Tanglewood Mall

Tanglewood Mall is a shopping center located at the intersection of U.S. Route 220 and Route 419 in southwest Roanoke County, Virginia. The property opened for business on March 28, 1973, after planning that began in 1969 and construction that started in 1971. At opening, it was described as the largest shopping center west of Richmond, with approximately 658,000 square feet of gross leasable area and parking for about 4,000 vehicles. Its initial anchor lineup included J. C. Penney, Leggett, Woolco, Miller & Rhoads, and G.C. Murphy, giving the center a broad department-store and discount-retail mix for the regional market. The mall's original design reflected the retail architecture of the early 1970s. Its interior used dark parquet flooring, tinted glass, modern lighting, and several large fountains. A themed area known as the French Quarter was designed to resemble a European village and contained boutiques, a gourmet market, and the DJ's Brasserie restaurant. A separate convenience center opened next to the mall in 1975, anchored by Kroger and General Cinema, extending the property beyond the enclosed mall itself. Tanglewood's tenant mix changed repeatedly as department stores and specialty chains left or were replaced. G.C. Murphy departed in 1979; its former space was converted into a food court and smaller retail units. Woolco closed in 1983, after which its space was redeveloped for Brendle's, T. J. Maxx, and additional shops. The mall underwent a major interior modernization in 1985 following the opening of Valley View Mall, replacing much of its original decorative scheme with lighter colors, Mediterranean-style tile, and a passenger elevator. Miller & Rhoads closed in 1989, and its former space was divided among smaller occupants. Goody's Family Clothing and Stein Mart were added in 1995, while a ten-screen cinema opened in an outparcel in 1998. A further redevelopment program ran from 2005 through 2007. The work refreshed the interior and exterior, reconfigured existing floor space, and created room for new tenants and junior anchors. New or relocated occupants during this period included A.C. Moore, Steve & Barry's, Staples, and other national and regional retailers. Kroger also renovated its store and frontage. The program sought to reposition Tanglewood as a more flexible shopping and service destination, although vacancy and tenant turnover remained recurring issues. The former Goody's space later housed Miller-Motte Technical College from 2010 until 2021. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the property continued shifting from a traditional department-store mall toward a mixed retail, food-service, healthcare, and convenience-oriented center. J. C. Penney announced the closure of its store in 2017, and Carilion Clinic subsequently converted the space into a children's clinic, which opened in October 2020. A.C. Moore closed in 2019 and its former premises were taken by Michaels. Stein Mart closed in 2020 as part of the chain's nationwide liquidation. New development announced in 2021 and built out in the following period added or planned restaurants and service businesses including Panda Express, Jersey Mike's, Aspen Dental, Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, Chili's, and Popeyes. Burlington also occupied the former Stein Mart space. The center is currently managed by Hackney Real Estate Partners and remains an active commercial property serving the Roanoke-area market.

Planning for Tanglewood Mall began in 1969, and construction followed in 1971. The mall opened on March 28, 1973, as a major enclosed retail destination in southwest Roanoke County. Its five original anchors were J. C. Penney, Leggett, Woolco, Miller & Rhoads, and G.C. Murphy. The center covered roughly 658,000 square feet of gross leasable area and included approximately 4,000 parking spaces. Its architectural character included dark parquet floors, tinted glass, modern lighting, fountains, and a French Quarter area designed as a stylized European village. A nearby convenience center with Kroger and General Cinema opened in 1975. Tenant turnover began in the late 1970s. G.C. Murphy left in 1979, and its former upper level became a food court while the lower level was converted into smaller shops. Woolco closed in 1983, leading to a conversion of its space for Brendle's, T. J. Maxx, and additional retail units. In 1985, the mall received a significant interior renovation after Valley View Mall opened nearby. The refurbishment softened the center's visual style with lighter colors and Mediterranean tile and added a passenger elevator. Miller & Rhoads departed in 1989, and its space was divided for smaller tenants. Goody's Family Clothing and Stein Mart joined the tenant roster in 1995, while a ten-screen cinema opened in an outparcel in 1998. The property entered another redevelopment cycle from 2005 to 2007. The project refreshed the exterior and interior, reorganized floor space, and created new opportunities for junior anchors and specialty retailers. A.C. Moore opened in 2006, and Steve & Barry's occupied a large upper-level area that incorporated portions of the former T. J. Maxx space, the largely unused food court, and adjoining storefronts. Staples and other tenants also used reconfigured space. Kroger renovated its store and frontage during the same period. Despite the investment, the mall experienced vacancies and further turnover. The former Goody's premises became a Miller-Motte Technical College location in 2010, operating there until 2021. A science-museum satellite exhibit, Baby Dinosaurs at the Mall, was presented in 2005. The 2010s brought further movement away from a conventional department-store model. J. C. Penney announced in March 2017 that it would close its store, which shut on July 31 of that year. A.C. Moore announced its closure in March 2019 and left the property in April; Michaels subsequently took over the space. In September 2019, Carilion Clinic announced plans to lease the former J. C. Penney premises for a children's clinic. Construction started later that month, and the Carilion Children's Clinic opened in October 2020. Stein Mart's location was also lost in 2020 when the chain announced a nationwide closure program. Redevelopment continued in the early 2020s. A Kroger gas station opened near the grocery store and Firestone facility in January 2021. In February of that year, Panda Express, Jersey Mike's, Aspen Dental, Blaze Pizza, and Chipotle were announced for new space near the Carilion facility. Chili's and Popeyes were announced in August 2021, with construction beginning in 2022. Burlington later opened in the former Stein Mart space. These changes illustrate Tanglewood Mall's continuing adaptation from a department-store-led enclosed mall into a mixed-use commercial center combining retail, food service, healthcare, grocery, and other everyday services. Hackney Real Estate Partners is identified as the property's current manager.

