West Acres Shopping Center
A regional shopping center in Fargo, North Dakota, and the largest shopping mall in the state.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
West Acres Shopping Center is a regional shopping mall in Fargo, North Dakota, located near the junction of Interstates 29 and 94. Developed in 1972 by William A. Schlossman and other investors, it was created as a major retail destination for Fargo and the surrounding Upper Midwest trade area. The center opened with Dayton's, Sears, and the Fargo-based DeLendrecie's department store as its principal anchors. Dayton's presence was notable because the Fargo location was the chain's first store outside Minnesota. The property expanded in 1979 with the addition of JCPenney. Over the following decades, its department-store mix changed as DeLendrecie's became Herberger's in 1998, Dayton's was rebranded Marshall Field's in 2001, and the Marshall Field's location became Macy's in 2006. A food court was added in 2000, further broadening the center's role from a traditional department-store mall into a destination combining shopping, dining, entertainment, and community activity. West Acres contains nearly 130 stores and services, a 750-seat food court, and The District, a mixed indoor-and-outdoor restaurant area developed in the former Sears portion of the mall. The center's attractions extend beyond conventional retail. It houses the Roger Maris Museum, which commemorates the Fargo-born baseball player, as well as regional art installations, the Aptitude Art Studio, Touchstone Energy Dinosaur Playland, and a collection of spearfishing decoys made by artist John Jensen. The Fountain of Abundance, created by Minnesota State University Moorhead art professor P. Richard Szeitz, is another recognizable feature. The fountain was originally placed near Dayton's and moved to the JCPenney entrance during the 2001 food-court construction. The property reached full occupancy in December 2012, although later retail changes reflected broader shifts in department stores and specialty retail. Sears closed in 2017. Herberger's closed after its parent company, Bon-Ton, entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2018. Best Buy moved from its former mall location into the former Sears space, while the earlier Best Buy area was subsequently associated with Boot Barn, Guitar Center, and Foss Swim School. West Acres also added newer national and specialty retailers, including Ragstock, Sephora, Lululemon, and Athleta, as some prior tenants such as Justice and Gap Kids departed. The former Sears space became the basis for The District, a multimillion-dollar, multi-phase redevelopment focused on restaurants and social uses. Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar became the first announced restaurant in the project and opened in late 2019. In January 2022, the mall's owners acquired the vacant former Herberger's building at auction and announced plans to redevelop it. Von Maur later announced a 90,000-square-foot department store for the building; the store opened on April 5, 2025. By 2025, West Acres was described as nearly occupied, with its tenant mix combining department stores, specialty retailers, food service, recreation, public art, and cultural attractions.
History
West Acres Shopping Center was developed in Fargo, North Dakota, in August 1972 by William A. Schlossman and a group of investors. Its original anchor lineup consisted of Dayton's, Sears, and DeLendrecie's, a Fargo retailer that relocated from downtown. The Dayton's store was the company's first location outside Minnesota, giving the new mall a regional significance beyond the Fargo market. The mall expanded in 1979 when JCPenney joined as a fourth anchor. DeLendrecie's was converted to Herberger's in 1998. In 2000, West Acres added a food court with seating for approximately 750 people, strengthening the center's role as a full-day destination. Dayton's changed its name to Marshall Field's in 2001, and the store became Macy's in 2006. The property also developed a substantial public-art and cultural identity. Its Fountain of Abundance, designed by P. Richard Szeitz, was moved from the former Dayton's frontage to the JCPenney entrance during construction associated with the food-court area. The mall has also displayed work by a number of regional artists and received the Lake Agassiz Arts Council's Business Art's Advocate recognition in 2007. West Acres reached full occupancy in December 2012. The tenant mix subsequently evolved as national chains closed or changed their store strategies. Justice and Gap Kids were among the retailers that departed, while replacements and additions included Ragstock, Sephora, Boot Barn, Lululemon, and Athleta. Sears closed its West Acres store in 2017. In 2018, Herberger's announced that it would close its anchor location, and Bon-Ton, its parent company, filed for bankruptcy. Best Buy relocated into the former Sears space, while the earlier Best Buy area was used by Boot Barn, Guitar Center, and Foss Swim School. The mall announced The District as a multimillion-dollar, multi-phase development for the unused Sears area. The concept introduced indoor and outdoor restaurant space and other destination-oriented uses. Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar opened as the first restaurant in late 2019. A separate redevelopment opportunity emerged at the former Herberger's building. In January 2022, West Acres owners acquired the vacant structure at auction and said it would be redeveloped. At Home had announced in 2019 that it intended to occupy the former Herberger's space, but that plan did not proceed. Von Maur later announced a 90,000-square-foot store for the building and opened it on April 5, 2025. Beyond retail, West Acres includes the Roger Maris Museum, which honors the Fargo-born baseball player; Aptitude Art Studio; Touchstone Energy Dinosaur Playland; The District restaurants; and collections of regional art and spearfishing decoys by John Jensen. These attractions support the mall's role as a civic and leisure destination as well as a shopping center. As of 2025, the property was described as nearly occupied, with Macy's, JCPenney, Best Buy, and Von Maur among its principal anchors.
