Nov. 23, 2001: Shoppers came out in full force at on the rumored busiest shopping day of the year on Friday after Thanksgiving at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth.

Nov. 23, 2001: Shoppers came out in full force at on the rumored busiest shopping day of the year on Friday after Thanksgiving at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth.

Jennifer Long

Star-Telegram

On Oct. 20, 1976, Miss Texas Carmen McCollum snipped a ribbon beneath the skydome of Ridgmar Mall to officially open Fort Worth’s first fully enclosed shopping center at Interstate 20 and Texas 183.

“So many breathtaking new stores,” boasted an ad in the Star-Telegram. “All of this in a refreshing atmosphere of sunlit skylights, beautiful foundations and tall trees with benches curved beneath their branches to let you relax between shopping adventures.”

The focal point of the mall — “where it’s always springtime” — was a center spiral ramp with triangular steel sculptures and a fountain that shot up water at varying heights. Ridgmar had more than 130 stores, including Neiman Marcus and Sears.

Celebrities at the opening were Mr. Peppermint, star of TV’s “Peppermint Place,” and Argyle the Snake, the “Don Rickles” of puppets from Six Flags. Sesame Street characters and Gordon also appeared.

We dug up a lot of great Star-Telegram photos of Ridgmar Mall from over the decades. Take a look back and see what (or who) you remember.

