Post Oak Mall
Encyclopedia
Post Oak Mall is a regional shopping mall
in College Station, Texas
owned by CBL & Associates Properties. Construction on the mall began in summer 1979 and it opened February 17, 1982. It initially housed 80 stores with four anchors. A second phase, planned before the mall even opened, was completed in 1985, adding more floor space and bringing the mall up to 125 stores and 6 anchor store
s. As of 2009, it also houses a small food court, two restaurants, and a nightclub.
The first mall to be opened in College Station, Post Oak is the largest mall within the Brazos Valley
area. At its opening, it became the city's largest employer, and nearly doubled its city sales tax revenues. Though the mall generated additional traffic and added to the demand on city services, it also generated $1 million in annual sales tax revenue, $120,000 in property taxes, and a half-million in taxes for the city school district. It is credited with creating the first major impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station, which previously lacked a major retail community. The mall generates over 75 percent of the area's retail sales through its approximately eleven million annual visitors. It remains the city's largest taxpayer and its second largest employer.
and College Station. The city and developer CBL & Associates Properties began making plans for the opening of a large regional mall in the area, with the first choice of location being in Bryan near the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway (Texas State Highway 6) and Briarcrest Drive
(FM 1179). However, the owner of the land refused to sell. With the city unable to procure the land, the mall project was shifted to College Station. Construction began on Post Oak Mall in the summer of 1979 at the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway and Harvey Road. Developer CBL & Associates Properties hired Eugene "Buck" Schimpf to act as the project manager. More than 1,000 workers were employed to help construct the mall, with the project "monopolizing the local (construction) trade" at the time.
Post Oak Mall opened its doors on February 17, 1982. Spanning 800000 square feet (74,322.4 m²), the first phase of the mall contained approximately 80 stores, including four anchors: the area's first Foley's
and Dillard's
department stores; Sears, which relocated from its smaller Bryan location; and Wilson's. In addition to the stores, the mall contained a three–screen Plitt-branded movie theater and a food court with fifteen small restaurants and a 300-person seating area. The mall walkways were decorated with a variety of small potted trees and plants in large atrium
areas, with tiered glass ceilings above. A copper-piping fountain that emitted water in a "dandelion bubble" dominated one end of the building. Plans were already underway for a second phase of construction that would expand the mall to hold up to 130 stores and push it up to 1020000 square feet (94,761.1 m²).
At the time of its opening, it was the largest mall complex developed by CBL. In the first year, it was projected that the mall would employee 2,500 employees—instantly making it the largest employer in the city; this was expected to expand to 3,500 with the completion of the second phase. It was hoped it would generate $80 million in sales. In addition to helping to retain local shoppers who might otherwise travel the 2½ hours southeast to Houston for mall shopping, CBL and city officials expected the mall would draw shoppers from around the Brazos Valley. Before its opening, the city did not have a highly developed retail community. With the planned additions, then College Station city manager
North Bardell said it was expected to generate $1 million in annual sales tax revenue, nearly equal to what the city collected in the previous fiscal year from all other sales. It would bring in another $120,000 in property taxes, a half-million in taxes for College Station Independent School District
, and $1 million in electric bills. The increase in jobs was seen as good for the community, and the city hoped it would attract new civic groups to the area. Taking a year longer than originally planned, the expansion was completed in 1985.
The mall also added new burdens to city services, with building inspectors having to work overtime to inspect each store area as it was completed. While mall security was issued citation books so they could issue parking tickets directly, the city police
still had to work double shifts to cover the traffic during the mall's opening weekend. Overall, the mall increased traffic in the Earl Rudder Freeway, and city traffic engineers noted it would cause more traffic backup. Traffic signals were added to the mall's main entrance, while long-term plans were made to both expand the freeway and add additional interchanges along Harvey. Traffic studies
were implemented to study the traffic after the mall's opening to developed additional plans to mitigate issues. There were concerns that the mall would be the final blow to the downtown area of neighboring city Bryan, Texas, which was already suffering reduced business after the opening of smaller Manor Easy Mall and the Townshire shopping center, both within Bryan. Bryan city officials noted an immediate decrease in revenue due to Sears moving from Bryan to College Station, taking $50-100,000 of sales taxes with it. However, as a whole the city was hopeful that the mall would have benefits to the city in the form of increased city growth as a whole. The city planners felt it would only be a passing fad
for local rural and lower-income families, who would still return to downtown Bryan due to its proximity.
