The mall development was announced in 1972 with participation by JCPenney, Sears, The Broadway and J. J. Newberry dime stores. By 1985, Toys "R" Us was added. It was the first Toys "R" Us to be located in a shopping mall. The mall was sold to Macerich in 1987, and to MacDonald Group only five months later. Although it was renovated in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the addition of public restrooms, Big 5 Sporting Goods, and a food court, it continued to have low traffic and vacancies. The Broadway closed its store in 1991. That same year, Carson city council approved a financing package that would allow IKEA to move into the space being vacated by The Broadway. Also, the mall was renamed Southbay Pavilion. Chuck E. Cheese's added in 1999. Toys "R" Us closed its store in 2002. Circuit City has no plan to open this door in the formerly occupied by Toys "R" Us in 2003. Target instead replaced Toys "R" Us. In May 2003, the mall was sold to Hopkins Real Estate of Newport Beach. Renovation plans began on the mall, including demolition of the IKEA/Toys "R" Us wing for a Target store, which opened in 2005. 24 Hour Fitness also opened on an outparcel. Other additions included Old Navy and a relocation of Big 5. Vintage Real Estate purchased the mall in 2009. In 2005, Chuck E. Cheese's made a remodel. In May 2013, it was confirmed that Cinemark would be opening a movie theater within the mall. As a result, Old Navy was relocated. Chuck E. Cheese's replaced the oldest Old Navy store in 2013, relocated from store nearby lot. In May 2015, the state-of-the-art 13 screens Cinemark Theatres officially opened its doors at SouthBay Pavilion. Following this great achievement, Kay Jewelers opened its doors in 2015 and Sephora opened in May 2016. In 2015, Sears Holdingsspun off 235 of its properties, including the Sears at SouthBay Pavilion, into Seritage Growth Properties. In June 2016, a press release was published by unveiling the further expansion for SouthBay Pavilion with Forever 21's F21RED which opened in early 2017. Sears closed in July 2017. Portions of the building are expected to become Ross Dress for Less, Sola Salons, Mothball, Gold's Gym, and Burlington, while the former auto center is expected to become Chipotle Mexican Grill, Smashburger, Jersey Mike's and Norms. A Chick-fil-A is also on the site. Payless Shoesource closed in early 2019. In Summer 2019, Burlington and Ross Dress For Less opened up their locations.
