What Happened To The Mall Of Abilene's Community Appeal?

If you grew up around Abilene, Texas, as I did, you know that the Mall of Abilene wasn’t just a place to shop… it was the spot. Packed food court, people everywhere, running into half your friends without even trying. You’d go “just to walk around” and somehow lose three hours.

That place had energy.

But, now? It feels like something’s… off.

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Recent Closures Raise Eyebrows in Abilene

This week, two restaurants inside the mall shut down, tied to reported rodent issues. And look, I’m not here to go full news anchor on you, but that’s the kind of thing that gets people talking real quick.

MORE: HEFF's Closes Store In Mall of Abilene

One of those restaurants, El Chico’s, was a favorite of mine back in the day, particularly because of those San Antonio Stacked Chalupas that were on their “secret menu”. Plus, the vibe was always cool.

But once folks start questioning cleanliness and upkeep… that’s a bigger problem than just losing a couple of food spots.

The Mall of Abilene Feels Different These Days

Let’s just call it like it is. Walk through there now and compare it to even 10–15 years ago. The crowds aren’t the same. You’ve got empty storefronts. Anchor stores have come and gone, and yeah, losing Sears felt like a gut punch to the whole place.

At some point, it stopped feeling like the mall… and started feeling like just a building with stores in it. And many stores have come and gone for a variety of reasons.

Opened back in 1979, this place used to be a major draw in the Big Country. Now? It just doesn’t hit the same.

So What’s Really Going On With the Mall?

Is it management? Is it upkeep? Is it just the reality that malls everywhere are struggling? Are people just simply not into malls as much?

Probably a mix of all of it. But I will say many other malls I've been in recently in Texas are still hopping.

Abilene Wants This Place to Win

I’m not rooting against the mall, though I’m sure many like me feel there needs to be some major improvements. Ya know, like the parking lot for starters. Look, I want it to be great again. I want us to have a mall that we can be proud of, and quite honestly, that’s just not happening right now.