Located near the interchange of Interstate 20/59 with McFarland Boulevard (U.S. Route 82), it was in the southern section of the city.

At its height, McFarland Mall had 4 anchors, 40 stores, a 12-screen movie theater and a food court.

Stores opening that day included: The ABC (Alabama Beverage Control) Store, Auto-Lec, Bell Shoes, Butler's Shoes, City National Bank, Drapery Shop (Drapes, Inc.), Eleanor Shop, Fair Snacks, Gayfers, Gilberg's Fabrics, Lawson's Gifts, Lorch's Diamond Shop, Mall Barber Shop, Mall Shoe Repair, McArthur Furniture, Munford Do-It-Yourself, Myrl's Boutique, Newsom Record Shop, Northington Laundry, Orange Julius, Paul Brown Hallmark Cards Shop, Pizitz, Postle Appliance Center, Raymon's, Singer Sewing Center, U.S. Post Office, Wagner's Shoes, Webster's Men's Wear, and WTBC Radio Station.

Stores scheduled to open later were: Baskin Robbins, Chuck Collins Studio, Color Corner Photo Service, Jacobs Drug and Cafeteria, Lee Roy Jordan's Flaming Steakhouse, Loft Candy, NGC Twin Theaters, Spiller's Pet Center, and The Swiss Colony.

The center was originally developed at an estimated $4.5 million by Ward Wharton McFarland and James Hinton.

[4][5] The mall saw significant renovations in 1980 and again in 1993, with the addition of a 320-seat food court under an enormous atrium and a new anchor space, occupied by Goody's Family Clothing.

[8] The new owners have declared that they will be looking at many options to make the facility more profitable, from future renovations to completely demolishing the structure and building anew.

Cheddar's Casual Café and Texas Roadhouse were also announced, and Books-A-Million was slated to move from an existing outparcel.

Bed Bath & Beyond had also expressed interest in building a store on the property, which was to be renamed Encore Tuscaloosa.

Outside retailers that are currently open are Dollar Tree (housed in the old Piccadilly Cafeteria location), Harry's Barber Shop, and one other discount store.

On March 1, 2016, T.J. Maxx left the mall and moved to McFarland Plaza in the former OfficeMax location.

Demolition continued on February 23, 2021, with the old Woolco wing where Sticks ‘N’ Stuff, Michael's, Shoe Station, and TJ Maxx were housed for many years.