Ontario Mills

Ontario Mills
Name	Ontario Mills
Location	Ontario, California, United States
Developer	Glimcher Properties
Manager	Simon Property Group
Owner	Simon Property Group
Architect	RTKL Associates
Number of stores	200+
Number of anchors	15
Floor area	1,483,000 sq ft
Public transit	Omnitrans, Metrolink

Ontario Mills is a super-regional shopping and entertainment center in Ontario, California, located in the Inland Empire near the Ontario International Airport and the interchange of Interstate 10 and State Route 60. Opened in 1996, the mall has been a major destination for retail, dining, and leisure, drawing visitors from Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. The center is owned and managed by Simon Property Group and has featured a rotating mix of national chains, outlet stores, and entertainment venues.

History

Ontario Mills opened in November 1996 as part of a 1990s expansion of large-scale retail development in Southern California spearheaded by developers such as Glimcher Properties and Mills Corporation. The mall's 1990s debut coincided with regional projects including the Ontario International Airport expansion, the development of Victoria Gardens, and the growth of Rancho Cucamonga. Over subsequent decades Ontario Mills experienced tenant turnover paralleling national retail shifts involving chains such as Mervyn's, Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Steve & Barry's, Sears, JCPenney, Forever 21, and TJ Maxx. Ownership consolidation through corporate transactions affected the property, notably the acquisition of Mills Corporation assets by companies linked to Simon Property Group and management strategies similar to portfolios held by Brookfield Properties and CBL Properties. Economic cycles including the late-2000s recession, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and supply chain disruptions influenced leasing, while redevelopment proposals echoed practices used at centers such as Westfield Century City and Del Amo Fashion Center.

Design and Architecture

The mall's single-level, racetrack-style plan was designed by RTKL Associates, reflecting design philosophies used at centers like South Coast Plaza and The Galleria (Houston), emphasizing large corridors, thematic neighborhoods, and big-box anchor pads. Architectural features include wide promenades, clerestory lighting, and a mix of enclosed and outdoor-facing storefronts similar to trends at The Grove (Los Angeles). Materials and finishes referenced contemporary retail standards found in properties by architects who worked on Fashion Island, Pavilions, and The Shops at Montebello. Support facilities include centralized loading docks, service alleys, and parking fields comparable to those at Ontario Mills Airport Plaza-adjacent developments and modeling used in master-planned projects like Ontario Ranch.

Tenants and Retail Mix

Ontario Mills houses a diverse roster of national and regional retailers drawn from chains such as Nike (company), Adidas, H&M, Levi Strauss & Co., Skechers, Michael Kors, Coach (brand), Kate Spade New York, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Express (retailer), Gap Inc., Old Navy, Banana Republic, Zara (retailer), Uniqlo, Forever 21, Torrid (retailer), Hot Topic, Build-A-Bear Workshop, LEGO, Disney Store, and outlet formats like Jones New York and Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store. Entertainment and dining options have included cinemas operated by chains such as AMC Theatres, family entertainment centers inspired by models like Dave & Buster's, food court operators similar to Buca di Beppo-styled concepts, and casual dining brands such as The Cheesecake Factory, Yard House, P.F. Chang's, Chipotle Mexican Grill, In-N-Out Burger, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Seasonal pop-ups and temporary vendors mirror programming used at malls like South Bay Galleria and Montgomery Mall.

Events and Attractions

Ontario Mills has hosted community and promotional events including holiday celebrations modeled on practices at Fashion Valley Mall and concert appearances similar to those at Universal CityWalk. Past attractions included anchor-scale entertainment such as themed arcades, temporary art installations analogous to projects at The Bloc (Los Angeles), and partnership activations with brands like Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics, Sony Corporation, and Microsoft. Sporting and cultural promotions have tied into regional organizations such as Ontario Reign (ECHL), Los Angeles Kings, and collegiate outreach programs involving institutions like Cal State San Bernardino and Citrus College. The mall has also been used for film and television location shoots following a practice seen at Citadel Outlets and Rodeo Drive districts.

Economic Impact and Reception

As a major retail node, Ontario Mills contributed to employment and sales tax revenues in San Bernardino County and influenced retail gravity in the Inland Empire alongside centers such as Victoria Gardens (Rancho Cucamonga), Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, Montclair Place, and Riverside Plaza. Analysts comparing performance metrics often referenced same-store sales trends similar to reports covering Simon Property Group portfolios and national retail indices monitored by firms like Moody's and S&P Global. Community reception has been mixed: praised by regional planners and tourism stakeholders such as Ontario Tourism and chambers of commerce, yet criticized by some urbanists and activists in discussions akin to debates over big-box retail and mall-centric development seen in areas like Pomona Mall redevelopment. Fiscal studies cited impacts on transit-oriented development strategies promoted by agencies such as Omnitrans and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.

Transportation and Access

Ontario Mills is adjacent to major transportation corridors including Interstate 10 (California), State Route 60 (California), and Interstate 15 (California), providing automotive access comparable to malls near Interstate 5 (California). Public transit connections include services by Omnitrans and regional commuter rail access via Metrolink (California), with the nearest stations linking to lines such as the San Bernardino Line and the Inland Empire–Orange County Line. Proximity to Ontario International Airport influences shopper catchment areas, while parking supply and circulation mirror patterns at airport-adjacent retail centers like Ontario Airport Plaza.

Incidents and Renovations

Over its history Ontario Mills has experienced incidents including tenant closures, store remodels, and security responses aligning with issues reported at other regional centers like Del Amo Fashion Center and Westfield Topanga. Renovation waves have introduced repositioning strategies—interior refreshes, façade upgrades, and retenanting—akin to programs implemented at The Shops at Montebello and Westfield Fashion Square. Capital improvements have been undertaken to modernize HVAC, signage, and pedestrian amenities in line with best practices from firms such as Simon Property Group and Glimcher Properties (historical), while safety enhancements have followed protocols advocated by entities like the National Retail Federation and local law enforcement including the Ontario Police Department.

Category:Shopping malls in California Category:Buildings and structures in San Bernardino County, California