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Mershops North County is a shopping mall in Escondido, California, owned by Mershops and managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group.[1]

A view of the three-level center court of the mall in 2011.

History

1980s

The mall originally opened in February 1986 as North County Fair with JCPenney, May Company, Nordstrom, J.W. Robinson’s, Sears, and The Broadway as its original anchors. Two separate bank buildings were part of the development and located on the northern side of the mall but have since been demolished and replaced with additional parking.[citation needed]

1990s

In 1993, both the Robinson’s and May Company anchors became Robinsons-May locations.[2] In 1996, The Broadway became Macy’s.

2000s

Westfield dropped the “Shoppingtown” from the names of all centers they operated in June 2005.[3] In 2006, following Federated Department Stores‘ merger with May Department Stores, the two Robinsons-May locations closed.[4] The former Robinson’s location has been subdivided into Forever 21, H&M and Old Navy, while the former May Company location is now Target.[5][6]

2010s

North County Tavern + Bowl opened on the second level of the mall in December 2010, replacing Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. and three adjacent stores. The 15,000 square foot facility encompassed a 300-seat restaurant, a 30-foot bar, and eight bowling lanes.[7] The tavern closed in 2017 and was replaced by a Comic Book and Memorabilia store.[8]

In 2012, Westfield announced a $55 million revitalization plan and included renovating the mall’s interior, updating the exterior mall entrances, and resurfacing the parking lot.[9]

2020s

On May 7, 2020, it was announced that the Nordstrom anchor store would close, as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

On June 22, 2020, it was announced that the Sears anchor store would close.[11] Plans were announced for Costco Wholesale to lease the Sears space,[12] but a year later, those plans were canceled.[13]

On February 7, 2023, it was announced that Westfield had sold the mall to a joint venture of Bridge Group Investments and Steerpoint Capital, with Spinoso Real Estate Group taking over management duties. As part of the sale the mall was renamed to North County Mall.[1]

On June 11, 2025, the Escondido Public Library opened a temporary location in the mall. It is expected to remain open for one year as their library is renovated.[14]

In August 2025, North County Mall rebranded as Mershops North County because of Bridge Group Investments rebrand as Mershops, which was a portfolio wide change across all of their properties.[15]

As of 2025, Round1 Entertainment is currently constructing an arcade in the former Nordstrom building. The arcade looks to open in early 2026.[16]

24 Hour Fitness closed its location at North County in March 2026. That vacancy would be short lived however as Chuze Fitness is planning on opening in the former 24 Hour Fitness according to its website.[17]

In April 2026, Apple announced that it would be closing its North County location in June 2026.[18] There was no given reason as to why Apple chose to close its North County location. The store will close on June 20, 2026.

In 2025 and 2026, discussions about Costco potentially reviving plans to open in former Sears at North County were announced. As of 2026, it is likely that discussions are currently ongoing as regards to a Costco potentially opening in the former Sears anchor.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b “New owners, new name for mall – Escondido Times-Advocate”. Escondido Times-Advocate – The hometown newspaper of Escondido, California. February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  2. ^ “Shoppers to see double over merger”. The Press-Courier. January 25, 1993. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  3. ^ “Business: If you didn’t call them ‘shoppingtowns,’ don’t”. December 21, 2005. Archived from the original on December 21, 2005. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. ^ “North County Robinsons-May stores to be closed, sold”. North County Times. July 29, 2005. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  5. ^ “Malls buy into retooling”. The San Diego Union-Tribune. August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  6. ^ “Target Store at Westfield Mall slated to open in October”. North County Times. January 30, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  7. ^ “Bowling returns to Escondido, but now at the mall”. The San Diego Union-Tribune. December 11, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  8. ^ “Tavern+Bowl North County Closes in Escondido”. NBC San Diego. August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  9. ^ “Council Approves Westfield North County Revitalization Plans” (Press release). City of Escondido. January 12, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  10. ^ “Nordstrom closes in Escondido | Escondido Times-Advocate”. June 12, 2020.
  11. ^ “Sears closes at Westfield Mall | Escondido Times-Advocate”. July 3, 2020.
  12. ^ “Costco coming to Westfield Mall”. Escondido Times-Advocate. Times-Advocate. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  13. ^ “Costco pulls out of North County Mall deal – Escondido Times-Advocate”. Escondido Times-Advocate – The hometown newspaper of Escondido, California. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  14. ^ News Desk (June 11, 2025). “Temporary public library opens at the mall – Escondido Times-Advocate”. Escondido Times-Advocate – The hometown newspaper of Escondido, California. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  15. ^ Steerpoint Capital. “Bridge Group Investments Rebrands as Mershops”. PR Newswire.
  16. ^ Nelson, Samantha (December 11, 2024). “Round1 Bowling & Arcade to replace former Nordstrom store”. The Coast News Group. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  17. ^ “Escondido: North County Mall (Coming in 2026)”. Chuze Fitness.
  18. ^ Miller, Chance. “Apple permanently closing three US stores, here’s why”. 9to5Mac.
  19. ^ Times-Advocate (January 13, 2025). “Costco back on table for Escondido mall? – Escondido Times-Advocate”. Escondido Times-Advocate – The hometown newspaper of Escondido, California. Retrieved May 29, 2026.

33°4′6.9″N 117°3′59.2″W / 33.068583°N 117.066444°W / 33.068583; -117.066444