Indian shopping, business, and recreation center were constructed in 1968 as the second mall in the state of Arkansas, United States. Indian mall was the largest in both Jonesboro and Northern Arkansas in general. After over 30 years of operation, it was deserted and abandoned. 

Development of the mall 

Indian mall was officially opened for business in 1968 after its completion. Being the only mall in Jonesboro and the Northern parts of the state, it was fully booked to capacity only a day after it was declared open. Famous stores like TG and Y, Dillard's, Stimson's supermarket, and Dollar tree were some of the tenants of the mall. It was officially named Indian mall after the Arkansas State University mascot. Events such as press conferences, athletics team’s signings, and appearances as well as fundraisings were done at the mall during its prime time. All through the 1990s, the mall did well until it began to face low vacancy when most tenants left for more spacious malls.

The decline of the Indian mall 

The outdated Indian mall faced discrimination amongst its competitors and by the 2000s, it was partially occupied. Proposals to build a new Mega-Mallas therefore put in place by 2007. Several other malls like the ‘The Mall’ lured the boisterous community rendering the once community gathering area vacant. During its difficult years, the management of Warmack’s had plans to bring down the mall and replace it with a new Warmack’s Southern Hill mall. This never happened due to financial reasons.  The mall wall was left to decay in despair. In August of 2007, Warmack’s company sold the property to MBC holdings that had the intention of turning it into a retail shop after some renovation. The city government of Jonesboro rejected the proposal forcing the new owners to close the property in late of the same year, with no major significance. The Indian mall deteriorated over the decade. 

What remains of the mall?

Major sections and building structures of the mall were all demolished. A small portion was left standing and hosted the Sears stores until 2016. The remaining section of the mall was left vacant after the closure of Sears’s stores nationwide. The surviving section of the property still stands to date. As of 2020, a home furnishings store was interested in the structures of the property. The remnants of the Indian Mall Company were bought by the company but no major development or renovation has begun. The vast mall has been branded with different colors of paints by graffiti artists depriving it of its former beauty. Due to security and safety reasons, the area is out of order for any individual who is not allowed by the owner.