Tri-County Mall (closed)

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www.tricountymall.com

The center was proposed in 1956 by Jeffrey Lazarus, who headed the Cincinnati-based Shillito's department store chain. Ground was broken for the 25 million dollar project in July 1959; the grand opening took place in October 1960. At the time, Tri-County was an open-air mall of fifty-two stores, anchored by Shillito's, and Cincinnati-based Pogue's. There was also an S.S. Kresge 5 & 10 store, and a Kroger supermarket.

Renovations

Around 1969, the mall's concourse (extending between the Shillito's and Pogue's department stores) was enclosed. This was done in keeping with the contemporary idea of a closed-in, fully climate-controlled, shopping environment. There was also a second enclosed concourse added at this time, with a new Sears anchor store at its end.

In 1990, following the opening of the much larger Forest Fair Mall, which was located only four miles away, a major rehabilitation of the mall was initiated. At this time the remaining early-60's "space age" architecture at Tri-County was torn out, and a second mall level added on top of the first. This renovation also included a new food court and atrium, with two-tiered, waterfall fountain. Moreover, a new, multi-level parking garage was built in the rear lot. The newly renovated mall opened in 1992 and included the addition of a fourth department store, McAlpin's.

Anchors

The original Shillito's store went through several name changes since the store opened in 1960. The first was in 1982 when Shillito's combined with corporate sister store, Rike's, and was renamed Shillito-Rike's. Four years later store's name was changed again to Lazarus. In 2003, Lazarus' parent company started to phase out the Lazarus name. The store became Lazarus-Macy's that year before becoming Macy's one year later.

The other original anchor, Pogue's, was renamed L. S. Ayres in 1983. L. S. Ayres closed the store in 1988, and J.C. Penney moved in to the space soon afterwards. JCPenney closed their Tri-County location in 2005. The former site is being redeveloped as additional specialty store and restaurant space.

In 1998 the McAlpin's store became Dillard's. Sears is the only store in the mall that has retained its name identity since that store opened in 1969.

Former Anchor Stores

Dillard's (235,810 sq. ft.)
Macy's (219,261 sq. ft.)
Sears (285,480 sq. ft.)


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