at the Journey's shoe store. The sprinklers helped contain the flames, but eight stores and six kiosks in the area of the store suffered from smoke damage, as well as water damage after water from the sprinklers flowed out of the store and into the middle of the mall walkway. The affected stores had to be closed for two days while repairs were made.
In 2006, Anuncio Digital Media, a locally started digital advertising firm, installed its first mall-based digital signage
network, which consists of a series of twenty plasma screen televisions around the main concourse and in the food court that display six-second sound-free advertisements. Post Oak Mall was the first of four CBL-owned malls to receive this network, with four other CBL malls scheduled to follow. The advertising displays were activated on September 1, 2006.
David Gwin, the economic development director for College Station, is working with the mall on a possible $8.5 million renovation project to give the mall a further boost. As of 2008, details about what the renovations would entail have not been released. In February 2009, the city noted that plans had been designed to renovate both the interior and exterior of the mall.
Pro Shop, and a pet store
that primarily sells puppies imported from Canada. In addition to six food vendors in the central food court
, the mall houses full-size Casa Olé
and Chuck E. Cheese's
restaurants, and kiosk versions of Auntie Anne's
and Dippin' Dots
. There is a small indoor children's play area located in the food court, a night club, and recruitment centers for the United States Air Force
, Army
, Navy
, and Marines
.
When it opened, the mall contained a three-screen movie theater owned by Cineplex Odeon
, which was later bought out the Plitt chain. The Post Oak Mall theater location was eventually sold to Carmike Cinemas
before closing for good in 1999. The empty space was replaced with a full-service restaurant and an entertainment section.
, became the fifth anchor when it opened a second location in Post Oak a few weeks after the mall's opening. The sixth anchor was added in 1985, when J.C. Penney moved into the newly expanded mall from its Bryan Manor East Mall location. In 1985, the H.J. Wilson Company, owner of Wilson's, was taken over by Service Merchandise. After Service Merchandise went bankrupt in 1999, the Wilson's location closed and the empty anchor location became a second Dillard's location, housing their specialty Mens & Housewares store. Both Dillard's locations, Foley's, J.C. Penney, and Sears were all independently owned, separate from mall ownership, and considered "stand-alone" buildings for tax purposes.
After May Department Stores
, the parent company of Foley's, merged with Federated Department Stores, the Foley's location was temporarily closed while it was converted to a Macy's
department store. The new Macy's officially opened on September 9, 2006. With the opening of its 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) location on August 5, 2005, Steve & Barry's
became the mall's only anchor store to have no exterior exit. In September 2008, after Steve & Barry's declared bankruptcy
, the Post Oak store was closed as part of the parent's company attempt to save its business, however it went out of business altogether less than three months later.
s, and a Nestlé Toll House Café
. The stalls arranged around half of a semi-round area, with seating and the children's playground in the center, retail stores along the other half, and openings to the mall concourse on both ends.
A McDonald's was located in the mall for fifteen years, but left in 2002 as part of regional owner Ron Blatchley's overall renovation plans. It was quickly replaced by the Brazos Valley seventh Sonic Drive-In
location, the only in the area with neither a drive-in
nor drive through option.
