Twenty Ninth Street (Boulder, Colorado) facts for kids
Twenty Ninth Street is a popular shopping and entertainment area in Boulder, Colorado. It opened on October 13, 2006. This lively spot was built where an older shopping center, Crossroads Mall, used to be. The Macerich Company manages Twenty Ninth Street.
It's divided into three main parts. These parts are connected by streets, walkways, and open spaces. You can find many stores here, like Macy's, Home Depot, and Staples. There's also a movie theater called Century Theaters. The Colorado Athletic Club is also part of this big center.
What is Twenty Ninth Street Like?
Twenty Ninth Street is different from a traditional indoor mall. It has many smaller shopping areas and large stores. These are separated by streets where cars can drive. It's not a closed-off building like many malls.
Instead, it's an open-air "lifestyle center." This means it combines shopping with offices, fun activities, and places to eat. It's designed to be a place where people can gather and enjoy the outdoors.
A Look Back: Its History
Twenty Ninth Street has an interesting past. It replaced the old Crossroads Mall.
- From 1979 to 2002, people had many ideas for rebuilding Crossroads Mall. But none of these plans worked out. For example, a new Dillard's store was suggested. But another store, Foley's (now Macy's), said no to the idea.
- In June 2002, the companies that owned two big malls joined together. These were Westcor, which owned FlatIron Crossing, and Macerich, which owned Crossroads Mall.
- On January 23, 2003, the Sears store at Crossroads Mall closed down. Plans were then given to the city. The idea was to tear down most of Crossroads Mall. A new shopping area called "Twenty Ninth Street" would be built. The plans included about 50 to 60 shops and a movie theater. The city agreed to the plans. Macerich and Westcor quickly started working.
- On January 8, 2004, it was announced that Crossroads Mall would close. The mall closed in February 2004. However, the Foley's store (which later became Macy's) stayed open the whole time.
- Most of Crossroads Mall was torn down. Only the Mervyn's building, Foley's/Macy's, and its nearby parking garage remained.
- On October 13, 2006, the new Twenty Ninth Street shopping area officially opened. The opening event had a science theme. The musician Thomas Dolby even performed there.
