Metcalf South Shopping Center
Metcalf South Shopping Center was a shopping mall in Overland Park, Kansas. It opened in 1967 along with a nearby strip center that was anchored by Kmart and Hancock Fabrics before Kmart closed in late 2013 and Hancock announced a move in early 2014. The mall itself featured two main floors of retail space, with a third floor which has home to office space, and featured two anchor stores (Sears and Macy's). Sears and the Glenwood Arts movie theater remain open, while Macy's announced the closure of its Metcalf South store in January 2014.[1]
After more than a decade of decline that left Metcalf South a dead mall, the property was purchased in February 2014 by Lane4 Property Group and The Kroenke Group, and the owner of Lane4 stated it is likely the mall will be razed.[2] On September 19, 2014, Metcalf South Mall finally closed its doors.[3] The movie theater closed on January 25, 2015.
Development
Metcalf South was developed by local entrepreneur Sherman Dreiseszun and his company MD Management, who envisioned it as a sort of utopian city, one with a "full-range of stores, restaurants, playgrounds, and parks," where "people shop, work, relax, meet, and have fun…attend meetings, inspect scientific or cultural exhibits, and maybe even dance" — all this with perfect weather year-round.[4]
The shopping center, a two-level structure encompassing approximately 601,800 leasable square feet and 60 stores, was built by Martin-Salsbury Constructors, Inc. of Topeka.[5] The building and parking lots sat on a 50-acre parcel 7.3 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, and a short distance north of an interchange with a newly completed section of Interstate 435.[6]
Grand Opening
The grand opening of Metcalf South took place on August 3, 1967, with ceremonies featuring Mayor Duard Enoch of Overland Park and Debbie Bryant, Miss America of 1966. A crowd estimated at nearly 10,000 attended the opening day events. Most of the new stores in Metcalf South Center participated in the official grand opening, while Sears, the south anchor, would open for business in October 1967.[6]
1975 Expansion
A new third level concourse was added in 1975. This addition comprised approximately 103,500 leasable square feet and included businesses such as Spencer Gifts, Taco Via, Smaks Hamburgers, and Orange Julius. A subsequent addition, built at around the same time, expanded the existing Jones Store by 38,000 square feet, for a total area of 221,000 square feet. A lower level parking deck was included. With these expansions, Metcalf South grew to 800,000 leasable square feet with 3 levels of retail space.[6]
1989-1990 Renovations
Between 1989 and 1990, the entire shopping complex was given an interior facelift. This included the installation of chrome and mirrored ceilings and marquee lighting fixtures. A vacant Woolworth was sectioned into 2 levels of inline stores, including a Food Court on Level 2 of the mall. Moreover, the Safeway space was refitted as Carousel Park, a mini amusement area with a video arcade, carousel, and roller coaster.[6]
Decline
Unfortunately, the newly renovated Metcalf South was soon to face two formidable competitors. Town Center Plaza, a lifestyle-type venue 2.7 miles southeast in Leawood, was dedicated in 1996. The Great Mall of the Plains, 10.4 miles southwest in Olathe, opened in 1997. Metcalf South was unable to compete, and by the early 2000s had declined into a virtually vacant, dead mall.[6]
2018 Planned Redevelopment
On July 11, 2016, the Overland Park Planning Commission approved a plan that will allow the developer Lane Four to invest $80 million to redevelop the location into a Lowe's Outlet. Plans calls for the Sears store to remain and the newly constructed outlet store to open in May 2018.[7]
Anchors
Former Anchors
- Woolworth[6]
- Harzfeld's[6] – (Closed 1984)
- Katz Drug[6] (Later Skaggs Drug and Osco Drug)
- The Jones Store Co.[6] – (Re branded as Macy's in September 2006)
- Macy's – (Opened 2006 closed 2014)
- Safeway Supermarket[6]
Former Tenants
- Hobby Haven[8]
- Rentertainment / Master Video ( a Jack Boring Company)
- KB Toy and Hobby[8]
- Metcalf South Stamp And Coin. Inc.[9] (later it became Ace Coin And Stamp, to its final name, Ace Sports)
- Swensen's Ice Cream[10]
- The Swiss Colony Cheese Store[6] (later became Hickory Farms)
- Orange Julius[6] (later became Orange Genie)
- Casual Corner[8]
- Thom McAn
- Spencer Gifts
- Musicland
- Clint's Comics
- Waldenbooks
- Foot Locker
- Lady Foot Locker
- Kinney Shoes
- Victoria's Secret[11]
- KG Men's Store[11]
- Topsy's Popcorn
- County Seat[11]
- Lane Bryant
- Steak and Ale
- Radio Shack[8]
- Metcalf Theater[6] (later became Glenwood Arts Theater)
- Charlie Chan Restaurant (closed in 1988)[12]
- The Limited[11]
- Team Spirit
- The Gap
- JP Todds
- Kay Jewelers
- Steve's Shoes
- Calandra's Hallmark Card Shop[13]
- MasterCuts
- Afterthoughts
- Kids At Heart
- Mr. Bulky[11]
- Gloria Jeans
- Ben N' Brian's Soda Shoppe
- Nearly Famous Pizza
- Valley View Bank[13]
- Command Performance
- Trade Secrets
- Cinnamon Sams
- Discount Furniture Showcase
- Gifts & Accents
- Ace Sports & Collectibles
- Panda Garden
- Western Heritage
- Big Als Burgers
- Krigels
- Taco Via
- After Hours Formalwear
- Original Pizza
- Adlers[14]
- Burstein-ApplebeeCite error: A
<ref>tag is missing the closing</ref>(see the help page). - Dairy Queen[15]
- Mannings Jewelers
- Pizza Hut[16]
- Pappy's B-B-Q[16]
- L and M Steakburgers
- Jack Henry Clothier for Men
- GNC
- Cinnabon
- Robinsons Shoes
- Jenkins Music Store
- Singer Sewing Store
- Foxmoor
- Upz-N-Downz
- Merry Go Round
- Paul Harris
- DEB
- Woolf Brothers
- Dale's Sports
- Suncoast[11]
- Hannoush Jewelers[11]
- The Watch Shop[17]
- Oriental Gifts[13]
- Harris Metcalf Optical[13]
- Louis Barry Ltd[16]
- The Athlete's Foot
- Anchor Savings[14]
- Arts International[14]
- Baker Shoes[14]
- Bock Barber Shop[14]
- Cake Box[14]
- Chasnoffs[14]
References
- ^ http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/08/4737201/macys-to-closeI Imetcalf-south-location.html
- ^ Owner of Metcalf South Shopping Center sets two meetings for public comment
- ^ http://www.kmbc.com/news/closing-date-set-for-metcalf-south-mall/27882114
- ^ http://www.jocohistory.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/alb/id/407/rec/1
- ^ http://www.jocohistory.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/alb/id/427/rec/78
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m http://mall-hall-of-fame.blogspot.com/2010/03/metcalf-south-center-metcalf-avenue-us.html
- ^ http://fox4kc.com/2016/05/25/redevelopment-plans-take-shape-for-abandoned-metcalf-south-mall/
- ^ a b c d http://www.labelscar.com/kansas/metcalf-south
- ^ http://businessprofiles.com/details/metcalf-south-stamp-and-coin-inc/US-KS-0408559
- ^ http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/a-slice-of-retail/Content?oid=2183741
- ^ a b c d e f g http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/merry-xmas-from-the-dead-malls/Content?oid=2180385
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBTIR0R8C94
- ^ a b c d http://www.jocohistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/squire/id/4828/rec/273
- ^ a b c d e f g http://www.jocohistory.net/cdm/compoundobject/collection/squire/id/2812/rec/1
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
smakswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c http://www.jocohistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/squire/id/3486/rec/222
- ^ http://www.jocohistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/squire/id/5011/rec/274