Southgate Plaza started as an L-shaped shopping center anchored by Giant which opened in August 1972. Rich's replaced Giant as discount store anchor of the plaza in 1974. For several years, the plaza was anchored by Rich's, Shaw's supermarket, Brooks pharmacy, a dollar store and a few small stores. Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Granite Bank were located on pad sites of the property by US Route 1. 

Rich's went out of business in 1996. A large Walmart store had been built near the plaza at that time. Big Lots opened in part of the former Rich's. Pizza Hut was eventually replaced by a Ninety-Nine Restaurant. Brooks Pharmacy moved out to a new location at the Marshalls Mall. 

In 2008, both Family Dollar and Shaw's closed. There were rumors about Shaw’s opening a new store at the former Yoken's site while other rumors said that Water Country would like to expand using the adjacent Southgate Plaza property. 

Late in 2008, a plan was proposed for a 25,500-sq.-ft. addition, a 27,350-sq.-ft stand-alone retail building and to demolish 155 sq.-ft of an existing building on the site. Property upgrades were started including a refreshed look for the entire plaza, a new Big Lots logo and new stores proposed. McKinnon's Market & Super Butcher shop opened in 2011 in the former Shaw's space.