Woodmar Mall, formerly Woodmar Center was a one-level shopping mall 30.7 miles (49.4 km) southeast of downtown Chicago, Illinois, between East 165th Street, East 167th Street, and Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond, a suburb of Chicago. The mall had one open anchor which was Carson's.
Power Center[]
Woodmar Center opened to the public in 1954, the shopping center had one open anchor which was Carson's. Other original tenants included Andes Candies, Chapman Launderers & Cleaners, J.J. Newberry, Kinney Shoes, and National Supermarkets.
In May 1955, the Woodmar Center was expanded and added an additional 26 stores and services. The complex was also expanded to 200,000 square feet.
During the 1960s, Woodmar Center began to experience major competition with two other malls which were Dixie Square Mall in Harvey and River Oaks Center in Calumet City.
Enclosed Mall[]
On October 24, 1966, the Woodmar Center was fully enclosed as an attempt to combat competition, the new renovation also added the expansion of the Carson's store.
In July 1974, National Supermarkets rebranded into Sterk's Super Foods.
In September 1975, another major renovation occurred, as the J.J. Newberry store closed down, the space was renovated into a twelve-store mini mall known as the Court of Lions. The new wing included tenants such as Just Jeans, Rockin' Horse Records, The Gift Box, and The Pastry Kitchen.
In 1978, Sterk's Super Foods closed down, the space was then renovated into a second mini mall which was called the Court of the Turtles.
In December 1986, another major renovation occurred which added a five-bay Food Court, the mall was also renamed from Woodmar Center to Woodmar Mall.
Decline[]
By the early 1990s, the shopping hub was virtually vacant. The decline got so bad that it resulted in the Woodmar Mall closing down in February 2006.