The Parks Mall at Arlington opened on February 24, 1988, to fanfare and enthusiastic shoppers. Anchored by Dillard’s, Sears, and Mervyn’s, it featured 140 shops and over 6,000 parking spots. Although Arlington already had Six Flags Mall and Forum 303, this new destination was larger and more modern.

Arlington’s population surged by 100,000 between 1980 and 1990, fueled in part by this retail explosion. The mall’s announcement sparked a massive building boom, turning a quiet area into a hub of construction. Many referred to the rapidly growing corridor as “Super Cooper,” with Chili’s, Bennigan’s, Black-eyed Pea, and Hypermart opening nearby, followed by Target a few years later.

Residential housing soon followed, establishing South Arlington as a primary population center. While stores have come and gone over the decades, the Parks Mall remains one of the largest and most popular shopping centers in Tarrant County.

The Parks Mall at Arlington — 2022

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 02-24-26