Boone Mall

Boone Mall is a regional shopping center serving Boone and the surrounding Watauga County area of North Carolina. It opened on March 18, 1981, after being developed by William Barnett's Henderson, North Carolina-based Barnett Real Properties Inc. The center initially contained approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space, opened with 25 stores, and was designed to accommodate as many as 40 tenants. Its original anchor stores were JCPenney and Belk. The development was expected to create about 500 local jobs, making it a significant retail and employment project for the area. The mall occupies land between Hodges Creek and Winkler's Creek. Before construction, some local residents expressed concern that the large paved parking area could alter water flow and contribute to downstream flooding. Those concerns became relevant during a major flash-flooding event on August 26, 1992, when several areas of Boone were affected and three to four feet of water covered portions of the mall parking lot. A motorist trapped in a station wagon was rescued by boat. A major ownership and physical-renovation phase began after Barnett Real Properties sold the property to H.L. Libby Corp. on June 14, 2005, for an undisclosed amount. Renovation work in 2006 modernized the front entrance and altered the interior layout. Old Navy was introduced in space created from the mall's existing retail area, rather than in a conventional anchor box, while Panera Bread and other tenants were also added. The central sunken fountain and brick planter features were removed, producing a more level floor plan intended to support kiosks, temporary events, and more flexible circulation. During construction, the main front entrance was closed, although customers could continue to enter through JCPenney or a rear entrance. The tenant and anchor mix changed substantially in the late 2010s. Belk consolidated its former home-goods operation into the main Belk store in 2017. The vacated space was combined with a former Dollar General location to create a HomeGoods store, which opened on August 20, 2017. JCPenney closed its Boone Mall location on July 31, 2017, as part of the chain's nationwide store-reduction program. Sears Hometown subsequently closed on July 1, 2018. Hobby Lobby replaced the former JCPenney space and incorporated several adjacent interior areas; its Boone store opened on December 31, 2018, without interior mall access. Ulta Beauty later opened on September 2, 2022, in the space formerly occupied by Old Navy. The mall's current identity is built around a smaller set of national department, specialty, beauty, home-goods, and craft retailers. Belk and Hobby Lobby serve as the principal anchors, while TJ Maxx and HomeGoods function as junior anchors. Boone Mall remains a local and regional shopping destination rather than an international consumer brand, and publicly available reference material does not identify a current owner, operating company, official website, or public-market listing.

Boone Mall was developed in Boone, North Carolina, by William Barnett and Barnett Real Properties Inc., a company based in Henderson, North Carolina. The center opened on March 18, 1981, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Its approximately 200,000 square feet of retail area initially held 25 stores, with room for a planned total of 40. JCPenney and Belk were the original anchor tenants, and the project was expected to generate roughly 500 jobs for the region. Construction reportedly cost $2.5 million. The shopping center was built between Hodges Creek and Winkler's Creek. Before construction, residents raised concerns that the development's extensive parking lot could change drainage patterns and increase flooding downstream. On August 26, 1992, flash flooding affected Boone, including the mall property. Water reportedly reached three to four feet in sections of the parking lot, where a motorist had to be rescued from a station wagon by boat. The mall also experienced a serious incident soon after opening. On July 20, 1981, an explosion at the Italian Village Restaurant damaged that restaurant, Kinney's Shoes, the Lettuce Leaf salad bar, and an unoccupied store. No one was injured. A state arson specialist concluded that flammable vapor had mixed with air and ignited, causing approximately $400,000 in damage. The investigation produced three arrests. Restaurant owner Mike Hakaj was arrested but was found not guilty by a jury in November 1981. Gjoni Bardh was charged with arson after being located in New York with severe burns, while Christine Louise Altice was accused of assisting him; the reference material states that neither of those cases proceeded to trial. Hakaj later pursued an insurance claim and lawsuit concerning the explosion, while the insurer disputed coverage. Barnett Real Properties sold the mall to H.L. Libby Corp. on June 14, 2005. The new ownership planned improvements, and the first major renovation followed in 2006. The front entrance was remodeled and temporarily closed, with shoppers redirected through JCPenney or a rear entrance. Old Navy was added in space carved from the mall rather than a conventional anchor box, and Panera Bread joined the tenant mix. The renovation removed a sunken center-court fountain and brick planters, creating a level interior intended to make kiosks and events easier to accommodate. The property underwent further tenant changes during a period of nationwide department-store contraction. In 2017, Belk folded its separate home-goods operation back into the main store. The former Belk Home Goods area and a vacant Dollar General space were combined for HomeGoods, which opened on August 20. JCPenney closed on July 31, 2017, and Sears Hometown followed on July 1, 2018. Hobby Lobby took over the former JCPenney area and several adjacent spaces, opening on December 31, 2018, without interior concourse access. Ulta Beauty replaced Old Navy's former space and opened on September 2, 2022. The center's current public profile is that of a local and regional enclosed mall anchored by Belk and Hobby Lobby, with TJ Maxx and HomeGoods serving as junior anchors. Available reference material does not establish a current owner, management company, official website, financial profile, or public listing.

