A Renewed Palestine Plaza Reflects Continued Retail Growth

Five Below is the latest national retailer to join the longtime Palestine shopping center. 

Five Below has joined the growing lineup of national retailers at Palestine Plaza, with the specialty discount store celebrating its grand opening on Friday, October 2, 2026. The new store adds another recognizable name to the redeveloped shopping center, which has seen significant reinvestment and a changing tenant mix in recent years. The Plaza is now home to retailers including  Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, Ulta Beauty, GNC, and 7 Brew Coffee.

“This is the best center in town, with the tenant mixes, it has every buyer covered at different price points,” says Haydn Cutler, owner of Palestine Plaza and founder of Haydn Cutler Company.

This plaza has been a staple of the community for more than 50 years and has evolved as shopping habits and the retail landscape have changed. The addition of Five Below marks another chapter in that evolution as the center continues to attract national retailers and invest in its property, reaching customers in Palestine and the surrounding community. 

Palestine Plaza Has Supported Residents Since 1973

Cutler first developed Palestine Plaza in 1973, with TG&Y as the first anchor tenant occupying 30,000 square feet. Over the years, the shopping center has also been home to a variety of retailers, including Piggly Wiggly (which served as a community grocery store) and an Eckerd drugstore. As national retail trends have changed and longtime retailers have disappeared, the property has continued to adapt to meet the needs of today's shoppers.

“We’ve turned this thing around about three times,” he says. “This final time required renovations to ensure there was enough space and to make necessary repairs.”

Over the years, the center's tenant mix has continued to change, with the latest additions bringing a range of national retailers and services to the property.  

National Retailers Helped Reshape the Plaza's Tenant Mix 

The first steps Cutler and his team at Palestine Plaza took to revamp the shopping center were to find desirable anchor stores – the largest and most prominent tenants. Ross Dress for Less and Marshalls joined the Plaza in 2024, followed by Ulta Beauty and other retailers. Cutler said the presence of those national brands helped position the center to attract additional tenants.  The redevelopment has included several significant investments, including approximately $2 million for the Marshalls project, $925,000 reported to TDLR for Ulta Beauty, and $1.2 million for Ross Dress for Less.

“This is a strong lineup of national tenants,” says Cutler. “A lot of businesses want to anchor with Ross and Marshalls.”

Cutler said interest from additional retailers followed the arrival of the anchor tenants.  Companies like ULTA, Five Below, and 7 Brew Coffee started reaching out to inquire about available commercial space.

“This is the best location in town, so we really didn’t have to do much recruiting,” Cutler adds. “Companies came to us.”

The addition of national retailers such as Ross and Marshalls reflects the increased demand of Palestine’s growing community for local shopping options. These stores want to be where people are moving to and are excited to live. For Cutler, the continued interest from retailers reflects the potential he sees in the Palestine market.  

Reinvestment Extends Beyond New Tenants 

Not only did Cutler and his team bring in new stores to Palestine Plaza, but they also improved the shopping center as a whole. Improvements at the center have included resurfacing work in the parking lot, building repairs and renovations, and modifications to accommodate new retail spaces. This investment gives the Plaza a new life that feels modern and attractive.

“It’s in a great location in the city,” says Cutler. “This will be the go-to center for the next 30 years.”

After more than five decades in Palestine, the Plaza is entering another chapter with a new mix of national retailers and continued investment in the property. While the tenant mix may continue to refresh, the center remains an established part of Palestine's retail landscape.  

Learn More About Life in Palestine

Palestine has a population of more than 18,000 residents and serves as a regional hub for retail, services, and employment in East Texas. The city's established commercial base and location along major transportation routes continue to support opportunities for business investment.  

Learn more about why businesses continue to choose Palestine and see your future here. The Palestine Economic Development Corporation provides resources for businesses considering investment and expansion in Palestine. We’re here to help you.