A relic of retail
(Source)
Selma has had quite the dynamic past. It played an important role as a trading center in the Pre-Civil War era before playing host to the eponymous battle that was one of the most important in the war between the states. Fifty years ago, they were one of the most important centers during the civil rights movement.
Selma Mall Mallmanac, ca. 2010. View the full PDF version here.
As the hub of commerce in the largely impoverished and rural Black Belt region of Alabama, in 1971 it became to one of the state’s earliest indoor shopping centers. However, in the ensuing decades, Selma Mall has largely suffered the same fate as the trade area it serves.
-UPDATE- 1- A look down Selma Mall’s main concourse. (Source) 2- The former mall entrance of Goody’s Family Clothing. (Source) 3- The exterior to the former Belk store which closed in 2023. (Source) 4- Selma Mall from above. (Source)
Selma mall opened in 1971 on the northern outskirts of the city. The bar bell shaped center was bookended by Sears to the east and Britt's to the west. Later, a little anchor shuffling left McRae's to the east and JCPenney to the west. Later on, McRae's would become Belk and JCPenney closed.
-UPDATE- Selma Mall Mallmanac, ca. 2015. View the full PDF version here.
-UPDATE- Selma Mall Mallmanac, ca. 2017. View the full PDF version here.
The mall mirrors Selma's status as the fastest shrinking city in Alabama. Though Belk holds on, it seems inevitable that this old place will one day meet the fate of most other small town indoor shopping malls.
(Source)
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