Love this mall. It has the essential staple to shop with going into another neighborhood. I love Macy's, JCPenney, Bath & Body, especially for the holidays. But all of the stores offer something for everyone. If I shop the above-mentioned store somewhere else, they're no better. read more

The whole mall is dead.... The only popular stores are Victoria Secret, Macy's , Jc Penny, B&BW and a few boutiques of your choice. Don't waste your time. read more

I have not visited River Oaks Center (I still think of it as River Oaks Mall) for some time chiefly due to highway construction that made it very difficult to get in and out of from where I live. There were also several first-run movie theatres that I believe were closed due to an antitrust legal problem. Both factors have caused several years' worth of delays in visits to the Center until today. (The COVID shutdown contributed as well.) My visit took place in the early afternoon hours of 8-3-2022. I visited Macy's then took a walk on the interior of the complex. Security are visible and available near the center of the Mall. Food service is somewhat scarce at this point (August 2022) but I believe there is a Sonic Drive-In on the perimeter of the Mall and other restaurants across the street (Torrence). There are restaurants south of the Mall/Center as well. They are on Torrence. I did notice that some perhaps two stores were closed with no signage indicating when they would re-open. I would check the store's webpages or give them a call to confirm their hours. This was true of the store Pink today. The anchor stores are J.C. Penney and Macy's. It was a very warm day but the air conditioning was not working well. For the sake of the Mall workers this needs to be addressed especially around the center of the building. Given the fact that I was there on a Wednesday at mid-day I thought that there were quite a few people at the Mall/Center; it was very far from being deserted. I believe a jewelry store was mentioned in a past review; I believe there are two franchise-style jewelry stores found here, and people were shopping there. I visited Macy's, FYE and Bath and Body Works on this visit. The staffpeople were very helpful! If I am in the area I will certainly visit River Oaks Mall/Center in the future. They do need to have the AC looked at however. read more

I would never recommend buying a mattress from this JCPenney's. I bought a mattress from JC pennies. It was sinking in the middle. I had Them to come and get the mattress in October here it is December and I am yet to receive a refund I would never ever shop at this place ever again they return policies are ridiculous , they have been lying to me since October, and they have my mattress, air cat my money , every time I talk to someone they lie and say the check will be in the mail in 10 days. It's been two months. This is the worst place to buy mattress. read more

I had a item to return to JC Penny and I live in a western suburb, on the other side of town . I kept the item in my car to remember to return it. Now I am visiting a southside suburb and I wind up in Calument City and decide to return my item I had in my car for over a month or so! This was my first time at this JC Penny and it was a very busy time in the store while I was there. But 2 of your employees went out of their way, I feel to help me. They were kind and patient with me and I got what I needed and made another purchase while I was there. Talk about first impressions! Thank you Daisy and Darden (I hope his name is correct) You two were the best! Another lady referred me to Daisy but I cannot remember her name; she was very helpful and patient as well. Thank you all. Keep up the great customer service! It really does make a difference! Minnie R. Elmwood Park, IL. read more

My friend invited to an arcade in this mall. He said that he had a lot of tokens and he give me half of it. He picked me up in my apartment with in his car. About 10 minutes driving when we arrived at this mall. He easily park his car because of lot of vacant. When we enter there are few people outside. We go straight to the arcade. Before getting out of the car he already gave me tokens. We first play basketball. We got a deal that whoever wins got pay for lunch. So because he is a basketball player he wins. Im no hope in the first place. We also play other games and we got excited to win. We really enjoy playing at this arcade. We stop playing when we have notokens. read more

I bought my accessories in one of the stores here in this mall. I bought a watch, necklace and ring. A watch that I bought has a color of gold. It looks simple even though its gold, that's why I bought it. The necklace has a heart design and also it is made of gold. About the rings it has a design of diamond and it was also made of gold. They also have silver if you like. About their place they are so organized. The watch, ring, necklace, eating etc has a different glass box or shelves. So you can have easy access to choose what you want. The customer service was great. They are so nice in explaining their product. Highly recommend this. read more

