{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox shopping mall | name = Signal Hill Mall | image = Signal Hill Mall Front view.jpg | image_width = | caption = The entrance of Signal Hill Mall in 2022 | image_alt = The front entrance of Signal Hill Mall, a concrete building bearing a sign reading "Signal Hill Mall". | location = [[Statesville, North Carolina]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|35.7926|N|80.8575|W|display=inline,title}} | address = 1685 E Broad St | opening_date = {{Start date and age|August 1, 1973}} | closing_date = {{Start date and age|January 2024}} | developer = C&J Associates | manager = C&J Associates | owner = C&J Associates | architect = | number_of_stores = 1, 42 at peak | number_of_anchors = 4 (1 open, 3 vacant) | floor_area = {{Convert|309100|sqft|m2}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.commercialcafe.com/commercial-property/us/nc/statesville/signal-hill-mall-1/ | title=Signal Hill Mall | publisher=Commercial Cafe | accessdate=October 11, 2023}}</ref> | parking = | floors = 1 | website = | footnotes = }} [[File:SignalHillInterior.jpg|thumb|250x250px|A portion of the Signal Hill Mall's interior in 2023]] '''Signal Hill Mall''' is a defunct regional enclosed [[shopping mall]] located in [[Statesville, North Carolina]], United States. Opened in 1973, it originally featured more than 40 stores, with [[F.W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]], [[Belk]], and Spainhour's as its original [[anchor store]]s. An expansion in 1979 relocated Spainhour's while also adding [[JCPenney]]. Spainhour's and Woolworth both closed in the mid-1990s, with [[Peebles (store)|Peebles]] and [[Hills (store)|Hills]] respectively taking their places; Hills in turn was replaced by [[Sears]] soon after. The mall experienced a great deal of decline in the 2010s, losing most of its major stores throughout the decade and receiving significant attention as an example of a [[dead mall]].
==History==
===1970's===
C&J Associates announced the mall on December 10, 1971, with [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]] and [[Belk]] as the first two anchor stores. The mall would have {{Convert|275000|sqft}} of retail space and room for 30 stores.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/4193790/|title=Signal Hill Mall involves 30 stores|date=December 10, 1971|work=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|page=2B|accessdate=August 8, 2018}}</ref> The third original anchor, Spainhour's, was a local department store also operational in downtown at the time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/3432913/|title=New Spainhour's store is planned|date=May 15, 1972|work=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|pages=1A, 3A|accessdate=8 August 2018}}</ref> Belk had been operational in the city since 1912.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/3619495/|title=History on Belk store reverts to 1912 in city|date=April 8, 1974|work=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|page=8E|accessdate=8 August 2018}}</ref>
The mall officially opened for business on August 1, 1973, with Belk, Spainhour's, and Woolworth as anchor tenants. A [[Winn Dixie]] grocery store was located just behind the mall.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Signal Hill Mall Will Open On Wednesday|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/990980699/?clipping_id=132539541|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=July 31, 1973|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=September 9, 2023}}</ref>
===1980s=== An expansion of the mall was started in 1979. The existing Spainhour's building was renovated for a new mall wing leading to a relocated, {{convert|41000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Spainhour's as well as an adjacent {{convert|51324|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[JCPenney]].<ref name=auto1>{{cite news|title=Facilities At Mall Expand|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-signal-h/132898143/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=August 5, 1980|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> The cost of these renovations was stated to be $4,000,000.<ref name=auto1/> The new interior space totaled up to 21,000 square feet,<ref name=auto2>{{cite news|title=Great Gains Uncovered During Signal Hill Mall's Eight-Year History |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-signal-h/132554117/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=July 2, 1981|page=26|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref> and included eight new stores. This brought the total to 42 stores.<ref name=auto1/><ref name=auto2/> C&J Associates stated this portion cost $1,000,000.<ref name=auto3>{{cite news|title=Seven New Stores Open At Mall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-signal-h/132553574/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=October 14, 1980|page=4|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref> Stores that joined during this period included [[Endicott Johnson]], [[GNC (store)|GNC]], [[Chick-fil-A]], [[Pearle Vision|Pearle Vision Center]], Lerner New York (now known as [[New York & Company]]), [[Record Bar]], and Southern Bell Telephone Company; which opened in November 1980.<ref name=auto3/> Renovation work concluded with ceremonies on August 6, 1980 for the two anchor stores,<ref name=auto1/> and October 15, 1980 for the interior tenants.<ref name=auto3/>
