Introduction to Southpark Mall
Southpark Mall, located in Colonial Heights, Virginia, opened its doors in 1989 and quickly became a key shopping destination for the region.
It’s easy to reach just off I-95, with exits 53 and 54 offering convenient access from Temple Avenue and Southpark Boulevard. This accessibility helped solidify its role in the retail landscape of the Tri-Cities area, which includes Colonial Heights, Petersburg, and Hopewell.
With about 800,000 sq ft of retail space, Southpark Mall offers plenty of room for stores, entertainment, and dining options. Currently, it features over 80 stores ranging from national retailers to smaller specialty shops.
Major anchor tenants include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, JCPenney, and Regal Cinemas, each drawing its loyal customers. The mall originally opened with five anchors, but today, there are four, leaving one vacant space after Sears closed in early 2018.
The mall is owned and managed by CBL Properties, a well-known real estate company that specializes in shopping centers nationwide.
If you’re ever looking for things to do in Colonial Heights, Virginia, Southpark Mall is still a go-to spot for shopping, dining, and catching a movie.
The Development and Early Years
Southpark Mall was developed in 1989 by Faison, a real estate company that played a major role in shaping its initial structure. Faison designed the mall to accommodate large anchor stores, which were key to attracting customers.
When it opened, Sears, Thalhimers (which would later become Hecht’s and then Macy’s), and JCPenney were among the original anchor tenants, creating a balanced mix of department stores that catered to a wide range of shoppers.
In 1994, the mall saw its first major expansion with the addition of a Sam’s Club. The store opened in the southeast outlot area, contributing to the growing big-box retail presence near the mall.
This addition helped solidify Southpark’s status as a retail hub, drawing even more traffic from the surrounding Tri-Cities area.
Transformations and Challenges in the 2010s
The 2010s brought changes to Southpark Mall, as shifts in the retail market led to several transitions. In 2012, Dillard’s, one of the mall’s long-standing anchors, closed its doors.
This particular store has an interesting history—it originally opened as Leggett and later transitioned to Belk before finally becoming Dillard’s.
After the store’s closure, the mall began renovations to repurpose the space for Dick’s Sporting Goods and smaller retail shops (Five Below, Firehouse Subs, and IHOP now), marking a move toward more diverse tenants.
Another major event occurred in 2017 when Sears—one of the mall’s original anchors—announced it would be closing.
This closure was part of Sears Holdings’ larger plan to shutter 63 stores nationwide, reflecting the broader decline of department stores in the U.S. Sears officially closed its Southpark Mall location in January 2018, leaving one anchor space vacant.
2024 Store Openings at Southpark Mall
Southpark Mall welcomed several new stores in 2024, offering something for everyone. rue21 opened near H&M, bringing trendy and affordable fashion to shoppers.
Toyzlot offers a variety of electronic ride-on vehicles, such as ATVs and scooters, as well as arcade games and gaming consoles.
The mall’s dining scene has expanded with Bubble House, serving milk tea, smoothies, and acai bowls, and Legacy Coffee & Cream, offering high-quality coffee, espresso, and ice cream. Legend, a locally owned store, focuses on urban menswear, catering to style-conscious shoppers.
Lastly, Miniso provides a wide range of household goods, cosmetics, accessories, and tech gadgets, giving visitors even more shopping options.
With these new additions, Southpark Mall continues to provide a dynamic and diverse shopping experience for visitors.
The Future of Southpark Mall
Looking ahead, Southpark Mall faces the same challenges as many other malls in the United States. The ongoing shifts in consumer habits toward online shopping have impacted foot traffic, and the closure of Sears has left vacant space.
However, this also presents new opportunities. Some of the vacant spots could be repurposed for non-retail uses, such as fitness centers or co-working spaces, tapping into the changing demands of local consumers.
Entertainment and dining have also grown in importance. The Regal Cinemas offers a place for families and moviegoers to relax, making the mall more than just a shopping destination.
Alongside the cinema, dining options have expanded, with several new restaurants moving in to complement the retail stores.
These changes reflect the mall’s strategy to become a place for shopping, entertainment, and leisure, offering experiences that are hard to replicate online.
CBL Properties, which owns and manages Southpark Mall, continues to explore new ways to attract tenants and keep the mall relevant. While traditional retail may no longer dominate the space, Southpark Mall still has potential.
