In 1970, former Governor George Wallace held a campaign event for re-election at the mall that was estimated to be attended by 10,000 people, one of the biggest turnouts during his last gubernatorial race.

In November 1983, an 18 year old female was raped after being kidnapped near the mall by masked abductors.

Continuing urban sprawl southwestward toward the Tuscaloosa County line and increased crime and poverty in the city of Bessemer all contributed to the mall's demise.

[citation needed] During the mid 1980s, there was an effort to turn the mall into a factory outlet center, though many regular stores were still open.

[4] In 1994, Bruno's Supermarkets opened a flagship store in the former Sears anchor location.