DURHAM — The rain punctuated the gloom and doom atmosphere atSouth Square MallWednesday, where word trickled out that the shopping center will close after the winter holidays in 2001.

The 790,000 square-foot mall has been a fixture in the community for years, but everything changed whenJ.C. PenneyandHudson Belkannounced they would be leaving South Square for the new Southpoint Mall, to open in 2001 about five miles away from South Square.

South Square officials say the remaining anchor store, Dillard's, is not enough to keep things going. They say most new stores would require a different type of configuration. They also say there is no developer currently interested in the space.

Shoppers are disappointed. "I think it's a shame. We've really enjoyed shopping here over the years," shopper Cindy Parham says.

She says she is surprised the mall is closing, given the auxiliary services, like Harris Teeter and a multi-plex movie theatre, that opened nearby.

South Square's owners say they might tear the mall down, they may try to re-invent it or they could convert it into office space.