Anchored by Sears, JC Penney, Filene's, Dick's Sporting Goods and Best Buy. One of the smallest Best Buys I have ever been in. They took over less than half of the old Lord and Taylor store and Dick's took over such a small part of the store they had to leave the two esculators in the store that go up to the upper level of the garage. These truly are the esculators to nowhere as they appear to go to a second level of the store and one does not realize there is no second level until they reach the top and look out the window.
QuoteOriginally posted by dayville81
Anchored by Sears, JC Penney, Filene's, Dick's Sporting Goods and Best Buy. One of the smallest Best Buys I have ever been in. They took over less than half of the old Lord and Taylor store and Dick's took over such a small part of the store they had to leave the two esculators in the store that go up to the upper level of the garage. These truly are the esculators to nowhere as they appear to go to a second level of the store and one does not realize there is no second level until they reach the top and look out the window.
this mall was built in 1971 and the gla is currently 750000 squarefeet. best buy and dick's replaced lord and taylor in late 2003. disney store is in the mall. it is in meriden Connecticut off rt. 691
this article from says http://www.icsc.org/srch/front/9806260054.html
Barnes & Noble picks Meriden, Conn., mall for prototype store
Barnes and Noble has picked Meriden Square Mall, Meriden, Conn., to launch its prototype store, Ink, that will be devoted entirely to newspapers and magazines. The store, which in August is going into a closed B. Dalton bookstore site, will carry newspapers and magazines from around the world, J. Bruce Eagleson, Meriden Square?s general manager, told ICSCNET.
The 3,500-square-foot store will be followed by about three more by October, according to Leonard S. Riggio, CEO of Barnes & Noble Inc., in an interview he gave to Business Week. Mr. Riggio, an avid art collector, also told Business Week he is thinking about opening art stores that will sell everything from posters to original pieces.
Mr. Eagleton said the Ink store?s opening will coincide with the start of an expansion that will add 70,000-square-feet of GLA and a 90,000-square-foot Lord and Taylor to the 750,000-square-foot mall, which is owned by Westfield America Inc., Los Angeles.
I heard Meriden Square Mall used to be nothing more than JC Penney and about 12 stores, all enclosed. The mall went through a series of expansions to today's size. The mall benefits well since it is halfway between New Haven and Hartford. Not quite sure why they decided to put Lord and Taylor there because it was never busy and the store never had that much merchandise to begin with. Looks bad for a store to only have 50% of their square footage with merchandise and everything is spaced out. The Lord and Taylor at Providence had much more merchandise. But now both are closed and so is the entire chain.
There will be a Borders joining the mall soon. I recently did a (cut short) spread on Westfield Meriden (formerly Meriden Square), and you can see it on The Caldor Rainbow (click link below).
I found a directory of the Mall I wrote 2005 on it, but not the month. Lots has changed since then. Gone are Casual Corner and The Gap and Weathervane. Maybe even mre. Several Stores were moved because of the new Steve & Barry's. Etc, Etc, Etc. Several others closed and new ones opened. I will see if I go there this week to get a new directory.
The UCONN Huskies Gear Store is G.O.B. Sale starts tomorrow Saturday 1/20/07. 50% Off inventory.
Hmmm...
It's a terrible year for UConn -- even a store is GOB!! :)
JimS
Wasn't aware Meriden had fold-out directory maps. Actually I dont remember any Westfield center having these.
Went to Meriden Square tonight with my co-worker Jeff. Didn't get any pix cuz my stupid digital camera doesn't work. In the Food Court Panda Express closed down and is being replaced by a place called Wok Express and the spot that was once shared by KFC/Nathans/Arthur Treachers is still vacant. Out in the mall itself there were quite a few vacancies. Payless Shoes is moving to a new location. And the former Waldenbooks is a temporary H&R Block office. (Walden's closed in November when their sister company Borders opened a location in the mall). The Husky store is gone (less than a month after their G.O.B. sale started). The mall Directory of Stores sheet I picked up at the customer service desk is horribly out of date. Borders is still listed as Coming Soon. Steve & Barry's isn't listed. Macy's is stilll listed as Filenes.
Jeff and I went to the mall on Tuesday of this week. Wok Express is now open in the food court. Eblen's temporarily relocated to the second floor as their first floor location is being renovated. A new clothing store that appears to be geared towards the skaterboard crowd will be opening soon. It has an unusual name that I can't remember for the life of me. I think it begins with a "Z". We had lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. I enjoyed it, however for two meals and an appatizer plus tax and tip, I spent $40. (Jeff paid me for his meal).
Nick (XISMZERO) and I went to the Meirden Public Library to do research on The Meriden Square and Meriden Hub. We expected to find maybe one or two articles and on them, but we were pleasently surprised by what they had. Using his camera, Nick photographed lots of the newspaper articles and pictures. He'll be posting them later on this week.
Just a couple quick facts. The Meriden Square opened October 19, 1971. Original anchors were JC Penney and G. FOX. The mall was owned in part by May Shopping Center a division of the May Company that owned G FOX. (And later Caldor).
They made several additions and remodels over the years in the late 80s, 1993, and around 1998. 1993 is when they built Sears and The Food Court. 1998 is when they built Lord & Taylor (now divided between Dicks, Borders, and Best Buy). And in 1995 is they banned smoking. When the Meriden Square Sears opened in 1993 they closed down the ones in Middletown and Hamden,
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc82
Jeff and I went to the mall on Tuesday of this week. Wok Express is now open in the food court. Eblen's temporarily relocated to the second floor as their first floor location is being renovated. A new clothing store that appears to be geared towards the skaterboard crowd will be opening soon. It has an unusual name that I can't remember for the life of me. I think it begins with a "Z". We had lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. I enjoyed it, however for two meals and an appatizer plus tax and tip, I spent $40. (Jeff paid me for his meal).
That store you are trying to remember the name of -- would that be Zumiez? There is a store with that name in the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown, NY and they have skateboard stuff. :)
QuoteOriginally posted by mikey7290
That store you are trying to remember the name of -- would that be Zumiez? There is a store with that name in the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown, NY and they have skateboard stuff. :)
Could be. :bouncing:
Yeah, sounds like Zumiez to me too.
Does anyone know which store Total Home furniture replaced?
I loved the Country Carasel that was downstairs by the elevator. It was a cute gift store and one day I went to the mall and it was shut down, I was bummed.
My mom used to buy homemade fudge from Country Carousel. That mall right now is hurting. Lots of vacancies. The same can be said for Brass Mill in Waterbury too.
I still can't believe that CVS left the Meridan Sq, also friendlies is gone, don't know when they left but I noticed it last time I was there.
Country Carousel had the neatest things, got lots of gifts there. I also liked the gift store (and i can't remeber the name offhand) that also closed, they sold Yankee candles in the front and had a build a bear machine and also had a store on East main St in Meriden which also closed.
Friendly's closed down several years about. 03 or 04 if I recall. The gift store that was in the mall and that was also on East Main was New England House of Gifts I think.
Marc82, Thats the store, Wow friendlies has been gone that long, guess with the food court I didn't even realize.
My mom went to the mall last Saturday. She's not into the whole retail thing like I am. She didn't think I wanted to go so she didn't call me. She reports Steve & Barry's is having their GOB sale.
My mom dropped me off at the mall so I could go to Borders and she wanted to go return something she bought at Target across the street. Steve & Barry's is gone. Something called "Magic Carpet Toys" moved into the old CVS. KB was just about empty. Most of the store was taped off.
Went to the mall today with Jeff. Steve & Barry's is still vacant. KB Toys is still Vacant. One of the Verizon stores is still vacant. F&J Sports is going out of business. (They sold sports memorbilia). Magic Carpet Toys is still open in the CVS. The old Hallmark is still vacant. (They moved elsewhere in the mall last summer). Quite a few other vacancies. Also in the Food Court - KFC is still vacant as is "Everything's Cafe". No pix. Forgot my camera.