It looks like this mall needs a big make over and a big clean up The washrooms are old and need a update Many of the stores that are still around look ok I only when in Kay's jewelry store and Ashley Stewart. And the food court I'm just SMH The tables and chairs are the same ones from about 10 years ago if not even longer read more

River Oaks Center - Make me over again - Shopping Centers Near Me - Calumet City, Illinois

See all

If you are in Indiana or the South Suburbs, this mall fits the bill if you need to go to a small mall, with little flair. It is located right off of I-94 / or you can take danville and get off at 159th. I like that it used to be an outdoor mall and now is an indoor mall. It is quaint, old and needs to be updated but in terms of shopping on a budget or moderately you can find Sears, Payless, and other top tier stores and in door kiosks with the usual wares. The food court is decent enough for a quick trip. I normally will go for an 1 and 1/2, grab a few things and go. I don't hang there. Unfortunately the mall used to be much better than it is now. If you are looking for the movies, which used to be located inside the mall, go around the corner to the Cinema 8 which is right by the Olive Garden which is about 2 minutes from the mall. This mall attracts families, young people, and some singles. read more

I would not recommend to order mattresses from this JC Penny s in river oak mall , I payed Almost $2000 for mattresses back in March I am yet still to receive them no courtesy call nothing I've been up there a couple of times with the same results lies read more

They can honestly close this mall down and build something else. Its just sad overall! Even when you don't want to travel far, I'd still say make that travel to another location. read more

They should really update the time they open and close when you search for it online. Makes no sense to drive all the way here to find out they open one hour later. read more

First and last time here. I only came here because my husband was going to Vision Works. Not many stores to chose from if your not buying sneakers. Food court is closed but didn't have many selections anyway. Mall is overall dirty and needs a deep cleaning. I only went into The Children's Place and they did not have much of a selection for children's size 3T or smaller. I ended up finding a spot to sit in until he was done with his appointment. Mall needs a HUGH make over. read more

I love these down to earth malls:)! Every store seemed in business, except for vacancies in the food court. Plenty of kiosks in the middle. Plenty of customers walking around , 8 pm. Lively. Even a massage place. The pizza place counterman even told me to only give him a dollar for the soda. Food court was more quiet than it deserved to be. Was told it gets busy on the weekends. read more

See all

River oaks is okay, but it's not the mall it once was, new businesses are needed in there especially in the restaurant section,

Stopped in briefly in an attempt to buy a few things from Macy's, but stayed for the people watching. I attended high school in the South Suburbs and remember when this was the go to mall. The store selections are limited, both in merchandise and brand. I remember when Lincoln Mall fell off a cliff. River Oaks is fast tracking in the same direction. read more

Ah, as the nearest mall to my East Side abode, this was where my family bought our school clothes, our Christmas presents, our video games for many years. I recall my irritable preteen days, when I just didn't feel like shopping with mommy so I would hole up in the Waldenbooks and read until they came and found me in the lame Young Adult sci fi section reading the Diadem series. It is a medium sized mall. Comparable in size to the HIP, smaller than Orland Square, bigger than Golf Mill. It's got your staples - Macy's, JC Penney, Sears, Auntie Anne's, Mrs. Fields, Bath and Body Works, The Gap, etc. The food court covers the necessary bases - MSG laden Chinese, hot dogs and burgers, pizza (no longer a Sbarro's), smoothies and last time I was there they added a little pinball arcade. Cute. Some people refer to this place as ghetto but I don't think it is ghetto. It is for the working class citizens of the south side, southeast suburbs and NW Indy. I don't know what kind of freaky elitist you'd have to be to turn your nose up at this mall. It is all that a mall is supposed to be - one stop shopping with a bunch of teenagers lurking around and dudes at kiosks trying to scare you into buying a cell phone. And it's accessible by the 358 Pace Bus, which was important for me since I didn't learn how to drive till grad school. read more

