SOLD! Woodbridge Center Mall: Is It a Dead Mall? Not Quite Yet... Woodbridge, New Jersey!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- Join me as I take a look at Woodbridge Center Mall in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The owners defaulted on their loan in 2023, they went into foreclosure and now the mall has been sold, but to whom? Is it a dead mall? Good question! Let's try to find out!
If you liked this video, please give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel! Thanks!
Source of information and historical photos:
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www.yelp.com/b...
www.tapinto.ne...
newjersey.news...
www.nj.com/mid...
therealdeal.co...
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bestrentnj.com...
#deadmall #deadmalls #retail #mall #malls #mallshopping #shoppingmall #newjersey #woodbridge #woodbridgenj #nostalgia #shopping #fleabittenadventures #shoppingmalls
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To those that are saying I'm "lying" in this video, or similar things, everything I mentioned in the video is based on news articles and other research I have done. I have links to my sources in the video description. Also, what is wrong with asking the question, "is it a dead mall?" I think it is a legitimate question.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking the question “is this a dead mall?” However, I do believe that this mall does still stand fighting chance, and I wouldn’t call anything less than struggling, because to me, this mall appears to be doing alright. I wouldn’t necessarily call a mall struggling unless if it’s under 60-50% occupied. I feel like it also depends on the day you visit as well, I know you mentioned you visited this place on a weekday, and from what I’ve seen crowds can change on the weekend. I have done some videos on some thriving malls on weekdays, and even they had lesser crowds. I don’t let the day of the week take away my perspective on how a mall is doing. I know you mentioned you look into more factors than just that, which is a very good thing. Store occupancy is a big one that I look out for. I’d say under 60% is struggling, and anything under 30% occupied is just straight up dead. I don’t think anything you’re doing is wrong, and your videos are actually really good! I also think anchor losses are a big indicator, but it really depends in some cases. For some malls, it really hurts them when they lose an anchor, but some malls it’s actually a blessing in disguise. One of my malls near me is losing their Dillard’s store, however, it’s closing because it’s getting replaced with a Dave & Buster’s. And even though a couple of my local malls have two empty anchors, many of them still hover over that 80% occupancy range, and still do really well! I don’t think any of the research you’re doing is bad, or that you’re doing a bad job. Your videos are great, and I think you’re doing a good job. But one other thing I’d recommend is if possible, trying to visit a mall multiple times, and on different days and different times each time you visit. It could really change the way a mall seems from your first visit. I know in my case, I try to get as much of a glance as I can when I do my first visit, but when possible, I tried to go back to some of the malls I visit a second time, any changes, and see going at a different time makes a difference.
Bro, you know what you're doing with your titles and thumbnails, don't play dumb. The majority of the people who have been complaining on your video today are locals, people somewhat close to Woodbridge Center Mall. You are not a local, and no amount of "research" is going to tell you how this mall is doing, nor is visiting at an odd hour during the week. Have you been there on a weekend before? If you have, then you are dishonest with your titles, because you'd realize this mall is not only not dying, but thriving. I'm sure you saw our video from 7 months ago (September 3, 2023) on a Sunday afternoon and the amount of people there reminded me of the 1980s, when my mother took us to the malls of the Philly area and it was hard to find a parking spot.
th-cam.com/video/tjj3sWJ5KAw/w-d-xo.html
BY THE WAY the one reason I commented under this account was because this channel likes to block people with slightly critical comments. I did try under the original Raw & Real Retail account, but you can see that is not visible. Censorship FTW amirite?
Those candles are dipped in FD&C dyes which are banned in England it's derived from coal tar and carcinogenic. Also known to cause ADHD in children
Ignore them. Really all people have going for them in NJ are the malls. They’ll defend them til the end.
Hey Fleabitten, I love your channel. As someone who frequently visits this mall, I think it is completely valid to question whether this mall is dying or not. It maintains a good level of foot traffic, however its a very large mall and will be difficult to keep full in today's retail climate. I guess the new owner will determine what direction this mall takes going forward. That all said, Woodbridge Center is a beautiful vintage mall and I really hope they don't change the look of it. Keep up the good work my friend!
I practicly grew up in this mall because my mom worked for Abraham & Straus from the mid 1970s until the store closed in 1994. In February 1983 my mother and about 2 dozen other mall employees were stranded in the mall overnight because of a blizzard. I thought that was the coolest thing as a teen.
Being stranded in a mall back in the 80's would definitely be cool!
@@fleabittenadventures Being stranded anywhere in the 80's was cool, now it's just a hassle.
I believe i was driving home from work, from Holmdel to Piscataway - GSP exit 114 to 287 north exit 6 at that time (i think). cars stuck in drifts on the GSP.
This was my favorite mall circa 1982-1990 when I lived in Staten Island at the time. Haven't seen this place in over 30 years. Thanks for the video.
He should’ve ate at Roman Delight Pizza 🍕 for us
@adm712 Me too. It was a step up from the Staten Island Mall.
This mall died a long time ago - when Menlo Park became bougie and the go-to mall in Central New Jersey. Great video. Keep up the great work.
Agreed, feel like Woodbridge mall was always too large for the amusements and pull it had, and Menlo had the movie theater, and arcade back in the day, and they kept it updated now.
All I said was that the Easter bunny at the Menlo Park mall was more convincing and he just jumped the railing and knocked me down.
So true! It's like Woodbridge and Edison were always in competition while being the more popular towns in Central Jersey. Woodbridge has the first Hobby Store I ever visited in the mid 80's. I was begging my parents to get me either a Tamiya clod buster or a Frog.
Or Bridgwater Commons in the late 1980s
I remember when they jazzed up Menlo Park! 1990-91. My dad liked going to Arcadian Gardens. Landscaping place.
Woodbridge Center isn’t dying, but go to Livingston Mall in NJ. That one is at the end of life support.
its dead
That sucks, I used to go there with my dad in 2010-11 when picking up my aunt so she can spend time with my grandfather. It was a great mall for a 15 year old kid with my interests at the time.
it’s so sad
Along with the Rockaway Mall.