Malls like this, Waterbury, and Buckland are facing some really bad times....Buckland is bankrupted...the owners of Waterbury are looking to sell.....bad times....these malls have many empty stores.......And i can see Macys pulling out in all 3 of these locations because they dont fit into those malls.....
Waterbury and Manchester are both owned by the same people - GGP. GGP is bankrupt.
QuoteOriginally posted by TRU7536
Malls like this, Waterbury, and Buckland are facing some really bad times....Buckland is bankrupted...the owners of Waterbury are looking to sell.....bad times....these malls have many empty stores.......And i can see Macys pulling out in all 3 of these locations because they dont fit into those malls.....
You've GOT to be kidding!:holysh:
Geez Waterbury didn't
seem to look that bad when I was there last time!
There are some vacancies at the Meriden Square Mall, but it's not that bad. The largest vacancy of course is the old Steve & Barry's.
Other vacancies:
Waldenbooks (closed in 2006 or 2007) when sister store Borders opened in part of the old Lord & Taylor.
Disney Store
Bath & Body Works (Relocated Elsewhere in Mall)
Miller's Hallmark (Relocated Elsewhere in Mall)
F&J Sports
Country Carousel (not sure if it was something after they closed. Maybe Casual Corner?)
KFC/Arthur Treasures/Nathans Tri-pac in the Food Court
Everythings Cafe in the Food Court
And a few other vacancies that I have no idea what was previously in that particular spot.
There's also a new clothing store there called PCX Clothing Company. Anyone know anything about them?
Few more vacancies. Including The Ritz Camera Shop.
Now they're placing cardboard over the gates of empty store-fronts instead of fake walls. And actually in a couple empty store-fronts they built real walls in front of them. And one empty store front on the Upper Level Near Macys they put in 2 vending machines and built a wall around them.
Good news. A new Video Arcade called TILT will be opening in the old KB Toys pending Planning and Zoning Approval.
http://myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=20323396&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc82
Good news. A new Video Arcade called TILT will be opening in the old KB Toys pending Planning and Zoning Approval.
http://myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=20323396&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6
I don't know if it hasn't gone through Meriden Planning and Zoning yet or if they backed out, but so far there's no sign of the new arcade being built yet. You can look through the 2 pieces of cardboard that covers up the gate and see all the old KB fixtures still there.
Went to Meriden Square today with a couple friends. Quite a few new stores.
Milano's - A clothing store on the 2nd Floor near JC Penney located in the former Weathervane (which was 2 or 3 other stores since Weathervane)
Sports Parade - A Sports Collectibles/Clothing Store located on the 2nd floor next to Milano's in the former Hallmark Goldcrown Store (which relocated closer to Macy's in the Summer of 08).
Encore Shoe's - Located near Macy on the 1st Floor in the old Steve & Barry's.
And there was a new store selling Japanese Anime stuff located on the 2nd Floor where a different Sports Collectibles store was.
Also CAJUN CAFE in the Food Court is closed for remodel.
*Note: None of these new stores appear on their mall's website.
March 2, 2010 update:
Parade of Sports and The Japanese Animation place are closed. I wonder if they were just there for the holidays. A new barber shop opened in the old Ritz Camera location. Several other stores have closed. Oh and most importantly inside the old KB Toys their signs and fixtures are still up. I was too scared to go to the leasing office to see if they would let me in there to snag pix.
A Glow-in-the-dark Mini Golf Place has opened at the mall. My friend told me about it last week. And now here's an article in the paper.
http://myrecordjournal.com/latestnews/article_1e6d2efe-3da1-11df-b9c7-001cc4c03286.html
That arcade never opened. Meanwhile as I mentioned a miniature golf course is on the first floor. And also they opened a Paint-Ball place in the former Disney Store. Lindt Chocolates has closed their store. But the biggest news is that Old Navy will be opening in the mall sometime in the Summer of 2011.
http://westfield.com/meriden/specialoffers/OldNavyArrivesSummer2011.html
There are big changes happening at The Meriden Square.
The biggest news is Old Navy is opening in the mall this summer. It will be located on the Second Floor near Borders and Best Buy. As a result numerous stores have relocated.
Champs Sports moved into the former Hallmark and Weathervane stores on the Second Floor in the JC Penney Wing. (Most recently at Christmastime 09 this was F&J Sports and Milano's Clothing respetively).
Gold Buyers of America moved into an empty store next on the First Floor next to Deb Shop.
Nailtique nail salon moved into the former Ritz Camera Shop on the Second Floor in the JC Penney Wing. Most recently that spot was a urban targeted barber shop.
Relieve Stress - an Asian place that gives massages moved to the First Floor I believe in the space formerly occupied by an Urban targeted clothing store called Above Us.
New to the Mall: An arcade. I believe it's called Wow Family Entertainment Center. It's on the First Floor next to Glow-In-the-Dark Mini Golf.
Closed: The Paint Ball place in the former Disney Store, an Asian Place in the Food Court. I forget the name. It replaced Panda Express, and I forgot to mention it I noticed it quite a while ago - Dunkin Donuts is gone from the food court as well.
Update again: Software, Etc is shutting down for good on February 27th. They were a long time tenant. I'm not sure how many Software, Etc stores are left nationwide. I know they got taken over by Gamestop. And it says visit Game Stop at the Westfield Meriden Square Mall. And a portrait studio that was next door to the newly relocated Champs Store is closed.
A woman taking care of mentally challenged people was stabbed by one of the people she was taking care of at The Mall Food Court on Thursday.\
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/article_9f0ee21c-4b44-11e0-a22d-001cc4c002e0.html
Quote from: Marc B on February 12, 2011, 02:38:26 AM
Relieve Stress - an Asian place that gives massages moved to the First Floor I believe in the space formerly occupied by an Urban targeted clothing store called Above Us.
They moved again. I forgot where. LOL.
Anyway J. Box Jewelry moved from the 2nd Floor Near Macy's to the 2nd Floor next to the relocated Champs store. Magic Carpet Toys, which has occupied the former CVS for several years is going out of business. And a new store called Smart Toys is moving into the former KB Toys.
According to this article Westfield officials had someone interested in the former CVS and told the owner of Magic Carpet Toys he had 3 weeks to pack up his crap and leave.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/article_4e1f4902-5fb5-11e0-b8f5-001cc4c03286.html
October 2011 Update:
Christmas Tree Shop is opening a temporary store called Christmas Tree Shop Express in the mall in the location formerly occupied by the mini golf course. It will be 6800 Sq. Feet and open November thru January. It is on the 1st floor in the Macy's wing.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/article_af8ff1dc-f4f2-11e0-8e6c-001cc4c03286.html
A new candy shop opened in the former Software, Etc location.
A new Asian place opened in the food court where the other Asian place was. It's called "Asian Fusion".
Smart Toys an educational toy store, which opened earlier this year in the former KB Store in the Best Buy/Dicks Wing closed. It has been replaced by "Halloween Adventure."
Signs and fixtures remain at the now-closed Border's. They also remain on the mall directory.
Sports Parade (which I think could be just open for the holidays) opened in the old CVS, which up until earlier this year was a toy store called Magic Carpet Toys.
Old Navy opened in May next to Borders. (If they weren't in such a hurry to move there from Townline Square, they could've taken over the old Borders).
Rue 21 took over 2 store fronts on the 1st Floor. in the Penny's wing. It took over the former Disney Store and the former Bath and Body Works location, which moved to the 2nd Floor Sears Wing a couple years back.
