Anyone who grew up in or near Nashville remembers when Hickory Hollow Mall was THE place to be. With more than 200 retailers spanning over 25 acres just off I-24, pretty much everyone had a reason to visit Antioch. But an increase in crime inside the mall, coupled with newer shopping centers opening up at Opry Mills and in Murfreesboro, led to it's rapid decline.
The mall's name was changed in 2013 to "Global Mall at the Crossings", but only a handful of retailers have opened their doors. Even attempts to revitalize the area have failed, as neither the Ford Ice Center or the proposed IKEA store have generated consumer interest in the area.
But that could change, as Ben Freeland, an Antioch businessman, is buying the former mall site.
But will he re-open the once popular shopping mecca?
Nope.
He says "We are not planning to redevelop as a mall; we have something much better."
I guess we'll see what's to become of Hickory Hollow soon!