Dead malls of Jacksonville

Wacca Pilatka · October 09, 2009, 05:01:38 PM

One of my modern historical interests is learning about "dead malls"--in fact, deadmalls.com is one of my other favorite websites.

I've tried to research as best I can on the dead/significantly reinvented malls of Jacksonville, but the only ones for which I have a pretty thorough handle on their history are Gateway and Roosevelt.

Anyone have any stories or other historical info on Grande Boulevard, Market Square, and Normandy? That is, what the anchors were and the approx. timeline for their rise and decline? I'm especially interested in Grande Boulevard since its lifespan was so short and about all I know if it is: opened early 80s, upscale theme and off-putting "not for everyone" ad campaign, Jacobson's as the anchor stayed open even as the rest of the mall was converted to a FCSC satellite campus.

Thanks in advance!

thelakelander · October 09, 2009, 06:24:14 PM

We ran a story on these malls last year. Here is a link:

The Malling of Jacksonville
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-oct-the-malling-of-jacksonville

DavidWilliams · October 09, 2009, 06:43:49 PM

How is the old Normandy Mall doing now? Wasn't it redeveloped and turned into a Christian theme mall or something? On my occasional trips to Lowe's off Lenox, I tend to check it out. Did they ever get a buyer on the out building that was Pizza Inn many years ago?

thelakelander · October 09, 2009, 06:49:38 PM

I was just at Soul Food Bistro yesterday. The church has renovated the Pizza Inn into something else. There are stores in the mall and the interior is very well maintained. I think most of the shops are either owned by the church or members of the church. I believe they need an anchor in there to attract viable specialty retail and everyday shoppers. Its nothing like a typical mall, but its better than it was when it was boarded up.

here is a website for mall: http://www.kingdom-plaza.com/

Charles Hunter · October 09, 2009, 09:08:23 PM

I think the old Pizza Inn is some sort of doctor's office. There's a Times Grill restaurant on the outside of the old mall.

jeh1980 · October 09, 2009, 10:21:32 PM

I really miss Pizza Inn. But I didn't go to the one one Normandy!

heights unknown · October 10, 2009, 12:23:54 AM

What about the old Phillips Highway Mall on Phillips Highway? There was a Movie Theater outside of the mall and I can't remember the anchor tenant, I am tempted to say Montgomery Ward, as was at Normandy I believe Montgomery Ward was also the anchor tenant. Phillips Highway Mall was vibrant in the 70's as was Normandy. Remember vividly seeing Saturday Night Fever and Thank God It's Friday, in the late 70's, two disco movies at Phillips Highway Mall's Movie Theater. Used to go to Normandy Mall's Theater to see horror flicks in the 70's on into the early 80's until there wasn't much left. There was a much larger anchor tenant I believe at Normandy than Montgomery Ward but I can't remember the name.

Heights Unknown

Charles Hunter · October 10, 2009, 08:10:40 AM

I think you're right about Montgomery Ward at both malls. I seem to remember a "Woolco" at Normandy Mall. Philips, like Roosevelt, started as an open mall with covered sidewalks, and after Regency, fully enclosed. I think Normandy came along late enough that it started out enclosed?

I remember Renna's Pizza at Philips, good hand tossed pizza! - but that may have been after the name change to Market Square Mall.

CS Foltz · October 10, 2009, 09:12:52 AM

Mr Charles............there is a Renna's on Bay Meadows, south side between Red Lobster and Mc Donalds and thats twixt Phillips and 95 exchange.

Wacca Pilatka · October 10, 2009, 09:42:19 AM

Thanks, everyone! I have no idea how I missed that article that Lakelander linked.

YellowBluffRoad · October 10, 2009, 10:27:07 AM

Renna's was in Phlips Mall long before its name changed to Market Square Mall. At first they were in a narrow shop south of the anchor in the center of the Mall. Then they moved to a larger space north of the center. I think that happened pretty close to the time the mall changed its name, but can't recall precisely.

Dog Walker · October 10, 2009, 10:40:26 AM

Philips Highway Mall was turned into an office park which seems to be doing OK. Monkey Ward was the anchor tenant.

Gateway Mall is the most dangerous place to drive in Jacksonville. The Traffic Court is there so all of the bad, angry, careless drivers are there from time to time. Look out! LOL!

urbanlibertarian · October 10, 2009, 10:43:13 AM

^^Ditto for Southgate Plaza.

Dog Walker · October 10, 2009, 10:44:25 AM

Whups! I meant Southgate. Senior moment, sorry!

thekillingwax · October 12, 2009, 07:08:31 PM

My aunt used to work at Bellsouth on Emerson and when they were starting to wind down operations, I'd go into work with her and explore the building and go over to Market Square and look around there, I think it was the early to mid 90's and the place was pretty dead but I do remember there being this awesome chinese place in there, a tiny arcade and this cool asian guy that ran a store that sold imported martial arts movies. The big store was this place that was full of crafting supplies and odd stuff and we'd look around in there for ages.