Crosscreek Mall/Greenwood Mall: Greenwood, SC

The Carolinas can definitely be described as overmalled, and South Carolina is no exception even with a more sparse selection of malls than its northern neighbor. It seemed that every town of any size in both North and South Carolina had at least one mall by the mid-1980's. Greenwood is one of those towns "of any size" with a population of a little over 23,000 in a city with about 69,000 residents in the county grouped into a trade area of nearly a quarter million people. At the time that Crosscreek Mall, now Greenwood Mall, was built, Greenwood County was experiencing a population boom with a growth of 16%. The county has continued to grow since then, though at a far more modest pace.

Crosscreek Mall first opened in August of 1979. Built by Jim Wilson & Associates, the mall was your typical small city mall of that period with two major anchors and two ancillary anchors all on one level. The line-up included Gallant Belk and JCPenney as its two major anchors. Its two ancillary anchors included Meyers-Arnold and Wilson's Showroom rounding off the mall as a fairly solid, if not small, one-level mall. I do not use the term "junior" anchor because the other two anchors were close to the same size as Belk. Meyers-Arnold was between Belk and JCPenney fronting the mall while Wilson's was in the rear.

Normally I do not lead off photos with pics of mall entrances, but these are curiously the best design-wise that this mall has to offer. The JCPenney's reflective entrance casts a gold hue against the gaudy colors of the mall, but its steps, ramps and garden underneath are a sight to behold. Belk has this likewise. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Detail of the garden area next to Belk reveals that floor tiles in the ramp areas are original. I'm assuming the rest of the flooring was probably terrazzo or brown brick-patterened linoleum. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.


More detail of plants and ramps outside of JCPenney. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.


Even more with some of the steps. The planters form a circular area in the middle near the entrances to JCPenney and Belk. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

For a mall that has never changed its shape at all, the mall has seen a ridiculous amount of anchor shuffling since it opened. The first anchor changes at least were related to corporate restructuring of the anchor tenants and not anything to do with the mall itself. This came initially with the buyout of Wilson's by Tennessee-based Service Merchandise (their first major acquisition) in 1985. A couple years later, major regional chain Meyers-Arnold became another location of the rapidly expanding Atlanta-based Upton's chain. Despite this, the mall would see very little change otherwise until the end of the 1990's.

Coal mines have canaries and malls have Chick-Fil-A. As long as the mall has a Chick-Fil-A, the mall is doing fine. When Chick-Fil-A closes, the mall closure is imminent. The city has one other Chick-Fil-A nearby, but it is drive-thru only suggesting that the quirky chain is committed to the mall. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

With a big carpeted empty circle in center court, it is clear that something is really missing. Whatever it was, the mall's original name alludes to something quite impressive. Now, it just looks like a place to to do a dance number or yoga session. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Here is a slightly different angle of center court, which has been a bit more difficult to get to since Upton's remained vacant for so long and Sykes Enterprises is clearly not open to the public. Chick-Fil-A is bound to love them, though, from 12-2. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

In the early 2000's, Crosscreek Mall became Greenwood Mall when it was purchased by Hull Storey Gibson. They have been creative in their attempts of keeping this mall viable, but I give them the most accolades for keeping this one of the very few malls in their portfolio to retain a few original design features such as the indoor gardens in front of JCPenney and Belk and the sunken area in center court (which I presume once had an impressive fountain). This is one feature that does make the mall stand out from others that have been renovated into total blandness within their portfolio. The mall is also laid out at a slope with ramps and steps in the Belk, JCPenney and center courts effectively placing JCPenney at the high end of the mall and Belk on the low end.

The Belk wing of the mall looks reasonably healthy from this angle. Rue 21 seems to have become the default small town teenage store offering lower priced clothing than stores like American Eagle and Hollister. In suburban metro areas, they are usually found in upscale strip malls. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Empty stores like this are proof that many tenants have been vacant for quite some time. Stores like this were probably closed in the early-to-mid 90's never having been updated a single time. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Another dated, empty storefront is found along the entrance wing adjacent to the store above. 1979 and diagonal slatted wood seem to go hand in hand. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Hull Storey Gibson last renovated the mall in 2002, but their purchase of the mall likely came on the heels of the previous owners failing to re-tenant two dead anchors. This came as a result of the bankruptcy of Service Merchandise in 2002 and closure of the Upton's chain in 1999, neither related to the state of the mall itself. Service Merchandise in particular was never filled by another retail store. It instead became Sykes Enterprises, a call center. Upton's, however, finally got retooled after a long vacancy as a new TJ Maxx. The Meyers-Arnold/Upton's space was better positioned for re-tenanting with street frontage along the front of the mall facing SC 72. The Service Merchandise/Wilson's anchor does not have street frontage, which contributed to the difficulties finding a retail tenant. I wonder, though, if the owners tried to lure a theater to fill the void.

