{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{infobox shopping mall | name = Eclipse Center | image = Beloitmallsign.jpg | caption = Former Beloit Plaza/Mall under redevelopment | location = Beloit, Wisconsin, United States | address = Riverside Dr. and Henry Ave. | opening_date = 1966 | closing_date = 2000 | developer = Hendricks Development Group | manager = Hendricks Development Group | owner = Hendricks Development Group | number_of_stores = 60+ (peak) | number_of_anchors = 0, 3 major, 3 minor | floor_area = {{convert|450000|sqft|m2}} | floors = 1 | publictransit = Beloit Transit }} '''Eclipse Center''', formerly known as '''Beloit Plaza''' or '''Beloit Mall''', is a mixed-use development and former shopping mall in Beloit, Wisconsin. It is undergoing a renovation with the aim of making it a pivotal point in the city. It formerly housed the department store Elder-Beerman, and still houses several Rock County government offices, a convention center and bar, and two School District of Beloit charter schools. There are also an automotive shop and a culinary program run by students from Beloit Memorial High School.
==Overview== Set on a high profile, {{convert|30|acre|m2|adj=on}} site on a bluff overlooking Riverside Drive (US Highway 51) and the Rock River, the {{convert|400000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Beloit Plaza was the first major shopping center in Rock County.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Early success was followed by a decline resulting from competition with the Janesville Mall and developments in Janesville and Beloit with easy access to Interstate 90. Several redevelopment efforts failed, but with the involvement of Beloit billionaire Ken Hendricks beginning in 2004, a new plan to make it a mixed-use development with public services and other facilities has raised local hopes for the site.
Tenants included an Elder-Beerman store, Cardinal Stritch University, the University of Wisconsin–Extension, the Beloit Public Library, the Rock County Health Department, the Beloit Area Community Health Center, School District of Beloit facilities, a convention and banquet facility, and smaller businesses. Elder-Beerman closed in 2018 and later was demolished in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/20190515/shoppers_say_theyll_take_dollars_elsewhere|title=Shoppers say they'll take dollars elsewhere|last=Montgomery |first=Austin |date=2019-05-15 |website= Beloit Daily News |language=en|access-date=2019-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazettextra.com/news/business/bon-ton-to-close-elder-beerman-store-in-beloit/article_e9e14d8b-0bb0-5d3f-82b0-d13d54e31df8.html|title=Bon-Ton to close Elder-Beerman store in Beloit|last=Johnson|first=Neil Johnson|website=GazetteXtra|location=Janesville, Wisconsin |language=en|access-date=2019-06-09}}</ref>
Some parts of the mall, including former Kohl’s and Main Entrance, were demolished to create a new Charter School. The project was initiated by Kids First Beloit, a nonprofit group led by Diane Hendricks, board president. Construction started in June 2020, and took a year to be built. It was completed in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conniff |first=Ruth |date=2020-07-07 |title=Beloit billionaire Diane Hendricks’ controversial charter school • Wisconsin Examiner |url=https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2020/07/07/beloit-billionaire-diane-hendricks-controversial-charter-school/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Wisconsin Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hembree |first=Mark |date=2022-05-11 |title=the Lincoln Academy provides vision of school of the future |url=https://dailyreporter.com/2022/05/11/the-lincoln-academy-provides-vision-of-school-of-the-future/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The mall includes an event venue known as the Eclipse Events Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eclipseeventcenter.net/|title=Eclipse Event Center {{!}} Beloit, Wisconsin Special Event Venue|website=Eclipse|language=en|access-date=2019-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beloitdailynews.com/archive/article-4e4a4a9c-f297-11e5-b510-bf8f17db433d.html|title=Eclipse Center unveiled|last=Crozier|first=Robert |date=2016-03-25 |website= Beloit Daily News|language=en|access-date=2019-06-09}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.hendricksgroup.net Hendricks Development Group]
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{{Shopping malls in Wisconsin}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Beloit, Wisconsin Category:Shopping malls in Wisconsin Category:Shopping malls established in 1966 Category:Shopping malls disestablished in 2000