District 208

File:Karcher Mall Macy's.jpg

Daum Industries began construction on a former alfalfa field located at the intersection of Karcher Road and U.S. Highway 30 in 1963.{{cite news | title= Can face lift change fortunes of struggling Karcher Mall| newspaper=Idaho Statesman | date= July 18, 1999 | last=Tucker| first=John }} The mall was completed and opened on August 26, 1965{{cite journal | title= New Buttrey store to open Thursday in Karcher Mall| publisher=The Idaho Free Press| date= August 25, 1965}} with anchor stores Buttrey Food & Drug, Tempo, and Portland, Oregon-based Sprouse-Reitz. During 1967, Daum Industries persuaded JCPenney to open a department store at the two-year-old shopping center.{{cite web |url=http://134.50.3.223/idahoyesterdays/index.php/IY/article/view/23/67#REF48|title=Idaho and the Development of the JCPenney Chain|year=2010|last=Kruger|first=David Delbert|publisher=Idaho Yesterdays}} In March 1967, construction on a $3.5 million expansion of the shopping mall began, with a finish date set for March 1968.{{cite journal | title= Ceremonies at the Karcher Mall| publisher=The Idaho Free Press| date= March 8, 1967}} The new expansion added {{convert|259000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} of new retail space to the shopping center, including the new JCPenney store and a Skaggs Drug Centers store. Following the opening of the new Karcher Mall store, JCPenney shuttered four nearby stores in downtown Nampa, Caldwell, Emmett, and Payette.

The mall was expanded even more, which opened on August 3, 1973, adding two more department stores, including Boise, Idaho-based Falk's I.D. Store and Seattle, Washington-based The Bon Marché, and a two-screen theater, Karcher Twin Theaters. A free-standing Ernst hardware store was added in late 1976. In late 1981, Tempo vacated the mall with the space being converted to a Woolworth department store in March 1982.{{cite news|title=Woolworth to open Karcher Mall store|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=January 29, 1982|last=Barr|first=Miriam}}

In 1986, Karcher Mall featured 74 businesses when it was sold from Daum Industries to Los Angeles-based Standard Management Co. for about $14 million. During the same year, Falk's I.D. Store shut its remaining 55 stores.{{cite web|url=http://newspaper.twinfallspubliclibrary.org/file.php?url=files/Times-News_TN441/PDF/1986_08_08.pdf&search=|title=ID retail stores closing doors|date=August 8, 1986|publisher=Times-News|access-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023058/http://newspaper.twinfallspubliclibrary.org/file.php?url=files%2FTimes-News_TN441%2FPDF%2F1986_08_08.pdf&search=|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} Falk's I.D. Store sold two locations, including the store at the mall, to Anthony's. In July 1987, Buttrey closed its five Treasure Valley locations, including the store in the mall. Later that same year, the mall underwent a $1 million renovation. The former Buttrey store was split into two smaller anchor tenants with Discount Furniture, and House of Fabrics.

In October 1988, Boise Towne Square opened in nearby Boise. Karcher Mall lost its biggest retailer, when JCPenney store closed its 20-year-old location to relocate to the new mall.{{cite news | title= Farewell, downtown Boise: Era will end today for J. C. Penney|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=October 11, 1988|last=Pewitt|first=Jana}} The mall was able to quickly fill the vacant space with Eugene, Oregon-based Troutman's Emporium In late 1990, Sears relocated its catalog and appliance store in Caldwell to the mall, taking over space vacated by PayLess Drug in January 1989.{{cite news|title=Sears will leave Caldwell for Karcher Mall in Nampa|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=August 31, 1990|last=Bowers|first=Jim}}

During the 1990s, the mall lost four anchor stores: Anthony's (1991{{cite news|title=Anthony's closure disappoints shoppers, workers|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=March 8, 1991|last=Pewitt|first=Jana}}) Ernst Home Centers (November 1996), Woolworth (July 1997), and The Hub Clothing (1998{{cite news |url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/1998/apr/27/port-orchard-texas-retailer-saunters-in-buys-the/#axzz2UOv62Af7|title=Texas retailer saunters in, buys The Hub|date=April 27, 1998|newspaper=Kitsap Sun}}).

In May 1998,{{cite web |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2004/06/07/karcher-mall-gets-new-owners-new-management-firm/|title=Karcher Mall gets new owners, new management firm|date=June 7, 2004|last=Volkert |first=Lora |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} Karcher Partners LLC, composed of Tarrytown, New York-based DLC Management Corp. and Dallas, Texas-based Benton Companies, bought Karcher Mall for a reported $10.9 million. That same year, House of Fabrics was acquired by Fabri-Center, and was rebranded into Jo-Ann Fabrics. In 1999, Karcher Partners LLC announced a $10 million renovation of the Karcher Mall that was started in September of that year. The face lift of the declining shopping center included new storefronts, new flooring and lighting, and a new main entrance. Initial plans for the renovation included adding a new anchor store into the upper level of Emporium, which had been used for warehouse space, and a food court; however, neither of these occurred. During this period, the mall added Intermountain Sports{{cite news | title= Sports shop opens in Karcher Mall| newspaper=Idaho Statesman | date= May 25, 2000 | last=Tucker| first=John }} and Liquidation World to fill the empty spaces left by Woolworth and Ernst respectively.

