Las Catalinas Mall

During the 19th century, Las Catalinas Mall’s grounds used to be a sugar producer farm called Hacienda Santa Catalina. Besides from sugar, the Hacienda Santa Catalina also produced rum and cultivated fruits.[5]

In April 1997, Vornado Realty Trust announced that it would acquire Kmart's 50% interest in the then called “Caguas Centrum”, which was under construction. The name of the mall would later be changed to Las Catalinas.[6]

On December 4, 1997, being developed by Manley Berenson and Yebba Realty Ventures, Las Catalinas Mall opened with 80 stores and 3,000 spaces of parking. It was anchored at the time by a Kmart Super Center and Sears. It also featured a food court which was named “El Trapiche.” The mall was built with the purpose to serve the surrounding communities, but it grew to become a regional mall.[7][8] On November 4, 1998 Vornado Realty Trust bought Kmart's 50% interest in the mall forming a joined ownership between Vornado and Yebba Realty Ventures. In addition, Vornado acquired 75% and Yebba Realty Ventures acquired 25% of Kmart's anchor store. Vornado's purchase price in total was $38 million dollars.[9]

By the year 2000, the mall had over 100[10] stores of which included Afterthoughts, KB Toys, Zale’s Jewelers, Radio Shack, Payless Shoe Source, Mady’s Hallmark, 5-7-9, Electronics Boutique, Footaction, and many others. At “El Trapiche” it had food places such as a Howard Johnson’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Wetzel’s Pretzels, El Mesón, Hot Potato, and others. It also had a Quiznos Subs at one of the entrances of the mall.[11][12] In the early 2000s, additional land near the mall was developed that would include a Home Depot and Caribbean Cinemas to compliment the mall. The addition of these would help to enhance the position of Las Catalinas as part of a dominant shopping destination.[13]

In December 2001, Amigo Supermarkets announced that they would be opening a location at the mall by summer 2002.[14]

On September 23, 2002 Vornado Realty Trust increased its interest in Las Catalinas to 100% by acquiring the other 50% of the mall from Yebba Realty Ventures and the 25% from the Kmart anchor store. The purchase price was approximately $48 million dollars.[15]

In April 2012, it was announced that Best Buy, which was located on the premises of the mall, would be closing by May 12 of that year.[16]

In January 2015, Vornado Realty Trust announced it would spin off multiple of its properties into a new company Urban Edge Properties which included Las Catalinas, this made Urban Edge the shopping centers new owner.[17]

In July 2015, Sears Holdings spun off 235 of its properties, including the Sears at Las Catalinas Mall, into Seritage Growth Properties.[18]

In July 2015, a 13,773 square-foot Forever 21 opened at the mall, being the chains 5th store on the island at the time.[19]

On November 8, 2018, Sears Holdings announced that Kmart would be closing as part of a plan to close 40 stores nationwide. The store closed on January 31, 2019.[20]

On December 28, 2020, it was announced that Sears would also be closing in February 2021 as part of a plan to close 23 stores nationwide which left the mall with no anchors stores.[21]

In February 2021, it was announced that a 22,000 square foot Coast Guard Exchange (CGX) would be opening in the former Office Depot at the mall, it was scheduled to open by summer of that year.[22]

In August 2021, it was announced that a Sector Sixty6 Entertainment Center and a Golden Corral would replace the former Kmart store. They were expected to open by 2022, but got delayed to open on Summer 2023 instead.[23]

In August 2022, a 1,916 square foot Tous store opened at the mall.[24]

In June 2023, it was announced that both a 2,109 square foot Hot Topic store, and a 5,520 square foot Puma store would be coming to the mall. Hot Topic would open that month, being the chains 7th store on the island.[25]

On August 21, 2023, the Golden Corral restaurant would inaugurate to much fanfare.[26]

On October 25 Sector Sixty6 Opened in the the Kmart Building.

• Home Depot
• Caribbean Cinemas
• Supermercados Amigo
• Burlington Coat Factory
• Coast Guard Exchange[27]

• Office Depot
• Best Buy
• Walgreens