DeVargas Mall was developed by Kentucky businessman Nash Hancock and formally opened its doors in 1973.

[5] In 1977, the center added a Montgomery Ward and JCPenney as anchors and a United Artist two-screen theater.

The site would later be replaced by upscale department store C. R. Anthony Co.[8] The mall changed ownership for the first time in Weingarten Realty and underwent $1-million renovation which included upgrading the interior and expanding the theater.

[11] That same year Albertsons purchased the former Montgomery Ward location and announced plans to reconstruct the building.

[14] During that same year, anchor tenant Hastings filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all of its stores.