List of shopping malls in New Jersey

Shopping malls in New Jersey have played a major role in shaping the suburban landscape of the state following World War II.

History

Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus

New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the United States, and in the suburban sphere of influence of both New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a comparatively large number of notable malls throughout the state. Paramus, in Bergen County, is one of the largest shopping meccas in the country, with its four major shopping malls accounting for a significant proportion of the over $5 billion in annual retail sales generated in the borough, more than any other ZIP Code in the United States.[1] This high level of retail sales persists despite the fact that the County, in general, and the Borough, in particular, have blue laws that force the malls and other retailers to close on Sunday.

Garden State Plaza was the state's first shopping mall. It opened in three stages between May 1957 and August 1960 and was fully enclosed in 1983. The shopping complex is now known as Westfield Garden State Plaza. The Garden State's second mall-type shopping venue, Bergen Mall (now known as Outlets at Bergen Town Center), was built in Paramus and Maywood and was officially dedicated on November 14, 1957, with great fanfare, as Dave Garroway, host of The Today Show served as master of ceremonies.[2]

The Bergen Mall, which was fully enclosed in 1973, was first planned in 1955 by Allied Stores to have 100 stores and 8,600 parking spaces in a 1.5 million square feet (140×10³ m²) mall that would include a 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m²) Stern's store and two other 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m²) department stores as part of the initial design. Allied's chairman B. Earl Puckett confidently announced The Bergen Mall as the largest of ten proposed centers, stating that there were 25 cities that could support such centers and that no more than 50 malls of this type would ever be built nationwide.[3][4]

Cherry Hill Mall, was the first large indoor shopping center on the East Coast of the United States and attracted busloads of visitors soon after its opening in October 1961. (The Southdale Shopping Center in Edina, Minnesota, was the very first enclosed mall, beating Cherry Hill to the honor by five years). The popularity of the mall as a destination is often cited as one of the factors that led the mall's host municipality to change its name from Delaware Township, to its current name of Cherry Hill Township.[5]

Despite an early refusal to temporarily close other New Jersey shopping malls during the COVID-19 pandemic,[6] New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy eventually agreed to do so on March 17, 2020.[7] This came one day after the Jersey Gardens closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop closed Jersey City's two major shopping malls Newport Centre and Hudson Mall.[6]

Role as public square

Freehold Raceway Mall

With the shift in shopping from publicly owned Main Streets to privately held shopping malls, the question of access to malls, and their shoppers, as a public forum has been an issue raised nationwide. This issue has become particularly relevant in New Jersey, where malls in both suburban and exurban areas have largely supplanted local downtown districts as shopping destinations, depriving individuals and organizations of a public location to reach out to neighbors for distribution of fliers and other forms of expression. While different conclusions have been reached elsewhere, New Jersey's approach has been one of the most expansive in providing groups with access to malls as a public forum, despite their private ownership.

The Bergen Mall was the target of a lawsuit by nuclear-freeze advocates who challenged the malls restrictions on distribution of literature to shoppers. On October 12, 1984, Bergen County Superior Court judge Paul R. Huot ruled that the organization should be allowed to distribute literature anywhere and anytime in a shopping mall, noting that "The Bergen Mall has assumed the features and characteristics of the traditional town center for the citizens who reside in Paramus and surrounding Bergen County towns."[8]

The New Jersey Supreme Court has been at the forefront in providing access to malls as a public forum under the New Jersey State Constitution's free-speech protections, requiring private owners of shopping malls to allow use as a forum by individuals and groups. In New Jersey Coalition Against War in the Middle East v. JMB Realty Corp. (1994), the Court ruled that because the mall owners "have intentionally transformed their property into a public square or market, a public gathering place, a downtown business district, a community," they cannot later deny their own implied invitation to use the space as it was clearly intended.[9] Despite the broad powers granted to those seeking to use these facilities as public forums, mall owners retain the right to establish regulations regulating the time, place and manner of exercising of freedom of speech rights on their properties.[10]

Role as performance venue

In their role as a public forum, malls have also developed a role as a public performance venue, as an addition to theaters, arenas and stadiums. Singer Tiffany was one of the pioneers in this innovative use of malls, using the mall tour as a stepping stone to stardom. The first performance on Tiffany's mall tour — "The Beautiful You: Celebrating The Good Life Shopping Mall Tour '87" — took place on June 23, 1987 at The Bergen Mall (now known as Outlets at Bergen Town Center) in Paramus. The tour was sponsored by major advertisers Toyota, Clairol, and Adidas.[11] While perhaps not the first singer to do so, Tiffany established the shopping mall as a location for public performances. Britney Spears' Hair Zone Mall Tour built on Tiffany's use of the mall as a medium to reach fans. Currently, the New Jersey Youth Symphony plays annually in the Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall. This performance is known as the Playathon and occurs in March.

