Aroostook Centre Mall

The Aroostook Centre Mall is a shopping mall in Presque Isle, Maine, USA. It opened on November 1, 1993. Shortly after its opening, the U.S. government announced the closing of nearby Loring Air Force Base, the region's largest employer.

Aroostook Centre Mall
LocationPresque Isle, Maine
Coordinates46°42′00″N 68°00′22″W
Opening dateNovember 1, 1993
DeveloperWidewaters Group
OwnerKohan Retail Investment Group
No. of stores and services30+
No. of anchor tenants4 (1 open, 3 vacant)
Total retail floor area525,000 square feet (48,800 m2)
No. of floors1
Websitearoostookcentremall.com

The mall contains a J. C. Penney, the only remaining anchor store. Kmart closed in August 2016.[1][2] Former anchors Sears and Staples closed in early 2015. VIP Parts, Tires and Service moved into the Sears Automotive Center.[3][4] Staples had opened in 2004, taking part of an anchor space previously occupied by Porteous.[5] That Porteous store, closed in 2003, was the last in the chain.[6]

The 525,000-square-foot (48,800 m2) building is the third largest enclosed shopping mall in Maine. In June 2001, it was sold for $10 million (less than half of the appraised value) to brothers Eddie & Ralph Sitt of New York City.[7]

In August 2009, the Mall updated its energy technology by moving towards more efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.[8] Sears announced the closing of its Presque Isle store in late 2014.[9] Deb Shops closed in 2014, part of a nationwide liquidation. On January 19, 2015, the Maine Jump, a family entertainment center for children 12 and younger, closed, citing high rent and costs of doing business in the area. In early February 2015 the Mall added a new Coin and Hobby supply shop, Central Lakes Coin and Currency. As of 2017, the existing space where Sears used to be is being renovated for the retail store Harbor Freight Tools.[10] In October 2017, the Mall was scheduled to be auctioned off.[11] With no bidder found, Wells Fargo took over the mall for $4 million.[12]

References
  1. "Presque Isle Kmart to Close after 25 Years at Aroostook Mall". Q 96.1.
  2. "Presque Isle Kmart to close".
  3. "VIP expands in Presque Isle, fills mall vacancy".
  4. "Aroostook mall loses two more tenants".
  5. "Staples store coming to Presque Isle mall". Bangor Daily News. June 18, 2004. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  6. "Presque Isle Porteous store to close in October". Bangor Daily News. August 28, 2003. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  7. Rice, Rachel (October 31, 2003). "Aroostook Centre Mall marks 10th year". Bangor Daily News. p. A9. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  8. Lynds, Jen (August 7, 2009). "Aroostook Centre Mall getting 'green' makeover". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2014-10-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Harbor Freight Tools Coming To The Aroostook Centre Mall!". Q 96.1.
  11. Brino, Anthony (October 3, 2017). "Aroostook Centre Mall put on auction block". TheCounty.me. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  12. "With no other bidders, bank takes over Aroostook Centre Mall". The County. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
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