History of Fayette Mall in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

Fayette Mall is a large regional shopping mall located in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nicholasville Road. As the largest mall in Kentucky, it is among the biggest in the southeastern United States. It features just under 200 stores, a large food court, and four anchor stores: Macy's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Dillard's.

April 20, 1971: Fayette Mall Opening

On April 20, 1971, Fayette Mall, developed by Richard E. Jacobs Group Inc., opened and replaced Turfland Mall as Lexington's largest shopping mall. Original anchor stores included Sears, Shillito's, and Stewart Dry Goods.

1982: Shillito's became Shillito-Rike's

In 1982, Shillito's became Shillito-Rike's at Fayette Mall.

1985: Stewart Dry Goods became L. S. Ayres

In 1985, Stewart Dry Goods became L. S. Ayres at Fayette Mall.

1986: Shillito-Rike's became Lazarus

In 1986, Shillito-Rike's became Lazarus at Fayette Mall.

1987: L. S. Ayres became Ben Snyder's

In 1987, L. S. Ayres became Ben Snyder's at Fayette Mall.

1988: Ben Snyder's became Hess's

In 1988, Ben Snyder's became Hess's at Fayette Mall.

1993: Hess's became JCPenney; Mall Renovation

In 1993, Hess's became JCPenney at Fayette Mall, and the mall was renovated and enlarged.

1998: McAlpin's became Dillard's

In 1998, McAlpin's became Dillard's at Fayette Mall.

2001: Mall Acquired by CBL & Associates Properties Inc.

In 2001, Fayette Mall was acquired by CBL & Associates Properties Inc.

2003: Lazarus became Lazarus-Macy's

In 2003, Lazarus became Lazarus-Macy's at Fayette Mall.

2005: Lazarus-Macy's became Macy's

In 2005, Lazarus-Macy's became Macy's at Fayette Mall.

2006: The Plaza at Fayette Mall Opened

In 2006, CBL opened The Plaza at Fayette Mall, a center adjacent to the mall and occupied by restaurants, retailers, and a Cinemark Theatres 16.

2007: Fayette Mall's Sales and Area

As of 2007, Fayette Mall's sales were $492 per square foot, and it featured 1,183,982 square feet of gross leasable area, 111 in-line stores, and 5,704 parking spaces.