Successful Malls: Ocala's Paddock Mall

A brief virtual look at the rise and survival of an enclosed mall that strives despite the decline of enclosed malls nationwide: Ocala's Paddock Mall

Walking east towards the mall’s Center Court.

A view of the mall’s Center Court.

Walking east towards JCPenney, near Foot Locker.

Founded in 1902 by James Cash Penney, JCPenney operates 663 stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney opened as an original anchor at Paddock Mall in 1980.

Auntie Anne’s in the mall’s Center Court. Auntie Anne’s is an Atlanta-based chain of pretzel shops that was founded by Anne F. Beiler and husband, Jonas, in 1988. Today, there are more than 1,200 locations.

Paddock Mall’s Macy’s originally opened in 1980 as a Maas Brothers department store. Mass Brothers was a Tampa-based chain of 39 stores when it was consolidated into the Burdines department store chain in 1991. In 2005, Burdines merged with Macy’s.

The food court’s Charley’s Philly Steaks. The Winner’s Circle food court, was added to the mall’s south entrance in 1997.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com