Heartland Mall proudly opened it’s doors in October of 1980 in Early, Texas.
246,000 square feet of shopping, sitting on just close to 24 acres, for a rural central Texas county. Heartland Mall was built by CBL and Associates and has since been owned by 3 different companies—all agreeing that retail property in Early, Texas is a sound investment. Security National Properties, current owners, purchased the mall in December of 1997 and has been instrumental in making positive changes both inside and out.
Heartland Mall began with Anchor Stores JC Penney and Bealls signing the first two leases in 1978. Another original tenant was Chick-Fil-A, still a favorite among the shoppers, recently awarded Business of the Year by the Early Chamber of Commerce. Together, these three original tenants have witnessed many changes with many different stores and events throughout the past 30 years.
You may remember:
Other stores in the first years included Connies, Gregory's Fifth Season, Kmart, Zales, B. Dalton, Camelot Music, Time Out, GG's Pizza, Hallmark, Kinney Shoes, Circus World, the Peanut Shack, and Plitt Theaters. These stores and many others provided a central place for all the counties’ shopping entertainment, and dining needs.
Today, we are proud of our tenants and the relationship we all share in it's success in Brown County. Anna's Attic has been here for about 13 years, Regis came along in 1981, Claire's since 1990, Corn Dog 7 since 1992, LeNails with new owners in 1992, Peddlers since 1995, GNC since 1995, Bath & Body Works since 1999, Hibbetts Sporting Goods joined us in 2000 and Maurices in 2004. Other more recent stores in the past few years include: rue21, Bon Worth, FX Game Exchange, AT&T, Curves for Women, Merle Norman, Desires, Moon Zen, Burke's Outlet, and Gallery Furniture. Silver Sensations has also become a staple at Heartland Mall operating a successful kiosk.
Through the years many changes have taken place. Today, the mall looks much different than it did in 1980. In the summer of 2000 major reconstruction took place as a 5 million dollar Stadium 8 movie theater was being built.
This theater along with Corn Dog 7, Moon Zen & Chick-Fil-A helped provide entertainment and dining options for the community. In 2001, a complete new roof to the entire mall was added. A new stucco façade was added in 2002, giving a "face lift" and more updated look to the exterior. New parking lot, skylights, new ceramic tile floor and fountain, and the present LED message board are changes that have helped Heartland Mall maintain it’s positive reputation in the community.
Currently the mall is managed by 4P Management owned and operated by Charlotte Parrack. 4PM employs 10 people who handle the marketing, landscaping, Maintenance, customer service and janitorial tasks of the entire property. Prior to becoming the Manager of Heartland Mall, Mrs. Parrack was the Marketing Director. She fondly remembers events such as Fashion Shows, Photos with Santa, Dad Olympics, Talent Shows, Cheer Competitions, Rodeo Personality Appearances, Trick or Treat the Mall, Mc Gruff and Child Find, Tea Parties, Carnivals, Rib Burn-Offs, Crowning of Ms. Heartland, Fiddling Contests, and Street Dances.
Heartland Mall is very active in the community and in Brown County, providing a venue for non-profits and acting as ticket agent and community center to a variety of events in the area.
Mrs. Parrack says "Heartland Mall is considered a Shining Star in Security National’s portfolio of properties". In 1999 while Marketing Director, Mrs. Parrack coined the slogan: "Heartland Mall… the center of it all", a slogan that sums up how Heartland Mall has affected the community over the last 30 years.
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Fun Facts from 1980...the year Heartland Mall opened!
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7-11 introduces the "Big Gulp"
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"Post It Notes" introduced by 3M
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"Sony Walkman" was invented
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"CNN " is launched
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"Whistle Pops" were popular
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"New" Coke was introduced
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Year for "Hands Across America
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"Dr. Pepper" (a Texas original soft drink) merged with "7-up"
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Postage stamps cost .15 cents
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Gas cost s $1.25 a gallon
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"BMW 320" sold for $12,000
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"Cordless" phones were new
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"4 wheel drive" was introduced
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Thirty years later, Heartland Mall is a central shopping destination, providing events and family activities along with Grand Celebrations. Our Positioning Statement: "...to provide a pleasant shopping atmosphere mixed with various entertaining events, as well as obtain community connections through partnerships with local government, charitable organizations and the business community" still holds true today. We believe Heartland Mall is a shining example of business success and involvement in our community for the past 30 years.
I would like to extend a warm Thank You to our entire community for your continued support and help us celebrate our 30th anniversary. Please become a FAN of our facebook page, and join our INBOX Rewards program to have a first look at all new and exciting happenings at Heartland Mall.
Sincerely,
Charlotte R Parrack
Heartland Mall Property Manager
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