A Mall Built for the Suburbs
Aurora, Colorado, was changing in the early 1970s. Families were moving in, drawn by new housing developments and job opportunities in Denver’s growing metro area.
Retailers took notice. In 1975, Aurora Mall opened near I-225, offering a climate-controlled shopping experience that felt modern and convenient.
Its anchor stores were Sears, JCPenney, and May-D&F, big names that signaled confidence in Aurora’s economic future.
The location wasn’t random. Developers picked a spot with easy highway access, expecting foot traffic from across the city.
The mall stood close to Buckingham Square, another shopping hub that had opened a few years earlier.
However, Aurora Mall had something extra—over 1 million square feet of retail space, making it one of the largest shopping centers in the region at the time.
Walking through the mall in its early years, shoppers passed by RadioShack, Kinney Shoes, and Waldenbooks—chains that defined American shopping in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Department stores weren’t just places to buy clothes; they were destinations, each with its own restaurant and beauty counter.
Families spent entire afternoons browsing, eating at the food court, or seeing a movie at the mall’s first General Cinema.
Through the 1980s, Aurora Mall became a staple of suburban life. Sales surged, and more retailers signed leases. By the early ’90s, it had become the dominant shopping destination east of Denver.
Competition was minimal, with Cherry Creek Mall still under development and Park Meadows years away from opening. Expansion felt inevitable.
Even then, though, trends were shifting. Walmart Supercenter and Target were beginning to redefine shopping habits, and newer malls were being built with a fresh design approach.
Aurora Mall, once cutting-edge, was starting to feel like a product of its time.
But for most shoppers, it was still where they went to buy back-to-school clothes, meet friends, or catch a Friday night movie. It was still Aurora’s mall.
For those visiting today, things to do in Aurora, Colorado, often include shopping, dining, and entertainment at what is now called Town Center at Aurora.
But back then, it was simply the mall—no rebranding necessary.
The 2003-2005 Overhaul – A $100 Million Bet on the Future
By the early 2000s, Aurora Mall was no longer the fresh, modern shopping destination it had once been.
Retail trends were shifting, and competition was growing. Park Meadows, a sleek, upscale mall, had opened in the late ’90s.
Shoppers wanted newer spaces, better stores, and an experience that felt more polished. Aurora Mall was showing its age.
In 2003, the owners announced a $100 million renovation, one of the largest retail investments in the area at the time.
The plan had two phases. First, a major anchor swap—Dillard’s would take over the former Foley’s, closing its location at Buckingham Square Mall in the process.
The second phase was bigger: a redesigned interior, new storefronts, updated flooring, better lighting, and a food court expansion aimed at drawing in more foot traffic.
Along with cosmetic upgrades, the mall needed a new identity. The name Aurora Mall has been around for nearly 30 years.
In 2005, it was officially rebranded as Town Center at Aurora—a move meant to signal a fresh start.
The idea was to position it as more than just a place to shop. The new name suggested a community hub, a space for events, dining, and entertainment.
Not everyone was convinced. That same year, controversy hit when a leasing agent’s comments surfaced, suggesting an effort to reshape the mall’s customer base by discouraging certain shoppers.
The remarks sparked backlash, with local officials calling for accountability. But no formal apology ever came.
Despite the rocky transition, the renovation did what it was supposed to do—at least for a while.
Storefronts filled up, shoppers returned, and for a moment, it seemed like Town Center at Aurora had secured its future.
Violence at the Center – Crime, Tragedy, and Fallout
In June 2005, a 19-year-old woman was killed trying to break up a fight inside the mall.
The incident raised questions about security. Local businesses were worried about the mall’s reputation. Then, in 2012, something worse happened.
On July 20, 2012, just after midnight, moviegoers filled the seats at Century 16 Theaters for a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
The audience never made it through the film. A gunman entered, tossed tear gas, and opened fire.
