Since opening its doors on March 2, 1977, Vintage Faire Mall has been a defining feature of Modesto’s northwestern landscape. Positioned at Highway 99 and Dale Road, this 90-acre site introduced the region’s largest enclosed shopping destination—serving as a retail and cultural hub between Sacramento and Fresno for nearly five decades.
A mid-valley shopping icon is born
Vintage Faire Mall debuted as a two-level, climate-controlled shopping center developed by Ernest W. Hahn Inc. At its opening, it featured five department stores and 133 specialty shops and restaurants—bringing a new level of retail variety to the Central Valley.
While Weinstock’s opened slightly ahead of the mall on February 12, 1977, both JC Penney and Sears opened on the official launch day of March 2. Gottschalks followed soon after. Macy’s would join the mall’s lineup in 1980, solidifying Vintage Faire’s status as a top regional center.
A winery-inspired design
The mall’s architecture was inspired by California’s rich winemaking heritage. In collaboration with local vintners, the architects created a warm, rustic interior—centered around a custom redwood wine press, placed inside a wrought iron gazebo surrounded by lush planters and colorful ceramic floor tiles.
Distinct design elements included:
A 8-foot tower clock with a copper roof and scrolled redwood in the Sears court
Natural wood handrails and wrought iron railings throughout
Skylights and full-size interior trees in wine cask planters, giving the space a vibrant, indoor-outdoor feel
1996: department store shuffle
A significant change came in 1996, when Federated Department Stores—the parent of Macy’s—acquired Weinstock’s and closed its Vintage Faire location. In a strategic reshuffling:
Gottschalks moved into the larger Weinstock’s building
Macy’s took over Gottschalks’ former location (149,700 sq. ft.)
Macy’s expanded its offerings, splitting into two stores—one for women, the other for home and men’s departments
2001 renovation: a new look
Vintage Faire Mall underwent its first major renovation in 2001, modernizing the interior with refreshed finishes, upgraded escalators, and updated signage. A new second-floor food court was added, helping to re-energize the mall’s layout and flow for the 2000s.
2004: a snapshot before expansion
Photos and floor plans from 2004 capture the mall just before its expansion. With its original tiled walkways, black & white color palette, the layout reflected a pre-lifestyle center era—soon to be reimagined.
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| Vintage Faire Mall, circa 2004—capturing the mall’s early 2000s interior design with tiled walkways, contrasting tones, and storefronts. |
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| Vintage Faire Mall’s 2004 floor plan, showing the mall’s layout prior to the 2008 lifestyle wing expansion. Anchor tenants included Macy’s, Sears, Gottschalks, and JC Penney. |
2008: The Village opens
In November 2008, Vintage Faire unveiled The Village—a Tuscan-inspired open-air lifestyle wing that expanded the mall into the realm of dining and high-end retail. This new wing welcomed national favorites such as:
Apple
Sephora
Coach
BJ’s Brewhouse
Chipotle
The Village helped diversify the mall’s experience and appeal, drawing shoppers for more than just retail with outdoor spaces, dining, and events.
2009: Gottschalks closes, Forever 21 takes over
The economic downturn brought more changes. In 2009, Gottschalks closed, and in its place came a massive three-level Forever 21—the largest store in the chain at the time, breathing new life into the space with a youthful, fast-fashion focus.
2012: a mall in its prime
By 2012, Vintage Faire Mall was thriving. Visitors experienced a bright, modern interior, with narrow skylight strips casting natural light onto wide walkways. Anchor stores included: JC Penney, Sears, Macy’s (2 locations), The flagship Forever 21.
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| Exterior of the three-story Forever 21 at Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto, originally home to Weinstock’s when the mall opened in 1977. This location was once the largest Forever 21 in the chain before closing in 2019. |
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| Sunlit interior with skylights, open walkways, and shoppers at Vintage Faire Mall in 2012. |
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| View of Vintage Faire Mall with Zumiez and Shoe Palace—two popular retailers anchoring this vibrant stretch of the two levels. |
2019–2025: a new era of tenants
Forever 21 closed their Vintage Faire location in 2019, part of a broader shift in retail. But the mall adapted.
New tenants—including JD Sports, a relocated Barnes & Noble, and local favorite Mystical Lucero—have helped fill those gaps, keeping the mall fresh and relevant.
Meanwhile, Sears was replaced by Dick’s Sporting Goods, with Dave & Buster’s joining soon after in an expanded entertainment wing.
Vintage Faire Mall today: resilient and reimagined
Vintage Faire Mall continues to serve as a dynamic space that balances retail, dining, and entertainment. With nearly 100 active stores, a mix of national brands and local gems, and a legacy that continues to evolve, it remains one of Modesto’s most iconic destinations.
Quick facts
Opened: March 12, 1977
Type: Enclosed Mall
Total Stores: 98
GLA (Gross Leasable Area): 1,124,414 sq. ft.
Major Anchors: JC Penney, Macy's (two locations), Dick's Sporting Goods, Dave & Busters
Developer: The Hahn Company
A Central Valley tradition
From its winery-inspired beginnings to its evolution into a modern lifestyle center, Vintage Faire Mall remains a community staple. It’s where locals have shopped for generations, celebrated milestones, and embraced change—all under one iconic roof.
Related posts
- Lost department stores of the West: Weinstock’s (1874—1996)
- Lost department stores of the West: Gottschalks (1904—2009)
- The history of Macy's in Sacramento and the Central Valley
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