The Malls That Made Us: Remembering Metcalf South, Los Arcos & Metrocenter

There was a time when the mall wasn’t just a place to shop — it was the place to be. The heartbeat of a weekend. The stage for first dates, food court lunches, new music, and big hair. The mall wasn’t just retail; it was culture. And for so many of us, a few iconic malls still hold a permanent spot in our memories — places like Metcalf South, Los Arcos, and Metrocenter Mall.

Metcalf South: The Heart of Overland Park

If you grew up around Kansas City, you probably remember Metcalf South Shopping Center — the mall that felt like home. Opened in 1967, it was one of the first enclosed malls in the region, with its signature terrazzo floors, glowing fountains, and that unmistakable hum of escalators. Families spent entire Saturdays there — browsing Woolworth, catching a matinee at Glenwood Theatre, or grabbing a burger at Smaks.

By the 2000s, the fountains went quiet and the halls grew still. Today, the site has transformed into a Lowe’s, but for those who remember, that corner of 95th and Metcalf will always be where teenage weekends and mall magic came alive.

Los Arcos Mall: Scottsdale’s Desert Landmark

Down in Scottsdale, Arizona, Los Arcos Mall was more than just air conditioning in the desert heat — it was the pulse of local style. Opened in 1969, Los Arcos stood out with its mid-century arches and open-air charm. It was home to Goldwater’s, Diamond’s, and the place where you picked up your first cassette tape or back-to-school outfit.

When Los Arcos closed in the late ’90s, it left behind more than empty storefronts — it left a generation’s worth of memories. Today, the area thrives again as SkySong, a hub for innovation, but for many, that stretch of Scottsdale Road will always be the mall with the arches.

Metrocenter Mall: The Future in a Circle

Few malls ever had the flair of Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix. When it opened in 1973, it was a big deal — two levels, five anchor stores, and an indoor ice rink! It even made a cameo in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (talk about mall immortality).
Metrocenter had it all — record shops, Orange Julius, and that iconic circular design that felt futuristic back in the day.

Though it closed in 2020, plans for redevelopment promise to keep Metrocenter’s spirit alive in new ways. Still, for those who remember cruising the parking lot or hitting the food court with friends, it will forever be the mall that defined a generation.

Why These Malls Still Matter

Keep the Story Going

So whether you’re wearing a tee that celebrates your favorite hometown spot or one that reminds you of Saturday afternoons under skylights and tile floors, remember — you’re not just wearing fashion. You’re wearing history.