Definition
Cary Towne Center was a regional shopping mall situated in Cary, North Carolina, United States.
Overview
Cary Towne Center opened in 1979 under the name Cary Mall. The property was later re‑branded as Cary Towne Center after a series of renovations and ownership changes, most notably under CBL & Associates Properties. The mall encompassed approximately 1.2 million square feet of gross leasable area and at its peak housed more than 100 retail stores, a food court, and a multi‑screen movie theater. Anchor tenants over the years included Belk, JCPenney, Sears, and Dillard’s (formerly Ivey’s).
In the late 2010s, declining foot traffic and broader retail trends led to the closure of several anchor stores. The mall ceased operations in early 2021, and demolition began shortly thereafter to make way for a mixed‑use redevelopment project that includes residential, office, and retail components.
Etymology/Origin
The name combines the town’s designation, “Cary,” with the marketing term “Towne Center,” a phrase commonly used in the United States to denote a shopping complex intended to serve as a community hub.
Characteristics
- Location: Situated at the intersection of US 1 (Capital Boulevard) and Walnut Street in central Cary, North Carolina.
- Size: Approximately 1.2 million sq ft of gross leasable area on a single level, with a parking deck and surface lot providing several thousand parking spaces.
- Layout: A rectangular floor plan centered around a primary concourse that connected the anchor stores, with a secondary interior corridor leading to the food court and entertainment venues.
- Anchors (historical):
- Belk – original anchor, later expanded its footprint.
- JCPenney – operated from opening until its closure in 2020.
- Sears – opened in the early 1990s, closed in 2019.
- Dillard’s – occupied the former Ivey’s space until 2020.
- Amenities: Included a food court with a variety of quick‑service restaurants, a 12‑screen movie theater (formerly operated by AMC Theatres), and periodic community events such as seasonal festivals and local charity drives.
- Ownership and Management: Managed primarily by CBL & Associates Properties from 2001 until the mall’s closure; the redevelopment is being overseen by a consortium of local developers and the Town of Cary.
Related Topics
- List of shopping malls in North Carolina
- Mixed‑use development projects in the Research Triangle region
- CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
- Retail trends and the decline of traditional enclosed malls in the United States
- Cary, North Carolina – municipal planning and economic development initiatives