Valley Plaza Mall
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| Location | Bakersfield, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°20′17″N 119°02′02″W / 35.338°N 119.034°W |
| Address | 2701 Ming Avenue |
| Opening date | 1967 |
| Developer | The Hahn Company |
| Owner | General Growth Properties |
| No. of stores and services | 140 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 5 |
| Total retail floor area | 1,100,000 square feet (100,000 m2) |
| No. of floors | 1 |
| Parking | 5,504 |
| Website | valleyplazamall.com |
| References: GGP[1] | |
The Valley Plaza Mall is a major retail shopping mall in Bakersfield, California. It is the largest mall in the San Joaquin Valley.[2] The mall is owned by General Growth Properties, a real estate development of over 120 regional shopping malls around the United States. Valley Plaza Mall has 5 anchor stores and over 140 specialty stores. The mall is situated near SR 99 freeway, the city's main north/south freeway.[3]
History
Valley Plaza Mall was opened in 1967. The mall was originally developed by Hahn Company of San Diego in partnership with John Brock Sr. of Brock's Department Stores. The mall originally had 900,000 square feet (84,000 m2) of retail space and three anchor stores. They were: Sears, Broadway, and Brock's. The original interior was described as " reflects the Spanish influence on Southern California in a contemporary manner".[4]
In 1988, the mall would expand, adding "wings" (which would increase the mall to its current size) on the east and west sides.[1] Two new anchor stores would be added: Robinson May and J.C. Penney. Also the Oasis Food Court would be constructed. In 1997, Pacific Theaters would open a 15 screen theater on the property, but detached from the mall.[5] It would contain a mural in the lobby which featured the newly remodeled Bakersfield Sign. It would be one of the first large public displays of the sign since the remodel.[citation needed]
The anchor stores would see many changes. Only Sears and J.C. Penney have remained since they originally opened. Broadway would be bought by Macys. Brock's would be purchased by Gottschalks. It would later close and become occupied by Forever 21. Robinson May would also close and eventually be replaced by Target.[citation needed]
The mall also has a 16 screen movie theater. It is detached from the mall and is owned by Reading Cinemas.[citation needed]
Valley Plaza Mall is the site of the Southwest Transit Center. Golden Empire Transit (GET): 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15[citation needed]
Attractions
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Department stores
The mall contains five anchor stores:
Dining
The mall has three restaurants:
- Que Pasa Mexican Cafe
- Red Robin
- Lucille's BBQ
References
- ^ a b Valley Plaza Mall. General Growth Properties. Accessed: 04-14-2011.
- ^ About. Valley Plaza Mall. Accessed: 04-14-2011.
- ^ Home Page. Valley Plaza Mall. Accessed: 04-14-2011.
- ^ Valley Plaza Shopping Center. Malls of America. Accessed: 04-14-2011.
- ^ Valley Plaza Cinema 16. Cinema Treasures. Accessed: 04-14-2011.