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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Valley Gets ‘Centerpiece’

When the Spokane Valley Mall was first proposed, Jimmy Carter was president, a first-class stamp cost 15 cents and a cartoon cat named Garfield was just appearing in the nation’s newspapers.

Nineteen years later, the mall officially opens on Wednesday.

The 750,000-square-foot complex is the biggest draw of a massive shopping mecca that’s emerging at Interstate 90 and Sullivan Road.

The mall includes three major department stores, 75 shops and restaurants, and a flashy new cinema with more screens than any other Spokane movie complex.

Nearby along the Sullivan corridor are new stores for Wal-Mart, Toys ‘R’ Us and Circuit City, among others.

The mall is expected to become a new gathering spot for thousands of residents from Spokane to North Idaho.

“The Valley finally has its bright, shiny centerpiece,” says Ray Murphy, president of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

For a detailed look at the Spokane Valley Mall and how it will reshape the region’s retail landscape, please turn to page A16.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo