Georgia Square Mall
Encyclopedia
Georgia Square Mall, located in Athens, Georgia
, is a super-regional shopping mall
in northeastern Georgia
whose clientele includes students attending University of Georgia
, a major university in the state and the nation's oldest public university (founded in 1785).
design features including the foil-copper look used on the mall entrance to Belk
. This was also one of the largest more rural malls in the country in the era it was built. Along with Belk
, the mall opened with other anchors Davison's
, Sears
and JCPenney. The anchors to the mall had originally been in Downtown Athens and relocated when it opened.
In recent years, the retro design features have been tamed to more contemporary designs. In 2007, the mall began a renovation to the exterior entrances in the rear as well as an updated look on the interior. However, even with 2 overhauls, the mall is much like it was when it opened. The mall also has never lost an anchor. The only anchor change was in the name of Davison's. Davison's was converted to Macy's
in 1986, Rich's
in 1998, Rich's-Macy's in 2003 and back to Macy's
in 2005.
Former Anchors=
The mall is managed by CBL & Associates Properties, which operates several malls throughout the country. It has the usual variety of mid-market mall stores and services.
33.943983°N 83.467491°W
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, is a super-regional shopping mall
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 northeastern Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
whose clientele includes students attending University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, a major university in the state and the nation's oldest public university (founded in 1785).
History
Opened in 1981, this two-level mall was originally noted for its retroRetro
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc...
design features including the foil-copper look used on the mall entrance to Belk
Belk
Belk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
. This was also one of the largest more rural malls in the country in the era it was built. Along with Belk
Belk
Belk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
, the mall opened with other anchors Davison's
Davison's
Davison's of Atlanta was the major competition to Rich's, once itself an Atlanta shopping institution. The chain took the Macy's name in 1986.-Founding:...
, Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
and JCPenney. The anchors to the mall had originally been in Downtown Athens and relocated when it opened.
In recent years, the retro design features have been tamed to more contemporary designs. In 2007, the mall began a renovation to the exterior entrances in the rear as well as an updated look on the interior. However, even with 2 overhauls, the mall is much like it was when it opened. The mall also has never lost an anchor. The only anchor change was in the name of Davison's. Davison's was converted to Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
in 1986, Rich's
Rich's
Rich's was a department store retail chain, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that operated in the southern U.S. from 1867 until March 6, 2005 when the nameplate was eliminated and replaced by Macy's...
in 1998, Rich's-Macy's in 2003 and back to Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
in 2005.
Anchors
- BelkBelkBelk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
(127,381 sq ft.) - JCPenney (97,550 sq ft.)
- Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(115,623 sq ft.) (former Davison's) - SearsSears, Roebuck and CompanySears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
(91,000 sq ft.)
Former Anchors=
- Davison'sDavison'sDavison's of Atlanta was the major competition to Rich's, once itself an Atlanta shopping institution. The chain took the Macy's name in 1986.-Founding:...
(115,623 sq ft.) (Became Macy's in 1986, then Rich's in 1998, then Rich's-Macy's in 2003, then Macy's in 2005.)
The mall is managed by CBL & Associates Properties, which operates several malls throughout the country. It has the usual variety of mid-market mall stores and services.
External links
- Georgia Square Mall (official site)
- Sky City: Georgia Square Mall
33.943983°N 83.467491°W