History
The mall opened in April 1969 at 7804 Abercorn Street. Its main anchors were Belk-Beery, McCrory, (now Stein Mart) and Sears. At the time, the mall featured Savannah's first Chick Fil-A store. Other tenants included Morrison's Cafeteria (still operating as Piccadilly), Adler's, and a Piggly Wiggly. By 1974 the mall was expanded by 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2). This expansion wing moved out from center court and began the mall's growth towards Fairmont Avenue.
By 1982 a 230,000-square-foot (21,000 m2) expansion wing was constructed with JC Penney and Levy's of Savannah. In February 1986, Levy's was acquired by Jordan Marsh, a major Federated Department Stores chain based in Florida and New England. In 1988 Jordan Marsh was consolidated with Maas Brothers of Tampa and operated as Mass Brothers/Jordan Marsh. Federated Department Stores consolidated all Florida divisions into their Burdines name in 1990. Burdines, being strictly a Florida chain did not locate within the mall. Rather the Maas Brothers/Jordan Marsh store allowed for Rich's to enter the market. Maas Brother/Jordan Marsh closed in September 1991 and ground was broken for Rich's. The Maas Brothers/Jordan Marsh store was converted into in-line mall space with an expansion wing and a two level 135,000 square foot Rich's constructed next door.
Many other modernizations have occurred, like the replacing of a section of the mall known as The Promenade (a new corridor built in 1985 as a replacement for Adler's, decorated with neon lights and glass block) with Barnes and Noble. A new food court was constructed in 2002, and the Abercorn Street facade has been extensively upgraded.
The mall fared well through the Late-2000s recession with the opening of several new stores and several stores returning to the mall. Charming Charlie, Bare Escentuals, Jimmy Jazz, La Parrilla Mexican Grill (an Atlanta based restaurant), Crazy 8, Kirklands, and Shape's Brow Bar opened in 2011. Also, The Limited reopened a store in the mall after it left the Savannah market in 2008. Oglethorpe Mall is now 98% occupied.
Read more about this topic: Oglethorpe Mall
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