View source for ShoppingTown Mall

{{Infobox shopping mall
| name = ShoppingTown Mall
| image = Shoppingtown Mall.jpg
| image_width = 
| caption = ShoppingTown main entrance
| location = {{plainlist|
*3649 Erie Boulevard East,
*[[DeWitt, New York|DeWitt]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States|US]]
}}
| coordinates = {{coord|43.0406|-76.06411|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}}
| opening_date = 1954 (as a strip mall, then enclosed in 1973)
| closing_date = March 2020
| developer = Eagan Real Estate Inc.
| owner = [[Onondaga County, New York]]
| number_of_stores = 0
| number_of_anchors = 0
| floor_area = {{convert|988054|sqft|m2|0|abbr=on}}
| floors = 2
| website = {{URL|http://www.shoppingtownmall.com/}}
| footnotes = 
}}'''ShoppingTown Mall''' was a regional [[shopping mall]] in [[Dewitt, New York]]. First opened as an open-air shopping center in 1954, it was enclosed in 1973 and remained a major shopping center before no longer being part of Dewitt in March 2020 to make way for a new $400 million development, which will be named District East. Much of the existing mall will be demolished for a phased development that includes a substantial residential component, a movie theater complex, retail space and offices, as well as new sidewalks, bike paths, walking trails, and large park and green space that will serve as a spearhead to the [[Empire State Trail]].<ref name=LocalSyr2020>{{Cite news|date=September 23, 2020|title=Business owner says all tenants of ShoppingTown Mall must vacate within 30 days|work=LocalSYR.com|url=https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/business-owner-says-all-tenants-of-shoppingtown-mall-must-vacate-within-30-days/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref name=LocalSyr2021>{{Cite news|last=Moriarty|first=Rick|date=November 19, 2020|title=Onondaga County to take dead ShoppingTown mall, but it will have to pay millions first|work=syracuse.com|url=https://www.syracuse.com/business/2020/11/onondaga-county-to-take-dead-shoppingtown-mall-but-it-will-have-to-pay-millions-first.html |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Open-Air Shopping Center ===
Shoppingtown Mall began as an open-air shopping center, first announced in August 1953 and managed by Eagan Real Estate Inc. At this time, tenants including [[F. W. Woolworth Company|F. W. Woolworth]], [[J. C. Penney]], [[Walgreens]], [[Grand Union (supermarket)|Grand Union]], [[Acme Markets]], [[Fanny Farmer]], [[Endicott Johnson Corporation|Endicott Johnson]], and [[Kinney Shoes]] had already signed on to the project.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 2, 1953|title=Shopping Center In DeWitt Due for Completion Nov. 1|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66669077/|access-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref> Local Syracuse department store Addis' signed onto the project in February 1954, and later that month a four-day grand opening gala was announced, set to begin March 3.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 11, 1954|title=Addis To Open In Shoppingtown|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66755948/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=February 21, 1954|title=Gala Opening Set In Shoppingtown, DeWitt, March 3|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66756031/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The center opened as planned on March 3 with most major tenants, with Addis opening later on October 8, 1954.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 3, 1954|title=Employing 500, Shoppingtown Acts As New Industry in Growing Center|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66757024/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=October 7, 1954|title=New Addis Store At Shoppingtown Opens Tomorrow|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66757098/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Multiple new stores, including Flah & Co, [[W. T. Grant]], and a Kallet Theater, began construction in 1955–1956.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 3, 1955|title=Construction Will Start Immediately On Flah's Branch Store in DeWitt|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66759208/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=May 20, 1956|title=1,200-Seat Theater to Open At Shoppingtown in Fall|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66759254/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

A [[Dey Brothers|Dey's]] Store For Homes was first announced in 1960, with plans for the home store to open by 1961, with a full store projected to open at a later date.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 23, 1960|title=Dey's Store for Homes Due in Shoppingtown|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66758254/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The home store opened August 25, 1962, followed by the full store which opened on October 11, 1966.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 11, 1966|title=Shoppingtown Dey's Is Hailed|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66758343/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 20, 1962|title=Dey Brothers Shoppingtown Dewitt|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66758481/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The center was affected by a fire in April 1967, which most affected Flah & Co, who remained closed for over a month to completely restock and remodel the store.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 11, 1967|title=Shopping Bulletin! Shoppingtown Is Open|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66759627/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=May 24, 1967|title=Today Flah's at Shoppingtown once again takes wing|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66759663/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> A branch store of Syracuse department store E.W. Edwards & Sons opened in November 1968.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 6, 1968|title=Edward's Shoppingtown Now Open|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66759949/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> A new 2-screen Kallet Theater opened December 28, 1968.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 26, 1968|title=Gala Premiere Tonight - 8:00 P.M.|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-dec-26-1968-2161852/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

