North Grand Mall facts for kids
| Location | Ames, Iowa, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°02′53″N 93°37′19″W / 42.048°N 93.622°W |
| 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.
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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.
