The first suburban shopping center in the New York City
metropolitan area, GARDEN OF GREAT NECK CENTER,
was located in the Town of North Hempstead -Long Island-
and opened for business in May of 1951.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Long Island's Garden Of Great Neck Center
A circa-1952 view of the historic shopping hub, with a 70,000
square foot John Wanamaker at its center. This store space would
house several different department stores over the next 27 years.
Wanamaker's shut down in mid-1955. The Allied Stores conglomerate
would operate a Stern's branch there between 1955 and 1961 and a
Gertz between 1961 and 1979.
Photo from Library of Congress
A circa-1952 view of the historic shopping hub, with a 70,000
square foot John Wanamaker at its center. This store space would
house several different department stores over the next 27 years.
Wanamaker's shut down in mid-1955. The Allied Stores conglomerate
would operate a Stern's branch there between 1955 and 1961 and a
Gertz between 1961 and 1979.
Photo from Library of Congress
Two more circa-1952 views of Long Island's GARDEN OF GREAT
NECK CENTER. Over the years, the retail hub would also be known
as the NORTH SHORE SHOPPING CENTER.
Photos from Library Of Congress
NECK CENTER. Over the years, the retail hub would also be known
as the NORTH SHORE SHOPPING CENTER.
Photos from Library Of Congress
A physical layout of GARDEN OF GREAT NECK CENTER, as it
Moving south, toward the center of the center, we see the former
was configured in 1951. The name derives from Sol Atlas' desire
to promote his new suburban shopping hub as a pastoral, tree-
lined complex.
And now, three contemporary photos of Long Island's GARDEN OF
GREAT NECK CENTER. We begin with the 2-level store structure
at the north end of the complex.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
Moving south, toward the center of the center, we see the former
John Wanamaker store on the right. Today, it houses a Waldbaum's
supermarket.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
Lastly, the south arm of the complex. Back in the days, this was
tenanted by stores such as Millers and F.W. Woolworth.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
GARDEN OF GREAT NECK CENTER
Middle Neck and Cutter Mill Roads
Nassau County (Town of North Hempstead), New York
Metropolitan New York City's first suburban-style shopping center was constructed on a 7 acre parcel located 13.4 miles east of Times Square. The site, once part of the Grace Estate, was located in Nassau County's Town of North Hempstead / Village of Great Neck Plaza.
Middle Neck and Cutter Mill Roads
Nassau County (Town of North Hempstead), New York
Metropolitan New York City's first suburban-style shopping center was constructed on a 7 acre parcel located 13.4 miles east of Times Square. The site, once part of the Grace Estate, was located in Nassau County's Town of North Hempstead / Village of Great Neck Plaza.
Perhaps a bit of clarification might be necessary here in regard to political divisions within the state of New York. The first such division would be a county, which would -then- be subdivided into various towns. The third level of subdivision would be either a village (which is an incorporated entity) or hamlet (which is not incorporated).
Anyway, ground was broken for GARDEN OF GREAT NECK CENTER in June 1950. The open-air strip complex, built by developer Sol Atlas, encompassed 216,500 leasable square feet. It was anchored by a 3-level (70,000 square foot), Philadelphia-based John Wanamaker, the chain's first suburban New York City location, which opened for business May 16, 1951. The store featured a huge, 2 story show window in front and two elevators...quite an impressive feature at the time.
Inline stores in GARDEN OF GREAT NECK PLAZA included Millers apparel, Pennsylvania Drugs and an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10. The parking area accomodated five hundred autos.
Wanamaker's Great Neck Plaza turned out to be short-lived. It was shuttered May 3, 1955. The store re-opened, as a Stern Brothers / Stern's (then based in New York City), September 2, 1955. This was the Stern's chain's first suburban branch. It became a New York City-based Gertz in 1961. This operation shut down in late 1979, with the first level of the store space re-opening as an Edward's supermarket.
Today, the shopping center still exists and, save for a 1990s facelift, is essentially the same as in the early 1950s. Of course, the stores are different. Nowadays, the Wanamakers / Stern's / Gertz is a Waldbaum's supermarket. Other stores operating in the present include Rite Aid Drug, Wild Ginger and World Savings.
Sources:
"Great Neck Plaza Walking Tour" / Long Island Traditions / Nancy Solomon
"Great Neck Plaza" article on Wikipedia
Nassau County, New York property tax assessor website
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS:
From the Gottscho-Schleisner Collection / Repository: United States Library Of Congress Prints and Photograph Division, Washington, D.C. / Taken by Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc., 1952 / Photographs are in the public domain: no known restrictions on publication / www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html
Anyway, ground was broken for GARDEN OF GREAT NECK CENTER in June 1950. The open-air strip complex, built by developer Sol Atlas, encompassed 216,500 leasable square feet. It was anchored by a 3-level (70,000 square foot), Philadelphia-based John Wanamaker, the chain's first suburban New York City location, which opened for business May 16, 1951. The store featured a huge, 2 story show window in front and two elevators...quite an impressive feature at the time.
