Here not only was Baldwin County, but moreover South Alabama's opportunity to finally develop an upscale regional shopping center. In the months leading up to its fall 2004 debut, there was a constant canard over which specialty stores would occupy the approximate 300,000 square feet of in line tenant space between Dillards and eventually the market's first Belk. Apple? Coach? J. Crew? Surely, Gap's expanding Banana Republic format would join the roster as they 've done in Montgomery and Birmingham!? What did arrive October of 2004 was the typical assortment of mall retailers, plus a passel of lifestyle center tenants on an expansion spree.
Eight years and a Great Recession later, Eastern Shore Centre seems more like an afterthought cladded in mildew stained fake stucco. Either through outright bankruptcy (Sharper Image, Liz Claiborne Shoes) or poor performance (Hollister Co., Sand Dollar Lifestyle, The Shoe Dept), many national and regional retailers have shuttered their stores here. No tenant building here seems fully occupied.
This lifestyle center isn't awful, just underwhelming. When Bel Air Mall and even Legacy Village become tiresome, Eastern Shore Centre is a definite respite. I find it pleasant to wander along the streetscapes during the spring and early summer taking in the landscaping and stronger architectural features. Back in 2004, this was the second best looking lifestyle center in Alabama, trounced only by The Summit. When I get bored, I venture off either to the assortment of casual dining restaurants located around the lifestyle center (Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, Stix) in outparcels, or into elsewhere along the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County. read more