Dead malls: Searstown Mall

Completed in 1966, Searstown Mall was built to serve a city in the midst of an economic boom during the height of NASA's Apollo program to get man on the moon.

When the 285,000-square-foot mall opened just off the coastline of Indian River Lagoon, it was anchored with a Sears, Woolworth, Publix and Eckerd Drugs. Popular through the 1990s, the mall has suffered from demographic shifts, demand for new interactive shopping experiences and changes in consumer behavior during the 21st century.

However, its largest blow came with the closure of Sears in May 2018. Rebranded Titusville Mall, today the shopping center is a relic of the past and its days may be quickly coming to an end. Future plans for the 22-acre property indicate that the mall will be demolished and replaced by a $145 million, redevelopment called Titusville Resort and Destination.

From 1966 to 2018, Sear’s was the main anchor at Searstown Mall. The mall was renamed after the departure of Sears.

The F. W. Woolworth Company, a pioneer of the five-and-dime store concept, anchored the mall’s center court. The Woolworth chain ceased operations during the 1990s. Today, Bealls Outlet occupies this space. Bealls Outlet is the last large scale retail chain located at the mall.