3/29/12 Update:
Spencer's is moving from the 1st floor JC Penney wing to the Sears Wing 1st Floor
Smart Toys reopened in the old KB.
The OLD CVS (and later Magic Carpet Toys) remains empty.
Border's remains empty.
A new place to eat called What-a-Deli opened in the Food Court. It's where Everything Yougurt Banana Cafe whatever was located. Now there's just one vacancy in the Food Court which was a KFC/Nathan's/Arthur Treachers all-in-one deal.
Christmas Tree Shoppes is opening in the old Border's this fall. (No signs up yet).
Parade of Sports Novelties has opened in the old CVS.
Mrs. Field's is closed. It is being replaced by Gold Buyer's of America, which moved to a temporary kiosk after closing down their store next to The Deb Shop. That spot remains empty.
A Gelato stand opened in the back of the food court against the escalators where Dunkin' Donuts once was.
Sunglass Hut closed.
Smart Toys closed.
Spencer's opened in their new location. Former location remains empty.
A new hair cut place opened next to the new Gold Buyers of America location. Now there are 3 places to get your hair did.
Also coming this fall to the food court: Chicken Now.
Parade of Sports Novelties has moved into the former KB Toys.
The deal for Christmas Tree Shoppes has apparently fallen through, though an "Chrtistmas Tree Shoppes Express" has opened in the borders.
The former Spencer's is now the candy shop that opened in the old Software, etc.
The former Software, Etc is going to be a relocated nail salon
February 2013 update:
A new woman's store called Xrse is opening on the second floor in the Macy's wing. It's going to be huge. It starts where the former CVS was located and goes all the way down to Macy's.
The candy store in the old Spencer's closed down. Chicken Now which was supposed to open in the Food Court never opened. The Gelato stand is gone. On the first floor another cellphone store is opening right near Best Buy Mobile and Pretzel Maker is opening next to the new cellphone store. Pretzel Maker already has 2 locations in the mall one near the Food Court and a kiosk in the Best Buy wing.
Also new to the mall (open about 2 months now I think) - Tutti-Frutti a self-serve Frozen Yogurt place. Side note frozen yogurt is getting to be popular again. Several frozen yogurt places have popped up all over the place the past couple months including one here at The Meriden Square, one in Southington across from Price Chopper, one in Bristol in a building that has been at least a 10 different things since KFC moved closer to Jerome Avenue many years ago, and one in West Hartford in the former Friendly's.
Xsre fell through, so there is nothing on that side of the mall. 2 more empty store fronts across from this site. Ulta Beauty is opening this fall on the 2nd floor next to Radio Shack. I don't remember what this used to be. The Deal for Christmas Tree Shop fell through as well, so the former Border's store remains vacant. A mini mart opened in the space that used to be Spencer's on the first floor. It's called Square Market. They sell the usual array of crap - lotto tickets, snacks, sodas, energy drinks, cancer sticks, etc.
Pac-Sun Clothing Closed down as well. They put two frozen dessert vending machines in the food court where KFC/Arthur Treachers/Nathan's used to be in-between Cajun Cafe and Charley's.
There was a minor fire at Harry's Eatery on the first floor of the Meriden Square at 2AM this morning. There wasn't any damage to any other stores.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/2416305-129/electrical-fire-causes-minor-damage-to-store-in-meriden-mall.html
2 new retailers will be opening at the Meriden Square Mall in 2014. Marshall's will be opening in the former Border's location and a local kitchen chain called Chef's Equipment Emporium will be opening in the Macy's wing on the 2nd floor, where Xrse was supposed to open.
Chef's Equipment Emporium has several stores in Connecticut including in the former Huffman-Koos in nearby Berlin, Connecticut. They owner of Chef's Equipment Emporium also owns a large scale adult-type chain store called Very Intimate Pleasures - V.I.P.
Quote from: Marc B on December 04, 2013, 09:40:36 PM
2 new retailers will be opening at the Meriden Square Mall in 2014. Marshall's will be opening in the former Border's location
According to this article it's TJ MAXX, not Marshall's. http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/3117418-129/tj-maxx-coming-to-westfield-mall.html
Francesca's is also opening at the mall.
Taco Bell in the food court is gone replaced by something called Taco Express.
Okay. I was wrong. Chef's Equipment Emporium is in it's permanent location. First Floor Macy's Wing. In 2011 it was the space was used for Christmas Tree Shop Express. In 2012 it was used for Spirit Halloween and the temporary Toy Store run by Spirit. Both are owned by Spencer's.
A new clothing store for plus size woman - Fashion to Figure has opened on the first floor in between Torrid (another clothing store for plus size woman) and Zumiez.
In the Food Court "What A Deli" has closed for good.
Pretzel Maker has opened a 3 location. The new one is on the first floor. The other two are a kiosk on the 2nd floor in the Dick's/Best Buy Wing and the other is a location on the 2nd floor right by the food court.
Square Market - a convenience store moved and has since closed. Their original location in the old Spencer's (which moved to a different wing) is now a store called Bling Bling.
The Francesca Collection is opening on the 2nd floor JCP wing next to Champs in a corner store front that was most recently J. Box Jewelry. (It's been several things since the other jewelery store that was there previously closed down).
The largest vacancy in the mall is the right side of the Macy's Wing on the 2nd floor. It's empty from Kay Jewelers down to Macy with one empty store front they're setting up as a temporary H&R Block office as they do every year. This big empty space was supposed to be Xsre but that fell through.
P.S. The mall map on their website hasn't been updated yet. http://www.westfield.com/meriden
JC Penney is closing at the Meriden Square Mall in May. It's one of 33 closing nationwide.
http://www.wggb.com/2014/01/15/jcpenney-to-cut-2000-jobs-close-33-stores/
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/3415460-129/jc-penney-to-close-location-in-westfield-meriden-mall.html
My thoughts: Maybe now they'll be able to get Christmas Tree Shop to open at the mall. They were supposed to open a smaller size store in the old Border's (which is going to be a TJ MAXX), but that fell through because of no loading dock. No doubt JCP has a loading dock. Maybe the other part of the old store can become a movie theater. At one time they were talking about putting a movie theater in the mall.
An article takes a look at the challenge to fill the JCP spot at the Westfield Meriden Square which is closing in May.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/3594005-129/westfield-faces-challenge-of-replacing-jc-penney.html
Facade Work being done on the exterior of the Westfield Meriden Square Mall for TJ MAXX. This spot was previously a Border's Book Store. This section of the mall was built for a short-lived Lord & Taylor. After they closed the space was divided into Best Buy, Dicks, and Border's.
Picture taken by me today 2/11/14.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21191136@N03/12469607815/
Quote from: Marc B on December 20, 2013, 09:57:30 AM
Taco Bell in the food court is gone replaced by something called Taco Express.
Was at the Mall on August 29th for an interview. Taco Express has since closed. A new nail salon opened in the former Software, Etc on the 2nd floor across from the Food Court, adjacent to Sears. JC Penney remains vacant. Verizon Wireless moved to Route 5 in Wallingford. Francesca's opened. There are quite a few vacancies. I wouldn't call the mall dead yet, but I'd call it in Critical Condition. If Sears closes, then I would say it's time to bulldoze the place.
Right now there are 2 anchors - Macy's and Sears. Then Best Buy, TJ MAXX, and Dick's are Junior Anchors.
I know Dillard's does not have any stores in Connecticut, but I think Meriden Square should become their first store in Connecticut.
Best Buy is closing November 1st. Chef's Equipment Emporium has closed.