List of enclosed malls

The following is a sortable list of shopping malls in the state of New Jersey:

Mall	City	Retail space Square feet (ft²)	Stores	Anchor stores/entertainment venues	Year opened	Ownership
Playground Pier	Atlantic City	320,788	10		1906	C-III Capital Partners
The Quarter at Tropicana	Atlantic City	200,000	40+		2004	Tropicana Entertainment
Bridgewater Commons	Bridgewater	1,002,532[12]	170	Macy's, Bloomingdale's, AMC Theatres, Lord & Taylor (closing 2021)	1988	Brookfield Properties
Cherry Hill Mall	Cherry Hill	1,283,000	160	Macy's, Nordstrom, JCPenney	1961	PREIT
Deptford Mall	Deptford	1,069,657	154	Macy's, JCPenney, Boscov's	1975	Macerich
Brunswick Square	East Brunswick	760,998	60+	Macy's, JCPenney	1970	Washington Prime Group
American Dream Meadowlands	East Rutherford	3,000,000	450+	Nickelodeon Universe, DreamWorks Water Park, Big Snow American Dream	2019	Triple Five Group
Monmouth Mall	Eatontown	1,500,000	150	Macy's, JCPenney, Boscov's	1960	Brookfield Properties
Menlo Park Mall	Edison	1,232,000	167	Macy's, Nordstrom, AMC Theatresm Barnes & Noble	1959	Simon Property Group
The Mills at Jersey Gardens	Elizabeth	1,292,611	230	Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Bed Bath & Beyond, AMC Theatres, Burlington Coat Factory, VF Outlet, Marshalls, Forever 21	1999	Simon Property Group
Freehold Raceway Mall	Freehold	1,671,000	237	Macy's, JCPenney, Primark, L.L. Bean, Lord & Taylor (closing 2021)	1990	Macerich
The Shops at Riverside	Hackensack	637,963	66	Bloomingdale's, AMC Theatres, Barnes and Noble	1977	Simon Property Group
Hudson Mall	Jersey City	377,090	40	Big Lots, Marshalls, Staples, Old Navy, Asian Food Market, Chuck E. Cheese, Retro Fitness		Urban Edge Properties
Newport Centre	Jersey City	1,149,147	131	Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's, Sears	1987	LeFrak Organization & Simon Property Group
Quaker Bridge Mall	Lawrence Township	1,102,000	116	Macy's, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor (closing 2021)	1975	Simon Property Group
Livingston Mall	Livingston	980,000	109	Macy's, Barnes & Noble	1972	Simon Property Group
Hamilton Mall	Mays Landing	1,028,500	115	Macy's, Shoppers World, Forever 21, H&M	1987
Moorestown Mall	Moorestown	1,046,100	90+	Boscov's, HomeSense, Michaels, Planet Fitness, Sierra Trading Post	1963	PREIT
Center City Mall	Paterson	320,000		Marshalls, Modells, PriceRite, Fabian 8 Cinema	2008	City of Paterson
The Outlets at Bergen Town Center	Paramus	1,011,575	100	Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Nordstrom Rack, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Target (Coming Soon), Whole Foods	1957	Urban Edge Properties
Garden State Plaza	Paramus	2,132,112	335	Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, AMC Theatres, Lord & Taylor (closing 2021)	1957	Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Paramus Park	Paramus	764,996	107	Macy's, Stew Leonard's	1974	Brookfield Properties
MarketFair Mall	Princeton	245,947	47	AMC Theatres, Barnes & Noble	1987	Madison Marquette
Rockaway Townsquare	Rockaway Township	1,250,000	152	Macy's, JCPenney, Raymour & Flanigan	1977	Simon Property Group
The Mall at Short Hills	Short Hills	1,342,000	160+	Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus	1961	Taubman Centers
Ocean County Mall	Toms River	791,125	105	Macy's, JCPenney, Boscov's	1976	Simon Property Group
Cumberland Mall	Vineland	921,593		Boscov's, Burlington Coat Factory, Dick's Sporting Goods	1973	PREIT
Voorhees Town Center	Voorhees	732,000	50+	Boscov's	1970	Mason Asset Management and Namdar Realty Group
Willowbrook Mall	Wayne	1,514,000	165	Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Dave & Buster's, Lord & Taylor (closing 2021)	1969	Brookfield Properties
Woodbridge Center	Woodbridge	1,633,000	200	Macy's, JCPenney, Boscov's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dave & Buster's	1971	Brookfield Properties

