replacing lawn with a low growing juniper,1-2 inch, that we saw growing in a shopping center bed. It's so soft one could walk on. Local nurseries not familiar with.

Creeping juniper or Juniperus horizontalis. There are many varieties ranging from greyish to bluish to green to yellow green to variegated colors.

Here is a link to our database of Juniperus horizontalis.
http://garden.org/plants/searc...

Here's an example.
A list of possibilities. http://garden.org/plants/searc...

I used the Blue Rug Juniper/Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' on a bank so I wouldn't have to mow. It was not very soft and walking on it could be rather tricky, so probably one of the other types. Have you considered contacting the shopping center management office to ask the name of their landscape designers? Worth a shot.

Have you looked at Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'?
Also look at Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii Viridis

One place I look to get ideas for low-growing plants, especially to add some color, is this site [I have not ordered from them; I only read the info to get ideas. ]:
http://www.stepables.com

Welcome to ATP, Giasmom!
A photo would greatly help to identify the juniper. Also, I don't know where you live; that might help as well.

Hi & welcome!

Could it have been a Selaginella? (Club moss, Irish moss?)

Or this plant?
Rustweed (Polypremum procumbens)