All images in this post were taken by Darel Rex Finley. With his permission, I have used them to write this post.
When Katy Mills Mall opened in 1999, it wasn’t surrounded by much. To the South, two recently developed and unfinished neighborhoods, Pin Oak Village and Falcon Point. To the North, downtown “Old Katy”. With no development to the East or West. Even the outparcels of the mall were underdeveloped, with a Walmart and Toys ‘R Us being the only other retail nearby.
The idea of building a mall here puzzled some, as it seemed to be “out in the sticks.” The reality is that this was a prime location for a mall. The suburbs were booming, and the developer, The Mills Corporation, had gone through tons of trouble to build this mall. The land on which the mall sits was part of the Katy Prairie. Specifically, they were wetlands.
The Mills Corporation had given a large donation to the Katy Prairie Conservancy to help purchase new land and prevent environmental backlash. The Army Corps of Engineers had to permit and supervise the draining of the wetlands as they had protected status. As well, the land was owned by the City of Houston, it was sold to the city of Katy, who then sold it to the developer. During development, competing companies tried to open two rival malls at the same time as Katy Mills, both of which would fail before being started.
The Mills Corporation was finally able to build the mall, pushing the original goal of early 1999 to late December, just in time for Christmas. The mall was sold on the outlet concept but in a traditional mall setting. Many stores in the nearby Sealy outlets would jump ship to Katy Mills. This would help to make Katy Mills the premier shopping destination for most of West Houston.
The mall was designed in the standard “Mills fashion” the mall had a racetrack layout with a central food court. Each segment of the racetrack was considered a neighborhood. Each neighborhood was sponsored by a company. Upon entering the mall, you were told by an automatic speaker which neighborhood you had just entered.
The mall had a theme of a day out at the mall with the Star Family. The colors and styles were meant to evoke the idea of children creating the decor using only construction paper and scissors. The food court had its own unique theme, entitled Katy Field Day the individual stalls were each theme to look like a child’s lunchbox, and the ends of the food court were flanked by full-service restaurants.
The corridors were designed with a rising and falling pattern. The changes were dealt with by a combination of ramps and stairs. The floors were wood under a heavy coat of lacquer. Trees were placed at certain intervals in planters built into the ground. The ceiling was unique in that no drop ceilings were used or required by stores. Meaning that, for the most part, if you looked up, you could see straight to the roof.
With the exception of anchors and the two full-service restaurants, storefronts were limited to their logo and minimal branding. They could add some individual touches, but for the most part, they were very standardized. The idea behind this probably fell to the fact that Katy Mills was considered to be an Outlet Mall, but the conformity would diminish over the years.
Certain areas were themed based on their sponsor, such as the Coca-Cola neighborhood. It featured a giant white polar bear (Coke’s mascot at the time), sled-shaped benches, and moving spotlights with snowflake-shaped filters. The theming reflected the company, and save for the sled-shaped benches would be stripped when Coca-Cola was no longer sponsored.
Please take some time to visit Darel’s website. Not only does he have more pictures of Katy Mills on opening day. He also has tons of tutorials for cool things.
I am reposting this comment from the Louisiana and Texas Retail Blogspot as another call to action.
According to a 2002 webpage linked in the comment section of a blogpost on the mall with an alternate photo of the Coca-Cola bear, there appears to be a list of stores from around 1999, judging by the Benetton Sportsystem and the EUROKIDS Designer Boutique (after reading the comments), but this was made in 2002, which is why we see stores such as Frederick’s of Hollywood and Midnight Rodeo. Here’s a list of stores that were mentioned, as well as their locations found in the mall. Because this was made in 1999, I couldn’t find a directory of Katy Mills in 1999. The earliest I could find was in the archived website from 2001. This will be a very long comment, so read through if you have time, and if someone can stop by for a reply, because this comment won’t be updated, I’m going to make a list.
Here’s the list of stores mentioned in the page, as well as the changes made (March 2019).
Aerial Communications – 142, listed in the 2001 directory as “VoiceStream Wireless”, now known as “T-Mobile”.
