Wal-Mart eyes Rehoboth Mall site in 1995

In March 1995, it was revealed Wal-Mart was looking to build a new store along Route 1 at Old Landing Road as part of the Rehoboth Mall shopping center. A rezoning for the property would eventually be approved by Sussex County, allowing one the of world’s biggest retailers to add a presence to the Cape Region. The Rehoboth Mall was approved by Sussex County in 1984, with construction happening shortly after. At one time, Rehoboth Mall boasted more than 50 stores, including Roses, Peebles and Super Fresh. The mall also had a movie theater. Among the films playing at the theater when this photograph was taken were “Forrest Gump,” “Outbreak,” “The Quick and the Dead” and “Heavyweights.” The theater closed in 2008. Today, the Rehoboth Mall has transformed quite a bit, as larger retailers like Michaels and Harbor Freight dominate the space, while Grocery Outlet now occupies the section once held by Peebles.