On its 55th anniversary in Springfield, Dillard’s has made a drastic change inside the Battlefield Mall.
For years, the retail giant had two separate storefronts inside the mall. That all changes this year, as Dillard’s moved into a single storefront that previously housed Sears. The retail behemoth will host a premier night July 25, followed by a grand opening celebration July 31, which will kick off with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m.
Dillard’s new store has nearly 180,000 square feet and will feature upgrades in store design, technology and merchandising. A plethora of new brands, both to Dillard’s and Springfield, will grace the shelves. The new store features a small spa and in-house suit alterations.
The new features in the store are “showing the luxury that we’re bringing to Springfield,” Cido Cuautle, Dillard’s assistant district manager, said at a media preview event July 22.
New store, new brands: Dillard’s expands offerings for all customers in Springfield
Expect big brands, most of which have never been available in the Queen City. Dillard’s will have its own Pandora jewelry counter, Consuela and Kelly-Tooke handbags, Gucci and Prada sunglasses and Southern Living in its home section. In men’s clothing, customers will see JZ Richards and John Varvatos. The retail store will have Ariat, Kut From The Kloth and J. Marie in women’s apparel.
Springfield Dillard’s will be the first in the country to have a L’Oréal refill station, said Emily Hughes, cosmetics manager. Customers will be able to bring in empty bottles of popular products and refill them for a set price, less than a new bottle would run.
Dillard’s new store is a little smaller than the previous two storefronts combined, but a single storefront will allow for a better shopping experience, Cuautle said.
“Dillard’s has been in Springfield since 1970,” Cuautle said. “So, we’ve been here a long time. We’ve been in a lot of different buildings in this same mall.
“Being able to expand into this, it makes it easier for the clients to not have to walk from one building all the way to the other side … It’s going to make the shopping experience better.”
Retail giant purchases new store for undisclosed amount
Dillard’s was leasing the previous two storefronts, but the company purchased the new property at the far west end of the mall, said Jonathan Carmona, assistant store manager. Carmona declined to disclose the financial details of the purchase. The manager said an overwhelming majority of the Dillard’s stores across the country are owned by the retail company.
The property at the west end of the mall, named “Sears Roebuck,” was last sold in May 2024 and was owned by Higbee Investco LLC, according to Greene County Assessor’s Office records. It was appraised at $6.8 million. Missouri Secretary of State records show Higbee Investco LLC is connected to Dillard’s.
The premier night July 25 will feature a wine event, with only 50 tickets available for purchase. Ten percent of sales that night will be donated to the local Ronald McDonald House, Cuautle said.
The grand opening celebration July 31 will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Miss Missouri Courtney Rowe and entertainment will be provided by radio personality Clint Gerlek, according to a company press release. The first 200 adult customers will receive a gift card worth $10 up to $250 to be used on that day. The celebration will continue through Aug. 2 with over $10,000 total value in prizes and will include special vendor appearance, live music and more.
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