What’s still open at Sunrise Mall?

By Sara Beth Williams–
More than 20 stores remain open inside Sunrise Mall, although the once-bustling retail hub is now operating at only fraction of its full capacity.

Local reports from 2022 indicated more than 40 businesses were operating at the time, but ongoing closures have left large sections of the mall vacant, highlighting the continued decline of the decades-old shopping center.

On several recent visits to Sunrise Mall, Sentinel staff found just over 20 stores still remaining inside Sunrise Mall. Several national chain tenants are still operating, including anchor store JCPenney, along with Hallmark, Famous Footwear, Shoe Palace, T-Mobile, Torrid, Claire’s, and Lids. National retailer Spencer’s is still open but recently announced plans to close its Sunrise Mall location in mid-April.

Independently owned Royal Stage theater is also still operating, with a full slate of shows planned throughout April and May. Other independently owned stores still open include California Basics, Breakout, M&M Couture, a formalwear shop, Image, a retailer offering clothing and gifts, Perfumes Luxe, which offers men’s and women’s perfume and cologne, T & Z Toys, Aria Furniture, and Top’s Men’s Fashion.

La Estetica Hair Salon, which opened in 2021 along with hair salons inside JCPenney, still remains operational, along with four jewelry stores, including Kay Jewelers, Sam’s Jewelers, Infinity Jewelers, and Ron’s Jewelers.

The Underground Clothing store is still a tenant inside the mall; however, the shop serves unhoused families within the San Juan Unified School District who need clothing. Donations are accepted on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and eligible shoppers are referred to the store by appointment only.

Since the beginning of 2025, multiple stores have shuttered within the mall in quick succession, including both Macy’s Men’s and Women’s, which were closed along with over 60 other underperforming locations, nine from California alone. Hot Topic also closed its Sunrise Mall location in March, while Masterboy Streetstyle relocated to Folsom Premium Outlets, according to two handwritten signs posted on the storefront.

All eateries have also vacated the mall just within the last three years, with several closing in early 2024 and the last eatery closing unexpectedly in November 2024.

What’s next for Sunrise Mall?
In June 2024, the City Council approved the subdivision of a 2.8-acre parcel of land at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane, which lays out a “tentative hotel footprint” for a potential hotel at the site but does not include a formal development proposal. A separate permit will be required for the design of a future hotel building, following the approval of a parcel map.

During an annual strategic planning retreat held March 26, Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber said the Economic Development team has been in contact with the property owner of the parcels, and “deal-making conversations” are being had regarding a possible hotel.

In November 2024, Ethan Conrad with Ethan Conrad Properties submitted an amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, which requests multiple amendments that would allow for “logical use” of the property, including allowing for light industrial uses. The proposal from Conrad includes the possibility of constructing Home Depot, In-N-Out, and multiple quick-service restaurants with drive-thru access along Sunrise Boulevard.

The city announced in early April that the City Council will hear and discuss the proposal from Ethan Conrad Properties on April 23. Plans for discussion of the proposal in front of City Council were initially planned but postponed twice, once in November 2024 and once in January 2025.

The Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, which was approved by the City Council in 2021, was developed at a cost of over $1 million to the city, including an extensive Environmental Impact Report in an effort to make the property “shovel ready” and as attractive as possible to developers.

The plan envisions creating a walkable “21st Century Main Street,” with five key ideas guiding the plan: creating an economic engine, livable neighborhoods, streets for people, connected green spaces, and making the site a “community and regional destination.”

The four-phase plan is projected to take 20 years to be fully completed, with the first phase likely being to develop unused parking areas. However, the city does not own the property, so the plan requires the involvement of private developers to become a reality.

The city says the second phase is expected to incorporate office space, retail, dining, and an extended-stay hotel. The third and fourth phases include redeveloping the existing mall into a “21st Century Main Street.”

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