The Mall of Georgia: Buford, Georgia's Unique Blend of Shopping and Entertainment

The Mall of Georgia is located on Interstate 85 about 30 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The approximately 1.8 million- square-foot mall opened in 1999. It is still the largest mall in the state of Georgia and the 14th-largest in the country. The mall's trade area extends over most of northeast Georgia and into South Carolina and includes over two million people. According to the Arbitron Company, the Mall of Georgia is the preferred shopping destination, ranking number one, among all 33 malls in the Atlanta direct marketing area.

The Mall of Georgia is in Gwinnett County, one of Georgia's largest and most economically dynamic counties. Gwinnett County is consistently one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. It is home to many national and international headquarters, and the population is affluent and ethnically diverse. Gwinnett has a higher-than-average percentage of families with young children, and the Mall of Georgia seeks to capitalize on that demographic.

When the mall was built in 1999, Gwinnett County was the largest county in the United States that had only one mall. Its design was innovative at the time. It incorporates aspects of the traditional indoor shopping mall, the drive-up-and-shop "power center'' and an entertainment complex with a cinema and attractions. A unique architectural feature is the Village, an outdoor area adjacent to storefront retail, meant to replicate the feel of small-town Georgia. The Village features caf, seating for nearby restaurants and a decorative fountain.

Four of the mall's five original anchors - Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney and Nordstrom - are still in place. The high-end retailer Lord & Taylor, which pulled out of the Georgia market in 1993, was replaced by the more middle-of-the-road Belk. Despite the loss of Lord & Taylor, there is still plenty of high-end shopping to be done at the Mall of Georgia in stores like Ann Taylor, Coach, A/X Armani Exchange, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware.

The Mall of Georgia is as much an entertainment destination as a shopping mall. The family entertainment options include:

A 500-seat outdoor amphitheater. The venue hosts the popular annual "Summer Concert Series and Movies Under the Stars,'' as well as other live performances and demonstrations.

An IMAX theatre. One of four in the state, the 72-foot-high screen shows IMAX versions of popular-release movies as well as documentaries filmed for the format.

A state-of-the-art 20-screen cinema.

An old-fashioned carousel, which entertains children and their parents in the food court.

An 80-acre nature preserve. The preserve features more than two miles of trails through a typical Georgia wetlands area.

In addition to the summer concert and movie series, the Mall of Georgia hosts several annual events that have become traditions in Gwinnett County. The Fourth of July fireworks display is one of the largest in Georgia, and it is accompanied by a day-long celebration with musical performances, carnival rides and prizes. The Kidgits Club offers breakfast with Santa and the Easter Bunny every year. An annual spring model and talent competition gives youngsters and adults alike a chance to "strut their stuff.''

With its family-friendly mix of entertainment and shopping, the Mall of Georgia should continue to be a retail and tourist destination for many years.