This diagram which is from The Meriden Record-Journal's website shows all the vacancies at the mall. The area opposite Macy's was JC Penney.
http://tinyurl.com/MeridenMallvacancies
As mentioned in the store closing topics Deb is closing all their stores so another vacancy. Hollister will be closing too. The Coffee Beanery also closed. Best Buy did not close on November 1st as previously announced. They ended up signing a 2 year lease renewal instead. Chef Equipment Emporium was not closed, but when I was at the mall on 12/28 it sure as hell looked like it was closing. Radio Shack was having their going out of business sale on 12/28 also. A new cell phone store replaced the Verizon Store which moved to nearby Wallingford. Sprint and T-Mobile which both had stores in kiosks have actual real in-line stores now. New in the food court is Frankie's Famous Hotdogs of Waterbury. Coming soon to the food court is Thai Spice in a spot that had been vacant for a long time that was most recently a KFC/Arthur Treacher's/Nathan's all in on deals.
Will the last store to vacate the Meriden Square Mall please turn out the lights? Another one gone. Tutti Fruti Frozen Yogurt is gone. As is Chef's Equipment Emporium.
H&R Block opened its seasonal mall location on the 2nd Floor in the Macy's wing, but not in their usual spot. This year they are across the hall from were they had been in years past. Of course where they had been in years past has poor visibility unless you were coming out of Macy's. View of that spot is completely blocked by a fake wall where a new big size retailer was supposed to open, but never did.
As mentioned in the Sears thread Sears is not closing in 2015. They own their space there, but they did not rule out being sold or downsized.
All those national chains shutting down reminds me of what happened to Northland Center in Southfield, Michigan, from sometime after it's 50th anniversary in 2004 and continuing today. That mall is over 50% vacant now.
Forever 21 is going to be relocating to a bigger spot in the mall. I think it's going into the large vacant space on the 2nd floor in the Macy's wing where CVS and several other stores were once located. Also GAMESTOP has moved into the former Radio Shack. Gamestop's previous location and the vacant spot next to them are being combined into a big space.
BOSCOV's is expected to take-over the former JC Penney at the Meriden Square Mall in Meriden, Connecticut. This will be their first store in Connecticut.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/7203845-129/jc-penney-space-at-meriden-mall-to-be-filled-by.html
Interesting. They bailed out of South Hills Village Mall here in Pittsburgh a few years ago,
despite the fact that Boscov's is a Pennsylvania company. Target and Dick's Sporting Goods
have taken over that space.
It's a small comoany with about 43 stores and in 2009 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Quote from: TRU7536 on April 29, 2015, 04:08:27 PM
It's a small comoany with about 43 stores and in 2009 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Yeah and they got out of bankruptcy in 2012. They also stopped dealing in major appliances and electronics.
Quote from: Marc B on April 28, 2015, 05:51:35 PM
BOSCOV's is expected to take-over the former JC Penney at the Meriden Square Mall in Meriden, Connecticut. This will be their first store in Connecticut.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/7203845-129/jc-penney-space-at-meriden-mall-to-be-filled-by.html
It is good to see that a new store may bring life back in to the old JCPenney. It has been a huge void in the mall for the past year.
Hopefully this will reverse the trend of stores closing at the mall. It's my favorite mall in Connecticut. Westfarms is way too expensive and Brass Mill is too hard to get to for someone who doesn't drive the highway.
Quote from: Marc B on April 29, 2015, 07:53:35 PM
Westfarms is way too expensive
Sounds like the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon near me. I have been in there perhaps twice in a decade.
Absolutely no reason for me to frequent that place.
- I don't smoke cigars.
- I'm not in the market for a piano
- And even if I were a cross-dresser, I'd refuse to pay those prices.
One step forward another step back. While the mall is most likely getting a new anchor by way of Boscov's, they mall is losing longtime tenant Men's Warehouse to the adjacent Chamberlain Plaza. They are taking over the former free-standing Sleepy's in that Plaza. Sleepy's recently relocated from the free-standing building to the last remaining empty space next to DEALS and SAVER's in the former A&P Super Foodmart building.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/news/latestnews/7240828-129/mens-wearhouse-to-move-from-meriden-mall-to-former-sleepys.html
Is Boscov's planning on expanding the old JCP that they're taking over? Two stores that are across from each other are moving out and it says it's due to the construction of Boscov's. Last week Men's Wear House announced it was moving to the nearby Chamberlain Highway in the old Sleepy's. Today there's an article that LensCrafters is closing due to the construction of Boscov's.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/7263738-129/more-changes-at-westfield-meriden-mall-lenscrafters-closing.html
The article also mentions the construction of the large Forever 21 on the 2nd Floor Macy's wing.
Bosov's is opening this Thursday October 8th for a charity event. They replaced the old 1970s era JC Penney facade on the old JC Penney which they took over. See the photo on this article below.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/opinion/editorials/7827176-129/9-things-we-liked-and-3-we-didnt-like.html
1. Boscov's opened in the former JC Penney on October 8th. On the 2nd floor they took the entire JC Penney space. On the 1st Floor not only did they take the entire JC Penney space they also took space that was adjacent to the JC Penney space. They took the Lens Crafters Space (they're completely gone). They took the PCX Clothing Company Space (They're completely gone). They took the Men's Warehouse Space (They relocated to the former Sleepy's in the Chamberlain Plaza. Sleepy's took the last vacant space in that plaza next to Deals). They took a vacant space that at one time was Spencer's. Spencer's moved a couple years ago to space elsewhere in the mall.
2. Forever 21 Red took over dead space in the Macy's wing on the 2nd Floor. A bunch of stores were combined into one big space a few years ago (including the former CVS) to make room for a big store that never opened. The store is odd shaped as it swings around Kay Jewelers.
3. Rainbow Clothing opened in the Dick's/Best Buy wing. I believe this was where Payless Shoes was.
4. Payless Shoes moved to the 1st Floor.
5. 2 vacancies remain in the food court. The old Taco Bell (most recently Taco Express) and space that at one time was KFC/Nathan's/Arthur Treacher's all-in one.
6. J. Box Jewelry relocated to the former Sleep Number store. This is the 3rd or 4th time they've moved. I think they've been robbed several times. I think they were next to Macy's on the 2nd floor and that spot is empty.
7. Gloria Jean's Coffee Beans, Hollister, and Tutti Fruti Yogurt remain vacant.
8. Game Stop moved into the old Radio Shack. They had to move as a result of the new F 21 Red.
9. Stride Rite moved to the first floor. They had to move as a result of the new F 21 Red.
10. There are 3 side-by-side vacant stores in the Macy's wing on the first floor in-between Thing Remembered and Eblen's. One space was most recently Chef's Equipment Emporium and the space to the right of that was Walden Books. Now Walden Books closed down something like 7 or 8 years ago. There sister chain Border's had opened a store in the mall and operated there until the chain's demise.
11. The former Deb Shop Space remains vacant.
12. A store called Track 23 opened in a space next to Old Navy that had been vacant for a long time.
I recently visited (Westfield) Meriden Square. As some have said GameStop moved and their old apacw is vacant. Next to that is this weird rock/Japan/Vudu store called "4 Seasons".. You can see the bare wall, but its covered with Posters. They have a no pics policy but I snagged one of the old GameStop..correct me if I'm wrong but I remember on Caldor Rainbow they said it was Babbages or Software Etc. Originally.
http://i.imgur.com/6MHzqq1h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IEXvHIyh.jpg
Quote from: Patrick Boots CEC on January 24, 2016, 08:37:16 PM
I recently visited (Westfield) Meriden Square. As some have said GameStop moved and their old apacw is vacant. Next to that is this weird rock/Japan/Vudu store called "4 Seasons".. You can see the bare wall, but its covered with Posters. They have a no pics policy but I snagged one of the old GameStop..correct me if I'm wrong but I remember on Caldor Rainbow they said it was Babbages or Software Etc. Originally.
http://i.imgur.com/6MHzqq1h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IEXvHIyh.jpg
4 Seasons has been there for a long time. This location of GameStop was Radio Shack. The old Software Etc location was down by Sears and the Food Court. I think there's a salon there now.
