Mershops North County
A regional shopping mall in Escondido, California, originally opened in 1986 as North County Fair.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Mershops North County is a regional shopping mall in Escondido, California. The property opened in February 1986 under the name North County Fair with a department-store-led tenant mix that included JCPenney, May Company, Nordstrom, J.W. Robinson's, Sears, and The Broadway. Its early format reflected the traditional enclosed American shopping-center model, with several large anchor stores surrounding a broad collection of specialty retailers and food operators. The center's identity and tenant composition changed repeatedly over the following decades. In 1993, the Robinson's and May Company stores were converted into Robinsons-May locations, while The Broadway became Macy's in 1996. Westfield subsequently operated the property and, in 2005, removed the word “Shoppingtown” from the names of its United States centers. Following the 2006 Federated–May merger, both Robinsons-May stores closed. One former anchor was divided among Forever 21, H&M, and Old Navy, while the other was redeveloped for Target. The mall also experimented with entertainment and dining uses. North County Tavern + Bowl opened on the second level in December 2010, combining a restaurant, bar, and eight bowling lanes in a roughly 15,000-square-foot facility. It closed in 2017 and was replaced by a comic-book and memorabilia retailer. Westfield announced a $55 million revitalization plan in 2012 involving interior improvements, refreshed exterior entrances, and parking-lot resurfacing. The property faced further anchor-store changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nordstrom announced its closure in May 2020, followed by Sears in June 2020. A proposed Costco conversion of the Sears space was discussed but later canceled, although the idea reappeared in subsequent years. In February 2023, Westfield sold the mall to a joint venture involving Bridge Group Investments and Steerpoint Capital. Management transferred to Spinoso Real Estate Group, and the property was renamed North County Mall. After Bridge Group Investments adopted the Mershops name across its portfolio, the property was rebranded Mershops North County in August 2025. The mall continues to function as a mixed-use retail, dining, and entertainment destination. Its post-Westfield period has included temporary civic use, including a temporary Escondido Public Library location during renovation of the main library. A long-term lease was also signed for Round1 Entertainment to occupy the former Nordstrom space, with construction planned for 2025. Additional tenant changes have included the closure of 24 Hour Fitness and a proposed Chuze Fitness replacement, as well as the announced closure of Apple's North County location in June 2026. The property remains an active redevelopment and tenant-repositioning project rather than a static department-store mall.
History
The mall opened in February 1986 as North County Fair in Escondido, California. Its original anchor lineup consisted of JCPenney, May Company, Nordstrom, J.W. Robinson's, Sears, and The Broadway. Two bank buildings were also built on the northern side of the development; they were later demolished and replaced with additional parking. During the 1990s, the property's department-store structure changed. Robinson's and May Company became Robinsons-May stores in 1993, while The Broadway was converted to Macy's in 1996. Westfield later acquired or operated the center under its shopping-center portfolio. In June 2005, Westfield removed “Shoppingtown” from the names of its properties, contributing to the center's use of the Westfield North County identity. The 2006 Federated Department Stores merger with May Department Stores led to the closure of both Robinsons-May locations. The former Robinson's building was divided among Forever 21, H&M, and Old Navy. The former May Company building was redeveloped for Target, illustrating the mall's transition from a conventional department-store anchor model toward a broader mix of fashion and general-merchandise tenants. Entertainment and dining became more prominent in the 2010s. North County Tavern + Bowl opened in December 2010 on the second level. The approximately 15,000-square-foot venue included a 300-seat restaurant, a 30-foot bar, and eight bowling lanes. It closed in 2017 and was replaced by a comic-book and memorabilia store. In 2012, Westfield announced a $55 million revitalization program involving interior renovations, refreshed exterior entrances, and parking improvements. The center experienced substantial disruption during the COVID-19 period. Nordstrom announced in May 2020 that it would close its store because of the pandemic's economic impact. Sears announced its closure the following month. Costco was identified as a potential tenant for the former Sears space, but the proposed lease was canceled approximately a year later. The Costco concept was discussed again in 2025 and 2026, although the supplied material does not establish that a lease or opening was finalized. In February 2023, Westfield sold the mall to a joint venture of Bridge Group Investments and Steerpoint Capital. Spinoso Real Estate Group assumed management, and the center was renamed North County Mall. In August 2025, it became Mershops North County after Bridge Group Investments rebranded as Mershops and applied the new identity throughout its property portfolio. The post-Westfield property has continued to evolve through tenant replacement and nontraditional uses. Round1 Entertainment signed a 20-year lease in late 2024 for the former three-level Nordstrom location, with construction scheduled to begin in 2025. The Escondido Public Library operated a temporary branch at the mall from June 2025 while its primary library was remodeled. The 24 Hour Fitness location closed in March 2026, and Chuze Fitness was identified as a prospective replacement. Apple also announced the closure of its North County store in June 2026. These changes reflect the center's ongoing effort to combine retail with entertainment, fitness, dining, and community services.