@@stevec1945 Rockaway is thriving compared to Woodbridge. Livingston so dead that walking through it feels disrespectful save for a decent food court.
I see malls like this all over the place, it's weird and sad. I mean I get online shopping is more popular now, but nothing still beats browsing or window shopping, and checking the quality of the items before you buy them.
To many times I've purchased something solely off of pictures online and have been disappointed.
This mall used to be so full you could barely walk without bumping into people. I'm talking wall to wall. In years to come I think people won't even know what a mall is without looking it up.
I remember that too.
And around the holidays?! You would circle the parking lot for an hour to find a spot!!! The malls were important for socialization. I was glad I grew up when they were at their heyday
This is my mall. I was born in the 60s, and spent a lot of my teens here. I go every Wednesday now and shop at Boscov's and sometimes grab a bite at Charlie's Cheesesteak. I have tossed my fair share of pennies into the fountain making wishes. One of my favorite memories is waiting at the Mrs Field's stand for the warm cookies to come out. KB Toys was a great place to shop for birthday gifts for friends and family. My family shopped at Sears for school clothes and tools and Christmas gifts. I don't know what will be coming but I hope it's sometime to look forward to. It (like most malls right?) will never be as glorious as it was it my good old mall days.
I grew up going to this mall. I remember it being so crowded that it was hard to get through. Especially during the holidays. It originally had a lot more wood trim which made it look darker than it does now. I haven’t been there in 30 years. I’m struggling to recognize it now, but it looks so familiar at the same time.
Spaceport, KB toy store and the antique gaming shop on the 2nd floor were my childhood memories here
The Game Room Store, which, until the owners relocated to Freehold, was THE oldest location in the mall
@@nikolishinn Space Port! That was probably the first arcade I've ever been to. To my little kid eyes, it certainly looked like a space port. I used to like going to Paper Tiger...The good ol days.
Yes!
Woodbridge mall is definitely not dying. I live 20 minutes north of here and visited on both a weekday and weekend day, and both were definitely thriving. The township mayor put in a condition on the sale that said it has to remain a mall. Also, the goodbye Woodbridge sign on the Lord and Taylor said the Westfield location is open, but that is not true. Westfield is closed also. Try checking out Menlo Park mall which is a few miles south of here. That mall is also thriving. Menlo is older I believe. Considering they are so close to each other, both malls are doing very well. Great video, and welcome to NJ.
I did a video of Menlo Park too, just haven't posted it yet. Thanks for watching.
Menlo is much older, but almost completely redone many years ago. I was going there in the early 60's and it was not new then. My first job was in that mall in the 1970s. Woodbridge Center opened in 1971. My brother used to ride up and down the huge hills on his mini bike while they were building it!
@SeanPGorecki that is so awesome! I was 90% sure Menlo was the older of the 2. I was born in 1973, so both of them were already operating. I am very happy that both malls are still thriving, despite the fact they are so close to each other. 😊
@@fleabittenadventuresdo you know when you will be posting the Menlo Park Mall episode? Very curious to see that one, as I grew up going to both Woodbridge and Menlo Park malls as a kid. My wife lived a couple blocks from Menlo Park mall she used to walk there and meet up with friends in the 90’s.. miss those days
I was there yesterday and uh... it's dying 100%
This is my local mall and I have said for years that this mall is dying. They did build that wonderful area for kids, with the train and carrousel and elastic jumping. The aquarium is overpriced for what they offer. Parents bring their kids once and thats it. I used to come here in high school every weekend and this mall was packed and bustling. Take a look at the HUGE parking lot that is all cracked up and almost entirely empty. Its creepy and the construction itself is depressing. Thanks for video!
I grew up going to this mall in the 80's and early 90's when i lived in Jersey. Wow, so many great memories and nostalgia.
I'm a little younger than you (I'm 36), but when I think of this mall, I think pure 90s. Early to mid 90s to be exact. I have core memories from this mall. It was the first time I saw people with actual, like 2 ft. long, colored, punk mohawks. I was like 4 or 5 but I'll never forget it. Or tossing pennies in the fountains and going to Wendy's.
I remember that carousel! It was always a treat to go to this mall as a kid- the carousel was right next to a Cinnabon, and I believe a Burger King? The best wing of the mall if you asked me back then. And those railings/planters! Those have been there since at LEAST the early 90s. Such a blast from the past to see this place.
Yes and there used to be a McDonalds on the 2nd floor! Wow! I remmeber those days
That Burger King I remember was at that same location by the carousel there for over 30yrs. I remember it looked dated in 1993, so it was definitely there for a long time, before it was gone. Line out the door on a Friday/Saturday.
Fortunoff was basically a Raymour and Flanigan combined with 1/4 of Lord Taylor 1/4 of Macy's, 1/4 of Nordstrom, 1/4 of its own uniqueness.
Very luxurious furniture, bedroom sets, as well as clothing lines, designer bags/jewelry etc. Used to have BEAUTIFUL Christmas decorations/displays. Massive winter railroad sets, Christmas villages, HUGE Santa statues from floor to ceiling all over, large Christmas trees. I used to go all the time with my parents as a child. To this day I still miss this store. It exists still but not a department store, just very very small locations which sells outdoor furniture.
Thanks for the info. We didn't have any Fortunoffs where I grew up.
@@fleabittenadventures Yea it was awesome! I do love your mall videos! Hope you can check out Staten Island Mall Soon and maybe Freehold Raceway Mall! Two of my favorites
Yup...bought most of my furniture from them...good quality stuff...I miss them dearly 😢.
@@ricoe3288 Me too :( It was a legendary place. There is a abandoned one still in Long Island on Fortunoff Way, makes me sad to see it. I wish it can magically reopen lol
I would go on Christmas Eve on my way home from work and scope out where the Christmas decorations that I wanted were so the day after Christmas I could just head in that direction for their half price sale. I still use the gorgeous tree skirt and angel tree top. At least half of the tree ornaments I still use were from there. I really miss that store.
OMG this is amazing to see a video about Woodbridge Mall!! I grew up (and still live) in this area and this mall was always my favorite….it’s a unique vibe. I remember seeing Christie Whitman here too! It’s sad that the fountains aren’t running anymore.