;D I Can totally see that being a Radio Shack. Now that I Think of it, the present day Gamestop has a similar sign I Think to Software Etc. I'll have to snap a photo next time I Go.
McD's has closed. Harry's Eatery on the first floor may take its place.
McDonald’s closes at Meriden mall, Harry’s Eatery considering move to food court
Published: January 26, 2016 | Last Modified: January 26, 2016 05:49PM
By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN â€" McDonald’s at Westfield Meriden mall served its last McDouble and shut off the deep fryers Sunday when it closed its doors at the second-floor food court.
In front of the former McDonald’s space is a sign for Harry’s Eatery that invites shoppers to head to the first floor for a variety of coffees, sandwiches, baked goods and smoothies. Harry’s Eatery owner Harry Patel, who has been on the first floor next to Hannoush Jewelry for 15 years, said he is considering a move to the food court.
“I’m thinking about it,†Patel said.
A mall spokeswoman said she couldn’t speak to the reason behind the McDonald’s closing.
“While we are sorry to see them leave the center, it presents us with the opportunity to bring in a new dining option,†said Westfield marketing director Katherine Bolas.
Patel said he has a dedicated customer base of seniors, many in wheelchairs, who have come to rely on getting a coffee for $1. But they also have told him he could get more exposure in the food court.
“Nobody knows I’m here,†he said of his first-floor location.
H&M makes it official on March 8th that they are opening at The Meriden Square Mall.
H&M coming to Westfield Meriden
Published: March 8, 2016 | Last Modified: March 8, 2016 02:49PM
By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN â€" H & M, Hennes & Mauritz announced Tuesday, it is moving into 23,000 square feet at the Westfield Meriden mall in the fall of 2016, according to a press statement.
“The new H&M location will offer Meriden residents a one-stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections for ladies and men, as well as separate ‘store within a store’ sections for accessories,†according to the statement. “The Westfield Meriden location will also carry H&M’s children’s collection for newborns to fourteen year olds.â€
The Meriden store is the ninth H&M in Connecticut and 450th store in the U.S. The retailer is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and has 16,000 employees in the U.S.
Westfield Meriden has been shifting tenants on the upper level recently to make room for the retailer.
mgodin@record-journal.com (203) 317-2255 Twitter: @Cconnbiz
http://imgur.com/a/r5Hm9
Photos from a recent visit. Saw a security car and some signs with the "Shoppingtown" name.
Vision Works opened on the 2nd floor of the mall near Boscov's.
That weird store next to Gentle Jungle Pet store called "Four Seasons" closed for good.
A group has started a petition to get Gentle Jungle shut down.
Rey Del Pollo is a new restaurant in the food court in-between Cajun Cafe and Charley's. 2 vacancies remain in the food court - the former Taco Bell and the former McDonald's.
February 2017 update.
Not too many vacancies left at the Meriden Square Mall. Then again over the past 10 years or so they eliminated many smaller store fronts to put in larger stores relocating some of the smaller stores. The first time they did this was for Steve and Barry's (now Shoe Department Encore). Then for Old Navy, Forever 21 Red, Boscov's (even though they took the old JCP store they took some mall space and a couple other stores on the first floor), and H&M.
Two vacancies remain in the Food Court. The old Taco Bell and the old McDonald's. They walled off the old McDonald's space and put in the "Westfield Meriden Mall Charging Station."
A store called "Under $5" opened in the old "4 Seasons" store next to Gentle Jungle. Judging by the name is seems like a rip-off of "Five Below."
As I mentioned in the Sears thread Sears seemed like it was bright and clean. I don't know what will happen when SHC finally pulls the plug.
"4 Seasons" was that weird rock store, right?
Nice to know that it's full though. I love dead malls but they must be terrible for business.
The Meriden Square Mall is doing well. Plus this Boscov's leads the chain in housewares sales.
FROM MYRECORDJOURNAL.COM
Meriden mall defies retail trend by appealing to cost conscious consumer
May 23, 2017 12:24PM
By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN â€" Two “fast fashion†retailers have helped fill vacancies at Westfield Meriden, keeping the mid-range mall with a low vacancy rate compared to others in its demographic, observers said.
H&M, a Swedish low-cost retailer, filled seven storefronts with its 22,000-square-foot store in the Macy’s wing on the mall’s second floor. Its Los-Angeles-based competitor, Forever 21 Red, occupies 19,000 square feet nearby. Zales Jewelers opened two stores in the lower level.
With the placement of H&M, Forever 21 Red and Macy’s Backstage, the mall has found success with tenants that meet the needs of a cost-minded demographic, observers said.
“I would say yes, we’re on the right track,†said Rosanne Ford, vice president of member services for the Midstate Chamber of Commerce.
Only three of the mall’s 95 storefronts are vacant. The jewelry retailer Mome will fill one storefront soon, according to mall signs.
Rue 21 on the lower level is due to close soon as part of a chainwide move to shutter 400 stores nationwide.
Boscov’s helped put the mall in a stable position after filling the space left vacant by J.C. Penney in 2015. The new anchor is setting chain records for housewares sales. The housewares department fills most of Boscov’s second floor.
“We’re still trying to establish our customer base,†said assistant store manager Hillary Kessler.
Sears, another mall anchor, has taken steps to turn around its business and reduce risk. The store announced earlier this year it was closing 180 Sears and Kmart stores, including stores in Enfield and Cromwell. The Meriden Sears was one of hundreds sold to a Sears real estate trust in February in a company money-raising effort, according to city records. Sears also finalized the sale of its Craftsman tool line to Stanley Black & Decker earlier this year for a net value of more than $900 million in cash, and raised $72.5 million by monetizing five Sears full-line stores and two Sears Auto Centers, and an additional $105 million in gross proceeds from the sale of three Sears full-line stores, one owned and two leased.
Westfield’s ability to fill space with service-oriented tenants, such as Visionworks, Meriden Family Dental, and a variety of phone service providers also appears to work in its favor.
“I do think we’re different because our mall seems to be stronger,†Ford said. “Boscov’s and Macy’s Backstage is another component of what is going on there.â€
Earlier this year, the National Retail Federation projected retail industry sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, will grow between 3.7 and 4.2 percent over 2016. Online and other non-store sales, which are included in the overall number, are expected to increase between 8 and 12 percent in 2017.
But consumer doubt over potential tax policies in Washington is impacting retailers’ bottom line.
“The economy is on firm ground as we head into 2017 and is expected to build on the momentum we saw late last year,†NRF President Matthew Shay said. “With jobs and income growing and debt relatively low, the fundamentals are in place and the consumer is in the driver’s seat. But this year is unlike any other â€" while consumers have strength they haven’t had in the past, they will remain hesitant to spend until they have more certainty about policy changes on taxes, trade and other issues being debated in Congress.â€
mgodin@record-journal.com 203-317-2255
Bounce Indoor Inflatable Park opened on the first floor near Boscov's according to a post on the Westfield Meriden Facebook Page.
I haven't been to the mall in a long time. Right now I don't have a job or car. When my Mom goes to Boscov's she usually goes with one of her friends. She never takes me.