This mall hasn't been the same since in the mild 2000's. They closed alot of good stores in that mall. I remembered going there when I was a little boy when it was an outdoor mall until 1993 & 1994 when I was 4 and 5 years old. My parents and I used I used to go River Oaks Mall alot until 2002. I did came back with my friends in 2007. That mall did changed. I remember few store that are now gone. Gap = Closed Disney Store = Closed KFC = Closed McDonald's = Closed 3 movies in the mall closed and got demolished. Their Sears and Carson's did closed together in 2013. JCPenney & Macy's (Former Marshall Fields) is still hanging in there. I'm not sure how long. The mall area in Calumet City ain't the nicest area anymore. Just go there during the day. There's are few stores but they are mostly shoe stores at River Oaks Mall. Foot Locker employees are pretty cool, and chill. FYE got few good music selection. Make sure you have your windows up and lock your doors. I do come there once the while. I had seen fights. Never heard gun shot there yet. This mall is good for getting on Pace Suburban Bus if you don't drive. I rather make a trip to Orland Square Mall. I do get picked up by Pace Suburban Bus Route 364 at River Oaks Mall to go to Orland Square Mall. This mall ain't really the same anymore. read more

River Oaks, as most of us in the Hammond/East Chicago area know, is a ghetto little establishment that will definitely let you get what you need. Ever since the death of Woodmar, River Oaks has become the last real refuge for NW Indiana shoppers who want a mall's variety without going all the way out to Southlake. River Oaks is a decently-sized mall, but only contains one floor of shopping compared to Southlake's two. Stores mainly focus around hip-hop clothing with the occasional item to break the ice, like Lane Bryant and Limited. The anchor stores are, for the most part, what you would expect if you went to a freestanding location. Mall security is exactly like they are portrayed in the movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop, right down to the uniforms and Segways. There are even a few freakish people rounding out the force, including one person who always had the appearance of a poofy-haired clown. The food court is typical mall stuff: overpriced and not really worth it. They DID just recently put in a Harold's Chicken, however, mostly to suit the preference of the mall's major clientele (but I love the stuff too, so I'm not knocking it at all). One interesting item to note, however, is that this mall is not at all well suited to the less hip-hop cultural archetypes; rarely, if ever, will you see a pack of goths or nerds or even grunge kids in this mall. As an indiefag myself, it's kind of discomforting to walk around a mall and see NOBODY that you can clique up with. As such, most of my jaunts to this mall are in-and-out jobs, mostly so my girlfriend can check out the stuff at Claire's. I have never been to the movie theaters at River Oaks Mall, since I don't really go see movies anyway (I'm more of a downloader). As such, my review and rating in no way took them into account. To sum up what I've said: River Oaks is a pretty average mall, especially when you take into consideration malls in Chicago and even Southlake Mall here in Indiana. The mall does nothing to put itself above and beyond what you would expect a mall to do. The shopping options are limited unless you're a rapper or a rapper's girlfriend or a basketball player, in which case this place has your number. read more

Living in East(ish) Oakland (California), I know what life is like when the nearest mall is unreliable. Near me there's the 75% empty Bayfair mall and the unexciting Southland Mall. River Oaks is no Old Orchard or Water Tower Place - but what it is is a reliable mall. Yes - it is a bit....ghetto. Yes - there are lots of athletic shoe stores. Yes - you could buy some hoochie mama gear here. But theres also a Limited and a Macys and an Express and a Steve and Barry's. Would I go out of my way to go here - no. But I can only wish that Bayfair would be this good. read more

It could be worse I guess. If you need just really basic clothing and have nothing to do and don't want to drive to Southlake, River Oaks will do. I don't really like any of the stores but occasionally I can find something cute at one of the knock off outlets or something interesting in the FYE. The food there is... Kinda gross honestly. The pizza I had there last time was stale and not good. If you are from the area and haven't been to this store in the past decade, I would highly recommend you don't come by. I remember when this place had big brand stores and food outlets like McDonald's and there were lots and lots of people. It was one of my favourite places to go as a kid, I had so much fun at this mall. It isn't what it used to be. Some days it's kinda busy but mostly it's very empty and the people that do walk around there look like criminals, I always feel kind of tense when I go there. Most people in my age group talk about how they've seen fights go on there and I know there was a shooting in the parking lot awhile back so I never go there when it's dark and I never go without my boyfriend. Very sad to see what this mall has become. read more