The mall was thriving back in the day when Orbachs, Sterns, A&S, Fortunoff were there, there was a coffee roaster place. Called Platypus Coffee & Chocolates, they had a big arcade called Spaceport. You know the place is going downhill when they added Dave & Busters, Footbic, and the Aquarium, which was the dumbest idea of all. The railings and planters are all original. I used to go to this mall all the time. Then there was the Gameroom, upper level wing where Lord & Taylor was, they sold pool tables, chess sets and they had a few arcade games there too. I believe the mall will never be the same. Yes they had palm trees for a long time, I loved it.
Great video! The mall has been sold to Spinoso real estate group, as it was recently put on their website. This mall has quite some character! With Spinoso now in place for ownership, it will be in good hands and have the chance to stay successful!
Spinoso is kind of a hit or miss tbh. I know they’ve done some good things to a couple of their malls like Southpark in OH, but they’ve also dragged some malls further down the pit of death. They owned one of my local malls between 2018 and 2023 until they sold it. It’s in MUCH worse shape now than it was when Simon sold it to Spinoso. Obviously it’s not entirely their fault since Covid played a huge role in the demise of many mall tenants. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. Woodbridge still has strong anchors so at least it’s got that going for it.
@@butterboiii9810 I feel like it’s a hit or miss with them, but I feel like they have more properties that do better than some of the other people like Kohan. SouthPark being one of my local malls they’ve taken excellent care of that place! Same with Lakeland Square Mall in Florida. But they have some malls that are struggling like Susquehanna Valley. I do feel like Spinoso genuinely does try with most of their properties though.
Thanks for the info! I missed that. All the other news articles said that the buyer was still a mystery. We'll have to see what happens.
When I was a kid we frequented this mall. My family had relatives buried near there so we always made a visit to this mall after going to the cemetery. I remember it being fancy and crowded, but I was a kid.
She was last evaluated to be a hospital ship around 1980 I think but even then she was deemed too large a target.
Dang. I used to toss pennies in those fountains when I was like 3 or 4. Core memory unlocked. I hate that time comes for us all. This sucks. Wish I was a vampire. Lol
This one hurts! The problem with Woodbridge is that there are WAY too many malls in eastern New Jersey. A very nice mall that has just been smothered by competition and retail over-saturation.
You don’t need a large mall every 5-10 miles, even in the densely populated New York City region.
I agree! Thanks for watching!
Yes, but you are going by today's standards. Back when these malls were conjured up, there was DEFINTELY a need for many malls in nearby areas. I grew up in central Jersey and these malls were all packed. Online shopping, super-discounted retailers like Wal-Mart and inflation has made the viability of large malls a thing of the past, for now. Who knows what the next 25-30 years will bring.
There aren't large mall every 5-10 miles away from each other in eastern NJ. Not sure where you're getting
info. from or you're just guessing perhaps ??? Yes, there is Menlo park close to this one and malls in eastern part of state include Freehold, Short Hills , Livingston, Jersey city , Willow brook , Paramus Park , Brunswick Sq. (only 1 level) and dying, Bridgewater and that's about it . Rockaway Mall is too far west , Monmouth mall (too far south) , and lastly Princeton too far southwest .
The problem with Woodbridge and Edison are too many Indians. They do not spend money on things there...they shop at Walmart. Don;t even get me started on "teens"
I am always baffled how Menlo Park is MAYBE 1 mile down the road.
Fortunoff’s was a great store. Always clean and friendly staff. High end jewelry. They were well known for their bridal registries. For example, purchase a China place setting and get a soup bowl free. It was a really big store. My grandfather and the store founder, Max, used to play stickball together.
Best Christmas displays of all time. Holidays don't feel the same anymore as they did 15-20 years ago when Fortunoff was still around. I get sad thinking of this legendary store now just a small backyard store in some areas. I'm glad though the name still stands.
Cool. I wish I had been able to see one when they were open. They didn't have any in CT, as far as I know.
Are they any photos of these online? I couldn't find any. Thanks for watching!
@@fleabittenadventures You can look up "fortunoff THE GOLDEN YEARS: 1990-2003" on Google.
The first link of Fortunoff Jewlery has some photos.
What I find surprising is that this mall never added a food court. Usually, all these 60's and early 70's malls did renovations in the 1990's and put them in, often tied to an expansion.
I agree. All the restaurants were kind of spread out. The center atrium seemed like it was used as a gathering place though.
As a teenager, it was part of the excitement to go from one food vendor to the next, across the mall and up and down levels.
Oh wow. You're absolutely right. I never thought about that.
@user-qj4dx4fc3n lol I sort of agree, I prefer Menlo bc they just have the stores that I’m looking for but sometimes their food court is a mess
When it first opened, the mall kiosks were interesting. A&S, Sterns, Ohrbach's were great stores.
I started my retail career at Stern's, pre-opening in 1971. Stern's was the last anchor store to open. Stern's was a wonderful place to work, we were like a big family. I remember the Cafe Contempo on the lower level near the entrance, it was a very busy eatery. The Blueberry muffins baked fresh in the store daily were a big hit. The fine dining restaurant on the 3rd floor served quality meals & you could enjoy a cocktail after hours of shopping. So many wonderful memories from 1971-1976.
When I was a kid if I was good during shopping we'd go to Cafe Contempo and get milkshakes. I remember it being on the first floor right before you'd exit into the mall.
I don't remember Stern's have eateries.
My friend's mother worked at Sterns, and we'd tag along to spend the day at the mall... all the employees at Sterns did treat us like family. 👍
@@alicewallace358 All Stern's full line stores had in store restaurants. I was a manager at the Stern's in Wodbridge.from 1971-1976. Woodbridge had a cafe on the lower level & a fine dining room on the 3rd floor. The Bergan Mall Flagship & the Willowbrook store also had two restaurants.
There are malls like that in the US. A lot of them are dead. It's just not how we do it I guess. I've been to malls in Europe with that style and they were def. busier than they are here.
