history

The Arlington Center opened in November 1972 as the Ada area's first major shopping center outside of Ada Main Street. The Arlington Center was successful from its opening day with 100% of its space leased to eight regional and national businesses encompassing about 123,000 square feet including a TG&Y Family Center of 50,000 square feet. The other original stores at the center were Best Yet Supermarket (later becoming Dicus Supermarket), Yale's Hallmark, Payless Shoe Source, Sherwin Williams, Anthony's Department Store, Sears, and Sirloin Stockade.

During the 1970s, The Arlington Center added a Photomat kiosk (now the Snowball Express) and an ATM facility. In the late 1970s, the TG&Y Family Center was expanded to 70,000 square feet.

The 1980s were a period of growth for Arlington Center. In 1982, the center welcomed McDonald's to the Ada area at a record grand opening. In 1985, the center added 28,000 square feet; including a new department store for Anthony's (currently Stage) and six additional shops including Merle Norman, Matthews Family Hair Center and Domino's Pizza. Other businesses added to the center in the 1980s included Katz Department Store, Beautyco, Braum's, Church's Chicken (now Subway) and Postal Plus. Anthony's and Sherwin Williams expanded during the 1980s.

Beginning in 2000, the Dicus Supermarket closed and was converted into Walls Bargain Center, a regional chain of large discount department stores. J's Hallmark was relocated and expanded to include a JC Penney catalog store. Country Club Road, the center's North-South

artery, was expanded to five lanes. Communication Services, Inc. opened in 2000 and Colortyme Rent-To-Own was added in 2003. The center also added a new flag pole and flag, new sidewalk lighting and a new electronic billboard to its main pylon sign.

In the 1990s, exciting changes and growth continued at Arlington Center. In 1994-'95, the center underwent an extensive renovation including a new facade with six tower structures, brick columns, brick walkways, enhanced lighting and signage, parking lot overlay, landscaping, awnings and fiber optics. The TG&Y Family Center was converted into new space for three businesses: Orscheln Farm & Home Supply, Dollar General, and an expansion of the Dicus Supermarket. D.K.'s Nutrition Center was added and then later expanded to include the Barking Frog Deli. Merle Norman expanded onto one of the center's parcels. Other new businesses added to the center during the 1990s were Subway, Snowball Express and two full service banks: First National Bank of Ada - Arlington Branch - and Superior Federal Bank. The Anthony's Department Store chain was acquired by national Stage Stores Inc. of Houston, TX and in September 1997 a grand opening was held for Stage Department Store.

Today The Arlington Center contains more than 160,000 square feet and 25 stores and businesses including two major banks and six food establishments.

Although the Arlington Center is 100% leased, additional stores are planned on available out parcels, including the former ATM site on Arlington. Also, the center is pre-leasing for an expansion of 12,000 - 40,000 square feet on land North of J's Hallmark. For leasing and development info call Brenda Revels at (580) 235-0193.