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'''Western Hills Mall''' is a 527,000 square-foot shopping mall located on the border of [[Midfield]] and [[Fairfield]]. It opened in the late 1960s with two anchor department stores, [[Loveman's]] and J.C. Penney, a Woolworth's discount store, a [[Britling Cafeteria]] and about three dozen specialty stores. It was the second mall, after [[Eastwood Mall]], to be built in the [[Birmingham district]].
[[Image:Western Hills Mall logo.png|right|200px]]
'''Western Hills Mall''' is a 527,000 square-foot shopping mall located at 7201 [[Aaron Aronov Drive]], on the border of [[Midfield]] and [[Fairfield]]. When it opened in February [[1970]] it was the second enclosed mall (after [[Eastwood Mall]]) to be built in the [[Birmingham district]].


As is the case with many malls from that era, Western Hills Mall fell into a gradual decline. The Fairfield-Midfield area saw its fortunes fall with the decline and/or closing of numerous steel-related industries, particularly the nearby U.S. Steel factories. Britling closed, along with the rest of the chain, in the 1970s. The Woolworth location closed with the rest of the chain in the 1990s. After Loveman's ceased operation, the location became [[Pizitz]] and later [[Parisian]], before finally closing in [[2004]]. J.C. Penney finally closed its store in [[2005]]. Most specialty stores went through numerous changes; those that were part of national chains had largely pulled out by the turn of the century. The stores that remain are mostly independent stores, and largely cater to the African-American community that now predominates in the surrounding area.
The $10 million, 463,901-square foot proposed retail complex was first announced in [[1966]], with the anticipated name of '''Piccadilly Square Shopping Center'''. It was developed by [[James Grimmer]]'s '''Fairfield Mall Inc.''' and designed by architect [[Evan Terry]].


In [[2006]], Western Hills Mall underwent a major transformation. The Penney's location was completely demolished, with the mall building being truncated at the former Penney's entrance. In its place, a new Wal-Mart Supercenter was built, opening in [[2006]]. The Supercenter replaced an existing standard Wal-Mart (itself a former Woolco location) across the street. The new store has been sought by Fairfield officials for many years; former [[Mayor of Fairfield|Fairfield Mayor]] (now [[Jefferson County Commission]]er) [[Larry Langford]] had conducted negotiations for a Supercenter during most of his time in office, and originally had made a deal for Wal-Mart to build on a former U.S. Steel office site about a half mile away, but that deal fell through after he was elected to the county commission.
Also announced in 1966 was the main anchor tenant, a fifth store for [[Loveman's|Loveman's of Alabama]]. The mall's second anchor was [[J. C. Penney]]. It also boasted a [[Woolworth's]] discount store, a [[Britling Cafeteria]] and about three dozen specialty stores.  


The mall is owned and operated by Aranov Realty of Montgomery, one of Alabama's largest commercial developers. The [[Fairfield City Council]] renamed the former [[Weibel Drive]], which runs in front of the mall, to [[Aaron Aranov Drive]] in honor of the developer.
As is the case with many malls from that era, Western Hills Mall fell into a gradual decline. The Fairfield-Midfield area saw its fortunes fall with the decline and/or closing of numerous steel-related industries, particularly the nearby [[U. S. Steel]] plant. Britling closed, along with the rest of the chain, in the 1970s. The Woolworth location closed with the rest of the chain in the 1990s. After Loveman's ceased operation, the location became [[Pizitz]] and later [[Parisian]], before finally closing in [[2004]]. J.C. Penney finally closed its store in [[2005]]. Most specialty stores went through numerous changes; those that were part of national chains had largely pulled out by the turn of the century. The stores that remain are mostly independent stores, and largely cater to the African-American community that now predominates in the surrounding area.
 
In [[2006]], Western Hills Mall underwent a major transformation. The Penney's location was completely demolished, with the mall building being truncated at the former Penney's entrance. In its place, a new Wal-Mart Supercenter was built, opening in [[2006]]. The Supercenter replaced an existing standard Wal-Mart (itself a former Woolco location) across the street. The new store has been sought by Fairfield officials for many years; former [[Mayor of Fairfield|Fairfield Mayor]] [[Larry Langford]] had conducted negotiations for a Supercenter during most of his time in office, and originally had made a deal for Wal-Mart to build on a former U.S. Steel office site about a half mile away, but that deal fell through after he was elected to the county commission.
 
The mall is owned and operated by Aranov Realty of Montgomery, one of Alabama's largest commercial developers. The [[Fairfield City Council]] renamed the former [[Weibel Drive]], which runs in front of the mall, to [[Aaron Aronov Drive]] in honor of the developer.
 