===1990s=== The mall underwent a number of internal changes in the 1990s. First was the closure of Spainhour's in late 1992, ending its 50 years of service in Statesville.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spainhour's To End Operations At Mall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-spainhou/132921690/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=October 9, 1992|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> This was followed in January 1993 by the closure of Woolworth.<ref>{{cite news|title=Woolworth Closing Announced|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-woolwort/132921785/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=September 18, 1992|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> By year's end, [[Peebles (store)|Peebles]] opened in the former location of Spainhour's. In response to this, the mall owners held a grand opening ceremony with a live band performance from The Muscat Ramblers, a band out of [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Peebles Will Open On Nov. 11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-peebles/132928939/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=November 5, 1993|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> Renovation of the former Spainhour's location for use by Peebles took about six months.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peebles To Open New Mall Store |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-peebles/132921572/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=May 13, 1993|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> [[Winn-Dixie|Winn Dixie]] closed on December 14, 1994. This was a response to the company making a wider move to close smaller stores and open larger ones.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Winn-Dixie Plans Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-winn-dix/132909511/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=December 14, 1994|page=4|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Winn-Dixie Plans Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-winn-dix/132909467/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=December 14, 1994|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref>
On July 28, 1995, [[Hills (store)|Hills]] opened in the former location of [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]].<ref name=auto4>{{cite news|title=Hills Reveals Plans For Grand Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/992017563/?terms=Hills&match=1&clipping_id=132894744|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=July 26, 1995|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> The {{convert|83000|ft2|m2}} store space cost about $2,000,000 to renovate.<ref name=auto4/><ref>"Hills heads south." WWD, 15 February 1995, p. 20. Business Collection, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A16519329/GPS?u=tplmain&sid=GPS&xid=6ae43a7f. Accessed 1 August 2018.</ref> This location would be short lived, as Hills closed in April 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hills to close store in mall|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/992055015/?match=1&clipping_id=132927832|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=January 14, 1997|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> It was quickly replaced by [[Sears]], which held a grand opening on October 18, 1997. Sears was the most highly requested store by mall patrons, according to manager Burr Collier.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sears' opening draws huge crowd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-sears-op/132894700/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=October 19, 1997|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref>
Another major addition to the mall during this timespan was [[IHOP]], which opened in February 1994 in a space at the front of the mall last occupied by the Apple House Buffet.<ref>{{cite news|title=IHOP To Open In Signal Hill Mall|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-ihop-ope/132895108/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=February 3, 1994|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> At the time, inline tenants of the mall included Blockbuster Music, [[Chick-fil-A]], [[Dollar Tree]], [[Footaction]], [[GNC (store)|GNC]], and [[Kay-Bee Toys]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Signal Hill Mall We've Got You Covered!|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-signal-h/132541281/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=July 18, 1996|page=37|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref>
===2000s=== Peebles began a going out of business sale on December 3, 2003 before closing in January 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peebles will close its doors|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-peebles/132922058/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=December 2, 2003|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> Around this time, management of C&J Associates announced plans for renovation. As part of these plans, some store leases were not renewed.<ref name=auto11>{{cite news|title=Signal Hill Mall Whats Next?|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/993054202/?clipping_id=132962743|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=March 31, 2013|page=5|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 5, 2023}}</ref>
Chick-fil-A closed on December 31, 2005.<ref name=auto6>{{cite news|title=Trying to stay afloat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-chickfil/132963113/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=January 1, 2006|page=1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 5, 2023}}</ref> Another closure during this time span was Pet Pros pet store, whose owner Bob Barber stated that sales had decreased by 40 percent in the months leading up to the store's closure.<ref name=auto5>{{cite news|title=Trying to stay afloat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-signal-h/132963054/|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=January 1, 2006|page=3|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 5, 2023}}</ref> A patron in the 2006 article detailing the struggling mall's story stated, "If I'm going to go shopping, I'm going to go to another mall."<ref name=auto5/>
