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{{short description|Former shopping mall}}
{{Infobox shopping mall
{{Infobox shopping mall
| shopping_mall_name = Raleigh Springs Mall
| name = Raleigh Springs Mall
| image = Raleigh Memphis TN 07 Raleigh Springs Mall TN14 Austin Peay Hwy.jpg
| image = Raleigh Memphis TN 07 Raleigh Springs Mall TN14 Austin Peay Hwy.jpg
| image_width = 235
| image_width = 235
| caption =
| caption =
| location = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], [[United States|USA]]
| location = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], United States
| address = 3384 Austin Peay Hwy.
| address = 3384 Austin Peay Hwy
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|35|13|9.141|N|89|54|30.2286|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates =
| opening_date = 1971
| opening_date = August 11, 1971
| closing_date = November 18, 2016
| closing_date = November 18, 2016
| developer = Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation
| developer = Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation
| manager = Angela Whichard, Inc.
| manager = Angela Whichard, Inc.
| owner =
| owner =
| architect =
| architect =
| number_of_stores = 70
| number_of_stores = 70
| number_of_anchors = 4 (4 vacant)
| number_of_anchors = 4 (4 vacant)
| floor_area = {{convert|918217|sqft|m2}}<ref name="mbj070108"/>
| floor_area = {{convert|918217|sqft|m2}}<ref name="mbj070108"/>
| floors = 3 including Dillard's but originally 1
| floors = 3 including Dillard's but originally 1
| parking =
| parking =
| website = RaleighSpringsMall.com
| website =
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
[[File:Raleigh Project Sign.jpg|alt=renovation project sign|thumb|The sign that was placed at the Raleigh Springs Mall site after the Memphis City Council passed the legislation to approve the redevelopment project. ]]
'''Raleigh Springs Mall''' was an enclosed [[shopping mall]] serving the city of [[Memphis, Tennessee]], [[United States|USA]]. The site is located on the north side of Memphis, on Austin Peay Hwy. just north of [[Interstate 40]]. Opened in 1971 as one of the city's first two shopping malls (the other being [[Southland Mall (Memphis, Tennessee)|Southland Mall]]),<ref name="mbj070108"/> owned and managed by Angela Whichard, Inc., Raleigh Springs Mall originally featured about seventy stores later to be remodeled and feature a twelve-screen [[multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]], with four anchor stores, formerly occupied by [[Sears, Roebuck and Company|Sears]], [[JCPenney]], [[Goldsmith's]] and [[Dillard's]]. The theater closed in December 2011, Sears closed in April 2011, and the other three anchors closed in 2003. The mall was later seized by the City of Memphis in favor to build a city Civic Center. The mall closed with 3 business still operating, City Trends, World Diamond Center, and a church. Some of the anchor stores JCPenney and Sears have been demolished leaving the movie theater, Dillard's, and the main building left. As of the end of 2016, the remaining buildings were surrounded by gates.
'''The Raleigh Springs Mall''' was an enclosed [[shopping mall]] serving the city of [[Memphis, Tennessee]], United States. The site is located on the north side of Memphis, on Austin Peay Hwy. just north of [[Interstate 40]]. It began construction in 1969 and opened two years later on August 11, 1971 as one of the city's first two shopping malls (the other being [[Southland Mall (Memphis, Tennessee)|Southland Mall]]),<ref name="mbj070108"/> owned and managed by the Edward J. DeBartolo corporation. The Raleigh Springs Mall originally featured about seventy stores and later featured a twelve-screen [[multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]], with four anchor stores, formerly occupied by [[Sears, Roebuck and Company|Sears]], [[JCPenney]], [[Goldsmith's]] and [[Dillard's]]. The theater closed in December 2011, Sears closed in April 2011, and the other three anchors closed in 2003. The mall property was won by the City of Memphis in multiple court challenges in favor to build a city Civic Center. The mall closed with 3 business still operating, City Trends, World Diamond Center, and a church.