Inline stores in GARDEN OF GREAT NECK PLAZA included Millers apparel, Pennsylvania Drugs and an F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10. The parking area accomodated five hundred autos.
Wanamaker's Great Neck Plaza turned out to be short-lived. It was shuttered May 3, 1955. The store re-opened, as a Stern Brothers / Stern's (then based in New York City), September 2, 1955. This was the Stern's chain's first suburban branch. It became a New York City-based Gertz in 1961. This operation shut down in late 1979, with the first level of the store space re-opening as an Edward's supermarket.
Today, the shopping center still exists and, save for a 1990s facelift, is essentially the same as in the early 1950s. Of course, the stores are different. Nowadays, the Wanamakers / Stern's / Gertz is a Waldbaum's supermarket. Other stores operating in the present include Rite Aid Drug, Wild Ginger and World Savings.
Sources:
"Great Neck Plaza Walking Tour" / Long Island Traditions / Nancy Solomon
"Great Neck Plaza" article on Wikipedia
Nassau County, New York property tax assessor website
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS:
From the Gottscho-Schleisner Collection / Repository: United States Library Of Congress Prints and Photograph Division, Washington, D.C. / Taken by Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc., 1952 / Photographs are in the public domain: no known restrictions on publication / www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html
New York City's Roosevelt Field
A vintage view of the Macy's ROOSEVELT FIELD location. At the
time of the mall's dedication, in 1956, it was the sole department store
anchor.
Photo from Library of Congress
The original, single level, open-air mallway.
Photo from "Suburban Shopping In America"/ Josephine P. Reynolds / April 1958
A vintage view of the Macy's ROOSEVELT FIELD location. At the
time of the mall's dedication, in 1956, it was the sole department store
anchor.
Photo from Library of Congress
The original, single level, open-air mallway.
Photo from "Suburban Shopping In America"/ Josephine P. Reynolds / April 1958
An ancient aerial of the mall, showing its original -single anchor- config-
uration. Space has been cleared for the construction of a second anchor
store (Gimbels). Ground would be broken April 18, 1959.
Photo from http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/vcrsys/Images/Alco/10-3-56-2-2.jpg
Gimbels ROOSEVELT FIELD was shuttered in August 1986. The store
was operated as a Stern's -seen here- between 1987 and 2001.
Photo from www.occulude06.tripod.com
A site plan dated 10 years after the previous one. Several changes
had been made at the mall. An enclosing roof had been installed
in 1967-1968. Moreover, two anchors had joined the retail roster...
Alexander's in 1971 and J.C. Penney in 1972. Two parking garages
were built and La Petite Mall (a mall within a mall) would open
in 1974.
The 1990 footprint of the shopping hub, which now encompassed
over 2 million leasable square feet.
Alexander's closed early in 1991. It was remodeled, and re-opened
-as an Abraham and Straus- in 1992. This store lasted only 3 years.
Bloomingdale's -seen here- moved in in late 1995.
Photo from http://www.occulude06.tripod.com
One of the few Macy's stores that has always been a Macy's. This
location, originally encompassing 2-levels (with basement) and
343,000 square feet, was expanded to 3-levels -and 428,000 square
feet- in 1963.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
That well-known Seattle-centered retailer set up shop at the mall in
August 1997.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
An interior view of today's ROOSEVELT FIELD. An upper level of
stores was built between 1992 and 1997. It included a zeppelin-
shaped Food Court and quarters for several so-called "luxury
retailers".
Photo from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
In this future footprint, modifications done as part of an early
'90s mall remodeling are shown in dark gray. Changes shown
in light gray will be happen if a 200 million dollar expansion
and renovation is approved. A Neiman Marcus, rumored for
years, will be be added as part of a Southwest Wing. Not indi-
cated is the mall's prospective Food Pavilion, which is to take
the place of the Level 2 Food Court.
'90s mall remodeling are shown in dark gray. Changes shown
in light gray will be happen if a 200 million dollar expansion
and renovation is approved. A Neiman Marcus, rumored for
years, will be be added as part of a Southwest Wing. Not indi-
cated is the mall's prospective Food Pavilion, which is to take
the place of the Level 2 Food Court.