I went there when they first opened in the 70’s. What I enjoy about the mall is that it never built a food court which I think is a plus. You can go to a restaurant and enjoy your food in a clean, non-noisy environment. The day the music died for Woodbridge Center was when Sears closed down and moved out. The foot traffic is not what it used to be but shoppers coming from Staten Island, NY for tax free items are keeping the place going for now.
I remember in the late 80s and early 90s when this mall had 2 separate KB Toy stores, one downstairs and the other upstairs in the other wing. One Christmas, my mom trying to find the current popular toy everyone wanted, the clerk telling her there is only 1 let in the other one KBs, and sprinting across the mall to get it.
So weird...spent my teen years as a mall rat here! Many a Saturday spent just walking around, sipping an Orange Julius....ah the memories!
the best part of my Wednesdays! A new video!
Thanks for watching!
You are correct. All of the oak and steel hand rails, upper level rails, built in planters, and fountains are original features. Some of the oak slat benches go back at least to the early 1980's and are possibly original as well. The cost of operating the fountains isn't that expensive but maintaining them is. Plumbing maintenance, pump failures , and keeping the fountain interiors clean and waterproof all costs a fair amount of money. It's nice to see they still have plants, they are also an expensive feature. Most malls contract with outside companies to supply and maintain their plants. I worked here during my college years in the 80's. Mid days early in the week were seldom crowded with the exception of the holiday season but there were a bit more people on slow days than what I'm seeing in your video.Vacant stores were virtually non existent in the mall back then.
In 1988 i worked in the roy rogers there. I loved the old mall design from the 70s and 80s
Mint Shakes from Roy's!
We need to bring back Roy Rogers!
I worked for Ohrbach’s back in the mid 80s. Mall is empty now. It was very busy on any given day. Especially the weekends. Restaurants were spread out throughout the mall. I don’t remember a food court back then. Sabarro’s , Chick Fil A and Wendy’s were popular. Ohrbach’s, Abraham & Straus and Sterns. Three very different stores. Sterns for the more conservative customer, A&S was a step up from Macy’s and Ohrbach’s sold name brand items at a discounted price but a step up from a TJMaxx/Marshalls. Ohrbach’s was considered a department store back in the day. The mall has not changed much in terms of renovations. I moved out of NJ almost 20 years ago. Loved the Fortunoff store…..it was a hard goods store. Known for selling upscale household goods and outdoor furniture. Known for their fine jewelry as well.
My friends and I spent hours just walking around Woodbridge Center back in the early 80's, and it was wall to wall people. You're not seeing alot of people because you're there on a weekday at 2:00 pm. Go back on a Saturday or Sunday and it will be way different.
Grew up in this mall in the 70s. My buddy's mom worked in Mack Drugs (later CVS), and we used to hang out all night. I remember the movies on the second floor. Spaceport, Game Room and Lamston's had the video games. Sam Goody was the go-to for records. Herman's Sporting Goods is where I got my first football helmet. The center fountain was drained for Easter and Christmas, and we would get pictures with Santa and The Easter Bunny. Used to eat at Roy Rogers and Burger King. And who didn't love Spencer's Gifts?? I remember when they expanded and built the new wing, where the carousel is now located. I have many fond memories that I will always cherish. 💞
I used to go here with my family back in the 70's (I'm 55.) I remember there used to be a waterfall which probably would up in the fountains. Also If you're from Jersey and old enough you've heard of Fortunoffs. Great video!
The carousel used to be where the giant chess board is. And the whole center octagon used to be one massive fountain.
and Santa & Easter Bunny during the holidays
@@overthetopent1 YES! Remember there was a KB toys right there across from BK and Cinnabon. Then there was ANOTHER KB toys by Penny's. There were also two SoftwareETC's. One by the old CVS and then by Penny's.
Woodbridge Center isn't dying, and it's not going to be dying anytime soon. I was just there last year, it has very good foot traffic and occupancy levels are pretty good considering we're in the post-covid era.
Fair enough.
They should turn them fountains back on! It's attractive and retro and retro is in
I was in there about a month ago. It's dying.
Woodbridge is definitely not the same...this was always my favorite mall in NJ. You cant help but notice that it is dying.
It fights an uphill battle against Menlo, which is a five minute drive away. It can get good foot traffic on the weekends, but it’s absolutely a ghost town on weekdays.
The part of the mall with the kids jumping with bungee cords. That was once a fountain that shot high in the air.
My input after watching the video walk at Woodbridge is kind of nostalgic. As I worked at the mall back in the late 90's through early 2000's. I see the Salad Bistro and Chick-fil-A are still there since that time. I have to admit I did see a few empty stores closer to the vacant wings. Other sections are good. But I would not yet call this a dead or dying mall. Going through changes perhaps since that has happen to many malls since their main anchors closed like Sears, Lord & Taylor's, Fortunoffs. It can hurt a mall but they come back or keep going strong. Another thing is not many ppl visit malls after Covid and especially since they can order on Amazon and inflation. Still I think Woodbridge is not as bad as the struggling malls I mentioned. Livingston, Moorestown, Voorhees formerly Echelon, Hamilton in Mays Landing, Phillipsburg just got demolished and another 3 malls got demolished in past years. Including Wayne Hills, Monmouth Mall & Burlington Mall. Compared to that Woodbridge is just perhaps an old school mall showing it's age gracefully but still OK.
Love the Woodbridge Mall video! A lot of history!! Can you do the Menlo and Staten Island Malls?.Thanks😊😊
Thanks for filming this one of my favorite Christmas shopping spots being from staten island and the freehold mall
Wow… seeing all the planters, and that photo of the palm trees is amazing. I’m glad this mall still has that, even though the fountains aren’t running anymore, it’s still beautiful.
When Woodbridge Mall opened, it was THE place to go shopping in the area. Menlo Park Mall, only down the road about 5 miles, seemed to be dying. But they totally renovated that mall and it became a strong competitor. I have not been to Woodbridge Mall in a very, very long time, but Menlo Park seems to be a lot busier than Woodbridge.
Helps that Menlo Mall also has a movie theater, and more "bougie stores". Plus the Cheescake Factory and Barnes & Noble helps as well.
