Lincoln Square Mall, established in 1964 in the heart of downtown Urbana, is a vibrant community hub just blocks from the University of Illinois campus. This historic mall, home to the Urbana-Lincoln Hotel (now Hotel Royer), offers a diverse array of dining, shopping, and business opportunities, with ample parking available. While some visitors feel the mall could benefit from additional amenities like water fountains, benches, or events to enliven the atmosphere, others appreciate the mall's strong community focus, featuring locally-owned shops and artisanal talents. The mall's center court is praised for its aesthetics, and popular destinations include the Idea Store, Urbana Acupuncture, Baldoratta's, and the Art Coop and International Galleries. Though some areas may feel a bit quiet at times, Lincoln Square Mall continues to build on its rich history and move towards an even brighter future.
weekend community market center groceries, foods, arts, flowers, handmade stuff, food-truck and so on.. 🌻
September 2025
This place feels downright abandoned most days. So many empty storefronts. What's still around is definitely worth your time, though. Here's hoping the landlord sells this place to the city so lease prices can finally go down.
September 2025
If you are a local creative you have to visit this place. The art coop, the idea store, the thrift stores, THE FARMERS MARKET?!?! It's all fantastic and I love the nostalgia I feel when there because I have been going there my entire life.
