Santa Maria Town Center
An enclosed regional shopping center in Santa Maria, California, serving the Central Coast with retail, dining, entertainment, and community-oriented venues.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Santa Maria Town Center, also known as Town Center Mall, is an enclosed shopping center in Santa Maria, California. The property occupies approximately 25 acres and contains about 600,000 square feet of space, making it one of the largest retail destinations on California's Central Coast and the only enclosed shopping center in Santa Barbara County. It is situated near the junctions of California State Route 135, California State Route 166, Cook Street, and Miller Street, giving it a prominent position within the Santa Maria commercial area. The mall opened in 1976 with Gottschalks and Sears as its original anchor stores. Its initial tenant mix combined department-store retail with specialty shops, food outlets, and a three-screen United Artists cinema. The cinema was later sold to Wallace Theater Corporation in 1996 and operated as a discount theater before closing in 2001. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the center also featured a large hand-carved indoor carousel, which became one of its recognizable attractions before later being offered for sale. A major expansion was completed in 1990 when May Company California joined the property as an anchor. That store subsequently became Robinsons-May and later Macy's, giving the center a continuing department-store presence after several other anchor changes. The mall has also hosted national specialty retailers and service businesses, including Kay Jewelers, Bath & Body Works, Foot Locker, and GNC, alongside restaurants and locally oriented tenants. Its facilities include two three-level parking garages with a combined capacity of approximately 3,315 vehicles. The property faced significant pressure during the late-2000s economic downturn. Several tenants closed during the Great Recession, and Gottschalks entered bankruptcy in 2009. In July 2010, the mall's owners defaulted on a reported $32 million loan, although negotiations prevented the property from entering receivership. The center subsequently experimented with temporary and family-focused attractions, including an outdoor ice-skating rink operated from December 2010 through January 2011. The rink was described as the first of its kind hosted in Santa Maria. Spinoso Real Estate Group acquired the mall in October 2012 and began repositioning the former Gottschalks wing. The former department-store building was demolished in 2013 and replaced with a Regal Cinemas location. Redevelopment efforts emphasized entertainment, recreation, and family uses in addition to conventional retail. Planned or introduced facilities included a soccer training center, a gymnastics center, a baseball and softball center, and improvements to an existing skateboarding park. These changes reflected an effort to make the center a broader activity destination rather than relying solely on department-store shopping. Ownership and property arrangements continued to evolve. In 2015, Sears Holdings transferred the Sears property at the center into Seritage Growth Properties as part of a nationwide portfolio transaction. In September 2018, the main shopping-center property was sold for a reported $21.5 million to an undisclosed global insurance company; the transaction excluded the remaining anchor stores and parking garages. Sears later became one of the stores targeted in Transformco's 2019 closure program and ceased operating at the center on February 2, 2020, after 44 years. The COVID-19 pandemic led to another operational interruption. In March 2020, the mall temporarily closed in response to California's restrictions on nonessential businesses. During the initial period, activity was limited to curbside pickup and outdoor operations. Limited-capacity indoor operations resumed in September 2020, and the center reported a full reopening by May 2021. In May 2025, the Santa Maria City Council approved plans to renovate and repurpose the former Sears building. The project is intended to introduce an El Super supermarket on the lower level and additional retail or commercial space on the upper level. Construction was reported to be underway, with the supermarket expected to open in 2026. The redevelopment represents another attempt to adapt the center's large former-anchor footprint to changing consumer demand and the area's demographic and shopping patterns.
