Before the arrival of enclosed regional malls in the Tri-Cities, Fremont functioned as the area’s dominant retail center, anchored by the Fremont Hub and Fremont Fashion Center. As development intensified along the I-880 corridor in the 1970s, Newark recognized an opportunity to redirect regional shopping activity—and the associated sales tax revenue—by developing a new enclosed mall. The stage was set for direct retail competition within the Tri-City area. When NewPark Mall opened its doors on August 6, 1980, it felt like the dawn of a new shopping era for the East Bay. It was developed by Homart Development Company (a division of Sears) and Calmart (Macy’s). A newspaper ad announcing the grand opening of NewPark Mall on August 6, 1980, featuring Macy’s and Sears. Building a regional competitor When the mall debuted, it had just two anchors: Macy’s and Sears. Although most new malls opened with at least three anchor stores, it was a risk to not appear like an instant succes...
Explore the malls, department stores, and shopping centers that helped shape postwar Northern California and the suburban communities that grew around them.