A rendering of the new Food Pavilion. It will replace the mall's current
17-bay Food Court, built as part of an early 1990s renovation.
Drawing from www.simon.com (Simon Property Group)
ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER
Meadowbrook Parkway and Old Country Road
Nassua County (Town of Hempstead), New York
Long Island's first post-war shopping center, GARDEN OF GREAT NECK CENTER (1951), was followed by a rapid succession of mall-type retail complexes. Three of these, ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER, GREEN ACRES CENTER and MID-ISLAND PLAZA, opened over the course of a single year...1956. Two more followed soon after, WALT WHITMAN MALL and SOUTH SHORE CENTER MALL, dedicated in 1962 and 1963, respectively.
The land on which Long Island's first shopping mall was built had served as various airfields between 1917 and 1951. One of these, Roosevelt Field, was the departure point for "Lucky Lindy's" historic transatlantic flight in 1927.
ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER was developed by New York City's William Zeckendorf, under the auspices of Webb and Knapp, and designed by Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei. It was situated on a land parcel encompassing 88 acres, located 24.5 miles east of Times Square. The site was within Nassau County's Town of Hempstead / Village of Garden City.
Ground was broken for the 35 million dollar project in April 1955. The shopping hub, encompassing 1,150,000 leasable square feet, was officially dedicated August 29, 1956. Open-air in format, it was situated on a main retail level, with a service basement and small subterannean gallery of shops.
New York City-based Corporate Property Investors acquired the mall in 1973. In the next year, a small, Tudor-style section, known as LA PETITE MALL, came inline. This was an enclosed "mall within a mall" area, fitted into existing space in the southwest corner of the complex. It housed Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream, Hanan Yarn, The Cave Hair Salon, a Sanrio store (with lots of "Hello Kitty" stuffed animals) and a restaurant.
A fourth enlargement of ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL was done, in stages, between 1992 and 1997. An Upper Level of stores, built on top of the first, was dedicated in April 1993. This 300,000 square foot addition included a 17-bay Food Court and sixty new "luxury retailers".
Alexander's had been shuttered in February 1991. The store was gutted and remodeled into a New York City-based Abraham and Straus, which came inline in October 1992. This was in operation until April 30, 1995. New York City-based Bloomingdale's opened in this location on November 2 of the same year.
The Gimbels anchor had shut down in August 1986 and been leased by New Jersey-based Stern's between February 1987 and August 2001. After Stern's closed, the spot was taken by Galyan's Trading Company, which was bought -and rebranded- by Pittsburgh-based Dick's Sporting Goods in October 2004.
At this time, the building was divided, with Dick's occupying the eastern section and Bloomingdale's Furniture setting up shop in the western. A 3-level (225,000 square foot) Nordstrom, added to the southeast corner of the massive mall, opened August 15, 1997.
Today, ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL houses 2,227,000 square feet of retail space, with over two hundred and sixty stores and services. It is the fifth-largest enclosed shopping mall in the United States and the largest in the New York City metropolitan area. The center is owned and operated by the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, who took ownership the shopping center when it acquired Corporate Property Investors in February 1998.
ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER was developed by New York City's William Zeckendorf, under the auspices of Webb and Knapp, and designed by Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei. It was situated on a land parcel encompassing 88 acres, located 24.5 miles east of Times Square. The site was within Nassau County's Town of Hempstead / Village of Garden City.
Ground was broken for the 35 million dollar project in April 1955. The shopping hub, encompassing 1,150,000 leasable square feet, was officially dedicated August 29, 1956. Open-air in format, it was situated on a main retail level, with a service basement and small subterannean gallery of shops.
Inline stores included Walgreen Drug, Buster Brown Shoes, Howard Clothes, The Corsetorium, Paree Millinery, Singer Sewing Center and a Horn and Hardhart Automat. There were also F.W. Woolworth and S.S. Kresge 5 and 10s and Food Fair and Grand Union supermarkets. Service type attractions at the original mall included the Flight Room public auditorium and an outdoor ice skating rink.
A 3-level (343,000 square foot) Macy's, which had opened August 22, 1956, was the original -solitary- anchor of the mall. A 3-level (250,000 square foot) Gimbels, the mall's second anchor, began business August 20, 1962. Macy's had an 85,000 square foot fourth level added in 1963. With this addition, the entire retail hub housed approximately 1,485,000 square feet of store space.
Competing malls in the vicinity of ROOSEVELT FIELD included the aforementioned GREEN ACRES CENTER (1956) {7.4 miles southwest, in Nassau County} and MID-ISLAND PLAZA (1956) {4.6 miles northeast, in Nassau County}. In addition there would be SUNRISE MALL (1973) {9.8 miles southeast, also in Nassau County}.