==History==
==History==
Raleigh Springs Mall opened in 1971. Developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation (now known as [[Simon Property Group]])<ref name="tdn070328"/> as one of the first two malls in the Memphis area, it featured four major anchor stores: national chains JC Penney and Sears, as well as local chains Lowenstein's (which was sold to [[Dillard's]] in 1982) and [[Goldsmith's]]. A [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]] dime store also served as a junior anchor next to JC Penney; after the Woolworth store closed in the 1990s, it was replaced with a twelve-screen [[multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]] (that closed December 5, 2011).
When the Raleigh Springs Mall opened in 1971, it was located between Austin Peay Highway and Yale Road in northeastern [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]], in the Raleigh community, what was then outside of Memphis.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City Council Reviews Raleigh Springs Mall Plan - Memphis Daily News|url=https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2014/feb/4/council-reviews-raleigh-springs-mall-plan/print|access-date=2021-08-04|website=www.memphisdailynews.com}}</ref> The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation (now known as [[Simon Property Group]])<ref name="tdn070328"/> as one of the first two malls in the Memphis area, it featured four major anchor stores: national chains JC Penney and Sears, as well as local chains Lowenstein's (which was sold to [[Dillard's]] in 1982) and [[Goldsmith's]]. A [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]] dime store also served as a junior anchor next to JC Penney; after the Woolworth store closed in the 1990s, it was replaced with a twelve-screen [[multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]] (that closed December 5, 2011).


Initially the dominant mall in the Memphis area, Raleigh Springs Mall would lose several stores over time as newer malls opened, such as [[Hickory Ridge Mall]] and [[Mall of Memphis]].<ref name="mbj070108"/> Hickory Ridge Mall, in turn, has lost most of its national tenants as well, while Mall of Memphis has been demolished; both of these malls lost most of their business to the newer [[Wolfchase Galleria]], which opened in 1997.<ref name="tdn070328"/>
Initially the dominant mall in the Memphis area, Raleigh Springs Mall would lose several stores over time as newer malls opened, such as [[Hickory Ridge Mall]] and [[Mall of Memphis]].<ref name="mbj070108"/> Hickory Ridge Mall, in turn, has lost most of its national tenants as well, while Mall of Memphis has been demolished; both of these malls lost most of their business to the newer [[Wolfchase Galleria]], which opened in 1997.<ref name="tdn070328"/>
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Starting in 2005, [[Wal-Mart]] began negotiations with Simon Property Group to open a Supercenter at the mall. These plans would call for the demolition of the former JC Penney space, as well as the mall's movie theater, to make way for the Supercenter. However, these plans never materialized, and Wal-Mart signaled its intentions of staying at its current location when it started renovating it in early 2010.<ref name="mbj070108"/>
Starting in 2005, [[Wal-Mart]] began negotiations with Simon Property Group to open a Supercenter at the mall. These plans would call for the demolition of the former JC Penney space, as well as the mall's movie theater, to make way for the Supercenter. However, these plans never materialized, and Wal-Mart signaled its intentions of staying at its current location when it started renovating it in early 2010.<ref name="mbj070108"/>


In January 2011, Sears confirmed that its location in the mall was to close on April 3, 2011.<ref name="mca110105"/><ref name="wreg110104"/> This left the Raleigh Springs Mall without an anchor store.
In January 2011, Sears confirmed that its location in the mall would close on April 3, 2011.<ref name="mca110105"/><ref name="wreg110104"/> This left the Raleigh Springs Mall without an anchor store.


== Demolition and Re-development ==
== Demolition and redevelopment ==
⚫
In November 2016, the City of Memphis officially purchased the Raleigh Springs Mall property, making way for a complete demolition and re-development of the space into a civic center.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2016/11/04/raleigh-springs-mall-project-could-soon-be-cleared-for-take-off | title=Raleigh Springs Mall Project Could Soon be Cleared for Take off }}</ref> The City of Memphis plans to spend approximately $32 million in capital to create a civic plaza on the space once occupied by the Raleigh Springs Mall. The civic plaza will consolidate city services that were previously held at various locations. A library, traffic precinct, and police precinct will be constructed on the property. The civic center will house an 11-acre lake, green space, and 1-mile walking trail. A skate park is located near the police station. The mall started closing November 18, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/government/city/2016/11/18/memphis-buys-last-raleigh-mall-property-development/94078092/|title=Memphis buys last Raleigh mall property for development|work=The Commercial Appeal|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Lindsay|date=November 11, 2010|title=Can Raleigh Spring Back?|url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/can-raleigh-spring-back/Content?oid=2423758|access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wreg.com/2017/03/02/interior-demolition-begins-on-raleigh-springs-mall-project/|title=Interior demolition begins on Raleigh Springs Mall project|date=2017-03-03|website=WREG.com|access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> With support from the Raleigh Community Council,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raleighcconline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=101|title=Raleigh Springs Mall Project|first=Tom|last=Parker|website=www.raleighcconline.com}}</ref> this project has involved consolidated efforts. The re-development is designed by OT Marshall Architect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.otma.com|title=Otma|website=otma}}</ref> Construction was underway between 2017-2019, with a projected opening of fall 2020 <ref>{{Cite web|title=From Raleigh Springs Mall to Raleigh Springs Town Center: the renovation is well underway|url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/money/business/local-business/from-raleigh-springs-mall-to-raleigh-springs-town-center-the-renovation-is-well-underway/522-6ecbdd8e-9e97-4f30-8acf-8d1805436b45|access-date=2020-11-10|website=localmemphis.com|date=10 October 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:Demolition of Sears Auto Center.jpg|alt=image of sears auto center at Raleigh Springs Mall prior to demolition|thumb|Demolition of the Raleigh Springs Mall began in May 2016 with the Sears Auto Center. The effort for the redevelopment of the unused mall was led by District 1 City Councilman Bill Morrison. Plans for a city-owned civic center are underway.]]

