1970s and 1980s
Janesville Mall opened in September 1973, featuring the three anchor stores and twelve other tenants. Unlike nearby Beloit Plaza in Beloit, the newer mall was enclosed, and thus considered more desirable in Wisconsin's often cold climate. The remaining interior spaces of the mall soon filled up with national chain tenants.
In 1985, Illinois-based Bergner's acquired all of the Charles V. Weise stores, re-branding them all as Bergner's that year. Montgomery Ward closed its store at Janesville Mall in the 1980s, with Milwaukee-based Kohl's taking its place. Mall management undertook a multimillion dollar remodeling in 1986, refinishing the mall courts with new flooring, new benches, and live fig trees.
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