About West Acres
More Than a Mall
West Acres Shopping Center is a thriving retail destination in Fargo, ND. Featuring a collection of local, regional and national retailers, dining destinations, services and amenities, West Acres’ focus is on the experience of our visitors. West Acres is more than just a mall. It’s a vibrant community center featuring local arts and events plus a philanthropic culture. With local ownership that connects the mall to the community, West Acres reflects our region with fresh flowers and plants, decor that supports local non-profits, and a celebrated Regional Showcase program that unites the community with the arts through unique initiatives such as our Artist-In-residence program and the largest display of regional art in the state. Listen to our COO, Alissa Adams speak at TEDx Fargo on the vibrancy that West Acres brings to our community: https://youtu.be/3HJzWEISbvQ?si=NPZLI8dLjQX_mKzS
West Acres: The beginning
William (Bill) Schlossman’s vision of a retail center was realized on August 2, 1972, when he and a team of local partners opened West Acres Shopping Center. The plan for West Acres began in 1967 when Bill wanted to build a retail center in downtown Fargo. When that idea was rejected by the city, he purchased a wheat field at the crossing of I-29 and 13th Avenue South in Fargo.
Bill and his partners faced many obstacles, including obtaining financing, securing tenants, and completing off-site improvements such as sewer, water, and roads. In fact, 13th Avenue South, which connected West Acres to Fargo, was not paved until two years after the Mall opened! West Acres opened with 52 stores in approximately 230,000 square feet, plus two department stores (note that at the time, Fargo was more than a mile away from the Mall).
Now over 50 years – and minor and major renovations – later, West Acres continues to be locally owned and operated and is home to more than 100 stores that encompass approximately 950,000 square feet. West Acres truly is the premiere shopping destination of the upper Midwest.