Riverchase Galleria, locally known as The Galleria, is a large super–regional shopping mall in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover, Alabama. It is managed and partially owned by General Growth Properties and is Alabama’s largest enclosed shopping center with 1.9 million square feet (222,967 m²) of total retail floor area. The Riverchase Galleria is one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations attracting customers from the neighboring states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Currently, the Galleria has 218 stores and restaurants and is anchored by 5 department stores (J.C. Penney, Belk (2 locations), Macy’s, and Sears). There are two parking decks located on the property (attached to various mall entrances) of The Galleria providing approximately 5,000 total parking spaces.
Located on the Galleria property on outparcels are several restaurants including California Pizza Kitchen, Ted’s Montana Grill, Bonefish Grill, J. Alexander’s, Stix, and Olive Garden. The Home Depot, FedEx Kinko’s, and Costco are located on other outparcels on the property. The first Just For Feet superstore opened at the Galleria in 1987 but closed with the rest of the chain in 2004. There was also a 10-screen Regal Cinemas movie theater on an outparcel of the property but it was closed in 2006 after the construction of a Rave Motion Pictures at neighboring Patton Creek Shopping Center.
In the center of the Grand Atrium/food court, sits a full-size, authentic 19th Century Dentzel Carousel. In the past, the carousel was dismantled for part of the year, with foliage and a fountain in its place, and reassembled for the holiday season. Currently, the carousel has remained in place for several years. Occasionally, the traditional carousel animals are replaced with reindeer for the holiday season as well. The cost of rides is currently $3 per person.
