Indian Springs Mall
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Indian Springs Mall, also known as Indian Springs Shopping Center, was an enclosed mall in Kansas City, Kansas. The building still stands but it is now occupied only by a few local government offices and a police station. Until its closure, it was also home to The Children's Museum. The high crime rate and other factors common to the indoor mall format led to the eventual decline and closing of Indian Springs. It became a dead mall in the mid-1990s but the doors remained open for over ten more years, despite the lack of retailers. There are now plans to demolish the building and build an open-air shopping center, but the current economic situation has delayed these plans. The original anchors of Indian Springs Mall were JCPenney, and Montgomery Ward, and Macy's, (whose store was later occupied by Dillard's,. Before the original mall was shuttered in 2001, Dillard's left the Indian Springs Mall first in 1997, followed by JCPenney later that year due to an under-performing store, and finally Montgomery Ward in early 2001 due to national chain's bankruptcy with other retailers are shuttered that year. As of 2011 nothing has taken place yet as for the conversion. In 2011 it was given a new green and gold paint scheme, replacing the mauve and teal colors added during a major update done in the mid-1980s that included new canopies at the entrances highlighted with chrome, glass brick and neon, and inside the mall were new indirect lighting replacing the large 1970s era light sculpture chandeliers, revised planters, benches and fountains in the revised design and color scheme.
Some unique aspects of Indian Springs Mall were its many fountains; many nearly flush at floor level without guardrails (barriers were added in the 1980s facelift), a full-sized inside walking maze on the bottom floor and a large seasonal "talking Christmas Tree" where children could relate their Christmas wishes to the interactive tree (via intercom nestled inside the limbs).
It also featured two different movie theaters; one on each level. The original 4 screen theater was a typical early no frills design. It had a very small concession area and small screens in a long auditorium with a center aisle (commonly referred to as a "shoe box" design"). In the early 1980s, a greatly improved 6 screen theater was added on the lower level, including a large lobby lit with marquee lights, a full service and greatly expanded concession stand, much larger screens and a greatly upgraded modern surround sound stereo system along with upgraded seats. Shortly after the newer theater was opened, the original 4 screen theater was converted to a discount theater and also specialized in showing children's movies.
Demolition of the mall began in February, 2016.
