DeVargas Center is an enclosed shopping center in Santa Fe, New Mexico named after Diego de Vargas. Originally named DeVargas Mall, the shopping center is one of two enclosed malls in Santa Fe.
History
1973-1987
DeVargas Mall was developed by Kentucky businessman Nash Hancock and formally opened its doors in 1973."De Vargas Center owner 'no newcomer' to Santa Fe" Santa Fe New Mexican, 31 October 73. Retrieved on 05 October 17. However, an Albertsons and Factory 2-U already had opened a few years prior. The structure was designed by Santa Fe architect William Lumpkins. In 1975, luxury men's department store Goodman's relocated from the Santa Fe Plaza.Murphy, Victoria "Great things are coming for Santa Fe" Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque, 18 April 14. Retrieved on 7 October 17. In 1977, the center added a Montgomery Ward and JCPenney as anchors and a United Artist two-screen theater.Valerde, Victoria "DeVargas Center movie theater in Santa Fe scheduled to close" KRQE Albuquerque, 18 January 17. Retrieved on 05 October 17.Jadrnak, Jackie "De Vargas theaters are shutting down" Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque. 18 January 17. Retrieved on 05 October 17. When the Villa Linda Mall opened in 1985, JCPenney relocated to the southwest side of town. The site would later be replaced by upscale department store C. R. Anthony Co."A Happy Birthday for De Vargas" Santa Fe Reporter, Santa Fe, 13 October 93. Retrieved on 07 October 17.
1988-2000
The mall changed ownership for the first time in Weingarten Realty and underwent $1-million renovation which included upgrading the interior and expanding the theater.Cook, Lynn "Weingarten Realty continues buying binge outside Houston" Business Journal, Houston, 6 September 99. Retrieved on 07 October 2017 In 1996, Ross Dress for Less opened up a new-to-market location."A Major Coup for DeVargas Center" Santa Fe Reporter, Santa Fe, 28 February 96. Retrieved on 07 October 17. In 1998, Montgomery Ward announced bankruptcy and shuttered its Santa Fe location.Hamilton, Martha "Montgomery Ward to close all stores" The Washington Post, Washington D.C., 29 December 00, Retrieved on 05 October 17. That same year Albertsons purchased the former Montgomery Ward location and announced plans to reconstruct the building."DeVargas" Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, 27 March 2005. Retrieved on 05 October 17
2001-present
In 2010, Fidelis Realty Partners purchased the property from Weingarten Realty Management Co, Inc. In 2016, several tenants from nearby Sanbusco Marketplace relocated to the center following New Mexico School of the Art's purchase of the property.Carrillo, Edmundo. "Many stores at Sanbusco Market Center have migrated across downtown to DeVargas Center" Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, 16 January 16. Retrieved on 05 October 17. During that same year, anchor tenant Hastings filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all of its stores.Valdes, Alisa "Hastings Entertainment store to shutter New Mexico locations" Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, 22 July 16. Retrieved on 05 October 17. In 2017, the Regal Cinemas closed its six-screen theaterValerde, Victoria "DeVargas Center movie theater in Santa Fe scheduled to close" KRQE Albuquerque, 18 January 17. Retrieved on 05 October 17. In 2018, the shopping center announced plans to reconstruct the west side of the complex to include The Alley, a lounge and bowling alley.Casaus, Phill. Santa Fe New Mexican, 14 March 18. Retrieved 15 March 18 In 2019, T.J. Maxx announced HomeGoods subsidiary plans to occupy one of the anchors at the center. In 2022, Sierra Trading Post remodeled the former Hastings location.
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