Origins and Development
Clackamas Town Center opened its doors on March 6, 1981. The Hahn Company developed the mall, which was designed by Seattle-based architects John Graham & Company. The two-level enclosed shopping center offered 1,218,000 square feet of retail space at its inception.
Before the official opening, Meier & Frank launched its store in October 1980, becoming the first retailer to operate in the mall.
Other original anchor stores included Sears, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, and Nordstrom. These stores represented the leading retail chains of the time, each contributing to the mall’s early success.
In addition to the retail anchors, the mall featured an ice rink, a five-screen movie theater, and a branch of the Clackamas County Library. These amenities positioned Clackamas Town Center as a destination for shopping and entertainment in the Portland metropolitan area.
TriMet extended its bus service to the new mall, building a transit center in the mall’s parking area. The transit center began operations in November 1981, helping to drive foot traffic to the mall. By 1985, six bus routes serviced the mall, making it easily accessible to shoppers from across the region.
The mall quickly became a focal point for things to do in Portland, Oregon, and its surrounding communities.
The mall also invested in public art, commissioning three large cedar sculptures from artist Dudley C. Carter in 1979. These sculptures were among the early attractions that added a unique cultural dimension to the shopping experience.
Expansion and Renovations
General Growth Properties acquired a 50% stake in Clackamas Town Center in 2002. This marked a new chapter for the mall, as General Growth assumed management and set the stage for major changes.
The company embarked on a substantial renovation project in 2005, aiming to expand and modernize the center.
The renovation added 250,000 square feet to the mall, introducing a new lifestyle center on the south side. This expansion brought in 40 new stores and restaurants, enhancing the mall’s appeal to a broader audience.
The ice rink, once a central feature, was removed during this renovation. The project also introduced a new 20-screen Century movie theater, which opened in December 2007.
Architectural firm DLR Group led the renovation, which included new flooring, lighting, and furniture throughout the mall.
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Exterior upgrades gave the center a fresh look, while tranquility ponds added a touch of serenity to the bustling shopping environment. These changes helped Clackamas Town Center stay competitive in the evolving retail landscape.
The renovation made the mall more accessible, in addition to the structural improvements. The MAX Light Rail’s Green Line, which opened in September 2009, included a station at Clackamas Town Center.
This station, located on the mall’s east side, became the southern terminus of the Green Line and served as a major transit hub for shoppers and employees alike.
Retail Changes and Challenges
Over the years, Clackamas Town Center faced the ups and downs of the retail industry. Montgomery Ward, one of the mall’s original anchors, closed its doors in 2001 due to bankruptcy.
Meier & Frank took over the space, opening a home store in 2002, which helped fill the gap left by Montgomery Ward’s departure. Meier & Frank rebranded as Macy’s in 2006.
Sears, another long-standing anchor, announced its closure in August 2018 as part of a broader plan to shutter 46 stores nationwide. The Sears store at Clackamas Town Center closed in November 2018.
However, the space didn’t remain vacant for long. Dick’s Sporting Goods moved into the former Sears location, opening in October 2020 after a period of remodeling.
Nordstrom, another key tenant, also left the mall. The company announced in May 2020 that it would close its Clackamas Town Center location, along with 15 other stores across the country.
The store, which had already been temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, did not reopen and officially closed in June 2020. This closure left a notable gap in the mall’s retail offerings, and as of 2024, the space remains vacant.
The 2012 Shooting at Clackamas Town Center
On December 11, 2012, Clackamas Town Center became the scene of a tragic shooting that shocked the Portland community and drew national attention.
The incident occurred in the early afternoon, just as the holiday shopping season was in full swing. At 3:28 pm, 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts entered the mall armed with an AR-15 rifle, wearing a hockey mask, and began firing indiscriminately.
The shooting took place near the Macy’s store on the upper level of the mall. Roberts fired a total of 17 rounds during the attack. The chaotic scene left two people dead. A third victim was seriously injured but survived after being rushed to the hospital.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene as shoppers and mall employees scrambled to find safety. Many hid in store backrooms, restrooms, and other secure locations while the gunfire continued.
The mall’s quick evacuation procedures helped prevent further casualties, as approximately 10,000 people were inside the mall at the time of the shooting.
Roberts ended the shooting by taking his own life, dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head before law enforcement could apprehend him. Investigators later revealed that Roberts had stolen the rifle from a friend, and the firearm was not registered to him.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as Roberts had no known connection to his victims and left no note or explanation for his actions.
The 2012 shooting left a lasting impact on the Portland area and remains a sad chapter in the history of Clackamas Town Center. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and vigilance in ensuring the safety of public spaces.
Recent Events at Clackamas Town Center (2023 – 2024)
In January 2024, Sandy Area Metro (SAM) launched a new transit route connecting the communities of Boring and Damascus to Clackamas Town Center. This new service route aims to improve accessibility for residents in these areas, making it easier for them to reach the shopping center.
On April 7, 2024, an incident occurred in the parking lot of Clackamas Town Center that brought attention to the issue of safety at the mall. Around 6 pm, gunfire erupted outside the shopping center, leaving bullet casings scattered across the area.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. This event underscores the ongoing need for enhanced security measures at the mall.
Clackamas Town Center continues to evolve with new store openings and business developments. Recently, the mall welcomed Squishables, a popular retailer known for its plush toys, which has attracted a younger demographic.
Additionally, a new Heart’s location opened in the mall, further diversifying the retail offerings. These new stores reflect the mall’s efforts to remain relevant and attract a wide range of shoppers.
So sad and how quickly a special shopping mall went from a safe friendly place to enjoy, for the sake of the society of today in a “Me” world. Crave the innocence of days gone by!!!
I totally understand how you feel. It really is tough when places we once enjoyed feel different.