Mershops Town Center at Aurora

Anchor stores and major tenants at the mall are Dillard's (originally The Denver, became May-D&F in 1987, then Foley's in 1993), Macy's (originally May-D&F, became May-D&F Men's in 1987, then Foley's Men's in 1993, then a full-line Foley's in 2005), JCPenney, Century Theatres, and Fieldhouse USA (originally Sears). ==History==

Construction and Opening The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation in 1974, and opened a year later in 1975 and opened as Aurora Mall. The mall is set in a typical sprawling, suburban environment, and the demographics mostly reflect that trend. 2020s In August 2021, the former Sears became a Fieldhouse USA. In April 2025, it was announced that the malls owner, Washington Prime Group (WPG), which had owned Town Center at Aurora since 2014, announced that they’ll be selling off the rest of their portfolio, which included Town Center at Aurora. In January 2026, Mershops quietly purchased the Town Center at Aurora for an unknown price from Washington Prime Group (WPG). Because of this acquisition, Town Center at Aurora was rebranded as Mershops Town Center at Aurora to fit in with Mershops’ portfolio. 2012 shooting On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at the Century 16 at Town Center at Aurora, during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. A gunman, dressed in tactical clothing, set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. The gunman, James Holmes, was arrested outside the cinema minutes later. ==Community==

Due in part to the Town Center's suburban environment and demographic, the Aurora Public Schools (APS) system and Aurora's PTO are heavily involved in the mall's events and activities. The mall sponsors a "Cash for Class" program, which awards schools within the district based on a points system. Schools can get points for submitting report cards, attendance records, and even mall purchases. All rewards are provided directly to the schools. In 2011, Town Center at Aurora awarded a total of $13,000 to nine schools. In 2009, APS announced a new computer system in a joint venture with the mall. Several kiosks were installed throughout the mall. The system allows parents to view grades, assignments, and other resources regarding their child's education, as well as to browse the mall's various shopping events. == Gallery ==

File:Aurora Cinema 16.jpg|Century 16 Theatre later the same year of the 2012 shooting File:Aurora Metro Center Station.JPG|Aurora Metro Center Station across the street from the mall on the east side ==References==