Courts and concourses at ROOSEVELT FIELD were fully-enclosed and climate-controlled in 1967-1968, with the shopping center known, henceforth, as ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL. As part of the renovation, the Roosevelt Field Century's Theatre was added at the northwest corner of the complex. Originally a single-screen venue, it was divided into a 3-plex in 1981 and an 8-plex in 1987.
A 3-level (343,000 square foot) Macy's, which had opened August 22, 1956, was the original -solitary- anchor of the mall. A 3-level (250,000 square foot) Gimbels, the mall's second anchor, began business August 20, 1962. Macy's had an 85,000 square foot fourth level added in 1963. With this addition, the entire retail hub housed approximately 1,485,000 square feet of store space.
Competing malls in the vicinity of ROOSEVELT FIELD included the aforementioned GREEN ACRES CENTER (1956) {7.4 miles southwest, in Nassau County} and MID-ISLAND PLAZA (1956) {4.6 miles northeast, in Nassau County}. In addition there would be SUNRISE MALL (1973) {9.8 miles southeast, also in Nassau County}.
Courts and concourses at ROOSEVELT FIELD were fully-enclosed and climate-controlled in 1967-1968, with the shopping center known, henceforth, as ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL. As part of the renovation, the Roosevelt Field Century's Theatre was added at the northwest corner of the complex. Originally a single-screen venue, it was divided into a 3-plex in 1981 and an 8-plex in 1987.
A third expansion of the shopping venue took place in the early 1970s. Alexander's 3-level (314,000 square foot) location opened for business October 15, 1971. J.C. Penney, with a 3-level (260,000 square foot) store, came inline July 19, 1972.
New York City-based Corporate Property Investors acquired the mall in 1973. In the next year, a small, Tudor-style section, known as LA PETITE MALL, came inline. This was an enclosed "mall within a mall" area, fitted into existing space in the southwest corner of the complex. It housed Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream, Hanan Yarn, The Cave Hair Salon, a Sanrio store (with lots of "Hello Kitty" stuffed animals) and a restaurant.
A fourth enlargement of ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL was done, in stages, between 1992 and 1997. An Upper Level of stores, built on top of the first, was dedicated in April 1993. This 300,000 square foot addition included a 17-bay Food Court and sixty new "luxury retailers".
Alexander's had been shuttered in February 1991. The store was gutted and remodeled into a New York City-based Abraham and Straus, which came inline in October 1992. This was in operation until April 30, 1995. New York City-based Bloomingdale's opened in this location on November 2 of the same year.
The Gimbels anchor had shut down in August 1986 and been leased by New Jersey-based Stern's between February 1987 and August 2001. After Stern's closed, the spot was taken by Galyan's Trading Company, which was bought -and rebranded- by Pittsburgh-based Dick's Sporting Goods in October 2004.
At this time, the building was divided, with Dick's occupying the eastern section and Bloomingdale's Furniture setting up shop in the western. A 3-level (225,000 square foot) Nordstrom, added to the southeast corner of the massive mall, opened August 15, 1997.
Today, ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL houses 2,227,000 square feet of retail space, with over two hundred and sixty stores and services. It is the fifth-largest enclosed shopping mall in the United States and the largest in the New York City metropolitan area. The center is owned and operated by the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, who took ownership the shopping center when it acquired Corporate Property Investors in February 1998.
On the horizon is a 200 million dollar remodeling, which will add a 2-level (100,000 square foot) Neiman Marcus. The existing mall will also be given an update and an indoor-outdoor Food Pavilion will replace the current Second Level culinary complex. If local government approval is granted for the renovation, construction could be underway by 2013 and be completed by 2015.
Sources:
http://www.airfield-freeman.com/ / thefreemans@hotmail.com
"Roosevelt Field" article on Wikipedia
"Macy's" article on Wikipedia
"Bloomingdale's" article on Wikipedia
http://www.preservenet.cornell.edu/
Comment post by Jimmy B.
Comment post by "Dea41396"
Nassau County, New York Tax Assessor website
"Roosevelt Field Theatres" article / Cinema Treasures website
www.city-data.com/forum/long-island/47032-you-know-youre-long-island-when-106.html / Comment posts by "LiskaGirl" and "KittyNY"
Sources:
http://www.airfield-freeman.com/ / thefreemans@hotmail.com
"Roosevelt Field" article on Wikipedia
"Macy's" article on Wikipedia
"Bloomingdale's" article on Wikipedia
http://www.preservenet.cornell.edu/
Comment post by Jimmy B.
