Northlake Mall is located in Tucker, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb approximately 12 miles northeast of downtown. Northlake is located on Interstate 285, Atlanta's beltway, near U.S. Highway 29 and U.S. Highway 78, two major commuter routes out of the city. It is also easily accessible from Interstate 85, which runs northeast from Atlanta. The mall's primary trade area includes over half-a-million people. The population of the trade area is neither as educated nor as affluent as that of many other Atlanta malls.
Northlake was built in 1971. It was renovated and expanded in 1994 and now contains almost one million square feet of shopping and restaurants. The original anchors were Sears, JCPenney and Davison's, a now-defunct Atlanta department store. The 1994 expansion created space for another anchor, and the mall is now anchored by JCPenney, Macy's, Sears and Kohl's. Other tenants include nationally known retailers like Charlotte, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, Bath and Body Works and The Men's Wearhouse. Smaller stores that appeal to the local market include Foot Locker, Finish Line, Man Alive, Underground Station and GameStop.
Kohl's came to Northlake Mall in 2008, the first time that store has located in an Atlanta area mall. (Most of Atlanta's Kohl's locations are in "power centers,'' where the customer can park and go directly into the store.) The Atlanta Business Chronicle notes: "The move reflects a number of changes in the makeup of Atlanta's malls. Once primarily the domain of full-service department stores, malls are changing in the wake of numerous retail mergers and the growth of discounters.''
Northlake Mall is host to a number of educational and entertaining events. The PROBE College Fair gives students an opportunity to speak with many different college recruiters in one venue. The Dekalb Fire & Safety Show, sponsored by the Dekalb County Fire Department, gives safety tips to homeowners. Trick-or-Treat Northlake gives youngsters a safe environment to trick-or-treat on Halloween. Perhaps the most entertaining of all the Northlake events is the monthly Dine & Dance Tuesdays. On the last Tuesday of every month, a big band performs in the Food Court of the mall. Customers are invited to dine at the food court and dance, for no charge, as long as the band plays.
Northlake is a declining mall. The addition of Kohl's breathed a little bit of new life into the shopping center, but reviews of the mall are generally negative, citing concerns about crime, cleanliness and the unsatisfying mix of stores. One customer on a popular review site says, "This is an 80s mall that seems to have never been updated ... there isn't much you'd want to buy.'' However, others appreciate the virtues of a mall that has fewer visitors. "When I don't feel like fighting the crowd at [another Atlanta mall] ... then I head here.'' "I did all my Christmas shopping here in one day!'' The new Kohl's and the many bargains available also attract some shoppers. Perhaps the overall attitude toward the mall is summed up by this customer, who says, "[Northlake] is sufficient and convenient for locals.''
