Eclipse Center

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title: "Eclipse Center" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["buildings-and-structures-in-beloit,-wisconsin", "shopping-malls-in-wisconsin", "shopping-malls-established-in-1966"] topic_path: "general/buildings-and-structures-in-beloit-wisconsin" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Center" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="infobox shopping mall"]

Field	Value
name	Eclipse Center
image	Beloitmallsign.jpg
caption	Former Beloit Plaza/Mall under redevelopment
location	Beloit, Wisconsin, United States
address	Riverside Dr. and Henry Ave.
opening_date	1966
closing_date	2000
developer	Hendricks Development Group
manager	Hendricks Development Group
owner	Hendricks Development Group
number_of_stores	60+ (peak)
number_of_anchors	0, 3 major, 3 minor
floor_area	450000 sqft
floors	1
publictransit	Beloit Transit
::

| name = Eclipse Center | image = Beloitmallsign.jpg | caption = Former Beloit Plaza/Mall under redevelopment | location = Beloit, Wisconsin, United States | address = Riverside Dr. and Henry Ave. | opening_date = 1966 | closing_date = 2000 | developer = Hendricks Development Group | manager = Hendricks Development Group | owner = Hendricks Development Group | number_of_stores = 60+ (peak) | number_of_anchors = 0, 3 major, 3 minor | floor_area = 450000 sqft | floors = 1 | publictransit = Beloit Transit Eclipse Center, formerly known as Beloit Plaza or Beloit Mall, is a mixed-use development and former shopping mall in Beloit, Wisconsin. It is undergoing a renovation with the aim of making it a pivotal point in the city. It formerly housed the department store Elder-Beerman, and still houses several Rock County government offices, a convention center and bar, and two School District of Beloit charter schools. There are also an automotive shop and a culinary program run by students from Beloit Memorial High School.

Overview

Set on a high profile, 30 acre site on a bluff overlooking Riverside Drive (US Highway 51) and the Rock River, the 400000 sqft Beloit Plaza was the first major shopping center in Rock County. Early success was followed by a decline resulting from competition with the Janesville Mall and developments in Janesville and Beloit with easy access to Interstate 90. Several redevelopment efforts failed, but with the involvement of Beloit billionaire Ken Hendricks beginning in 2004, a new plan to make it a mixed-use development with public services and other facilities has raised local hopes for the site.

Tenants included an Elder-Beerman store, Cardinal Stritch University, the University of Wisconsin–Extension, the Beloit Public Library, the Rock County Health Department, the Beloit Area Community Health Center, School District of Beloit facilities, a convention and banquet facility, and smaller businesses. Elder-Beerman closed in 2018 and later was demolished in 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazettextra.com/news/business/bon-ton-to-close-elder-beerman-store-in-beloit/article_e9e14d8b-0bb0-5d3f-82b0-d13d54e31df8.html|title=Bon-Ton to close Elder-Beerman store in Beloit|last=Johnson|first=Neil Johnson|website=GazetteXtra|location=Janesville, Wisconsin |language=en|access-date=2019-06-09}}

Some parts of the mall, including former Kohl’s and Main Entrance, were demolished to create a new Charter School. The project was initiated by Kids First Beloit, a nonprofit group led by Diane Hendricks, board president. Construction started in June 2020, and took a year to be built. It was completed in July 2021.

The mall includes an event venue known as the Eclipse Events Centre.

References

References

1. Montgomery, Austin. (2019-05-15). "Shoppers say they'll take dollars elsewhere".
2. Conniff, Ruth. (2020-07-07). "Beloit billionaire Diane Hendricks’ controversial charter school • Wisconsin Examiner".
3. Hembree, Mark. (2022-05-11). "the Lincoln Academy provides vision of school of the future".
4. "Eclipse Event Center {{!}} Beloit, Wisconsin Special Event Venue".
5. Crozier, Robert. (2016-03-25). "Eclipse Center unveiled".

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