Post Oak Mall: A History of Retail and Community in College Station

Post Oak Mall, a regional shopping center in College Station, Texas, has been a cornerstone of the Brazos Valley community since its opening. Owned and managed by CBL & Associates Properties, the mall has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to changing retail trends and serving as a vital economic and social hub.

Early Development and Opening

In the early 1980s, the cities of Bryan and College Station were experiencing rapid population growth, creating a demand for expanded shopping opportunities. CBL & Associates Properties recognized this potential and began planning a large regional mall. The initial location of choice was in Bryan, near the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway (Texas State Highway 6) and Briarcrest Drive (FM 1179). However, negotiations with the landowner fell through, leading the project to shift to College Station.

Construction commenced in the summer of 1979 at the intersection of Earl Rudder Freeway and Harvey Road. Eugene "Buck" Schimpf was appointed as the project manager by CBL & Associates Properties. On February 17, 1982, Post Oak Mall officially opened its doors.

Initial Design and Anchor Stores

The first phase of Post Oak Mall spanned 800,000 square feet (74,000 m2) and housed approximately 80 stores. A key feature of the mall's design was the inclusion of four anchor stores designed as stand-alone buildings for tax purposes. These original anchors included:

Foley's: The first location of the chain in the area.
Dillard's: A major department store.
Sears: Relocated from its smaller Bryan location.
H. J. Wilson Co: A catalog showroom.

In addition to the retail stores, the mall featured a three-screen Plitt-branded movie theater and a food court with fifteen small restaurants and seating for 300 people. The interior design included walkways decorated with potted trees and plants in atrium areas, with tiered glass ceilings above. A copper-piping fountain, emitting water in a "dandelion bubble" effect, served as a focal point.

Economic Impact and Community Reception

Upon its opening, Post Oak Mall had a significant economic impact on College Station. It became the city's largest employer and nearly doubled its city sales tax revenues. The mall was projected to employ 2,500 people initially, with expectations of expanding to 3,500 after the completion of a second phase. Anticipated sales were estimated at $80 million in the first year.

The mall also brought in $1 million in annual sales tax revenue, $120,000 in property taxes, and a half-million in taxes for the city school district. It is credited with creating the first major impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station, which previously lacked a major retail community.

The opening of Post Oak Mall did present some challenges. The increased traffic on Earl Rudder Freeway led to traffic backups, necessitating the addition of traffic signals at the mall's main entrance and long-term plans to expand the freeway and add additional interchanges along Harvey Road. There were also concerns that the mall would negatively impact the downtown area of neighboring Bryan, which was already experiencing reduced business.

Expansion and Evolution

In 1985, Post Oak Mall underwent its first major expansion, increasing the number of stores to 125 and adding a sixth anchor store, JCPenney, which relocated from its Bryan Manor East Mall location.

Over the years, the mall has adapted to changing retail trends. The original three-screen movie theater, initially owned by Cineplex Odeon and later sold to Carmike Cinemas, eventually closed. In 2006, Anuncio Digital Media installed a digital signage network consisting of twenty plasma screen televisions around the main concourse and in the food court, displaying advertisements.

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Anchor Store Changes

Post Oak Mall has seen several changes in its anchor stores over the years:

H. J. Wilson Co. was taken over by Service Merchandise in 1985.
Foley's was converted to a Macy's department store after May Department Stores, the parent company of Foley's, merged with Federated Department Stores.
Steve & Barry's opened a 30,000-square-foot interior anchor space in 2005, targeting value-priced clothing and collegiate apparel. The store closed in 2008 amid the chain's bankruptcy.
Sears closed in late 2018 as part of a nationwide store closure plan.
Bealls was converted to Gordmans on March 17, 2020, but Gordmans closed on May 19, 2020, following Stage Stores' bankruptcy filing.

These changes reflect the dynamic nature of the retail industry and the ongoing efforts of Post Oak Mall to adapt and remain relevant to its customers.

Renovation Projects

Post Oak Mall has undergone several renovation projects to maintain its appeal and functionality. A significant renovation was announced on January 19, 2012, by CBL Properties. The project included new flooring, paint, soft seating areas, updated décor, redesigned entrances, and enhanced lighting.

Current Status and Community Role

As of 2024 estimates, Post Oak Mall attracts 3.56 million annual visitors. It remains a key economic anchor in College Station, serving as the sole regional shopping center within a 75-mile radius. The mall encompasses 787,554 square feet of leasable space across 120 stores, including anchors like Dillard's and JCPenney.

Post Oak Mall also serves as a central social and cultural hub for residents of College Station and the surrounding Brazos Valley. It provides employment opportunities, particularly for Texas A&M University students, and hosts community events. The mall's presence has catalyzed broader civic expansion, spurring the development of adjacent areas and transforming the Harvey Road corridor into a bustling entry point to College Station.

