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 shopping mall located in midtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Opened as an open-air shopping center in 1960, Park Plaza would eventually be joined in the area seven years later by University Mall only to be demolished in the early 2000's. Park Avenue Shipping Centre would later replace University Mall.
The original open-air mall was situated on two retail levels, with several fountains and water features. For its first five years, it did not have an anchor department store. A 2-level, 125,000 sq ft (11,600 m2), Little Rock-based Gus Blass was built onto the west end of the complex in 1964-1965. This would operate as a Pfeifer-Blass between 1967 and 1974 and be branded as a Dillard's in 1974. The store was eventually expanded to 197,843 sq ft (18,380.2 m2).
In 1988, Park Plaza shut down completely except for Dillard's (separately owned by Dillard's, Inc.), in preparation for the mall to undergo a major overhaul. General Growth Properties, who managed the mall at the time, added a third level and a glass roof as it enclosed the structure. The mall re-opened in July 1988, bringing large crowds, a second Dillard's (encompassing 86,322 sq ft (8,019.6 m2)), and many stores new to Little Rock and the state of Arkansas.
Stores such as H&M, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Oakley, PINK, Journeys Shoes, The Buckle, Aldo, Pandora, Sephora, have been among the additions over the years since the first renovation. A second renovation under new ownership by CBL & Associates Properties throughout 2005 and 2006 added new lighting, soft seating areas, an enlarged elevator, expanded restrooms, and a redesigned main entrance. The mall's Talbots location also gained an outside entrance, making it the only store aside from Dillard's to have both interior and exterior entrances available.
Park Plaza Mall is home to several stores that are in a chains Top 10 in sales in the region.
The mall features Dillard's Hometown Flagship store in 2 separate locations and 90+ National, Regional and local stores.
Park Plaza is one of 3 shopping destinations in the Midtown Area. It is joined by Midtowne & Park Avenue.
Anchors
- Dillard's West {Women's} (125,600 sq ft (11,670 m2)) - Opened 1965 as Gus Blass/ Operated as Pfeifer-Blass from 1967 to 1974 / Rebranded as Dillard's in 1974 / Expanded to 197,843 sq ft (18,380.2 m2) / Renamed Dillard's West {a Women's Store} in 1988
- Dillard's East {Men's & Children's} (86,322 sq ft (8,019.6 m2)) - Opened in 1988
