The Rise and Fall of the Great Mall of the Great Plains: From Shopping Haven to Demolition

The Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe, Kansas, once stood as the largest outlet mall in the state, offering an impressive array of over 150 stores and ten anchor tenants. Spanning a vast area of 783,000 square feet, the mall was designed with a distinctive half-mile racetrack pattern that facilitated easy navigation for shoppers. However, after experiencing a decline in its fortunes, the mall closed its doors on September 18, 2015, and was eventually demolished on July 11, 2016. Today, the site is owned by Garmin Ltd., with only a few remaining tenants still operating.

Developed by Jordan Robert Perlmutter & Co and Glimcher Realty Trust, the vision behind the Great Mall of the Great Plains was to create a value-oriented megamall, featuring a blend of traditional mall stores, outlet stores, big-box retail, and entertainment venues. The mall's concept drew inspiration from the large-scale, entertainment-driven shopping centers developed by the former Mills Corporation.

Zonkers, formerly Jeepers

When the mall opened its doors on August 14, 1997, it quickly gained attention and enjoyed tremendous success. In its early days, more than 1.5 million visitors flocked to the mall, enticed by the diverse shopping and entertainment options it offered. The mall boasted prominent anchor stores such as Burlington Coat Factory, Dillard's, Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), and Old Navy, along with a 12-restaurant Marketplace food court, a 16-screen Dickinson theater, and a family entertainment center.

What set the Great Mall of the Great Plains apart was its unique layout, organized into four theme courts: Home and Hobby, Fashion, Techtainment, and Sports and Adventure. This innovative design allowed shoppers to easily locate the types of stores they desired and encouraged exploration of the mall's various offerings.

Over time, the mall faced numerous challenges as the retail landscape evolved and competition intensified. It struggled to maintain high occupancy levels and attract a steady flow of visitors. Several anchor stores closed or relocated, including Kitchen and Co., DSW, Dillard's, and Old Navy, which contributed to the mall's decline. Despite efforts to increase foot traffic through initiatives like opening an alternative high school inside the mall and introducing new entertainment options such as Cosmic Mini Golf, these measures were unable to reverse the mall's fortunes.

By February 16, 2015, the mall's occupancy had dwindled to around 35%, leading to the announcement of its closure in the fall of the same year. Subsequently, demolition work commenced on July 11, 2016, and by January 2017, the entire structure had been razed to the ground, leaving only the Burlington Coat Factory store standing.

Numerous redevelopment attempts were made to revive the site. In 2009, plans were unveiled to transform the area into a small town center featuring a multi-seat arena, interactive golf and rock climbing facilities, an ice rink, stores, restaurants, office space, and hotels. However, these ambitious plans failed to materialize. Another redevelopment project named Mentum was announced in 2018, but it also faced a similar fate.

In October 2021, a new chapter began for the site as Garmin Ltd., an Olathe-based company, acquired the property with intentions to expand its headquarters. While the Great Mall of the Great Plains has become a part of history, it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Olathe residents and visitors who fondly remember its bustling atmosphere and vibrant past.