⚫
[[File:Recycling efforts at the old Raleigh Springs Mall site.jpg|alt=image of recycling efforts at the Raleigh Springs Mall site off Austin Peay HWY.|thumb|Image of the Raleigh Springs Mall site, with demolition complete, this image shows collection and recycling of the material underway.]]
== Raleigh Springs Civic Center ==
⚫
In November 2016, the City of Memphis officially purchased the Raleigh Springs Mall property, making way for a complete demolition and re-development of the space into a civic center. The City of Memphis plans to spend approximately $32 million in capital to create a civic plaza on the space once occupied by the Raleigh Springs Mall. The civic plaza will consolidate city services that were previously held at various locations. A modern technology-based library, traffic precinct, and police precinct will be constructed on the property. In addition, the civic center will house an 11-acre pond, green space, 1-mile walking trail, and community pecan grove. A skate park will be constructed near the police station and will offer an outdoor recreational skate area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/government/city/2016/11/18/memphis-buys-last-raleigh-mall-property-development/94078092/|title=Memphis buys last Raleigh mall property for development|work=The Commercial Appeal|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en}}</ref> Ten years in the making, this redevelopment champions the efforts of District 1 Councilman Bill Morrison to eradicate blight from the community, by revitalizing this unused property.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wreg.com/2017/03/02/interior-demolition-begins-on-raleigh-springs-mall-project/|title=Interior demolition begins on Raleigh Springs Mall project|date=2017-03-03|website=WREG.com|access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> With support from the [http://www.raleighcconline.com Raleigh Community Council],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raleighcconline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=101|title=Raleigh Springs Mall Project|first=Tom|last=Parker|website=www.raleighcconline.com}}</ref> this project has involved consolidated efforts. The re-development is designed by [https://www.otma.com OT Marshall Architect.]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.otma.com|title=Otma|website=otma}}</ref>
{{Main|Raleigh Springs Civic Center}}
[[File:Raleigh springs mall demolition.jpg|alt=Demolition image of Raleigh Springs Mall anchor stores|thumb|Image of the demolition of Raleigh Springs Mall off Austin Peay Highway in Memphis, TN, making way for the new city civic center that will be constructed on the site.]]
[[File:Raleigh Springs Town Center ground breaking ceremony.jpg|alt=image of ground breaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center|thumb|Councilman Morrison speaks at the Raleigh Springs Town Center ground breaking ceremony on December 2, 2017.]]
[[File:Raleigh Project Sign 3.jpg|alt=redevelopment sign for the Raleigh Springs Mall Site Redevelopment|thumb|Image of the proposed redevelopment sign placed in front of the Raleigh Springs Mall site (mall sign can still be seen in the background)]]
The former property of the Raleigh Springs Mall is now replaced with the new [[Raleigh Springs Civic Center]]. Buildings' design was handled by O.T. Marshall Architects, Memphis. The City of Memphis started breaking ground of the new Raleigh Springs Civic Center on December 2, 2017 and groundbreaking was held November 19, 2020. Construction has slowed down with the new library at the civic center, before groundbreaking was held on the effect date.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 1, 2020|title=COVID-19 slows down construction at the Raleigh Springs Civic Center|work=LocalMemphis|url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/raleigh-springs-civic-center-partially-opens-pandemic-delays-construction/522-88ab11fb-fdb8-4b77-a2ab-9f824f7caf10}}</ref> The official ribbon cutting ceremony occurred on November 19, 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/raleigh-springs-civic-center-ribbon-cutting/522-437eee45-cd5b-40a5-834d-62aea2869d01 | title=Ribbon cutting held for new Raleigh Springs Civic Center | date=19 November 2020 }}</ref>
The Sears Auto Center was demolished in May 2016. In the Spring 2017, the anchor stores and mall entrance were demolished. By August 2017, the entire mall demolition was complete. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center was held on December 2, 2017.