Comment post by "Dea41396"
Nassau County, New York Tax Assessor website
"Roosevelt Field Theatres" article / Cinema Treasures website
www.city-data.com/forum/long-island/47032-you-know-youre-long-island-when-106.html / Comment posts by "LiskaGirl" and "KittyNY"
Comment post by "Jim B."
http://gardencitypatch.com
New York City's Green Acres Center
The 14-bay Food Court at today's GREEN ACRES MALL.
The 14-bay Food Court at today's GREEN ACRES MALL.
Photo from http://www.vno.com/ (Vornado Realty Trust)
Macy's Valley Stream Furniture and Mens Store, built as a Big Apple-
based Lane's in 1960. The building is a contender for the American
shopping mall anchor store that has had the most nameplates. Thus
far, the building has housed Lane's, Love's, S. Klein, Korvettes, Gertz,
shopping mall anchor store that has had the most nameplates. Thus
far, the building has housed Lane's, Love's, S. Klein, Korvettes, Gertz,
Stern's and today's Macy's operation; for a total of six rebrandings.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
A circa-2008 plan of GREEN ACRES. There were now several big box
boutiques on the mall's periphery, such Best Buy, Levitz Furniture,
Circuit City, B.J.'s Wholesale Club, Target, Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
Of course, Circuit City and Levitz would soon go out of business. Kohl's
opened in the space adjacent to Macy's Mens in September 2010.
GREEN ACRES CENTER
Sunrise Highway and Green Acres Road
Nassau County (Town of Hempstead), New York
Plans for the second shopping mall on Long Island were announced in mid-1954. A 57.6 acre plot, previously the Curtiss Airfield, became the construction site for a 30 million dollar, open-air retail hub.
GREEN ACRES CENTER was developed by the New York City-based Chanin Organization. The complex, consisting of a main mall level and service basement, was located within Nassau County's Town of Hempstead / Village of Valley Stream. It was originally anchored by a 4-level (266,600 square foot), New York City-based Gimbels, which held a grand opening October 11, 1956.
There were seventy-two other retailers in the original shopping venue, which had officially opened October 7, 1956. These included J.J. Newberry and F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10s, Lerner Shops, Regent Men's Shop and Oppenheim Collins. A 1-level (with basement), dry goods only J.C. Penney was at the center of the center, with a 38,000 square foot National Foods supermarket as a western outparcel and 40,000 square foot Grand Union supermarket on the eastern periphery.
A 3-level (216,400 square foot), New York City-based Lane's department store was added to the east end of the mall. The store, dedicated in May 1960, shared space with Dime Savings And Loan.
The single-screen, Century's Green Acres Cinema opened for business on September 15, 1961. It was located at the front of the shopping center site, adjacent to Sunrise Highway. Moreover, a 4-level (320,000 square foot), New York City-based Alexander's was constructed in the front (north) parking area, as well. This store came inline September 18, 1967.
Shopping malls in the GREEN ACRES CENTER trade area included ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER (1956) {7.4 miles northeast, in Nassau County}, KING'S PLAZA (1970) {10.8 miles southwest, in Brooklyn (New York City)} and QUEENS CENTER (1973) {9 miles northwest, in Queens (New York City)}.
In order to keep up with its climate-controlled competitors, GREEN ACRES CENTER was roofed-in in 1970 and known -henceforth- as GREEN ACRES MALL. In August 1982, a second major renovation of the center began. One of the nine store blocks was demolished to make way for a 2-level (235,000 square foot) Northeast Wing.
This new mall space included a 2-level (150,000 square foot) Sears [with parking garage and Auto Center], several new stores, and a 14-bay Food Court. The wing was dedicated in October 1983. With its completion, the mall encompassed 1,627,400 square feet and over one hundred stores and services.
By the mid-1980s, the two anchor stores at GREEN ACRES MALL had been rebranded. At the west end, Gimbels morphed into a New York City-based Abraham and Straus on October 10, 1986 and was "Macy-ated" April 30, 1995.
On the east end, Lane's had been shuttered in late 1965. The space re-opened as Love's, a division of New York City-based S. Klein, in March 1966. By early 1968, the store was operating as an S. Klein. This lasted until 1975. Klein's was replaced by a New York City-based Korvettes discount mart. This became a Queens-based Gertz department store in the fall of 1982, which was rebranded by Paramus, New Jersey-based Stern's in late 1983. Stern's closed shop in August 2001 and re-opened soon after as today's Macy's Valley Stream Furniture and Men's Store.
