The Birth of Padre Staples Mall—Corpus Christi’s Retail Bet
In the mid-1960s, Corpus Christi needed a retail hub that could keep shoppers from driving to Houston or San Antonio.
The land was there—44 acres of open space along Lexington Boulevard, a busy corridor at the time.
Developers Ennis Joslin and Roy Smith secured a permit in October 1968, marking the city’s largest commercial building approval to date.
Early on, the project was called Lexington Plaza Mall. But by 1966, the city had renamed the road to South Padre Island Drive, and the mall followed suit.
Padre Staples Mall was set to become the biggest shopping center in South Texas.
Construction wrapped up in 1969. On July 30, 1970, the doors opened. Families flooded in, drawn to more than 100 stores, a food court, and a movie theater.
It wasn’t just a place to shop—it was where people met up, spent weekends, and walked through cool, air-conditioned halls to escape the summer heat.
Bealls carried department store staples. Bill’s Shoes sold school sneakers by the dozens. Journeys, Texas State Optical, and Waldenbooks lined the main corridors.
Luby’s Cafeteria served trays of chicken-fried steak, while Orange Julius blended up its frothy, citrusy drinks.
One small corner of the food court had something new—Chick-fil-A. It was the first one in Texas to sell chicken sandwiches before most people had heard of the name.
At the time, Corpus Christi had never seen anything like it. Padre Staples Mall was a retail giant in a city that needed one. It wasn’t a tourist attraction, but it changed how people spent their weekends.
Even today, when searching for things to do in Corpus Christi, Texas, shopping at La Palmera—formerly Padre Staples Mall—still makes the list.
Retail Expansion and the Battle for Shoppers
By the mid-1980s, Padre Staples Mall had grown into Corpus Christi’s retail center.
But retail moves fast, and the owners knew they had to keep shoppers coming back.
In 1985, the mall expanded. Dillard’s moved into a larger space, making room for Palais Royal to take over its former location.
Foley’s, a department store chain known for its wide selection and seasonal sales, built a three-story anchor store.
A multi-level parking garage followed, giving customers easier access.
Then came the carousel. In 1988, the mall installed a two-story carousel, complete with gold trim, painted horses, and bright lights.
It wasn’t just a ride—it was a meeting spot, a backdrop for photos, and an easy way for parents to keep kids entertained.
Competition was always just around the corner. In 1981, Sunrise Mall opened less than 1,000 feet away.
It had new stores, fresh interiors, and a food court packed with trendy brands. For a while, it pulled shoppers away.
But by the early 2000s, Sunrise Mall struggled. Anchor stores left, hallways emptied, and shoppers returned to Padre Staples Mall.
Retail trends were shifting, but Padre Staples Mall held its ground. It had loyal customers, steady foot traffic, and national chains that kept renewing their leases.
It was still a place where people went on weekends—to shop, to eat, and to pass the time.
A New Name and a $50 Million Makeover
By 2008, Padre Staples Mall needed more than a new coat of paint. Retailers were adapting to open-air shopping centers, and malls had to keep up.
That summer, Trademark Property Company bought the mall and announced a rebrand. Padre Staples Mall would become La Palmera.
The renovation wasn’t small. Construction crews took down outdated features, reworked interiors, and gave the building a new look.
The carousel, a staple for 20 years, was removed in early 2009. By mid-2010, $50 million had reshaped the mall.
The food court got a full redesign, adding modern seating and new restaurant options.
A massive 4,500-gallon fish tank became a focal point, reflecting Corpus Christi’s coastal culture.
Near the entrance, a maritime-themed children’s play area replaced the older structures.
And for the first time, some stores had direct outdoor access, blending indoor and open-air shopping.
The new owners wanted La Palmera to feel more than just updated—they wanted it to be different from what it had been before.
When the renovations wrapped up in 2010, the mall had a new identity. But retail never stays the same for long, and La Palmera would have to keep evolving.
Anchor Stores, Closures, and Retail Shifts
By 2020, La Palmera had settled into its identity. The renovations had paid off, and foot traffic stayed steady. But retail was changing, and big department stores felt the pressure.
Three anchors still held their ground: Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Macy’s. Dillard’s had expanded years earlier, moving into a larger space.
Macy’s hasn’t always been there—it used to be Foley’s until the brand merged in 2006.
JCPenney, one of the mall’s original anchor stores, remained, though the company had closed hundreds of locations nationwide.
Some smaller chains disappeared. Palais Royal, which had operated inside the mall for decades, shut down after its parent company, Stage Stores, filed for bankruptcy in 2020.
Even so, new stores moved in. Famous Footwear opened a 4,000-square-foot space near Forever 21 in 2024. Earthbound Trading Company added a store in late 2022.
The food court, once filled with long-standing fast-food chains, also saw turnover.
Chick-fil-A had been part of the mall since it opened, but the brand relocated its La Palmera location to a freestanding restaurant in 2021.
New eateries moved in, and the mall adjusted as it always had.
La Palmera wasn’t immune to retail shifts. Online shopping kept growing, and more brands leaned into e-commerce. Still, the mall continued to attract shoppers, and new leases showed there was demand.
La Palmera—New Openings, Closures, and Community Events
In May 2024, Express announced it was closing its La Palmera location. The company had filed for bankruptcy, cutting underperforming stores nationwide.
By June 24, 2024, the doors were locked for good.
The mall hasn’t just been losing stores—it’s been hosting major events, too. On September 19, 2024, the 17th annual Ready or Not Foundation fashion show fundraiser took over Center Court.
The event, called “A World of Pure Imagination,” raised money for the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center.
Shoppers gathered around the runway, watching models walk under bright lights, their outfits designed to reflect creativity and hope.
A month later, the mall turned purple. In October 2024, La Palmera partnered with The Purple Door for “The Clothesline Project,” an event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The display featured shirts decorated by survivors and supporters, sending a message without saying a word.
On October 19, anyone could join in—grab a shirt, paint a message, hang it up. The clothesline stretched through the mall, a reminder of the stories behind it.
Not every headline has been about shopping. On February 19, 2025, Corpus Christi police were serving a warrant near the mall when gunfire broke out.
The standoff shut down streets, and businesses around La Palmera locked their doors.
No one inside the mall was hurt, but for a few hours, traffic stopped, shoppers stayed put, and the mall wasn’t about retail—it was about staying safe.
La Palmera has seen a lot in the past year. Stores have come and gone, and events have brought people in.
And when things happen nearby, the mall feels it, too. It’s still here, still busy, still part of Corpus Christi’s daily routine.