=== Mall Conversion ===
Shoppingtown began conversion into an "all-climate mall" in late 1973, with Edwards planned to be one of the anchors, though Edwards closed its doors amidst bankruptcy in November 1973.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Newer|first=Dorothy|date=November 8, 1973|title=Edwards Closes Store in DeWitt|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66769984/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The mall suffered a fire in June 1974, which fatally injured one firefighter and caused an estimated $500,000 in damages, primarily to W.T. Grant.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Woolsey|first=Jim|date=June 22, 1974|title=Injuries at Blaze are Fatal to Fireman|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66770946/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The two-screen Kallet theater was purchased by Carrols Development Corp in 1974, and operated as a Cinema National.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Apikian|first=Nevart|date=December 19, 1981|title=Theaters Change Hands|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-dec-19-1981-2161587/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Woolworth also announced the closure of its Shoppingtown store on December 31, 1974.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 31, 1974|title=Woolworth To Close Three Stores|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66771103/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Rumored since shortly after the store's closing in 1973, J. C. Penney opened a new, larger store in the former Edwards in January 1975.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hornak|first=Paul|date=November 28, 1973|title=Penney Weighs Move|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66771275/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Newer|first=Dorothy|date=January 17, 1975|title=New J. C. Penney Opens Wednesday|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66771327/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Both Flah & Co and Addis' opened new stores at the mall, said to be double the size of their previous locations in the center.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 3, 1975|title=Eagen Sees Opportunity Ahead|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66771402/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The mall opened on August 4, 1975, with a week-long grand opening ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 5, 1975|title=Cool Customers|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66771705/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

=== Enclosed Mall ===
Woolworth's re-joined the mall in August 1978, taking over the former W.T. Grant space.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 2, 1978|title=5 new to mall family|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-aug-02-1978-2161517/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> The mall added a {{convert|57000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} [[Chappell's]] as an anchor in October 1984.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 23, 1994|title=Chappell's opening seventh store in Shoppingtown Oct.3|work=Syracuse Herald-American|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-sep-23-1984-2161367|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Addis merged with Dey Brothers in May 1989, with plans to close the Addis store at the mall, and merge operations into the existing Dey Brothers store.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Mellinda|date=May 3, 1989|title=Adding The Addis Co. touch|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-03-1989-2162434/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Shortly after this, [[Wilmorite Properties]] gained control of the mall through a partnership with Eagan in Summer 1989, announcing a major remodel later that year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mulder|first=James T.|date=November 12, 1989|title=Malls getting an overhaul|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-nov-12-1989-2162443/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

The remodel was completed at a cost of $53 million in 1991, adding a new wing which included a relocated Addis & Dey store and a food court, with the original Addis & Dey store being split between [[TJ Maxx]] in 1991 and [[Steinbach's]] in 1992.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=May 4, 1994|title=Retail boom rolls through Central NY|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-04-1994-2161179|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 22, 1991|title=Shoppingtown's new mall packs pizazz|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-aug-22-1991-2162530/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Addis & Dey announced the closure of their Shoppingtown Mall store amidst bankruptcy in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Seay|first=Gregory|date=December 5, 1992|title=Behind Sage-Dey Closing Doors|work=Hartford Courant|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-12-05-0000108974-story.html|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Shortly thereafter in early 1993, [[Kaufmann's]] announced it would relocate from Fayetteville Mall to the former Addis & Dey space.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Abbott|first=Lillian|date=February 12, 1993|title=Burlington Coat May Expand Locally|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-feb-12-1993-2161394|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Woolworth's closed for the second and final time in early 1993.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Abbott|first=Lillian|date=January 27, 1993|title=Massive Markdowns Mark Woolworth's Final Day|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jan-27-1993-2161543/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Steinbach's closed July 1, 1994, after recording hundreds of thousands in losses at the store, and TJ Maxx relocated to the Fayetteville Mall.<ref name=":0" /> Sears took over both floors of the former Addis & Dey space, in addition to building a new auto center.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Niedt|first=Bob|date=May 4, 1994|title=Local malls play a fast game of musical stores|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-04-1994-2161341|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> [[Media Play]] was announced in April 1994, taking over the former Woolworth's and Kallet Theater spaces for a {{convert|48000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} location.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Niedt|first=Bob|date=April 29, 1994|title=Shoppingtown woos Media Play store|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-29-1994-2161458/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> [[The Bon-Ton]] came to the mall with their acquisition of Chappell's in late 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hannagan|first=Charley|date=October 19, 1994|title=Bon-Ton Buys Out Chappell's|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-oct-19-1994-2161429/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

