Richlands Mall was announced in 1979 by Atlanta-based group GG Industries inc. Operating under a subsidiary known as Tazewell Associates, they would develop the shopping center, which was to be the first air conditioned mall in the region.[2][3] The mall was to be roughly 162,000 square feet, and feature a supermarket, a drug store, a restaurant, and 35,000 square feet of other interior tenant space. In addition, a garment facility would occupy over 20,000 square feet of space at the mall.[2] It was estimated that the mall would employ about 350 people, and generate $20 million dollars in sales.[2]
The mall was retrofitted from an old textile mill known as the Eastern Isles Manufacturing Plant, which was located on Front Street across from the Clinch Valley community hospital.[2]
The property would be completed, and opened to the public in October 1980. Roses, Kroger and Eckerd Drug anchored the mall, with interior tenants Sidney's, Pic' N Pay, Western Steer Restaurant, Twin Cinema and Baskin Robbins present at opening, among others.[3]
In 1987, both of the Eckerd Drug locations in the area, including the one in Richlands Mall, were rebranded as SupeRx drug stores.[4]
1990s
In January 1991, a new restaurant would open at the mall, named 'The Fig Tree.' Their menu consisted of a variety of foods, from Mexican cuisine, to steaks, shrimp and more. The Fig Tree was named because of the twisted fig trees located throughout the mall during the time.[5]
The SupeRx Drug Store inside the mall would become Revco drug in 1994.[6]
Then, in September 1998, Revco drug would become CVS Pharmacy, announced by public notice in the newspaper.[7]
2000s
It was announced at the beginning of March 2000 that Kroger would close its doors on March 24 of the same year, citing underperformance.[8]
