Actually, Younkers was once Pranges’ full-line department store. Prange WAY was Prange’s discount store format. The mall used to also have this as an anchor, which their spot since August 1997, has been occupied by Sears.

I don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve been up to the area, but Forest Mall did see a full interior / exterior renovation in 1998. This was started after Sears opened up in Prange Way’s old space. There was also renovations done to JCPenney and Younkers as well. The canopy over Younkers was made plainer to be honest…I liked the old way it was with the arches. Nowadays though, I feel it’s time that Bon-Ton do something with that store. It’s the oldest Younkers store in the state. Unfortunately we’re not in the right economy for a full remodel, nevermind knocking the building down and building new, either there, or somewhere else.

You mentioned Bishops Cafe and made reference to “another location”. One of the other locations was in Fox River Mall in Appleton. It later became Furer’s Cafe, but had exactly the same food and decor. Only the signage changed. Then it apparently went out of business, and the location became a Pier One, of all things. The last time I visited Fox River Mall, the Pier One was gone.

Matt From WI,

You are so right about Simon not caring about Forest Mall. That mall has never seen a renovation. One of the quirkiest things about Forest Mall is that Younkers (one of Bon Ton’s nameplates) occupies what used to be a Prange Way location. The facade with the fieldstone and familiar metal columns and arches above the doorways still remains. The mall itself has always had a very disjointed appearance, like it was “patched” together by connecting various structures. I wish Simon would invest in that mall, because I have always had a soft spot for Forest Mall.

Not so much anymore. The only reason some stores are still in there are due to lease terms….they’re stuck there until it’s up. Once they’re up, we already know what’ll happen. It’s played out time and again with many malls featured on this site.

My area just got through a rough time with one of its biggest employers. Surely, if Mercury Marine had pulled out, Forest Mall would have died right on the spot because Simon would of sold it off just as they did Memorial Mall in Sheboygan.

Even with Merc staying around, the mall interior will probably die off, albeit at a slower pace. Staples and the four major anchors can and do hold their own due to exterior access apart from the mall interior. I can’t speculate on what chain(s) will bow out next, but looking at national trends, something tells me PacSun isn’t long for my town (they keep changing up merchandise based on trends), nor is Waldenbooks (Borders is a failing chain…can’t compete with B&N and Amazon.com ), who’s been shutting stores left and right as their leases expire.

Other malls in my general area (East-Central / Southeast WI) are already long gone, or they’re trending upscale to stay relevant. Our town just can’t, or won’t support the local mall any longer, and I don’t blame them. It’s all up to the owners of the mall, who also don’t seem to care….nevermind them charging ridiculous rent.

One thing I have noticed between the difference between the Janesville Mall and the Malls else were is the size of the Food Court. The Janesville’s is tiny

And Ken, Janesville is a SMALL city. you never been to BIG city by the way you talk.

Second, I disagree with saying Janesville is a “small city”, it is more of a medium city I would say.

Third, regarding Sears moving to Janesville. I believe a long time ago Sears was somewhere downtown, than moved to Beloit, than moved back to Janesville.

Fourth, you seem to imply a connection between Sears coming back to the mall & and other national retailers coming to the mall. While there is certainly some truth to that, I strongly disagree that is the MAIN reason the national retailers moved here. The obvious reason in my opinion is the 2000 Census data had recently been released and 60K population is probably the threshold needed for the national chains to come here, which means they would have come even if Sears didn’t come back.

Fifth, regarding the late 80’s / early 90’s food scene at the mall. You seem to have forgot the biggest one of all, Bishop’s which was a small/medium midwestern? chain [know they had a location in Madison & some elsewhere] of “old world style” Cafeteria style dining with an all-you can eat option. Had dark wood, huge brass door handles, etc, low lighting and very good food. Believe it was around for quite a long time and in fact we tried to go there the day they suddenly closed. At the time I would say it was probably one of the best restaurants in town and always seemed to be very popular. That location [probably just inside where sears is now] is where they proposed the food court that never happened.

Sixth, thanks for the info about McSnack, I always kind of thought it was single store operation trying to piggyback on the McDonald’s name, never really considered that it was owned/operated by them!!!

Seventh, you forgot to mention the 2 or 3 times the Diamond Center expanded, which took out a shoe store, hair salon [think it moved], and a Swiss Colony retail? outlet [that moved to a cart, than left].

Eighth, the Del Taco [Taco Bell style west-coast chain] restaurant that opened in middle of 2008 by the huge new Menards closed, probably within the last month or so.

Ninth, there was a Steak N’Shake by the Pine Tree Plaza that probably only lasted a year [now Blackhawk Credit Union] probably in 2007/2008.

Lastly, but certainly not least. GM CLOSED in the fall of 2008 I believe and we are just beginning to feel the repercussions in town I would say.