It seems like almost yesterday that West Park Mall was dedicated. The opening of the Cape Girardeau mall was a greatly anticipated event in the region with an extensive dedication program including a hot air balloon ascension, a fashion show, music from the Central High School Marching Band, puppet shows and an art exhibition featuring the work of over 300 area youth.
The mall was swarming with activity on opening day, March 5, 1981. There was an estimated 30,000 shoppers to view the stores on that day. Several of the chain store retailers said it was the best opening day they had ever experienced.
This mall included on it's first day 43 stores including: Famous Barr, Camelot Music, Lerner's, Walden Books and Swensen's Ice Cream. A large J. C. Penney's store was scheduled in 3 months, June of 1981.
The mall played a key role when facilitating Cape Girardeau's move west and in making the city a regional shopping center. Originally constructed as a 510,000 square foot enclosed facility on a 60 acre lot east of highway 55, at full capacity it was designed to house 80 stores.
Sikeston had been considered as a potential site but the Drury Industries made a major effort to place the mall in Cape Girardeau, promising to further develop the surrounding area. Proof of the delivery of the promises and the success of the mall was illustrated by the vast number of developments along William Street, Route K and I-55.
The west side of Cape Girardeau came to life on March 5, 1981 and it seems like Almost Yesterday.
