 In mid-2006, the former Wards store, which had been the location of seasonal retailers (Halloween costumers and art shows) was stripped and gutted and a new plan was announced to the public that the South end of the mall would be demolished and rebuilt.The mall opened in 1981 as the first enclosed shopping center in the area of South Bay and anchor stores like JCPenney, Mervyn's, Montgomery Ward, and May Company.The original design included a large razo sky orange and silver, wood designs.