Southgate Mall (Missoula)

JCPenney store at Southgate Mall in 2017

The idea for an enclosed shopping mall in Missoula dates back to 1973, when Erickson Development Co., a Minnesota-based development firm, proposed a $15 million regional shopping center south of Buckhouse Bridge, along U.S. Highway 93.[2]

On February 9, 1977, developer George Lambros revealed plans to build a 398,000 square-foot shopping mall on 68 acres between U.S. Highway 93 and South Avenue in Missoula.[3] The Missoula City Council approved Lambors' plans on February 14, with construction expected to begin April 1.[4] On May 10, Hart-Albin, Hennessy's and Sears were confirmed as anchor stores.[5] An additional anchor, a two-level Nordstrom Place Two store, was confirmed in March 1978.[6] In July, after months of speculation, J. C. Penney was confirmed as the anchor for the mall's planned second phase.[7]

Southgate Mall's first tenant, Kings Table Restaurant, opened on June 28, 1978, with Sears following on July 12 and Hart-Albin on July 27.[8] Southgate Mall held its grand opening ceremony on August 2.[9] The mall's second phase, which added an additional 25 stores and anchor J. C. Penney, was completed between August and November 1979.[10] In August 1983, Pay 'n Save and Ernst Home Centers were added to the mall in a detached building south of the existing structure.[11]

Dillard's (formerly Hennessy's) at Southgate Mall in 2018

In February 1987, Pay 'n Save announced the closure of its Southgate Mall store.[12] Another anchor store, Nordstrom Place Two, announced its closure in November 1988.[13] In April 1989, Hart-Albin relocated to the former Nordstrom Place Two building.[14] However, this new store was shut down just three months later.[15] Hart-Albin's original space was replaced by Lamonts in August 1989.[16] In April 1990, the vacant Pay 'n Save store was replaced with Fabricland.[17] By mid-1996, a Bob Ward's sporting goods store was constructed adjacent to the Fabricland and Ernst complex.[18]

In October 1996, Lamonts announced plans to close as part of the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization effort.[19] One month later, Ernst Home Centers announced plans to liquidate and close all 53 stores.[20] Fabricland also exited the mall, in July 1998.[21] Later in 1998, Hennessy's was rebranded as Dillard's, following the retailer's acquisition of Hennessy's parent company Mercantile Stores.[22] By the end of the year, two Herberger's stores were added to the mall, replacing the vacant Lamonts and Hart-Albin spaces.[23]

Bed Bath & Beyond was added to the mall in 2007, replacing Fabricland.[24] Cost Plus World Market was added to the mall in early 2014, replacing Ashley HomeStore.[25] In March 2015, Sears announced the closure of its Southgate Mall store.[26] Montana's first H&M store opened at the mall in September 2015.[27]

Plans for a $64 million renovation and expansion the Southgate Mall were announced in 2015.[28] In April 2016, AMC Theatres (then known as Carmike Cinemas) announced plans to build a 900-seat dine-in movie theater at the mall.[29] The 45,000 square-foot theater will be built between the Mustard Seed restaurant and the former Sears property.[29] In February 2017, Lucky's Market confirmed plans to open a grocery store in a 32,000 square-foot portion of the Sears building.[30] Construction on the mall expansion was completed in 2018.[31] In April 2018, Herberger's parent company The Bon-Ton announced it will liquidate and close all 267 stores.[32] Plans for a second Dillard's store, replacing the Herberger's store in the center of the mall, were announced in February 2019.[33]

On January 17, 2020, it was announced that J. C. Penney would also be closing on April 24 as part of a plan to close 6 stores nationwide.[34] Four days later, Lucky's Market announced it will close in February.[35] On January 24, 2020, Scheels All Sports announced it will replace J. C. Penney in 2021.[36]