I was a teenager in the mid '70s and grew up near there. So I remember a lot of what it had then. I would say it is dying. Back in the 70s and 80s there was a movie theater (as I recall, on the 2nd level on the opposite wing from where the A&S and then later Sears was). You also had a good video arcade that was VERY popular (I wish I had all those quarters back now).
You also had a large Sam Goody's music store that was always packed. I bought many 8-track tapes there! Herman's Sporting Goods was also a very popular store to visit. I joined the Army in '76 soon after HS graduation but when I came home on leave, I would usually make a visit up there. It was definitely busier for the middle of the day back then.
One thing to note as to why Woodbridge was the "go-to" mall back then as opposed to Menlo Park, was that Menlo Park was really nothing but a strip mall, where probably the largest store was Woolworths and Montgomery Ward's up until about 1989-1990 when Menlo Park was renovated to what it is now. Before then, Menlo Park was just a long 1 floor mall with no parking deck and without the sports bar restaurant that is there now. No food court either, although I recall you could get a pretzel or soda and simple things like that. The movie theater was outside the mall for many years just alongside Route 1.
One reason malls are dying is due to Big Box competitors such as Walmart and Target that have what people need for cheaper. And of course, there is online shopping. But, the malls will need to find some new attractions such as schools or other education centers. Perhaps a hi-tech museum of some type. I would say they need to put a movie theater back in, but everybody stays home to watch movies these days, including me.
Fortunoff was a great store. In the 80's at Christmas time you could hardly find parking. That Hugh mall was packed with people. Loved that mall when I was a child and a teenager.
Still a lot of stores open. Pretty good foot traffic compared to some malls.
Yes, it's doing well in comparison to a lot of malls that I have been to. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being dead and 10 being doing amazingly well, I would say it's a 5, or so.
This mall was my childhood mall, so much has changed within the last 5 years. It’s definitely a dying mall. Sam Goody’s, 2 KB Toys, B-Dalton, Waldenbooks, BK, McDonalds, Wendy’s. Now I only go for Boscovs or Bath & Body Works
Thanks for watching!
The two Kay-Bees was the strangest thing and lasted quite awhile. Am I crazy or were there a couple years in the 80s where they had two mall Santas as well? One on each end, like KB?
@@ProfessorNiedermeier I’m not 💯 sure on that
Oh how I used to love going to this mall back in the 80s, especially to visit The Game Room, which sold D&D material and other RPGs and games of all sorts. That place was open from 1974 up until only a few years ago. I'll forever miss that place.
Never missed a chance to go there. Never bought a thing lol, but I still loved nosing around that place. It was a man cave dream !
I loved that shop! The owners were great, and if you were interested in any kind of foreign game, and told them about it, and put down a deposit, they would move heaven and earth to get it for you. Got tons of foreign board games from them. I will miss them dearly.
I remember waking through there as a kid and teenager…. So sad what’s become of it
I don’t know why dead malls make me sad 😔
I went to this mall every weekend for the past 30+ years and I still stop by every once in a while I know every inch of this place it's my favorite place to go but it's mostly busy on the weekends I still remember the stores that used to be there and what was there in the empty stores and what the new stores replaced , I think I'ma visit this Saturday I miss it already 😢
I would imagine that the weekends would be a lot busier. Hopefully it doesn't close anytime soon and you'll still have plenty of time to visit. Thanks for watching!
If you ever want to revisit I'd love to be a factorial guide for the years I been around
Used to love going to that mall around christmas to look at the decorations and what not
Why is no one in the US in the mall retail sector, smart enough to realise you need other forms of retail to supplement the discretionary types of stores. In Australia, a mall has everything, yes everything and all are booming 7 days a week. Some areas havev3 or 4 malls with av15 km radius and again all busy..How about retail like supermarkets, butchers, bakeries, greengrocers and anything else you can think of is offered. People come to enjoy a truly one stop shopping experience. Wake up America, get off your backsides and push for a mall model like that.
Malls in Europe are packed too. At least in Berlin and other local areas, big malls like this one but packed with people. So the analogy that Amazon and other online shopping is what killed the malls is just not totally true. The biggest reason is the local city's around these malls that died or in the process is turning into ghettos. Big thriving city's will have packed malls doing fine, self explanatory I think ..
Most of the malls in the US are cookie cutter malls. Most of them look very similar to each other and have mostly the same stores, for the most part. Thanks for watching.
Good points.
Yeah, sorry. No one here wants to go grocery shopping at a mall unless it's a Costco or Sam's Club. And even then, those stores don't open into the mall.
@@aleks1939 do you not have supermarket chain stores like we have here? Woolworth, Coles and Aldi all have a presence in the mall. Often have to dodge people pushing a shopping trolley full of groceries. Just part of mall culture here.
Fortunoff's began in Brooklyn, taking up several blocks. They had toys, jewelry, kitchenware, outdoor furniture. I still have drinking glasses and jewelry from there. They're still in business with online jewelry and outdoor furniture. The family split, thus the result mentioned.
They had great items.
This is a dying mall, it's not dead yet but it's still bleeding businesses. Many times a mom and pop business will open and close within a year. New tenants try to think outside the box and bring an "experience" attraction instead of a store, like there's an air soft shooting gallery where a corporate store used to be, and I never see them busy.
This was MY mall until Menlo Mall (just 5 minutes away if there's no traffic) renovated in the early 90s. This place was ALWAYS busy back in the day. Woodbridge and Menlo Mall were both doing "healthy" business until the pandemic.
Amazon was always gaining on brick and mortar stores, but the lock downs made Amazon the go to retailer for everything, and there's no signs of stopping. I still come here from time to time but it always makes me sad to see another empty store😢😢😢
Never heard or Orbach's or Fortunoff!? Either you're kinda young or you grew up in another part of the country cause they were very well known stores in the NY/NJ metro area.
I watch a lot of videos about dead and dying malls on You Tube and I think that this was a pretty good one.
I'm seventy-three years old and my wife and I still frequent Woodbridge Center. We've been going there since it opened and we spent many hours there with our children. Today she shops and I mall walk five or six days a week doing both levels each time.