Twelve people died. Seventy more were injured. It became one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
The attack sent shockwaves across the country, but for Aurora, it was personal. News crews flooded the area. Memorials lined the streets.
Survivors struggled to process what had happened inside a place that, for many, had been a normal part of life.
Century 16 eventually reopened, remodeled under the name Century Aurora and XD. The theater remained, but the tragedy left a mark.
Although the mall itself wasn’t directly involved—it was just steps from the main entrance—its proximity tied its name to the event.
After 2012, Town Center at Aurora increased security measures. It installed new surveillance systems, hired additional guards, and implemented stricter policies on loitering.
But perception was harder to fix. In the years that followed, some shoppers stayed away. Others came back but with a different feeling.
Retailers were facing their own struggles. Across the country, department stores were closing.
Malls weren’t the automatic draw they used to be. Town Center at Aurora was still standing, but its future felt uncertain.
Decline and Reinvention – Adapting to Retail’s New Reality
By 2019, Town Center at Aurora was facing a new problem—store closures. Sears, one of the mall’s original anchors, announced it was shutting down as part of a nationwide plan to close 92 locations.
It wasn’t the first big retailer to leave, but it was a reminder that traditional department stores were struggling.
Retail had changed. Online shopping has cut into mall traffic. Shoppers no longer spent entire afternoons wandering from store to store.
They came for specific purchases, or they didn’t come at all. Town Center at Aurora had to adapt.
In 2021, the empty Sears space was transformed into FieldhouseUSA, a sports complex offering basketball, volleyball, and other athletic programs.
The mall now had a community sports facility instead of retail, a major shift in how malls were used.
Similar changes were happening across the country as shopping centers replaced empty stores with gyms, entertainment venues, and event spaces.
But department stores weren’t the only ones struggling. Smaller chains were closing, too. The mall had already lost Gordmans, a discount retailer after the company went bankrupt in 2020.
Other storefronts cycled through short-term leases, pop-up shops, and seasonal tenants.
The mix of businesses kept shifting as mall management worked to keep spaces filled.
Despite the challenges, some retailers stayed. Macy’s, Dillard’s, and JCPenney remained the mall’s main anchors.
Smaller stores like Bath & Body Works, Foot Locker, and Champs Sports continued to draw regular customers.
Fast-food chains and casual dining spots in the food court saw steady traffic, especially on weekends.
The question was whether these changes would be enough. With fewer traditional stores, malls had to offer more than just shopping.
Town Center at Aurora was trying to do that—one repurposed space at a time.
What’s Next for Town Center at Aurora?
As 2025 arrives, Town Center at Aurora reaches a milestone—50 years in business.
Half a century of retail, expansion, decline, and reinvention. It has survived economic downturns, shifting trends, and even a global pandemic. But survival isn’t the same as success.
Shopping malls across the country are struggling to stay relevant. Some have turned into mixed-use developments, combining retail with apartments and office spaces.
Others have leaned into experiential retail, offering live events, interactive stores, and attractions that can’t be replicated online.
Town Center at Aurora still has some advantages. It sits in a high-traffic retail district, near other shopping centers and major roads.
Its 100+ stores include national brands and local businesses. The presence of Century Aurora and XD, FieldhouseUSA, and Hobby Lobby adds variety beyond clothing and accessories.
Mall management has continued to bring in new tenants, focusing on businesses that draw foot traffic.
Beauty supply shops, sneaker stores, and specialty retailers have done well, serving a younger, fashion-conscious audience.
The food court has stayed busy, with chains like Popeyes, Charleys Philly Steaks, Sbarro, and Sarku Japan attracting steady lines.
But long-term survival depends on bigger moves. Could Town Center at Aurora become more of an entertainment destination?
Will it follow the trend of adding fitness centers, coworking spaces, or residential units?
Or will it hold on as a traditional shopping mall for as long as it can?
Fifty years ago, Aurora Mall opened as a retail powerhouse. Today, Town Center at Aurora is still figuring out what comes next.
