Lakes Mall
Encyclopedia
Lakes Mall was an enclosed shopping mall
in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
. Opened in 1972, the shopping center initially featured Jefferson Ward and Britt's discount stores, and later included the first locations for the retail chains Office Depot
and The Sports Authority. The complex was torn down in 1995 and redeveloped as a strip mall.
supermarket and a McCrory
dime store. By the 1980s, the mall was losing business to larger shopping centers in town. Also, Britt's closed in 1981, Pantry Pride in 1984 and Jefferson Ward in 1985. By 1986, the center had more than 25 vacancies; a year later, 42 of its 83 storefronts were vacant. Despite the increasing vacancies, the first Office Depot
opened in the mall in 1986, and a flea market
filled the former Britt's. Shortly after the Office Depot opened, the mall owners announced that they would begin renovating the mall with a "main street" theme.
Kmart
bought the former Jefferson Ward building, converting part of it to a Builders Square
home improvement store. The rest became the first location for Sports Authority
. Since Office Depot, The Sports Authority and Builders Square did not open to the mall, traffic within the mall itself continued to decline. By 1989, the only other retailers in the mall were McCrory (which closed on December 31 that year), two restaurants and a men's clothing store, plus some offices and service tenants. Also, the mall's owners filed a mortgage on the mall, but the mortgage holder was charged in a foreclosure suit because it also owned space in the mall and could no longer afford to pay rent. The city building inspector declared the mall building unsafe in April 1990.
Builders Square closed its store in July 1990 so that Sports Authority could expand both its retail floor space and headquarters. A month later, the mall's last two tenants (an optician and dentist's office) moved out following a roof collapse, leaving only Sports Authority and Office Depot. In 1992, renovation plans were announced that called for demolition of the mall structure, except for those stores.
The mall was finally torn down in 1996, with Linen Supermarket, Mac Frugal's (which converted to Big Lots
in 2002) and Smart & Final
opening on portions of the former mall lot. Sports Authority moved out in 2003, moving its headquarters to suburban Denver, Colorado
, and Big Lots closed the same year. Smart & Final also closed its Florida stores in 2003. The complex was purchased in 2008 by UrbanAmerica LP of New York City, and Florida Career College moved into a portion. In 2009, Ross Dress for Less
opened on the north side of the mall, and Burlington Coat Factory
opened at the south end in 2010.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Lauderdale Lakes is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 32,593. It is part of the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 5,564,635 people....
. Opened in 1972, the shopping center initially featured Jefferson Ward and Britt's discount stores, and later included the first locations for the retail chains Office Depot
Office Depot
Office Depot is a supplier of office products and provides many services. The company's selection of brand name office supplies includes business machines, computers, computer software and office furniture, while its business services encompass copying, printing, document reproduction, shipping,...
and The Sports Authority. The complex was torn down in 1995 and redeveloped as a strip mall.
History
Lakes Mall opened in 1972, anchored by discount stores Jefferson Ward and Britt's, with other major tenants including a Pantry PridePantry Pride
Food Fair, also known by its successor name Pantry Pride, was a large supermarket chain in the United States. It was founded by Samuel N. Friedland, who opened the first store in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the late 1920s. As of 1957, Food Fair had 275 stores, and at its peak, the chain had more...
supermarket and a McCrory
McCrory Stores
J.G. McCrory's or McCrory Stores was a chain of five and dime stores in the United States based in York, Pennsylvania. The stores typically sold shoes, clothing, housewares, fabrics, penny candy, toys, cosmetics, and often included a lunch counter or snack bar...
dime store. By the 1980s, the mall was losing business to larger shopping centers in town. Also, Britt's closed in 1981, Pantry Pride in 1984 and Jefferson Ward in 1985. By 1986, the center had more than 25 vacancies; a year later, 42 of its 83 storefronts were vacant. Despite the increasing vacancies, the first Office Depot
Office Depot
Office Depot is a supplier of office products and provides many services. The company's selection of brand name office supplies includes business machines, computers, computer software and office furniture, while its business services encompass copying, printing, document reproduction, shipping,...
opened in the mall in 1986, and a flea market
Flea market
A flea market or swap meet is a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered. It may be indoors, such as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or it may be outdoors, such as in a field or under a tent...
filled the former Britt's. Shortly after the Office Depot opened, the mall owners announced that they would begin renovating the mall with a "main street" theme.
Kmart
Kmart
Kmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
bought the former Jefferson Ward building, converting part of it to a Builders Square
Builders Square
Builders Square was founded as a big-box home improvement retailer headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. A subsidiary of Kmart, its format was quite similar to Home Depot, Menards and Lowe's with floor space of about . Builder's Square.com, Inc. has its headquarters in Edison, New Jersey...
home improvement store. The rest became the first location for Sports Authority
Sports Authority
The Sports Authority, Inc. is one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States. It is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, and operates more than 460 stores in 45 U.S...
. Since Office Depot, The Sports Authority and Builders Square did not open to the mall, traffic within the mall itself continued to decline. By 1989, the only other retailers in the mall were McCrory (which closed on December 31 that year), two restaurants and a men's clothing store, plus some offices and service tenants. Also, the mall's owners filed a mortgage on the mall, but the mortgage holder was charged in a foreclosure suit because it also owned space in the mall and could no longer afford to pay rent. The city building inspector declared the mall building unsafe in April 1990.
Builders Square closed its store in July 1990 so that Sports Authority could expand both its retail floor space and headquarters. A month later, the mall's last two tenants (an optician and dentist's office) moved out following a roof collapse, leaving only Sports Authority and Office Depot. In 1992, renovation plans were announced that called for demolition of the mall structure, except for those stores.
The mall was finally torn down in 1996, with Linen Supermarket, Mac Frugal's (which converted to Big Lots
Big Lots
Big Lots, Inc. is a Fortune 500 retail corporation with annual revenues well over $4 billion.Its department stores focus mainly on selling closeout and overstock merchandise. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio, USA and currently operates over 1,400 stores in 47 states...
in 2002) and Smart & Final
Smart & Final
Smart & Final is a chain of warehouse-style food-and-supply stores based in Commerce, California, which developed through a series of mergers and expansions. The oldest of the combined companies, Hellman-Haas Grocery, was founded in 1871. The company has expanded to over 250 stores in the Western...
opening on portions of the former mall lot. Sports Authority moved out in 2003, moving its headquarters to suburban Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, and Big Lots closed the same year. Smart & Final also closed its Florida stores in 2003. The complex was purchased in 2008 by UrbanAmerica LP of New York City, and Florida Career College moved into a portion. In 2009, Ross Dress for Less
Ross Dress For Less
Ross Stores, Inc. , is a chain of American off-price department stores headquartered in Pleasanton, California, operating under the name Ross Dress for Less. It is the third largest off-price retailer in the United States, behind T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, both of which are owned by TJX Companies.As...
opened on the north side of the mall, and Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation is a national department store retailer focusing on clothing and shoes, with over 450 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.. In 2006, it was acquired by Bain Capital, LLC in a take-private transaction...
opened at the south end in 2010.