AniMagic – 744, it is now “Kimo’s Grill”.
Ann Taylor Loft – 250, now known as “Loft Outlet”.
(Coming Soon!) Archer Chrysler Jeep – Unknown, possibly a kiosk in the corridor, since most car dealers are simply just cars in a corridor in a mall, this was made in 2002, so it probably wasn’t there at the mall yet.
As Seen On TV – Unknown, probably 155, It probably didn’t exist until 2002-2003, but in a different spot, it is now “Bamboo Massage”.
Athlete’s Foot – 215, it is now merged with 213 to become “Victoria’s Secret”.
Athlete’s Foot for Her – 406, it is now “Samsonite”.
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels – 742, it is now split up as “Wetzel’s Pretzels” and “Marble Slab Creamery”.
Bag ‘n Baggage – 366, it is now merged with 370 to become “Coach Factory”.
Ballagio Jewelers – Unknown, possibly 649, it is now “Vitamin World”.
Banana Republic Factory Store – 250, still there
Bass Outlet – 562, it is now split up as “Luxury Beauty Store” and “Adidas”.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World – Near Entry 4, still there
Bath & Body Works – 655, still there
Beauty Express – 519, it is now “The Perfume Shop”.
Bed Bath & Beyond – Near Food Court, it is now “Restoration Hardware Outlet”.
Benetton Sportsystem – 330/544, 330 is now “Kate Spade New York”, 544 is now merged with 338 to become “XXI Forever”.
Bible Factory Outlet – 453, it is now “Austin 5”.
Big Dogs – 643, it is now “Pop Up Shop”.
Black & Decker – 506, it is now “Suit Warehouse”.
Books-A-Million – Near Entry 2, still there
Bose – 219, it is now “Victoria’s Secret PINK”.
Brooks Brothers – 246, it is now “J. Crew Factory”.
Brookwood Community Store – 402, it is now “Wilsons Leather Outlet”.
Bugle Boy – 676, it is now split up as “American Eagle Outfitters” and “Oakley Vault”.
Bui-Yah-Kah – 358, it is now merged with 364 to become “Calvin Klein”.
Burlington Coat Factory – Near Entry 5, now known as “Burlington”.
Carlene Research – 667, it is now vacant.
Carter’s – 630, still there
Casual Corner Annex & Co. – 563, it is now “A’Gaci”.
Charlotte Russe – 661, it is now “Under Armour Factory House”.
Children’s Place – 614, still there
Claire’s – 521, it is now “Eyebrow Designer 21”.
Corning Revere – 551, it is now “Shoe Palace”.
Country Clutter – 541, it is now “Torrid”.
CR Jewelers Diamond Outlet – 342, it is now “Yankee Candle”.
Cutting Edge – 446, it is now “Universal Cellular”.
Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop – See further below.
Desiree Gallery – Unknown, possibly 737, despite the spot being partially reserved for a Future Major space. it is now “Fashion Double Heart”. I theorize it’s a ceramic store, so it would make more sense if it was possibly located in 457, since most “arts n crafts” stores take its place looking at the directories, it is now “Texas Embroidery and Engraving”.
Dress Barn/Dress Barn Woman – 526, still there
Earthbound Trading Company – 408, still there
Eurokids Designer Boutique – Between Neighborhoods 2 and 3, it is now “Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store”.
Eye Candy – 710, it is now “Levi’s Outlet Store”.
F.Y.E.-For Your Entertainment – Between Neighborhoods 1 and 7, it is now “Tilt Studio”.
Finish Line – 713, still there
Flag Shop – 517, it is now “Gelateria 4D”.
Forget Me Not, by American Greetings – 346, it is now merged with 350 to become “Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet”.
(Coming Soon!) Frederick’s of Hollywood – 161, this was made in 2002, so it probably wasn’t there at the mall yet, it is now “Leggings Park”.
Funkyard – 351, it is now merged with 357 to become “Marshalls”.
Games Workshop – 140, it is now “Pro Laser Skin Center by Euroskin”.
