Westfield Countryside
Encyclopedia
Westfield Countryside (formerly Countryside Mall) is a shopping mall
in Clearwater, Florida
. Situated near the coastline on the Gulf Coast
, it serves over 8 million customers every year. Its current anchor stores
are Dillard's
, JCPenney
, Macy's
, and Sears. An NHL
-sized ice rink
also resides in the center of the mall.
and Sears, with JCPenney
and Robinson's
opening a year later. Of the four original anchors, Sears and JCPenney
currently remain; Maas Brothers
is now a Macy's
(formerly Burdines
), and Robinson's
is now Dillard's
. A six screen movie theater was built next to the mall across from JCPenney. However, declining attendance lead it to close in 2000; it has since become a Lifestyle Family Fitness center.
In 2002, as part of their expansion into the United States
, Westfield Group acquired Countryside Mall in a $4.8 billion deal that involved 13 other shopping centers
. The mall was renamed "Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside" by the new owners, dropping the "Shoppingtown" name in June 2005.
In April 2009, work for a $12 million dollar renovation project began. The mall's interior look was completely updated with new relocated escalators, flooring and ceilings, additional skylights, an expanded children's play area, and a completely redesigned food court. Dozens of planters and fake columns were removed, and an entourage of new stores were brought to the mall. The renovations were completed in November 2009.
Former anchors:
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 Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
. Situated near the coastline on the Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
, it serves over 8 million customers every year. Its current anchor stores
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....
are 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,...
, JCPenney
J. C. Penney
-External links:*...
, 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...
, and Sears. An NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
-sized ice rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
also resides in the center of the mall.
History
The mall opened on September 8, 1975. Opening anchors included Maas BrothersMaas Brothers
Maas Brothers was a leading Tampa, Florida, department store founded by Abe and Isaac Maas in 1886. It grew from a small 23' by 90' store to a chain of 39 stores across the state of Florida...
and Sears, with JCPenney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
and Robinson's
Robinsons-May
Robinsons-May was a chain of department stores operating in Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, previously with headquarters in North Hollywood, California...
opening a year later. Of the four original anchors, Sears and JCPenney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
currently remain; Maas Brothers
Maas Brothers
Maas Brothers was a leading Tampa, Florida, department store founded by Abe and Isaac Maas in 1886. It grew from a small 23' by 90' store to a chain of 39 stores across the state of Florida...
is now 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...
(formerly Burdines
Burdines
Burdines was a leading department store chain in the state of Florida. The first Burdines store was opened in Bartow, Florida in 1896., Burdines became part of Federated Department Stores, Inc in 1956...
), and Robinson's
Robinsons-May
Robinsons-May was a chain of department stores operating in Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, previously with headquarters in North Hollywood, California...
is now 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,...
. A six screen movie theater was built next to the mall across from JCPenney. However, declining attendance lead it to close in 2000; it has since become a Lifestyle Family Fitness center.
In 2002, as part of their expansion into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Westfield Group acquired Countryside Mall in a $4.8 billion deal that involved 13 other shopping centers
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...
. The mall was renamed "Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside" by the new owners, dropping the "Shoppingtown" name in June 2005.
In April 2009, work for a $12 million dollar renovation project began. The mall's interior look was completely updated with new relocated escalators, flooring and ceilings, additional skylights, an expanded children's play area, and a completely redesigned food court. Dozens of planters and fake columns were removed, and an entourage of new stores were brought to the mall. The renovations were completed in November 2009.
Future Development
In February 2011, construction began on an expansion of the mall that will include a new 12-screen Cobb movie theater, and additional space for new restaurants and shops. The project is expected to be complete by Spring 2012.Anchors
Current anchors:- Dillard'sDillard'sDillard'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,...
(225,000 sq ft.) - JCPenney (166,000 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...
(215,000 sq ft.) - Sears (224,000 sq ft.)
Former anchors:
- Maas BrothersMaas BrothersMaas Brothers was a leading Tampa, Florida, department store founded by Abe and Isaac Maas in 1886. It grew from a small 23' by 90' store to a chain of 39 stores across the state of Florida...
- Robinson'sRobinsons-MayRobinsons-May was a chain of department stores operating in Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, previously with headquarters in North Hollywood, California...
External links
- Westfield Countryside Official website