Aug. 4, 1999: The spiral ramp at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth is being dismantled. Aug. 4, 1999: The spiral ramp at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth is being dismantled. Ron J. Jenkins STAR-TELEGRAM Nov. 12, 1999: The renovation of Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Nov. 12, 1999: The renovation of Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. JENNIFER LONG STAR-TELEGRAM Feb. 3, 1999: Otis Charles Winn drove to Sears at Ridgmar Mall to watch the Monica Lewinsky interview on Wednesday night. Feb. 3, 1999: Otis Charles Winn drove to Sears at Ridgmar Mall to watch the Monica Lewinsky interview on Wednesday night. Jill Johnson Star-Telegram Nov. 17, 1998: Customers streamed into the new Foley's at Ridgmar Mall after grand opening ceremonies. The new store is the 57th for the company. (Foley’s would be converted into a Macy’s less than 10 years later.) Nov. 17, 1998: Customers streamed into the new Foley’s at Ridgmar Mall after grand opening ceremonies. The new store is the 57th for the company. (Foley’s would be converted into a Macy’s less than 10 years later.) DALE BLACKWELL STAR-TELEGRAM Nov. 23, 2001: Shoppers came out in full force at on the rumored busiest shopping day of the year on Friday after Thanksgiving at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Nov. 23, 2001: Shoppers came out in full force at on the rumored busiest shopping day of the year on Friday after Thanksgiving at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Jennifer Long Star-Telegram Nov. 23, 2007: Latangya Clinton, right, helps her daughter Vanessa, 13, choose a set of speakers for her iPod at Radio Shack in Ridgmar Mall. Nov. 23, 2007: Latangya Clinton, right, helps her daughter Vanessa, 13, choose a set of speakers for her iPod at Radio Shack in Ridgmar Mall. RON T. ENNIS STAR-TELEGRAM March 1997: Olive Pelich, Brad Aford and Robin Arena at the Fort Worth Opera reception at Neiman Marcus in Ridgmar Mall. March 1997: Olive Pelich, Brad Aford and Robin Arena at the Fort Worth Opera reception at Neiman Marcus in Ridgmar Mall. Star-Telegram Dec. 14, 2009: Brooklyn Marksberry, 7, and her mother Kellie get their photo taken with four members of the Rockettes, Raley Zofko, Dana Holm, Kate Valle and Alli Rae Lehr, during a visit to the Neiman Marcus Store at Ridgmar Mall. Dec. 14, 2009: Brooklyn Marksberry, 7, and her mother Kellie get their photo taken with four members of the Rockettes, Raley Zofko, Dana Holm, Kate Valle and Alli Rae Lehr, during a visit to the Neiman Marcus Store at Ridgmar Mall. RICHARD W. RODRIGUEZ SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM Sept. 21, 1988: Melba Todd and Joe and Priscilla Martin. The International Friends of the Van Cliburn Competition were at Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall to celebrate the store's 25th year in Fort Worth. Sept. 21, 1988: Melba Todd and Joe and Priscilla Martin. The International Friends of the Van Cliburn Competition were at Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall to celebrate the store’s 25th year in Fort Worth. Star-Telegram Dec. 24, 2007: Last-minute shoppers at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth look for deals on Christmas Eve. Dec. 24, 2007: Last-minute shoppers at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth look for deals on Christmas Eve. JILL JOHNSON STAR-TELEGRAM Nov. 20, 1999: Santa arrived at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Nov. 20, 1999: Santa arrived at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. JENNIFER LONG STAR-TELEGRAM April 7, 1999: Katy Kares, left, and Stacey Hunter use a dolly to move a near-life size Native American statue for a sale of the contents from the Museum Rock Shop which closed due to the death of the owner. The sale consists of all forms of rocks, shop decorations and sporting goods will be taking place at the old Service Merchandise on the grounds of Ridgmar Mall. April 7, 1999: Katy Kares, left, and Stacey Hunter use a dolly to move a near-life size Native American statue for a sale of the contents from the Museum Rock Shop which closed due to the death of the owner. The sale consists of all forms of rocks, shop decorations and sporting goods will be taking place at the old Service Merchandise on the grounds of Ridgmar Mall. Ron T. Ennis STAR-TELEGRAM Jan. 29, 1999: Sawyer Burmeister-Mowery, 6, of Weatherford looks at part of the collection of outfits owned by the woman she was named for, Cowgirl Hall of Famer Fern Sawyer, on display at Neiman Marcus in Ridgmar Mall. The girl's mother, Shelly Burmeister-Mowery, is also a member of the hall of fame and was a long-time friend of Fern Sawyer. Jan. 29, 1999: Sawyer Burmeister-Mowery, 6, of Weatherford looks at part of the collection of outfits owned by the woman she was named for, Cowgirl Hall of Famer Fern Sawyer, on display at Neiman Marcus in Ridgmar Mall. The girl’s mother, Shelly Burmeister-Mowery, is also a member of the hall of fame and was a long-time friend of Fern Sawyer. Rodger Mallison STAR-TELEGRAM Nov. 18, 1998: Fifty-seven dancers from the Dian Clough West Dance Studio dressed up like tap-dancing Foley's shopping bags perform as part of the opening ceremonies for the new Foley's store at Ridgmar Mall. Nov. 18, 1998: Fifty-seven dancers from the Dian Clough West Dance Studio dressed up like tap-dancing Foley’s shopping bags perform as part of the opening ceremonies for the new Foley’s store at Ridgmar Mall. DALE BLACKWELL STAR-TELEGRAM Jan. 13, 2001: Lisann Petters, the president of the Circle T Council, judges a dessert made by Troop 2815. Girl scouts met at Ridgmar Mall for the 3rd annual Circle T Girl Scouts Cookie Fest, an event to kick off the cookie selling. Jan. 13, 2001: Lisann Petters, the president of the Circle T Council, judges a dessert made by Troop 2815. Girl scouts met at Ridgmar Mall for the 3rd annual Circle T Girl Scouts Cookie Fest, an event to kick off the cookie selling. Chad Greene Special to the Star-Telegram Dec. 22, 2000: Jose Contreras of Fort Worth waits outside of K-B Toys while his wife shops for their grandchildren in Ridgmar Mall. Dec. 22, 2000: Jose Contreras of Fort Worth waits outside of K-B Toys while his wife shops for their grandchildren in Ridgmar Mall. Ken Lawdermilk Special to the Star-Telegram Nov. 5, 2000: Gwynne Morrison, Carol Cameron and Jason Guree, members of the Huitt-Zollar Engineering Firm, put the bun on their Canstruction 2000 competition entry, a 'Can-Caid's' hamburger, at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Nov. 5, 2000: Gwynne Morrison, Carol Cameron and Jason Guree, members of the Huitt-Zollar Engineering Firm, put the bun on their Canstruction 2000 competition entry, a ‘Can-Caid’s’ hamburger, at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Sallie Turner Special to the Star-Telegram July 21, 2000: Puppeteer John Hopkins with Le Theatre de Marionette performs before a crowd at Ridgmar Mall's Opening Celebration in west Fort Worth. Since 1998 the mall has ungone a complete interior remodeling costing $70 million. July 21, 2000: Puppeteer John Hopkins with Le Theatre de Marionette performs before a crowd at Ridgmar Mall’s Opening Celebration in west Fort Worth. Since 1998 the mall has ungone a complete interior remodeling costing $70 million. Carolyn Mary Bauman Star-Telegram June 13, 2003: Noreen Crockett, left, of Fort Worth models red, white and blue colored styling glue at Trade Secret hair salon in Ridgmar Mall. The anxious youngsters who are next in line for the coloring are Francisco Flores, 10, Danny Waits, 8, Jim Rodela, 11, and Gina Boughton, 12. The shop was giving the complementary stylings to interested passerby in observance of Flag Day. June 13, 2003: Noreen Crockett, left, of Fort Worth models red, white and blue colored styling glue at Trade Secret hair salon in Ridgmar Mall. The anxious youngsters who are next in line for the coloring are Francisco Flores, 10, Danny Waits, 8, Jim Rodela, 11, and Gina Boughton, 12. The shop was giving the complementary stylings to interested passerby in