- 2025
Von Maur opens
[1]Von Maur opens a 90,000-square-foot department store in the former Herberger's building.
- 2019
The District launches
[1]Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar opens as the first restaurant in The District redevelopment.
- 2007
Recognized for arts advocacy
[1]West Acres is named Business Art's Advocate by the Lake Agassiz Arts Council.
- 2006
Marshall Field's becomes Macy's
[1]The department-store anchor adopts the Macy's brand.
- 2001
Dayton's is rebranded Marshall Field's
[1]The Dayton's anchor changes to the Marshall Field's name, and the Fountain of Abundance is moved during construction.
- 2000
Food court opens
[1]West Acres adds a food court with approximately 750 seats.
- 1998
DeLendrecie's becomes Herberger's
[1]The Fargo-based original anchor adopts the Herberger's name.
- 1979
JCPenney becomes a fourth anchor
[1]A major expansion adds JCPenney to the mall's department-store lineup.
- 1972
West Acres opens
[1]The regional shopping center opens in Fargo with Dayton's, Sears, and DeLendrecie's as anchor stores.
Products and positioning
A large regional shopping and community destination serving Fargo and the broader Upper Midwest, combining department stores, specialty retail, restaurants, family attractions, public art, and local cultural exhibits.
Retail anchors · 1972
Department stores
West Acres is anchored by Macy's, JCPenney, Best Buy, and Von Maur. Together, these stores provide broad merchandise categories including apparel, footwear, beauty products, home goods, electronics, and other general retail goods. The anchor lineup has changed repeatedly since the mall opened, reflecting the succession of Dayton's, Marshall Field's, Macy's, Sears, Herberger's, and Von Maur.
Food service · 2000
Food court
The mall's food court, added in 2000, offers a large shared dining area with seating for approximately 750 people. It complements the center's sit-down restaurants and helps position West Acres as a place for extended visits rather than only a conventional retail trip.
Restaurants and entertainment · 2019
The District
The District is a multi-phase redevelopment featuring restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating in part of the former Sears area. The project was designed to add dining and social uses to the mall's retail mix. Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was its first restaurant and opened in late 2019.
Cultural attraction
Roger Maris Museum
The Roger Maris Museum is a mall-based collection dedicated to Roger Maris, the Fargo-born baseball player. It gives West Acres a local-history and sports heritage component alongside its commercial functions.
Leisure and cultural amenities
Family and arts attractions
West Acres includes Aptitude Art Studio, Touchstone Energy Dinosaur Playland, the Fountain of Abundance, regional art displays, and spearfishing decoys created by John Jensen. These amenities contribute to the center's identity as a community destination and provide non-retail reasons for visitors to come to the property.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquisition of the former Herberger's buildingM&ABackground
The former Herberger's anchor remained vacant after Bon-Ton's bankruptcy and the store's closure.
Action taken
The mall's owners purchased the building at auction and announced plans to redevelop the property.
Aftermath
The building was subsequently selected for a new Von Maur department store, which opened in 2025.
2019
Development of The DistrictStrategyBackground
The former Sears area created an opportunity to diversify West Acres beyond traditional mall retail.
Action taken
West Acres announced a multimillion-dollar, multi-phase restaurant development with indoor and outdoor seating, later branded The District.
Aftermath
Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar opened as the project's first restaurant in late 2019, with additional phases planned.
2018
Repurposing the former Sears spaceStrategyBackground
Sears closed its West Acres location in 2017, leaving a substantial anchor space available for reuse.
Action taken
Best Buy moved into the former Sears space, while the previous Best Buy area was allocated to Boot Barn, Guitar Center, and Foss Swim School.
Aftermath
The relocation enabled the center to replace a closed department store with an active electronics anchor and several specialty or service tenants.
Recent events
- 2025
Von Maur opens at West Acres[1]
Product launch
Von Maur opened a 90,000-square-foot department store in the former Herberger's building on April 5, 2025.
- 2022
West Acres owners acquire former Herberger's building[1]
M&A
The mall's owners purchased the vacant former Herberger's building at auction and announced plans for redevelopment.
- 2019
The District redevelopment begins with Crave[1]
Product launch
The District, a multi-phase restaurant and entertainment redevelopment in the former Sears area, opened its first restaurant, Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar, in late 2019.
- 2018
Herberger's closes following Bon-Ton bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
Herberger's announced plans to close its anchor location as parent company Bon-Ton entered bankruptcy proceedings.
- 2018
Best Buy relocates into former Sears space[1]
Other
Best Buy moved from its previous mall outlet into part of the former Sears location, while the former Best Buy space was associated with Boot Barn, Guitar Center, and Foss Swim School.
- 2017
Sears closes its West Acres location[1]
Other
Sears shut its store at West Acres, creating a large redevelopment opportunity within the mall.
- 2012
West Acres reaches full occupancy[1]
Other
The shopping center was reported to have reached full occupancy in December, although tenant turnover continued in subsequent years.
Sources2 sources
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