. There were concerns that the mall would hurt existing area businesses, but CBL was certain the mall would have a "trickle-down" effect that would result in the Harvey Road area to be "fully developed with smaller strip shopping centers." Before the mall opened, plans were already underway for one such center, Post Oak Village, which began constructed to the west of the mall along Harvey Road. Farther west, zoning was approved for new office complexes and commercial developments. Immediately south of the mall, an additional commercial zone was approved, along with 36 acres (15 ha) along the freeway.
The mall's opening helped create the impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station. Before its opening, the city did not have a highly developed retail community. It is now the largest taxpayer in College Station, and the second largest in the Brazos Valley, even though the anchor stores are freestanding units that are privately owned and taxed separate from the mall proper. Over 75 percent of retail sales in the Brazos Valley coming from sales at the mall's stores and it continues to be one if the area's largest employers. As predicted, the Harvey Road/Earl Rudder Freeway intersection became a major entry point into College Station, with Harvey Road now boasting a long stretch of retail businesses and restaurants. It is considered an "area of bustling activity" by the city. According to Joan Ghani, the marketing director of the mall, the mall sees eleven million visitors walk through its door annually. While the large college population from Texas A&M University
boosts the mall's revenue, the average mall shopper is in their 30s and come from both within the Brazos County and the twelve surrounding counties.
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 College Station, Texas
College Station, Texas
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio...
owned by CBL & Associates Properties. Construction on the mall began in summer 1979 and it opened February 17, 1982. It initially housed 80 stores with four anchors. A second phase, planned before the mall even opened, was completed in 1985, adding more floor space and bringing the mall up to 125 stores and 6 anchor store
Anchor store
In retail, an anchor store, draw tenant, anchor tenant, or key tenant is one of the larger stores in a shopping mall, usually a department store or a major retail chain....
s. As of 2009, it also houses a small food court, two restaurants, and a nightclub.
The first mall to be opened in College Station, Post Oak is the largest mall within the Brazos Valley
Brazos Valley
The Brazos Valley is a region in the U.S. state of Texas consisting of Brazos County, Robertson County, Grimes County, Washington County, Burleson County, Madison County, and Leon County, with Brazos County and the cities of College Station and Bryan at its center...
area. At its opening, it became the city's largest employer, and nearly doubled its city sales tax revenues. Though the mall generated additional traffic and added to the demand on city services, it also generated $1 million in annual sales tax revenue, $120,000 in property taxes, and a half-million in taxes for the city school district. It is credited with creating the first major impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station, which previously lacked a major retail community. The mall generates over 75 percent of the area's retail sales through its approximately eleven million annual visitors. It remains the city's largest taxpayer and its second largest employer.
Beginnings
In the early 1980s, the demand for shopping opportunities and other businesses was growing with the populations of the side-by-side cities of BryanBryan, Texas
Bryan is a city in Brazos County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,201. It is the county seat of Brazos County and is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley . It shares its border with the city of College Station, which lies to its south...
and College Station. The city and developer CBL & Associates Properties began making plans for the opening of a large regional mall in the area, with the first choice of location being in Bryan near the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway (Texas State Highway 6) and Briarcrest Drive
Farm to Market Road 1179
Farm to Market Road 1179, or FM 1179, is a Farm to Market Road in Texas, running from SH 47 in Bryan, northeastward to FM 2038, southeast of Kurten. It is known as Villa Maria Road from SH 47 to the Villa Maria-Briarcrest split, and as Briarcrest Drive from the split to FM 158.-Junction List:...
(FM 1179). However, the owner of the land refused to sell. With the city unable to procure the land, the mall project was shifted to College Station. Construction began on Post Oak Mall in the summer of 1979 at the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway and Harvey Road. Developer CBL & Associates Properties hired Eugene "Buck" Schimpf to act as the project manager. More than 1,000 workers were employed to help construct the mall, with the project "monopolizing the local (construction) trade" at the time.