observance of Flag Day. Ron T. Ennis Star-Telegram March 1, 2003: Ten-year-old Oscar De La Garza screams out his answer to a trivia question during the 12-week 12-stop Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Mall Tour at Ridgmar Mall. By answering trivia questions, participants could win bonus card packs to help enrich their existing card collections. March 1, 2003: Ten-year-old Oscar De La Garza screams out his answer to a trivia question during the 12-week 12-stop Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Mall Tour at Ridgmar Mall. By answering trivia questions, participants could win bonus card packs to help enrich their existing card collections. Marcus Junius Laws Special to the Star-Telegram Dec. 5, 2002: Betsy, 5, and Becca Bell, 7, both of Benbrook talk to Santa Claus about their Christmas list at Ridgmar Mall. Dec. 5, 2002: Betsy, 5, and Becca Bell, 7, both of Benbrook talk to Santa Claus about their Christmas list at Ridgmar Mall. Alison Woodworth Star-Telegram April 8, 2005: Ridgmar Mall will soon be under new ownership as it has been bought by Macerich. April 8, 2005: Ridgmar Mall will soon be under new ownership as it has been bought by Macerich. JESSICA KOURKOUNIS Special to the Star-Telegram May 2, 2005: Inside Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall. May 2, 2005: Inside Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall. RODGER MALLISON STAR-TELEGRAM Dec. 23, 2006: Shoppers crowd through the holiday scene of the Kid's Corner at Ridgmar Mall. Dec. 23, 2006: Shoppers crowd through the holiday scene of the Kid’s Corner at Ridgmar Mall. Bob Haynes Special to the Star-Telegram Aug. 6, 2004: Jennifer Carr walks out of Ridgmar Mall caring back to school clothes taking advantage of the state's tax free days Aug. 6, 2004: Jennifer Carr walks out of Ridgmar Mall caring back to school clothes taking advantage of the state’s tax free days Bob Haynes Special to the Star-Telegram July 20, 2010: Tillman, the "skateboarding bulldog," entertains the lunch-time masses at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. July 20, 2010: Tillman, the “skateboarding bulldog,” entertains the lunch-time masses at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. RON JENKINS STAR-TELEGRAM Nov. 27, 2009: Bambi Sexton assists arriving customers at Buckle in Ridgmar Mall. Nov. 27, 2009: Bambi Sexton assists arriving customers at Buckle in Ridgmar Mall. RON T. ENNIS Star-Telegram Sept. 12, 2013: Mary Kathryn Anderson, Judy Nelson and Cheryl Van Zandt pose for a photo during The First Fete of Fall, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters, at Neiman Marcus in Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Sept. 12, 2013: Mary Kathryn Anderson, Judy Nelson and Cheryl Van Zandt pose for a photo during The First Fete of Fall, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters, at Neiman Marcus in Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Brandon Wade Star-Telegram Nov. 25, 2013: Fort Worth cowboys on horseback drove a herd of cattle around Ridgmar Mall to publicly kick off The Salvation Army’s red kettle drive in Fort Worth. Nov. 25, 2013: Fort Worth cowboys on horseback drove a herd of cattle around Ridgmar Mall to publicly kick off The Salvation Army’s red kettle drive in Fort Worth. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram Dec. 12, 2013: Former general manager Norbert Stanislav, left, former public relations manager Melba Todd and Robert Ackerman who opened the Fort Worth Neiman Marcus all visit with long time customer Janie Beggs as the store celebrates 50 years in Fort Worth at the Ridgmar Mall store. Dec. 12, 2013: Former general manager Norbert Stanislav, left, former public relations manager Melba Todd and Robert Ackerman who opened the Fort Worth Neiman Marcus all visit with long time customer Janie Beggs as the store celebrates 50 years in Fort Worth at the Ridgmar Mall store. RON T. ENNIS Star-Telegram Aug. 5, 1999: Patricia West, general manager at Ridgmar Mall, poses in her cowboy hard hat amid the refurbishing construction at the mall in Fort Worth. Aug. 5, 1999: Patricia West, general manager at Ridgmar Mall, poses in her cowboy hard hat amid the refurbishing construction at the mall in Fort Worth. Carolyn Bauman STAR-TELEGRAM Feb. 3, 1999: Sears employees and customers stop to watch the Monica Lewinsky interview on Wednesday night at Ridgmar Mall. Feb. 3, 1999: Sears employees and customers stop to watch the Monica Lewinsky interview on Wednesday night at Ridgmar Mall. Jill Johnson Star-Telegram Nov. 24, 2000: Some shoppers at Ridgmar Mall are loaded down with purchases made the day after Thanksgiving. Nov. 24, 2000: Some shoppers at Ridgmar Mall are loaded down with purchases made the day after Thanksgiving. Ron T. Ennis STAR-TELEGRAM Dec. 9, 1999: One of the new entrances to Ridgmar Mall in west Fort Worth. The mall is undergoing renovations. Dec. 9, 1999: One of the new entrances to Ridgmar Mall in west Fort Worth. The mall is undergoing renovations. Carolyn Bauman STAR-TELEGRAM Feb. 15, 2001: Pilates instructor Kerry Kreiman, front, of Dancescape Studio in Fort Worth, teaches a free mat class at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Ridgmar Mall has offered the exercise class on Thursday mornings since January. The classes are taught on the lower level in front of Sears. Feb. 15, 2001: Pilates instructor Kerry Kreiman, front, of Dancescape Studio in Fort Worth, teaches a free mat class at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Ridgmar Mall has offered the exercise class on Thursday mornings since January. The classes are taught on the lower level in front of Sears. Carolyn Mary Bauman Star-Telegram Nov. 1, 2000: Halloween at Ridgmar Mall: Taylor Millsap, 8, dressed as 'poison ivy' watches younger kids compete in the costume contest before her turn. Nov. 1, 2000: Halloween at Ridgmar Mall: Taylor Millsap, 8, dressed as ‘poison ivy’ watches younger kids compete in the costume contest before her turn. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram July 18, 2000: Ridgmar is celebrating its re-grand opening after spending $70 million in mall renovations. One added feature are the three TV screens near the middle of the mall which will give sports updates as well as broadcast sporting events. July 18, 2000: Ridgmar is celebrating its re-grand opening after spending $70 million in mall renovations. One added feature are the three TV screens near the middle of the mall which will give sports updates as well as broadcast sporting events. Alison Woodworth Star-Telegram Aug. 25, 2001: Ninteen-month-old Reyna Ramirez kisses her dad Steve, as she reaches the end of the catwalk at the Fall Children's Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Aug. 25, 2001: Ninteen-month-old Reyna Ramirez kisses her dad Steve, as she reaches the end of the catwalk at the Fall Children’s Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Sharon M. Steinman Fort Worth Star-Telegram April 22, 2006: At the Ridgmar Mall’s Neiman Marcus, supporters of a therapy group attend a benefit fashion show. From left, Erin Harvey, Jenny Mize, Amy Whitehead, Suzie Rosenberger and Melissa Roy. April 22, 2006: At the Ridgmar Mall’s Neiman Marcus, supporters of a therapy group attend a benefit fashion show. From left, Erin Harvey, Jenny Mize, Amy Whitehead, Suzie Rosenberger and Melissa Roy. ROBERT M. MCAVOY Special to the Star-Telegram May 2, 2005: Neiman Marcus store at Ridgmar Mall. May 2, 2005: Neiman Marcus store at Ridgmar Mall. RODGER MALLISON STAR-TELEGRAM Nov. 29, 2009: The J.C. Penney women's clothing department checkout counter was busy as Black Friday shoppers crowded into Ridgmar Mall. Nov. 29, 2009: The J.C. Penney women’s clothing department checkout counter was busy as Black Friday shoppers crowded into Ridgmar Mall. RON T. ENNIS Star-Telegram Nov. 27, 2009: Black Friday shoppers line the walkways of Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. Nov. 27, 2009: Black Friday shoppers line the walkways of Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. RON T. ENNIS Star-Telegram

