17-04-2025
Hillsboro Community Prepares to Say Goodbye to Outlet Mall
Hillsboro, Texas (FOX 44) — The City of Hillsboro is saying goodbye to a local landmark as its long-standing Outlet Mall prepares to close its doors for good after more than three decades of business and memories.
The Hillsboro Outlet Mall opened in 1989, and was once a bustling retail hub serving as a social and shopping center for residents throughout Central Texas. But like many malls across the country, it has faced years of declining foot traffic, changing consumer habits, and the rise of online shopping.
'Over the last 20 years, really, the mall has slowly declined to the point that there's really now just one outlet left,' said Hillsboro City Manager Megan Henderson. 'So there wasn't necessarily a decision to close the mall. But once it was clear that the mall was not going to come back, the decision to demolish and start something new was made by the city.'
For locals like Janice Hanes, the closure marks the end of an era.
'The mall, we gon' miss it. But I love this nail salon,' said Hanes, referring to the Pro Nail Salon in the Outlet, she's been a regular for more than two decades.
Her daughter, Melissa Hanes, reflected on the mall's place in their family's history.
'Mama would take me here to buy Christmas gifts for all the kids and the grandkids,' she said. 'And they're all grown up now, just like the changes happening here, but we love this mall. We're really looking forward to what's coming next.'
Before demolition begins, Hillsboro officials are giving the community a chance to say goodbye in a festive way. The city is hosting a four-day farewell event dubbed 'Mallmageddon,' which will include a carnival, rage rooms, a museum, and other attractions designed to honor the mall's role in the town's history.
SEE ALSO: 'Mallmageddon' will bid farewell to Outlets at Hillsboro
'Mallmageddon is our celebration of the glory days of the Outlet Mall,' Henderson said. 'The mall is coming down soon, but before we have that happen, we want to remember just how big an impact it had on our community—and really on a lot of people's lives.'
While the mall's closing marks the end of one chapter, city officials say they are already looking toward the future, exploring redevelopment opportunities for the property that once served as a retail anchor for the region.
A complete schedule of events for Mallmageddon is listed below:
CARNIVAL (North mall parking lot)• Thursday & Sunday: 5 PM – 10 PM (or later)• Friday & Saturday: 3 PM – 10 PM (or later)• Rides, games, and all the deep-fried nostalgia you can handle.
RUMPSHAKER: POP-UP '90s DANCE CLUB (Suite 177, formerly Starter)• Friday – DJ Robbass Bass – 7PM to midnight• Saturday – DJ Dino Zaddy – 7PM to midnight• $5 presale | $10 at the door• A full-blown '90s club experience—think Britney, Biggie, and glow sticks.
RAGE ROOM (Suite 173, formerly Jockey)Full Rage Room: 12 PM – 5 PM, Saturday Only• LIMITED AVAILABILITY• $30/party of 1 – 6Bottle Toss: 3 PM – 7 PM Friday and 5 PM – 7 PM Saturday• Frustrated by the mall's decline? Take it out on bottles, busted electronics, and random junk – no cleanup, no consequences.
REWIND LOUNGE (Suite 175, Formerly Subway)• Friday & Saturday, 3 PM – Close• A '90s hangout with classic MTV, blacklight posters, + a graffiti wall you're actually allowed to tag.• Pog tournaments and board games• FREE ENTRY
POP-UP 90's COUNTRY KARAOKE BAR (Suite 174, formerly Claire's)• Friday & Saturday, 7 PM – Midnight• Cold beer, neon glow, and a mic waiting for your best (or worst) country anthem.• FREE ENTRY
RETRO VIDEO GAME TRAILER• Friday & Saturday, 3 PM – 10 PM• The best arcade and console classics—no quarters required.
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