Despite the major renovations, the mall began losing more retailers and customers. Nampa Furniture (which was originally known as Discount Furniture until 1990, and Idaho Furniture Mart until 1991) relocated to a larger building across the street formerly operated by Waremart Foods (now WinCo Foods) in September 1999. The mall's movie theater was shut down in February 2000 after its owner, Reel Theatres, relocated to a larger movie theater across the street previously operated by Cineplex Odeon.{{cite web|url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2002/03/25/8th-street-theaters-open-with-1-movies/|title=8th Street theaters open with $1 movies|publisher=Idaho Business Review|last=Martin |first=Steve|date=25 March 2002 }} Short-lived anchor, Intermountain Sports left the mall abruptly in 2001,{{cite news| title=Intermountain closes store| newspaper=Idaho Statesman | date= April 25, 2001 |last=Johncox |first=Martin}} though it was quickly replaced by variety retailer U.S. Factory Outlets by the end of the year.{{cite web |url=http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2001/08/27/Mall-lands-apparelvariety-anchor |title=Mall lands apparel/variety anchor|date=August 27, 2001|last=Carlson |first=Brad |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} Just one month after losing Intermountain Sports, Sears relocated to a newly constructed shopping center north of the Karcher Mall.{{cite news| title=Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard will get new shopping center |last=Johncox |first=Martin |date=May 3, 2001| newspaper=Idaho Statesman}} Shortly after, Jo-Ann Fabrics relocated to the former space left by Sears. In late 2001, Ross Dress for Less were added to the former two anchor tenants left by the former Jo-Ann Fabrics and Nampa Furniture, and drywall the interior access from the mall.

In 2003, Emporium, the mall largest tenant, was forced to close after its parent company, the Troutman Company, couldn't secure a new financing package or sell the stores after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2002.{{cite web |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2003/02/17/the-emporium-to-close-4-clothing-stores-in-the-treasure-valley/ |title=The Emporium to close 4 clothing stores in the Treasure Valley|date=February 17, 2003|last=Carlson |first=Brad |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} Costco Wholesale, Home Depot, and other big-box chains expressed interest in space at the mall but were turned down as the chains had "unrealistic expectations as to what they could do with the mall."{{cite web |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2004/03/22/nampas-karcher-still-angles-for-an-anchor/|title=Nampa's Karcher still angles for an anchor|date=March 22, 2004|last=Volkert|first=Lora|publisher=Idaho Business Review}} Shortly after Emporium's closure, Big 5 Sporting Goods was added to the mall in the former smaller tenants close to Ross, but like Ross, they drywall the interior access as well. In March 2004, the mall had {{convert|172,693|sqft|m2|adj=on}} of empty retail space according to a real estate report released by Gunstream Commercial Real Estate.

In 2004, Karcher Mall was sold to LB Nampa Mall Holdings LLC. The new owners hired Jones Lang LaSalle, a real estate services firm with offices in Chicago, to manage the mall and help attract new retailers to fill the mall's many vacant stores. In 2005, the mall was sold once more to Chicago-based Baum Bros. LLC and again two months later to Anaheim, California-based Milan Properties LLC.{{cite web |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2005/09/19/karchers-new-califbased-owner-plans-a-taller-mall/|title=Karcher's new Calif.-based owner plans a taller mall|date=September 19, 2005|last=Volkert |first=Lora |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} Milan Properties announced plans to remodel the 40-year-old mall and fill the long-vacant Emporium anchor with a new department store. Milan Properties also hoped that the new Interstate 84 Interchange and the new nearby Treasure Valley Marketplace would help bring more traffic to the mall. In 2007, Burlington Coat Factory, filling the former Emporium space, was the first new major retailer added to the newly renovated mall.{{cite journal |title=Report: Burlington plans Karcher store|date=2006-10-20 |last=Boegh |first=Lee Vander |publisher=Idaho Press Tribune}} In early 2008, clothing retailer Steve & Barry's replaced the former U.S. Factory Outlets store, which closed in 2005; however, 11 months later the store was closed when Steve & Barry's liquidated.{{cite news |title=More chain stores to close|date=November 29, 2008|newspaper=Idaho Statesman}}

