Sunvalley Mall

What you may not realize is that Sunvalley Shopping Center is more than just a place to find your next outfit or birthday gift; it is also the East Bay's premier destination for elevated shopping. Sunvalley Shopping Center, the largest regional shopping center in the heart of Contra Costa County, goes beyond retail and dining to provide visitors with programs and services that enhance their shopping experience.

 

PASSPORT TO SHOPPING

Sunvalley Shopping Center appreciates all of its visitors and extends an especially warm welcome to those traveling from out of town. You are eligible for the Passport to Shopping if you travel more than 50 miles to visit Diablo Valley. The Passport to Shopping, which is filled with discounts and special offers from retailers and restaurants throughout Sunvalley Shopping Center, is a great way to explore the mall and take advantage of deals as you shop.

 

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Are you visiting the East Bay from another country? Sunvalley Shopping Center is the East Bay's only mall that offers currency exchange through Currency Exchange International (CXI). CXI specializes in foreign currency exchange, buying and selling more than 80 currencies from around the world, and is one of North America's largest wholesale banknote exchanges.

 

History

Sunvalley Shopping Center was billed as the world's largest air-conditioned regional shopping center at the time of its construction. The shopping center, designed by A. Alfred Taubman opened on August 5, 1967, with a performance by Tony Martin and spans 1,333,000 feet (406,000 meters) over two floors. The mall had 40 vendors in its early days, including three anchor stores on three floors: a 233,000-foot (71,000 m) Macy's, a 241,000-foot (73,000 m) Sears, and a 216,000-foot (66,000 m) JCPenney. In 1981, a fourth anchor tenant was built: a three-story, 180,000-foot (55,000 m) Emporium Capwell, which operated as The Emporium from 1990 to 1995 until the department store was sold to Federated Department Stores; this location later became a Macy's Men's/Home/Cellar/Backstage, bringing the mall's total number of anchor tenants to three.  A World's Fare food court with international restaurants also had staples like donuts and Kentucky Fried Chicken;  stores included piano-organ stores, an art gallery, a pet shop, a post office, an ice skating rink, cages of rare birds, and water fountains in various locations. The SunValley Cinema had a capacity of 1500 people. 

 

A twin-engine light plane crashed into the mall on December 23, 1985, after missing its first landing attempt at nearby Buchanan Field. Seven people were killed, including three on the plane, and 77 were injured. The mall was damaged for $3.5 million as a result of the accident.

 

The mall underwent a two-year $40 million renovation in 1991, which included the installation of 198 skylights, Italian marble walkways, and chrome and glass railings. 

 

Sunvalley Shopping Center underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2012, which included new mall entrances with illuminated signage, seating, and landscaping. In addition, the upper east parking deck now has energy-efficient LED lighting, new exterior directional signage, and landscaping. The central grand court area inside the center has been completely renovated, with the addition of Wi-Fi, device charging,[3] and a full-service customer service desk. The amount of seating in the center has been doubled, and new faux landscaping has been installed.

 

The mall added a new food court in 2016, with restaurants like Chicken Connection, Charleys Philly Steaks, and Lotus Express. In the former Sports Authority location, Round 1 (an entertainment center) opened. 

 

The Concord Police Department responded to a shooting inside the Sunvalley Shopping Center on May 24, 2021. According to CBS affiliate KPIX, only one person was injured, and the entire shopping center was initially placed on lockdown. The suspect has fled, according to local authorities, and there is no danger to mall patrons or employees. On surveillance video, one victim, a young black male, was seen being loaded into an ambulance. The Concord Police Department later tweeted, "There is no danger to the mall at this time, and we are investigating."