Post Oak Mall opened its doors on February 17, 1982. Spanning 800000 square feet (74,322.4 m²), the first phase of the mall contained approximately 80 stores, including four anchors: the area's first Foley's
Foley's
Foley’s was a chain of department stores owned by May Department Stores and headquartered in Downtown Houston, Texas. As of August 30, 2005, the division was dissolved and operation of the stores was assumed by Federated's Macy's West and Macy's South divisions. Foley's operated stores in Texas,...
and Dillard's
Dillard's
Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
department stores; Sears, which relocated from its smaller Bryan location; and Wilson's. In addition to the stores, the mall contained a three–screen Plitt-branded movie theater and a food court with fifteen small restaurants and a 300-person seating area. The mall walkways were decorated with a variety of small potted trees and plants in large atrium
Atrium (architecture)
In modern architecture, an atrium is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within a larger multistory building and often located immediately beyond the main entrance doors...
areas, with tiered glass ceilings above. A copper-piping fountain that emitted water in a "dandelion bubble" dominated one end of the building. Plans were already underway for a second phase of construction that would expand the mall to hold up to 130 stores and push it up to 1020000 square feet (94,761.1 m²).
At the time of its opening, it was the largest mall complex developed by CBL. In the first year, it was projected that the mall would employee 2,500 employees—instantly making it the largest employer in the city; this was expected to expand to 3,500 with the completion of the second phase. It was hoped it would generate $80 million in sales. In addition to helping to retain local shoppers who might otherwise travel the 2½ hours southeast to Houston for mall shopping, CBL and city officials expected the mall would draw shoppers from around the Brazos Valley. Before its opening, the city did not have a highly developed retail community. With the planned additions, then College Station city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
North Bardell said it was expected to generate $1 million in annual sales tax revenue, nearly equal to what the city collected in the previous fiscal year from all other sales. It would bring in another $120,000 in property taxes, a half-million in taxes for College Station Independent School District
College Station Independent School District
College Station Independent School District is a public school district based in College Station, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.-High School :...
, and $1 million in electric bills. The increase in jobs was seen as good for the community, and the city hoped it would attract new civic groups to the area. Taking a year longer than originally planned, the expansion was completed in 1985.
The mall also added new burdens to city services, with building inspectors having to work overtime to inspect each store area as it was completed. While mall security was issued citation books so they could issue parking tickets directly, the city police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
still had to work double shifts to cover the traffic during the mall's opening weekend. Overall, the mall increased traffic in the Earl Rudder Freeway, and city traffic engineers noted it would cause more traffic backup. Traffic signals were added to the mall's main entrance, while long-term plans were made to both expand the freeway and add additional interchanges along Harvey. Traffic studies
Traffic flow
Traffic flow, in mathematics and civil engineering, is the study of interactions between vehicles, drivers, and infrastructure , with the aim of understanding and developing an optimal road network with efficient movement of traffic and minimal traffic congestion problems.-History:Attempts to...
were implemented to study the traffic after the mall's opening to developed additional plans to mitigate issues. There were concerns that the mall would be the final blow to the downtown area of neighboring city Bryan, Texas, which was already suffering reduced business after the opening of smaller Manor Easy Mall and the Townshire shopping center, both within Bryan. Bryan city officials noted an immediate decrease in revenue due to Sears moving from Bryan to College Station, taking $50-100,000 of sales taxes with it. However, as a whole the city was hopeful that the mall would have benefits to the city in the form of increased city growth as a whole. The city planners felt it would only be a passing fad
FAD
In biochemistry, flavin adenine dinucleotide is a redox cofactor involved in several important reactions in metabolism. FAD can exist in two different redox states, which it converts between by accepting or donating electrons. The molecule consists of a riboflavin moiety bound to the phosphate...
for local rural and lower-income families, who would still return to downtown Bryan due to its proximity.
Renovations
On February 1, 2004, a short in an electrical box sparked a small fireFire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
at the Journey's shoe store. The sprinklers helped contain the flames, but eight stores and six kiosks in the area of the store suffered from smoke damage, as well as water damage after water from the sprinklers flowed out of the store and into the middle of the mall walkway. The affected stores had to be closed for two days while repairs were made.
