However, extensive renovations in 1988 and October 2013 have since radically altered the decor and layout, gradually removing outmoded features such as the garden center (mid 1990s), catalog/bill paying area (early 2000s), tailoring room (2013) and various specialized display alcoves (kitchenwares – early 2000s, juniors – early 2000s, fine china – 2013, etc.), all of which were converted into additional storage. Another innovation was the circular arrangement of drywall-partitioned departments surrounding a central jewelry department, now standard among modern department stores, but unique for the 1960s where many stores retained open floor plans. The Elizabeth City store is the last prototype to retain its original arched architecture, albeit as of October 2012 having beige paint obscure the once-bare concrete arches. Alas, the other two prototypes located in Vernon Park Mall, Kinston, NC and Oglethorpe Mall, Savannah, GA, have since had their exteriors heavily modified beyond original resemblance. The Southgate location is notable as one of the first three mall-based prototypes Belk developed in the mid to late 1960s as the company prepared to transition from downtown and strip mall locations to enclosed malls.īoasting preformed concrete arches, these prototypes were among the first mall-based Belk stores to have a distinctive architectural design, one that paved the way for countless facade variations among all future Belk stores.
The store's first extensive renovation since 1988 radically rearranged its interior configuration, but did not affect the exterior.īelk remains the sole original anchor, having undisputed domain over Southgate's eastern end since 1969. Elizabeth City Belk during renovation re-dedication in October 2013. All except the Southgate location have since been heavily modified beyond their original appearances. One of three late 1960s prototype stores designed for smaller-format enclosed malls, the other two are in Kinston, NC and Savannah, GA. Junior anchors Winn-Dixie and Peoples Drug filled positions intermediate to anchors and smaller shops. Located on West Ehringhaus Street ( US 17 Business) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the mall is currently anchored by Belk and until its closing in early April 2015 JCPenney.Ĭonstruction of the mall started in 1967 at a cost of $3 million ($21.2 million in 2014 dollars), opening two years later as Southgate Plaza Shopping Center with senior anchors Belk-Tyler and W. Southgate Mall is the sole enclosed shopping center in the sixteen county Historic Albemarle region of northeastern North Carolina. 2011 Second-generation Southgate Mall sign, replacing original forty foot pylon.
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