The Birth of McAlister Square – Greenville’s First Enclosed Mall
By the mid-1960s, Greenville, South Carolina, was growing fast.
Retail developers saw an opportunity to bring something new to the area—an enclosed, air-conditioned shopping center designed to keep customers comfortable year-round.
In December 1965, the Caine Company announced plans for McAlister Square, which would become the first enclosed shopping mall in South Carolina and, at the time, the largest in the state.
Construction kicked off in June 1967, with the project planned in two phases.
The first phase included Meyers-Arnold (63,000 sq ft) and Ivey’s (60,000 sq ft) as anchor stores, along with 245,000 sq ft of interior retail space.
The developers aimed for a rapid timeline, scheduling the grand opening for early 1968.
While some finishing touches were still in progress, Meyers-Arnold and Ivey’s opened their doors on February 15, 1968.
The mall itself was completed by March 18, 1968, and officially opened a week later, on March 25.
At launch, McAlister Square had a lineup of well-known retailers. S.H. Kress & Co. and Walgreens Drug were among the junior anchors, offering everything from housewares to pharmaceuticals.
Morrison’s Cafeteria provided a full-service dining option, while smaller shops filled out the remaining spaces.
In the early days, steady foot traffic was seen as shoppers enjoyed the modern layout and indoor climate control—a big advantage over the open-air shopping centers that dominated at the time.
Developers had bigger plans. Phase Two, already in the works, would expand McAlister Square to 600,000 square feet by 1970.
This phase called for a third anchor store, a convenience center, and a movie theater, all designed to keep customers inside longer.
As Greenville’s economy grew, McAlister Square quickly became a top retail destination, drawing shoppers from across the region.
For those searching for things to do in Greenville, SC, the mall was a go-to spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment under one roof.
Peak Years – Expansion and Retail Boom (1970s–1980s)
In 1974, Belk-Simpson became McAlister Square’s third anchor, expanding the mall’s total leasable space to 500,000 sq ft.
Around the same time, more retailers moved in, including shoe stores, clothing chains, and electronics shops.
Well-known names like RadioShack, Record Bar, and Hickory Farms became regular stops for shoppers looking for gadgets, music, and specialty foods.
There was more to McAlister Square than shopping. A Winn-Dixie supermarket opened as an outparcel, making it easy for visitors to grab groceries without leaving the property.
The Camelot movie theater became a major attraction, showing first-run films just a short walk from the main entrance.
Many people turn a trip to the mall into a full outing—browsing stores, having a meal at Morrison’s Cafeteria, and finishing the day with a movie.
McAlister Square thrived through the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in December 1981, a fire broke out inside the mall, causing extensive damage.
Repairs required a $5 million renovation, which was completed in early 1982.
The updates brought modernized interiors, improved lighting, and an expanded food court, giving the mall a fresh look and helping it stay competitive in Greenville’s growing retail market.
The Fall – Anchor Store Departures & Changing Retail Trends (1990s)
The 1990s marked a turning point for McAlister Square. Haywood Mall, which opened in 1980, drew shoppers away with larger department stores, upscale retailers, and a more modern design.
As customer preferences shifted, McAlister Square began to lose its edge against newer, more attractive shopping destinations.
One of the biggest blows came in 1990 when Ivey’s was rebranded as Dillard’s. Five years later, in 1995, Dillard’s shut down its McAlister Square location and moved to Haywood Mall.
Losing a major anchor store hurt the mall’s ability to attract shoppers, and other retailers began to follow.
The departures didn’t stop there. In October 1998, Belk-Simpson announced it would close, officially shutting its doors by January 1999.
Around the same time, Uptons, which had taken over the former Meyers-Arnold space, also shut down.
With multiple anchor stores gone, large sections of the mall sat empty, making it even harder to keep customers coming through the doors.
Shopping trends were shifting fast. Big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy were gaining ground, offering a more convenient experience with easy parking and lower prices.
Many shoppers no longer saw the need to visit enclosed malls when they could park right outside a store and get what they needed quickly.
McAlister Square passed through several owners during this time. Krupp Realty Corporation bought the property in 1989 for $20.8 million but sold it to Stolz Management Group in 1998.
Just a year later, in 1999, DLC Management Company took over. These frequent sales made it clear that no one had a long-term plan to turn things around, and the mall’s future remained uncertain.
By the end of the 1990s, McAlister Square was a shadow of its former self.
