Jefferson Square Mall
| Location | Joliet, Illinois United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°31′11″N 88°08′37″W / 41.51972°N 88.14361°W |
| Address | 2450 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435 |
| Opening date | March 1975 |
| Closing date | 2002 |
| Demolished | 2004 |
| Previous names | Wilderness Mall |
| Developer | Melvin Simon and Associates |
| Management | Menards Properties |
| Owner | Menards Properties |
| Stores and services | 60 (at peak) |
| Anchor tenants | 2 (at peak) |
| Floor area | 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) |
| Floors | 1 |
Jefferson Square Mall, also known as Wilderness Mall, was a 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) shopping mall in Joliet, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1975, it originally featured Wieboldt's and Montgomery Ward. The mall closed in 2002, and was demolished in 2004 to build a Walmart and Menards.
History
Jefferson Square Mall was developed by Melvin Simon and Associates. Wieboldt's opened in August of 1974, and Montgomery Ward opened in October of 1974.[1][2]
The mall opened in March of 1975. The mall was a 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) shopping mall that had 2 anchors.[3] Jefferson Square Mall was the first enclosed shopping mall in Joliet.[4]
Louis Joliet Mall would open nearby in 1978. This was a major competitor for the Jefferson Square shopping center.[5]
In 1987 Wieboldt's would the Jefferson Square store along with 7 other stores.[6] After this, the mall went downhill.
Menards would move into the mall sometime in the early 1990s.
In 1991 a shooting would injure 2 people.[7]
The mall had about 50 stores in the early 1990s. The mall declined because of competitors like Louis Joliet Mall and it was foreclosed by an insurance company before being Bought by an undisclosed buyer.
In 1996 the mall would renovate the Jefferson Square Mall and rename it Wilderness Mall. The mall would reopen on January 1, 1997, but the renovations wouldn't help the mall. More and more stores moved out.[8]
By 2000 the mall only had 13 tenants out of the over 60 store slots. some included an off-track betting parlor, a paint gun store, a travel agency, a preschool, and a social services agency.
By 2001 Montgomery Ward closed their doors.[9]
In 2002, Wilderness Mall was purchased by Menard Properties. They planned to bulldoze the mall, and redevelop it into a brand new Menards and Walmart Supercenter.[10]
In 2004, demolition started on the mall starting with Montgomery Ward. Then moving toward the Wieboldt's Department Store.
Demolition was finished by 2006 and Walmart started construction after Menards was constructed.
Menards opened in 2007. Walmart opened in 2008, and they are still open to this day.
References
- ^ "Oct 02, 1974, page 47 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Aug 16, 1974, page 55 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Jul 30, 1975, page 64 - The Shreveport Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Apr 02, 1975, page 13 - The Edwardsville Intelligencer at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Jun 11, 1978, page 124 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "03-21-87 Wieboldt Closes 8 Stores". Chicago Tribune. 21 March 1987. p. 26. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "JOLIET MALL SHOOTING INJURES 2". Chicago Tribune. 27 December 1991. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois". Newspapers.com. 21 November 1996. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois". Newspapers.com. 31 December 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois". Newspapers.com. 14 April 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2025.