The Origin of Mid Rivers Mall
In the early 1980s, St. Peters, Missouri, was a growing northwestern suburb of St. Louis with increasing demand for retail space.
Developers saw an opportunity to bring a large shopping destination to the area, and plans for Mid Rivers Mall took shape.
The site chosen for the mall had already seen commercial activity—Famous-Barr opened a standalone store there in 1981.
This department store, a subsidiary of The May Department Stores Company, set the stage for the mall’s future by drawing shoppers to the location years before the mall itself existed.
By 1987, construction was complete, and Mid Rivers Mall officially opened its doors. At launch, the shopping center featured two anchor stores—Dillard’s and Famous-Barr—along with a variety of specialty retailers.
A food court was also part of the initial design, offering visitors a centralized dining area. The mall quickly became a retail hub for St. Charles County, attracting shoppers looking for everything from fashion to electronics.
Entertainment was a key part of the mall’s early appeal. In 1988, a 6-screen cinema opened inside the shopping center, giving visitors another reason to stay longer.
The theater’s presence helped solidify the mall as more than just a place to shop—it became a social gathering spot.
With a growing mix of retail, dining, and entertainment, Mid Rivers Mall positioned itself as the premier shopping destination in the area.
Even today, it remains one of the top things to do in St. Peters, Missouri, though the retail landscape has changed over the decades.
Expansion and Growth in the 1990s
As Mid Rivers Mall gained popularity, developers quickly expanded its offerings. In 1990, Sears joined as the third anchor store, bringing in more shoppers and boosting the mall’s reputation as a retail hub.
The new addition helped the mall stay competitive with other shopping centers in the region, particularly those in nearby St. Louis.
By 1996, another expansion brought JCPenney into the mix. The retailer relocated from Mark Twain Mall in St. Charles, solidifying Mid Rivers Mall as the county’s go-to shopping destination.
With four major department stores under one roof, the mall attracted both local shoppers and those traveling from surrounding areas.
Entertainment options also evolved during this period. In 1999, Wehrenberg Theatres demolished the original 6-screen cinema and replaced it with a modern 14-screen megaplex.
That same year, Chili’s opened just outside the mall, giving visitors another reason to spend more time on the property.
The addition of Best Buy in April 2000 marked yet another step in the mall’s transformation. It attracted shoppers looking for electronics and home entertainment products.
Changes in Ownership and Branding
The early 2000s brought major shifts in ownership and branding for Mid Rivers Mall.
During this time, Westfield Group acquired the property, which was renamed Westfield Shoppingtown Mid Rivers.
This rebranding was part of Westfield’s broader strategy to unify its portfolio under a single identity.
By 2006, another change took place when Federated Department Stores, now Macy’s Inc., acquired The May Department Stores Company.
This acquisition led to Famous-Barr’s rebranding as Macy’s, aligning the department store with a nationally recognized brand.
In 2007, ownership changed hands once again when CBL & Associates Properties purchased Mid Rivers Mall from Westfield.
The new owners dropped the “Shoppingtown” branding and restored the mall’s original name. Under CBL, the mall continued to evolve, responding to shifts in the retail market and consumer preferences.
Adaptation and Modernization in the 2010s
Retail trends shifted in the 2010s, pushing Mid Rivers Mall to adapt.
In 2008, Dick’s Sporting Goods opened between JCPenney and Sears, bringing in shoppers looking for athletic gear and outdoor equipment. The store’s arrival added another anchor tenant and broadened the mall’s appeal.
By 2018, the mall introduced flexible leasing options to attract small businesses. New retailers could test physical locations through short-term leases, a strategy aimed at boosting foot traffic.
That same year, H&M opened its doors, becoming another anchor store and drawing a younger demographic.
Renovations also took place in 2018, updating the mall’s interior and exterior. The refresh helped modernize the space and keep up with consumer expectations.
Despite these efforts, online shopping trends continued to impact traditional retail, forcing the mall to find new ways to attract visitors.
Challenges and Legal Issues
Financial and security challenges emerged alongside retail struggles.
In September 2017, Mid Rivers Mall’s owner sued former tenant Max & Erma’s, claiming the franchise owed over $680,000 in rent and fees. The dispute highlighted difficulties in retaining long-term tenants.
Security concerns also arose in 2017 and 2018. A carjacking near Dillard’s in December 2017 raised safety questions among shoppers.
Several other incidents followed, including reports of illicit photography in restrooms and dressing rooms.
A 2018 shoplifting case escalated into a high-speed chase from the mall to St. Louis, adding to concerns about crime in the area.
Retail challenges continued into 2019. On August 6, Sears announced its closure as part of a broader plan to shut down 26 stores nationwide.
The store officially closed on October 27, leaving a vacant anchor space. In January 2020, another theft incident resulted in suspects injuring a police officer while fleeing.
Recent Developments at Mid Rivers Mall
In early 2024, the Spencer Road Branch of the St. Charles City County Library underwent renovations.
To maintain services during this period, a temporary library location opened within Mid Rivers Mall. This initiative provided patrons with continued access to library resources and introduced new foot traffic to the mall.
On the infrastructure front, the City of St. Peters has planned improvements near the mall.
A right-turn lane addition on Mid Rivers Mall Drive is scheduled for 2025 and has an allocated budget of about $200,000. These enhancements aim to improve traffic flow and accessibility for shoppers.
However, the mall has faced challenges. Dillard’s had recently downgraded its store to a clearance center and downsized to one floor.