A dead mall
-UPDATE BELOW-
4 May 2024
This mallmanac was one hell of a find. Though I never actually visited Regency Square, I was lucky enough to find this extensive brochure highlighting different stores from what was, at the time, Richmond's premiere shopping center. It was 12 full color, glossy pages of neon clothing, big hair, raised collars and empowering shoulder pads.
Regency Square Mallmanac ca. 1988. View the full PDF version here.
Regency Square came to be in 1975, just a few months after yours truly. Until the early nineties, there were few changes to the mall. JCPenney and Sears were joined by local icons Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimer’s at its opening. While a food court was added in the eighties, not much else was done. There really wasn't a need to; for the first couple of decades of its existence, it was the dominant shopping center in the Richmond area.
Regency Square in the eighties during the height of its market dominance. (Source for all)
In the nineties, however, Thalhimer’s and Miller & Rhoads would meet their demise with Hecht's taking over both of their spots. Hecht's was then taken over by Macy's and remains in both of those anchor spots to this day.
Regency Square Mallmanac ca. 2000. View the full PDF version here.
The recent years have also brought increased competition to Regency Square, but it still seems to be doing okay. Taubman, the national developer perhaps best known for its portfolio of upmarket centers, recently sold the facility to avoid foreclosure. Hopefully, this isn't an indication of a future trend and yet another mall won't go the way of the bitchin' fashions on this mallmanac's pages.
Regency Square from above in the seventies and nineties. (Source for both)
-UPDATE-
-4 May 2024
Regency Square Mallmanac ca. 2015. View the full PDF version here.
Increased pressure on Regency Square, first from brick and mortar newcomers Stony Point Town Center and Short Pump Town Center, then the internet and finally the pandemic, finally saw to the mall’s decline. In 2015, it was purchased by a joint venture of Richmond based companies.
Regency Square in the 2010s. (Source for all)
Macy’s shuttered their twin locations, originally home to Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimer’s, in 2016. Sears made their exit the following year. Clothing retailer Forever 21’s two level inline store announced their departure in 2019 while JCPenney, the last remaining original anchor, vacated their space in 2020.
Regency Mallmanac ca. 2024. View the full PDF version here.
That same year, the former Sears building was demolished and the Rise at Regency Apartments were built in its place. The redevelopment also included a rename to simply Regency Mall. Today, the other anchors remain dark except for single levels occupied by an aquatics center and a trampoline park. Hopefully the updated mix of tenants will help the facility survive, as its days as a retail destination have ended.
(Source)
This used to be my favorite mall in Richmond. It was definitely the place to shop in the 1980's; all the upscale area stores were there. In recent years, the mall has begun to decline due the opening of the Short Pump Town Center to the west and Stony Point Shopping Center just across the river. Currently, the mall has two Macy's locations; the men, children, home and furniture departments are housed in the 3 level former Miller and Rhoads location, while the ladies stores is located in the 2 level former Thalhimer's location. I would not be surprised, if sometime in the future, Macy's decides to condense to the two locations into one store.
ReplyDeleteMacy's closed both locations about a year ago and they're looking at some serious 'redevelopment' of Regency. I sure hope they figure it out, hate to see Regency go the way of Cloverleaf.
ReplyDeleteI hope someone can help me with my dilemma... I lived in Richmond from 1980-84 and almost right on top or Regency Square Mall. I went to O'Brienstein's very often and my favorite thing there was their chocolate daiquiri's. A hershey bar with alcohol in a glass!! Now for my dilemma. I went to the stand alone ice cream restaurant there, often, as well. I have been away from Richmond for 33 years and my 60 year old brain has seen and been through a lot since then. LOL! I have seen conflicting info about the name of the ice cream restaurant. Your page list's it as Friendly's (and I vaguely remember it as that). However, another site lists it as Farrell's. Now, it could be that since I moved away, one became the other and they were both in the mall different times. Thanks for any assistance anyone can give!!
ReplyDeleteFarrell's was there. And also friendly s. If I remember correctly, Farrell's was in the original space the food court took over. So was orange julius and a piano store. Friendly s was at opposite end, I think. And stayed longer.
DeleteFarrells was the one with the old fashioned candy shop in the front. They used to host children's birthday parties and the place was quite noisy. Friendly's on the other hand, was a quiet place with dining items (I loved their clam strips). I used to run the K&K toy store in Regency Square before Kaybee Toys bought them out.
DeleteYes Ferrels has to be the one your thinking of that was much loved by us kids. I remember Mr Dunderbachs and the Rueben sandwiches I would get for lunch when I worked across the street from the mall at Videoworld. Videoworld in Virginia...never had more fun at a job in my life.
DeleteThanks for all of your responses!!!!! I remember the candy store as well! Also, I believe Farrell's used to be the first store on the right as you walked in the entrance, from the covered parking lot that faced Quioccasin Rd. I lived just up the street at Nottingham Apts.-- now called Nottingham Green - on England Dr. {(I remember the just being called Nottingham Apts. back then.)
DeleteThanks again!!
~ Rodger