Century Plaza, formerly Century Mall was a one-level shopping mall 43.2 miles (69.6 km) southeast of downtown Chicago, Illinois, between Broadway, East 81st Avenue, and East 84th Avenue in Merrillville, a suburb of Chicago. The mall had two anchors which once housed Burlington Coat Factory and Montgomery Ward.
Mall History[]
Century Mall opened to the public in 1979, its original anchors were Goldblatt's and Montgomery Ward. In August 1982, Simon Property Group bought the mall, the mall was only 70 percent leased at the time. Also in 1982, Goldblatt's closed down. The same year, Burlington Coat Factory and Service Merchandise took over the former Goldblatt's space. During this time, Simon converted the mall to an off-price and discount-oriented concept, similar to what it had done at Arborland Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Eastgate Consumer Mall in Indianapolis.
A small food court was located near the south side of the mall, located near the long corridor leading to Burlington Coat Factory and Service Merchandise. The food court contained many small local restaurants, but also included a Schoop's Hamburgers and a Subway. The mall at one time housed R-Way, a drug store located on the north side, just outside Montgomery Ward.
In 1990, in cooperation with the Northwest Indiana Walkers, Century Mall opened the interior of the mall to accommodate mall walkers.
Decline[]
Despite the inital success of the off-price format, the mall continued its economic decline. In 1995, Service Merchandise closed and relocated to the Crossings at Hobart in Hobart. Burlington Coat Factory then expanded into the former Service Merchandise space. In March 2001, Montgomery Ward closed down. Also in 2001, the mall was closed down with plans to convert the land into a power center. The enclosed mall was later demolished in 2002.
Power Center[]
In June 2002, Century Mall was renamed into Century Plaza as the complex was converted into a power center. Also in 2002, Old Time Pottery opened in the former Montgomery Ward space. In March 2008, Staples opened. In September 2010, Burlington Coat Factory closed and relocated to the Crossings at Hobart in Hobart. In 2023, Old Time Pottery was converted into Gabe's.