Gap Outlet – 611, still there
Geoffrey Beene – 606, never existed in 1999, space later occupied by “Santa Claus & Company”, it is now “Build-A-Bear Workshop”.
GNC – 412, still there
Golf America – Unknown, possibly 139, since a later directory mentions that “Putting Edge” was in this spot, it is now vacant, the spot is rarely used, possibly would’ve been located in 357, it is now merged with 351 to become “Marshalls”.
GTE Authorized Wireless Agent – 674, listed in the 2001 directory as “Verizon Wireless”, it is now “AT&T”.
Guess – 318, still there
Guitar’s & Cadillac’s – 529, it is now “Sprint”.
Haggar Clothing Co. – 610, still there
Harold Powell – 325, it is now merged with 321 to become “Neiman Marcus Last Call”.
Hickory Farms – A kiosk in front of 614, it is now demolished.
Hot Topic – 709, still there
House of Perfume – 730, it is now “Perfumes Unlimited & Cosmetics”.
Image Nation – 347, never existed in 1999, space later occupied by “Fine Art & Frames”, it is now vacant.
Jewelry Box Outlet – 740, still there
Jewelers of Las Vegas – 510, it is now “Diamonds & More Diamond Outlet”.
Jillian’s – Near Entry 7, it is now “Jumpstreet”.
Jockey – 548, it is now “Converse”.
Journey’s – 729, still there
Just Sports – 725, it is now “Spencer Gifts”.
KB Toys Outlet – 530, it is now “Bass Outlet”.
Kenneth Cole New York – 238, it is now “Tedo”.
Kirkland’s Outlet – 209, it is now “Buckle”.
Kitchen Collection – 407, it is now vacant.
Larry’s Shoes Authentic Outlet – 321, it is now merged with 325 to become “Neiman Marcus Last Call”.
LC Nails – 525, it is now “ChurroMania”.
Leather Loft – 502, it is now “Uniform Desination”.
Leggs/Hanes/Bali/Platex – 642, it is now vacant.
Levis [sic]/Dockers Outlet by Most – 618, it is now “Express Factory Outlet”.
Lennox – 401, never existed in 1999, space later occupied by “Global Exotics”, it is now merged with 405 to become “Rack Room Shoes”.
Lids for Less – 651, still there
Life Uniforms – 501, it is now “Mo’s Deli”.
Liz Claiborne – 338, listed as “Liz Claiborne Shoes” it is now merged with 544 to become “XXI Forever”.
Lorianna – Unknown, possibly 156, it is now “Lane Bryant Outlet”.
Maidenform – Unknown, since when was there a Maidenform in Katy Mills? If there was, it would be next to 200, because we’ve seen many popular brand in the wing in front of Old West Warehouse, since most directories feature popular designer names, it is now “Crocs”.
MasterCuts – 738, still there
(Coming Soon!) Midnight Rodeo – Near Entry 1, never existed in 1999, listed in a later directory as “Opening 2002”, it is now “Ross Dress for Less”.
Mikasa – 545, it is now merged with 549 to become “Old Navy Outlet”.
Motherhood Maternity Outlet – 558, still there
Nascar Silicon Motor Speedway – 751, it is now vacant.
Naturalizer – 647, still there
Nautica – 230, it is now “Michael Kors”.
OFF 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet – Near Entry 2, now known as “Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th”.
Official Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop – 363, it is now “Florsheim Shoes”.
Old Navy – Near Entry 6, it is now “H&M”.
Old West Warehouse – Near Entries 1 and 2, it is now “Off Broadway Shoes”.
One Stop News – Kiosk in the AMC Plaza, it is now demolished.
Oshkosh B’Gosh – 634, still there
Pacific Sunwear Outlet – 701, now known as “PacSun”.
Past & Present – 732, it is now “i-Tech & Repair”.
Payless ShoeSource – 542, still there
Perfumery Nilly – 224, according to a photo by the Houston Chronicle, it is now “Kipling”.
Perry Ellis – 316, it is now “Fossil”.
