When it first opened in 1966, the Lauderhill Mall was the first enclosed and air-conditioned mall in the southeastern United States.
In its nearly half a century of existence, it has borne evidence of how Broward County‘s demography has shifted over that span of time.
Originally, the mall catered to a largely Jewish retiree community with big-name tenant stores like Jordon Marsh. But as bigger malls opened in South Florida, many anchor stores relocated. And as different ethnic groups and nationalities moved to central Broward, stores catering to those populations popped up in the mall.
Caribbean community specialty stores and restaurants, such as the Jerk Machine and Joy’s Roti Shop, now inhabit the mall on State Road 7, between Northwest 12th and 16th streets, as does the Broward County Supervisor of Elections office.
Plans were formed in 2009 to redevelop the mall, with new retail, residences and offices. Those plans call for completion in 2025.
Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report
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