Meanwhile, the outparcel Alexander's had closed in June 1992. Its building was demolished, with a 1-level (135,000 square foot), Norwalk, Connecticut-based Caldor discount mart built nearby. It was dedicated July 28, 1994. A Home Depot, situated on the mall's southwestern periphery, had begun business in May.
More changes occurred during the late 1990s. The mall's proprietor, the Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based Arbor Property Trust, merged with the New York City-based Vornado Realty Trust in August 1997. Caldor went bust in May 1999. Its space was eventually taken by Target. A Kmart, located in the PLAZA AT GREEN ACRES strip center since 1992, went out of business in 2002. Wal-Mart occupied its spot in October 2003.
In March 2008, GREEN ACRES MALL emerged from its third remodeling project...which included the addition of a new Best Buy, Levitz Furniture and 1-level (122,000 square foot), Westborough, Massachusetts-based B.J.'s Wholesale Club. The interior of the mall had also been updated during 2006 and 2007. Southern California's Macerich Company acquired the shopping hub in October 2012.
Sources:
"Green Acres Mall" article on Wikipedia
Nassau County, New York tax assessor website
Comment posts by "RichR"
Cinema Treasures
www.vno.com (Vornado Realty Trust)
www.greenacresmallonline.com
Sunrise Highway and Green Acres Road
Nassau County (Town of Hempstead), New York
Plans for the second shopping mall on Long Island were announced in mid-1954. A 57.6 acre plot, previously the Curtiss Airfield, became the construction site for a 30 million dollar, open-air retail hub.
GREEN ACRES CENTER was developed by the New York City-based Chanin Organization. The complex, consisting of a main mall level and service basement, was located within Nassau County's Town of Hempstead / Village of Valley Stream. It was originally anchored by a 4-level (266,600 square foot), New York City-based Gimbels, which held a grand opening October 11, 1956.
There were seventy-two other retailers in the original shopping venue, which had officially opened October 7, 1956. These included J.J. Newberry and F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10s, Lerner Shops, Regent Men's Shop and Oppenheim Collins. A 1-level (with basement), dry goods only J.C. Penney was at the center of the center, with a 38,000 square foot National Foods supermarket as a western outparcel and 40,000 square foot Grand Union supermarket on the eastern periphery.
A 3-level (216,400 square foot), New York City-based Lane's department store was added to the east end of the mall. The store, dedicated in May 1960, shared space with Dime Savings And Loan.
The single-screen, Century's Green Acres Cinema opened for business on September 15, 1961. It was located at the front of the shopping center site, adjacent to Sunrise Highway. Moreover, a 4-level (320,000 square foot), New York City-based Alexander's was constructed in the front (north) parking area, as well. This store came inline September 18, 1967.
Shopping malls in the GREEN ACRES CENTER trade area included ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER (1956) {7.4 miles northeast, in Nassau County}, KING'S PLAZA (1970) {10.8 miles southwest, in Brooklyn (New York City)} and QUEENS CENTER (1973) {9 miles northwest, in Queens (New York City)}.
In order to keep up with its climate-controlled competitors, GREEN ACRES CENTER was roofed-in in 1970 and known -henceforth- as GREEN ACRES MALL. In August 1982, a second major renovation of the center began. One of the nine store blocks was demolished to make way for a 2-level (235,000 square foot) Northeast Wing.
This new mall space included a 2-level (150,000 square foot) Sears [with parking garage and Auto Center], several new stores, and a 14-bay Food Court. The wing was dedicated in October 1983. With its completion, the mall encompassed 1,627,400 square feet and over one hundred stores and services.
By the mid-1980s, the two anchor stores at GREEN ACRES MALL had been rebranded. At the west end, Gimbels morphed into a New York City-based Abraham and Straus on October 10, 1986 and was "Macy-ated" April 30, 1995.
On the east end, Lane's had been shuttered in late 1965. The space re-opened as Love's, a division of New York City-based S. Klein, in March 1966. By early 1968, the store was operating as an S. Klein. This lasted until 1975. Klein's was replaced by a New York City-based Korvettes discount mart. This became a Queens-based Gertz department store in the fall of 1982, which was rebranded by Paramus, New Jersey-based Stern's in late 1983. Stern's closed shop in August 2001 and re-opened soon after as today's Macy's Valley Stream Furniture and Men's Store.
Meanwhile, the outparcel Alexander's had closed in June 1992. Its building was demolished, with a 1-level (135,000 square foot), Norwalk, Connecticut-based Caldor discount mart built nearby. It was dedicated July 28, 1994. A Home Depot, situated on the mall's southwestern periphery, had begun business in May.
