{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{infobox shopping mall | name = '''Peru Mall''' | image = | location = Peru, Illinois | coordinates = {{coord|41.35559|-89.12772|region:US-IL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | opening_date = 1974 | developer = Rubloff Company<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rEpPAAAAYAAJ&q=%22peru+mall%22+%22rubloff%22 | title=Illinois | journal=CSA Super Markets | year=1973 | volume=49 | pages=E48}}</ref> | owner = GK Development | number_of_stores = 15 | number_of_anchors = 6 (2 open, 4 vacant) | floor_area = {{convert|465000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | floors = 1 }}
'''Peru Mall''' is a shopping mall located in Peru, Illinois, United States. The mall's anchor stores are AMC Theatres and Marshalls. There are 3 vacant anchor stores that were once Bergner's, JCPenney, and Sears. Other retailers include;Buckle, Maurices, Bath & Body Works and 10 other inline tenants. Directly outside the shopping center are Applebee's and Subway restaurants. The {{convert|465000|sqft|m2}} mall also serves as a major commercial center in the city of Peru.
==History== Rubloff Company of Chicago built the mall in 1974. It originally featured Bergner's and Montgomery Ward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6khPAAAAYAAJ&q=%22peru+mall%22+%22bergner%27s%22 |title=CSA Super Markets - Google Books |date= April 1973|accessdate=2013-03-06}}</ref> The mall later gained JCPenney as a third anchor, and underwent a renovation in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=taEeAQAAMAAJ&q=%22peru+mall%22+%22bergner%27s%22 |title=Realty and Building - Google Books |date= July 1998|accessdate=2013-03-06}}</ref> The Mall's Movie Theater opened in 1989 by GKC Theatres with four screens. It was expanded twice in the 1990s, first to six, then eight screens. In 2005, Carmike Cinemas took over the theater after its purchase of GKC. It was acquired by AMC Theatres in 2016. Montgomery Ward closed in 2001 as one of the last stores in the company to close, and Sears moved into the space in 2003. Marshalls was added as a fourth anchor in 2006 in the former Walgreens spot. On March 17, 2017, it was announced that JCPenney would be closing as part of a plan to close 138 stores nationwide. The store closed on July 31, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstrib.com/free/j-c-penney-store-in-peru-mall-is-closing/article_2427c614-0b18-11e7-93b8-bff514597b5c.html |title=J.C. Penney store in Peru Mall is closing {{!}} Free {{!}} newstrib.com |website=www.newstrib.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317165909/http://www.newstrib.com/free/j-c-penney-store-in-peru-mall-is-closing/article_2427c614-0b18-11e7-93b8-bff514597b5c.html |archive-date=2017-03-17}}</ref> On July 7, 2017, it was announced that Sears would also be closing as part of a plan to close 43 stores nationwide. The store closed in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstrib.com/free/sears-store-in-peru-is-closing-updated/article_ed03470c-6338-11e7-af66-2375b9a433bb.html |title=Sears store in Peru is closing (UPDATED) {{!}} Free {{!}} newstrib.com |website=www.newstrib.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707225744/http://www.newstrib.com/free/sears-store-in-peru-is-closing-updated/article_ed03470c-6338-11e7-af66-2375b9a433bb.html |archive-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> On April 18, 2018, it was announced that Bergner's would be closing as well on August 29, 2018, as parent company The Bon-Ton Stores was going out of business which left Jo-Ann Fabrics, AMC Theatres and Marshalls as the only anchors left.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-bergner-s-among-stores-expected-to-be-liquidated/article_52020f98-43ef-11e8-984b-03521fe5ea9b.html |title=Peru Bergner's among stores expected to be liquidated {{!}} Free {{!}} newstrib.com |website=www.newstrib.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419201218/http://www.newstrib.com/free/peru-bergner-s-among-stores-expected-to-be-liquidated/article_52020f98-43ef-11e8-984b-03521fe5ea9b.html |archive-date=2018-04-19}}</ref>
On August 18, 2020, the Peru City Council voted in favor of moving forward with a plan to convert the Peru Mall into apartment complexes accompanied by a shopping and dining center.<ref>{{cite web |last1=WGLC |title="The Crossroads" permits issued for Peru Mall property |url=https://www.wglc.net/the-crossroads-permits-issued-for-peru-mall-property/ |website=WGLC}}</ref> As of 2025, no major changes have been made. In 2024, an auction of the former Sears anchor was done and sold to a private investor based in California. It is unknown who the identity of said investor is. So far, the only redevelopment done was some new concrete added to the walled off Bergners and Sears entrances, a new road way was paved in front of the mall which was needed. A new Ollies store opened in the former Jo Ann's store next to the subdivided Kmart across the street.
On November 23, 2024, the manager of Claire's announced they would be closing at Peru Mall via a Facebook post. The store closed December 14, 2024. Another Claire's was located in the Walmart down the road, but shortly after it was announced that Claire's would close as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peru Mall {{!}} Ear Piercings & Jewelry {{!}} Claire’s 5269 |url=https://stores.claires.com/us/il/peru/5269.html|access-date=2024-12-03 |website=stores.claires.com}}</ref>
In late December 2024 a pick up truck collided with a pillar of the Peru Mall sign located in front of the North East entrance. The pillar remains damaged as of April 2025.
On February 12, 2025 it was announced Jo-Ann fabrics would be closing 500 stores. The Peru Mall location was one of them set to close <ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=CNN Newsource |date=2025-02-12 |title=Joann Fabrics to close 500 stores after bankruptcy |url=https://www.wbay.com/2025/02/12/joann-fabrics-close-500-stores-after-bankruptcy/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3If6kZitUjE4Bu_29IvXLDR-FwefHpXfzUOPSt3DxrzUvhtcjmaWPztVY_aem_KX3yjvBIBULV_Xn3h9nDoA#k4u4qbdj5vhaefsr8nx3dlo7tkm9tjhmk |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.wbay.com |language=en}}</ref>
On April 28, 2025 Jo-Ann Fabrics permanently closed.
On April 29, 2025 Peru Mall’s Facebook announced a new tenant in the form of a kiosk. This would be the first new permanent tenant the mall has had since 2019. The tenant [Retro Bricks] is a toy store selling official LEGO and opened May 3, 2025.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Shopping malls in Illinois}}
Category:Shopping malls established in 1974 Category:Buildings and structures in LaSalle County, Illinois Category:Shopping malls in Illinois Category:Tourist attractions in LaSalle County, Illinois Category:1974 establishments in Illinois