Alright, I went to this mall, but I really had to rush, because my dad was only going to wait for 20 minutes. I managed to take some photos though. (https://flic.kr/s/aHsmaw8QTb)
Here are some here:
Sears
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/38142285472_2ef21624ee_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/217vbBA)
Sears (Westfield Meriden Mall) (https://flic.kr/p/217vbBA) by JJBers (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjbers/), on Flickr
Road sign
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4484/38117947286_a388e3d98d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/215mrHG)
Westfield Meriden Mall (https://flic.kr/p/215mrHG) by JJBers (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjbers/), on Flickr
Best Buy
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/38117928646_692439d10f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/215mmbj)
Best Buy (Westfield Meriden Mall) (https://flic.kr/p/215mmbj) by JJBers (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjbers/), on Flickr
I haven't been to the mall in over a year, but here's an update.
From the map on their website I count 12 vacant spaces which includes a space that is currently being used by H&R Block.
Two vacancies remain in the food court. The old McD's and The old Taco Express.
NY and Company which was supposed to close at the end of January got a six month extension.
Best Buy Mobile closed. The full-line Best Buy is still open.
Vision Works closed too. (They weren't even there two years).
Summer 2018 update. Sorry no pictures. Too many people and too many security personnel around.
1. There appears to be 12 in-line vacancies and 2 vacancies in the Food Court. The two vacancies are the old Taco Bell and Sarku (sp?) Japan.
2. Westfield is making this mall look nice.
3. After closing a few years ago, the arcade Wow Family Entertainment Center has reopened. They are in a different spot.
4. A place called Burger IM is opening in the former McDonald's space in the food court, meaning they no longer have charging station. This gourmet burger place is popping up all over the country. https://www.burgerim.com/
5. Notable vacancies include the former 4 Seasons Store, which briefly was a store called Under $5, the former New York and Company Store, the former Gymboree store next to Crazy 8, and the former Parade of Novelty Sports store.
6. A new clothing store called Lettitful has opened in the former Deb location.
7. A hilarious sign (given the state of Sears Holding Corporation) hangs from the ceiling that reads "Sears, celebrating 125 Years. Since 1903."
Quote from: Brammy on August 26, 2018, 02:13:57 PM
7. A hilarious sign (given the state of Sears Holding Corporation) hangs from the ceiling that reads "Sears, celebrating 125 Years. Since 1903."
Totally makes no sense - they are actually over 125 years (if you count from the first sales of Richard Sears in 1886, that would make about 132 years) and the stores themselves came about in the mid 1920's (so just less than 100 years). Not to mention that 1903 wouldn't even be 125 years ago (115 perhaps), but no particular idea why that date would be important.
There is the possibility that I read it wrong. Maybe it said "Celebrating 25 years since 1993." 1993 is when the Meriden store opened.
Funny, I was there yesterday! Could have even passed by you without even noticing.
There's a new-ish food court restaurant, El Toro Grill. They occupy the space of the short-lived Rey Del Pollo next to Cajun Cafe/Japan Cafe and sell Mexican-American fare. $5.99 will get you a good taco with some spice french fries and a drink.
I've noticed Sears has more clothes but I haven't been to one in a while. And yes, I saw that sign passing through. Google says Sears and Roebuck's was founded in 1892 which brings 125 to 2017.
Quote from: Patrick Boots CEC on August 27, 2018, 08:07:06 PM
Funny, I was there yesterday! Could have even passed by you without even noticing.
There's a new-ish food court restaurant, El Toro Grill. They occupy the space of the short-lived Rey Del Pollo next to Cajun Cafe/Japan Cafe and sell Mexican-American fare. $5.99 will get you a good taco with some spice french fries and a drink.
I've noticed Sears has more clothes but I haven't been to one in a while. And yes, I saw that sign passing through. Google says Sears and Roebuck's was founded in 1892 which brings 125 to 2017.
Anything is possible, but I went early. I just went to check out the mall while my Mom was returning the curtains she bought at Boscov's on Saturday. The curtains looked different when she went to put them up at home Saturday afternoon than they had looked in the store. - When I went to the mall I was wearing jeans, a T-shirt, work boots, and a NY Giants hat. We left the mall about 5 after 12. Then we hit Dollar Tree and then the New Britain Stop and Shop. (We went the long way back to Southington). My Mom (like me) doesn't like driving the highway and she didn't want to deal with traffic on Route 10 in Southington that she would've encountered if we had taken the Chamberlain Highway to Southington Road to Berlin Street to Route 10.
I've been going here almost weekly since September, 2018. I was tired of always doing my walking at Westfarms exclusively, so I made the trip to Meriden on Labor Day. While there, I planned to go to Sears because I wanted to find some pants. I also wanted to check out Sears again because I wanted to throw a little business their way. I had went in August, 2017 and didn't purchase anything. I had made a number of trips thereafter to Sears to shop for more clothes for me and my niece. I was happy to have them as an option. Little good it did for me to shop there and spend my money, because they announced the closure two months after I became a regular customer. I kept going through the closing sale. I still go to do my walks there, but apparently, I missed the good days of the mall.
Even a few years ago, the mall must have been a tad better off, but over the past few months, while I do see improvements to the appearance to the mall, stores are leaving at a fast pace. A lot of this has to do with weak chains filing bankruptcy. I was sad to see Sears go, even though they looked like they might have had a chance. I was recently laid off in January, so I go to the mall once a week during the week. With Sears now dark, the mall seems more depressing. In the last few weeks, three more stores announced closure due to bankruptcy (Charlotte Russe, Things Remembered and Payless).
Interestingly, up to last week, the Sears signage inside and out is still up. The indoor signs are even still lit. Fixtures are still inside on the first floor along with some shelving and overhead signage is still up including register stations and the POS systems are still there. I assume because Sears still owns this space, they are in no hurry to completely strip the store of belongings.
I can see potential in Westfield Meriden. If they can get a gym here (Gold's was in talks to buy some Sears locations) and some new restaurant offerings, they'd have a chance. There is nothing much around Meriden for shopping other than here and Townline Square by the Wallingford line. I can envision a gym taking the upper portion of Sears and perhaps even expanding to the current Food Court which can be moved elsewhere in the mall (which would have some tenants being forced to move to vacant spaces in the mall). I was thinking it would work in the Center Court area where Praline's is already located. AT&T and the Relieve Stress and a few other tenants in that area could move. They have the escalators/elevator and huge skylight there. The only thing that would be affected is their holiday Santa event in that spot. New life is needed here.
You and I think alike. I was just saying to my Mom the other day that a gym can take part of the Sears space. Of course being a woman of a certain age she thinks it's a stupid idea. She rather more retail open at the mall.
A movie theater would be good. That would draw in restaurants. One of the biggest complaints I see on the Record-Journal Facebook page is about the lack of restaurants in the city. And although the mall is not upscale - a Lego or Crayola experience place would be good.
Quote from: Brammy on February 18, 2019, 08:25:57 PM
You and I think alike. I was just saying to my Mom the other day that a gym can take part of the Sears space. Of course being a woman of a certain age she thinks it's a stupid idea. She rather more retail open at the mall.
A movie theater would be good. That would draw in restaurants. One of the biggest complaints I see on the Record-Journal Facebook page is about the lack of restaurants in the city. And although the mall is not upscale - a Lego or Crayola experience place would be good.
I'd love to see another retail/department store go there, and I wouldn't go to a gym, but it seems more realistic. I even would have hoped Sears would have downsized to the bottom floor and stayed. The mall is not completely uninhabited during the week and is actually busy on weekends (Fridays too). I do think the gym, a small movie theater, a few restaurants and a few experience stores like Lego would be good and safe choices for Meriden. I'm also surprised Dunkin' Donuts left the mall and never came back.
I also believe this area of town needs another small grocery store. There is nothing in that area except the small rundown Stop and Shop in Centennial Plaza. Same situation like that end of Berlin. Nothing, and many people live in the area (and many wealthy neighborhoods in Berlin too). If you need necessities, you only have Dollar Tree and Target (along with the dollar store in the mall).
