Chesapeake Square


Chesapeake Square is a regional mall in Chesapeake, Virginia, in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation. The mall's anchors at the time of its 1989 opening were JCPenney, Sears, Hess's, and Leggett.
The mall has approximately 70 stores, four anchors, several eateries at the mall's food court including one restaurant: Big Woody's.
The mall was previously owned by Simon Property Group until it spun off numerous properties to Washington Prime Group in 2014. March 2016, Jones Lang LaSalle owns and manages the property. In April 2018, Koderides aquiered the mall for 12 million. The mall now features Bath and Body Works, Claire’s, DTLR, Foot Locker, The Children’s Place, Rack Room Shoes, Finish Line, Lids, New York And Company, at&t, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Kay Jewelers, FYE, Jimmy Jazz, Men’s Wearhouse, Kids Foot Locker, LensCrafters, and Victoria’s Secret.

History

The mall was built and opened in October 1989 in former forest and swamp land of the Western Branch section of Chesapeake. Later, the business district grew with two other shopping centers including the adjacent "Chesapeake Center" as well as "The Crossroads at Chesapeake Square" across the street.
After Montgomery Ward, which opened in 1992, closed in 2001, its building was expanded for use by Target.
On May 9, 2009, it was reported that Dillard's shuttered their Chesapeake Square Mall locations in 2009 along with four other undisclosed locations. On July 27, 2009, Dillard's announced that it will close the two Chesapeake Square locations, laying off or transferring 45 employees. Early September 2009, the Men's building had closed and items were moved to the Women's building until September 23 in which the store had closed as well.
Announced in May 2010, Burlington Coat Factory replaced the former Dillard's Men's building in October 2010. The new store opened on September 24, 2010. The Gap closed its store in 2012 and was replaced by a Toys "R" Us Express which is now vacant.
On November 12, 2010, the mall announced that the Cinemark movie theater moved to the former Dillard's Women/Hess's anchor space in with possible lifestyle stores and restaurants. The theater has stadium seating with twelve screens, including an Extreme Digital auditorium and opened at December 16, 2011. As of December 2017, the old Cinemark building has been demolished.
Sears announced the closure of its Chesapeake Square store in late 2014.
Macy's, which opened as Hecht's in 1999, announced the closing of its store by early 2016. This leaves JCPenney as the last original anchor since the mall's opening.
American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale and Gymboree closed in 2016.
Stride Rite and Hallmark closed in 2017. Bourbon St. Grill and El Angel Mexican closed in 2017 as well.
Tilted Kilt, Regis Salons, and Chick-fil-a closed in 2018.
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Meddateranian Roots Restaurant opened in late 2018.
Things Remembered announced its closing in February 2019.
HP Music & Arts opened on February 9, 2019.