In 2006, Anuncio Digital Media, a locally started digital advertising firm, installed its first mall-based digital signage
Digital signage
Digital signage is a form of electronic display that shows television programming, menus, information, advertising and other messages. Digital signs can be found in public and private environments, such as retail stores, hotels, restaurants and corporate buildings.Digital signage Displays are most...
network, which consists of a series of twenty plasma screen televisions around the main concourse and in the food court that display six-second sound-free advertisements. Post Oak Mall was the first of four CBL-owned malls to receive this network, with four other CBL malls scheduled to follow. The advertising displays were activated on September 1, 2006.
David Gwin, the economic development director for College Station, is working with the mall on a possible $8.5 million renovation project to give the mall a further boost. As of 2008, details about what the renovations would entail have not been released. In February 2009, the city noted that plans had been designed to renovate both the interior and exterior of the mall.
Stores
While the bulk of Post Oak Mall's 125 stores are clothing and accessory shops, as of 2009 it is home to several hair salons and cosmetic stores, two video game stores, two optical shops, a Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
Pro Shop, and a pet store
Pet store
A pet store or pet shop is a retail business which sells different kinds of animals. Pet stores also sell pet food, supplies, and accessories....
that primarily sells puppies imported from Canada. In addition to six food vendors in the central food court
Food court
A food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
, the mall houses full-size Casa Olé
Mexican Restaurants, Inc.
Mexican Restaurants, Inc. , a Houston, Texas-based restaurant company.It currently has 54 company operated locations, 17 franchised and two licensed....
and Chuck E. Cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese's is a chain of family entertainment centers. Chuck E...
restaurants, and kiosk versions of Auntie Anne's
Auntie Anne's
Auntie Anne's, based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is an American chain of pretzel bakeries founded by Anne F. Beiler and her husband, Jonas, in 1988. Auntie Anne's serves products such as pretzels, dips, and beverages...
and Dippin' Dots
Dippin' Dots
Dippin' Dots is an ice cream snack, invented by Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduate Curt Jones in 1987. The confection is created by flash freezing ice cream mix in liquid nitrogen; consequently, Dippin' Dots contain less air than conventional ice cream...
. There is a small indoor children's play area located in the food court, a night club, and recruitment centers for the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, and Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.
When it opened, the mall contained a three-screen movie theater owned by Cineplex Odeon
Cineplex Odeon
Cineplex Odeon Corporation was one of North America's largest movie theatre operators, with theatres in its home country of Canada and the United States...
, which was later bought out the Plitt chain. The Post Oak Mall theater location was eventually sold to Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
before closing for good in 1999. The empty space was replaced with a full-service restaurant and an entertainment section.
Anchors
The first four anchor stores in the mall were Sears, Dillard's, Wilson's, and Foley's. BeallsBealls (Texas)
Bealls is a United States chain of department stores headquartered in Texas. It is owned by Stage Stores Inc. The chain overlaps with the Florida-based Bealls chain, although the two are not related...
, became the fifth anchor when it opened a second location in Post Oak a few weeks after the mall's opening. The sixth anchor was added in 1985, when J.C. Penney moved into the newly expanded mall from its Bryan Manor East Mall location. In 1985, the H.J. Wilson Company, owner of Wilson's, was taken over by Service Merchandise. After Service Merchandise went bankrupt in 1999, the Wilson's location closed and the empty anchor location became a second Dillard's location, housing their specialty Mens & Housewares store. Both Dillard's locations, Foley's, J.C. Penney, and Sears were all independently owned, separate from mall ownership, and considered "stand-alone" buildings for tax purposes.
After May Department Stores
May Department Stores
The May Department Stores Company was a national department store chain in the United States, founded in 1877 by David May. The company ceased to exist in 2005 when it was merged with Federated Department Stores, Inc . Prior to the merger it was headquartered in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri...
