The Chicago Ridge Mall began construction in 1980 as a $50 billion project at the site of the former Starlite Drive-In Theatre, which closed in 1979 after a 31-year run. The entire mall opened in 1981. The Lenhdorff Group bought the mall in 1986 and sold it to JMB Realty a year later.[5]
Construction of Dick's Sporting Goods
In July 1981, Essaness Theatres opened its triplex cinema at the mall, which later became a six-screen theater. The theatre throughout the years went into the chains of Cineplex Odeon, then Loews, and finally AMC. In 1993, Montgomery Ward was added as an anchor in a spot previously occupied by Madigan's.[6] The Montgomery Ward space later became Bed Bath & Beyond and Steve & Barry's, the latter of which closed in 2008. In 2010, Westfield Group confirmed that Aldi would open in 2011 in the space vacated by Steve and Barry's.[7] In August 2015, a two-story H&M was added to the mall. Red Robin opened on November 21, 2016.[8]
On April 18, 2018, it was announced that Carson's would be closing as parent company The Bon-Ton Stores was going out of business. The store closed on August 29, 2018.[9]
On June 17, 2020, plans were announced for Dick's Sporting Goods to open in the lower level of the former Carson's space.[10] The store opened on August 6, 2021.[11]
On February 12, 2021, it was announced that Sears would also be closing as part of a plan to close 32 stores nationwide. The store closed on May 2, 2021.[12]
On July 23, 2021, it was announced that the Disney Store would be closing as part of a plan to close at least 60 stores nationwide. The store closed on August 18, 2021. It was the last location with the original 1990's "pink and green" design.[13]
On January 31, 2023, it was announced that Bed Bath & Beyond would close as part of a plan to close 87 stores nationwide, which will leave Kohl's, Michaels, and AMC Theatres as the only anchors left.[14]