I'd go the gym route (LA Fitness or Planet Fitness) a movie theatre would just attract teenagers and would be more of a nuisance. What about Marshalls/TJ Maxx taking one level of Sears and Homegoods taking the other, they're both owned by the same company so you'd be killing two birds with one stone or a Bed Bath and Beyond.
Quote from: scottw73 on February 19, 2019, 09:05:56 AM
I'd go the gym route (LA Fitness or Planet Fitness) a movie theatre would just attract teenagers and would be more of a nuisance. What about Marshalls/TJ Maxx taking one level of Sears and Homegoods taking the other, they're both owned by the same company so you'd be killing two birds with one stone or a Bed Bath and Beyond.
LA Fitness - maybe. Planet Fitness is already in Meriden on Route 5. They took the old Pep Boys. TJ Maxx is already at the mall. They opened around 5 years ago in the old Border's.
As of the week of February 25, 2019, Regis Salon closed in the mall. Didn't expect to see that happen. They were located on the lower level of the mall in a corner spot across from the former Sears. Businesses are leaving this mall rather abruptly all of a sudden. Not sure if the Sears closure affected the mall in a big way or Regis was following the other tenants that are closing in the mall. I hope the new owners can re-purpose this mall. There's still decent activity here and a number of stores left. The food court is also still well occupied. I believe there is a continued need for the mall and the anchors (Macys, Boscovs, TJ Maxx, Old Navy Dick's and Best Buy) give this mall a chance. My thinking was to overhaul the layout completely and attract a gym to the Sears space and move the food court elsewhere and maybe even perhaps getting tenants to relocate to accommodate larger tenants. If the new TRU Kids brand company is interested, they should try out a small Toys r Us/Babies r Us in the mall. Meriden would be perfect for it.
UPDATE: Went to the mall Monday 3/4/19, and Charlotte Russe is already closed. Their closing sale didn't even last a month.
I hope Meriden Square/Westfield isn't on the brink of becoming a dead mall, I loved meriden square, went there man times as a kid. True Westfarms is leauges better, but Meriden has its charm.
Quote from: M.R.CALDOR on March 05, 2019, 05:01:24 PM
I hope Meriden Square/Westfield isn't on the brink of becoming a dead mall, I loved meriden square, went there man times as a kid. True Westfarms is leauges better, but Meriden has its charm.
I agree. I love the 80s/90s feel of the mall. The music is good too. Maybe this isn't helping the mall, but I like it. It's really all about what is there and creative ways to bring in shoppers.
Went to the mall today to buy a new Yankees hat and a new Giants hat, but struck out. No size 8 hats. Two different sales going on at Lids - Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off and they were also having a Clearance Sale on some of the hats.
By my count there are 21 vacancies in the Meriden Square Mall. That includes Sears Floor 1, Sears Floor 2, Payless (which is winding down their GOB sale), a space that is temporarily leased to H&R Block, and one vacant space in the Food Court. Good news a new place is opening in the Food Court. It's a Jamaican restaurant and they're taking the space that used to be Taco Bell. A fake wall was built over the former Sears store. Maybe it's because today is Saturday there were a lot of people at the mall.
Westfield doesn't own the Sears space, so they have no say in what happens to that space. Westfield could potentially buy it, but there are rumors the new owners of Westfield will sell the mall or shut it down.
I should've mentioned this in my post yesterday. I'm not ready to write the obituary for the Meriden Square Mall yet. They need a big attraction that will bring in more businesses. Maybe a Lego Discovery Center like they have at the Plymouth Meeting Mall. The only downside to that is that adults are not allowed there unless they're accompanying a kid. Or even The Crayola Experience. Restaurants too. Right now your dining options are the food court or Ruby Tuesday. People are always saying on The Record Journal's Facebook Page that Meriden needs more restaurants. I think Buffalo Wild Wings would be good for the mall. Golden Corral too.
Quote from: Brammy on March 31, 2019, 02:35:25 PM
I should've mentioned this in my post yesterday. I'm not ready to write the obituary for the Meriden Square Mall yet. They need a big attraction that will bring in more businesses. Maybe a Lego Discovery Center like they have at the Plymouth Meeting Mall. The only downside to that is that adults are not allowed there unless they're accompanying a kid. Or even The Crayola Experience. Restaurants too. Right now your dining options are the food court or Ruby Tuesday. People are always saying on The Record Journal's Facebook Page that Meriden needs more restaurants. I think Buffalo Wild Wings would be good for the mall. Golden Corral too.
Golden Corral would be downscale and lower the mall's profile.
Yard House is pretty popular in the mall near me. Popular with young people who spend money on drinks as well as food; the mall owner might get a certain percentage of profits, so better for patrons to be spending more inside in the establishment than less in a buffet style restaurant. A typical mall choice restaurant is Cheesecake Factory, but I see Cheesecake has a location in West Hartford.
Quote from: Brammy on March 31, 2019, 02:35:25 PM
Golden Corral would be downscale and lower the mall's profile.
At this point malls don't need to be worrying much about their profile.
They need two things:
1) Something that will draw feet through the door
2) Rent-paying tenants.
Quote from: TheFugitive on April 01, 2019, 09:26:18 AM
Quote from: Brammy on March 31, 2019, 02:35:25 PM
Golden Corral would be downscale and lower the mall's profile.
At this point malls don't need to be worrying much about their profile.
They need two things:
1) Something that will draw feet through the door
2) Rent-paying tenants.
Tenant mix still matters for most healthy malls. Better tenants will pay more in rent, likely bring in other better tenants, and there is a greater percentage rent.
I'm not a fan of Golden Corral, but apparently many people are, because at the ones I'm aware of the parking lots are always crowded. I really don't see why having one in your mall would be different than any of the scads of other restaurants which might be there.
It's not like the new tenant was an adult bookstore or a check cashing store or something.
Went to the mall today. It continues dying. The hat store Lids closed. Three eateries in the Food Court closed - Cosmo's Pizza, Frankie's Hotdogs, and an Asian place. The Indoor Bounce House place closed. Who knows what else I missed? There's still well over 2 dozen vacancies including the former Sears.
The hits keeps on coming for the Meriden Square Mall. Not only is F-21 Red closing as part as their bankruptcy, but so is the locally owned Pietro's Tuxedo Shop. The owner says he can't find anyone to buy the store.
FROM MYRECORDJOURNAL.COM
Meriden mall menswear store closes after 30 years
By Mary Ellen Godin, Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN â€" Joseph Zaccariello has outfitted 30,000 prom students and more than 20,000 grooms in his 30 years at the Westfield Meriden mall.
Zaccariello is now ready to hang up his tape measure and close Pietro’s Tuxedo to embark on something different. But first, an inventory sale and then a sabbatical.
â€I have no regrets,†Zaccariello said. “I’m ready to move on to the next phase, maybe work for someone else.â€
Running the shop was fun for many years. He will miss the customers who came through the doors for special events or a nice suit. Employees were easy to hire, but good ones were harder to keep.
Zaccariello won’t miss the “prom mothers†or “bridezillas†who interrupted his peace.
â€No more headaches,†he said. “I’ve paid my dues.â€
The tuxedo-rental business changed when schools allowed students to attend without having a date, he said. This allowed prom-goers to veer away from the traditional tuxedo and wear non-traditional clothing. Weddings have also moved away from formal wear.
Tuxedos can even be rented online.
Pietro’s Menswear has adapted over the years by offering more suits, sports jackets, flashier tuxedos, and shoes. He can guess a man’s size just by looking at him.
The business began with his father Pietro Zaccariello, a Wallingford tailor who founded Zaccariello’s Tailor & Formal Wear in 1966. He ran the store with his family for almost 40 years until 2004.
