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With dozens of stores and millions of dollars worth of business done each year, literally everyone in the Houma-Thibodaux area knows what Southland Mall is and where it’s located.
But if you talk to the folks who run the multi-store shopping center, they’re quick to tell you that a lot of work goes into earning and keeping that reputation and name recognition.
The mall has been around since 1969 and it’s undergone several expansions since its inception.
Southland Mall General Manager Dawn Becker said that while the mall does aggressively advertise to build its name recognition locally, none of that would matter if the facility didn’t keep the latest, trendiest stores within its walls — the staple of running a successful shopping center.
“We offer a safe, comfortable shopping environment that meets the needs of our community,” Becker said. “Southland Mall is constantly evolving to reflect national and local trends and needs.”
Younger folks take the mall for granted — like it’s always been here. That’s not the case. Heck, it’s still fairly new, in terms of the lifespan of a retail center.
Southland Mall opened in Feb. 1969 — part of the oil and gas boom. The original mall was on the current property, but it featured just one building and 14 stores.
The original lineup had classics like Sears, K&B Drugs, Kirshman’s, F.W. Woolworth, D.H. Holmes and others. It also contained the Southland Cinema.
Becker said the mall quickly found success, which led to 10 additional leases being handed out in 1970.
After a decade as a 20-25-store establishment, the mall expanded in 1981 with the addition of a new wing.
That expansion brought J.C. Penney to the family, as well as the possibility of housing 35 additional specialty stores – an expansion, which was historic to the area at the time.
In the 1990s, Southland Mall was remodeled and given tweaks to become more modern, while being more efficient with its allotment of space. That expansion allowed the mall to grow into what it is today – a huge hub for retail business in Southeastern Louisiana.
Becker said customer research shows that the mall’s customers extend well beyond just Houma and Terrebonne Parish. The mall takes pride in being a place for folks in Lafourche Parish, St. Mary Parish and even the River Parishes out toward New Orleans and beyond.
Former Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet spoke often of the mall’s successes in stories with The Times. He often said that the area’s economy was more successful than it otherwise would have been because Houma was a “Mecca” for retail – a place where folks from all over gathered to do business.
“Southland Mall and its retailers service a large trade area extending from lower Lafourche Parish to lower St. Charles Parish, as well as through Terrebonne Parish and parts of St. Mary Parish,” Becker said.
As the mall has expanded and been remodeled, it’s taken its current form, which encompasses more than 80 full-time stores today.
And they all serve a purpose – that’s by design.
Becker said Southland Mall officials aggressively study the market so that they can attract the trendiest, highest-traffic stores to the facility.
In recent years, Southland Mall has done exactly that, namely with the opening of H&M.
Becker said several other stores are keeping customers happy, as well.
“Southland Mall is constantly evolving,” Becker said. “Stores come and go, but we consistently strive to place the best mall retailers possible in our center to help offer diversity to our shoppers.”•
