Esplanade Mall (Oxnard, California)


The Esplanade Mall in Oxnard, California was Ventura County's first full enclosed shopping center and was, at one time, anchored by May Company California and Sears, and today operates under the name Esplanade Shopping Center as a power center anchored by Home Depot, Nordstrom Rack, Staples, Dick's Sporting Goods, Party City and Food 4 Less.

History

Construction began on September 16, 1968, on a $3-million Sears with two above-ground levels and a basement. The store welcomed its first shoppers in February, 1970.
The single-level wing of specialty stores opened, with thirty-four initial stores, on March 5, 1970. The architect for both was Burke, Kober, Nicolais & Archuleta. S. H. Kress & Co. five-and-dime, Harris & Frank and Silverwoods were among the junior department stores at the mall's launch. In total the mall sat on a lot of 45 acres.
A 2-level, May Company California was the final original anchor to open on November 2, 1970 and was rebranded Robinsons-May in 1993.
In 1999, the anchors Robinsons-May and Sears moved from Esplanade to the Buenaventura Mall in Ventura.

Demolition

The enclosed mall was demolished in August 2000.
The enclosed mall was replaced by an entirely open-air center, known as Esplanade Center, the first stores opening in September 2001. These included Cost Plus World Market and Bed Bath & Beyond. A 136,000-square-foot Home Depot opened later in February 2002.