I like this mall because of the hip hop stores. Great place to find gear, and not a place for the white conservatives unless they spend time in JC Penny and Sears. Mostly the African American high schoolers go here for shool clothes or to hangout with their friends or to get pregnant. It's not a fancy mall...wait what mall is fancy? I got a pair of baby phat jeans that were $70 for $49 and a free baby phat top...why hate on that! read more

Don't waste your time unless you need to visit one of the "anchor stores" like Sears, Carson's, Macy's and JCPennys. This is not a place to "hang out" or relax. Just go for what you need and leave. *You couldn't pay me to visit the theaters there. make the drive out to Showplace instead. read more

i found it very confusing and i couldn't find the bathrooms. various halls barely have any lighting and no seating, but i saw people sitting aside the plants so i sat down too. turns out they were smoking at the spot so that was unpleasant, the whole mall smelled like weed, place really needs a tune up read more

I purchase eyewear from River Oaks Shopping Mall in Calumet City at Vision Works. Nice place; but the Mall there has really gotten worn down. My last visit there I couldn't stand. Filthy inside. Trash outside. It seems like a hangout rather than a Mall to shop. Some of the stores; especially JC Penney, looks like they are in need of serious renovation. I'm considering going to another Vision Works location next time. And across Torrence Avenue where Marshalls, and Ross are; is no better. Trash everywhere, as though no one picks up garbage. The owners of those Mall's apparently haven't been to them awhile. read more

I hated the services I got from Urmi Salon. They were TERRIBLE. They half assed my eyebrows, didn't have the lashes I needed and were completely rude. They have no type of scheduling system either. I will not be going back. read more

I really hate this mall because of what it was become. Its been a process that has gone on for the past 10 years. Removing of stores, food court options and then the brands that the department store sells is all together a HUGE let down. Also, the customer service in most stores is HORRIBLE. Stores like Champs wont take "No" for an answer, they'll keep tyring to sell you things. There is alos ery little variety among the shoe stores, the are too many urban clothign stores that all sell the same brands and same styles. Mall security isnt that great either. I used to work at River Oaks, from 05-08. The shooting's, Fight's and conuterfit money issues took forever to get a response. If you like urban brands, styles that are the same through out the mall and having few option for a quick bite, then River Oaks is the place to go! I used to only go for quick clothign needs because its about 10 minutes away form my house. However now I plan my shopping days and take the 45-60 minute drive to Woodfield or Oak Brook. Better stores, selections and price ranges for everyone! read more

May 19, 2012 from 7pm to 10pm - Hammond Civic Center Myspotlightonline PRESENTS Rock the Block Spring Jam OMG GIRLZ AND LIL CHUCKEE and Surprise Special Guest Performances!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the Hammond civic center 5825 Sohl ave,Hammond,IN... read more

It doesn't have a lot of the stores I like. It used to, but they have slowly been phased out. If you are looking for good clothing stores for men who care what they look like, go elsewhere. read more

If you are going to one of the bigger stores (i.e. Macys) it's okay but it has the worst low budget food court that I have ever seen in a mall. I felt like I was buying food from flea market vendors. This mall is dead. At least it seemed that way when I was there. It reminded me of Evergreen Park mall ten years ago. I gave it two stars because if you stick to the stores that you know and don't like crowds, it may be okay. My car was hit and damaged when I was inside so I will never be returning. read more

This mall is an disgrace to Calumet city. No really I can't even believe mayor Michelle even allow such a place to exist. There are nothing but urban clothing stores with a lot less variety in the mall should have, The food court is pretty deserted majority of the time, and Sears and the movies theater is shut down. The FYE store had to pretty much cut half the store in half...Very creepy in the back of the store. The security guards are always texting on their phone. Look what has become of this area. Once a place booming with people and variety is now gone. What happen here? Honestly you don't need to see far what's going to happen to River Oaks Mall in the next 5 years. Simon Malls is going to abandon his place leaving a big empty lot. If you're looking for any variety or uniqueness to your shopping experience that you're better off going to Orland Park Mall. At lease there you will see vibrancy and life then this mall. In which you don't see none in River Oaks. Don't be fooled by the 5 star reviews this place is a joke. Update 8/2015: Surprise Surprise! More stores left the mall with pretty much 1/3 of the mall dead near where the old Sears once was. You know this is not just an angry review to River oaks. It's heartbreaking to know that this mall could do a lot better. They have the potential to get it back up to par but for whatever reason refuse to do so. And it's not just River Oaks Mall, it's the whole area in general. Stores are leaving River oaks area in droves driving their business to Highland IN, Orland Park, and Country Club Hills while leaving this place with an ugly empty stores. If River Oaks become one of the showcase of this city more variety in businesses and consumers shopping will flourish. But I don't see that happening and one day this whole shopping center will be gone. read more

