kids encyclopedia robot

North Grand Mall facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
North Grand Mall
Location Ames, Iowa, United States
Coordinates 42°02′53″N 93°37′19″W / 42.048°N 93.622°W / 42.048; -93.622
Address 2801 Grand Avenue
Opening date 1971
Developer General Growth Properties
No. of anchor tenants 15 (13 open, 2 vacant)
Total retail floor area 340,000 sq ft (32,000 m2)
No. of floors 1

The North Grand Mall is a large shopping center in Ames, Iowa. It covers about 340,000 square feet, which is a lot of space for stores! This mall is a popular spot for people in Ames to shop, eat, and have fun. It has been open since 1971, serving the community for many years.

About North Grand Mall

North Grand Mall is a central place for shopping in Ames. It offers a variety of stores for different needs. You can find everything from clothes and shoes to electronics and gifts. Malls like this are important gathering spots for communities.

What is a Shopping Mall?

A shopping mall is a big building with many different shops inside. It's like a collection of stores all under one roof. Malls often have food courts, movie theaters, and other fun places too. They are designed to be a comfortable place to spend time and shop.

Mall History and Changes

North Grand Mall first opened its doors in 1971. Over the years, it has changed and grown. In 2006, there were big plans for the mall. Owners wanted to spend about $30 million to make it bigger and better. This kind of renovation helps malls stay modern and exciting for shoppers.

In 2004, something special happened at the mall. A farmers' market was set up there. A farmers' market is where local farmers sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and other goods. It was a great way to bring fresh food to the community.

Stores and Anchor Stores

The mall has many different shops for you to explore. Some of the biggest stores are called "anchor stores." These are large, well-known stores that help attract people to the mall. They are usually located at the ends or corners of the mall.

Some of the main anchor stores at North Grand Mall include:

  • Kohl's
  • Gap
  • Shoe Carnival
  • TJ Maxx
  • North Grand Cinema (a movie theater!)
  • Milroy's Tuxedos
  • rue21
  • Happy Nails
  • Verizon
  • Teikiatsu Judo
  • Aveda
  • Buckle
  • JCPenney

Sometimes, stores close down. The mall once had anchor stores like DressBarn and Younkers, but these spots are now empty. Sears, another big store, closed in late 2008. The old Sears building was taken down. New stores like Kohl's, TJ Maxx, and Shoe Carnival were built where Sears used to be. This shows how malls can change over time.

Mall Ownership

The ownership of the mall has also changed. In 2017, the company that owned the mall at the time, GK Development, sold it. Three different investors bought the mall together. This is common for large properties like shopping malls.

kids search engine
North Grand Mall Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.