- 2025
Mershops North County identity introduced
[1]The center is renamed after Bridge Group Investments adopts the Mershops brand.
- 2023
Ownership and management change
[1]Westfield sells the property, Spinoso becomes manager, and the center is renamed North County Mall.
- 2017
Tavern + Bowl closes
[1]The bowling and dining venue closes and is replaced by a comic-book and memorabilia store.
- 2012
Westfield announces revitalization
[1]Westfield announces a $55 million program for interior, exterior, and parking improvements.
- 2010
North County Tavern + Bowl opens
[1]A restaurant, bar, and bowling venue opens on the mall's second level.
- 2006
Robinsons-May anchors close and are repurposed
[1]The two Robinsons-May stores close; their spaces are divided among fashion retailers and Target.
- 2005
Westfield removes “Shoppingtown” naming
[1]Westfield drops the Shoppingtown designation from the names of its operated centers.
- 1996
The Broadway becomes Macy's
[1]The Broadway anchor is converted to a Macy's store.
- 1993
Robinson's and May Company become Robinsons-May
[1]Two original department-store operations are converted into Robinsons-May locations.
- 1986
North County Fair opens
[1]The enclosed shopping mall opens in Escondido with six major department-store anchors.
Products and positioning
Regional enclosed shopping center serving Escondido and North County San Diego through a mix of retail, dining, entertainment, and community-oriented uses.
Shopping center service · 1986
Retail shopping
The mall provides a broad retail environment rather than a single branded product line. Its historical and current tenant mix has included department stores, apparel chains, general merchandise, beauty, accessories, electronics, and specialty retailers. Anchor changes—from the original department stores to Macy's, Target, and later vacant or redevelopment spaces—have shaped the center's commercial identity.
Food and beverage · 1986
Dining and food service
Food and beverage is a supporting component of the mall's regional-center proposition. The property has hosted restaurants and other food operators, including the former North County Tavern + Bowl, which combined full-service dining with a bar and bowling. The food offer has changed as tenants and redevelopment plans have evolved.
Entertainment · 2010
Entertainment and recreation
The property has pursued entertainment uses to supplement conventional retail. North County Tavern + Bowl operated eight bowling lanes before closing in 2017. Round1 Entertainment later signed a long-term lease for the former Nordstrom space, indicating a planned expansion into large-format arcade and recreational entertainment.
Community services · 2025
Community and civic space
The mall has also accommodated temporary community use. The Escondido Public Library operated a temporary location at the property while its main library underwent remodeling, demonstrating the center's ability to host services beyond retail and leisure.
Brand decisions
2024
Round1 Entertainment lease announcedProduct launchBackground
The former Nordstrom anchor created a large vacant space suitable for a major entertainment operator.
Action taken
Round1 Entertainment signed a 20-year lease for the three-level former Nordstrom space, with construction planned for 2025.
Aftermath
The lease supports a shift toward experiential uses, although the supplied material does not confirm an opening date.
2023
Westfield sells the propertyM&ABackground
Westfield divested the shopping center during a period of anchor closures and tenant repositioning.
Action taken
The mall was sold to a joint venture involving Bridge Group Investments and Steerpoint Capital, with management transferred to Spinoso Real Estate Group.
Aftermath
The center was renamed North County Mall and later adopted the Mershops North County identity.
2012
Westfield approves a major mall revitalization planStrategyBackground
The aging enclosed shopping center required updates to its physical environment and customer-facing facilities.
Action taken
Westfield announced a $55 million program covering interior renovation, exterior entrance improvements, and parking-lot resurfacing.
Aftermath
The plan established a formal repositioning effort, although the supplied material does not quantify its completed scope or commercial results.
Announced revitalization investment. $55 million announced (2012)
Sources2 sources
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