The Maine Mall
Encyclopedia
The Maine Mall, built in 1971, is an enclosed shopping mall
located in South Portland, Maine
, a suburb of Portland
. At 1200000 square feet (111,483.6 m²), it is the largest shopping mall in the state of Maine
, and the second-largest in northern New England (behind only the Mall at Rockingham Park
in New Hampshire). Anchored by Best Buy
, JCPenney, Macy's
, and Sears, the mall features over 140 tenants, a food court
and several ancillary restaurant/retail pad sites.
As of June 2010, several new stores have been added including Teavana
, Coldwater Creek
, Zumiez
, Brighton Collectibles
, Pandora
, Sephora
, and Johnny Rockets
. The former Filene's is still not occupied, but Super Shoes replaced part of the Linens N things space. Ulta Cosmetics has taken over the former Vinny T's space. Francesca's Collections opened in summer 2010, and across the street, Chipotle Mexican Grille, and racker Barrel] have opened. Plans for fall 2011 include Old Navy moving over from Maine Crossing to occupy the space to the rear of Super Shoes, plus White House/Black Market, and j jill.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
located in South Portland, Maine
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
, a suburb of Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. At 1200000 square feet (111,483.6 m²), it is the largest shopping mall in the state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, and the second-largest in northern New England (behind only the Mall at Rockingham Park
Mall at Rockingham Park
The Mall at Rockingham Park is located in Salem, New Hampshire. It is the largest shopping mall in New Hampshire, as well as northern New England, with of floor space. The mall is adjacent to the Rockingham Park race track in Salem, and was the state's third shopping mall to be built...
in New Hampshire). Anchored by Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, JCPenney, Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, and Sears, the mall features over 140 tenants, a food court
Food court
A food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
and several ancillary restaurant/retail pad sites.
The Mall today
On April 16, 2009 the Mall owner, General Growth Properties, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This status has not seemingly affected the day-to-day operations of the mall, but raised questions as to whether the owner will be able to retain ownership of the property while they attempt to refinance $27 billion debt collateralized by their national real estate portfolio. Rumors have been further fueled by the mall owner's late payment of its 2009 bi-annual South Portland property tax bill exceeding $900,000.As of June 2010, several new stores have been added including Teavana
Teavana
Teavana is a specialty tea and tea accessory retailer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Teavana currently operates over 180 company-owned stores in 36 U.S. states and Mexico.- History :...
, Coldwater Creek
Coldwater Creek
Coldwater Creek is a women's apparel and accessories retailer based in Sandpoint, Idaho, United States. The company was founded in 1984 by Dennis and Ann Pence. Coldwater Creek sells its products in stores, through catalogs and online. The online outlet carries apparel that was featured during...
, Zumiez
Zumiez
Zumiez is a mall-based, specialty apparel store founded by Tom Campion and Gary Haakenson in 1978, and publicly traded since 2005. "Offering gear and clothing for the skater, snowboarder, and surfer," Zumiez sells action-sports related clothing and has created an image based around action sports...
, Brighton Collectibles
Brighton Collectibles
Brighton Collectibles is an accessories manufacturer with over 100 retail stores in the United States. Brighton products can also be found in more than 6,000 boutiques nationwide....
, Pandora
Pandora
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman. As Hesiod related it, each god helped create her by giving her unique gifts...
, Sephora
Sephora
Sephora is a chain of cosmetics stores founded in France in 1970 and acquired by Paris-based conglomerate LVMH in 1997. The Sephora chain includes more than 750 stores in 17 countries...
, and Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is an American restaurant franchise whose concept is to create a classic American restaurant atmosphere. The theme is the diner-style restaurant that had become a common sight by the 1950s...
. The former Filene's is still not occupied, but Super Shoes replaced part of the Linens N things space. Ulta Cosmetics has taken over the former Vinny T's space. Francesca's Collections opened in summer 2010, and across the street, Chipotle Mexican Grille, and racker Barrel] have opened. Plans for fall 2011 include Old Navy moving over from Maine Crossing to occupy the space to the rear of Super Shoes, plus White House/Black Market, and j jill.
