The Shops at Willow Bend opened on Aug. 3, 2001, an estimated 250,000 visitors showed up during the opening weekend. The eagerly-anticipated mall looked like a sure-fire hit, bolstered by it boasting big-name department stores like Neiman Marcus, Foley’s (later Macy’s), Dillard’s and Lord & Taylor. Yet, despite its auspicious start, it was all downhill from there.
Here’s why.
The Shops at Willow Bend: A Promising Idea
Located at the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard, this ambitious $200 million project (about $356.4 million today) by the Taubman Company was designed as an ultra-upscale for a growing Collin County. According to Deadmalls.com , developers even attempted to buy out and demolish a two-year-old Home Depot across the street, arguing that it clashed with their vision of a luxury retail hub.
As malls like Prestonwood Town Center in Far North Dallas faltered following a $125 million renovation that fell through and as Valley View slid into decline, The Shops at Willow Bend seemed a promising solution, with Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus replacing their former locations at Prestonwood. These additions spared Plano residents the drive to North Park Center or Galleria Dallas, offering a luxury shopping experience closer to home. Plus, it was a beautiful mall…