In that time, the Zaccariello family opened stores in Cromwell, Old Saybrook, Glastonbury, Branford, in addition to their stores in Meriden and Wallingford.
“This is the last Pietro’s,†he said. “The business is still good. I can still work but I’m tired. I would love to sell it. People don’t want to put the time in.â€
Zaccariello’s family needs have also changed. His children are grown, his mother died earlier this year and he’s taking care of his father.
John Torres is a friend who styled hair at Regis Salon in the mall for 10 years before it closed in February. Torres visits the men’s shop often to bring pasta fagioli, discuss life and complain about the mall.
“You can’t get a hair cut anywhere in the mall,†Zaccariello said. “You need a good restaurant.â€
“We knew it was coming, we didn’t know when,†Torres said about the salon closing.
Pietro’s Menswear was a shopping destination and didn’t rely on mall traffic.
The shop’s inventory of dress shirts, pants, shoes and bow ties in every color spans the rear of the store. He will have a 20 to 80 percent off liquidation sale. Whatever doesn’t sell, he’s donating to the Goodwill.
Torres puts down his pasta fagioli and smiles.
“I’m going to get a suit out of this,†he said.
mgodin@record-journal.com
January 10, 2020 update.
Macy's is closing. Like Sears they own their space so don't expect this space to get leased out anytime soon.
Charlotte Russe reopened. (New owners bought the company and reportedly reopened 100 stores).
Forever 21 Red decided not to close (for now). Store has lots of merchandise now. (Unlike when when I went to the mall just a few months ago).
Express converted its store to an outlet store.
H&R Block opened. (Probably just a seasonal thing).
A sports memorabilia store that had opened is now closed. Apparently it was just there for the Christmas season. (Too bad. That was one of the reason I went to the mall yesterday).
2 nice murals have been painted on the wall they built to block off the former Sears. One on the first floor. One on the second floor. It was painted by a graffiti artist who is from Connecticut.
An insurance company is opening an office on the first floor.
A clothing store called Lettifull (unsure of the spelling on that) that had opened in the former Deb Shop space on the first floor closed. According to the Record Journal they're moving to a different mall. I think the CT Post Mall in Milford.
I went to Macy's last Friday February 28th. Not a whole lot left, but what is left is overpriced. An ad in the March 5th Record Journal states that it's the final weeks of the sale. They moved the Intimates Department into the area where Back Stage was located. They did have some nice clothing left, but of course none in my size. Jeans and Dress pants in both sizes 31 and 32. Shirts in sizes small and medium. Oh and I think there was one ugly pair of size 36 pants.
The renamed Meriden Mall has continued dying between their sale to NAMDAR and the pandemic.
Old Navy moved back to Route 5.
Ulta Beauty moved to Route 5.
Yankee Candle closed.
H&M closed.
Best Buy closed,
Hallmark closed.
That junk store Dollar N Things closed.
Several kiosks have closed including Candy Plaza.
And many more.
New to the mall:
Best Romano Pizza
Rooster's Chicken and Waffles
More than Just Lobster (opening soon)
The 7-8 Dinner Theater (opening in May)
Bloodlines Tattoo Shop and Piercing
Yale New Haven Hospital (Opening soon in the former Macy's)
An anime store.
A little boutique thst sells clothes snd accessories.
I really feel that this entire property is a wasted opportunity. I feel that NAMDAR should reconfigure the mall from an indoor mall to an outdoor shopping center. If they can't sustain the number of retailers, why not end its days as a "mall"? If I owned the property, I would clean it up, get Target across the street to move to the property, separate the future Yale New Haven Health complex (former Macy's) from the retail portion. Also, take down the parking garage as there would not be a need for it with plenty of parking in place. Add some restaurants and it would be complete. I can't understand why a mall would be open to the public with so little occupying space especially if the retailers opening at Westfarms with locations here move out of the mall instead of being at both malls. Same with Enfield Square.
Mason Asset Management is somehow connected to NAMDAR and I found the floor plan for Meriden Mall on their website which includes the square footage of all the store fronts in the mall.
https://www.masonam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CT_Meriden_Meriden-Mall-LP_JUNE22.pdf
Best Romano Pizza in the Food Court closed. Meriden Public Library has temporarily relocated to the former Old Navy location. Dragon Novelties the anime store moved from the former Lids location to space next to the little clothing boutique Classy Spark (which is in the old Francesca's).
It's doubtful that the dinner theater is ever gonna open at this point. A group of Meriden residents has filed a lawsuit against NAMDAR due to the dinner theater saying it's going to increase crime and drug use in the area. A performance of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was supposed to kick off the opening in October, but they ended up putting that performance on at the Waterbury ARC.
At this point I believe the mall is too far gone to be saved even if someone else bought it from NAMDAR. If the mall stays open I think TJ Maxx should move across the hall to the former Best Buy once Spirit Halloween closes. It's a bigger space and things wouldn't be so cramped.
At one time I had hoped if Ross ever decided to open stores in Connecticut they would open at the mall, but now that I have actually been to one (I went to one in Plymouth Meeting, PA) I found the store to be very ghettoish and Meriden is ghetto enough.
Someone is arguing that a dinner theater is going to increase crime and drug use? Seriously??
Quote from: Brammy on October 25, 2022, 10:53:19 AMBest Romano Pizza in the Food Court closed. Meriden Public Library has temporarily relocated to the former Old Navy location. Dragon Novelties the anime store moved from the former Lids location to space next to the little clothing boutique Classy Spark (which is in the old Francesca's).
It's doubtful that the dinner theater is ever gonna open at this point. A group of Meriden residents has filed a lawsuit against NAMDAR due to the dinner theater saying it's going to increase crime and drug use in the area. A performance of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was supposed to kick off the opening in October, but they ended up putting that performance on at the Waterbury ARC.
At this point I believe the mall is too far gone to be saved even if someone else bought it from NAMDAR. If the mall stays open I think TJ Maxx should move across the hall to the former Best Buy once Spirit Halloween closes. It's a bigger space and things wouldn't be so cramped.
At one time I had hoped if Ross ever decided to open stores in Connecticut they would open at the mall, but now that I have actually been to one (I went to one in Plymouth Meeting, PA) I found the store to be very ghettoish and Meriden is ghetto enough.
I commend the efforts to try and bring more life to the mall, but I think they are too far gone at this point to keep their footprint as it currently stands. On that note, I believe Meriden Mall can still function as an indoor mall, but just as a much smaller one. I really believe there is potential here, but there needs to be a reconfiguration of the entire property. What should happen is for the Target across the street to move to the mall property. They can completely take over the former Sears store and the Sears wing (including perhaps the parking garage which they really don't need anymore). Perhaps the second floor could be used for another retailer like a small Christmas Tree Shop (the new owners want to expand and I don't think they are as picky for locations like Bed Bath and Beyond was). The Sears wing in the mall is nearly all vacant. They can also move the food court to the center court area by where AT&T and Pralines is (and relocate any stores in that area to accommodate it). Then relocate all the stores left in the Sears wing to the other wings of the mall in vacant spaces. I had been wondering why the dinner theater continues to advertise shows off site while the temporary wall is still up inside in front of the space. As for Ruby Tuesday, I'm not sure of their future as a whole, and I'm not sure if they'd be willing to open in a new spot, but if they would be open to it, they can take over the old Sears Auto Center. But I am surprised they are still in Meriden Mall. I'm also wondering if Yale New Haven Health is still moving forward with the old Macys space. I had heard the construction apparatus was removed. I am planning to go down there next week so I'll confirm that. I thought maybe Target would have been better for that building.
The only reason I go to Meriden Mall is for Boscov's. I like that store and they seem to do very well there. They are always busy. I also like to supplement that with a stop at Target across the street.