Opening and Early Years
Lakeshore Mall opened on February 5, 1992. It covered 496,000 square feet of retail space and featured five anchor stores: Kmart, Sears, JCPenney, Bealls, and Belk. This opening provided Sebring, Florida, with a new shopping destination.
CBL & Associates Properties managed Lakeshore Mall when it first opened. They aimed to create a thriving commercial hub with over sixty-five stores. Early tenants included popular brands like GameStop and Rack Room Shoes. The mall also included a food court and an AMC movie theater.
In its early years, Lakeshore Mall quickly became a popular spot. Families in Sebring visited regularly. Stores like Bealls and Belk offered a wide range of products, attracting diverse shoppers. The AMC theater provided entertainment options, making the mall a go-to place for things to do in Sebring, FL.
The mall’s presence boosted the local economy. It created numerous jobs and supported surrounding businesses. Restaurants like Chili’s and Red Lobster opened nearby. These additions increased traffic to the area, benefiting both the mall and the local economy.
Decline of Anchor Stores
In May 2013, CBL & Associates Properties sold Lakeshore Mall to BVB Properties. This transfer brought a new management team with fresh ideas. BVB Properties aimed to maintain and improve the mall’s facilities.
They introduced minor renovations and updates to attract new tenants and shoppers. The new management worked on the mall’s image, aiming to keep it relevant in the community.
However, Lakeshore Mall faced a tough period with the closure of key anchor stores. On November 2, 2017, Sears Holdings announced that Kmart would close. Kmart shut its doors on January 28, 2018, impacting foot traffic and smaller stores around Kmart.
On August 6, 2019, Sears announced its closure at Lakeshore Mall. By October 2019, the store was empty. The loss of Sears was a big blow to the mall. It reduced the mall’s appeal and made it harder for other stores to thrive.
JCPenney followed suit on June 4, 2020. The company announced it would close 154 stores nationwide, including its location at Lakeshore Mall. By mid-2020, JCPenney was gone, leaving only Belk and Bealls as the remaining anchor stores.
The departure of these major retailers marked a decline for Lakeshore Mall. Smaller shops struggled with the reduced draw of anchor stores. AMC Cinema remained an attraction, but the bustling days of the mall seemed to be behind it. The closures reflected broader retail trends and changes in shopping habits.
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic hit retail hard, and Lakeshore Mall felt it. Stores temporarily closed or operated with limited hours. Health and safety measures became the norm. The mall’s management installed hand sanitizing stations and enforced mask-wearing to protect shoppers and staff.
During the pandemic, the former JCPenney store became a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site. This site operated as part of the statewide effort to vaccinate Florida’s population. Governor Ron DeSantis visited the location in March 2021. By mid-2021, the vaccination site closed as distribution moved to other venues.
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The pandemic also shifted shopping habits. Online shopping surged, and foot traffic at Lakeshore Mall dwindled. Many stores struggled to stay afloat. The mall adapted by promoting curbside pickup and local delivery options to keep customers engaged.
Despite these efforts, the pandemic accelerated the decline of some businesses. Long-time tenants faced closures due to reduced revenue. The mall’s atmosphere changed, with fewer shoppers and a quieter environment. The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on Lakeshore Mall, altering its role in the community.
Current Store Mix and Amenities
Today, Lakeshore Mall still has some popular stores. Belk and Bealls remain the key anchor stores, and they continue to draw shoppers looking for clothing, home decor, and accessories.
Planet Fitness, a popular gym chain, launched a new location within the mall in 2020. This addition provides a new draw for health and fitness enthusiasts, potentially increasing daily visitors. The gym’s “judgment-free” zone promotes a welcoming environment, encouraging more community members to use its facilities.
The mall hosts a variety of smaller stores. Rainbow and LadyWinn provide women’s apparel, while GameStop attracts gaming fans.
Entertainment options include AMC Cinema, which screens the latest movies. This theater remains a major attraction for families and moviegoers. The Lazy Painter offers painting classes and events, adding a unique entertainment choice.
The food court features options like Bori Bowls and Jimmy’s Greek & American Diner. These eateries offer a range of cuisines, from authentic Puerto Rican to traditional Greek and American food.
Outside the mall, businesses like Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, Cody’s Original Roadhouse, and Red Lobster attract diners. These restaurants benefit from their proximity to the mall, drawing visitors for meals before or after shopping.
The US Post Office and America’s Carwash provide additional services nearby, making the area convenient for various needs.
Recent Developments (2023 – 2024)
In the past year, several new businesses have opened their doors, bringing fresh life to the mall. Bean Armory, Beauty Attitude, LadyWinn, and Encounter Coffee Shop are among the newcomers in 2023, aiming to attract more foot traffic and cater to diverse customer needs.
The mall has also planned events to engage the local community. In July 2024, Lakeshore Mall hosted Fur Fest, a pet-friendly event with free admission and parking. Events like these aim to bring families and pet owners to the mall, fostering a sense of community involvement.
The mall hosts a Monthly Vendor Market on the second Saturday of each month. This market is for local crafters and small businesses to showcase unique gifts, sweet treats, and other items.
By introducing new businesses and hosting events, Lakeshore Mall hopes to re-establish itself as a central hub for shopping and community activities in Sebring.
Your article was wonderfully written, thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
May I suggest adding medical spaces that are more central and easier access. Include start up small businesses trying to get established. Lower lease and a staying time to create a customer base. People could shop and later go to their medical specialty for their condition.
Thanks for sharing! Central medical spaces and support for small businesses could really enhance the mall experience.
This is what happens to a mall that bans the kids from their premises. I use to bring my kids to this mall all the time when they were younger and then they decided to ban all young people under the age of 21 who were not with a parent by their side. I remember this super old security guard walking in my direction at the food court because my 2 teenage sons were buying a game at the Game Stop. He told me my kids were not welcome in the mall. After that day, we barely ever went to the mall again. When my kids hit 21 they still never went. This mall killed itself with this on going policy. It pushed away families with kids. Many of those families never went back. Many of those kids are now grown and have families themselves and because of this mall’s policies, they never go either. Bad management destroyed this mall.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s sad that the policy drove away families and long-term customers. Your insight is valuable and shows how crucial it is for malls to create welcoming environments.