• 2021

  Food, service, and convenience expansion

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A Kroger gas station opens, and several restaurant and service tenants are announced for new development areas.

• 2020

  Carilion Children's Clinic opens

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Carilion Clinic opens a children's clinic in the former J. C. Penney space.

• 2017

  J. C. Penney closes

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The J. C. Penney location closes on July 31 after a chain announcement earlier that year.

• 2006

  A.C. Moore and Steve & Barry's join the center

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A.C. Moore opens in February, while Steve & Barry's opens in October in a large reconfigured upper-level area.

• 2005

  Redevelopment program begins

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A renovation and reconfiguration program begins, continuing through 2007.

• 1998

  Ten-screen cinema opens

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A ten-screen cinema opens in an outparcel at the property.

• 1989

  Miller & Rhoads closes

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The department store closes and its premises are divided among smaller tenants.

• 1985

  Interior modernization

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall receives a major interior renovation that changes its finishes and adds a passenger elevator.

• 1983

  Woolco closes

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Woolco store closes and its space is redeveloped for Brendle's, T. J. Maxx, and smaller stores.

• 1979

  G.C. Murphy departs

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  G.C. Murphy leaves, and its former space is reconfigured into food and small-shop uses.

• 1975

  Adjacent convenience center opens

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A neighboring convenience center opens with Kroger and General Cinema.

• 1973

  Mall opens

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Tanglewood Mall opens on March 28 with five original anchor stores.

• 1971

  Construction starts

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Construction begins on the planned regional shopping center.

• 1969

  Planning begins

  [1]Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Planning for Tanglewood Mall begins in southwest Roanoke County.

A community and regional shopping center serving southwest Roanoke County and the wider Roanoke metropolitan area, with a tenant mix spanning retail, restaurants, grocery, healthcare, personal services, and entertainment.

• Retail property · 1973

  Enclosed shopping center

  Tanglewood Mall's core offering is an enclosed regional shopping environment containing inline stores, former department-store spaces, common areas, food-service locations, and customer parking. The center has repeatedly reconfigured its interior to accommodate changing tenant formats and uses.

• Retail leasing · 1973

  Retail and junior-anchor space

  The property provides larger-format premises for department stores, discount retailers, craft retailers, home-related businesses, and other junior anchors. Historic occupants included J. C. Penney, Woolco, Brendle's, T. J. Maxx, Stein Mart, Steve & Barry's, A.C. Moore, and Michaels.

• Food service · 1973

  Food and restaurant destinations

  Food service has been a recurring component of the center, from the original French Quarter restaurant and later food court to national quick-service, fast-casual, and full-service restaurants. Announced or operating concepts have included Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Panda Express, Jersey Mike's, Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, Chili's, and Popeyes.

• Services · 2020

  Healthcare and everyday services

  The mall has expanded beyond conventional retail by accommodating healthcare, dental, grocery, automotive, and other daily-use services. Carilion Children's Clinic occupies the former J. C. Penney space, while the surrounding property includes Kroger, a Kroger gas station, Firestone, and other service businesses.

• 2006Here We GROW Again

  Roanoke metropolitan area

  The mall used the theme “Here We GROW Again” to promote its 2005–2007 renovation, tenant additions, relocations, and physical facelift.

  Outcome. The program produced refreshed interiors and exteriors and added or accommodated several new tenants, although vacancy and turnover continued afterward.

  Source

• 2021

  Expand food, service, and convenience usesStrategy

  Background

  The property continued adapting to department-store closures and changing consumer demand.

  Action taken

  Management announced multiple restaurant and service tenants, opened a Kroger gas station, and supported new construction around the Carilion Clinic and other existing uses.

  Aftermath

  The announced program broadened Tanglewood Mall's role as a mixed retail, dining, healthcare, grocery, and services destination.

  Source

• 2019

  Convert former department-store space to healthcare useStrategy

  Background

  J. C. Penney's departure left a large anchor premises available for reuse.

  Action taken

  Carilion Clinic leased the space and developed it as a children's clinic.

  Aftermath

  The Carilion Children's Clinic opened in October 2020, adding a healthcare function to the mall's tenant mix.

  Source

• 2005

  Undertake a comprehensive mall renovationStrategy

  Background

  The property sought to refresh its appearance and make room for new tenants and alternative retail formats.

  Action taken

  Management initiated a renovation and reconfiguration program that continued through 2007, including new junior-anchor space, tenant relocations, and improvements to the Kroger facility.

  Aftermath

  The work modernized the property and enabled new occupancy, but the center continued to experience vacancies and tenant changes.

  Source

1. 1Tanglewood Mallen.wikipedia.org