The continued renovation of Hickory Ridge mall is levied on the shoulders of volunteers and cleaning personnel such as Victoria Perez. World Overcomers purchaced the property for $1.4 million and has spent $5 million on renovation.  (Photos by Christopher Parks)

by Erica Walters
Special to the Tri-State Defender

A story of resurrection is rising out of Hickory Hill as the Hickory Ridge Mall reopens Easter weekend. The storm that crippled the mall in 2008, ripping off the roof and, ultimately, shutting its doors is just a memory now.

‘The heart of World Overcomers wants to see the family restored with values that once made it strong….This mall will help serve this purpose.” – Apostle Alton R. Williams.

World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church Inc., and the Hickory Hill Community Redevelopment Corp., collaborated on this redevelopment project, which will serve as an incubator for new business and jobs in a community that’s fallen upon hard times.

“The Hickory Ridge Mall is perfectly positioned to become the community’s commercial center of choice,” said Apostle Alton R. Williams, pastor of WOOMC, Inc. “By purchasing the mall, we wanted to give the economy a boost by stopping business flight from Hickory Hill.”

Once the final stages of the plan are complete, the development project could create as many as 600 jobs, developers said.

In 2008, WOOMC purchased the property, including the Applebee’s Restaurant on the north front entrance; later it also acquired the retail space that housed Macy’s and Dillard’s.

The 90-store unit mall includes a 40,000 square-foot Incredible Pizza family entertainment restaurant, a service and medical wing, and a plethora of stores.

From restaurants to retail, approximately a dozen of those stores will open this weekend, including Barber Shop the Remix, HerShe, Mr. Goldman’s, and Mr. Tarts Wings.

Patrick Jacobs, general manager of the Hickory Ridge Mall since 2003, managed the mall before and after the storm.

“After the tornado hit, the building was in a temporary fix (non- hazardous) while the insurance processed,” he said. “The former owner then decided not to reopen the mall.”

Before the storm, the WOOMC canvassed the community surveying residents’ concerns and needs. From the surveys, some concerns described were: crime, poverty and a lack of recreational outlets for youth.

With the mall in jeopardy of becoming another empty building in the community, WOOMC stepped in. 

“There were already too many big empty boxes in the community,” said Jacobs. “Pastor Williams saw the potential and that Hickory Hill needed this mall.”

The mall restoration is expected to pump cash into the community’s economic pipeline and bring new jobs, which create more fertile ground for new business start-ups and business expansion and growth, Williams said.

“The entire Hickory Hill economy will be positively impacted. We wanted to empower our people to become entrepreneurs and give business owners an opportunity to start businesses,” he said.

The mall space will be utilized in six ways: retail, community services, training and education services, family entertainment, youth recreation and ministry. The master plan for the Hickory Ridge Mall project envisions the site as a community gathering place with 18 medical and health services, a conference center, roller-skating rink, and a senior independent living facility.

“This one-stop shop will have a town square feel, where residents can visit their doctor, watch a wholesome family movie, dine, or enjoy other family entertainment,” Williams said.

Colorful festivities are planned as the mall reopens this weekend in conjunction with a host of citywide activities remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the anniversary of his death.

A parade will begin at 11 a.m. winding from Ridgeway to Raines, Hickory Hill and then Winchester, according to Marquetta Smith, executive director of the HHCRC Inc. and parade coordinator.

“The opening of the mall is going to be a really hyped day,” she said. “There is a lot of energy in this community.”

The parade will include students from area schools, marching bands, floats, and a Memphis Teen Icon competition. Dr. King’s daughter, Bernice King, is the parade’s grand marshall.

Smith said the winners of the contest will receive a $4,000 scholarship from WOOMC and each of their schools would receive $1,000. The goal of the competition is an effort to bring together the community and encourage young people to pursue higher education.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony that will take place once the parade commences, the mall will be open for business. The hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

“The heart of World Overcomers wants to see the family restored with values that once made it strong,” said Williams. “This mall will help serve this purpose.”