Opened in 1968 as Staunton Plaza, it originally featured J. C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, Woolworth, and Safeway as its major stores.

[6] Safeway closed both its Staunton Plaza store, and a second in nearby Waynesboro, Virginia, in late 1982 after members of the United Food and Commercial Workers entered a labor dispute with the chain, combined with increased competition from another non-union supermarket that had locations in both towns.

Under these plans, the existing open-air concourse between J. C. Penney and Montgomery Ward would be enclosed, while further mall shops would be added for a total of 70 stores in 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2) of retail space.

Under these plans, the food court was moved closer to the theater, with the previous one, added in the 1986-87 renovations, becoming additional mall space.

Also, a fountain was removed in center court, the mall exterior was repainted and received new canopies, and Stone & Thomas opened in the vacated Woolworth.

Following Colonial Properties Trust's purchase of the mall, the Montgomery Ward anchor was vacated in early 2001 as that chain went out of business.

Colonial Properties underwent negotiations with several chains to replace the vacated anchor, including Target, Sears, and Old Navy.

[21] The mall was sold again in 2020, with it being announced on November 24, 2020, that all remaining tenants (except Belk) will vacate the property in thirty days.