, the parent company of Foley's, merged with Federated Department Stores, the Foley's location was temporarily closed while it was converted to a 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...
department store. The new Macy's officially opened on September 9, 2006. With the opening of its 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) location on August 5, 2005, Steve & Barry's
Steve & Barry's
Steve & Barry's was an American retail clothing chain, featuring casual apparel. By mid-2008, the chain operated 276 stores in 39 states. The company was headquartered in Port Washington, New York. The company liquidated all of its stores throughout 2008....
became the mall's only anchor store to have no exterior exit. In September 2008, after Steve & Barry's declared bankruptcy
Bankruptcy in the United States
Bankruptcy in the United States is governed under the United States Constitution which authorizes Congress to enact "uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States." Congress has exercised this authority several times since 1801, most recently by adopting the Bankruptcy...
, the Post Oak store was closed as part of the parent's company attempt to save its business, however it went out of business altogether less than three months later.
Food court
Post Oak Mall's food court contains seven food stall vendors. In addition to the more "traditional" mall offerings, including several fast-food chain locations, two Asian restaurants, and a pizza stall, the food court houses the locally operated Taste of the Tropics, a maker of pure fruit smoothieSmoothie
A smoothie is a blended and sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruit and in special cases can contain chocolate or peanut butter. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, honey or contain syrup and ice ingredients...
s, and a Nestlé Toll House Café
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
. The stalls arranged around half of a semi-round area, with seating and the children's playground in the center, retail stores along the other half, and openings to the mall concourse on both ends.
A McDonald's was located in the mall for fifteen years, but left in 2002 as part of regional owner Ron Blatchley's overall renovation plans. It was quickly replaced by the Brazos Valley seventh Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In is an American drive-in fast-food restaurant chain based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, complete with carhops who sometimes wear rollerskates. As of August 31, 2010, there were 3,500 restaurants in 43 U.S. states. Sonic serves approximately 3 million customers daily.-1950s:Following...
location, the only in the area with neither a drive-in
Drive-in
A drive-in is a facility such as a bank, restaurant, or movie theater where one can literally drive in with an automobile for service. It is usually distinguished from a drive-through. At a drive-in restaurant, for example, customers park their vehicles and are usually served by staff who walk out...
nor drive through option.
Economic impact
Post Oak Mall was the first mall in the city of College Station, and as of 2008, it is the largest mall in the Brazos ValleyBrazos Valley
The Brazos Valley is a region in the U.S. state of Texas consisting of Brazos County, Robertson County, Grimes County, Washington County, Burleson County, Madison County, and Leon County, with Brazos County and the cities of College Station and Bryan at its center...
. There were concerns that the mall would hurt existing area businesses, but CBL was certain the mall would have a "trickle-down" effect that would result in the Harvey Road area to be "fully developed with smaller strip shopping centers." Before the mall opened, plans were already underway for one such center, Post Oak Village, which began constructed to the west of the mall along Harvey Road. Farther west, zoning was approved for new office complexes and commercial developments. Immediately south of the mall, an additional commercial zone was approved, along with 36 acres (15 ha) along the freeway.
The mall's opening helped create the impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station. Before its opening, the city did not have a highly developed retail community. It is now the largest taxpayer in College Station, and the second largest in the Brazos Valley, even though the anchor stores are freestanding units that are privately owned and taxed separate from the mall proper. Over 75 percent of retail sales in the Brazos Valley coming from sales at the mall's stores and it continues to be one if the area's largest employers. As predicted, the Harvey Road/Earl Rudder Freeway intersection became a major entry point into College Station, with Harvey Road now boasting a long stretch of retail businesses and restaurants. It is considered an "area of bustling activity" by the city. According to Joan Ghani, the marketing director of the mall, the mall sees eleven million visitors walk through its door annually. While the large college population from Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
boosts the mall's revenue, the average mall shopper is in their 30s and come from both within the Brazos County and the twelve surrounding counties.