For my money you won't find a more pleasant place to be or to spend time. So I hate to say that it does look to be a dying mall. I'm there often enough to say that. Even though the stores have wonderful displays of great merchandise the customers just aren't there any more. I can remember in the earlier days of the mall's existence that the upper level floors would actually vibrate from the crowds at Christmas time and that a parking spot would take some doing to get. Now only the weekends and at time evenings are busy times--as the narrator said, Holiday weeks may help to pay the rent. I have to admit that I'm less often there in the evenings so I can't really comment much on those hours. Hopefully an evening mall walker will weigh in on that.
The fountains and plantings were extraordinary over the years. I sometimes complain at the management office about the poor care of the plants now but they just seem to worsen. To the new owners I suggest a new caretaker for them or spending more money on them. The fountains?--who remembers the large pool in the center of the mall with the wonderful falls effect. The palm trees were great while they were maintained properly.
The old anchor stores were truly retailing at their finest....
When Johnny Rockets closed I sensed trouble since the food places are probably the biggest earners. Pretzels, pizza, fries, chicken etc. are always busy. The kiddie rides by the carousel always do a brisk trade. I know because I sit and have a DD coffee after my walk and I like to people watch and have the occasional conversation.
Please come and visit the mall and join me for a cup of coffee and some conversation. My name is Rich and you'll find me on the bench outside JC Penny. When all is said and done you'll find that it's just a wonderful place to spend some hours. I do hope that it survives the changes in retail. It'll be a shame if it doesn't.
Thanks for the insight and the invitation! If I'm ever down that way again, I may stop by. I'm in northern Connecticut, so I don't make it down that way too often though! I would have loved to have seen that fountain with the waterfall! Mall fountains are one of my fondest childhood memories! Thanks for watching!
I also noted the loss of the fountain when I finally went for a pre-business hours walk there this past Sunday. I went in the evening a week earlier, and was sad to see two abandoned anchor stores (Sears, Lord&Taylor), but when I took your walk, I was heartened. The place is super-clean and probably 90% occupied. I noted a day care place on a wing by ( I think) the Lord & Taylor building. Reading that it will be transformed in to a 300 person business office of sorts, the daycare place is perfectly situated and should boost food sales as well. If anyone ever opens a Physical Therapy resource there, the mall offers early morning walking opportunities with climate control for which there is an ever-increasing need. Woodbridge is the only mall I've seen lately with abundant plant life too, which is a plus. I haven't seen much of that since the 1980s in NJ. Menlo and Short Hills have gone plastic. I'll be back to walk the mall many times this summer, no doubt. Viva Woodbridge Center...a privately owned and well-managed survivor, and a Middlesex County treasure.
@@ronberreman9290
Glad you got into it Ron.
I thank the stars for that Mall.
I made a couple of children's music CDs for the Merry Go Round. If you're having a cup of coffee while you're sitting on the bench you'll hear them. I made them so kids can be introduced to those wonderful old tunes.
As to the plants--they need work and replacements. I hope that the new owners will pay attention to them.
As well, they should bring the small fountains back--kids love them.
Hope to meet up with you some day Ron.
Keep walking.
Rich.
I live minutes from this mall: the sea quest isn’t great it does have an odor but it’s typically what you expect of an aquarium. Regarding the macys it’s been a macys for as long as I remember which dates back to the 90’s it’s been a long standing anchor as well. This mall may seem dying but it has its place in central New Jersey it’s got a lot of “one off named stores” where if you look at menlo mall it’s got more “name brand” stores. Used to spend a lot of time in this mall both working and just hanging out. It’s no where near what it used to be but it brings back some fond memories
Nice video! Although not doing as well as Menlo Park this mall is still fairly busy and attracts big crowds especially on weekends. It may have a few vacancies here and there but I definitely won't say its a dead mall.
If you want to see a dead mall in this area check out Brunswick Square Mall in East Brunswick, NJ.
I agree, not a dead mall. I'd say struggling/dying.
I'll check out that other mall. Thanks
The carousel was originally located in the area you are in at approximately 15:45. Between that escalator and the center court of the mall where the tables are at now. If I recall correctly, that center area used to be a couple of steps down or something and there was another fountain with water jets that shot out at an angle. The mall was remodeled around the mid 80's, which while still looking somewhat retro today, it's not 70's disco retro except for maybe those railings. I still remember some of the stores now long out of business like, Sam Goody' (records), The Game Room (pool tables, darts, fantasy and board games), Spaceport (arcade), Walden Books, etc. No food court, but dining options were spread throughout the mall, Burger King, Roy Rogers, Baskin Robins, a steakhouse (Ponderosa???), Sweet Lou's Pub (owned by former NY Yankee's Lou Pinella).
Compared to how busy the mall used to be I would say it's a dying mall. When WC opened it took a lot of business away from the old Menlo Park Mall (which I loved as well). When Menlo finally closed to be rebuilt in the late 80's, WC became even more busy than it already was. When Menlo reopened it was new beautiful & upscale which drew business away from WC but it still remained busy.
I worked @ Herman's Sporting Goods in the early 80's. Back when we could go for a nice liquid lunch at either The Tree House which was in the "New " wing. or Sweet Lou's in the A& S wing. Sweet Lou's was named something else before it changed over but I can' remember what it was though. There was so many great stores back then! It was so much fun working in the mall. The mall was always packed. I can remember traffic being backed up to the cemetery on Gill Lane, and always being late. I ended up working in the mall again in the early 90's @ Sense Appeal Jewelers. The mall was still really busy then too. All in all I have wonderful memories of Woodbridge Center.
It was hard to walk thru the mall on a Saturday or Sunday in the 80s there was so many people. Id say about 100 times what I see in the video.
Sweet Louis was called Winners before the change
Dave & Buster’s opening at Woodbridge Center is pretty significant. They’re the reason why arcades in NJ are now allowed to also serve alcohol, which was banned for years until 2015. Thought you would also go inside D&B and the mini golf place with an arcade.
I honestly didn't have time. I visited 6 or 7 malls that day. Maybe next time. Thanks for watching.
@@fleabittenadventures Have you done the Freehold Raceway Mall? I would love to check that one out!
