In 1999, Hills became Ames shortly after Ames acquired the Hills chain. Two anchor stores closed in 1999 however: Steinbach and Service Merchandise. Then Ames went out of business in 2002.  In that period, the mall had 3 vacant anchor stores. That same year CVS closed down and Toys'r'us closed and that space was leased to Borders Books which opened in summer 2002. Waldenbooks closed due to that opening. Old Navy opened a store in that period.

The mall started to see better days when new stores finally came in to replaced the large vacated spots.  Dick's Sporting Goods replaced Steinbach in 2003. Gander Mountain replaced Service Merchandise in 2004-2005. Rex appliances closed in 2005 but a 20,000 sf. Best Buy opened in that space in February 2006. In 2008, the vacant Ames store was demolished to clear the way for a new 126,842 sq.ft. Target store that opened in 2009.