During 2008, Macy's, which previously operated as The Bon Marché until 2003 and Bon-Macy's until 2005, announced plans to shutter its Karcher Mall location to relocate to the newly constructed Nampa Gateway Center in late 2009.{{cite web |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2008/08/07/macy8217s-nampa-store-moving-to-gateway/|title=Macy's Nampa store moving to Gateway|date=August 7, 2008|last=Carlson |first=Brad |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} The new Macy's at the Nampa Gateway Center opened on October 17.{{cite web |url=https://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2009/10/16/Edwards-Theaters-planned-for-Nampa-Gateway|title=Edwards Theaters planned for Nampa Gateway|date=2009-10-16 |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} In September 2009, Northern Light Cinema Grill, an independently owned movie theater and restaurant, opened in the long-vacant Nampa Reel Theatres building.{{cite web |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2009/08/31/incoming-movie-theatergrill-fights-liquor-laws/|title=Incoming movie theater/grill fights liquor laws|date=August 31, 2009 |last=Grigg |first=Dani |publisher=Idaho Business Review}} In July 2014, Macy's announced the closure of the mall's clearance center.{{cite web |url=http://www.idahopress.com/news/local/macy-s-clearance-center-in-nampa-to-close/article_525c935c-0c97-11e4-852a-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Macy's Clearance Center in Nampa to close|date=July 16, 2014|publisher=Idaho Press Tribune}} In Spring 2016, Karcher Mall announced the opening of the new Mor Furniture store, filling the former Macy's space.{{cite web|url=http://www.idahopress.com/members/mor-furniture-store-planned-for-karcher-mall/article_95c16454-7d27-11e5-b51d-cfb573f48fba.html|title=Mor Furniture store planned for Karcher Mall|date=October 28, 2015|publisher=Idaho Press Tribune}} Mor Furniture opened on June 16, 2016. In 2018, Burlington announced the closure of the mall's location to relocate to nearby Treasure Valley Crossing in late 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.idahopress.com/news/local/2cscoop/new-burlington-store-in-the-works-for-treasure-valley-crossing/article_2f9c41aa-87fc-552c-8d35-b56259ebc189.html|title=New Burlington store in the works for Treasure Valley Crossing|date=October 10, 2017|publisher=Idaho Press Tribune}} In the recent years, poor maintenance of the mall and poor ownership, as well as increased rental expenses were the major factors of the high vacancy rate and national chains being pulled away from Karcher Mall.{{cite web|url=https://www.idahopress.com/cavalcade/idahos-first-mall-struggles-with-aging/article_8430d43a-e4dc-5657-ae34-14b03a4bbe1f.html|title=Idaho's first mall struggles with aging|date=March 25, 2017|publisher=Idaho Press}}

In May 2019, the mall was sold to Livermore, California-based Rhino Investments.{{cite web|url=https://boisedev.com/news/2019/05/06/karcher-mall-sold-rhino/|title=New owner for Nampa's Karcher Mall, big changes could be ahead|work=BoiseDev|last=Day|first=Don|date=May 6, 2019}} In July 2019, plans were unveiled for a renovation project that include the demolition of {{convert|81000|sqft|m2}} of the mall's floor area.{{cite news|url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/community/canyon-county/article233120181.html|title=Hundreds of apartments. A call center. Karcher Mall's new owner unveils his plans.|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=July 25, 2019}} Several new tenants will be added to the shopping center as well as nine residential buildings with 216 apartments. Several mall tenants, including anchor stores Big 5 Sporting Goods, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Mor Furniture, and Ross, will remain part of the shopping center after demolition is completed. Construction for revamped shopping center, renamed Karcher Marketplace, began in November 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/growing-idaho/karcher-mall-redevelopment-project-groundbreaking-housing-retail/277-54b49a0d-ebc3-429a-a1f3-ae80f86f3316|title=Karcher Mall redevelopment begins|work=KTVB|date=November 8, 2019}} However, the construction was temporarily halted in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of May 2020, the rest of the mall concourses were closed off for plans to reconstruct the interiors into big-box stores, but a few remaining mall tenants including Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Discount Furniture (which was recently relocated to the former Burlington space) remained open with exterior access.

In February 2022, Rhino announced the redevelopment of the former Karcher Mall to be named District 208. The construction resumed in late January of that year after a nearly two year delay. The rear parking lot broke ground for new apartments and storage units.{{cite web|url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/growing-idaho/karcher-mall-changes-more-than-250-apartments-new-retail-and-storage-coming-to-nampa-district-208-idaho/277-2b51b74e-86b4-473b-b484-f9a8574230d1|title=Karcher Mall changes: More than 250 apartments, new retail and storage coming to Nampa|work=KTVB|date=February 2, 2022}}

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160813015129/http://shopkarchermall.com/ Karcher Mall official website]

{{Nampa, Idaho}}

{{Shopping malls in Idaho}}

Category:Shopping malls in Idaho

Category:Shopping malls established in 1965

Category:Buildings and structures in Canyon County, Idaho

Category:Tourist attractions in Canyon County, Idaho

Category:Nampa, Idaho