The Macy’s at Almeda Mall took in its final customers last Sunday during its going-out-of-business sale. The store, which opened as Foley’s in 1966, actually predated the mall. The department store proposed the shopping center, and the Rouse Company constructed it. With Macy’s now closed, the store lacks any major anchors. Burlington, which occupied the former JCPenney since 2009, moved out about two years ago and, other than Spirit Halloween, has not held any tenants. The third major anchor was Palais Royal, which closed in 2019, shortly before the company declared bankruptcy and liquidated. The space is now occupied by 365, an independent fast fashion retailer, which could be considered, at best, a junior anchor. Over the past few years, the number of vacancies at the mall has increased, but some independent stores have opened and expanded their presence. The mall seems to get good traffic still, but the departure of Macy’s will likely have a large impact. One significant question still up in the air is: What will the fate of the former Macy’s be? Well, the property on which Macy’s sits is not a part of the mall. While the store has an entrance into the mall, the department store opted to keep its property separate from the rest. At this point, a few rumors are circulating, none of which have much to back them up. They mainly involve the demolition and redevelopment of the anchor. The most prominent rumor consists in bringing a new Fiesta store to the space. However, it does not detail what will be done to make this happen. Another popular rumor states that Macy’s will be demolished to build an outdoor lifestyle center. However, this would require 4D Properties (the mall owner, which uses a photo I took of the mall without permission on their website) to take over the property. One thing remains certain, though: if nothing is done to address the lack of anchors, this mall will continue to suffer.
Considering Almeda Mall’s location, I think the mall could find success with a Sharpstown/PlazaAmercias like revitalization. However, I don’t see that happening since 4D Properties seems very Kohan-like with their properties. I think Almeda will be gone or nearly dead in the next 5 years without a major anchor.
Wow, it didn’t cross my mind before that the Willowbrook Mall Macy’s is now the oldest Foley’s/Macy’s in the same building in the Houston area. If you go by building ages, I reckon the Willowbrook Macy’s Men’s & Furniture store is also the oldest along with the original Willowbrook Foley’s since that building opened as a Montgomery Ward along with Foley’s and the rest of the mall in 1981.
The Exclusive Furniture in the old Just for Feet in the Almeda Mall parking lot which was damaged during Hurricane Beryl had banners up on it saying it would re-open, but I notice that the banners were taken down recently and replaced with banners indicating that the building is for sale/lease. I’m not sure what the full story is there, but perhaps it is an indication that Exclusive Furniture has lost faith in that location with Macy’s moving out. 4D Properties certainly has a lot to deal with as Macy’s closing is a big blow for the mall even if someone does move into the old Macy’s. Anything that might potentially take over that spot will likely not be nearly as prestigious of a retailer as Macy’s, even with modern Macy’s being far less reputable than they were decades ago.
I like the subtle jab at the property owners for using your photo lol. That is unacceptable. Sad to see Macy’s go though