Metro North Mall is a 1.3 million square foot (123,076 m2) regional mall located at 400 NW Barry Road, in Kansas City North, Missouri.
Metro North opened its doors in 1976 and was the only enclosed mall located north of the Missouri River in the Kansas City metro area, as well as being the second largest mall in the area at 1.3 million s.f. (Oak Park Mall is larger by .2 mi s.f.). It was developed by Frank Morgan and his uncle Sherman Dreiseszun.[1]
Presently, the mall has approximately 25 stores on two levels, one anchor store, and a junior anchor. However, Metro North features 125 storefronts and four anchor stores, leaving many vacancies, primarily on its upper level. The former Montgomery Ward store which closed in 2001, and its retail 'wing' are completely vacant, except for a Lenscrafters. JCPenney closed in mid-2008, in favor of opening two new stores. Dillard's converted to a clearance center in 2007, closing off the lower level of the store. Dillard's later left the mall in late 2008, when the new store opened in nearby Zona Rosa. MC Sporting Goods operated as a junior anchor in part of the former Montgomery Ward store until it closed in March 2009. The only remaining anchor is Macy's (which originally opened as The Jones Store).
Despite the challenges of the market, the mall interior is well maintained and features a beautiful 1980s-style center court area with a stage surrounded by a pool of water. Another interesting feature are four hot-air balloons, suspended from the ceiling that float up and down. Metro North previously had a small 6-screen theatre near the Montgomery Ward section, but it closed along with the 6-screen theatre on a pad site behind the mall nearest to Montgomery Ward. The separate theatre reopened and plays second-run movies for $2.
Alberta Development Partners took control of the mall from previous owner, Sherman Dreisezun. Plans for redeveloping the ailing shopping center were released in 2007, to turn Metro North into an outdoor lifestyle, but fell through shortly after this release.
The independent film titled "Shoe Store" was filmed in Metro North Mall. The vacant Steve's Family Shoes store was used build the set for "Shoe Store."
Anchor stores
Macy's (244,000 sq. ft.)
MC Sporting Goods; (in part of former Wards, jr. anchor) closed 2009 - vacant
Dillard's Clearance; (155,000 sq. ft.) closed 2008 - vacant
JCPenney; (168,151 sq. ft.) closed 2008 - vacant
The Jones Store; closed 2006 and became Macy*s
Montgomery Ward; closed 2001 - vacant
