Turfland Mall
A former enclosed shopping mall in Lexington, Kentucky, that operated from 1967 until 2008 and was later redeveloped as a retail and service-oriented commercial site.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Turfland Mall was an enclosed shopping mall in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. It opened in August 1967 as Lexington's first enclosed shopping mall and became an early retail destination serving the city's west and southwest areas. Its original anchor lineup included Montgomery Ward, Grant City, and McAlpin's, reflecting the department-store-centered model that shaped American suburban shopping malls during the period. The property experienced several major tenant changes over its operating life. Grant City closed in 1976 and its space was taken by JCPenney. The mall also included a Loews cinema, which closed in 1990. JCPenney subsequently relocated to Fayette Mall in 1993, weakening Turfland's anchor base. McAlpin's remained an important department-store presence until its parent company was acquired by Dillard's in 1998, after which the store was converted to the Dillard's name. Dillard's later added a home-furnishings format in the former JCPenney space. In 1997, Rubloff Development Group of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, acquired the mall and began a reported $5 million renovation program. Montgomery Ward closed in 2000, and its former space was converted into a Home Depot. Despite these changes, the property continued to lose traditional mall traffic and anchor strength. Dillard's for the Home closed in April 2008, the main Dillard's store closed on June 22, 2008, and GNC, identified as the last remaining retail unit inside the enclosed mall, closed on July 31. The enclosed mall ceased operations on October 1, 2008. After closure, the site became the subject of several redevelopment efforts. In 2009, Rubloff of Lexington proposed Turfland Town Center, a mixed-use commercial project that would have combined offices, retail, and residential uses while retaining the existing Home Depot and Staples buildings. The proposal sought $39 million in tax-increment financing for public improvements but was canceled after the developer could not secure a replacement for the former Dillard's space. The property later entered foreclosure proceedings. In 2012, Heritage Bank of Hopkinsville sued Rubloff of Lexington over foreclosure, while LexTran announced that it would discontinue the portion of a transit route serving the mall. In December 2012, Turf Development, a company owned by Lexington businessman Ron Switzer, acquired the property for $6 million. Switzer indicated that the enclosed portion would be demolished as part of a new development concept. By June 2016, the former mall site had been substantially transformed. A UK Health Clinic and a number of restaurants and service businesses occupied portions of the property, including LongHorn Steakhouse, Chick-fil-A, City Barbeque, Burger King, O'Charley's, and Walgreens. Home Depot and Staples were among the businesses continuing from the property's post-mall retail phase. The site's later identity was therefore less that of a conventional enclosed mall and more that of a redeveloped commercial complex built around large-format retail, restaurants, healthcare, and other services.
History
Turfland Mall opened in August 1967 in Lexington, Kentucky, as the city's first enclosed shopping mall. Its initial configuration followed the dominant American suburban retail model of the era: a climate-controlled interior circulation space surrounded by department-store anchors and smaller specialty retailers. Montgomery Ward, Grant City, and McAlpin's served as the original anchors, giving the property a broad merchandise mix that included apparel, household goods, and general merchandise. The mall's tenant base changed as the retail market evolved. Grant City closed in 1976 and was replaced by JCPenney. A Loews theater formerly operated at the mall but closed in 1990. JCPenney later moved to Fayette Mall in 1993, removing one of Turfland's principal anchors and increasing pressure on the remaining department stores. In 1997, Rubloff Development Group acquired the property and started a reported $5 million renovation intended to improve its competitiveness. The following year, McAlpin's parent company was acquired by Dillard's, and the Turfland store was converted to the Dillard's banner. Dillard's also established a home-goods operation in the former JCPenney space. The mall continued to lose major tenants. Montgomery Ward closed in 2000, and its former space was converted into The Home Depot, a large-format retailer with a different operating model from the enclosed mall's traditional anchors. Dillard's for the Home closed in April 2008, followed by the main Dillard's store on June 22. GNC, described as the final remaining retail unit within the enclosed mall, closed on July 31. Turfland Mall officially closed on October 1, 2008. Following the closure, Rubloff of Lexington announced a proposed redevelopment called Turfland Town Center. The concept would have replaced the enclosed mall's declining retail model with a multipurpose commercial complex containing office, retail, and residential uses. The plan proposed retaining the existing Home Depot and Staples buildings and requested $39 million in tax-increment financing for public improvements. It was ultimately canceled because the developer could not find a replacement tenant for the former Dillard's space. The property then faced financial and ownership difficulties. In 2012, Heritage Bank of Hopkinsville brought a foreclosure lawsuit against Rubloff of Lexington. During the same period, LexTran announced that it would discontinue the portion of a route serving the mall, reflecting the site's reduced role as a conventional shopping destination. In December 2012, Turf Development acquired the property for $6 million. The company was owned by Lexington businessman Ron Switzer, who stated that redevelopment would include demolishing the enclosed portion of the former mall. By June 2016, the property had been converted into a more open and diversified commercial site. A UK Health Clinic and multiple restaurants and service businesses occupied parts of the former mall area. Listed occupants included LongHorn Steakhouse, Chick-fil-A, City Barbeque, Burger King, O'Charley's, and Walgreens. Home Depot and Staples remained among the businesses associated with the property's post-mall retail use. The Turfland example illustrates the decline of a first-generation enclosed mall and the subsequent conversion of its land and buildings into a service-oriented, restaurant-heavy commercial center.
