Jefferson Square Mall
| Location | Joliet, Illinois United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°31′11″N 88°08′37″W / 41.51972°N 88.14361°W |
| Address | 2450 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435 |
| Opening date | February 28, 1975 |
| Closing date | 2002 |
| Demolished | 2004 |
| Previous names | Wilderness Mall |
| Developer | Melvin Simon and Associates |
| Management | Menards Properties |
| Owner | Menards Properties |
| Stores and services | 60 (at peak) |
| Anchor tenants | 2 (at peak) |
| Floor area | 553,295 square feet (51,402.8 m2)[1] |
| Floors | 1 |
Jefferson Square Mall, also known as Wilderness Mall, was a 553,295 square feet (51,402.8 m2) shopping mall in Joliet, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1975, it originally featured Wieboldt's and Montgomery Ward. The mall closed in 2002, and was demolished in 2004 to build a Walmart and Menards.
History
Jefferson Square Mall was developed by Melvin Simon and Associates, now known as Simon Property Group. Wieboldt's opened in August of 1974, and Montgomery Ward opened in October of 1974.[2][3]
The mall opened on February 28, 1975, consisting of 553,295 square feet (51,402.8 m2) of shop space.[4][5] Jefferson Square Mall was the first enclosed shopping mall in Joliet.[6] Louis Joliet Mall opened nearby in 1978, providing competition to Jefferson Square.[7]
In 1987 Wieboldt's closed the Jefferson Square store along with 7 other stores.[8] Their space was replaced by a Menards home improvement store.
In 1996, the property was renamed Wilderness Mall. Despite these renovations, the mall continued to decline in tenancy.[9] By 2000 the mall only had 13 tenants out of the over 60 store slots. some included an off-track betting parlor, a paint gun store, a travel agency, a preschool, and a social services agency. Montgomery Ward closed that same year.[10]
In 2002, Wilderness Mall was purchased by Menard Properties. They planned to demolish the mall for a newer, larger Menards as well as a Walmart supercenter.[11] Demolition began in 2004 and was completed in 2006, with construction of Menards beginning in 2007 and Walmart in 2008.
Notable incidents
1991 shooting
On December 26, 1991, a suspected gang related shooting wounded two teens near the entrance to the south parking lot. It started around 3:45 p.m. as an argument with four young men and the victims near the malls movie theatre. An argument ensued, and then 4 shots where fired. the assailants then walked out of the mall, and then fled in a beige Cadillac.[12]
The victims, Shannon D. Amos who was 18 and resided in Joliet and Eric D. Williams who was 17 and resided at a motel in Joliet, where both in stable condition by the next day.[12]
External links
References
- ^ "Directory of Major Malls, Listing the Most Important Existing and Planned Shopping Centers, Developers, Retailers, Markets in the United States and Canada". MJJTM Publications Corporation. 1981. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Oct 02, 1974, page 47 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Aug 16, 1974, page 55 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Big Shopping-Center Trend Begins To Fade". Newspapers.com. The Edwardsville Intelligencer. 2 April 1975. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "Jul 30, 1975, page 64 - The Shreveport Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Apr 02, 1975, page 13 - The Edwardsville Intelligencer at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Jun 11, 1978, page 124 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "03-21-87 Wieboldt Closes 8 Stores". Chicago Tribune. 21 March 1987. p. 26. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois". Newspapers.com. 21 November 1996. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois". Newspapers.com. 31 December 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois". Newspapers.com. 14 April 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ a b "JOLIET MALL SHOOTING INJURES 2". Chicago Tribune. 27 December 1991. Retrieved 21 February 2026.