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The Mall at Barnes Crossing turned 20 this weekend. Did you see the picture of the cookie cake in the Sunday Journal?
Here’s a snippet of the story that ran Sunday:
TUPELO – The Mall at Barnes Crossing used to have a problem with runaway cattle causing a ruckus in the parking lot.
Luckily, one of the security guards almost 20 years ago was handy with a rope and was able to round up the bovines until the neighboring farmer could retrieve the escapees.
It’s a story that mall general manager Jeff Snyder tells with a chuckle, considering his neighbors now mainly are retailers, restaurants, banks and other businesses.
Last week, Snyder, who joined the mall in 1992, took some time to remember the mall’s past, as the 900,000 square foot building prepared to celebrate its 20th birthday. Snyder and others cut the cake Saturday in what used to be farmland but now is the center court of the mall, which is home to 100 stores.
During the past 20 years, Snyder said more than 80 million cars and 200 million people have been to the mall.
And people do more than visit. Snyder said the mall in 2009 averaged $395 of sales per square foot, up from $151 during the first year.
I'm researching our archives for early plans for @barnescrossing. Found a story explaining what Ruby Tuesday was. Wow.
LOL. Found catering pictures from @barnescrossing's VIP opening March 6, 1990. Centerpiece was a roasted pig w/ apple in mouth.
From our archives: Mgr of Cinema 10, owned by Malco, in 1990 didn't think Tupelo couldn't support 18 screens. "Awful lot."
DYK that downtown Tupelo (@downtownscoop) used to be referred to as Uptown in the 80s/90s? Odd.
https://twitter.com/carlie_kollath
The Mall at Barnes Crossing Mall fact! The Mall at Barnes Crossing is a joint venture between David Hocker & Associates and R. F. Coffin Entreprises. They own the mall and have invested millions of dollars into our regions retail development and community. We appreciate their confidence in the region for our first 20 years!