Virginia Center Commons
Encyclopedia
Virginia Center Commons (VCC) is the Richmond area's third newest mall and the last to be built indoors to date (opened 1991). It is located in northern Henrico County along U.S. Route 1 near the intersection of Interstate 295. VCC is the closest mall to many parts of the Richmond region, such as Mechanicsville
, Ashland
, and the city of Richmond's North Side. When VCC first opened, it siphoned off a significant amount of business from 3 other area malls: Azalea Mall, Fairfield Commons (formerly Eastgate Mall) and Willow Lawn. In the case of Azalea Mall, it took enough business away to relegate that mall to "dead mall
" status and Azalea Mall was subsequently closed and demolished. It took the Sears anchor away from Fairfield Commons and sent it almost to the same point, however that mall is still open today. It also took the JC Penney anchor away from Willow Lawn and led Willow Lawn to eventually reposition itself as more of a community shopping center than a regional shopping destination.
It is one of 8 Virginia malls owned by Simon Property Group
along with Apple Blossom Mall, Charlottesvile Fashion Square, Chesapeake Square, The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Potomac Mills
, and Valley Mall. VaCC has over 100 stores with 5 anchors and has been voted as one of Richmond's best places to shop on Richmond's magazines before the 2 outdoor malls (Stony Point & Short Pump-both opened in 2003) became more popular. There are numerous shopping centers outside VaCC, including Richmond's largest movie theater, Regal Virginia Center Stadium 20.
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Mechanicsville is the name of four places in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States of America:*Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia*Mechanicsville, Loudoun County, Virginia*Mechanicsville, Rockbridge County, Virginia...
, Ashland
Ashland, Virginia
Originally known as Slash Cottage, Ashland is located on the Old Washington Highway U.S. Route One and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, a busy north-south route now owned by CSX Transportation...
, and the city of Richmond's North Side. When VCC first opened, it siphoned off a significant amount of business from 3 other area malls: Azalea Mall, Fairfield Commons (formerly Eastgate Mall) and Willow Lawn. In the case of Azalea Mall, it took enough business away to relegate that mall to "dead mall
Dead mall
A dead mall or greyfield is a shopping mall with a high vacancy rate or a low consumer traffic level, or that is dated or deteriorating in some manner. Many malls in the United States are considered "dead" when they have no surviving anchor store or successor that could serve as an entry into or...
" status and Azalea Mall was subsequently closed and demolished. It took the Sears anchor away from Fairfield Commons and sent it almost to the same point, however that mall is still open today. It also took the JC Penney anchor away from Willow Lawn and led Willow Lawn to eventually reposition itself as more of a community shopping center than a regional shopping destination.
It is one of 8 Virginia malls owned by Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an American commercial real estate company, ranked #1 in the United States as the largest real estate investment trust. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers, The...
along with Apple Blossom Mall, Charlottesvile Fashion Square, Chesapeake Square, The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, also known as Pentagon City Mall, is an upscale shopping mall in Arlington, Virginia. It is situated in the Pentagon City neighborhood on the lower levels of the Washington Tower office building, former home of MCI's Consumer Markets headquarters, near...
, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Potomac Mills
Potomac Mills
Potomac Mills is a shopping mall in Woodbridge, VA in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. It is located near Interstate 95 between Smoketown Road, Telegraph Road and the Prince William Parkway....
, and Valley Mall. VaCC has over 100 stores with 5 anchors and has been voted as one of Richmond's best places to shop on Richmond's magazines before the 2 outdoor malls (Stony Point & Short Pump-both opened in 2003) became more popular. There are numerous shopping centers outside VaCC, including Richmond's largest movie theater, Regal Virginia Center Stadium 20.