Fortunoff was a big retailer in the NY Metro area. They had big box free standing stores and were found in a couple Malls. When fortunoff closed, it took years for them to find a new tenant: Boscoves came, which I like, good prices, but it was a contrast from from the glitzy merchandising of fortunoff's. It was a signal that the mall was starting to go down. The small used to attract a more prosperous crowd. I marked it down to a change of demographics in the area
Wow this takes me back. I actually live a short drive from Woodbridge mall but the last time I was in it, those fountains were still running and just up those stairs was a Suncoast Motion Picture Company I frequented.
at 8:40 mark store upstairs was called the game room. it had some of the best gaming stuff in nj from small board games to arcade cabinets and been a staple for many wh40k gamers and star wars gamers to magic the gathering also pokemon in area on the weekends the competitions would be fierce and kibitzing was encouraged.
I remember them for the sit-down games in the front of the store
yes, the fountains were running up until recently. Also in the center of the mall there used to be a steped maze type of fountain. It is still busy on the weekends. It really has not changed much at all since it was built. the railings are original most of the original tarazo floor is still there. They attempted to update the floors in the 1980's with the orangish diamond cermic tile around the edges. Then in the early 90's they added the glass light fixtures, replacing the 70's white globes. It still has every decade represented. This mall is a progressive time machine.
Awwww man my childhood mall .. the carousel was where foot locker is .. use to be in the middle of the floor over there .. still my favorite mall
This depresses me lol. I live in middlesex county and grew up here. This mall was always the best, and always busy. Forget Christmas shopping, there was a time you couldn’t find anywhere to park. Staten Island came here to shop as it was only a 20 min drive to the outbridge crossing. I have great memories of my mall rat days from this mall, EB Square, Menlo, and if we could find a parent willing to drive us, freehold!
I lived about 20 mins from this mall as well as Menlo Park mall, we would go to both of these malls all the time in the 90’s, however that’s when Malls were the “go to” place to hang out before social media
I’d visit Woodbridge Mall back in the 70s and 80s a lot. My visits tailed off in the 90s when I moved and going to Bridgewater Commons was an easier trip for me. Your guess regarding Sterns closing in 2001 sounds about right, I remember when they closed the one in Bridgewater Commons to make it a Bloomingdale’s, it was a sad day for me because I used to shop in that one all the time.
I think the reason many malls are closing up is because they have become too sterile. When Woodbridge Center Mall first opened it hosted a plethora of new and unusual stores you didn't find most anywhere else. It had an arcade, hobby shops, tool store, art gallery, toy stores, candy stores, along with the usual clothing and jewelry shops. Now just about any mall is nothing more than jewelry and clothing stores --- all selling the same things just with different labels. Even the food courts all host the same types of foods. Variety is gone.
I use to go to this mall back in the 90s and yes those railings and stairs still look the same
I thought so. Very retro.
This is so random. I was just at this mall last month, I had to do a work class training & my instructor was telling me about this mall. I only went because I wanted food lol the mall has alot of new stores since you filmed this & there actually fairly priced.
Bringing back some memories. I used to go there every Christmas to see the big Fourtunoff(sp?) display every year until it closed in the mid-00s and see Santa's land (not get pictures or anything, just see the little display) near the carousel. There used to be lines wrapped around the place and on the weekends, especially at Christmastime, it'd be impossible to walk. I bought my first Zippo at that little news store, Woodbridge News, next to the Hot Topic, where I'd buy all my t-shirts. I'd get my hair cut and go get a drink from Starbucks (which looks to be replaced with a Dunkin?). I'd get my sneakers upstairs at Strides and some other shoe store. Got my first cartilage piercing at Claire's. I'd meet friends for dinner at this kinda good restaurant at the other end that I don't remember the name of ‐ it was a chain but there weren't many around. I used to go there with my mom as a kid in the late 80s, early 90s to Sears and J.C. Penny with the old, dark wood paneling. My mother was big on catalog shopping back when so when I got my license, I'd be in charge of returning things to the store when they weren't right. Everything looks nearly the same as it did back then, save for the amusements and closed up stores. I haven't been in ages. I shop thrift mostly now and I don't need anything for kids so, yeah, no reason to go. We just don't need things like this anymore. Plus malls were always more expensive than free standing stores or catalogs.
I remember going there around Christmas time in maybe 1989 and we couldn't find a parking space because it was so crowded. Drove around the entire mall and not one spot to be had. We finally parked out in some auxiliary lot practically on Rt. 1.
Thanks for sharing the Rip Off Candy machines!!!!!!!! LOL! Yep on that alone I would say it's a dying mall. I believe Fortunoff originally comes from New York City. Been around many years. Sold very expensive high end home decor, jewelry, accessories. Similar to a Gumps type of upscale store. Silver, crystal, patio items, cocktail items, wedding gifts, home decor, dishes, etc.
Hey My favorite Mall holiday shopping during the week. Weekends was too packed with shoppers. Sears was first place to visit. Then getting something to eat. I was around for stores like Sterns, Ohrbachs, A&S, Steinbachs , Been going there and Menlo since places opened.
I grew up in Woodbridge and seeing some comments say this mall was wall to wall packed on days, is accurate. The biggest take-away for me is that the center of the mall used to have fountains and seating, totally gone from your video. At one point they were all off but the space was repurposed, yet still in-tact.
Back in the 80s there used to be multiple kids rides. One area in each wing as I recall. They had one or two tracked train rides and little village that the track ran around. The big carousel was closer to the center of the mall. The store mix was fantastic back then. They had a fantastic themed arcade called The Spaceport. The Game Room on the second floor was a great game/ hobby shop. There were sit-down restaurants scattered throughout the mall. Wendy's, Sbarro, even an actual local diner on the second floor with counter service. The place was always packed. The stores all had a unique look to them with nice signage. It was peak in the 80s.
I worked at A&S in the late 80s and the mall was my home away from home. All the brown railings are the same. The center court had a huge fountain in the center and much more foliage. It also had regular trees and a lot of birds. Yup the mall had lots of birds. During breaks and lunch we would hang out at Space port arcade , the Game room and got cookies at a cookie place. I think it was called the cookie factory great memories
Funny that I found this video. I was in Woodbridge last week for a wedding coming from South Florida. I visited this mall on a Friday. I think it is a dying mall. Some of the places you showed are no longer open as of late July 2024. I appreciate all the effort with alot of activities/entertainment for small children. It still beats the malls near me. Made alot of great purchases.
