New life for nearly empty shopping center in Spencer Police department, town offices, and private development coming to old Park Plaza New future for abandoned strip mall in Rowan County By David Whisenant | February 2, 2021 at 3:38 PM EST - Updated February 2 at 6:39 PM SPENCER, N.C. (WBTV) - A once bustling shopping center, now nearly abandoned, is getting a new lease on life. The Park Plaza in the town of Spencer was built during the glory days of the railroad industry but has struggled to attract and keep businesses for years. Now the town and another private party are taking it over, and they have big plans.