List of outdoor malls

Mall	Location	Gross leasable area (in sq ft)	Notes
The Village at Bridgewater Commons	Bridgewater	94,000	A small lifestyle center anchored by Maggiano's Little Italy and Crate & Barrel, and contains 12 other stores including 1000 Degrees Pizzeria,Yong Kang Street, LOFT, Banana Republic, Charles Schwab, etc. The Village opened in 2005 as part of Bridgewater Commons' extensive renovation including a new Marriott Hotel, two new office buildings which are now mostly occupied by Brother Industries and Sanofi, and an extensive Food Court remodel including new restaurants, new seating, renovated eateries, and the removal of openings to the second floor.
Bridgewater Promenade	Bridgewater	370,545	[13]
Bridgewater Towne Centre	Bridgewater	460,000
The Shoppes at Cinnaminson	Cinnaminson	301,311	Cinnaminson Mall (1972) was a mini-mall with a Woolco and a twin cinema. The new shopping complex redeveloped by Centro Properties Group, offers opportunities for various sized retailers in diverse categories for both in-line space and outparcels. During the redevelopment of the Cinnaminson Mall into The Shoppes at Cinnaminson, all existing buildings have were demolished and a new ground up Shop-Rite supermarket anchored community shopping center was built on 40 acres (160,000 m^2).
Flemington Marketplace	Flemington	239,081	Formerly known as Flemington Mall.
Forrestal Village	Plainsboro	720,000	Dying open-air mall.
Garwood Mall	Garwood	87,500	[14] Stores include Investors Savings, Union County Healthcare, Crunch Fitness, Gamestop, Kings Dry Cleaners, RadioShack, Pet Valu, AutoZone, Rudy's Restaurant, Jumbo Wash, GNC and Kings.
ITC Crossing South	Flanders	508,066	Walmart, Lowe's, PetSmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx Michaels, and Old Navy as anchors.
The Shops at Ledgewood Commons	Ledgewood	518,246	[15]
The Mall at Mill Creek	Secaucus	400,000[16]
The Mall at Wild Geese	Manalapan	21,474	[17] Plaza stores include Dunkin' Donuts, Fantastic Sams, Phil-Asia, Hi Tek Nails, Italian Villa, Edible Arrangements, & Farmers Market
Manalapan EpiCentre	Manalapan	460,000	Formerly known as Manalapan mall. Converted to power center in 2002.
The Marketplace At Brick	Brick	334,333	Current stores open include Costco, Christmas Tree Shops, Harmon FaceValues, Dick's Sporting Goods, Staples, City Nails and Spa, Hair Cuttery, Turning Point Café, Petco, Tommy's Coal Fired Pizza, Qdoba Mexican Grill, American Automobile Association, Chase Bank, and Houlihan's.
Mercer Mall	Lawrence Township	527,000
Middlesex Mall	South Plainfield	320,000	[18]
Roxbury Mall	Succasunna	706,000	[19] Former partially enclosed mall (the enclosed mall part closed and became The Home Depot.)
Streets of Chester	Chester Borough	104,682
Nassau Park Pavilion	Princeton	1,117,098	[20]
Princeton Shopping Center	Princeton	225,000	[21]
The Promenade at Sagemore	Evesham	272,000	[22]
Seacourt Pavilion	Toms River	253,000	[23]
Troy Hills Plaza	Parsippany-Troy Hills	211,000	[24]
Wharton Mall	Wharton	45,500	[25] Plaza stores included Wharton Farm Market, Fortune Buffet, Walgreens, United States Postal Service, Lakeland Bank, time out bar, Frank's Laundromat, and La Forchetta
Willingboro Town Center	Willingboro	29,246	[26][27]Open-air shopping center Formerly known as Willingboro Plaza. Plaza stores included Sears, Pomeroy's, Woolworth, Walgreens, Food Fair, Fox theater, Cutler Camera, Baker's Shoes, Radio Shack, Ricardo's Pizza, and Burlington County College Center II.