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
⚫
File:Demolition of Sears Auto Center.jpg|alt=image of sears auto center at Raleigh Springs Mall prior to demolition|Demolition began in May 2016 with the Sears Auto Center.
⚫
File:Recycling efforts at the old Raleigh Springs Mall site.jpg|alt=image of recycling efforts at the Raleigh Springs Mall site off Austin Peay HWY.|Site, with demolition complete, (collection and recycling of the material underway)
File:Raleigh springs mall demolition.jpg|alt=Demolition image of Raleigh Springs Mall anchor stores|Demolition in progress
File:Raleigh Springs Town Center ground breaking ceremony.jpg|alt=image of ground breaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center|Councilman Morrison speaks at the Raleigh Springs Town Center ground breaking ceremony on December 2, 2017
⚫
File:Ground breaking ceremony Raleigh Springs Town Center.jpg|alt= Image of participants with shovels during the ground breaking ceremony|Participants with shovels during the ground breaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="tbn030117">{{cite news |first=Linda A. |last=Moore |newspaper=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |title=Federated Department Stores Closes Goldsmith's Store in Memphis, Tenn. |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96545366.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019185950/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96545366.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |date=January 17, 2003 |accessdate=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="tbn030117">{{cite news |first=Linda A. |last=Moore |newspaper=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |title=Federated Department Stores Closes Goldsmith's Store in Memphis, Tenn. |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96545366.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019185950/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96545366.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |date=January 17, 2003 |access-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="mbj030127">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Memphis Business Journal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |title=Dillard's to close Raleigh Springs store |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2003/01/27/daily34.html |date=January 31, 2003 |accessdate=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="mbj030127">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Memphis Business Journal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |title=Dillard's to close Raleigh Springs store |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2003/01/27/daily34.html |date=January 31, 2003 |access-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="mbj070108">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Ashby |newspaper=[[Memphis Business Journal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |title=Wal-Mart negotiating for Raleigh Springs space |url=http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/01/08/story1.html?page=all |date=January 8, 2007 |accessdate=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="mbj070108">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Ashby |newspaper=[[Memphis Business Journal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |title=Wal-Mart negotiating for Raleigh Springs space |url=http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/01/08/story1.html?page=all |date=January 8, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="tdn070328">{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Smith |newspaper=[[The Daily News (Memphis)|The Daily News]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=The Daily News Publishing Co. |title=Malled by the competition; Hickory Ridge, Raleigh Springs malls limp along as 'burbs draw shoppers |url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=32341 |date=March 28, 2007 |accessdate=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="tdn070328">{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Smith |newspaper=[[The Daily News (Memphis)|The Daily News]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=The Daily News Publishing Co. |title=Malled by the competition; Hickory Ridge, Raleigh Springs malls limp along as 'burbs draw shoppers |url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=32341 |date=March 28, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="wreg110104">{{cite news |first=April |last=Thompson |publisher=[[WREG-TV]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |title=Raleigh Springs Sears Store Closing |url=http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-raleigh-springs-sears-closing-story,0,3935037.story |date=January 4, 2011|accessdate=January 7, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="wreg110104">{{cite news |first=April |last=Thompson |publisher=[[WREG-TV]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |title=Raleigh Springs Sears Store Closing |url=http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-raleigh-springs-sears-closing-story,0,3935037.story |date=January 4, 2011|access-date=January 7, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="mca110105">{{cite news |first=Toby |last=Sells |newspaper=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |title=Sears, Raleigh Springs Mall's last anchor store, will close April 3 |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/05/sears-raleigh-springs-malls-last-anchor-store-will/ |date=January 5, 2011 |accessdate=April 11, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="mca110105">{{cite news |first=Toby |last=Sells |newspaper=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |location=[[Memphis, TN]] |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |title=Sears, Raleigh Springs Mall's last anchor store, will close April 3 |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/05/sears-raleigh-springs-malls-last-anchor-store-will/ |date=January 5, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref>
}}
⚫
}}[[File:Ground breaking ceremony Raleigh Springs Town Center.jpg|alt= Image of participants with shovels during the ground breaking ceremony|thumb|Image of participants with shovels during the ground breaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center.]]


