Oakwood Center

Main entrance seen from Terry Parkway.

Oakwood Center is a major shopping mall owned by General Growth Properties in Terrytown, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in the New Orleans metropolitan area. It was originally named "Oakwood Mall", and some signage and local usage continues to call it that. It is geographically in Terrytown, but the mailing address is in adjacent Gretna.

"Oakwood Mall" opened in 1966, taking advantage of the increased development on the West Bank following the opening of the Greater New Orleans Bridge. [1]

Oakwood Center fell victim to significant damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The mall was heavily looted and then set on fire on August 31, 2005. Nearly 80% of the stores experienced fire or water damage. The main shopping area was closed during demolition and construction. Two department stores, Sears and Dillard's, along with Dollar Tree, Foot Locker, and the Bank of Louisiana reopened before the entire mall. Oakwood Center completely reopened on October 19, 2007.

Since completion of renovations, the center includes three sit-down restaurants; over 360,000 square feet (33,000 m²) of floor space boasting over 80 specialty shops (regional and national retailers); and a 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m²) food pavilion.

In March 2009, a group of lenders led by Citicorp North America, Inc. seized the property when the owner failed to pay a $95 million mortgage at maturity.

Interior, April 2009

Tenants

Pre-Katrina Anchor Stores:

• JC Penney
• Dillard's (Formerly Maison Blanche)
• Sears (first store to reopen after Katrina)
• Mervyn's

Current Anchor Stores:

• JC Penney
• Dillard's
• Sears

External links

• Oakwood Center Mall
• NOLA.com's Photos of Oakwood
• Post Katrina fire at Oakwood Mall damaged one-third of stores
• Oakwood Center reopens