Largest malls

The largest malls in New Jersey—those with at least 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m²) of Gross Leasable Area (GLA) and ranked in descending order by size—are:

1. American Dream Meadowlands – 3,000,000 sq ft (280,000 m²)
2. Westfield Garden State Plaza – 2,292,611 sq ft (212,990.5 m²)
3. Freehold Raceway Mall – 1,671,000 sq ft (155,200 m²)
4. Woodbridge Center – 1,633,000 sq ft (151,700 m²)
5. Willowbrook Mall – 1,514,000 sq ft (140,700 m²)
6. Monmouth Mall – 1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m²)
7. The Mall At Short Hills – 1,340,000 sq ft (124,000 m²)
8. The Mills at Jersey Gardens – 1,304,326 sq ft (121,175.9 m²)
9. Rockaway Townsquare – 1,249,000 sq ft (116,000 m²)
10. Cherry Hill Mall – 1,248,347 sq ft (115,975.2 m²)
11. Menlo Park Mall – 1,232,000 sq ft (114,500 m²)
12. Newport Centre – 1,149,147 sq ft (106,759.2 m²)
13. Quaker Bridge Mall – 1,102,000 sq ft (102,400 m²)
14. Deptford Mall – 1,069,657 sq ft (99,374.4 m²)
15. Moorestown Mall – 1,046,100 sq ft (97,190 m²)
16. Hamilton Mall – 1,028,500 sq ft (95,550 m²)
17. The Outlets at Bergen Town Center – 1,011,575 sq ft (93,978.4 m²)
18. Bridgewater Commons – 1,002,532 sq ft (93,138.3 m²)

Largest outlet malls

1. Tanger Outlets The Walk – Atlantic City, New Jersey – Tanger Outlets – 1,292,611 sq ft (120,087.5 m²)[28]
2. Jersey Shore Premium Outlets – Tinton Falls, New Jersey – Simon Property Group – 434,428 sq ft (40,359.7 m²)[29]
3. Gloucester Premium Outlets – Blackwood, New Jersey – Simon Property Group – 369,686 sq ft (34,345.0 m²)[30]
4. Jackson Premium Outlets – Jackson, New Jersey – Simon Property Group – 285,696 sq ft (26,542.0 m²)[31]
5. Liberty Village Premium Outlets – Flemington, New Jersey – Namdar Realty Group – 164,836 sq ft (15,313.8 m²)[32]

Former shopping malls

The following shopping malls have been demolished or closed. Some have been replaced by new strip plazas or re-developed for non-retail uses:

Mall	Location	Gross leasable area (in sq ft)	Notes
American Way Mall	Fairfield		Outlet Mall.[33]
Fashion Center	Paramus	446,000	Former enclosed mall. Bergen Mall opened in 1967 as a traditional indoor shopping mall. The mall slowly underwent a "de-malling" process over a period of several years prior to 2009, which resulted in the former interior portion of the mall gradually taken over by other stores and eventually sealed off, with each store inside the center having its own outside entrances. It is now known as The Fashion Center and is one of the four malls located in Paramus.
Burlington Center Mall	Burlington Township	670,000	Former enclosed mall. Internal Stores defunct January 12, 2019, Sears closed September 2nd 2019[34] This mall Shut Down on January 12, 2018 except Sears, which shut down September 2, 2018[35]
Cedar Knolls Plaza	Hanover Township	258,524	Former enclosed mall. Formerly known as Morris County Mall. Under renovations in 2020 to become a strip mall called Hanover Crossroads.[36][37]
Cinnaminson Mall	Cinnaminson	301,311	Formed enclosed mall. Redeveloped into a power center called the Shoppes at Cinnaminson in 2009.[38][39]
Flemington Mall	Flemington	239,081	Formed enclosed mall. Redeveloped into a power center called Flemington MarketPlace in 2003.[40]
Hackettstown Mall	Hackettstown	186,124	Formed enclosed mall. Redeveloped as a power center at 215 Mountain Avenue in 2004.[41][42][43]
Shore Mall	Egg Harbor Township	635,000	Former enclosed mall. Redevelopped into a strip mall now called Harbor Square starting in 2010.[44] Currently anchored by Boscov's.
Kinnelon Mall	Butler	77,000	Supermarket Stop & Shop occupies a big chunk of the southern half of the structure, and Kinnelon Cinemas has a dedicated entrance on the northern part. The shopping plaza has one small hallway with under ten small businesses in the food and service industries. Became a small local indoor shopping center.
Ledgewood Mall	Ledgewood	518,246	Former enclosed mall. From its opening in 1972 until 2016, it was branded Ledgewood Mall. The realty company and developers involved in the proposed Shops at Ledgewood Commons, a 470,000-square-foot open-air mall on Route 10, are moving forward with plans to open in October 2020.[45]
Mall at Fashion Plaza	North Brunswick	429,379	Formed enclosed mall. Redeveloped as strip mall that is now called North Brunswick Plaza.[46]
Manalapan Mall	Mount Olive	460,000	Former enclosed mall. Converted to power center called Manalapan EpiCentre in 2002.
Phillipsburg Mall	Phillipsburg	536,000	Former enclosed mall. On December 23, 2019, the remaining tenants of Phillipsburg Mall received lease termination letters, telling them they have 30 days to vacate the mall.[23] As of January 24, 2020, there are only seven stores left in the mall, which include Kohl's, Black Rose Antiques, Sports Collectibles (closing February 15), Weight Watchers, Verizon Wireless, Phillipsburg Family Dental, and Bath and Body Works.[47]
Rio Mall	Rio Grande	180,000	Former enclosed mall. Plans revealed in 2019 for the site to be redevelopped as a new retail center called County Commons.[48][49][50]
Seaview Square Mall	Ocean Township	922,361	Former enclosed mall. Re-opened as a power center called Seaview Square Shopping Center in 2012. The Sears store closed in 2018.
Tri-Towne Mall	Marlton	460,000	Former enclosed mall. Currently abandoned.[51]
Village Mall	Willingboro	228,000	Village Mall was anchored by Acme Market, Woolco/Caldor, and a twin Eric Theater. Became Grand Marketplace, an indoor food/flea market.[52]
Wayne Hills Mall	Wayne	193,288	Former enclosed mall. Closed in 2010's. Demolition started in 2019 and the site will be transformed into a power center with a ShopRite supermarket.[53][54]
Wayne Towne Center	Wayne	679,985	Former enclosed mall. Located Next to Willowbrook Mall. De-malled and converted into a power center also called Wayne Towne Center in 2008.[55] Currently anchored by JCPenney, Nordstrom Rack, Dick's Sporting Goods, and AMC Theatres.

