# The Ultimate Guide to Mall St\. Matthews: Your Complete Companion to Louisville‘s Premier Shopping Destination - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-mall-st-matthews-your-complete-companion-to-louisvilles-premier-shopping-destination/ - Published: 2023-10-24 - Author: Lillie Gabler - Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/) --- As a home improvement expert and shopping enthusiast, I‘m delighted to provide this comprehensive, insider‘s guide to Mall St. Matthews. Join me as we explore the mall‘s rich history, ever-expanding offerings, and special role in the Louisville community. ## A 60-Year Legacy of Shopping Since first opening its doors in 1962, Mall St. Matthews has been pivotal to the retail landscape of both Louisville and the entire state of Kentucky. Over six decades, the mall has transformed from a humble 20-store strip mall into the behemoth 1.2 million square foot shopping mecca we know today. Let‘s take a deeper look at the mall‘s growth and evolution over the years: | Year | Key Developments | Total Stores | | --- | --- | --- | | 1962 | Mall opens with 20 stores, anchored by Stewart‘s and Kroger | 20 | | 1964 | 1st major expansion adds 50 stores and Bacon‘s dept store | 70 | | 1968 | 2nd expansion brings first 2-level corridor | ~100 | | 1977 | Stewart‘s closes, replaced by McAlpin‘s dept store | 110 | | 1987 | 3rd expansion adds more retail and food court | 140 | | 1997 | Food court renovated and expanded | 145 | | 2005 | New 6-story parking garage constructed | 160 | | 2020 | New sustainability initiatives launched | 165 | As you can see, the mall has come a very long way from its humble beginnings! It still sits on its original 32-acre plot, but the physical footprint has expanded dramatically over the decades to keep up with demand. These expansions added over _145_ additional stores, bringing the current total to 165. That‘s nearly an _800% increase_ from the original 20 stores in 1962! To accomplish this, the mall has undertaken major renovations to optimize the space, such as building upward with 2-story corridors and converting formerly outdoor space into new wings. The parking capacity has grown accordingly too – from 500 spots initially to over 8,000 today. ## Anchors That Have Stood the Test of Time While many of the smaller stores have changed over the years, Mall St. Matthews still relies on its long-standing anchor department stores to drive foot traffic: ### Macy‘s - 210,000 square feet flagship store – one of the largest Macy‘s in Kentucky - Anchored the mall since acquiring McAlpin‘s in 1990 - Full-service spa and special events like celebrity chef cooking demos ### Dillard‘s - Almost 200,000 square feet over 3 levels - Originally Stewart‘s, then Bacon‘s, before becoming Dillard‘s in 1998 - High-end designer brands and trendy fashions ### JCPenney - 154,000 square feet of retail space - Opened in 1987 as part of a major mall expansion - Popular hair salon and Sephora beauty store inside These anchors have endured while many traditional department stores have fallen, mainly due to their prime mall locations and diversified offerings. For example, Dillard‘s has adapted its merchandise and store design over the years to stay competitive with new luxury retailers. ## Specialty Stores Galore Beyond the stalwart anchors, Mall St. Matthews houses over 160 unique specialty stores that offer far more diversity than a typical enclosed mall. From locally-owned shops to national chains, you can find almost any item on your shopping list. ### Apparel Mall St. Matthews is a fashionista‘s paradise with on-trend apparel stores like H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria‘s Secret, and Gap. There are also upscale boutiques that cater to more refined tastes, such as Arhaus and Kate Spade. ### Shoes Mix and match footwear from all the major shoe brands – Journeys, Aldo, Finish Line, and more. The nearby DSW store adds great value on designer shoe labels too. ### Accessories & Gifts Find the perfect personalized accessory or gift item at stores like Kay Jewelers, Coach, Yankee Candle, and local shop Rodes for Him & Her. Build-A-Bear Workshop is a huge hit with kids as well! ### Tech & Media Stay connected with smartphones, electronics, and accessories from the Apple Store, Verizon, and AT&T. Barnes & Noble operates an enormous bookstore perfect for browsing bestsellers. ### Home Furnishings Spruce up your interiors with upscale housewares from Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, and Williams-Sonoma. As a home improvement pro, I‘m impressed by their beautiful kitchen and bath displays. This incredible retail diversity makes the mall far more than just a place to shop. It‘s a genuine lifestyle destination. ## Amenities That Enhance