Early Development and Inception
Forest City Enterprises, a major developer, spearheaded the creation of The Mall of Victor Valley. The mall, strategically located near Interstate 15 and Bear Valley Road, opened in November 1986. This new retail hub quickly became an essential part of the Victorville, California, landscape.
Three major anchors launched the mall: JCPenney, Harris, and Mervyn’s. These stores played a critical role in drawing customers from the surrounding region.
In October 1989, the mall expanded by adding Sears, further solidifying its status as a retail powerhouse. Alongside Sears, a 10-screen AMC theater opened, offering a mix of shopping and entertainment that attracted even more visitors.
By the end of the 1980s, The Mall of Victor Valley had firmly established itself as a key player in the local retail market.
The presence of well-known brands and the convenient location contributed to its early success. This period laid the foundation for the mall’s future developments and its ongoing importance to the Victorville area.
Growth and Changes in Retail Landscape
Throughout the 1990s, The Mall of Victor Valley continued to grow, reflecting the changing retail landscape. In 1999, Harris rebranded as Harris-Gottschalks.
In 2003, Barnes & Noble added a new dimension to the mall. The bookstore became a popular destination for shoppers looking to browse the latest titles or enjoy a quiet moment in the in-store café.
This addition helped the mall cater to a broader range of interests beyond just fashion and general merchandise.
Entertainment also evolved at the mall. The original AMC theater, which opened in 1989, was replaced by a Cinemark theater in 2006.
The late 2000s brought a wave of changes as Mervyn’s and Harris-Gottschalks both closed their doors in 2009. These closures marked the end of an era, but they also opened the door for new opportunities and future developments at the mall.
Major Renovations and Store Turnover
After Mervyn’s and Harris-Gottschalks closed, the mall underwent a series of transformations to adapt to the changing retail environment.
Forever 21 moved into the former Mervyn’s space, offering trendy fashion at affordable prices. However, this store closed on December 31, 2011, reflecting the challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar retailers.
In October 2012, JCPenney relocated to a larger space within the mall. This move was part of the store’s strategy to better compete with Macy’s, which opened in March 2013 in the former Harris-Gottschalks location.
Macy’s arrival brought a new level of prestige to the mall, drawing shoppers with its wide range of upscale merchandise.
Later that year, in October 2013, Dick’s Sporting Goods opened in the original JCPenney space. The addition of this well-known sports retailer diversified the mall’s offerings and attracted a new customer base.
These changes demonstrated the mall’s ability to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and market conditions.
As these renovations and store turnovers took place, The Mall of Victor Valley continued to serve as a central hub for shopping, entertainment, and things to do in Victorville, CA.
Challenges and Store Closures
On November 7, 2019, Sears, one of the mall’s long-standing anchors, announced it would close as part of a broader plan to shutter 96 stores nationwide. The Sears store, which had been a staple since 1989, closed its doors in February 2020.
The loss of Sears created a void in The Mall of Victor Valley that couldn’t be easily filled. The empty anchor space highlighted the ongoing difficulties brick-and-mortar retailers faced in retaining foot traffic.
Despite this, the mall continued to attract shoppers with its remaining stores and entertainment options, though the impact of the Sears closure lingered.
Recent Developments at The Mall of Victor Valley
In 2022, The Mall of Victor Valley welcomed seven new retailers and restaurants, bringing fresh offerings to the center. This move was part of a broader strategy to attract more visitors and diversify the mall’s tenant mix.
The introduction of new stores aimed to offset the impact of recent closures and the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that the mall remained a vibrant shopping destination for the Victorville community.
In 2023, the mall experienced a few smash-and-grab robberies. On September 7, 2023, thieves targeted a jewelry store inside the mall, quickly smashing display cases and stealing merchandise before fleeing the scene.
This incident was followed by another similar robbery later in the same month, raising concerns about security and safety within The Mall of Victor Valley. These events highlighted the need for enhanced security measures to protect both retailers and shoppers.
Another important development occurred in January 2024 when Macy’s, one of the mall’s anchor stores, was included in a nationwide downsizing plan. While Macy’s closed several locations across the country, the Victorville store remained operational.
The decision to keep the Victor Valley location open was a relief to local shoppers and mall management, as losing another anchor store would have seriously challenged the mall’s stability.