Ever wonder where Las Vegas locals flocked to shop in the late 1970s? The Meadows Mall. It was the second major indoor shopping center in the city. The Boulevard Mall was the first. Today we will explore the history of this community hub.
The Meadows Mall opened on August 5 1978. The name comes from the English translation of Las Vegas which means meadows. Dayton-Hudson Corporation developed the mall. Ernest W. Hahn Inc. built it. The project cost $40 million. The exterior included 156000 bricks.
Originally, the Meadows Mall had 7600 parking spaces. Diamond’s and The Broadway were its first anchor stores. Sears and JCPenney opened in 1979 completing the mall. In 1984, Dillard’s joined. The Broadway became Macy’s in 1996.
Interesting fact. The Meadows Mall almost didn’t happen. The Las Vegas City Commission initially voted against the project. Some members wanted it moved to a better location. Dayton-Hudson won a court order in 1974. This forced the city to grant a zoning variance.
Over the years, ownership of the Meadows Mall changed hands several times. General Growth Properties purchased it in 1998. They launched a major renovation in 2003. The renovation gave the mall a contemporary look. It needed this to compete with newer malls.
The Meadows Mall has adapted to changing times. In 1996 an indoor no-smoking policy was put in place. This happened because of customer requests. The mall also introduced “Stork Parking” near entrances for expectant mothers.
In 2015, the Las Vegas Review-Journal called the Meadows Mall “the odd mall out”. It lacked a distinct personality. However the Meadows Mall has always been a community hub. It serves local residents. It is less touristy than other areas of Vegas.
The Meadows Mall is still nearly full. It has about one million square feet of space. There are 115 storefronts. It provides a place for all.
In 2016, Curacao opened in the former Dillard’s space. 40000 customers visited on opening day. This helped breathe new life into the mall. It revitalized the space with local retailers.
Today, the Meadows Mall has four anchor tenants. They are Curacao, a Dillard’s clearance outlet, JCPenney, and Macy’s. You will also find familiar stores like Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works. The Meadows Mall is also a frequent early voting site during elections.
The Meadows Mall stands as a testament to resilience. It reflects the evolving needs of the Las Vegas community. From its humble beginnings to its current status. The Meadows Mall remains a vital part of the city’s landscape.