The mall was opened for business in October 1973 as the largest shopping center in Arizona and was the first two-level, five-anchor mall in the country.
Charter tenants in the 100 million dollar shopping facility included Dave Cook Sporting Goods, See's Candies, Lerner Shops, Rozenweigs Jewelers, Toys By Roy, Butterfield Station, Judy's ladies' wear, Waldenbooks, Guggy's Coffee Shop, Florsheim Shoes and a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour.
In the Glory Days, Metrocenter was a destination in itself, with an ice skating rink, arcade, and dozens of specialty stores all under one roof. In 1976, the amusement park Golf 'N Stuff (now Castles-N-Coasters) opened in the southeast corner of the mall's parking lot providing 10 acres of rides and miniature golf.
The Ice Capades Chalet skating rink featured in appeared in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989 Comedy Adventure movie) was closed in 1990.
The Harkins Metro 12 held its grand opening March 19, 1999.
In January 2004, Metrocenter was sold by DVM Co. to Macerich Company and AEW Capital Management who brought back the founding developer, Westcor.
In 2005, several of the mall's retail stores which also appeared in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, such as Oshman's Sporting Goods and Casual Corner, closed in when those chains' went out of business.
Metrocenter's interior was revamped in 2007 with an aim at comfort and technology.
In 2010, Jones Lang LaSalle took over management and 15% ownership of Metrocenter Mall from Westcor.
Since January 2012, the mall has been owned by the Carlyle Development Group based in New York City.
May 2012, a temporary artificial ice rink was opened for the summer at the mall.
In 2016, a massive redevelopment of Metrocenter was approved by the Phoenix City Council to allow office, medical and residential space.
A Walmart opened at the mall in 2017 with hopes that it would revitalize the area.
The property planed to host a monthly “Metro Feastival” starting Saturday, June 15, from 5:30-9 p.m. where 10 to 20 food trucks would park outside the food court near the Harkins Theatre. But with Covid-19, people just are not willing to turn out in crowds.
June 19th, 2020, the announcement of closure. "We hope to see Metrocenter redeveloped and revitalized in the near future so it can once again be the pride of the surrounding community," wrote Ramirez.
June 30th, 2020 will be the death of a place full of memories, but long only sustained by life support.
I spent my teenage years at the mall. Please comment below with your great memories of this hang out.
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