1990-1997: the mall, phase 3
Crystal Point Mall's third phase began in 1990,
when the property was purchased by a new owner.
This is when things started to fall apart.

Outdoor strip malls containing big box retailers
were coming into fashion, and the new owner wanted to
eventually convert the Crystal Point Mall property into an outdoor center.

When a store's lease expired, the mall management made no
attempt to renew it. They also made no attempt to lure new retailers
to the mall to occupy the vacant storefronts.

Although a few new stores moved in, they didn't stay for long.
The mall just kept getting emptier and emptier. The only time the mall
had anywhere near the normal number of shoppers was at Christmastime,
and even then, it was far below the level of other malls.

It was quite depressing, actually.


1996: Spiess goes out of business
The mall was anchored on the east by
Joseph Spiess Company since the beginning. Spiess had experienced
some financial downturns, and had even filed
for bankruptcy at one point. In 1995, they announced that they
were going out of business. Special sales were held
during the winter of 1995-96 and the location was closed in 1996.





note: While I am reasonably sure of the store names and years,
the store locations were compiled mostly from memory.
I did my best, but they may not be 100% accurate.

* rear entrance mall office community room restrooms north side 39) What A Deal (1989-1991) Clothes for $10 40) Wizard's Computer Shop (1988-1990) Computers, software, video games 41) Children's Closet (1983-1996) Children's clothing 42) Payless Shoe Source (1985-1997) 1) Noah's Ark Pet Center (1986-1991) Pets and supplies. They had a large bird named Baby who said all sorts of cute things like come here, gimme a kiss and get back to work! 1) Anyplace Fireplace (1991) 1) Giant Book Warehouse (1997) 2) County Seat (1977-1997) Casual fashions for guys & gals 3) Thoughtfulness Shop (1982-1994) Hallmark cards & gifts. In 1994, they moved into the vacated Stuarts location next door 4) Stuarts (1976-1994) Fashions for women & juniors 4) Jeri's Hallmark (1994-1998) Hallmark cards & gifts. In 1994, they moved here from their location next door 5) Southwest Trading Post (1993) Southwestern-style fashions & gifts 5) Kalabash Kite Company (1994) Colorful kites 5) Crystal Highlands Golf (1997) Golf supplies & accessories 6) Carousel Snack Bar (1976-1996) Hot dogs, hamburgers, soft pretzels 7) Our Back Porch (1983-1992) Soup, sandwiches, salads 7) Wonder Nails (1995-1997) 8) 20/20 Vision Center (1990-1993) 8) Koop Family Eye Care (1993-1996) 9) The Machine (1976-1996) Game arcade 10) T-Shirts (1990s) T-shirts, caps, iron-on transfers 10) Hickory Farms (1990s) At Christmastime, Hickory Farms established a temporary store in this spot 11) Rogers & Hollands Jewelers (1986-1996) 12) Steven Edwards/King's Court (1989-1996) Men's clothing & formalwear 13) Brooks Fashions (1976-1994) 13) Brauns (1994-1997) Fashions for women & juniors 14) Silhouettes Dress & Bridal Shop (1981-1993) Women's fashions 15) Krusoe & Cummins/Jordon's Ltd. (1976-1993) Men's clothing & formalwear 16) Expressions (1986-1991) Cards & gifts 17) Musicland (1989-1995)	-----	south side 18) Bloemke's Luggage & Gifts (1989-1994) 19a) Hush Puppy Shoes (1988-1992) Shoes 19a) Radio Shack (1990s) At Christmastime, Radio Shack established a temporary store in this spot 19b) Ups N Downs (1986-1993) 19b) Capezio (1993-1996) Fashions for women & juniors 20) Casual Corner (1985-1996) Women's fashions 21) Le Rhea (1989-1991) Women's fashions & leather goods 21) Christmas Shop (1990s) A temporary store selling holiday decorations & accessories 21) European Gift Shop (1990s) Cards & gifts from Europe 22) Minnesota Fabrics (1976-1996) Fabrics, patterns, sewing supplies 23) Under Statements (1987-1991) Lingerie 24) Accessory Express (1986-1993) Fashion accessories 24) Temptations Jewelry (1995-1997) 25) Service Optical (1976-1997) 26) Gipper Formalwear (1976-1997) 27) Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio (1977-1991) Cosmetics, skin care, makeovers 27) Nail Salon (1990s) 28) We Care Hair (1988-1997) 29) Claire's Boutiques (1976-1997) Jewelry, accessories, ear piercing 30) The Starecase Ltd. (1989-1993) Women's fashions 30) Turtle Island (1994-1997) Southwestern & nature-inspired gifts 31) Kinney Shoes (1976-1997) 32) Walgreens (1976-2002) 33) Athletic X-Press (1986-1997) Athletic footwear 36) & 37) Fashion Bug (1980-1997) Fashions for women, juniors & plus sizes. In 1993, they expanded into the location vacated by Habersham 37) Habersham Plantation Country Store (1979-1993) Gifts, knick-knacks, home furnishings. This was one of the most fondly-remembered stores in the mall 38) center court 34) Things Remembered (1977-1995) Engraved gifts 35) Sweet Haven (1987-1995) Candy
?????? these stores were in the mall, but I don't remember their locations a) Hearts (1993-1994) I don't remember this store, I believe it was a gift shop of some kind