuller, Kroger, Woolworth, and a range of specialty retailers.
Sources1 sources
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