Shoe Department Encore forms the east end of the big-box trio fronting the mall. If this is the encore, then I guess the first showing was a smaller inline store? Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Here is a view inside of the store from the mall. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Hey, dude, you wanna go and check out what's in Service Merchandise? SYKE!
Photo by Dustin Ransdell

It seems today that Greenwood Mall, as it is called, has lost much of its luster. While not a dead mall, the mall still has about a 20-30% vacancy rate for its inline tenants. If not for the pull from Columbia (Columbiana Mall) and from Greenville (Haywood Mall), this mall might be doing better and received a true expansion. In the past year, the front of the mall has been turned into a partial small strip with TJ Maxx opening in the Meyers-Arnold space with Michael's added to the left of it and Shoe Department Encore on the right. All three tenants also maintain mall entrances as well. Two other tenant spaces have been designated as well: neither with direct access to the mall. This means passersby would tend to mistake the enclosed mall as a strip mall. While the mall itself holds its own (it still has Chick-Fil-A, for instance), a shopper should not expect much variety in the stores. I guess I can say at least they found a way to keep the anchors filled, and it is indeed a stronger mall for Hull Storey Gibson.

If the mall leaves you with an empty feeling, you're not alone. But judging by this empty storefront, you almost are. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Exit right this way if you're bored with this mall. I take it you probably are unless you're reading this post for the history. If that's the case, you'll keep looking to see what this place looks like on the outside. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

This appears to be the front mall entrance closest to JCPenney. It received a cheap remodel that makes it hard to tell how to even get inside. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

In my opinion, the future for this mall is an eventual de-mallling. The mall seems successful enough anchor-wise, but it really fails to be the draw necessary to keep a roof on it for another decade. In a sense, the mall is curiously being "big boxed" without removing the mall itself. While this design may increase sales per square foot, it is hiding the fact that there is still a mall behind it. Another issue with the mall is that the mall is landlocked, so an efficient use of space is paramout. In my view, the mall layout is the biggest problem. Because of that, I am going to offer some suggestions in how to make the mall stand out better and still keep the big box modifications.

This vintage beauty on the back side of the mall, however, leaves no doubt on how to get inside. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

These shots so construction along the front to convert the Meyers-Arnold and adjacent space into a big box-mall combo. I guess the owners decided a "stripped-down" approach was best. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Another view of construction with TJ Maxx in the center and Michael's on the left. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Shoe Department Encore was already open at the time this photo was taken. Photo by Dustin Ransdell.

Shoe Department Encore with adjacent mall entrance. Photo by Dustin Ransdell

First, the new TJ Maxx store should be closed (yes, despite just opening) and moved to the back of the mall where Sykes is now, but using somewhat less of the Sykes location's footprint meaning the mall can extend further back into the anchor to add more inline stores. The current TJ Maxx store should then be reconfigured as a new main mall entrance with at least one junior anchor type store on one side (Old Navy, Books-A-Million, Forever 21) and a popular sit-down restaurant on the other (perhaps Lizard's Thicket of Columbia might want to branch out here, but even IHOP might work). The front entryway should also not be built on the cheap. Make it elegant and showy with glass, a two-level atrium, bright color trim and a building material besides stucco: preferably a mixture of brick and stone. Put some funky colored lights hanging down in the atrium to show up strongly at night. The center court should also be reconfigured to have a central focal point to attract returning customers (yes, this means put a nice, terraced fountain, artwork and more elaborate decoration in the sunken area). The existing front mall entrances next to Belk and JCPenney would then be closed off and given to each department store to expand their stores, making the stores more of a draw on their own. Also, replace the carpet with floor tiles in different patterns to make the mall seem more vibrant. Carpet makes malls seem quiet and sleepy. The result would be more interest in the mall itself, a better layout and TJ Maxx would not mind as much moving to the back of the mall with more direct access to the front. Make sure, of course, to place the TJ Maxx sign next to the mall entry, and rename the mall back to Crosscreek Mall since the name is more appealing.

