The Origins of The Parks Mall at Arlington: A Retail Gamble That Paid Off
In the mid-1980s, Arlington, Texas, was growing fast. Sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth, the city had become a prime spot for retail expansion.
But despite its central location, Arlington lacked a major shopping complex that could compete with malls in the surrounding cities.
That changed when Homart Development Company and Herring Marathon stepped in with plans for a large-scale retail project—what would soon become The Parks Mall at Arlington.
Why Arlington Needed a Mall
By the early 1980s, Arlington had no shortage of shopping centers, but they were scattered strip malls and smaller developments.
For a full-scale indoor shopping experience, residents had to drive to North East Mall in Hurst or Six Flags Mall in Grand Prairie.
Meanwhile, businesses were looking for prime real estate in the city.
With Interstate 20 and South Cooper Street acting as a major traffic corridor, developers saw an opportunity.
The project began in 1985 when Homart and Herring Marathon secured a $21 million building permit to begin construction.
The site, 3811 South Cooper Street, was chosen because of its easy freeway access and the growing population nearby.
The plan included space for multiple department stores, dozens of smaller retailers, and entertainment options that would make it a destination rather than just another mall.
The Grand Opening in 1988
After nearly three years of construction, The Parks Mall at Arlington officially opened its doors on February 24, 1988.
- Dillard’s, a growing department store chain expanding across Texas
- Mervyns, a California-based retailer known for affordable clothing and home goods
- Sears, already a retail powerhouse at the time
Beyond the anchors, the mall housed over 100 specialty stores, giving shoppers a mix of national brands and local retailers.
The opening drew huge crowds, and within months, it had established itself as one of the busiest retail centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Business took off quickly. Shoppers from Arlington, Mansfield, and Grand Prairie flooded the mall every weekend.
When many malls struggled to keep up with changing consumer trends, The Parks Mall at Arlington stayed ahead.
Even today, it remains one of the go-to things to do in Arlington, Texas, offering a mix of shopping, food, and entertainment under one roof.
Expansion, Peak Years, and the Changing Retail Scene (1990s-2000s)
More Anchors, More Stores, More Shoppers
In 1989, The Parks Mall at Arlington added Foley’s, a Houston-based department store, as a fourth anchor.
The expansion gave the mall a stronger presence in the mid-to-upscale retail market.
The momentum didn’t stop there. In 1994, a JCPenney location opened, bringing the total number of anchors to five.
By this time, the mall had grown into one of the largest in Tarrant County, only trailing North East Mall in Hurst.
The 1996 renovation brought another wave of updates. Interiors were refreshed, seating areas were improved, and new lighting gave the mall a modern look.
Around this time, foot traffic surged, and major national brands began signing leases.
Retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, and The Disney Store moved in, reflecting the booming economy of the late ’90s.
2002 Expansion: Bigger and Better
The Parks Mall at Arlington saw one of its biggest changes in 2002.
A new wing was added, featuring Galyan’s Trading Company, an outdoor and sporting goods store that later became Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2004.
Alongside it, The Great Indoors, a home décor and furniture retailer backed by Sears, opened to attract a different kind of shopper.
But retail can be unpredictable. The Great Indoors shut down in 2003, just a year after opening, showing how quickly consumer preferences could shift.
The space didn’t stay empty for long. By the mid-2000s, it was taken over by Steve & Barry’s, a discount clothing chain that capitalized on budget-conscious shoppers.
Entertainment Takes Center Stage
To meet demand, the mall introduced an AMC Theatres complex and an NHL-sized ice rink.
These additions made The Parks Mall at Arlington more than just a retail hub—it became a weekend destination for families, teens, and young adults.
Shoppers could browse stores, grab dinner, catch a movie, or even go ice skating—all without leaving the mall.
This strategy worked. Even as other malls started losing customers to big-box stores like Target and Walmart, The Parks Mall at Arlington kept bringing in visitors by offering more than just retail.
Hitting Turbulence: Store Closures and Market Shifts (2010s)
Retail Closures Begin
The first major loss came in 2006 when Mervyn’s shut down.
The California-based chain was struggling nationwide, and its Arlington location didn’t survive.
The space didn’t sit idle for long, though. Over the next few years, it was repurposed into multiple tenants, including Barnes & Noble, Forever 21, and The Cheesecake Factory.
Things looked stable for a while—until the next wave of closures hit.
Steve & Barry’s, which had taken over The Great Indoors space, closed in the late 2000s when the company went bankrupt.
The mall filled the vacancy in 2016 by bringing in Round1 Amusement, a bowling and arcade entertainment center that aligned with the growing demand for experiential retail.
Sears Shuts Down: A Major Vacancy
Few closures hit the mall as hard as Sears. The retail giant had been an anchor since day one, but by the late 2010s, it was struggling.
In 2019, Sears finally shut its doors at The Parks Mall at Arlington, leaving behind a massive vacant anchor space.
Brookfield Properties Takes Over
Despite these challenges, the mall had one advantage—strong ownership.
Throughout the 2010s, The Parks Mall at Arlington was managed by Brookfield Properties, which held a 51% stake in the property, with CBRE Group owning the remaining 49%.
Brookfield, one of the country’s biggest mall operators, was determined to keep The Parks Mal at Arlington running.
Current Challenges and The Future (2020s)
Pandemic Impact and Recovery
In March 2020, The Parks Mall at Arlington temporarily closed due to statewide restrictions.
Restaurants, theaters, and non-essential retailers shut their doors for months.
Even after reopening, business was slow, with fewer people shopping in person.
By mid-2021, restrictions eased, and the mall began recovering. However, some stores never reopened. Clothing retailers, electronics shops, and specialty boutiques struggled with lower sales.
Even food court businesses saw fewer customers. Mall traffic returned, but spending habits had changed. More people preferred online shopping, curbside pickup, or delivery over in-store browsing.
Sears Hometown’s Short-Lived Return
In August 2021, a Sears Hometown store opened to fill the empty Sears space.
The concept was smaller than that of traditional Sears and focused on appliances, tools, and lawn equipment.
It was part of an effort to keep the Sears brand alive after years of closures.
The experiment didn’t work. By mid-2023, Sears Hometown had shut down, leaving the anchor space vacant again.
The Parks Mall at Arlington needed a long-term solution, and mall owners were already working on one.
Dick’s House of Sports Announcement (2023-2026)
On June 28, 2023, Brookfield Properties announced that Dick’s House of Sports would take over the former Sears location.
Unlike regular Dick’s Sporting Goods, this new concept would feature interactive experiences, high-end gear, and community sports areas.
Construction on the new store is set to begin in 2025, and its opening is planned for June 30, 2026.
Once the move is complete, the old Dick’s Sporting Goods space will be repurposed into one or more new tenants by 2030.