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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Regency Mall (Part 2): Augusta, GA

In the normal world of retail, vacant malls do not usually stay vacant long.  Either the property is too valuable, the public screams loud enough about the blight, a non-conventional retail use is tried (such as a flea market) or non-commercial interests resurrect the structure into something they can use similar to Eastgate Mall in Chattanooga, TN.  Because of that, the "Dixie Square" scenario is a rare and generally unfortunate event where a mall stays abandoned for more than about 5-7 years before any action is taken.  By then, the property is beginning to deteriorate.  This means that the forces of change must come together to make things happen before the forces of nature come together to make things moldy and decrepit.

In the Southeast, I know of only one other mall that has been abandoned longer than Regency Mall and that is the open-air Normandale Mall in Montgomery.  After languishing for 15 years, the mall was closed completely in 1995.  It is also hidden deep in a very depressed area mostly invisible to the wealthier side of the city.  Regency is not so hidden.  It sits at the intersection of two major U.S. highways, and it is even visible in the distance along the newly-opened I-520 in South Carolina.  While the neighborhood has declined, it is not exactly a row of abandoned buildings around it either.  Decay has noticeably set in on the structure since its closure a decade ago, but overall it is still in very good shape.  Most of the mall looks more trashed than it does crumbling.

Montgomery Wards in all its burnt orange tiled glory in the first two photos.  This is not only one of the best Wards entrances ever, but also one of the best mall entrances ever.  The cream-colored brick next to the shiny tiles and great looking logo make the store seem very inviting.  It is also such a relic of a mall entrance that honestly it looks contemporary again.  If this mall ever reopened a new store anchored there, I would hope they would keep this all intact.  Photos by KJ.

Same view from lower level.  Photo by KJ.

The next three photos above are from a different photographer.  As one of only three modern-era Wards in Georgia, and the last one open, the store is indeed extra special.  All photos by BT.

A couple views inside Wards.  This is the only department store anchor with any natural light since one of the entrances was not boarded up.  Unfortunately, this store does not include any of the infamous burnt orange or lime green shag carpet that the chain was infamously known to have as late as the 90's.  Photos by KJ.

Escalator well in the middle of Wards.  Seeing these photos make me long so much for when this was open and it was possible to buy quality hardlines at some place besides Sears.  Photos by KJ.

King's Jewelry on the lower level.  Photo by KJ.

Another trashed mall directory.  Photo by KJ.

Because of the lack of a decent mall directory, I decided to create my own.  I am not exactly certain of Ruben's location, but I do know it was close to Belk.

Inside, the mall is like a Steven King book where you got to go back into the past, but all the people were gone with only the buildings remaining.  Christmas decorations still hang from the ceilings dirty and tarnished with age from the last Christmas the mall was open in 2001.  Dated storefronts abound throughout the mall.  Both Montgomery Ward and JB White still have their signs up over the store entrances greeting ghost shoppers.  While dark in places, skylights that look somewhat like those in an Air Force hangar still provide abundant cheery light against the white sheetrock during the daytime.  Most of the mall seems to be in surprisingly good condition, though locations are found in the mall where holes have opened in the ceiling, flooding the mall.  However, a recent inspection by the city did not find any mold problems in the mall: surprising considering how it has been vacant all this time aside from the marshal's substation that left this past year.

Upon closer observation, one of the escalators has unfortunately been significantly deconstructed by vandals.  Photo by KJ.

The blind can see again as light is cast along a wall showcasing what was once your choice of blinds.  Photo by KJ.

Was this Chick-Fil-A?  Regency never had a food court, so it could have been anywhere in the mall.  Had the mall been renovated, the theaters would have likely become the food court.  Photo by KJ.

It seems that Lens Crafters or Pearle Vision is found in every mall.  This one is situated next to Wards on the upper level.  Photo by KJ.

Lens Crafters takes up about three tenant spaces.  I'm sure it did a thriving business in the day.  Photo by KJ.

Major water damage is an unfortunate feature just in front of the main entrance to the store, which is protected by a screen door unlike the busted out glass along the rest of it.  Photo by KJ.

EEEEEEEEEYE EXAM 2000.  Iiiiiii remember when 2000 was considered an exciting year way off in the future where we would live like the Jetsons driving flying cars on sky highways.  I also remember how Y2K was hyped as the end of modern civilization.  It pretty much was for this mall.  Photo by KJ.

You can get your glasses adjusted for free if you can just find anyone working.  You might be waiting awhile, because the staff took a very long lunch.  Photo by KJ.

One last look at Lens Crafters.  Photo by KJ.

Lady Foot Locker was one of the last stores to close at the mall along with Foot Locker.  Photo by KJ.