I've been calling the River Oaks Mall since yesterday morning and still haven't gotten an answer. I called management to let them know and they're not answering either. Must be either out of business or don't care if they get any. read more

Shae Mitchell salon, I haven't been to a beauty shop in decades. I went there a few days before Christmas to get my hair done & when I walk in her salon, I was so amaze how it look. It was really fit for a Queen! Very warm Pleasant atmosphere, the colors are vibrate. The stylus's was so nice all all the clients walk out of there very happy and beautiful. They even have an makeup artist on staff. They offer complimentary breakfast and because of the holiday they had food which was very nice and the offer to the clients. I will be back. read more

When I lived in Lynwood, back in 07, I would catch the 358 Pace bus to transfer at River Oaks to the 364 to get to South Suburban College. In the early morning, I would walk around the mall, hardly saw anything interesting. In the afternoon, I would go to the Villa Pizza in the food court for those scrumptious, irresistible garlic parmesan bread rolls. I hated coming inside this place then, and I'll never go inside it nowadays until it improves. One day when I was coming from VP with a huge stash of bread rolls, I heard a lady at a jewelry kiosk scream "SECURITY!" A man may have done something illegal because I passed them by on the way out and he was at th kiosk acting as if he was interested in the jewelry she had. I never heard the word Security shouted in a mall before, and may never hear it again, but that was enough to put me out with this place. Because I like to shop and browse, this place doesn't have the stores I like. All that would draw me to this place is Aeropostale, Bath&Body Works, Body Shop, Claires, Villa Pizza, and Body Central. I can go to Orland Square, Gurnee Mills, Chicago Ridge, Woodfield, Harlem-Irving, or Lincolnwood TowneCenter, or somewhere else interesting, non-ghetto, and safe to find these stores. Freak this place! read more

I agree with many of the reviews..ok maybe this place isn't the death of you..however I can almost assure you that when you walk in this place you are bound to run into someone that you would just like to slap the living hell out of, or slap sense into for that matter. I've been going to this mall since it was outdoor...it's when they revamped the place is when things started going downhill..I wonder why? Sure I'll shamefully admit that I still will come here for last min crap if I don't have time to head out anywhere else..but typical teenage hangout spot it pretty much is..so sometimes bypassing this place to go out to Merrilville or the Hip doesn't really relieve me of that problem. It's not just here, but any mall in general..which is why I hardly ever step foot into a mall much anymore, no matter where it is..weather you go to River Oaks, The Hip, Southlake, Golf Mill, Orland Square, Michigan City Outlets, Woodfield and so on, you are going to have annoying teenagers, a family of 20 and their 85 children on leashes, (or not and trip you or get in your way) ghetto people, rich people, rich teenagers with daddys credit card in the Abercrombie store, tall people, short people, polka dot people..they are all not normal and we will always find a problem in any mall so River Oaks pretty much blends in with the rest of em... Do I prefer to go here? No..Do I always find what I need? Actually ya...(however River Oaks, cmon and put some good clothing stores up..) Macy's you guys need to get rid of all brands you carry and replace them with something classy, your macy's for god sake, no athletic department and no Guess dept? Wtf! Oh and they took away Cinnabon.. not cool! :( Oh and someone needs to teach the Mac girls at Macy's how to do makeup..I'm not sure if it's them or the lighting in there (a bit too dark for the makeup dept..they send me home with an orange face, the girls at Macy's downtown found me the perfect makeup..and Nordstrom too..why do these girls not make the suggestions the other Mac girls at other stores did? My last complaint about customer service in ALL stores in River Oaks..TEACH THEM CUSTOMER SERVICE PLEASE! I've worked retail for years, greet people when they come in, and for god sake, say thank you, have a good day, enjoy your night..something! I'm so sick of the huffing and puffing and annoyance that comes from their voices..don't effing work then..be happy you even have a job, there are people out there that will do your job if you don't want too..lazy ass people! (oops except for the guys in Footlocker..they were cool as hell, and funny :) read more

