Early History and Development of McCain Mall
McCain Mall, located in North Little Rock, Arkansas, opened its doors in April 1973. The mall was developed by Melvin Simon & Associates, now known as Simon Property Group, one of the largest real estate companies in the U.S.
Positioned off McCain Boulevard and Interstate 40, it became a major retail destination in the area. At the time of its opening, it was the largest mall in the Little Rock Metro area and remains a significant presence in the local retail landscape.
Dillard’s, a well-known Arkansas-based department store chain, was one of the first anchor tenants of McCain Mall. It opened its doors in late 1972, a few months before the official launch of the entire mall.
In addition to Dillard’s, the mall’s early lineup included J.G. McCrory, a popular five-and-dime store, and McCain Mall Cinema I and II, offering shoppers more than just a place to buy things—a hub for entertainment, too.
Over the years, McCain Mall has had to adapt to changing retail trends, but in the beginning, it was a thriving shopping center with nearly 100 stores and services. Anchored by Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, and later, Regal Cinemas, it drew shoppers from across the region.
For locals and visitors searching for “things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas,” McCain Mall was—and still is—a destination for both shopping and leisure activities.
Renovations and Changes
The mall saw its first major renovation in 1992. This effort was aimed at keeping McCain Mall fresh and appealing as newer retail complexes began emerging nearby. The renovation focused on updating both the interior and exterior, giving the mall a more modern aesthetic.
Fast forward to 2011-2012, and McCain Mall was once again in need of a facelift. This time, the changes were more dramatic.
One of the most notable updates was the demolition of the M.M. Cohn department store in 2012. In its place, Regal Cinemas opened a multi-screen theater, providing a new draw for moviegoers and adding an entertainment element that revitalized the mall’s appeal.
Throughout these changes, McCain Mall remained resilient. It adapted to evolving shopping habits and the rise of online retail by emphasizing its ability to offer experiences—like dining at one of its restaurants or catching a movie—that couldn’t be found on the internet.
The renovations, though necessary for the mall’s survival, also breathed new life into the space, keeping it relevant for a new generation of shoppers.
Decline of Traditional Retail Anchors
McCain Mall, like many shopping centers, began facing challenges with its anchor tenants in the late 2010s. One of the biggest blows came from Sears, a cornerstone of American retail that had been part of the mall since its early days.
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In 2015, Sears Holdings spun off 235 of its properties, including the McCain Mall location, into Seritage Growth Properties. This move was part of a larger strategy to manage Sears’ declining presence, but it didn’t take long for the store to start scaling back.
By 2017, the auto center attached to Sears had closed, and part of the space was repurposed into a LongHorn Steakhouse by January 2019. However, in November of that same year, Sears announced that it would shutter the McCain Mall store, along with 95 others nationwide.
The closure took place in early 2020, marking the end of an era for one of the mall’s original anchors. For a shopping center that had built its reputation on big-name department stores, losing Sears was a major shift.
JCPenney, another long-time anchor tenant, also faced pressures during this time. The struggles of these large department stores were a clear reflection of the broader retail landscape, where online shopping had begun to dominate, and foot traffic in traditional malls started to wane.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting effects in 2020 only exacerbated these trends, pushing more businesses online and leaving brick-and-mortar stores with fewer customers.
The challenge for McCain Mall was clear: adapting to changing times while maintaining its place as a community retail destination.
Safety Concerns and Shooting Incidents
In recent years, safety has become a growing concern for shoppers at McCain Mall. One incident occurred in August 2020 when a man fired a shot inside the mall’s concourse. Though no one was injured, the event shook the community and raised questions about security at the mall.
In November 2022, two 17-year-old teenagers were tragically shot and killed in the parking lot near McCain Mall in North Little Rock. This double homicide shocked the local community and prompted a large-scale investigation.
On January 5, 2023, police were called to investigate a shot fired inside the mall. No one was hurt, but the incident raised concerns among local shoppers and business owners. Police confirmed that it was an isolated event, but it added to the growing list of safety concerns at the mall.
For a place that had long been considered a family-friendly shopping hub, this incident was a stark reminder of the challenges many malls now face in maintaining both economic viability and public safety.
These events reflect a broader issue affecting malls across the country. As traditional retail spaces struggle to adapt to new economic realities, they’re also challenged to ensure their environments remain safe for visitors.
Like many others, McCain Mall has had to balance these concerns with the need to attract visitors.
Legal Issues
McCain Mall also faced a legal challenge in early 2024. In March, a man who claimed to have been injured on an escalator inside the mall in 2021 filed a lawsuit for damages.
The escalator was reportedly malfunctioning at the time. While the outcome of the lawsuit is still pending, it adds to the ongoing difficulties the mall has faced in recent years.
Former Sears purchase
In 2024, an investment company purchased the 159,000 sq ft former Sears store at McCain Mall for $2.3 million. The acquisition also included a 13-acre property located on the west end of the mall. The seller was Seritage SRC Finance LLC, a spinoff of Sears Roebuck & Co.
The purchase is part of a redevelopment plan to transform the former Sears site into a mixed-use project. Though still in the early planning stages, this redevelopment aims to revitalize the area and attract new business and retail opportunities to McCain Mall.