Your Visit Beyond its stores, Mall St. Matthews offers outstanding amenities to make every visit convenient, comfortable, and fun. Let‘s look at some of the highlights: ### Dining Options Abound Recharge with a meal or snack at the bustling food court featuring Chick-fil-A, Sbarro, Panda Express and other quick-service eateries. For a unique dining experience, visit the Dick‘s Last Resort themed restaurant located just a short walk from the mall. | Food Court Vendors | Sample Fare | | --- | --- | | Chick-fil-A | Chicken sandwiches, nuggets | | Sbarro | Pizza, stromboli, pasta | | Starbucks | Coffee, breakfast sandwiches | | Panda Express | Chinese entrees | | Auntie Anne‘s | Pretzels, cinnamon rolls | ### See the Latest Movies The AMC theater has 14 screens playing all the newest Hollywood and indie films. For an immersive experience, check out movies in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and other premium large formats. Reserved seating ensures the best movie experience. ### Kids Play Area Let the kids burn off some extra energy in the fantastic indoor playground while you shop. This supervised play area has tunnels, slides, nets, and more to entertain little ones. ### Guest Services Stop by the guest services desk for mall coupons, directions, lost & found assistance, and shopping tips from the friendly staff. This is also the place to rent strollers and wheelchairs to aid mobility. ## Strategic Location With Great Accessibility Mall St. Matthews boasts a prime location at 4014 Shelbyville Road in east Louisville, right off highways I-264 and I-265 for regional access. ### By Car With nearly 8,000 free parking spaces, navigating a car to the mall is easy. The parking garage helps you avoid weather and accommodates oversized vehicles. If you spend over $50, you can get parking validated at guest services. ### Public Transit For an eco-friendly commute, catch the TARC city bus routes 18 or 25 which drop off right at the mall‘s entrance. This is a popular option for tourists staying downtown. ### Bike Access Bike racks are available if you prefer to pedal over! The Parkside Bikeway is closeby for a safe cycling path. No matter how you arrive, Mall St. Matthews aims to offer top-notch accessibility. ## Shopping Tips From a Seasoned Pro Having covered home renovations and shopped this mall for decades myself, I‘m happy to provide insider tips to maximize your visit: - Weekday mornings are the least crowded times if you dislike large crowds. - Sign up for all the retail email lists to get alerts on the best deals and coupons. - Ask guest services about any seasonal or holiday promotions happening during your visit. - Arrive to the food court _before_ the noon rush if you want lunch. Lines get long! - Keep an eye out for pop-up shops that temporarily lease mall space. You can find unique goods! - Validate your parking every time you shop – just make a $50 minimum purchase to qualify. ## More Than Just a Mall Mall St. Matthews holds a special place in the hearts of Louisvillians. It‘s been central to the community for 60 years as a place to shop, dine, gather with friends, and celebrate the holidays. The mall always commemorates seasonal events with elaborate decorations, photos with Santa at Christmas, and an annual Easter egg hunt. During my childhood visits, I loved watching talented choirs perform carols in the common area each December. Mall management also frequently partners with local charities and nonprofits to host donation drives, fundraisers, and outreach events. This community spirit is what makes the mall far more than a shopping center – it‘s a Louisville tradition. ## Looking to the Future Entering its 7th decade, Mall St. Matthews shows no signs of slowing down. Recent initiatives prioritize sustainable operations, such as: - LED lighting and HVAC upgrades to improve energy efficiency - Solar panels to generate onsite renewable power - Water refill stations to reduce plastic waste - Electric vehicle charging stations in the parking garage I‘m glad to see Mall St. Matthews take steps to reduce its environmental impact. With sound management and community goodwill, the mall is sure to thrive for decades to come. So there you have it, the complete, insider‘s guide to Mall St. Matthews! Feel free to contact me if you need any home improvement advice or have mall-related questions. I hope this article provides a helpful overview for your visit to Louisville‘s best shopping destination. Happy mall crawling! --- Source: [The Ultimate Guide to Mall St\. Matthews: Your Complete Companion to Louisville‘s Premier Shopping Destination](https://33rdsquare.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-mall-st-matthews-your-complete-companion-to-louisvilles-premier-shopping-destination/)