Pfaltzgraff – 369, it is now “Nautica”.
Play Co. Toys – 722, it is now “Zumiez”.
Pomeroy – 726, it is now “Fanzz”.
Rack Room Shoes Metro Mart – 350, it is now merged with 346 to become “Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet”.
Rainforest Café – Near Entry 3, still there
Radio Shack – 213, never existed in 1999, space later occupied by “Dresses & Beyond”, it is now merged with 215 to become “Victoria’s Secret”.
Reebok – 152, it is now “Five Below”.
Remington Factory Outlet – 523, it is now “Jewelry Emporium”.
Ritz Camera – 719, it is now vacant.
Rue 21 – 202, it is now merged with 204 to become “Nike Factory Store”.
Samsonite Tavel [sic] Expo – 538, it is now “Famous Footwear”.
Sanrio – 138, it is now vacant.
Select Comfort-The Air Bed Company – 409, it is now “Steve Madden”.
Shoe Carnival – 549, it is now merged with 545 to become “Old Navy Outlet”.
Skechers USA – 671, still there
Spencer Gifts – 144, it is now “Subway”.
Stars & Legends – 411, it is now “Sweets 3 Nail Bar & Lounge”.
Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear – 154, not to be confused with the one that replaced Jillian’s, it is now “Corningware Corelle & More”.
Stiffel Company Store – Unknown, possibly 401, it is now merged with 405 to become “Rack Room Shoes”.
Stop N’ Save Software – 205, it is now “GameStop”.
Stride Rite Keds Sperry – 626, it is now “Reebok”.
Studio One to One Photography – 450, it is now “Urban Grill”.
Sun & Ski Sports – Near Entry 5, still there
Sunglass World – 222, it is now merged with 220 to become “Kay Jewelers Outlet”.
Sunglasses [sic] Hut/Watch Station International – 646, now known as “Sunglass Hut”.
Swim ‘N Sport – 251, it is now “Lavalier”.
Texas Treasures – 157, still there
(Coming Soon!) The Doll House – 243, never existed in 1999, space already occupied by “Santa Claus & Company”, it is now “Janie & Jack”.
The Hoover Company – 405, it is now merged with 401 to become “Rack Room Shoes”.
The Icing – 153, it is now “Claire’s”.
The Whitehall Co. – 670, it is now vacant.
Tic Toc Too – 371, it is now “Clarks Bostonian Outlet”.
Timberland – 226, it is now “New York & Company”.
Tommy Hilfiger – 322, still there
Toy Co. – 514, it is now “Rue 21”.
Track N’ Trail Warehouse – 204, it is now merged with 202 to become “Nike Factory Store”.
T-Shirt Plus featuring Foot of the Loom – 364, it is now merged with 358 to become “Calvin Klein”.
Ultra Diamond and Gold – 440, it is now merged with 442 to become “Monica Jewelers”.
Urban Planet/Urban Girl – 716, it is now split up as “Cotton On” and “Q”.
Van Heusen – 638, now known as “Van Heusen/IZOD”.
Vans Shoes – 721, still there
Vitamin World Factory Outlet – 210, it is now merged with 214 to become “Tommy Bahama Company Store”.
Walson’s Jewelers Factory Outlet – 155, never existed in 1999, it is now “Bamboo Massage”.
Warnaco Factory Outlet – 214, it is now “Justice”.
Watch World – 220, it is now merged with 222 to become “Kay Jewelers Outlet”.
Wet Seal – 705, probably never existed in 1999, photo shows no sign in storefront, it is now “Foot Locker”.
Why Not [sic] – 442, corrected as “Why Knot”, it is now merged with 440 to become “Monica Jewelers”.
Wilson’s Leather Outlet – 665, it is now “Aldo”.
Windsor – 675, it is now “Aéropostale”.
World Traveler – 160, it is now “Wax Accessories”.
Ylang Ylang – 234, it is now “Janie & Jack”.
Young Hui – 712, it is now “Robert Wayne Footwear”.