I don't like walking in a mall and seeing empty or closed stores. There will be more who move out and then its over... Thanks for covering
I live closer to this mall, and we continue to go there for an occasional Friday evening hangout. Ive been going to this mall since i was in a baby stroller (41 yrs, ) ive seen so many stores come and go. The 80s and 90s were indeed the prime era of this mall, THE BEST! We sure have lots of great memories, especially in the Christmas and Halloween seasons! My answer to your question is, no not even remotely close to being a dead mall and so as menlo mall. its still hanging in there, i ve seen malls that are far worse condition than woodbridge yet still hanging on. There are holidays when this mall get VERY packed and one of them is Halloween!
Fortunoff in Christmas time was magical to me. Holidays aren't the same anymore
I agree, not a "dead mall". I have seen far, far worse malls than this! However, based on all the financial issues it's had over the last few years, it's at least struggling and arguably dying (not dead). Thanks for watching.
Thanks for watching!
@@fleabittenadventures You're most welcome, in my opinion i think its the covid lockdowns that did all the damage. Sears has closed earlier than programed as a result. You should of seen the upper level of sears! It was a complete GRAVEYARD! Not a customer in site, only a couple of associates.
I haven't been there for a long time and I can see that alot has change. The stores I used to go to are no longer there😢😢 but I can see what you mean. There were a lot of empty stores, especially on the 2nd floor. Love the video. Keep it up.
My local mall. Hasn't been the same since Fortunoff closed. Still gets crowded around the holidays
I like this video you did a good job please keep up the good work
Thank you! I appreciate it!
I grew up in Edison. To me, Woodbridge had always been the bigger/better mall, while Menlo was the one you'd go to if you feel like running into everyone from your school. The 2 things Menlo had over WB were the food court and movie theater. I haven't been around that area in years, though, so it's sad to see it in this state for sure.
Going to A&S in the 70s was a big deal. The mall experience then was a treat. I am sure planners out there have some good ideas about adapting these spaces for the needs of today.
I don’t know about dead, but its best days are long gone. It was the happening place in Middlesex county in the 1970s and 80s, but when Menlo Park just down the road expanded to a 2 story mall ca 1990 it stole a lot of Woodbridge’s thunder. WM was once rated one of the best places in the country by carjackers.
Had some good memories though. We used to get pictures taken at Hahn’s back in the day. Some friends of mine worked there. Had one classmate who streaked through it once. Good times! 😊
Winter break or not, that’s pretty busy for *any* mall these days. I’ve been to malls on a Friday within a week of Christmas with less traffic than that.
Every Sunday, when I was a kid, my dad would take us to Ponderosa Steakhouse here. It was awesome. This definitely does NOT look like that mall.
Not ever hearing of Fortunoff is crazy
🤣🤣😭😭
Still too soon to say that the mall is close to dead. It gets packed on weekends and it still has a solid lineup of anchor stores, unlike some other malls you’ve covered that are actually dead. The mall isn’t at fault for the anchors they lost, Sears has closed stores for years and L&T was on the verge of bankruptcy. It all depends on what the new owners have in plan. They haven’t officially announced themselves but it’s Spinoso Real Estate as mentioned in the mall’s website.
I thought I heard somewhere that an aquarium was going into the L and T space. Maybe I misheard. Perhaps it was a different mall.
I agree. I didn't say it was close to dead, but I wouldn't call it thriving either. Seems to be at least struggling to the early stages of dying, in my opinion. We'll see though.
@@dvferyance There's a Seaquest Aquarium right next to the old Lord and Taylor.
Compared to the 80s the mall is deserted
Shopped in the A&S on my lunch hour
Same thing with the Livingston Mall. This is what happens when we decide that buying stuff from online retailers is better than traveling to the mall for a few hours. But the malls that seem to be going ok is Jersey Gardens, Paramus, and American Dream. But malls are slowly fading away either way.
Wow! I can go on and on with my memories there. I am 61 years old now. I frequented that mall my entire life. My first job in retail while still in high school was there at the age of 17 when I got my drivers license. I had early dismissal from school in a program and I worked at the mall. At 19 I worked two jobs there. Tom McCann and the pet shop. Sad to see these big malls slowing down or dying. I moved recently down South Jersey. I lived within walking distance from Menlo mall the last 20 years. That mall does wonderful. Great restaurants there and department stores. Farther down south here, I know work in egg Harbor Township, although I work for the state and I travel all over. I have been in some really dead malls. And you can’t wonder but how they still existand keep going
Yes! Can you do please First Colony Mall.
I can try.
It's been dead for 20 yrs. Menlo Mall became the hangout spot after in the late 90s early 00s. It gets busy from time to time still. I remember 2 mile traffic on rt 9n trying to hit the u-turn everyday during the holidays 20 yrs ago
Its weird to see a mall I grew up going to on youtube. This was the "far" mall to me and my friends in hs. My local mall was small. If we couldnt find the right gift for someone there we went to menlo. If menlo didnt have anything woodbridge was sure to have something. It was the big mall with lots of gift stores. Bridgewater was even bigger and also further and we rarely went there.
I grew up in that area and was in the mall frequently in the 70's. In the early 90's I managed a store in Woodbridge Center. Sad to see how it has both changed and then degraded.
I visited this mall a few times back in the 70’s. It was jam packed, especially on a Saturday afternoon and evening. Almost wall to wall people. Back in the day I used to go mall hopping and seek out new malls. The layout of this mall was confusing. One evening leaving this place, I literally lost my car. I must’ve went out the wrong exit. I had to wait until the mall closed and most of the cars left before I located the car. That’s how packed the mall and parking lot was.
We used to go to Woodbridge all the time back in the day. I will be honest. I havent been to it in over 10 years. Crazy how time flies. Crazy seeing it on an Abandoned show. I just passed by there about 2 weeks ago.