Quite a few observations can be made otherwise about a 70's mall never renovated.  For one, if this mall had stayed alive such a scene would likely not exist.  Storefronts in the mall are a mix of eras, but for the most part they are pretty much set in the first decade the mall was open.  In all, maybe 12-15 signs still exist on store fronts with label scars elsewhere.  One should not expect to find much sheetrock over closed stores either.  They sit right out in the open for you to walk into at will.  While the mall itself has managed to maintain its charm the presence of heavy vandalism, trash and grime are everywhere.  Glass is broken out of most storefronts and most stunning are the escalators where the rubber handrails have been mostly yanked off and left in a large pile at the top.  Most planters are just bare dirt now and fountains are of course dry.  Eerily enough, though, are all the banners posted announcing stores moving and such as if the mall was still open.  Three of the four outside mall entrance corridors lack skylights, so they sit in total darkness since the entries are boarded up allowing no natural light to filter in.

Abandoned post office branch in the mall.  Photo by KJ.

These two photos above were inside a shop near JB White.  Photos by KJ.

Not everything in the mall is truly vintage.  Since the mall held its own into the mid-90's, some stores did move in the mall and some did get remodeled.  This storefront definitely isn't.  Photo by KJ.

Along the wing of the unbuilt fifth anchor is this awesome extremely retro Master Cuts.  To me it looks like it should be called Master Funky with a functioning disco inside.  The photographer also captured the inside as well.  Photo by KJ.

Inside the Master Cuts, mirrors and green pattered wallpaper abound.  The mirrors were useful to catch  your stylist before they hacked your hair up.  Photo by KJ.

Kidsmart?  Sounds like a less than subtle cover for child trafficking.   I guess if they'd succeeded they would have branched out to ParentStupid.  Photo by KJ.

In this image Cullum's, later Upton's, is on the right.  This junior anchor was far more visible outside than in the mall.  I am curious as to whether Upton's used both levels.  Photo by BT.

The upper level entrance to Cullum's features a folded entryway that is unmistakably similar to Rich's mall entrances in the 70's. Photo by BT.

One of the features of greatest interest in the mall is not as obvious from the outside: the anchor pad for a fifth anchor.  This was the anchor that would have been filled by JCPenney had they not left for Augusta Mall.  This was also what is shown outside as Mall Entrance 3.  It is a sad reminder of the grand aspirations for Augusta's first mall to be the powerhouse of the region.  It almost makes the mall feel alive and even new to see a location for a planned anchor.  The brown linoleum tiles, though, found on the edges of fountains, center island areas and the staircases are there to remind you that this was a dream long in the past, highlighting the unfortunate importance of renovations.  The flooring consists mostly, though, of square terrazzo tiles giving a tan/peach color.  Twin escalators are also located on both the Montgomery Ward and Belk wing pointing upwards towards each respective anchor.  A clock also sits on a flat wall in center court with its time stuck at 4:20.  Is this when the clock stopped or did the vandals move the dials deliberately? 

Both levels of Cullum's are visible in this shot.  The lower level looks similar to the outside entrance.  If only mall entrances had this much attention to detail today.  Photo by RM.

I traced the Cullum's logo found in my earlier posts and photoshopped the logo in the same photo above to demonstrate what it might have looked like.  Below is a picture of just the lower level with the same logo including an outline.

Cullum's lower level mall entrance with logo added by me.  Photo by KJ.

Now moving onto JB White sitting at the end of a very spacious center court.  JB White is fronted with simple brick matching the exterior but the awesome logo remains never being removed after the store closed.  This is definitely the only JB White mall entrance sign left intact with all other JB White stores converted to Belk, Dillard's or demolished.  In my older JB White post, I have a picture by C Lewis of the logo on the outside.  Photo by BT.

More detail of the mall entrance.  The logo is smaller on the upper level than on the lower level.  Photo by BT.

Close-up of the JB White mall entrance.  Photo by KJ.

White's inside was extremely dark, so very little detail is visible.  This was one of the best photos.  Photo by KJ.

Looking back from center court (JB White is on the left) toward Wards.  Photo by BT.

Small, locally-operated mystery meat Chinese restaurants and malls have a long relationship.  So long that you still know about the specials 10 years after they close.  Photo by KJ

It's hot and boring in Augusta meaning people aren't getting outside as much, so this store likely did a brisk business back in the day.  Photo by KJ.