Highlighted timeline
- In late 2008, Forever 21Forever 21Forever 21 is an American chain of clothing retailers with branches in major cities in The United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that offers fashion and accessories for young women and men....
and H&MH&MH & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
opened in the former Filene's Mens & Home first floor. Sports Authority remained in the former Filene's upper floor. Also, an Apple Store and a Coach store opened. - In 2007 the vacant building that formerly housed Filene's was to be demolished and replaced by a 16-screen movie theater and restaurants. General Growth also wanted to relocate the current Best Buy and David's BridalDavid's BridalDavid's Bridal is a clothier in the United States that specializes in wedding dresses, prom gowns, and other formal wear. It is the largest American bridal-store chain.David's Bridal currently operates more than 300 stores in 45 states, Canada and Puerto Rico...
stores to an adjacent property in an attempt to create a Lifestyle Shopping CenterLifestyle center (retail)A lifestyle center is a shopping center or mixed-used commercial development that combines the traditional retail functions of a shopping mall with leisure amenities oriented towards upscale consumers...
at that site. The project, however, was put on hold for unknown reasons. Joseph Soley, a local property owner who owns two retail centers near the mall, attempted to file a lawsuit, claiming that General Growth's expansion of the mall would negatively impact his own businesses; the lawsuit was dismissed. The project has been delayed indefinitely because of the suit. - In 2005, Federated Department StoresFederated Department StoresMacy's, Inc. is a department store holding company and owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. Macy's Inc.'s stores specialize mostly in retail clothing, jewelery, watches, dinnerware, and furniture....
, the owner of Macy's, acquired the Filene's chain. Due to the presence of an existing Macy's at the Maine Mall, both the Filene's and Filene's home store were shuttered in 2005 to prevent overlap. - In 2003, General Growth PropertiesGeneral Growth PropertiesGeneral Growth Properties, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust in the United States. It is based in Chicago, Illinois at 110 North Wacker Drive, a historic building designed by architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White...
of Chicago, IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
purchased the mall via a competitive sales process in October for $270M. - In 1997, WoolworthF. W. Woolworth CompanyThe F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...
and LechmereLechmereLechmere was a retail store chain in New England, which closed in 1997.-History:Lechmere Inc. was a retailer of electronics, appliances, and other goods, with 24 stores located throughout New England and New York. The company was founded in the early twentieth century and expanded during the...
both closed; within a year, they were replaced by Linens 'n ThingsLinens 'n ThingsLinens 'n Things is an online retailer of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories. Until 2008, the company also did business as a big box retailer under the name Linens 'n Things, Inc., headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey, United States, and did business across the United States...
and Best BuyBest BuyBest Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, respectively. - Porteous closed in 1996 and was replaced with a two-level structure, containing a Filene's Home Store on the lower level, with Sports AuthoritySports AuthorityThe Sports Authority, Inc. is one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States. It is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, and operates more than 460 stores in 45 U.S...
on the upper level. Jordan MarshJordan MarshJordan Marsh & Company was a department store in Boston, Massachusetts, which grew to be a major regional chain in the New England area of the United States. In 1996, the last of the Jordan Marsh stores were converted to Macy's. The store was formerly part of Allied Stores and then Federated...
was acquired by Federated Department StoresFederated Department StoresMacy's, Inc. is a department store holding company and owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. Macy's Inc.'s stores specialize mostly in retail clothing, jewelery, watches, dinnerware, and furniture....
in 1996; as a result, the former Jordan Marsh at Maine Mall became Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
. - In 1994 the Mall underwent a $6.5 million renovation; this renovation added a food courtFood courtA food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
, as well as Lechmere and a larger Dream Machine (a video game and pinball machine arcade). - Porteous, a department storeDepartment storeA department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
chain based in Portland, MainePortland, MainePortland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
arrived in 1983 as part of a major mall expansion which doubled the mall's size. This expansion also brought in JCPenney, as well as the first Filene'sFilene'sFilene's was a Boston-based department store owned by Federated Department Stores , and May Department Stores . It operated throughout New England and in New York.-Early years:...
in the state of Maine. - 1969: Construction of original Jordan Marsh Company begins. Store opened in 1970 and sat for a year by itself before the 52 store original wing, from Jordan Marsh to Sears, was built in 1971. August 18, 1971, Portland Press Herald had an insert announcing the first 30 stores open. By October 15, a dedication was held for all 52 original stores.