NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MALL HOSTS 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, MARCH 30

Posted Apr 10, 2012

Special Mid-Morning Commemoration Held in Center Court with City Leaders, Merchants and Community Members Present As Center Reflects on Forty Years of Style

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (March 30, 2012) - - Proudly outfitting the region since 1972, Northwest Arkansas Mall turns forty-years-old this month and commemorated the exciting milestone today with a celebration and complimentary refreshments in Center Court with city leaders, merchants and community members present. Despite recent economic downturns in which consumers have pulled back on spending forcing many retail outlets to fold, the center has managed to stay relevant and is thriving. Today Northwest Arkansas Mall remains the premier shopping center destination for the northwestern part of the state following four decades of bringing its style influence to the marketplace.

Mayoral Proclamation

To set the celebratory tone, Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan officially kicked-off the mid-morning festivities by proclaiming March 30, 2012 as “Northwest Arkansas Mall Day.” He urged citizens to join him in observing this day by taking time to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate the impact the center has had, and will continue to have, on the community.

“As far back as I can remember Northwest Arkansas Mall has been entwined in the fabric of this great community,” said City of Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan. “This vital retail center not only influences our daily fashion choices, but is an economic engine driving millions in annual sales tax revenue to support the City of Fayetteville”

History

“We are going strong today thanks to the loyal, unwavering patronage of the Northwest Arkansas community,” added Jeff Bishop, general manager of Northwest Arkansas Mall. “Over the last forty years we have adjusted with the times but stayed a reflection of you… your life, your style, your mall as we merged fashion, food and fun under one roof, and we look forward to a bright future.”

Jeff Bishop, general manager of Northwest Arkansas Mall, continued with a brief history lesson highlighting center factoids and milestones from the last forty years, including:

Originally built as a Sears store in 1970, Northwest Arkansas Mall underwent a massive expansion, and officially opened as "Northwest Arkansas Plaza" on March 2, 1972 as a 450,000 sq. ft. climate–controlled indoor center with a capacity for 50 stores.
19 stores opened on March 2 and 15 followed shortly thereafter. Anchoring the center were Sears, Dillard’s, the Boston Store and Woolworth, and it employed more than 700 people with a part-time wage of $1.50 an hour.
A major renovation was announced in 1995 to refresh the center’s look with thematic elements incorporating local traditions (i.e. floor patterns mirroring designs from Arkansas quilting), and in 1997 the new food court and additional specialty retailer space was added.
Today Northwest Arkansas Mall boasts over 820,000 sq. ft. and is home to more than 100 specialty retailers, several major department stores (including original anchors Sears and Dillard’s), a picnic food court and employs approximately 1,500 people.
In 2010, the center became a founding member of what is known as the Uptown Fayetteville Association -- joining with other area merchants in an effort to highlight the service offerings and promote commercial growth in this popular business district situated along the north end of the city.

Check Presentation

Underscoring the importance of the spirit of cooperation forged by this unique partnership with the Uptown Fayetteville Association, Jeff Bishop presented the organization’s Treasurer TJ Angeleno with a $10,000 check from Northwest Arkansas Mall for advertising and promotional efforts to support continued growth within the district. The center has served as a strong artery bringing people into Uptown Fayetteville, and the area now beats strongly with over 40 dining establishments and more than 140 retail stores. The district is quickly becoming a favorite destination for leisurely activities the whole family can enjoy.

Community Partner

Operating as a reflection of Northwest Arkansas, the center continues to be a longstanding partner that cares about the community it has helped outfit for four decades. Northwest Arkansas Mall continually plays host to numerous community events and nonprofits, including: the July 4th Freedom Fireworks Display, meet-and-greets with the Rocking Razorbacks, the Arkansas Music Pavilion, Adopt-A-Pet, Bikes Blues & Hot Rods Too, Le Chocolate Feast, Wingfest, and many more. To visually demonstrate the mall’s commitment and how it has woven itself into the fabric of the community, a special 40^th Anniversary quilt with logos of all the organizations (i.e. Altrusa Trade A Book, The Alzheimer’s Association, The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Arts Center of the Ozarks, CASA, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, Junior League, Lifestyles, March of Dimes, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Norak Girl Scout Council, Salvation Army, St. Jude’s, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, United Way, Walton Arts Center, Westark Area Boy Scout Council, and Youth Bridge) the mall has assisted is being made. It will proudly go on display in the women’s Dillard’s wing later this year once it’s completed alongside other special handmade quilts.

Retailer Announcements

Over the years the mall has continued to grow and expand and several exciting retailer announcements were revealed at today’s festivities. Francesca’s Collections, a unique boutique offering the latest in women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and gifts, will open April 14 between Masons and Helzberg Diamonds just in time for Mother’s Day shopping. Popular tween retailer Justice; stylish, affordable ladies apparel outfitter Body Central; and rue21 offering young, fresh and affordable fashion for girls and guys; all recently opened within the last year.

Website Overhaul

Plans for the Northwest Arkansas Mall website (www.northwestarkansasmall.com) were also discussed. The site will receive the special anniversary treatment with a new site design and enhanced functionality expected to go live next month. As an added benefit to shoppers, seasonal fashion tips and trends will now be posted online as an easy reference for shoppers ready to hit the mall to snag the latest “must have” styles. Consumers can also connect easier with the property on Facebook (@Northwest Arkansas Mall), with the recognizable icon link visible in the top right hand corner of the homepage, for the latest updates on store sales, promotions and mall events. Look for prompts to share your favorite memories and reasons why Northwest Arkansas Mall is your destination for fashion, food and fun under one roof as the center reflects back on forty years of STYLE.

Current/Upcoming Mall Events

Don’t forget to hop on over to Northwest Arkansas Mall for those treasured family photos and holiday keepsakes with the Easter Bunny. He is available for visits in the Sears wing March 24 through April 7 during the following business hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (with a carrot break from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and Sunday Noon to 6:00 p.m. (with a carrot break from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Altrusa Trade a Book is also happening on Saturday, March 31. CASA Project Playhouse will soon go on display in Center Court for shoppers to bid on in a silent auction format beginning April 12 through April 26.

About Northwest Arkansas Mall

Recently acquired by Bayer Properties, Northwest Arkansas Mall is conveniently located in Uptown Fayetteville off Highway 71 and I-540. The property first opened its doors in 1972 and has distinguished itself as the premiere shopping center destination for northwest Arkansas over the past forty years. The climate-controlled, indoor center is home to more than 100 specialty retailers, a picnic food court and is anchored by Dillard’s, JC Penney and Sears department stores. For more information, please visit www.northwestarkansasmall.com.