The mall map shows a large "exterior unit available" on the back of the mall between Sykes and JCPenney. I'm assuming this new Sears Dealer Store must be it. Photo by Dustin Ransdell

Belk had a definite model they were using for stores in 1979 for smaller stores with this copper awning. This is one of the least inspired ones. The entrance on the back side of the store is sealed off but still has the awning. Photo by Dustin Ransdell

I am not too Syke-d about anchors being taken over by call centers, but I am psyched about creating bad puns based on the name. Photo by Dustin Ransdell

Here is another prototype: JCPenney's plain white "greenhouse" look. This design endured into the early 1980's. This mall reminds me of when builders sell a set list of models of houses they can build on your property. Does the Cape Cod look not do it for you? Well try the Westbrook! It's only $10,000 more! Photo by Dustin Ransdell

I don't like the sign, nor the name, but clearly I have no authority on such matters so all I can do is complain. Oh well... Photo by Dustin Ransdell

To sum things up, Crosscreek Mall is a mall that is simply outmoded and outdated, not dead. Maybe it will never be full again, but a little planning could go a long way into making it more of a shopping destination. A better design and better layout could attract a better tenant mix keeping customers in the market happy enough not to drive to Greenville and Columbia as often for shopping. While the mall has done a decent job staying viable, and it is more attractive than most Hull Storey Gibson malls, at 33 years some additional creative efforts could give Greenwood residents a mall they could be a source of pride for the area.

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Knoxville Center/East Towne Mall: Knoxville, TN

One thing that Knoxville is passionate about is football, and namely that football involves "Big Orange" otherwise known as University of Tennessee.  Because of this, a rivalry type situation with malls definitely took shape with both major malls of the city referring to the side of the city.  West Town was first then East Towne Mall (including the annoying elegant "e") arrived in 1984 to rival the success of dominant West Town Mall.  The problem with East Towne Mall is that is today owned by the same company as West Town Mall, Simon, and Simon apparently wanted to give the mall more distinction renaming it Knoxville Center when the mall was renovated in 1997.  People in Knoxville did not like the new name at all, however, and it seems they also quit liking the mall as much, either.  Simon also did not give the royal treatment to the mall like they did the crosstown rival stripping out all the fountains and planters throughout.

Knoxville was in a rather unique situation as a one mall town (aside from the downtown pedestrian mall), and the arrival of East Town mall may have been a treat, but it did not change the game at all.  Always playing second fiddle, the main claim to fame for the new mall was that it had two levels throughout and a tent-like structure in the center court.  Other than that, it was basically a conventional large five anchor mall opening with Proffitt's, Miller's, JCPenney, Sears and Service Merchandise.  Service Merchandise was located in a two-level anchor, but only used the top floor with the bottom remaining vacant.  Proffitt's location would be the third mall-based location, and it would also spell the beginning of the company's major expansion falling under new ownership by R. Brad Martin's RBM Acquisition Co.

The first photo features the center court, including a tent roof, plantation-style structure on the lower level, potted trees and a food court on the upper level known as "Cades Cove Cookout".  The second photo shows the bottom level just outside of Sears.

Sears mall entrance clearly dates to the mall's construction considering it is more elegant than the usual ugly tile.  I run across a few like this from time to time.

Getting photos that night was difficult, so this was the best shot I could get of the closed Dillard's, which opened as Miller's and later was Hess's.  I seem to have covered most every mall that ever had Miller's as an anchor.  This is the upper level of "Trout Court", part of the mall's "hillbilly" theme.

Here is a view along the second level of the Sears/Dillard's wing.  Service Merchandise (not pictured) was also on this wing.  Skylights here are just meh.

Mall maps always make it easier to describe these places.  Note the three courts: University of Tennessee Court, Cades Cove and Trout Court.

Knoxville Center's modern mall entrance on the side facing I-640 was a 1997 update from the original entrance, which is photographed below.

To say that East Town Mall is inferior to West Town Mall would not be fair, because it is a very large mall with some distinctive design features.  Aside from the tent structure in center court, the mall has a continuous uphill slope, which is represented on both levels throughout as well as a definite theme all its own.  It was also the largest in the city and comparable in size to Hamilton Place in Chattanooga for over a decade, and it did quite well despite the fact that it was not terribly well located.  The problem with East Town Mall is that the growth of the city has trended westward, and because of this there was never much of a hinterland surrounding the mall.  The mall, however, sits in a far more visible location than East Town Mall situated within view of I-640, which was completed in the early 1980's. 

The ramped sections of the mall being bi-level are pretty interesting.  You see these a lot with one-level malls, but it is not common for two level ones.   This is heading into center court.

Here is another view of center court, which somehow has been pegged to be like Cades Cove.  If they're looking to recreate Cades Cove, then a rustic indoor mill with plush ferns and an indoor waterfall seem like what would be appropriate here, but they might be a tad tacky with the tent roof.  It seems teflon roofs were all the rage in the 80's, but I imagine they are also a maintenance nightmare as well as more expensive to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  They are pretty cool looking, though...especially with the light effects on them.

