The Village at Medford Center

The Village at Medford Center
Map
LocationMedford, Oregon, United States
Opening date1959
DeveloperLBG Real Estate Companies, LLC
OwnerLBG Real Estate Companies, LLC
No. of stores and services50+
No. of anchor tenants5
Total retail floor area420,000-square-foot (39,000 m2)
No. of floors1
WebsiteThe Village at Medford Center

The Village at Medford Center, formerly known as The Medford Center, is a regional shopping complex in east Medford, Oregon, United States. Spanning an 420,000-square-foot (39,000 m2) of retail space spread over 36 acres, this regional retail center holds the distinction of being one of the oldest and largest shopping centers in Jackson County, alongside Rogue Valley Mall.

History

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Prior to its construction, the site was primarily used for agricultural purposes, including livestock grazing. The origins of The Village at Medford Center, initially named The Medford Center, trace back to 1959,[1] marking its role as a pioneering shopping destination in the Medford area. Strategically located adjacent to the Interstate 5 Highway,[2] the center was anchored by Sears from its inception.[1]

Originally, the shopping center had 333,000-square-foot (30,900 m2) of retail space and was an outdoor strip mall. The shopping center underwent a significant transformation in 1984. It was converted into an enclosed shopping destination.[1] The 1980s witnessed the integration of numerous stores into the center, including prominent additions like Payless Drug Stores and Safeway, which expanded the complex by 85,000-square-foot (7,900 m2). Prior to the unveiling of the Rogue Valley Mall in 1986, The Village held the distinction of being the largest shopping hub in Medford. In 1997, the premises saw the inauguration of Cinemark Tinseltown USA, the largest movie theater in southern Oregon. This establishment replaced the Cine' 4 theater in north Medford and the Movies 5 theater at Rogue Valley Mall, both of which were also operated by Cinemark.[3]

In 2014, LBG Real Estate Companies assumed ownership of the shopping center and embarked on an ambitious revitalization project, rebranding it as The Village at Medford Center.[4] This renovation introduced several enhancements, including glass barrel vault canopies, seating, ambient music, and other amenities. New building facades and pavers were also integrated throughout the center as part of this endeavor, totaling over $25 million to the renewal of The Village at Medford Center, now Southern Oregon’s only lifestyle and entertainment center. It encompassed the entire expanse of the shopping center, totaling 420,000 square feet, accommodating new retailers, dining establishments, entertainment venues, and establishments focused on promoting health and wellness. Among the noteworthy additions to the shopping center were the introduction of the Tap and Vine restaurant, Butterfly Club speakeasy, the local non-profit Collaborative Theater Project, and a modern Village Fitness gym, alongside other ventures.[4]

On December 28, 2018, it was announced that the Sears store would be closing as part of a plan to close 80 stores nationwide. It closed in March 2019,[5] and as a result of ongoing development work it has been replaced by Burlington and TJMaxx, along with Ross Dress for Less located in the adjacent unit.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Medford Center Environmental Matters" (PDF). State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. 1993. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  2. ^ Stiles, Greg (27 June 2016). "Medford Center remodel will focus on entertainment elements". Mail Tribune. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  3. ^ Stiles, Greg (28 July 2001). "Mall theater will go dark, thanks to 'shiny' Tinseltown". Mail Tribune. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b Rakhshani, Ariana (28 June 2016). "Medford Center unveils new plans for shopping center". KTVL News 10. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  5. ^ Thomas, Lauren (2018-12-28). "Sears is closing 80 more stores in March, faces possible liquidation". CNBC. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
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