[[Old Navy]] opened in January 2000, and [[Dick's Sporting Goods]] was announced in March that year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Neidt|first=Bob|date=January 19, 2000|title=Old Navy to drop anchor in malls soon|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jan-19-2000-2162573/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Niedt|first=Bob|date=March 12, 2000|title=New Dick's moving to bigger spot in DeWitt|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-mar-12-2000-2162579/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>  ShoppingTown Mall was one of several properties sold to [[Macerich]] by Wilmorite in late 2004 for $2.3 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 24, 2004|title=Locations of properties sold by Wilmorite|work=Democrat And Chronicle|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66831123/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Kaufmann's became [[Macy's]] in September, 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Niedt|first=Bob|date=July 29, 2005|title=Kaufmann's new name: Macy's|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jul-29-2005-2162680/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Niedt|first=Bob|date=February 22, 2006|title=Albany company might buy Media Play chain|work=The Post-Herald|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-feb-22-2006-2162468/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Chao|first=Mary|date=October 1, 2005|title=Bon-Ton still intends to stay here|work=Democrat And Chronicle|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66830762/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=January 4, 2006|title=Waldenbooks leaving ShoppingTown|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jan-04-2006-2162564/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> In March 2007, Macerich announced plans to create an open-air plaza with new shops facing Erie Boulevard East in the Sears wing, though this never materialized perhaps due to the economic recession.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Niedt|first=Bob|date=March 13, 2007|title=Plan includes entrance on Erie Boulevard|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-mar-13-2007-2162618/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=October 22, 2008|title=Express checkout|work=The Post-Standard|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-oct-22-2008-2162639/|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tampone|first=Kevin|date=July 7, 2015|title=Macerich dumps Great Northern Mall, walks away from Central New York|work=syracuse.com|url=https://www.syracuse.com/storefront/2015/07/great_northern_mall_macerich.html#:~:text=ShoppingTown%20ultimately%20sold%20at%20auction,start%20and%20details%20are%20scarce.|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

The later 2010s saw the closure of several traditional department store retailers. In March 2015, Macy's, which maintains a much larger outpost at [[Destiny USA]], announced that they would throw in the towel and to shut down permanently. In October 2015, Dick's Sporting Goods closed its ShoppingTown Mall store and relocated to a nearby DeWitt Commons.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 28, 2015|title=DICK'S Sporting Goods Announces Grand Opening of Relocated Store at Dewitt Commons in Dewitt, NY|work=Cision PR Newswire|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dicks-sporting-goods-announces-grand-opening-of-relocated-store-at-dewitt-commons-in-dewitt-ny-300149882.html|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Moriarty|first=Rick|date=January 8, 2015|title=Macy's to close ShoppingTown Mall store|work=syracuse.com|url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2015/01/macys_to_close_shoppingtown_mall_store.html|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> On April 8, 2016, JCPenney decides to throw in the towel and to leave the mall. On September 2, 2018, Sears announced that their ShoppingTown Mall location would call it quits, leaving the mall without any anchor stores.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Elizabeth|date=January 7, 2016|title=J.C. Penney store in ShoppingTown Mall is closing|work=syracuse.com|url=https://www.syracuse.com/business-news/2016/01/jc_penney_store_in_shoppingtown_mall_is_closing.html|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Elizabeth|date=September 13, 2018|title=See the end of an era: Sears at ShoppingTown Mall's final days (photos)|work=syracuse.com|url=https://www.syracuse.com/business-news/2018/09/see_the_end_of_an_era_sears_at_shoppingtown_malls_final_days_photos.html|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Harding|first=Robert|date=March 19, 2020|title=Destiny USA, other Syracuse-area malls ordered to close due to coronavirus|work=auburnpub.com|url=https://auburnpub.com/news/local/destiny-usa-other-syracuse-area-malls-ordered-to-close-due-to-coronavirus/article_b225f66c-7372-58ab-bbe7-18c6a83fe715.html|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> June 2019 got the departure of Rite Aid at ShoppingTown Mall. Moonbeam Capital served eviction notices to all remaining tenants in September 2020 to make way for a new $400 million development, which will be named District East. Much of the existing mall will be demolished for a phased development that includes a substantial residential component, a movie theater complex, a "premium" grocer, specialty retail, and services like doctors and medical offices. The project will also include new sidewalks, bike paths, walking trails, and large park and green space that will serve as a spearhead to the recently enhanced Empire State Trail.<ref name=LocalSyr2020/><ref name=LocalSyr2021/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|http://www.shoppingtownmall.com}}

{{Shopping malls in Upstate New York}}

[[Category:Shopping malls in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1954]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Onondaga County, New York]]
[[Category:DeWitt, New York]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:2020 disestablishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Defunct shopping malls in the United States]]
[[Category:Shopping malls disestablished in 2020]]