Regency Square

Center court area with original light soffitt

Regency Square was Richmond, Virginia's premier shopping center for over two decades. At its peak, the mall, located west of Richmond in suburban Henrico County at the intersection of Parham and Quiocassin Roads, offered shoppers 110 premier stores, 14 eateries and concierge services, amidst bubbling fountains, sculptured art forms, classic marble, glass and ambiance.

In its heyday, Regency Square featured large suburban branches of local department stores Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers, and West End outposts of such local retailers as Schwarschild Jewelers and Disco Sports. As chain stores began to dominate retail, the mall featured popular stores like Eddie Bauer, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, Lindt Chocolatier and Brooks Brothers. Due to corporate changes that put both chains out of business, within the span of approximately two years, Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers were replaced with a two-store flagship Hecht's complex, which dominated the mall.

Regency Square's dominant years lasted from its opening in 1975 until 2003, when one planned mall development project near the center turned into two, and Stony Point Fashion Park and Short Pump Town Center opened within weeks of one another, sparing Regency's anchors JCPenney, Sears, and Hecht's (now Macy's), but emptying the center of many of its upscale specialty retailers. To be sure, the mall still features names like Ann Taylor, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Sephora and Williams-Sonoma among its tenant roster, but the prevailing trend is that lesser known retailers and Mom and Pop chains are replacing departed stores.