Zales Outlet – The Diamond Store – 319, still there
There are some stores they forgot to mention existed, such as the Joe Muggs Coffee in Books-A-Million, the Orange Julius that was next to 738, the Wetzel’s Pretzels and the Cold Stone Creamery across from 501, the police substation, the restaurants in the food court, and the two full-service restaurants (Moe’s Restaurant, Johnny Rockets), as well as the stores in the AMC Plaza, including the AMC 20 Theatres, as well as the Starbucks and the Great American Cookie Company. But according to promotional material, the photos posted here, and a few more photos from 1999, Orange Julius, Wetzel’s, Cold Stone, Moe’s, Johnny Rockets, AMC, and Starbucks did exist (a commercial linked in the Louisiana and Texas Retail Blogspot shows a green ball in the “eat together” scene in the animation which supposedly reads “Starbucks”). Some stores, such as the Great American Cookie Company are harder to identify on the map, since we don’t have enough photos. A Houston Community Impact article mentions Starflight Cafe was among many of the anchors that opened. I also assumed after reading the list that Candy Headquarters and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory never existed in 1999, but it’s because there was no “Specialty Foods” section in the directory, and looking at the aforementioned 2001 directory, this makes clear sense. There was no specialty food section in the mall’s map, but like I said, photos from 1999 show Wetzel’s, Cold Stone, and Orange Julius show these places being there. If true, then Candy Headquarters, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and the other snack shops and eateries may have existed, just not listed.
Please note, their space numbers are undisclosed making them harder to identify. But with a few photos from 1999, and the data from the archived 2001 directory, we at least can get an idea about each store’s whereabouts. This is how I found out that a photo from 1999 linked here shows a store “OKIDS” that would later become “Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store”. Other promotional material from the archived website from 2004 shows scenes of the circus courtyard, in which one store, that looks like it sells clocks is named “Tic Toc Too”. Another photo from 1999, when the mall was under construction shows a Benetton placeholder sign “NOTTENEB” next to Jockey, proving its location south of Entry 3. Also, a floorplan from a retail fanon wiki links a floorplan of Katy Mills from 2006, in which the label for 142 reads “AERIAL COMMUNICATION” and 674 reads “GTE WIRELESS”, further proving their locations.
In conclusion, not all of the stores from 1999 were identified. If someone reading this stumbles upon this comment, reply to this comment and tell us if you know any information about these stores. It’s okay if you don’t remember the exact spaces, but you can tell us which stores surrounded them. (e.g. “I remember that in the early 2000’s there was a Steve and Barry’s somewhere near the AMC Theater…it wasn’t as big as the one on the south end of the mall that used to be a Jillian’s, it was, I believe next to Reebok or something…” etc.) Perhaps this will give us an idea as to what stores Katy Mills had when it opened, so that we can recreate the directory.
Update: The Doll House occupied by “Ylang Ylang,” Archer Chrysler Jeep is a peripheral establishment.
Correction: Ritz Camera merged with 721 to become “Vans Outlet”. Vans Shoes merged with 719 to be the same store.
CORRECTION: As I read through the 2001 directory, I noticed there was no mention of K-B Toys in the “Toys” section. I was wrong, BIG TIME! I always thought it existed as early as when the mall opened considering that K-B was popular in the late 90’s, but now I realize it opened in 2001, never existed in 1999. Sorry!
hey im looking for a news clip from the day it opened on october 28, 1999 on fox 26 news. If you find a clip anywhere please respond asap so i can watch it and look for my principle Sonya Sanzo and her son Tyler Sanzo being interviewed. If you find a link please respond by adding its link.
Thank you, Kohen D
Did Katy Mills Mall used to have a bar/night club in it?
Yes, Midnight Rodeo.
I really wish I had went back to 1999. That’s when the mall opened. I found some of the newest pictures you can find:
https://www.gregrosedesign.com/#/176872/2041877/
http://www.jkdesigngroup.com/katyphotos.htm
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7vxhe
From Lenny.
What was the electronic store that used to be there south of bass pro
I checked an early directory and was unable to find what you were talking about. If you can tell me what store is there now, I might be able to figure it out.
Did you ever find out the name ?
FYE
I just saw that there was a Harold P store but I don’t know the full name. I know that it has become a Last Call outlet by Neiman Marcus.
I know the name… it’s… HAROLD-POWELL!
Is anyone aware of the name of the restaurant that looks like a stone building and starts with an M? It’s now a Tommy Bahama at Katy Mills but I’m looking for the original restaurant name.
It was Moe’s Bar and Grill.
Hello there. I think I heard you got maps from 1999 or 2004. If you have them, please reply to me or send me an email. I’m waiting for you here!
Hi Lenny the only directory I have is the one linked in the comments. You might be able to find more using the internet archive.
According to an article from the Houston Chronicle in The stores committed to be in early 1998 included: “Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Off Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills, Virgin Megastore, Books-A-Million, a Boot Town outlet, Rainforest Cafe, GameWorks, Bed Bath & Beyond, Burlington Coat Factory and Marshall’s”.
Bass Pro Shops, Books-a-Million, Rainforest Cafe, Burlington Coat Factory, and Marshalls opened as planned, as well as Bed Bath & Beyond, though it moved summer 2016. However, there were a few that I’m dubious about:
Boot Town – “Old West Warehouse” is there in a directory in an online directory that appears to date from 2002 or 2003, as well as the 2004 directory. Now it’s Off Broadway Shoes. Boot Town closed chain-wide in 2008, so it may never have opened.
Off Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills – Described here: [http://www.nreionline.com/mag/next-generation-retailing-evolves-mills-corporation], was in Grapevine Mills in 1998. Not enough for a full sized anchor and would’ve, based on the size of the store in my 1998 Grapevine Mills directory, about a mid-sized anchor. This probably what became Midnight Rodeo later (“opening 2002”) and is now Ross Dress for Less.
GameWorks – Isn’t mentioned in any articles past 1998. Jillian’s opened up instead (pre-dating Marq*E) and the space became Steve & Barry’s (briefly)
Virgin Megastore – Again, no mention of it after 1998. (It too opened in Grapevine Mills). FYE opened in the south (AMC) side at some point (operational by 2002-2003), but FYE, as a brand, did not operate until 2001, two years after Katy Mills’ opening…and Virgin Megastore operated until the late 2000s. I considered that it could have been Media Play originally, but if that were true, it would still have been Media Play in the early 2000s.
None of those would have been big enough for the large “Future Major” next to Bass Pro. However, if we take Grapevine Mills as a template for Katy Mills, the Future Major would’ve been a JCPenney Outlet Store, and they may have cancelled it fairly late in development in anticipation of another mall project in the area. (They would open a full-line store across the highway just about seven years after the mall’s opening).
There was another “Future Major” to be built out further past Jillian’s (they had a shipping dock and everything) but it was only partially occupied, and it’s much smaller than other stores, about the size of Books-A-Million.
The pictures are all broken. One thing I’ve never known the answer of is that there’s a “ghost anchor” on the north end of the mall that was never developed, something really substantial (150k square feet!)
I wonder what it was.
Huh that was weird. I fixed all the pictures, I know that the property has never been developed, and Simon still lists it as a Future Anchor space. I’ll look into it and see if I can figure out what may have been planned. I’m thinking maybe it was some kind of attraction along the lines of AMC, or the Jillians which was originally in the mall. Grapevine Mills up in Dallas has a Skatepark. Possibly something that they could have replicated here.
Okay, so upon some investigation as far as I can tell nothing was ever even planned for the land. I found some old maps, and they all call it “Future Major”. I wonder if the fact that the land passes through both Fort Bend and Harris County poses an issue.
May I see the maps?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-yIoBvt1UAgaljpfV-GMBONm7h_GCRs_/view?usp=sharing
I wanna see the 2003
That’s the only one I’ve got. Good call on the store though!
Hello there. I think I heard you got maps from 1999 or 2004. If you have them, please reply to me or send me an email. I’m waiting for you here!