White Oaks Mall (Springfield, Illinois)


White Oaks Mall is a shopping center in Springfield, Illinois, United States. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 4 and Wabash Avenue. With of retail space, it is the largest enclosed shopping center in Central Illinois. The mall's anchor stores are Macy's, Michaels, LA Fitness, and Dick's Sporting Goods. There are 2 vacant anchor stores that were once Bergner's and Sears.
The mall is located on the southwest side of Springfield, approximately five miles southwest of the traditional city center. Construction started in 1974 and opened in 1977. In the early 1990s, it underwent a $14 million renovation which included the addition of a new food court. A carousel was installed in 1997.
White Oaks Mall houses over 100 stores. Its operator, the Simon Property Group, which owns 80.7% of the mall, describes White Oaks Mall as a "super-regional shopping mall". The mall shares its name with the White Oak, the state tree of Illinois.
The original planned name of the mall was Westroads Mall. Ed McMahon and Billy Carter attended the grand opening held on August 24, 1977.
White Oaks Mall has a children's play area. Children's Place and Carter's specialize in juvenile clothing.
In April 2018, it was announced that Bergner's would be closing around July 2018 as part of a plan to close all stores. After Bergner's closed, Macy's and Sears became the only traditional anchor stores left.
In May 2018, it was announced that Sears would be closing in September 2018 as part of a plan to close 78 stores nationwide. After Sears closed, Macy's became the only traditional anchor store left.

Anchors

An original anchor, Montgomery Ward, ceased operations in 2001. The former anchor space was later split among Dick's Sporting Goods, Cost Plus World Market, and Linens 'n Things. After the latter two closed in 2008, the Linens 'n Things space became occupied by hhgregg,, and later Michaels, while the Cost Plus space became occupied by LA Fitness.