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Key Milestones in Post Oak Mall's History

1979: Construction begins on Post Oak Mall.
February 17, 1982: Post Oak Mall opens with 80 stores and four anchor stores: Foley's, Dillard's, Sears, and H. J. Wilson Co.
1985: Expansion adds more floor space and brings the mall up to 125 stores and six anchor stores, including JCPenney.
2004: A small fire at the Journey's shoe store causes smoke and water damage to several stores.
2006: Anuncio Digital Media installs a digital signage network throughout the mall.
2012: CBL Properties announces a major renovation project.
2018: Sears closes as part of a nationwide store closure plan.
2020: Bealls is converted to Gordmans, but Gordmans closes shortly after due to bankruptcy.

A Look Back at Stores of the Past

Before around the early 2000s, the mall directories used an arbitrary numbering system, starting from 1 near Wilson's (originally at one of the mall's corners) and continuing up to 137 (later 155 as the JCPenney wing was built). This later switched to suite numbers. Here's a glimpse into some of the stores that once called Post Oak Mall home:

Card America: Seemed to have come and gone by late 1984.
Oriental Treasures: A store with fancy jewelry boxes and gorgeous geisha dolls.
Duck Soup/D'Guiche Bed & Bath Shop: Originally a gourmet/imported foods shop, later a bed and bath shop.
Salad Bartique/Accessories by Taz: Originally a salad bar shop, later an accessories store.
Chick-fil-A: A charter tenant that survived for almost 30 years, closing in 2011 due to high rents.
Emilio's: A sandwich shop.
Sesame Hut: A mall-exclusive store.
The Great American Hot Dog Experience: Originally supposed to be Carousel Snack Bar.
Ken Martin's Famous Chicken Fried Steak: A limited-menu version of Ken Martin's Steakhouse.
Pepe's Mexican Food: One of three locations, with the original still in operation on College Avenue.
Orange Julius: Another charter tenant that lasted most of the 1980s.
Subway Sandwiches & Salads: Open by 1984.
Sugar Daddy's Fudge Factory: Open by 1984.
Merle Norman: In the same spot for years since at least 1984.
Sweeney's: Jewelry store.
Giovanni's Pizza.
Wicks 'N Sticks: A candle store chain.
Swensen's: Ice cream and other foods.
Funnel Cakery/Taste of the Tropics: Originally a funnel cake shop, later a smoothie shop.
Peanut Shack: A snack booth.
Brooks Fashions/Casual Corner: Originally a women's clothing store, later Casual Corner.
County Seat: Lasted into the 1990s.
Thom McAn: A shoe store.
Open Country: A shoe store.
Corrigan's/Zales: Originally Corrigan's, owned by Zales, later rebranded as Zales.
Rox-Z/EyeMasters: Originally a nightclub, later EyeMasters.
Italian Village Restaurant/Casa Olé: Originally an Italian restaurant, later Casa Olé.
Pet Emporium/Post Oak Pets: Originally a chain pet store, later bought and renamed Post Oak Pets.
Peck & Peck: A women's clothing shop.
Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Company/Great American Cookies: Famous for broken pieces of cookies sold cheaply.
Worth's: A women's clothing store.
J. Riggings:
Kid's Kasuals:
Team Electronics:
Hit or Miss: An off-price women's clothing shop.
Royal Optical:
Gallenkamp Shoes:
Jo-Ann Fabrics/Singer:
Town & Country Furniture/Oshman's Sporting Goods: Originally a furniture store, later Oshman's Sporting Goods.
The Home Front: Offered soft goods and other furnishings.
Waterbed Gallery:
Command Performance: A salon.
Lerners: Likely the same business that eventually became New York & Co.
Regan's: Women's clothing.
Chess King:
Cinema 3 (Plitt/Carmike): A movie theater that closed by 1999.
The Stadium/Jubilation: A restaurant/sports bar.
Walgreens: The first Walgreens in College Station-Bryan.
Fashion Conspiracy:
Record Bar:
Kay-Bee Toy & Hobby:
Hickory Farms: A cheese and meat store.
KG Men's Store:
Pat Magee's:
Shoe Designs/The Shoe Box: A shoe store.
Mission Jewelers/Mission Jewelry:
Champs Sporting Goods:
Woolworth: A large store that occupied a huge space for over 10 years.
Video Concepts/Radio Shack: Sold televisions and video recorders.
Texas State Optical:
Playland Toys:

These stores, along with many others, contributed to the vibrant retail environment of Post Oak Mall throughout its history.

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