Village on Park Street (formerly Villager Mall) is a multi-building community plaza located in Madison, Wisconsin. Originally built in the 1960s, the plaza has evolved from a shopping center to a community plaza.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
 | |
| Address | 2300 South Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53713 |
|---|---|
| Opening date | August 1966 |
| Previous names | Park Plaza, Villager Shopping Center or Villager Mall |
| Owner | City of Madison |
| No. of floors | 2 |
| Public transit access | Metro Transit |
| Website | the village on Park.info |
History
editThe shopping center opened in the 1960s as Park Plaza. The building later connected to an existing bowling alley. It was later renamed Villager Shopping Center or Villager Mall. Businesses included Rennebohm Drugs, Ben Franklin, and Gorman's clothing.[citation needed]
In 1987 the shopping center was renovated. These renovations included converting the center of the mall to an enclosed mall space.[citation needed]
The shopping center was dying in the 1990s. In 1992, the bowling alley closed after 32 years.[citation needed]
In 1995, the former bowling alley was renovated into South Madison Health and Family Center - Harambee. This was a community center that housed a daycare, Planned Parenthood, a health clinic for low-income families, and a branch of the Madison Public Library.[7]
Beginning in 2008, the mall underwent extensive renovation. The focus shifted from primarily retail to human services with a smaller retail component. The interior mall atrium area was renovated into offices. A chunk on the south end was demolished to make way for a new parking lot, forcing a move by Yue Wah Oriental Foods, a store at the far end of the mall.[citation needed]
In 2010, the center was renamed The Village on Park Street.[citation needed]
In 2013, a longtime bakery closer to downtown moved into the Village on Park, but closed in 2023 after 69 years in business.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Welcome to The Village on Park's Tenant Portal". thevillageonpark.info.
- ^ Mosiman, Dean (2022-08-01). "Madison to invest $5 million more at Village on Park mall". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ "The Capital Times 23 Aug 1966, page 13". The Capital Times. 23 August 1966. p. 13.
- ^ Mosiman, Dean (2011-06-24). "Mayor questions city funds going to South Side mall". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Wahlberg, David (2023-08-15). "Access Community Health hopes to expand its South Park Street clinic". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Becker, Abigail (2021-04-27). "Village on Park redevelopment project gains committee recommendation". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Schneider, Pat (2010-10-30). "Grass Roots: Does new Villager mean an end to 'harambee' in South Madison?". The Capital Times. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ Derby, Samara Kalk (2023-12-24). "Beloved Lane's Bakery in Madison will close for good on Christmas Eve". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