In [[2022]] Aronov and Stephen Corenblum sold the mall property to Peleg Group of Miami, Florida for $2.94 million. The new owners invested $4 million in refurbishments, including a new food court and restrooms, new roof, air conditioning, repainting, resurfacing the parking lot and adding LED lighting.
 
==Tenants==
* [[Footlocker]]
* [[Hibbett Sports]]
* [[City Gear]]
* [[Rainbow Shops]]
* [[Dominos Pizza]]
 
===Former tenants==
* [[Loveman's]] (1970s), [[Pizitz]], [[Parisian]] (-2004)
* [[J. C. Penney]] (1970-2005)
* [[Woolworth's]] (1970-1990s)
* [[Britling Cafeteria]] (1970s)
* [[Exchange-Security Bank]] (1973)
* [[Video Square]] (1985)
* [[Burlington Coat Factory]]


==References==
==References==
* "Western Hills Mall." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 6 Nov 2006, 18:40 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 6 Nov 2006 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Western_Hills_Mall&oldid=86094460].
* Beiman, Irving (July 1966) "Loveman's to build in big new center." {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Western_Hills_Mall Western Hills Mall]" (November 6, 2006) Wikipedia - accessed November 6, 2006
* Parker, Illyshia (May 5, 2022) "Developer of Fairfield mall sells property to Florida investment firm." {{BBJ}}
* Robinson, Aajene (November 17, 2022) "[https://www.wbrc.com/2022/11/18/renovations-almost-complete-western-hills-mall/ Renovations almost complete at Western Hills Mall]" WBRC.com


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.shopmalls.com/mall.cfm?mall=14 Shopmalls.com: Western Hills Mall] website
* [http://www.shopmalls.com/mall.cfm?mall=14 Shopmalls.com: Western Hills Mall] website
*[http://www.aranov.com Aranov Realty] website
* [http://www.aranov.com Aranov Realty] website
* [http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/WHM_main.htm Western Hills Mall] feature at [[Birmingham Rewound]]


[[Category:Western Hills Mall|*]]
[[Category:Western Hills Mall|*]]
{{GFDL}}
[[Category:1970 buildings]]
[[Category:Evan Terry buildings]]

Latest revision as of 09:52, 21 November 2022

Western Hills Mall logo.png

Western Hills Mall is a 527,000 square-foot shopping mall located at 7201 Aaron Aronov Drive, on the border of Midfield and Fairfield. When it opened in February 1970 it was the second enclosed mall (after Eastwood Mall) to be built in the Birmingham district.

The $10 million, 463,901-square foot proposed retail complex was first announced in 1966, with the anticipated name of Piccadilly Square Shopping Center. It was developed by James Grimmer's Fairfield Mall Inc. and designed by architect Evan Terry.

Also announced in 1966 was the main anchor tenant, a fifth store for Loveman's of Alabama. The mall's second anchor was J. C. Penney. It also boasted a Woolworth's discount store, a Britling Cafeteria and about three dozen specialty stores.

As is the case with many malls from that era, Western Hills Mall fell into a gradual decline. The Fairfield-Midfield area saw its fortunes fall with the decline and/or closing of numerous steel-related industries, particularly the nearby U. S. Steel plant. Britling closed, along with the rest of the chain, in the 1970s. The Woolworth location closed with the rest of the chain in the 1990s. After Loveman's ceased operation, the location became Pizitz and later Parisian, before finally closing in 2004. J.C. Penney finally closed its store in 2005. Most specialty stores went through numerous changes; those that were part of national chains had largely pulled out by the turn of the century. The stores that remain are mostly independent stores, and largely cater to the African-American community that now predominates in the surrounding area.

In 2006, Western Hills Mall underwent a major transformation. The Penney's location was completely demolished, with the mall building being truncated at the former Penney's entrance. In its place, a new Wal-Mart Supercenter was built, opening in 2006. The Supercenter replaced an existing standard Wal-Mart (itself a former Woolco location) across the street. The new store has been sought by Fairfield officials for many years; former Fairfield Mayor Larry Langford had conducted negotiations for a Supercenter during most of his time in office, and originally had made a deal for Wal-Mart to build on a former U.S. Steel office site about a half mile away, but that deal fell through after he was elected to the county commission.

The mall is owned and operated by Aranov Realty of Montgomery, one of Alabama's largest commercial developers. The Fairfield City Council renamed the former Weibel Drive, which runs in front of the mall, to Aaron Aronov Drive in honor of the developer.

In 2022 Aronov and Stephen Corenblum sold the mall property to Peleg Group of Miami, Florida for $2.94 million. The new owners invested $4 million in refurbishments, including a new food court and restrooms, new roof, air conditioning, repainting, resurfacing the parking lot and adding LED lighting.

Tenants

=Former tenants

References

External links

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