More changes occurred during the late 1990s. The mall's proprietor, the Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based Arbor Property Trust, merged with the New York City-based Vornado Realty Trust in August 1997. Caldor went bust in May 1999. Its space was eventually taken by Target. A Kmart, located in the PLAZA AT GREEN ACRES strip center since 1992, went out of business in 2002. Wal-Mart occupied its spot in October 2003.
In March 2008, GREEN ACRES MALL emerged from its third remodeling project...which included the addition of a new Best Buy, Levitz Furniture and 1-level (122,000 square foot), Westborough, Massachusetts-based B.J.'s Wholesale Club. The interior of the mall had also been updated during 2006 and 2007. Southern California's Macerich Company acquired the shopping hub in October 2012.
Sources:
"Green Acres Mall" article on Wikipedia
Nassau County, New York tax assessor website
Comment posts by "RichR"
Cinema Treasures
www.vno.com (Vornado Realty Trust)
www.greenacresmallonline.com
An eastward view of the East Wing, with Bond's Clothes on the left.
Photo from Library Of Congress
The Hicksville, New York Sears, which is located across the North
Broadway thoroughfare from the mall proper. The store began
business on October 6, 1964. At the time, the 180,000 square foot
operation was reputed to be the largest Sears in the eastern United
States.
Photo from www.pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com
Photo from www.pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com
A circa-'70 site plan of MID-ISLAND PLAZA. The center had just
emerged from an enclosing renovation. A component of the project
emerged from an enclosing renovation. A component of the project
was the construction of a second anchor...S. Klein. It now anchored
a North Wing, which had added new store space (indicated in dark
gray). This connected with a twin cinema -the Fox Plaza North and
South- that had been added in 1964.
A contemporary shot of the East Entrance. The complex was renamed
BROADWAY MALL in 1989.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Caldor"
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Caldor"
The ginormous Macy's...originally a Queens-based Gertz...then a
Paramus, New Jersey-based Stern's.
Photo from http://www.labelscar.com/ / "Caldor"
The center in the early 21st century. The changes implemented over
its 50+ YEARS in business have been many. Gertz went through a
Stern's stint before coming under the Macy's moniker in 2001. The
grocery stores on the west end gave way to a new Penney's, which
-in turn- was razed and replaced by Target. The north end of the
mall has obviously gone through a few permutations, as well.
its 50+ YEARS in business have been many. Gertz went through a
Stern's stint before coming under the Macy's moniker in 2001. The
grocery stores on the west end gave way to a new Penney's, which
-in turn- was razed and replaced by Target. The north end of the
mall has obviously gone through a few permutations, as well.
That well-know Minneapolis-based merchandiser opened a new store at
BROADWAY MALL in October 2004. It took the place of a J.C. Penney,
that was in operation between 1989 and 2002.
Photo from Nassau County, New York
MID-ISLAND PLAZA
North Broadway and Mid-Island Boulevard
Nassau County (Town of Oyster Bay), New York
Long Island's third shopping mall was designed by Lathrop Douglass and developed by a joint venture of Allied Stores and the New York City-based Stackler and Frank Company. It occupied a 68 acre site, previously housing a boys' orphanage, situated 27.3 miles east of Times Square, in Nassau County's Town of Oyster Bay / Hicksville hamlet.
MID-ISLAND PLAZA consisted of a main mall level and service basement. It originally housed 800,000 leasable square feet and was anchored by a 5-level (300,000 square foot), Queens-based Gertz. The department store opened for business October 12, 1956.
The 40 million dollar, open-air retail hub also included J.G. McCrory and J.J. Newberry 5 and 10s, National Foods and Pathmark supermarkets, Bond's Clothes, Maternally Yours apparel, Oppenheim Collins, Atlantic Book Shops and Famous Fashions. All eighty stores were inline by late October 1956.
The first addition to the shopping center came in the way of the Fox Plaza North and South Cinerama, which was built as a freestanding structure at the north end of the mall. One of America's earliest "shopping mall" twin-plex theaters, it showed its first feature in May 1964.
Next in line was a 2-level (230,000 square foot), New York City-based S. Klein department store, built onto the mall's northwest corner in 1968-1969. This was the centerpiece of a renovation project which enclosed all mall concourses. An extended North Wing now connected the original mall with the new S. Klein store and existing twinplex theater.
By this time, there were several competing shopping centers in the immediate vicinity of MID-ISLAND PLAZA. These included ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER (1956) {4.6 miles southwest, in Nassau County}, WALT WHITMAN MALL (1962) {6.9 miles northeast, in Suffolk County} and SUNRISE MALL (1973) {7.8 miles southeast, also in Nassau County}.
