There have been rumblings of some construction inside Washington Square Mall, so I decided to investigate and get some answers.

WASHINGTON SQUARE TARP
WASHINGTON SQUARE TARP
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Washington Square Mall is Part of Indiana's History

I love to stop in Washington Square Mall for those original Noble Roman's breadsticks, and I always wish that the mall was full of shops like it used to be. It's Hollywood famous - Featured in Michael Rosenbaum's movie 'Back in the Day', plus it was the first enclosed shopping center in Indiana.

Read More: Businesses Revitalize Washington Square Mall Evansville, Indiana

'The Taj Mahal of Thrift Stores' Can Be Found in Washington Square Mall

Ah yes, positive steps have been made to bring life back into our Washington Square Mall. Your Evansville Rescue Mission relocated its Thrift Store to the mall and then opened the Mission Grounds Coffee Shop. They have added a furniture store, donation area, and even a chapel. So, we want to help bring more businesses back to Indiana's oldest indoor mall. But what kinds of shops or services will work best?

PHOTO: EVANSVILLE RESCUE MISSION
PHOTO: EVANSVILLE RESCUE MISSION
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Make Room for Goodwill

Evansville Goodwill will house their corporate office, thrift store, mission programs, and the future Excel Center for Evansville.

The Excel Center is a free high school for adults. This is a lot more than just getting a GED. Students will actually graduate and receive a diploma.

Photo: Renovation Celebration: Evansville Goodwill
Photo: Renovation Celebration: Evansville Goodwill
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The Excel Center provides support services such as on-site child care, transportation assistance, and college credit and industry-recognized certification courses – all at no cost. Through access to additional Goodwill programs such as employment and disability services, a criminal re-entry program and services for first-time mothers, The Excel Center is able to help remove barriers to education and empower individuals to achieve their goals.
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What's Going on Inside the Black Tarp?

That is a question a lot of folks are asking on social media and in the NextDoor app. I stopped in and asked a few questions, but I didn't leave with any solid answers.

PHOTO: MALL TARP
PHOTO: MALL TARP
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Multiple sources say there is a really amazing vendor-type store in the works. The person or persons who have leased the large section of the mall just South of the food court are keeping their project tightly sealed - Literally.

And yes, I did try to peek around the tarp, but it was pretty solid. So, for now, we will wait patiently.

Then & Now - Evansville's Washington Square Mall Through the Years

Evansville is home to a lot of unique buildings including the first enclosed retail shopping center in Indiana. Yes, our very own Washington Square Mall was the place to be when it opened in 1963. If you walk through the mall today, you would never guess how alive the shops were, even through the 1980s. Enjoy this walk down memory lane I've put together, and maybe someday there will be new life inside 5011 Washington Ave.

Gallery Credit: Liberty

Best Friends Recreate 90's Throwback Memories with Retro Photoshoot at Evansville's Washington Square Mall

Simply Savvy Photography recreated everyone's favorite 90's mall memories in a retro photoshoot featuring Tay and Ashlyn. They brought the fun back to present-day Washington Square Mall.

Gallery Credit: Liberty

See Inside The Thrift Store by Evansville Rescue Mission [Before and After]

The Thrift Store by Evansville Rescue Mission is now in its amazing new space inside Washington Square Mall. Take a look at the hard work that has gone into this unique new thrift store.

Gallery Credit: Liberty

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