Opening and Early Years
Louis Joliet Mall opened on August 2, 1978, in Joliet, Illinois. The mall’s initial anchor stores were Sears, Bergner’s, JCPenney, and Marshall Field’s. Urban Investment and Development Company developed the mall, targeting the growing suburban market. The mall’s location at 3340 Mall Loop Drive positioned it well within Joliet’s expanding commercial area.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the mall attracted various retailers, contributing to its popularity. Shoppers enjoyed diverse offerings, making Louis Joliet Mall a central shopping hub in the area.
In 1980, the mall expanded, adding new retail spaces and dining options, including popular eateries and specialty stores. The mall’s management focused on creating a comprehensive shopping experience, drawing customers from Joliet and neighboring towns.
The mall’s early success spurred economic growth in the surrounding areas. Increased foot traffic benefited local businesses, while new commercial developments emerged nearby.
Louis Joliet Mall quickly became a cornerstone of Joliet’s retail landscape, setting the stage for future growth and development.
Development in the 1980s
In 1985, Gap and Foot Locker opened, offering trendy clothing and footwear. The food court expanded in 1986, bringing in fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Sbarro.
Competition grew as nearby malls like Orland Square and Fox Valley drew shoppers away. Louis Joliet Mall responded by hosting events and sales promotions. During the holiday season, customers saw special decorations and Santa Claus visits, drawing families and boosting sales.
Ownership changed hands in 1987 when Westfield Group acquired the mall. Westfield invested in renovations and updating the interior and exterior. New flooring, better lighting, and modernized storefronts improved the shopping experience.
Economic fluctuations also affected retail in the 1980s. Despite challenges, the mall remained a popular destination. Louis Joliet Mall adapted to changes, maintaining its status as a key shopping center in Joliet.
Challenges and Renovations in the 1990s
The 1990s brought challenges and changes to Louis Joliet Mall. In 1990, the Plainfield Tornado narrowly missed the mall, passing within a few hundred yards. Shoppers reported seeing a huge black wall as the tornado approached. Despite this scare, the mall continued to operate without damage.
Circuit City opened outside the mall in 1991, adding an electronics retailer to the mix. However, Circuit City went bankrupt in 2009, and hhgregg replaced it in 2011.
The mall underwent renovations to meet modern standards. In 1995, the food court underwent another update, introducing new dining options like Chick-fil-A and Panda Express. The parking lots were repaved, and new signage improved visitors’ navigation.
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Westfield Group’s management ended in the late 1990s, and new owners took over. Despite economic ups and downs, Louis Joliet Mall continued to attract shoppers with its varied retail and dining choices.
The 2000s Transformation
The 2000s saw major changes for Louis Joliet Mall. Texas Roadhouse opened in 2000, offering popular steakhouse dining. Panera Bread joined in December 2000, providing a casual dining option. Though Panera Bread closed in 2022, it had served mall visitors for over two decades.
In 2006, Marshall Field’s changed to Macy’s, reflecting broader shifts in the retail landscape. Macy’s brought new brands and refreshed the store layout, attracting more shoppers.
In 2009, Cinemark opened a new theater at the mall. This addition provided a fresh entertainment option, drawing crowds for movie premieres and weekend outings. The theater quickly became a popular destination, boosting overall mall traffic.
H&M opened in 2014, bringing trendy, affordable fashion to the mall. Pandora also set up a shop to sell its well-loved jewelry. These stores attracted a younger, fashion-conscious demographic.
The 2010s brought further changes with the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton in 2017. This hotel added convenience for travelers and boosted the mall’s profile as a regional destination.
Throughout the 2010s, Louis Joliet Mall faced challenges with anchor stores. Sears, a long-time tenant, saw declining sales and eventually closed in 2019. Carson’s, another anchor, shut its doors in 2018.
Recent Developments in 2023 – 2024
Today, Louis Joliet Mall faces both opportunities and challenges. JCPenney, Macy’s, and Cinemark remain as anchor stores, and these long-standing tenants continue to draw shoppers. However, the mall needs to fill the empty spaces left by Carson’s and Sears.
In June 2023, Namdar Realty Group acquired Louis Joliet Mall for $31 million. Namdar, a real estate company based in Great Neck, New York, specializes in distressed retail properties.
This acquisition was part of Namdar’s ongoing strategy to purchase and revitalize malls across the country, including several in the Chicago area.
In July 2024, the Joliet City Council considered a zoning variation to allow a new massage parlor to open inside the mall. This addition would diversify the services available to mall visitors.
Additionally, Exotic Snack Guys, a retailer offering unique and hard-to-find snacks, announced plans to open a new store in September 2024.
Developers announced plans in June 2024 to add new warehouses near Louis Joliet Mall. The proposed location is behind the Target store in Joliet. These new warehouses aim to boost local employment and economic activity.
A new Tru by Hilton hotel is set to open near Louis Joliet Mall. This modern hotel aims to offer affordable and comfortable accommodations for travelers. Located conveniently close to the mall, the Tru by Hilton will provide guests easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
With Namdar Realty Group at the helm, Louis Joliet Mall is set for potential revitalization. The community eagerly awaits further developments and their potential positive impact.
This story is not factually accurate. The first store to open at the Louis Joliet mall was Sears. The other anchors including Bergner’s, JC Penney, and Marshall Field’s, all opened a little later. Montgomery Ward was never located at the LJM. They were located at the Joliet Jefferson Square mall years earlier.
Thanks for pointing that out! It’s great to get more accurate information, and your correction is very helpful.
What are the names of the developers in this article and where is the proposed location of the warehouse(s) that are adjacent to Cherry Hill business park, because that is a long way from the mall?
The proposed warehouses are planned to be located behind the Target store. More information with zoning, concept plan, etc. is here:
https://joliet.granicus.com/player/clip/5410?view_id=6&meta_id=546593&redirect=true
Sorry about the connection with Cherry Hill Business Park. It’s another project, and I’ve made corrections.
The Louis Joilet mall will not be able to compete with new developments coming to the area. The management office can’t keep the mall clean the roof leaks Namdar recomened repair put a bucket underneath the the leak until it goes away. Louis Joilet mall maintenance is under staffed and the head engineer can’t even fix the directories. Namdar ran the Stratford
mall right into the gutter the Joliet mall will be another Namdar failure.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I can see you have strong concerns about the management at Louis Joliet Mall. It’s frustrating when maintenance issues go unresolved. Let’s hope they step up to make the necessary improvements.