What is really most amazing in the mall, though, are the mall entrances.  A Belk label scar is still visible with the right light on the stunning copper toned mall entrance.  JB White in its older classy cursive logo still retains its white sign on the brick entering the store that has sat in complete darkness since 1998.  Best of all is Montgomery Ward, though.  Burnt orange tiles back the sign with cream colored brick placed on each side.  Neither the sign, the tiles nor the brick look any worse for wear.  In fact, with so much time passed by the sign almost looks hip.  Cullum's is the most mysterious of anchor tenants blending in with store fronts between Ward's and White's.  All that is noticeable is the distinctive window features placed on both levels that were nicely not removed by later tenants Meyers-Arnold and Upton's.  However, any evidence of a logo has long since been painted over since the store was the first anchor to close in the mall.

Approaching Belk from the lower level.  Photo by KJ.

More detail of Belk from the lower level.  Note the copper toned awnings.  While this store may have closed in 1996, it was definitely not covered up. Photo by KJ.

View of the Belk entrance from the upper level.  Photo by BT.

Close-up of the Belk mall entrance on the upper level.  Photo by BT.

The Belk labelscar is visible due to the place where the sign covered being less tarnished.  While the store was a partnership store (Belk Howard), Mr. Howard chose not to place his name on this store.  Photo by KJ.

The glass on the exterior of the store was very similar to this.  Photo by KJ.

Detail of what was once an impressive terraced skylight.  Photo by KJ.

While very dark and dusky, it was plain that the interior of the store was elegantly designed.  Belk had extremely attractive stores in the 70's and 80's especially at major shopping malls.  Photos by KJ.

The best photo available of the escalators and elevator inside Belk.  Photo by KJ.

Not only is Regency Mall a living time capsule, but it is also is a perfect specimen of wasted potential.  A victim of its location, management and unstable anchors it has become a tough to impossible sell with all the anchor consolidation and stigma attached to one of its major anchors simply closing due to poor sales.  If it was possible to revive the mall, it would take millions just to renovate and repair the damage from decay and vandalism.  Cardinale Entities has emerged as the latest owner with a plan, but their expertise tends to be malls catering to an ethnic market.  Augusta is far less diverse than Atlanta or Charlotte making that a pretty tough sell.  Regency's closing, though, left Augusta undermalled.  Augusta Mall is completely overwhelmed with shoppers.  The problem is, what anchors would choose to move in to this mall if they wanted to?

70's malls always had a cafeteria and it just so happens that this gem of a mall also included a gothic Piccadilly Cafeteria.  Unfortunately, none of the photographers really explored the interior.  Photo by KJ.

Piccadilly Cafeteria's labelscar is visible in this image.  The restaurant sits right next to Montgomery Ward.  Photo by KJ.

Apparently the cafeteria was operated independently for a period of time after Piccadilly closed at the mall.  It is unknown when the restaurant closed this location.  Photo by KJ.

Next to JB White is this store.  I thought it was a former B. Dalton but upon closer inspection was some sort of clothing store.  Maybe somebody knows.  Photo by BT.

Former Rainbow at the mall.  Note the much older logo style.  Photo by KJ.

A couple more pics of Rainbow.  Photos by KJ.

This note was inside a former store that appears to have been Upton's.  Note the Super Wal-Mart in quotations back when the stores were still a novelty.  Photo by KJ.

Detail of a wall around a mall entrance.  It is unknown what store this was.  Photo by KJ.

View of JB White fro lower level.  Photo by KJ.

With Regency, its retail days are most likely over, though an outlet mall could possibly work there.  Imagine a center like Discover Mills anchored by Bass Pro Shops and outlet stores filling up the anchors.  It could work, but it would take a huge investment, heavy promotion and even heavier security to make sure that Regency Outlets did not become Shoplifting 101 and Decrepit Mall 2.0.  My personal idea is that Hollywood should honestly consider turning the entire mall into a set.  It would a perfect mall to feature TV shows and movies based in the 70's and 80's or movies featuring the South.  Perhaps the anchors could even be turned into studios and talent recruiting agencies.  Also important to note is how having the department store anchor signs from the era would make it even easier.  Filming movies in the mall would help pay for the center's upkeep while still maintaining its historical aspects.  Dixie Square Mall became famous because of a movie filmed in it after it closed.  Why can't Regency do the same?

Few things are a blast from the past more than these mall lists.  They list tenants that haven't existed at least since the late 1980's such as Jeans West, Hardy Shoes and Kinney Shoes.  Petland was also a mall tenant.  One near where I live is now very much off-mall.  Photos by KJ.

Here are a couple shots inside Wards Auto Center.  The noise of power tools, engines and mechanics hard at work is long gone but the ad banners advertising what they can do for you still linger.  Photos by KJ.

This one last photo of White's from center court concludes the two-part series on Regency Mall.  Photo by BT.