History
Santa Maria Town Center opened in 1976 in Santa Maria, California, as an enclosed shopping center anchored by Gottschalks and Sears. The original complex also contained a three-screen United Artists cinema. That theater changed operators in 1996 when it was sold to Wallace Theater Corporation, later functioning as a discount cinema until its closure in 2001. The center expanded in 1990 with the addition of May Company California. The department store later became Robinsons-May and then Macy's, preserving one of the property's principal anchor positions. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the mall also featured a large hand-carved indoor carousel. Over time, the property developed a mix of national specialty retailers, food outlets, services, and entertainment uses. It grew to approximately 600,000 square feet across roughly 25 acres and became the only enclosed shopping center in Santa Barbara County, as well as a major retail destination for the Central Coast. The late-2000s recession caused substantial disruption. Multiple tenants closed, and Gottschalks filed for bankruptcy in 2009. In July 2010, the mall's owners defaulted on a reported $32 million loan. Negotiations prevented a receivership, allowing the center to continue operating. The property also introduced an outdoor ice-skating rink for the 2010–2011 winter season, an unusual temporary attraction for Santa Maria. Spinoso Real Estate Group acquired the mall in October 2012 and pursued a redevelopment program focused on replacing the former Gottschalks space and broadening the center's entertainment offer. The old Gottschalks building was demolished in 2013 and rebuilt as a Regal Cinemas location. Additional plans or facilities emphasized family and sports activities, including soccer training, gymnastics, baseball and softball, and improvements to an existing skateboarding park. The ownership structure changed again in 2015 when Sears Holdings spun off its Town Center property into Seritage Growth Properties. In September 2018, the principal shopping-center property was sold for a reported $21.5 million to an unidentified global insurance company. The sale excluded the remaining anchor stores and the parking garages, making the transaction distinct from a transfer of the entire site. Sears' long tenure ended after Transformco announced in November 2019 that the location would be among 51 stores closing nationwide. The Santa Maria store closed on February 2, 2020, after operating for 44 years. The mall then faced the COVID-19 shutdown beginning in March 2020. Indoor operations were suspended under California public-health restrictions, while curbside pickup and outdoor activities were permitted. Limited-capacity reopening began in September 2020, followed by a full reopening by May 2021. In May 2025, the Santa Maria City Council approved plans to renovate and repurpose the former Sears building. The project calls for an El Super supermarket on the lower floor and additional retail space on the upper floor. Construction was reported to be ongoing, with the supermarket expected to open in 2026. This project continues the center's longer-term shift from a traditional department-store-led mall toward a mixed retail, grocery, entertainment, and recreation destination.
- 2025
Former Sears redevelopment approved
[1]The city approves plans for an El Super supermarket and additional retail space in the former Sears building.
- 2020
Sears closes
[1]The Sears store closes on February 2 after 44 years of operation.
- 2020
COVID-19 operating restrictions begin
[1]The mall temporarily closes in March, later resumes limited operations, and fully reopens by May 2021.
- 2018
Main center property is sold
[1]The principal mall property is sold for a reported $21.5 million to an undisclosed global insurance company.
- 2015
Sears property enters Seritage portfolio
[1]The Sears property is transferred to Seritage Growth Properties in a Sears Holdings real-estate spinoff.
- 2013
Former Gottschalks wing is redeveloped
[1]The former department-store structure is demolished and replaced with a Regal Cinemas location.
- 2012
Spinoso Real Estate Group acquires the mall
[1]The property changes hands and redevelopment planning begins for the former Gottschalks wing.
- 2010
Temporary ice rink opens
[1]An outdoor ice-skating rink operates outside the former Gottschalks building from December 10, 2010, through January 9, 2011.
- 2009
Gottschalks files for bankruptcy
[1]The original anchor enters bankruptcy during the wider economic downturn.
- 2001
Discount cinema closes
[1]The former United Artists theater, operated as a discount cinema after its sale, closes.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping and entertainment center serving Santa Maria and the wider Central Coast, combining department stores, specialty retail, dining, cinema, recreation, and community-oriented services.
Retail · 1976
Department-store retail
The center's historical anchor format has included Gottschalks, Sears, May Company California, Robinsons-May, and Macy's. These stores provided broad merchandise categories such as apparel, home goods, accessories, and general department-store products. Gottschalks and Sears were original anchors, while the May Company building became the Macy's anchor through successive corporate conversions.
Retail · 1976
Specialty retail
Santa Maria Town Center contains a variety of specialty shops and services serving everyday consumer needs. Referenced national retailers include Kay Jewelers, Bath & Body Works, Foot Locker, and GNC. The broader tenant mix covers jewelry, beauty and body care, footwear and athletic apparel, health products, accessories, and related services.
Entertainment · 2013
Regal Cinemas
Regal Cinemas replaced the former Gottschalks building after the structure was demolished and rebuilt during the post-2012 redevelopment. The cinema formed part of a strategy to increase entertainment uses at the center and give visitors reasons to spend time at the property beyond conventional shopping.
