Eastridge Mall – A Retail Landmark in Gastonia, NC
Eastridge Mall opened in 1976, transforming Gastonia’s retail scene. Developed by Carlson Properties, the mall was built on the former Rhyne Dairy Farm, a well-known piece of land just off Interstate 85.
Positioned at 246 North New Hope Road, it provided easy access for shoppers from both North Carolina and nearby South Carolina.
The location, just 19 miles west of uptown Charlotte, was ideal for drawing customers from the growing suburban population.
From the start, Eastridge Mall set itself apart with a mix of major department stores and local retailers.
Matthews Belk, JCPenney, and Ivey’s anchored the space, giving it a strong foundation. Shoppers found everything they needed under one roof, from clothing and home goods to electronics and dining.
The addition of a four-screen movie theater, Eastridge IV Cinemas, on the second level, made it a full entertainment destination.
This early success positioned the mall as Gastonia’s go-to shopping center, bringing in steady foot traffic throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.
Today, visitors looking for things to do in Gastonia, North Carolina, still recognize Eastridge Mall as a familiar landmark, though its landscape has changed over the years.
Ownership Changes and Expansion Strategies
Eastridge Mall saw its first major ownership change in 1989 when Jacobs, Visconsi & Jacobs Co. purchased it from Carlson Real Estate Co. of Minneapolis.
This transition brought new management strategies, reflecting the growing competition among shopping centers in North Carolina.
The new owners had already been managing the mall since 1984, giving them insight into the area’s retail market.
Their goal was to keep Eastridge Mall relevant as national chains and discount retailers gained traction.
By 1999, the Richard E. Jacobs Group Inc. decided to sell Eastridge Mall along with nearly 40 other properties, marking another shift in its history.
Three years later, in April 2002, Westfield America Trust, based in Sydney, Australia, acquired the mall as part of a $756 million deal.
This sale led to a branding overhaul—Eastridge Mall was renamed Westfield Shoppingtown Eastridge on April 26, 2002. The change aligned with Westfield’s strategy of uniform branding across its U.S. properties.
However, the “Shoppingtown” moniker was short-lived. In June 2005, Westfield dropped it from the name, yet the signage still included it.
By 2006, Eastridge Mall was the only North Carolina property left under Westfield’s ownership. A few years later, Westfield decided to divest from the market.
On September 17, 2013, Westfield sold Eastridge to CityView Commercial, LLC, a real estate firm based in Brooklyn, New York.
With the sale, the mall’s name reverted to Eastridge Mall, and all traces of the “Westfield” branding were removed. By the end of that year, new signs reflected the return to its original identity.
Renovations and Redevelopment Efforts
By the mid-1990s, Eastridge Mall needed a refresh to keep up with changing retail trends. In April 1996, a large-scale renovation project began, updating both the mall’s structure and tenant mix.
The overhaul included a new JCPenney location, a relocated Dillard’s, and a repositioned Sears.
The renovation extended beyond anchor stores. The mall’s interior was modernized, introducing updated flooring, new fixtures, and redesigned entrances.
A new food court was added on the second level, replacing the original third-floor dining area.
To manage parking demands while accommodating the expansion, the mall reduced the width of its furthest 20% parking spaces from 9 feet to 8 feet 6 inches, a decision approved by the Gastonia City Council.
Anchor Stores and Retail Transformations
One of the first major changes came in 1990 when Dillard’s acquired the Ivey’s chain. The transition was quick—by May 1990, the Eastridge Mall location had been converted into a Dillard’s.
Meanwhile, JCPenney expanded in 1997, moving into a new 104,000 sq ft location on the northwest side of the mall.
The original JCPenney building was torn down to make room for a larger Dillard’s, which opened in 1998.
That same year, Sears took over the former Dillard’s space, becoming the fourth anchor store. This setup remained stable for several years.
But like many malls across the U.S., Eastridge began experiencing anchor store closures.
Sears shut down in December 2014, marking a turning point. JCPenney followed, closing on July 31, 2017. With two major tenants gone, filling these spaces became a challenge.
Several discount and outlet stores attempted to revitalize the empty locations. Teddy’s Emporium Outlet, which occupied the former Sears, opened for a few years but closed in 2022.
Curt’s Premium Outlet, which moved into JCPenney’s old space, announced at the end of 2024 that it would also shut down.
These closures reflected the difficulties traditional malls faced as shopping habits evolved.
Through all these changes, Belk and Dillard’s remained, anchoring the mall even as smaller retailers came and went.
Attractions, Features, and Changing Entertainment Spaces
By the early 2000s, Eastridge Mall had another entertainment experiment—the arrival of Jeepers!, a 28,000 sq ft indoor theme park and restaurant.
It opened in December 2004, occupying 80% of the third floor, which had been mostly vacant since the food court moved—featuring arcade games, party rooms, amusement rides, and even a Python Pit roller coaster, Jeepers! Aimed to bring in families and young visitors.
It officially launched with a grand opening event from January 14 to 17, 2005. However, the concept was short-lived.
Jeepers! It was closed in early 2006, and its roller coaster was later moved to Go-Karts Plus in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2007.
By August 2004, Eastridge Mall introduced another family-friendly space, an 800 sq ft Family Lounge near the food court. It featured private nursing stations, bottle warmers, a microwave, a large-screen TV, and leather seating.
These small but thoughtful additions were part of the mall’s effort to improve the customer experience at a time when many shoppers were shifting to standalone big-box retailers and online shopping.
Recent Developments at Eastridge Mall
In early 2024, plans emerged to revitalize Eastridge Mall by consolidating all retail stores onto the second floor.
This strategy aims to create a more vibrant and concentrated shopping experience.
The first floor is slated for redevelopment into alternative uses, including office spaces, entertainment venues, or community centers.
In 2024, Gastonia law enforcement agencies launched “Operation Fed-Up,” a collaborative effort to combat organized retail crime in the area, including incidents affecting Eastridge Mall.
This operation involved local police departments, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the District Attorney’s Office, and Homeland Security.
The initiative aimed to address thefts and other retail-related crimes that have impacted businesses within the mall, thereby enhancing safety and security for shoppers and retailers alike.
Eastridge mall has nothing to offer now. Except shoe stores, and hit or miss food spots. There is no variety. All of the big name stores are gone.
Thanks for your comment. It’s indeed a sad state of affairs. Here’s hoping that the mall can regain its vibrancy and variety in the future.
Eastridge mall is now a blight on the city. I personally have known 2 people that were killed in the parking lot. The armed robbery of bath and body works and the cheap stores that are scattered around the empty spaces. I refuse to go there because of the criminal activity. The DMV office is now the anchor of the mall. That’s just sad.
Thank you for sharing your concerns. It’s disheartening to hear about such incidents, and I hope the situation improves for the betterment of the community.
Eastridge is essentially dead. Most stores are closed. Crime is high. It needs to be razed.
I appreciate your input! It’s certainly a stark perspective on Eastridge Mall, but it highlights the need for change.
We have a new revival going on at Eastridge with the best deals in town. Bargainmax is one of the new additions and we have deep discount groceries, meats, and cheeses! We are in the old Sears(aka Teddy’s)
Thank you for your exciting update on Eastridge Mall! It’s heartening to hear about the fresh energy and great deals.