Construction began in April 1989 on The Centre of Salisbury, on a parcel. The mall opened for business on July 27, 1990, located just north of the Salisbury Mall, which was built in 1968. The opening signaled the beginning of the end for the aging Salisbury Mall, which came about when it became obvious that an extension of the Salisbury bypass from U.S. Route 13 north over to U.S. Route 50 west was necessary to relieve the downtown congestion. It is no coincidence that The Centre at Salisbury is situated such as it is, at the juncture of two major highways—enjoying on the one hand, local business from U.S. Route 13, and beach traffic from the bypass on the other. The Centre was built at this location with that vision in mind. The Centre opened with anchors Hecht's, Boscov's, JCPenney, Sears, and Montgomery Ward. The newly built Centre at Salisbury was able to attract more upscale establishments that were absent from the Salisbury Mall, including amenities that were standard at most regional shopping malls, like a food court and a modern 10 screen multi-plex theater. Before, most shoppers would have to travel more than two hours away to the Baltimore/Washington, DC., Norfolk or Philadelphiametropolitan areas to shop upscale stores. In December 1995, Macerich acquired the mall from developer Salisbury Springhill Ltd. In December 2013, Macerich Salisbury LP sold the mall to Rouse Properties. In 2000, Montgomery Ward announced it would be going out of business. The space formerly occupied by Montgomery Ward was transformed into the new Regal Cinemas with additional outdoor retail space. The Hecht's store became Macy's in 2006 after Federated Department Stores purchased May Department Stores, the owner of Hecht's. On January 15, 2014, it was announced that the JCPenney store would be closing as part of a plan to close 33 locations nationwide. JCPenney closed on May 3, 2014. On December 18, 2017, it was announced that Burlington Coat Factory would open a store in the former JCPenney space. Burlington Coat Factory opened on September 15, 2018. On December 28, 2018, Sears announced that it would be closing as part of a plan to close 80 stores nationwide. The store closed in March 2019. On January 6, 2020, it was announced that Macy's store would be close as part of a plan to close 125 stores nationwide. The store closed in March 2020.
Current stores
The Centre at Salisbury features 78 stores and eateries, including 3 anchor stores, food court, 16-screen movie theater, and children's softplay area. The food court features a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. Restaurants around the mall include Chuck E. Cheese's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Greene Turtle. A Vernon Powell Shoes is also outside the mall. The Centre at Salisbury is close to other major shopping centers, including The Commons (a center, the Lord Salisbury Center, and many other stores, strip malls, and restaurants.
Renovations and additions
The Centre at Salisbury was renovated in both 2005 and 2008. In 2010 the Food Court was remodeled, restrooms improved, WiFi added, and the establishment of a new Centre Court with Guest Services.