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Raleigh Springs Mall}}http://wreg.com/2016/11/04/changes-coming-to-the-raleigh-springs-mall/
{{Commons category|Raleigh Springs Mall}}
*http://wreg.com/2016/11/04/changes-coming-to-the-raleigh-springs-mall/
*[http://www.labelscar.com/tennessee/raleigh-springs-mall Raleigh Springs Mall] at ''Labelscar''
*[http://www.labelscar.com/tennessee/raleigh-springs-mall Raleigh Springs Mall] at ''Labelscar''


{{Memphis shopping centers}}
{{Memphis shopping centers}}

⚫
{{coord|35|13|9.141|N|89|54|30.2286|W|region:US|display=title}}

⚫
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1971]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1971]]
[[Category:2011 disestablishments in Tennessee]]
[[Category:2011 disestablishments in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Shopping malls in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Shopping malls in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Defunct shopping malls in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Memphis, Tennessee]]

Latest revision as of 12:26, 14 March 2024

Raleigh Springs Mall
Map
LocationMemphis, Tennessee, United States
Coordinates35°13′9.141″N 89°54′30.2286″W / 35.21920583°N 89.908396833°W / 35.21920583; -89.908396833
Address3384 Austin Peay Hwy
Opening dateAugust 11, 1971
Closing dateNovember 18, 2016
DeveloperEdward J. DeBartolo Corporation
ManagementAngela Whichard, Inc.
No. of stores and services70
No. of anchor tenants4 (4 vacant)
Total retail floor area918,217 square feet (85,305.2 m2)[1]
No. of floors3 including Dillard's but originally 1
renovation project sign
The sign that was placed at the Raleigh Springs Mall site after the Memphis City Council passed the legislation to approve the redevelopment project.

The Raleigh Springs Mall was an enclosed shopping mall serving the city of Memphis, Tennessee, United States. The site is located on the north side of Memphis, on Austin Peay Hwy. just north of Interstate 40. It began construction in 1969 and opened two years later on August 11, 1971 as one of the city's first two shopping malls (the other being Southland Mall),[1] owned and managed by the Edward J. DeBartolo corporation. The Raleigh Springs Mall originally featured about seventy stores and later featured a twelve-screen multiplex, with four anchor stores, formerly occupied by Sears, JCPenney, Goldsmith's and Dillard's. The theater closed in December 2011, Sears closed in April 2011, and the other three anchors closed in 2003. The mall property was won by the City of Memphis in multiple court challenges in favor to build a city Civic Center. The mall closed with 3 business still operating, City Trends, World Diamond Center, and a church.

History

[edit]

When the Raleigh Springs Mall opened in 1971, it was located between Austin Peay Highway and Yale Road in northeastern Shelby County, in the Raleigh community, what was then outside of Memphis.[2] The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation (now known as Simon Property Group)[3] as one of the first two malls in the Memphis area, it featured four major anchor stores: national chains JC Penney and Sears, as well as local chains Lowenstein's (which was sold to Dillard's in 1982) and Goldsmith's. A Woolworth dime store also served as a junior anchor next to JC Penney; after the Woolworth store closed in the 1990s, it was replaced with a twelve-screen multiplex (that closed December 5, 2011).

Initially the dominant mall in the Memphis area, Raleigh Springs Mall would lose several stores over time as newer malls opened, such as Hickory Ridge Mall and Mall of Memphis.[1] Hickory Ridge Mall, in turn, has lost most of its national tenants as well, while Mall of Memphis has been demolished; both of these malls lost most of their business to the newer Wolfchase Galleria, which opened in 1997.[3]

By the 2000s, Raleigh Springs Mall had begun to lose many of its tenants. In early 2003, Dillard's announced that its location at Raleigh Springs Mall would be one of several stores closed that year.[4] Goldsmith's parent company Federated Department Stores (now known as Macy's, Inc.), who was in the midst of significant corporate reorganization at the time, announced that the Goldsmith's location at Raleigh Springs would be shuttered by April of the same year.[5] Finally, the JC Penney store (which had been downgraded to a JC Penney outlet center along with Dillard's) was closed as well, leaving Sears as the only anchor store.

