Malls and Money: Why One Shopping Center is Winning the Race

A Divided Fate

In the world of shopping malls, two big names in Alabama are facing very different futures.

Brookwood Mall: A Struggling Past

Once the Place to Be

• People loved going there for birthdays, holidays, and just hanging out.
• Lost its last store, Five Guys, in December 2024.
• Now, it's just an empty building with no clear plan for the future.

A Glimmer of Hope

• A new orthopedic clinic planned for the old Belk store.
• A $124 million project, but not enough to transform the entire mall area.

Riverchase Galleria: A Bright Future

Getting a Massive Upgrade

• The city of Hoover is investing a lot of money to turn it into a modern, mixed-use space.
• New apartments, shops, and even a big arts center.
• The city sees the mall as a key part of its economy.

The Big Difference

The difference comes down to money and support.

• Hoover has the resources and the will to invest in the Galleria's future.
• Brookwood Mall is owned by two smaller cities that don't have as much money to spend.
• They've started working together, but their plans are much smaller and slower.

The Winner

In the end, the winner is clear.

• Riverchase Galleria is getting the support it needs to thrive.
• Brookwood Mall is facing a much slower and smaller transformation.

It's not about which mall is more fun or has better memories. It's about which one has a city behind it that's ready to invest in its future.