Another ramped up section is found just past center court.  The Proffitt's/Belk wing is on the right.

A view along the Proffitt's/Belk wing.  I understand Proffitt's closed the lower level for a period of time.

The mall today definitely seems to have a theme despite the lack of fun features that West Town has.  The mall took on a hillbilly theme, including naming the food court "Cades Cove Cookout" after the traffic-choked scenic valley in nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  To make things more confusing, the hillbilly theme is interspersed with University of Tennessee themed court on the west wing of the mall and the dubious "Trout Court" on the eastern end toward Sears and in front of the former Dillard's.  University of Tennessee Court includes a sloping section with a mock-up of a football field, and giant orange "T" and city landmarks along with a basketball hoop.  I guess that's one way to shoot two birds with one shot: play up on the over-hyped local culture and then play up college athletics pride.  What effect this might have had seems rather negligible.

The upper level wing near University of Tennessee court.

Signs in the mall denoting anchors and the food court.  The fake buzzard at the top is a little creepy.

JCPenney is an original anchor, and escalators climb up to the second level entrance.

Looking back into the mall from JCPenney.  I don't see anything too unusual here.

Over the years, the mall has seen a few anchor changes.  Miller's became Hess's in 1987 along with all of the other Miller's locations, and in 1992 the store was then sold to Dillard's since Proffitt's already had a two level store in the mall.  Service Merchandise would then close with the chain in 1999, resulting in the first vacant anchor in the mall.  Proffitt's then converted to Belk in 2006 along with all the other Proffitt's in the area, and Dillard's closed due to poor sales in 2008.  However, Service Merchandise found new life as Rush Fitness within the past five years.  Rush also took part of the long-vacant lower level, which made that part of the mall a little less spooky.  The mall also continues to maintain A-list tenants despite an uptick and vacancies and decline in foot traffic.

College football fans that hate "Big Orange" should not be allowed in this court, which features a giant orange "T", a fake football field and a basketball goal elevated above the court.  Coming from the land of red, a big letter "G" and a little white bulldog, this does seem somewhat foreign to me.  Quotes surround the court as well, though I could not tell from the pics what they said.  Coaches tend to be a source of inspiration for football fanatics.

Here, a fake football field takes over on the lower level.  I would rather they just put in orange fountains with orange lights under the water.  I guess this is a cost-efficient way of being creative.

More of University of Tennessee Court.  You might slip and fall on this Rocky Top.

Here is a front entrance wing on the lower level across from Belk/Proffitt's.  It looks more like kiosk hell to me.  I think I shall dub this the "Dead Sea Wing".

Some people these days wonder if this mall is dying, but so far it seems to be hanging on.  It definitely received a blow with Dillard's closing, but with both malls on the same team Simon either wants this mall to die or they intend to play up the strengths of each, and judging by the opening of Hollister right as Dillard's closed I am leaning toward the latter.  One way that this mall may find new strength is the fact that Macy's is interested in finding a location in East Tennessee.  They have no presence in the market currently, and they were recently blocked from both West Town Mall and Hamilton Place Mall by their competition Dillard's and Belk.  However, with Dillard's vacating the slot at the mall, it leaves an opening for Macy's to enter the market.  It is unknown, however, how serious the talks are or if Macy's is weighing the viability of that location.  It would probably help if the mall was more developed surrounding it.

Escalators are located off-center in the center court area.

Here is Trout Court.  Gasping for ideas, they wanted to trout something new, but so far this fishy design is a flop.  This is also the most dead portion of the mall.

On the back side of the mall is this very 80's mall entrance aside form the newer logo.  It was very difficult to photograph due to the presence of rowdy teenagers and security.

Still, I snapped this close-up shot of the cool mall entrance.  The front used to have one like it, but it was changed to a woodsy mountain theme in the 1997 renovation.

My personal view of Knoxville Center, is that it is an attractive mall, but it could be a lot better.  The 1997 renovation made the mall look too generic, and the presence of a dead anchor is not helping the mall, either.  What is worse is the lack of development in that side of the city as well as the fact it is a poorer side of town with most of the money west of the city.  Additionally, the mall has poor access compared to its cross-town rival, which recently had an interchange re-directed for easy access to the mall from I-40/75.  In other words, the original developers must have built there on speculation of a growth boom, because I believe the mall would have done better built north of the city somewhat north of the interchange of I-75 and I-640 instead of closer to I-40 east.  As the mall is pushing 30 years old, it clearly has some image problems, and a high profile shooting incident on October 8, 2008 did not help, either.  Considering that all of the other anchors are holding on after Dillard's left and Macy's thinks they may want to get started there, it is clearly pulling adequate business, but what could be done to make this mall more popular?


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