NorthPark Mall in Davenport, IA: Still Open, Still Active

NorthPark Mall in Davenport: The Last Big Mall Holding On

Step inside NorthPark Mall and the main walk splits quickly, with storefronts lining a series of wide hallways that branch toward Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Von Maur.

Glass doors face the parking lot on all sides. The map’s angles break up the space, so regulars pick their route depending on where they need to go.

Most shoppers end up passing Barnes & Noble near the middle. Two anchor spaces, once Sears and Younkers, stand empty at the far ends.

Even with some gates closed, the mall still spreads out over one level, giving every corner a clear path to one of the three open department stores.

For Davenport, NorthPark’s footprint holds together while the rest of the retail world keeps changing.

Opening and Early Expansion

NorthPark Mall opened on July 11, 1973, with three main stores: JCPenney, Younkers, and Montgomery Ward.

The building took up a large stretch along West Kimberly Road and gave people a place to shop indoors, which was new for many in the area.

At that time, most shopping still happened at strip centers or in the downtown district.

The mall used a branching layout, with each anchor store at a separate end, spreading out the crowds among smaller shops.

Inside, there was a mix of national chains and local businesses that changed from season to season.

The mall soon became a place for more than shopping. Most of the retail spaces filled quickly, and people began walking laps inside for exercise.

During the holidays, department stores decorated their windows, and temporary stands appeared along the main walkways.

Steady business came from Davenport and the rest of the Quad Cities.

General Growth Properties, the developer, brought in both mid-level and specialty shops.

On busy weekends, cars circled the lot looking for open spaces near the entrances.

NorthPark had more stores under one roof than any other shopping center in the area at the time, and new shops were added every year.

Growth, Renovation, and New Anchors

Construction in 1981 added new hallways and brought in two anchor stores: Sears and Petersen Harned Von Maur.

Their entrances were positioned near each other at the end of the corridor.

Von Maur used glass panels and open display windows. Sears had wide carpeted aisles and tall fixtures set just inside the doors.

During construction, temporary walls went up with signs showing which stores were coming next.

Some existing stores moved to fit the new layout and changing traffic patterns.

New directory maps were printed as more tenants moved in. Kay-Bee Toys shifted closer to the new section.

Waldenbooks stayed in the center of the mall but added more shelves.

Stores near Sears saw more weekend traffic. Maintenance replaced ceiling tiles in older areas and installed brighter lighting in the new corridors.

The food court added more seats near the entrance for the larger crowds.

Shifts in Retail and Anchor Turnover

Montgomery Ward closed in 2001 after the chain went out of business nationwide.

The space stayed empty for nearly two years before Dillard’s opened there in 2003, bringing the mall back to five anchors.

Around the same time, smaller retail chains began to change as well.

When Macerich took over ownership from General Growth Properties, renovation crews replaced the old brown tile in stages, installing smoother, neutral flooring.

Some national brands, like Bath & Body Works and American Eagle, remained.

Others, including Wet Seal and RadioShack, left as their parent companies downsized.

Between 2010 and 2015, shopping patterns shifted again. Most visitors gathered near the remaining anchor stores.

Pop-up shops often fill empty spaces during the holidays.

As more national chains left, the mall saw an increase in local businesses and some non-retail tenants.

One unit near the former Montgomery Ward became a training center for a time. Early morning walkers continued to use the corridors on weekdays.

Retail Closures and Vacancies

In April 2018, Bon-Ton Stores announced it would close all Younkers locations, including the one at NorthPark Mall.

The store stayed open through the summer and closed on August 29.

Fixtures and signs were removed in stages, and the entrance was sealed after the liquidation.

The next month, Sears said it would close its NorthPark store as part of a nationwide cutback affecting 78 locations.

Its last day was September 2, 2018. Both anchor spots were left empty. Exterior signs for both stores remained in place for several months.

Foot traffic moved away from that part of the mall. Stores near the old Sears saw fewer people.

Some tenants relocated closer to the main corridor. Pop-up stands began to fill empty kiosk spaces along the center of the mall.

Community Events and Local Engagement

In June 2025, IowaWORKS hosted a Health Care Expo at NorthPark Mall. The event took place from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

near the food court. Representatives from local health services and career programs handed out flyers and answered questions.

Signs for tobacco cessation, behavioral health support, and chiropractic care were taped to folding screens behind the tables.

The event included job information from area healthcare providers. IowaWORKS staff distributed packets with training program details and job listings.

Earlier job fairs followed a similar format.

Visitors walked from booth to booth, with some stopping to talk and others making a quick loop before leaving.

Ownership Changes and Current Developments

Macerich still owned and managed NorthPark Mall as of mid‑2025.

Davenport city staff said there were no sale records and no public filings showing a change in ownership.

SouthPark Mall in Moline changed hands during the same period, but officials confirmed NorthPark had not.

On May 14, 2024, Leland Consulting Group gave a redevelopment presentation to Davenport’s city council.

Their plan called for cutting 300,000 square feet of retail space. Two design options were shown.

One was labeled “Town Center” and included single- and multi-family housing.

The other featured smaller-lot homes with mixed-use buildings.

Both concepts proposed upgrades outside the building, street furniture, signage, and public space.

They also suggested repurposing empty interior areas.

The presentation outlined possible next steps: demolition, a master plan, new zoning, and infrastructure planning to support housing.

By July 2025, none of that had started. Zoning stayed the same.

No demolition permits had been filed. No site work was visible. Mall operations continued.

City officials said any future changes would require new applications and public hearings before anything could move forward.

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