Most national chains had left, replaced by local businesses and independent shops trying to survive in an increasingly empty mall.
The once-bustling corridors now had fewer shoppers, and the future of the property was unclear.
From Mall to Education Hub – The Transition (2000s-Present)
By 1999, McAlister Square had lost nearly all its major retailers. Large storefronts sat vacant, foot traffic had dwindled, and the property was no longer viable as a traditional shopping mall.
That year, the Greenville Tech Foundation stepped in and purchased the struggling site for $18 million.
Instead of attempting another retail revival, the foundation had a different vision—transforming the once-busy shopping center into an education-focused facility.
The shift began with the introduction of the University Center of Greenville (UCG).
This initiative turned McAlister Square into a shared academic space, offering classrooms, labs, and offices for several universities.
Over time, institutions like Clemson University, Furman University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate established satellite programs within the space.
By the mid-2000s, the mall had become one of the largest multi-institutional higher education centers in South Carolina.
The interior layout changed as part of the transition. Many former retail spaces were converted into lecture halls, study areas, and administrative offices.
The property’s 55 classrooms, computer labs, and 250-seat auditorium were designed for students pursuing degrees and professional development courses.
While the transformation moved away from traditional mall shopping, it allowed the building to remain occupied and functional.
Some businesses outside the main building remained open. The Camelot movie theater, a longtime part of the mall’s history, continued showing films.
A Publix grocery store opened on an outparcel, giving nearby residents a convenient shopping option.
Truist Bank, which had been in the area for years, kept its branch running, providing financial services even as the mall itself changed.
One of McAlister Square’s most enduring businesses, South Carolina’s first freestanding Chick-fil-A, continued serving customers along Laurens Road—a holdover from the mall’s earlier days.
Over the years, the property has been repainted, re-landscaped, and adjusted to fit its new role.
While no traditional retail stores remain inside, McAlister Square has stayed active, housing educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and professional services.
Recent Developments at McAlister Square
In February 2024, Greenville County EMS packed up from County Square and moved into a 30,000 sq ft space at McAlister Square—a big shift for the department.
The new setup brought operations, communications, clinical services, and administration under one roof, making coordination easier and reducing inefficiencies.
For EMS crews, that meant faster response times and better working conditions.
In November 2024, McAlister Square was at the center of another major event—early voting.
On November 2, the final day, the line stretched around the building as voters showed up in droves.
The sheer turnout transformed the former mall into something unexpected—a packed polling station that felt more like a community gathering spot than a shopping center-turned-office space.
Adding to its reinvention, McAlister Square now hosts the Frosty Farmer Winter Market, which runs Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm from January through April.
More than 100 vendors sell everything from fresh produce and meat to handmade goods and dairy products.
Unlike outdoor markets, it stays open no matter the weather, giving shoppers a dependable weekend stop.
The Future of McAlister Square
McAlister Square‘s transition into an educational center gave the property a new purpose, but questions remain about its long-term prospects.
While UCG continues to operate successfully, the surrounding commercial real estate market has changed.
New developments along Laurens Road and the greater Greenville area have shifted attention to mixed-use projects that blend residential, retail, and office spaces.
There are opportunities for growth in the area. As demand for workforce training and higher education continues to rise in Greenville, UCG could expand its programs.
More universities may set up satellite campuses while existing institutions might renovate or add new facilities to keep up with evolving academic needs.
The addition of hybrid learning spaces, conference centers, or technology incubators could also shape McAlister Square’s future.
A return to traditional retail is unlikely.
With Haywood Mall still drawing shoppers and e-commerce dominating consumer spending, a return to traditional shopping is impractical.
One question remains—how long will the existing structure be viable? While McAlister Square has adapted well so far, future growth in Greenville might lead to redevelopment or repurposing of the land.
Developers could consider tearing down portions of the aging mall to make way for a modernized business or residential district.
The foundation’s long-term plans will determine whether the property remains an academic center or eventually transitions into something else.
You missed the first downfall to McAllister Square, that was the opening of the Greenville Mall. Both took a severe hit when Haywood Mall opened.
That’s a good catch! Greenville Mall definitely changed the local shopping scene first, making McAlister Square feel outdated even before Haywood Mall arrived and making the shift permanent.
McAllister Square should be repurposed into condos.
True. Malls everywhere are pivoting to community centers, apartments, or medical hubs.