Park Plaza Mall facts for kids
| Location | Little Rock, Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°45′13″N 92°20′36″W / 34.753584°N 92.343242°W |
| Opening date | 1960 |
| Management | CBL & Associates |
| Owner | CBL & Associates |
| No. of stores and services | 95 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 2 |
| Total retail floor area | 562,432 square feet (52,251.6 m2) |
| No. of floors | 2 with partial lower level |
Park Plaza Mall is a big shopping mall located in the middle of Little Rock, Arkansas. It first opened in 1960 as an outdoor shopping area. Later, another mall called University Mall opened nearby, but it was torn down in the early 2000s. Park Avenue Shopping Centre now stands where University Mall used to be.
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How Park Plaza Mall Started
When Park Plaza Mall first opened, it was an open-air mall. This means it didn't have a roof over the main walkways. It had two levels of stores. There were also cool fountains and water features. For its first five years, the mall didn't have a main department store.
In 1964-1965, a large, two-story department store called Gus Blass was built. It was about 125,000 sq ft (11,600 m2) big. This store later became a Pfeifer-Blass and then a Dillard's in 1974. Over time, this Dillard's store grew much larger, to about 197,843 sq ft (18,380.2 m2).
Big Changes and New Stores
In 1988, Park Plaza Mall closed down for a big makeover. Only the Dillard's store stayed open because it was owned separately. The company managing the mall, General Growth Properties, added a third level. They also put a glass roof over the entire mall. This made it an enclosed shopping center.
The mall reopened in July 1988. Many people came to see the new mall. A second Dillard's store, about 86,322 sq ft (8,019.6 m2), also opened. Many new stores came to Little Rock and Arkansas for the first time.
Modern Updates and Popular Brands
Over the years, Park Plaza Mall has added many popular stores. These include H&M, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Oakley, PINK, Journeys Shoes, The Buckle, Aldo, Pandora, and Sephora.
In 2005 and 2006, the mall got another update. This happened under new owners, CBL & Associates Properties. They added new lights and comfy seating areas. The main elevator was made bigger, and the restrooms were improved. The main entrance also got a new look. The Talbots store even got its own outside door. This means it's one of the few stores with both inside and outside entrances.
What Makes Park Plaza Special?
Park Plaza Mall is home to Dillard's main store, which is called their Hometown Flagship store. It's actually in two separate locations within the mall. The mall also has over 90 other stores. These include big national brands, regional favorites, and local shops.
Some stores at Park Plaza Mall are among the top 10 in sales for their chains in the region. This shows how popular the mall is!
Park Plaza is one of three main shopping spots in the Midtown area. The others are Midtowne and Park Avenue.
Main Stores (Anchors)
- Dillard's West (Women's) (125,600 sq ft (11,670 m2)) - This store opened in 1965 as Gus Blass. It became Pfeifer-Blass from 1967 to 1974. Then it was renamed Dillard's in 1974. It grew to 197,843 sq ft (18,380.2 m2). In 1988, it became Dillard's West, focusing on women's items.
- Dillard's East (Men's & Children's) (86,322 sq ft (8,019.6 m2)) - This store opened in 1988.