I really never liked River Oaks Mall. It's less than 5 min from my house and I rather drive an extra 20-30 min. to get to another mall like the mall in Orland. The reason I dislike this mall is because it hasn't upgraded anything in the mall. It's been the same old boring mall since I was in high school years ago. Also there is someone always harassing you to get you to buy something like a cellphone, bottle of cologne, etc. And the staff in majority of the stores always have attitudes. They must not like they job. Overall its a horrible mall experience. read more

This mall is the closest to my house, however going in is very rare. I go into other stores around like Target and Old Navy, but the mall never seems like a part of my plan. About eight years ago the mall had many movie theaters and stores that I would like to go in, I mean yeah it has Aero and Bath and Body Works, but that is about it. The last time I was in the mall was to upgrade my cell phone and even that was an adventure. But the one thing that I always do when I am at the mall is buy a pretzel from Auntie Anne's. They are the best and I get really excited when I visit the mall because that equals pretzel time. Over time, I've seen this mall go from bad to worse and feel that it is only going to get worse. The theaters have closed and seriously they even closed Walden's. How can you have a mall without a book store? The new stores that they have put in only cater so a certain crowd, but that doesn't even draw in a crowd. Most of the time when I go in it is empty. Now when I go to the mall I usually go to Southlake. It is cleaner and their are many more stores that i would go in. read more

I have no stars for this mall, Retailers be aware mall management is playing the game with tenant they are threatening tenants behave rudely as if they are paying you a salary. and security hit my child and when I complain security director told me he will collect witness that my child was running here and there. some security is not healthy enough. They are authorized to hit any one's child by running them over. If you love your children then don't let them run here and there in mall security can run over the child. If they run here and there. They will get you witness for this incidence that your child must not run around. read more

This used to be the mall to go to. When my parents first moved out this way I remember Dixie Mall was still around but then when that close it was River Oaks. You had Sears you had Carson's you had quite a few stores. Now some of the stores have gone out of business all over but it used to be a place that was vibrant. There used to be McDonald's there and you know when a McDonald's leaves you know there's something wrong. when Sears close that was bad enough but then they blocked off that section where Sears was. Now the stores that are there except for Penney's and Macy's is more geared to teens and twenty-somethings more than any other age group. The food court has dwindled down to only 3 restaurants none of which are chains except for wetzel's pretzels. They are trying to get more stores in but the area is not vibrant anymore. unfortunately I cannot find things I want there except at Macy's at times and at Penney's at times but in most cases I have to go to Orland Square Mall or to Chicago Ridge Mall. I hope they do something to bring River Oaks back too as close to its former glory. read more

The beginning of the end was the addition of the roof, and enclosing of the mall. That brought the influx of cheap looking shady, yet overpriced kiosks. Anyone that can screen print a t-shirt can have a kiosk now.. forget about legally licensed merchandise. A lot of it looks like leftovers from a carnival or flea market. A food court with a few passable merchants brought about the closing of the mall's actual restaraunts..ie.. the casual, yet classy Tavern in the Oaks! (even if they brought back my pre-roof Magic Pan.. I wouldn't go!) Even McDonalds is gone. When McDonalds leaves your mall, that's bad. The main theatre building closed, and all theatre's were moved inside the mall.. since there was room from all the closed businesses. But even those are gone, probably due to increasingly disrespectful clientelle. So why go? Well there's Macy's, Penny's, Carson's, and Sears (but who shops at Sears anymore?). The west mall has Target, and a dirty Best Buy. And using the backroads helps you avoid heavy traffic on Torrence and 159th St. Warning: The Landings Shopping Center down the street is no haven either! If you know exactly what you need, and you know that the merchant in the mall has it in stock.. then find the closest parking space.. and get in and out. Unless you need some Roca wear, Air Jordans, some minutes for your pre-paid phone, or a Rolex knockoff from a vendor that might not be there next week..... read more