References

1. Paramus 07652 Archived 2008-05-17 at the Wayback Machine, GlobeSt. Retail, October 3, 2005.
2. "Shoppers Throng to Opening of Bergen Mall in Jersey". The New York Times. November 15, 1957. Retrieved 2007-06-07. The 106-acre Bergen Mall regional shopping center here will open Thursday morning. The center, at which Stern's will be the principal-store, is being built by the Allied Stores Corporation at a cost of $40,000,000.
3. "10 Shopping Centers Scheduled For Allied Stores Within 3 Years; Chain' s Chairman Gives Details of Biggest, 7 Miles From George Washington Span, Where Stern Will Open Branch by '57". The New York Times. 1955-01-13. p. 37. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
4. Bergen Mall's makeover approved, The Record (Bergen County), December 1, 2006.
5. Cherry Hill Township: About Us Archived 2010-05-05 at the Wayback Machine, accessed September 4, 2006.
6. https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/malls-staying-open-despite-restrictions-for-nj-businesses-during-coronavirus-outbreak.html
7. https://www.simon.com/mall/newport-centre/stream/information-updates-6162587
8. "Jersey Judge Orders Leaflet Distribution in Mall at Any Time". The New York Times. 1984-10-21. p. A49. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
9. assembly on private property, First Amendment Center, accessed August 10, 2006.
10. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: ACCESS TO PRIVATE PROPERTY, accessed August 10, 2006.
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12. "Retail Space for Lease in Bridgewater, NJ | Bridgewater Commons". www.brookfieldpropertiesretail.com. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
13. Bridgewater Promenade, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed December 25, 2006.
15. Ledgewood Mall Archived 2008-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed October 16, 2006.
16. Mill Creek Mall Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed September 21, 2006.
18. Middlesex Mall, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed December 25, 2006.
19. Roxbury Mall Archived 2007-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed October 16, 2006.
20. http://www.ddr.com/properties/A20296
21. http://www.princetonshoppingcenter.com/
22. The Promenade at Sagemore Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed September 21, 2006.
23. Seacourt Pavilion, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed September 21, 2006.
26. [http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/20/realestate/in-the-region-new-jersey-failed-shopping-plaza-becoming-a-town-center.html
33. https://nj1015.com/awesome-old-tv-ad-for-a-new-jersey-mall/
34. Burlington Center Mall Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed September 21, 2006.
35. "Burlington Center Mall in South Jersey closes down; A resurgence seems elusive - Philly". Philly.com. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
36. Cedar Knolls Plaza, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed April 23, 2008.
37. http://key-properties.com/news/first-openings-new-lease-signings-highlight-progress-at-hanover-crossroads-in-cedar-knolls-n-j/
44. Shore Mall, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed December 25, 2006.
47. Phillipsburg Mall, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed December 25, 2006.
52. https://www.maxspann.com/news/detail/after-years-in-limbo-south-jersey-indoor-flea-market-sells-for-5.7m
53. , Demolition Of Wayne Hills Mall Begins. Patch.com. Accessed October 26, 2018.
54. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/wayne/2019/02/18/wayne-hills-mall-demolition-underway/2906399002/