• 2022

  Ulta Beauty opens

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Ulta Beauty opens on September 2 in the former Old Navy space.

• 2018

  Sears Hometown closes

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Sears Hometown closes its mall-adjacent location on July 1.

• 2018

  Hobby Lobby opens

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Hobby Lobby opens on December 31 in the former JCPenney space and adjacent areas.

• 2017

  HomeGoods opens

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  HomeGoods opens on August 20 in space created through the consolidation of Belk Home Goods and an adjacent vacant unit.

• 2017

  JCPenney closes

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The original anchor closes on July 31 as part of JCPenney's nationwide store closures.

• 2006

  First major renovation

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The entrance and interior are remodeled, Old Navy and Panera Bread are added, and the central fountain and planters are removed.

• 2005

  Ownership changes to H.L. Libby Corp.

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Barnett Real Properties sells the property on June 14, with the purchaser planning renovations.

• 1992

  Flash flooding reaches the mall parking lot

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A major Boone flooding event leaves several feet of water in parts of the parking lot and prompts a boat rescue.

• 1981

  Boone Mall opens

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall opens on March 18 with JCPenney and Belk as anchor stores and approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space.

• 1981

  Restaurant explosion damages mall premises

  [1]Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org

  An explosion at the Italian Village Restaurant damages several stores on July 20; no injuries are reported.

A regional, convenience-oriented enclosed shopping center serving Boone and nearby communities through a mix of national department, off-price, craft, home-goods, beauty, and food tenants.

• Department store · 1981

  Belk

  Belk is one of Boone Mall's original anchors and remains a principal department-store destination. Its assortment is associated with apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and household merchandise. The separate Belk Home Goods operation was consolidated into the main store in 2017.

• Craft and home décor retailer · 2018

  Hobby Lobby

  Hobby Lobby occupies the former JCPenney space and adjoining areas. Its typical assortment includes arts-and-crafts materials, seasonal merchandise, home décor, fabric, framing, and related hobby supplies. The Boone location opened in late 2018 without interior mall access.

• Off-price retailer

  TJ Maxx

  TJ Maxx serves as a junior anchor and provides discounted apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods, and other rotating merchandise.

• Home-goods retailer · 2017

  HomeGoods

  HomeGoods occupies space assembled from the former Belk Home Goods operation and an adjacent vacant unit. The store focuses on home furnishings, décor, textiles, kitchen items, and other household products, with inventory that changes frequently.

• Beauty retailer · 2022

  Ulta Beauty

  Ulta Beauty replaced Old Navy's former space and opened in 2022. Its retail category includes cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrance, beauty tools, and salon-related services, although the reference material does not specify the exact local service offering.

• 1981

  Italian Village Restaurant explosion and arson investigation

  An explosion at the Italian Village Restaurant on July 20 damaged several Boone Mall stores and caused approximately $400,000 in damage. A state investigator attributed it to ignited flammable vapor. Three people were connected to the investigation through arrests or charges. Restaurant owner Mike Hakaj was acquitted, while the reference material says the cases involving Gjoni Bardh and Christine Louise Altice did not proceed to trial. The incident also led to an insurance dispute.

  Source

Read more

• 2022

  Add Ulta BeautyProduct launch

  Background

  Old Navy's former space became available after the apparel retailer's departure.

  Action taken

  Ulta Beauty opened in the former Old Navy space on September 2.

  Aftermath

  The tenant lineup gained a national specialty beauty retailer.

  Source

• 2018

  Replace JCPenney with Hobby LobbyGeneration change

  Background

  JCPenney closed its original anchor location in 2017, leaving a large space and adjacent interior areas available for redevelopment.

  Action taken

  Hobby Lobby took over the former JCPenney premises and several adjoining spaces, opening on December 31 without interior mall access.

  Aftermath

  The replacement shifted the mall's anchor mix toward craft, home décor, and seasonal merchandise.

  Source

• 2017

  Consolidate Belk Home Goods space for HomeGoodsStrategy

  Background

  Belk closed its separate home-goods operation and returned those products to the main Belk store, creating an opportunity to reuse the vacated area.

  Action taken

  The former Belk Home Goods unit was combined with a vacant Dollar General space for a new HomeGoods store.

  Aftermath

  HomeGoods opened on August 20, adding a dedicated home-goods junior anchor to the mall.

  Source

• 2006

  Reconfigure the mall for flexible retail and eventsStrategy

  Background

  The post-acquisition renovation sought to modernize the center and accommodate additional tenants, kiosks, and events.

  Action taken

  Management remodeled the front entrance, added Old Navy and Panera Bread, and removed the sunken fountain and brick planters to create a level interior.

  Aftermath

  The center continued operating during the work through alternative entrances and expanded its tenant mix.

  Source

1. 1Boone Mallen.wikipedia.org