Opening Doors: The Early Years of Hickory Ridge Mall
Hickory Ridge Mall opened its doors to the Memphis community in 1981, making a bold statement with its anchor stores, Goldsmith’s and Sears.
These two retail giants brought an array of shopping options to the area, setting the stage for the mall’s vibrant early years. For families and shoppers, this was a much-needed addition to the commercial offerings in the Hickory Hill neighborhood.
By 1986, the mall had expanded to accommodate Dillard’s, another popular department store at the time. This new addition made Hickory Ridge Mall a retail destination for Memphians and visitors alike. With more space and increased variety, the mall became a one-stop shop for everything from clothing to household goods.
In 1997, the mall underwent a full-scale renovation. This move wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was a strategic effort to compete with Wolfchase Galleria, which had recently opened nearby.
During this renovation, Hickory Ridge updated its interiors and added features that aimed to enhance the shopping experience. For years, families flocked to this space for entertainment, retail therapy, and even unique attractions, such as its Venetian carousel.
At its peak, the mall boasted over 100 specialty stores, offering everything from boutique apparel to local eateries. Its large, 855,000-square-foot layout made it a hub for retail in Memphis, second only to the newer malls in the area.
For those seeking things to do in Memphis, TN, Hickory Ridge Mall was a must-visit spot. It was more than a shopping center—it reflected the community’s growing economic and cultural vibrancy in the 1980s and 1990s.
Losing Ground: Challenges and Decline
By the early 2000s, Hickory Ridge Mall faced mounting challenges. Shifting demographics in the Hickory Hill neighborhood led to a gradual decline in foot traffic. As families and businesses moved to suburban areas, the mall struggled to maintain its appeal.
Competition from newer shopping centers, particularly the Wolfchase Galleria, also played a role. Opened in 1997, Wolfchase offered a modern design and more prominent retailers, drawing shoppers away from older malls like Hickory Ridge.
The changing economic landscape in Memphis during this period added to the pressure, with many tenants unable to sustain their businesses.
The closure of anchor stores marked a turning point. Dillard’s shut its doors in early 2006, and Macy’s (formerly Goldsmith’s) followed in 2008 after damage from a tornado.
These closures left large gaps in the mall’s retail offerings, making it harder to attract shoppers. By the late 2000s, Hickory Ridge Mall’s occupancy rates had fallen, and its reputation as a bustling shopping hub had faded.
Tornado Strikes: The 2008 Disaster and Recovery
On February 5, 2008, Hickory Ridge Mall was struck by a devastating tornado. The storm caused extensive damage to the building, particularly to anchor stores like Sears and Macy’s. The mall’s main entrance was also heavily impacted, leaving the structure in dire need of repairs.
Despite the severity of the damage, the community rallied quickly. Temporary repairs allowed Sears to reopen within days—on February 10, 2008—but the overall state of the mall remained precarious.
The tornado injured several people, and debris from the mall, including insulating foam, was scattered as far as 15 miles across Memphis.
In October 2008, World Overcomers Ministries purchased the mall, signaling a turning point in its recovery. Renovation efforts began later that year, aiming to restore and modernize the space. By April 3, 2010, the mall reopened with a community celebration.
Reinventing Spaces: Post-Renovation Transformations
After reopening in 2010 under new ownership, Hickory Ridge Mall began its journey of reinvention. World Overcomers Ministries took charge, aiming to reimagine the mall as more than just a shopping destination.
The first big change came with the former Macy’s space, which became home to America’s Incredible Pizza Company. This family entertainment center offered arcade games, indoor attractions, and dining, but its operation was short-lived, closing in 2012.
Sears, the last remaining anchor from the mall’s original lineup, announced its closure in September 2013. Its departure marked the end of an era, leaving the mall without any major retail anchors.
The closure created an opportunity for repurposing, though it also underscored the challenges of attracting big-name tenants to the space.
In 2021, CubeSmart took over the former Sears area, converting it into storage units. While this shift symbolized the mall’s move away from traditional retail, CubeSmart’s operations were brief.
By late 2022, Extra Space Storage replaced CubeSmart, continuing to provide non-retail services in the mall’s repurposed spaces.
As of late 2024, Extra Space Storage remains active, a testament to the mall’s efforts to adapt to changing demands.
The new ownership also introduced community-focused services, such as childcare facilities and employment assistance programs.
These initiatives aimed to bring families and individuals back to the space, offering practical resources alongside retail and entertainment options.
Reflecting Trends: Hickory Ridge in the Memphis Retail Landscape
Hickory Ridge Mall‘s story fits into a broader pattern seen in Memphis retail. Other malls in the city, like the Mall of Memphis, faced similar struggles as they contended with changing shopping habits and economic shifts.
As suburban developments grew, shoppers gravitated toward newer, more modern spaces like Wolfchase Galleria, leaving older malls to redefine their purpose.
Economic shifts also contributed to the mall’s evolution. Recessions and fluctuating retail trends made it difficult for older malls to compete with online shopping and big-box retailers.
Hickory Ridge Mall’s transition to include non-retail uses mirrors strategies seen in malls across the country, where vacant spaces are converted into community services, storage, or office spaces.
Local efforts to revitalize Hickory Hill have also influenced the mall’s trajectory. Initiatives aimed at improving the area’s infrastructure and community engagement have kept the mall relevant, even as its original retail identity continues to evolve. The mall’s ability to adapt has become part of its ongoing story in Memphis.