MORE: Check out Star-Telegram archive photos in our collection here, including:

Fort Worth as it looked in 1988Dolly Parton’s 1977 concert in Fort Worth’s Panther HallFort Worth’s long-gone grocery storesFort Worth in 1990: Archive photos100 years of Boy Scouts in Fort Worth/North TexasFort Worth’s Forest Park Zoo in the 1940s-50sLong-lost restaurants of Fort WorthHollywood movie stars in Fort WorthPaschal High School in the 1950sElvis Presley in Fort WorthPresident Jimmy Carter’s visit to Fort Worth in 1978Historic photos of Fort Worth Stock Show parade1972 demolition of 18-story Worth HotelLeonards Department Store in 1940s-50sFort Worth housewives in 1952 prepare for ThanksgivingWeatherford, Texas, from 1870s to 1950sPresident Kennedy in Fort Worth, the day he diedBilly Bob’s Texas, 1981 grand opening1939 opening of West Lancaster bridge in Fort WorthKeller, Texas, during the 1920s-1950sGreater Fort Worth International Airport, 1953 openingFort Worth Stock Show, 1930s to 1950sQueen Elizabeth visits Texas in 1991Fort Worth snowfalls, from 1880s to 1950sLabor Day in Fort Worth over the decadesSept. 11, 2001, in Fort Worth and DFW airportChurches in the Fort Worth region, back to the 1800s

This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 11:39 AM.


Profile Image of Matt Leclercq

Matt Leclercq

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.