===2010s=== Sears closed in 2012 as part of a restructuring plan by the chain to close over 100 stores.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sears in Signal Hill mall to close|url=https://statesville.com/news/sears-in-signal-hill-mall-to-close/article_6bf72829-bd8c-5ed7-b73d-66f094a5c408.html|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=December 29, 2011|last= Fuller|first=Bethany|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref>
Despite C&J Associates' intentions, a redevelopment project for the mall would never come. The reasoning for this was the state of the economy, as stated by manager Burr Collier in a 2013 article written about the declining property.<ref name=auto11/> One stated idea for a redevelopment was turning inline space into [[big-box store]]s.<ref name=auto11/> Another idea was combining the Signal Hill Mall property with the Newtowne Plaza, which was next to the mall and also built by C&J Associates.<ref name=auto11/>
JCPenney closed in 2015 as part of a 40-store round of closures.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statesville.com/news/j-c-penney-will-close-statesville-store-april/article_d301f098-97b0-11e4-abf7-470a37340280.html |title=JC Penney will close Statesville store April 4|last=Hamlin|first=John |date=January 8, 2015 |work=[[Statesville Record & Landmark]] |accessdate=August 1, 2018}}</ref> During the 2010s, Signal Hill Mall received significant media attention as an example of a [[dead mall]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/17/north-carolina-abandoned-malls-pictures |title= 'The malls that time forgot': a look inside the abandoned malls of North Carolina| work=[[The Guardian]] | first=Jacob |last=Biba |date=June 17, 2015|accessdate=August 2, 2018}}</ref> One major closure in 2016 was Bookland bookstore, which had been a tenant since the 1980s.<ref name=auto10>{{cite news|title=Bookland closing to leave Signal Hill Mall with 11 stores|url=https://statesville.com/news/bookland-closing-to-leave-signal-hill-mall-with-11-stores/article_d0b24538-b6cf-11e5-a7cf-bb23dfc6ec23.html|newspaper=[[Statesville Record and Landmark]]|date=January 6, 2016|last= Mastandrea|first=Nina|access-date=October 4, 2023}}</ref> Following their closure and failed attempts at redevelopment, Signal Hill Mall had only 11 stores remaining. Among these were Belk, Saslow Jewelers, IHOP, [[Bath & Body Works]], GNC, [[RadioShack]], and FootAction.<ref name=auto10/> Saslow's Jewelers, after almost 20 years of operation, closed its store in October 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statesville.com/news/saslow-s-jewelers-closing-at-signal-hill-mall/article_f058c886-9e30-11e7-a8c2-979eff41d248.html|title=Saslow's Jewelers closing at Signal Hill Mall |first=Jessica |last=Osborne |date= September 20, 2017 |work=[[Statesville Record & Landmark]] |accessdate=August 2, 2018}}</ref> This was followed by the closure of Radio Shack later in the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statesville.com/news/radio-shack-set-to-close-in-signal-hill-mall-in/article_2c5704bc-34da-11e7-9f7d-f3662a348708.html | title=Radio Shack set to close in Signal Hill Mall in Statesville |work=[[Statesville Record & Landmark]] |date=May 9, 2017|accessdate=August 1, 2018}}</ref> The mall fell into a state of deep disrepair, having a very bad [[mold]] problem.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=FAy6pebbfC3_i09k&v=STToSBTF-QI&feature=youtu.be |title=Signal Hill Mall {{!}} Statesville, NC {{!}} History and Storytime about a Vintage Moldy Dead Mall. |date=2024-09-07 |last=TheMallFox |access-date=2025-04-03 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
===2020's===
As of 2022, the mall has continued to decline, with Belk being the only remaining anchor tenant. The ''Iredell Free News'' reported that previous attempts at redevelopment had failed due to slow economic growth in the Statesville area; despite this, representatives of C&J Associates noted that industrial development in the area had increased in the intervening years, leading to the possibility of the mall being repurposed for non-retail use.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.iredellfreenews.com/news-features/2022/signal-hill-mall-property-drawing-interest-from-developers/ | title=Signal Hill Mall property drawing interest from developers | publisher=Iredell Free News | date=July 8, 2022 | accessdate=October 11, 2023}}</ref> The mall is occasionally used as space for community and recreational events by Statesville residents.
The interior of the mall closed its doors in January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Ben |date=2024-04-22 |title=Despite April Fool's joke, future of Signal Hill Mall still up in the air |url=https://statesville.com/news/local/business/whats-next-for-the-signal-hill-mall-in-statesville/article_6902d464-f1d3-11ee-919f-1ba0feb9b472.html |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Statesville Record and Landmark |language=en}}</ref> The mall is a potential subject for redevelopment, being referenced in proposed 2025-2026 budget for Statesville.<ref>https://assets.locable.com/pdfs/8240/attachments-original-1746473159-FY26_Proposed_Budget.pdf?1746473159</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Charlotte malls}}
[[Category:1973 establishments in North Carolina]] [[Category:2024 disestablishments in North Carolina]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Iredell County, North Carolina]] [[Category:Defunct shopping malls in the United States]] [[Category:Shopping malls established in 1973]] [[Category:Shopping malls disestablished in 2024]] [[Category:Shopping malls in North Carolina]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Iredell County, North Carolina]]