Recreation · 2013
Family recreation and sports facilities
The center's repositioning included family-oriented and sports-related uses such as soccer training, gymnastics, baseball and softball facilities, and improvements to an existing skateboarding park. These venues broaden the property's role from a retail center into a destination for organized activities, youth sports, and family entertainment.
Grocery retail · 2026
El Super Market redevelopment
A city-approved project is renovating the former Sears building for an El Super Market on the lower floor, with additional retail space planned for the upper level. Construction was reported to be ongoing in 2025, and the supermarket was expected to open in 2026.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Outdoor Ice-Skating Rink
Santa Maria · California Central Coast
The mall introduced a temporary outdoor ice-skating venue during the 2010–2011 winter period, adding a seasonal recreational attraction outside the former Gottschalks building.
Outcome. The rink operated from December 10, 2010, through January 9, 2011. No longer-term continuation is identified in the available reference material.
Brand decisions
2025
Repurposing of former Sears buildingStrategyBackground
The closure of the Sears anchor in 2020 left a large department-store building available for redevelopment.
Action taken
Santa Maria City Council approved plans to renovate the building for an El Super supermarket on the lower floor and additional retail space above.
Aftermath
Construction was reported to be ongoing, with the supermarket expected to open in 2026.
2020
Temporary pandemic operating changesStrategyBackground
California public-health restrictions required the temporary closure of nonessential indoor businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Action taken
The center suspended normal indoor operations, supported curbside pickup and outdoor activities, and later reopened with capacity restrictions.
Aftermath
Limited-capacity operations resumed in September 2020, followed by a full reopening by May 2021.
2013
Shift toward entertainment and recreationStrategyBackground
The loss of a major department-store anchor created a large vacant footprint and increased the need for uses that could attract visitors beyond traditional retail.
Action taken
The former Gottschalks location was demolished and rebuilt as a Regal Cinemas facility, alongside plans for soccer, gymnastics, baseball, softball, and skateboarding uses.
Aftermath
The center expanded its positioning as a mixed shopping, entertainment, and family activity destination.
2012
Acquisition by Spinoso Real Estate GroupM&ABackground
The mall faced tenant losses, anchor disruption, and financial pressure following the Great Recession and the Gottschalks bankruptcy.
Action taken
Spinoso Real Estate Group acquired the center and began redeveloping the former Gottschalks wing.
Aftermath
The former Gottschalks building was demolished and replaced with a Regal Cinemas location, while additional family and sports-oriented uses were introduced or planned.
Recent events
- 2025
City approves redevelopment of former Sears building[1]
Product launch
Santa Maria City Council approved renovation and repurposing plans for the former Sears building, including an El Super supermarket and additional upper-floor retail space.
- 2020
Mall temporarily closes during COVID-19 restrictions[1]
Regulation · Other
The center closed temporarily in March under California pandemic restrictions, later resuming limited-capacity operations and fully reopening by May 2021.
- 2019
Sears announces closure at Santa Maria Town Center[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Transformco included the Town Center Sears store in a nationwide closure announcement. The store shut on February 2, 2020.
- 2018
Shopping-center property sells for reported $21.5 million[1]
M&A
The main shopping-center property was sold to an undisclosed global insurance company. The transaction excluded the remaining anchor stores and parking garages.
- 2015
Sears property transferred to Seritage Growth Properties[1]
M&A
Sears Holdings spun off 235 properties, including the Sears location at Santa Maria Town Center, into Seritage Growth Properties.
- 2013
Former Gottschalks building is replaced by Regal Cinemas[1]
Product launch
The former Gottschalks structure was demolished and rebuilt as a Regal Cinemas location as part of a broader entertainment-focused repositioning.
- 2012
Spinoso Real Estate Group acquires the mall[1]
M&A
Spinoso Real Estate Group purchased the center and began planning changes to the former Gottschalks wing.
- 2010
Mall ownership defaults on reported $32 million loan[1]
Other
The mall's owners defaulted on a reported $32 million loan, but negotiations kept the property from entering receivership.
- 2010
Santa Maria Town Center hosts temporary outdoor ice rink[1]
Campaign · Other
The center operated an outdoor ice-skating rink from December 10, 2010, through January 9, 2011, introducing the temporary attraction to Santa Maria.
- 2009
Town Center Mall experiences tenant closures during the Great Recession[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The economic downturn led to multiple tenant closures, including the bankruptcy of original anchor Gottschalks.
Sources1 sources
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