Businesses at Willow Bend Mall were burglarized.
How the Break-In Unfolded
Break-ins occurred at businesses inside the mall.
The break-ins affected businesses inside the mall.
A Mall on Its Way Out
The burglaries happened inside a property that's rapidly emptying ahead of demolition. The Shops at Willow Bend set an August 31 deadline for its remaining indoor retail tenants to clear out, part of a broader wind-down chronicled in Hoodline's earlier report on tenants fleeing the doomed mall.
The exodus traces back further than this month's deadline. Dillard's closed in January, following Macy's departure in late 2024, and Neiman Marcus has announced its own upcoming closure, according to Community Impact. Developer Centennial, which acquired the 1.4 million-square-foot mall alongside Waterfall Asset Management in 2022, plans to demolish portions of the site for a mixed-use project called The Bend, featuring 965 residences, an 18-story hotel, and 800,000 square feet of commercial space.
Stars Arena Plans Loom Over the Site
Part of what's driving the mall's rapid emptying is Plano's pursuit of a bigger prize: a potential home arena for the Dallas Stars. The Plano City Council approved a non-binding Letter of Intent and created a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone in June to evaluate building a sports and entertainment district anchored by the arena at the Willow Bend site, according to Visit Plano. The city held public open houses in July to discuss venue tax ballot propositions tied to the project.
The Redevelopment Transition
The mall is emptying during the transition period.
Redevelopment plans remain in progress.