Starting in 2005, Wal-Mart began negotiations with Simon Property Group to open a Supercenter at the mall. These plans would call for the demolition of the former JC Penney space, as well as the mall's movie theater, to make way for the Supercenter. However, these plans never materialized, and Wal-Mart signaled its intentions of staying at its current location when it started renovating it in early 2010.[1]

In January 2011, Sears confirmed that its location in the mall would close on April 3, 2011.[6][7] This left the Raleigh Springs Mall without an anchor store.

Demolition and redevelopment

[edit]

In November 2016, the City of Memphis officially purchased the Raleigh Springs Mall property, making way for a complete demolition and re-development of the space into a civic center.[8] The City of Memphis plans to spend approximately $32 million in capital to create a civic plaza on the space once occupied by the Raleigh Springs Mall. The civic plaza will consolidate city services that were previously held at various locations. A library, traffic precinct, and police precinct will be constructed on the property. The civic center will house an 11-acre lake, green space, and 1-mile walking trail. A skate park is located near the police station. The mall started closing November 18, 2016.[9][10][11] With support from the Raleigh Community Council,[12] this project has involved consolidated efforts. The re-development is designed by OT Marshall Architect.[13] Construction was underway between 2017-2019, with a projected opening of fall 2020 [14]

Raleigh Springs Civic Center

[edit]
Main article: Raleigh Springs Civic Center
redevelopment sign for the Raleigh Springs Mall Site Redevelopment
Image of the proposed redevelopment sign placed in front of the Raleigh Springs Mall site (mall sign can still be seen in the background)

The former property of the Raleigh Springs Mall is now replaced with the new Raleigh Springs Civic Center. Buildings' design was handled by O.T. Marshall Architects, Memphis. The City of Memphis started breaking ground of the new Raleigh Springs Civic Center on December 2, 2017 and groundbreaking was held November 19, 2020. Construction has slowed down with the new library at the civic center, before groundbreaking was held on the effect date.[15] The official ribbon cutting ceremony occurred on November 19, 2020.[16]

[edit]
  • image of sears auto center at Raleigh Springs Mall prior to demolition
    Demolition began in May 2016 with the Sears Auto Center.
  • image of recycling efforts at the Raleigh Springs Mall site off Austin Peay HWY.
    Site, with demolition complete, (collection and recycling of the material underway)
  • Demolition image of Raleigh Springs Mall anchor stores
    Demolition in progress
  • image of ground breaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center
    Councilman Morrison speaks at the Raleigh Springs Town Center ground breaking ceremony on December 2, 2017
  • Image of participants with shovels during the ground breaking ceremony
    Participants with shovels during the ground breaking ceremony for the Raleigh Springs Town Center

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Ashby, Andy (January 8, 2007). "Wal-Mart negotiating for Raleigh Springs space". Memphis Business Journal. Memphis, TN: American City Business Journals. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  2. ^ "City Council Reviews Raleigh Springs Mall Plan - Memphis Daily News". www.memphisdailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  3. ^ a b Smith, Eric (March 28, 2007). "Malled by the competition; Hickory Ridge, Raleigh Springs malls limp along as 'burbs draw shoppers". The Daily News. Memphis, TN: The Daily News Publishing Co. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  4. ^ "Dillard's to close Raleigh Springs store". Memphis Business Journal. Memphis, TN: American City Business Journals. January 31, 2003. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  5. ^ Moore, Linda A. (January 17, 2003). "Federated Department Stores Closes Goldsmith's Store in Memphis, Tenn". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, TN: E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  6. ^ Sells, Toby (January 5, 2011). "Sears, Raleigh Springs Mall's last anchor store, will close April 3". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, TN: E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  7. ^ Thompson, April (January 4, 2011). "Raleigh Springs Sears Store Closing". Memphis, TN: WREG-TV. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "Raleigh Springs Mall Project Could Soon be Cleared for Take off".
  9. ^ "Memphis buys last Raleigh mall property for development". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  10. ^ Jones, Lindsay (November 11, 2010). "Can Raleigh Spring Back?". Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  11. ^ "Interior demolition begins on Raleigh Springs Mall project". WREG.com. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  12. ^ Parker, Tom. "Raleigh Springs Mall Project". www.raleighcconline.com.
  13. ^ "Otma". otma.
  14. ^ "From Raleigh Springs Mall to Raleigh Springs Town Center: the renovation is well underway". localmemphis.com. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  15. ^ "COVID-19 slows down construction at the Raleigh Springs Civic Center". LocalMemphis. July 1, 2020.
  16. ^ "Ribbon cutting held for new Raleigh Springs Civic Center". 19 November 2020.
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