If you grew up in Eastern Iowa, you know the smell of Lindale Mall. It’s that specific mix of Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar, chlorine from a nearby fountain that may or may not still be running, and the recycled air of a hundred different clothing racks. For decades, Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids has been the steady heartbeat of the city's northeast side. While headlines everywhere scream about the "death of the mall," Lindale is still standing. It’s weird, honestly. Most malls built in 1960 should be rubble or empty shells by now, yet here we are.
People often confuse the "glory days" with "relevance." Sure, we don’t have the massive crowds of the 1990s when the food court was the only social media we had. But Lindale isn’t dead. It’s just... different. It has pivoted from a place where you go to "hang out" to a place where you actually go to get stuff done.
The Weird History of Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids
Lindale didn't start as the enclosed behemoth we see today at the corner of First Avenue and Collins Road. When it opened in 1960, it was an open-air center. Can you imagine trekking through an Iowa blizzard just to get from Sears to Younkers? No thanks. It wasn't until 1980 that they threw a roof over the whole thing, turning it into the climate-controlled haven that defined the childhoods of Gen X and Millennials in Linn County.
Ownership has swapped hands more times than a hot potato. It’s currently under the wing of Washington Prime Group. They’ve had a rocky road, including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing back in 2021 that had locals worried the doors would shutter forever. But they emerged. They trimmed the fat. The mall survived because it’s positioned in the busiest commercial corridor in the city. You've got Collins Aerospace right down the street. You've got the car dealerships. You’ve got the suburban sprawl of Marion bleeding right into it. Location is everything.
What Happened to the Anchors?
The "Anchor Curse" is real. First, we lost Sears. Then came the devastating blow of Younkers closing down during the Bon-Ton liquidation in 2018. If you walk the halls today, those giant vacant spaces are the hardest thing to ignore. They feel like ghost towns.
However, the mall didn't just give up. Von Maur remains the class act of the building. It’s the high-end anchor that keeps the "luxury" vibe alive, even if you’re just there to buy a single pair of socks so you can listen to the live piano player for fifteen minutes. JCPenney is still holding down the other end, serving as the reliable spot for back-to-school jeans and towels.
Why Lindale Is Quietly Beating Westdale
If you want to see what a "dead mall" actually looks like, you look at the history of Westdale Mall on the southwest side. Westdale was the rival. It was the "cool" mall for a minute in the 80s. But Westdale effectively collapsed and had to be completely gutted and turned into a "power center" with standalone big-box stores like Target and PetSmart.
Lindale Mall Cedar Rapids stayed enclosed.
Why? Because the demographics of the northeast side stayed wealthier and more stable. The "Collins corridor" provides a consistent flow of people with disposable income. While Westdale became a construction site, Lindale kept the lights on. It’s a testament to the fact that Cedar Rapids can really only support one traditional indoor mall at this point. Lindale won the war.
The New Residents: It's Not Just Clothes Anymore
You might notice something if you walk through Lindale today: it’s becoming a service hub. You’ve got the typical H&M and Victoria’s Secret, sure. But then you’ve got Planet Fitness. You’ve got Claire’s, which somehow survives every economic downturn known to man.
Basically, the mall is becoming a "lifestyle center" without losing its roof. People come to hit the gym, get their eyebrows threaded, and maybe grab a slice of Sbarro on the way out. It's a weird ecosystem. It works because it’s convenient. You can park in one spot and do five things. In the middle of an Iowa winter, that’s worth its weight in gold.
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The "Experience" Factor (And the Food)
Let’s be real: we all go for the food. The food court at Lindale is a fascinating microcosm of American culture. You have the staples like Chick-fil-A, which usually has a line longer than the DMV. Then you have the local or niche spots that rotate in and out.
The mall has tried to lean into "events" to stay relevant. We’re talking:
- The Easter Bunny and Santa: These are the big moneymakers. Parents will always pay $40 for a blurry photo of their kid crying on a stranger's lap.
- Farmer’s Markets: Sometimes they host indoor markets when the weather is trash.
- Walking Clubs: If you show up at 8:00 AM, you will be overtaken by a phalanx of senior citizens in New Balance sneakers. They are the true masters of this domain.
It’s about community. If Lindale closes, where do these people go? The public library? The Hy-Vee dining area? The mall provides a "third space" that isn't work and isn't home. That’s a value that doesn't show up on a corporate balance sheet but keeps the doors swinging open.
Fact-Checking the "For Sale" Rumors
There is always a rumor that Lindale is being torn down for apartments. Honestly, it’s not a terrible idea in the long run, but it’s not happening tomorrow. The mall is currently focused on "outparcels." Have you noticed the restaurants and stores popping up in the parking lot?
The strategy is simple: if the big building is too expensive to maintain, use the land around it. By bringing in tenants like Chipotle or specialized medical clinics on the edges of the property, the owners generate enough cash flow to keep the main structure viable. It's a defensive play.
Is it Safe?
This is a question that pops up on local Facebook groups every six months. People get nervous about any place where teenagers congregate. But compared to larger metro malls in Des Moines or Chicago, Lindale is incredibly quiet. The Cedar Rapids Police Department is literally right around the corner on 1st Ave. Security guards are a constant presence. It’s as safe as any other shopping center in the Midwest.
The Future: What’s Next for 1st Ave?
The survival of Lindale Mall Cedar Rapids depends on one thing: adaptability. If they try to stay a 1990s fashion mall, they will fail. If they continue to pivot toward "experiential" retail—think escape rooms, specialized gyms, or even office spaces—they have a shot.
We’re seeing a trend where malls are being subdivided. Don't be surprised if that old Younkers space eventually becomes a massive indoor pickleball court or a series of small-scale medical offices. The era of the "Department Store" is over. The era of the "Everything Hub" is just beginning.
Real Talk: Why You Should Care
Supporting the mall isn't about corporate greed. It’s about local jobs. Hundreds of people in Cedar Rapids and Marion rely on those retail jobs to pay rent. When you choose to go to Lindale instead of clicking "Buy Now" on Amazon, you’re keeping a little bit of that tax revenue inside the city limits. That’s what fixes the potholes on 1st Avenue (okay, maybe nothing can truly fix those potholes, but it helps).
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you haven't been to Lindale in a year, it's time to go back. Not because you "have" to, but because it's a piece of local history that's still breathing.
- Check the Calendar: Look at the Lindale Mall website before you go. They often have "Small Business Saturdays" or craft fairs tucked into the corridors that aren't advertised well on social media.
- Hit the Outparcels: If the mall interior feels overwhelming, the perimeter stores (like Joann Fabrics or the various restaurants) are top-tier and easy to access.
- The "Hidden" Entrance: If JCPenney is packed, use the back entrance near the tire center. It’s almost always empty, and you can get inside much faster.
- Give Feedback: If you want a specific store to come to Cedar Rapids, tell the mall management. They are desperate for data on what locals actually want to see in those vacant anchor spots.
Lindale Mall isn't a relic yet. It's a survivor. It has weathered floods, derechos, and the rise of the internet. It’s a bit scrappy, a bit dated, but it’s ours. Next time you’re driving down First Ave, pull in. Buy a pretzel. Walk a lap. See it for yourself before you let the "mall is dead" memes convince you otherwise.