S. Klein ceased operations in the 1974-1975 time frame. The store space soon re-opened as a New York City-based Korvettes discount mart. This location was shuttered, along with the Korvettes chain, in late 1980.
A major mall remodeling project got underway in November 1987 and was completed in 1991. The official name of the shopping center was changed to BROADWAY MALL in 1989 and a 1-level (108,000 square foot) J.C. Penney was added to the west end of the shopping complex. The vacant Pathmark supermarket (adjacent to the new Penney's) also became the mall's first Food Court.
In addition, the twin cinema was demolished. Its replacement was a 2-level (235,000 square foot), Sweden-based Ikea, which opened for business March 13, 1991. A multi-level parking garage (adjacent to the new Ikea) was also built at this time.
A further refurbishment of BROADWAY MALL came inline in 1995. The vacant Klein's / Korvettes was gutted and rebuilt into a 12-screen multiplex. Two large retail spaces -and a new, 9-bay Food Court- were included in the construction project.
Anchor rebrandings had begun in 1983, when Gertz became a Paramus, New Jersey-based Stern's. This store, in turn, was "Macy-ated" in 2001. J.C. Penney moved on in 2002. The store was razed, with a 1-level (140,500 square foot) Target opening on its spot October 10, 2004.
The most recent change at BROADWAY MALL occurred in late 2005, when the 1.1 million square foot shopping center was acquired by the New Jersey-based Vornado Realty Trust.
Sources:
"Broadway Mall" article on Wikipedia
Nassau County, New York tax assessor website
http://www.labelscar.com/
Cinema Treasures
http://www.vno.com/ (Vornado Realty Trust)
http://www.broadwaymallonline.com
By this time, there were several competing shopping centers in the immediate vicinity of MID-ISLAND PLAZA. These included ROOSEVELT FIELD CENTER (1956) {4.6 miles southwest, in Nassau County}, WALT WHITMAN MALL (1962) {6.9 miles northeast, in Suffolk County} and SUNRISE MALL (1973) {7.8 miles southeast, also in Nassau County}.
S. Klein ceased operations in the 1974-1975 time frame. The store space soon re-opened as a New York City-based Korvettes discount mart. This location was shuttered, along with the Korvettes chain, in late 1980.
A major mall remodeling project got underway in November 1987 and was completed in 1991. The official name of the shopping center was changed to BROADWAY MALL in 1989 and a 1-level (108,000 square foot) J.C. Penney was added to the west end of the shopping complex. The vacant Pathmark supermarket (adjacent to the new Penney's) also became the mall's first Food Court.
In addition, the twin cinema was demolished. Its replacement was a 2-level (235,000 square foot), Sweden-based Ikea, which opened for business March 13, 1991. A multi-level parking garage (adjacent to the new Ikea) was also built at this time.
A further refurbishment of BROADWAY MALL came inline in 1995. The vacant Klein's / Korvettes was gutted and rebuilt into a 12-screen multiplex. Two large retail spaces -and a new, 9-bay Food Court- were included in the construction project.
Anchor rebrandings had begun in 1983, when Gertz became a Paramus, New Jersey-based Stern's. This store, in turn, was "Macy-ated" in 2001. J.C. Penney moved on in 2002. The store was razed, with a 1-level (140,500 square foot) Target opening on its spot October 10, 2004.
The most recent change at BROADWAY MALL occurred in late 2005, when the 1.1 million square foot shopping center was acquired by the New Jersey-based Vornado Realty Trust.
Sources:
"Broadway Mall" article on Wikipedia
Nassau County, New York tax assessor website
http://www.labelscar.com/
Cinema Treasures
http://www.vno.com/ (Vornado Realty Trust)
http://www.broadwaymallonline.com
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS:
From the Gottscho-Schleisner Collection / Repository: United States Library Of Congress Prints and Photograph Division, Washington, D.C. / Taken by Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc. / Samuel Herman, July 1957 / Lathrop Douglass- Client / Photographs are in the public domain: no known restrictions on publication / www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html
The original layout of WALT WHITMAN MALL. Over the years, the
Macy's has jumped to the other end of the center. The McCrory 5 and
dime suffered a devastating fire in 1991. It never re-opened and was
eventually replaced by a concourse of twelve inline stores, connecting
Macy's has jumped to the other end of the center. The McCrory 5 and
dime suffered a devastating fire in 1991. It never re-opened and was
eventually replaced by a concourse of twelve inline stores, connecting
to a newly-constructed Saks Fifth Avenue.
The South Court. In the present, this has Bloomingdale's as its focal
point. In the original mall, the Court was fronted by Macy's.
Photo from www.labelscar.com / "Caldor"
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