The remaining mall tenants include Ross Dress for Less, Ulta Beauty, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond (closing), Illinicare Health, and SIH Medical Group.

The same year, real estate developers David E. Hocker and Alan Squitieri, both of Owensboro, Kentucky, announced plans to build a mall extending easterly from the JCPenney store.

In addition to JCPenney, Sears, and Walgreens, it also featured 20 other stores including Kirlin's Hallmark, Zales Jewelers, Baskin-Robbins, Waldenbooks, Regis Hairstylists, Karmelkorn, and General Nutrition Center, with a four-screen American Multi-Cinema theater planned for opening by December.

[3] Opening ceremonies occurred on October 30, 1974, accompanied by the Carbondale Community High School band and then-Miss Illinois Jean Ahern, along with performers dressed as Winnie the Pooh and Big Bird.

[4] The first expansion to the mall occurred in 1980, when a new wing was added consisting of more than ten new storefronts and another anchor store: Terre Haute, Indiana-based Meis.

Among the stores present in the new wing were Lerner New York, Spencer Gifts, Pearle Vision, Pier 1 Imports, Kinney Shoes, and Claire's.

[5] In August 1989, Elder-Beerman completed acquisition and renaming of all stores in the Meis chain, including the location at University Mall.

[8] Venture opened for business in March 1991, with many stores in their wing, including Victoria's Secret, Limited Express, and a relocation of Lerner New York, following in May.

An Old Navy was added in May 2002,[12] and later that year, the Montgomery Ward space was demolished for a movie theater owned by Kerasotes[13] (later AMC Theatres) and other small stores, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Goody's Family Clothing, Steve & Barry's, and Michaels.