Another major addition and renovation had occurred from 1979 to 1982[13][14][15] in which a new wing was built and the mall expanded east adding JCPenney and L.S.

In September 1980, H. P. Wasson and Company's parent, Goldblatt's, made a surprised announcement that they were going to close their Bloomington store in January 1981.

[16][21] From the time of Wasson's closing in January 1981 to JCPenney's opening in April 1981, Sears store was the only fully functional anchor still operating at the mall.

[27] The Lazarus store was later closed in April 2003 by its new parent Macy's as a part of a nationwide cost-cutting measure[28][29][30] and the site was left vacant for nearly two years before it was razed and a T.G.I.

[34] The property owner Simon DeBartolo Group spent $4.2 million in 1996 for the renovations of the 689,000 square foot mall which included new ceramic floors, new ceilings and new entrances.

[41][42][43] Target previously had occupied an 86,000 square feet free standing building on an out lot of the mall that was originally built for its Ayr-Way predecessor in 1969.

Kerasotes quickly fired all of its union projectionists, citing a corporate policy "of using only manager-projectionists who are responsible for all aspects of managing the theater".

[47][48] In 2000, the 4-screen cinema at the mall was changed from a first run to a discount theater as a result of opening of a large 12 screen complex on the west side of the city.

Dick's Sporting Goods built a 50,000 square foot store as a new anchor in the area formerly occupied by the cafeteria and theater to replace the old Lazarus in April 2005.

[66] Simon also announced that Panera Bread and other business would occupy the yet to be built out lots that is the result of the expected Sears building demolition.

[67] In March 2016, the management of College Mall announced that Sears building would be demolished and a new building housing a 365 by Whole Foods Market store, in place of the first-announced full service Whole Foods Market, would be built in its place but without an interior connection to the rest of the mall with an expected opening date sometime in 2017.