- 2016
Site operates as a redeveloped commercial center
[1]The former mall site contains healthcare, restaurants, Walgreens, Home Depot, Staples, and other commercial uses.
- 2012
Turf Development acquires the site
[1]Turf Development purchases the property after foreclosure-related litigation involving the previous ownership.
- 2008
Enclosed mall closes
[1]The remaining department-store and specialty-retail operations depart, and the enclosed mall closes on October 1.
- 2000
Montgomery Ward closes
[1]Montgomery Ward shuts its location, and the space is later converted to Home Depot.
- 1998
McAlpin's becomes Dillard's
[1]The former McAlpin's store is converted to the Dillard's banner after a corporate acquisition.
- 1997
Rubloff acquires the property
[1]Rubloff Development Group purchases the mall and begins a reported renovation program.
- 1993
JCPenney relocates to Fayette Mall
[1]JCPenney leaves Turfland for a location at nearby Fayette Mall.
- 1990
Loews theater closes
[1]The Loews cinema at the mall ceases operations.
- 1976
JCPenney replaces Grant City
[1]Grant City closes and JCPenney takes over its former location.
- 1967
Turfland Mall opens
[1]The mall opens in August as Lexington's first enclosed shopping mall, anchored by Montgomery Ward, Grant City, and McAlpin's.
Products and positioning
Originally positioned as Lexington's first enclosed, department-store-anchored shopping mall, Turfland Mall later shifted toward a redeveloped neighborhood commercial center with large-format retail, restaurants, healthcare, and service businesses.
Retail · 1967
Department-store retail
Turfland Mall's principal historical offering was department-store retail. Montgomery Ward, Grant City, JCPenney, McAlpin's, and later Dillard's supplied apparel, household merchandise, general goods, and seasonal products. These anchors defined the mall's original commercial identity and attracted customers to the smaller stores located inside the enclosed concourse.
Home retail · 2000
Home furnishings and home improvement
Home-oriented retail became increasingly important after the mall's traditional anchors declined. Dillard's operated a home store in the former JCPenney space, while the former Montgomery Ward building was converted to a Home Depot. This marked a transition from conventional enclosed-mall merchandise toward large-format home and improvement retail.
Food service
Restaurants and food service
After the enclosed mall closed, the property supported a broad restaurant mix rather than relying primarily on interior specialty stores. Reported occupants included LongHorn Steakhouse, Chick-fil-A, City Barbeque, Burger King, and O'Charley's. These businesses formed part of the site's later open commercial-center identity.
Services
Healthcare and local services
The redeveloped property also accommodated service uses, including a UK Health Clinic and Walgreens. Healthcare and pharmacy uses broadened the site's function beyond shopping and helped establish it as a mixed commercial destination after the mall's closure.
Brand decisions
2012
Turf Development purchases the propertyM&ABackground
The property was involved in foreclosure litigation and had lost its role as a conventional enclosed mall.
Action taken
Turf Development, a company owned by Ron Switzer, acquired the site and planned to remove the enclosed portion.
Aftermath
The property moved toward redevelopment as an open commercial center with retail, restaurants, healthcare, and services.
Reported acquisition price. $6 million (December 2012)
2009
Turfland Town Center redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
After the enclosed mall closed, Rubloff sought to replace the declining mall format with a mixed-use commercial project.
Action taken
Rubloff proposed offices, retail, and residential space, retaining Home Depot and Staples, and requested tax-increment financing for public improvements.
Aftermath
The proposal was canceled because a replacement tenant for the former Dillard's space could not be secured.
Requested tax-increment financing. $39 million (2009)
1997
Renovation under Rubloff ownershipStrategyBackground
Rubloff Development Group acquired the aging mall as competition from newer regional shopping centers and changing retail patterns increased.
Action taken
Rubloff initiated a reported $5 million renovation program.
Aftermath
The renovation did not prevent later anchor departures and the eventual closure of the enclosed mall.
Reported renovation investment. $5 million (1997)
Sources2 sources
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