South Jersey Mall History: Deptford Mall
By: Peter Planamente
Tags: Deptford, Deptford Mall, Mall, Sears, New Jersey

this story was last updated in August 2021

An exterior entrance to the Deptford Mall (photo by Peter Planamente)

Fast Facts

Opened in 1975

Located in Deptford, New Jersey (Gloucester County)

Developer: Strouse Greenberg

Owner: Macerich, Heitman

Number of Floors: 2

Website

A large sign stands on the land that will eventually become Deptford Mall — 1970 (photo from the Courier Post)

Anchors

Wanamaker’s

1975–1995

Bamberger’s

1975–1986

Sears

1975–2019

Lower level mall entrance to Sears — 2017 (photo by Peter Planamente)

Macy’s (former Bamberger’s)

1986-present

Upper level entrance to Macy’s — 2019 (photo by Peter Planamente)

Hecht’s (former Wanamaker’s)

1995–1997

Strawbridge’s (former Hecht’s)

1997–2006

JCPenney

2001-present

Lower level mall entrance to JCPenney — 2017 (photo by Peter Planamente)

Boscov’s (former Strawbridge’s)

2006-present

Lower level mall entrance to Boscov’s — 2017 (photo by Peter Planamente)

Dick’s Sporting Goods — Lower Level (former Sears)

2020-present

Round One Entertainment — Upper Level (former Sears)

2020-present

Deptford Mall Sign on Clements Bridge Rd. — 2001 (photo from Frank Edward Nora)

Deptford Mall is the only enclosed shopping mall located in Gloucester County, New Jersey with over one million square feet of retail space. It is located just off of Route 42 and Route 55.

Though it is still thriving, one major incident in the 1990s could have been catastrophic for the mall.

Strouse Greenberg developed the mall, which opened in 1975. It had three department stores, Wannamaker’s, Bamberger’s and Sears.

Deptford had no other competition in the area, besides Echelon Mall being the closest about six miles away.

Deptford Mall Center Court — Circa Mid-1970s

The 1980s

In 1986, the Bamberger’s chain went defunct and the department store became Macy’s, where it remains to this day. The label scar is still visible behind the Macy’s sign on the lower level. It seems odd to me that the store front hasn’t been remodeled since then.

The popular Farrell’s Ice Cream was shuttered in the mid-1980s. The restaurant was well-known for its ice cream and giant gong that would be banged for birthday celebrations. This spot was later occupied by restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday.

Ruby Tuesday, former Farrell’s Ice Cream, in 2017 (photo by Peter Planamente)

A new wing and food court were later added to the mall.

The food court in 2018 (photo by Peter Planamente)

The 1990s

In 1994, Wannamaker’s filed for bankruptcy and sold their assets. It closed in 1995 and was briefly replaced by Hecht’s.

During a busy summer day in 1996, an armored vehicle guard was picking up money from a bank inside of the mall when two gunmen attempted to rob the guard. They exchanged gunfire, with bullets striking the guard and one gunman. The gunman died at the scene while the other escaped. Two bystanders were also hit and killed. After the incident, Deptford and other area malls increased security.

In 1997, Hecht’s department store closed and was replaced by Strawbridge’s.

By the late-1990s, the food court and mall were occupied with eateries such as Auntie Anne’s, A&W, Baskin Robbins, Bassett’s Turkey, Bistro Sensations, Burbon Street Café, Chick-fil-A, Cinnabon, Crepe Bistro, Deli Delicious, Flamers, Friendly’s, Kohr Bros., Mr. Bulky’s, My Favorite Muffin, Original Philly Steaks, Pizza Zeppoli and Ruby Tuesday.

The 2000s

Center Court, prior to renovation — 2012 (photo by Julian Velez)

In 2000, plans were announced to construct a new JCPenney store in the food court wing. Construction was completed in 2001 and the store opened on August 1.

Also, the mall went through a major renovation. Fountains were removed while flooring and railings were replaced.

By 2002, the mall added new stores — AfterHours Formal Wear, Build-A-Bear, Cingular Wireless, Coffee Beanery, Express, Game Stop, Jalapeno’s, Sweet Shop (candy store), T-Mobile, and Victoria’s Secret Beauty — while Sbarro Pizza and Subway would be coming soon to the mall. Bistro Sensations, Comcast Metrophone, Mr. Bulky’s, Record Town, Small’s Formal Wear, Software, Etc., and Structure closed during the year.

In 2005, a new store, named Club Libby Lu, opened and became a hit among kids — located near center court and would later be occupied by Traffic shoe store. Kids could get a makeover and play dress up for the day, which cost between $25-$60. The chain went defunct in 2009.

In 2006, the Strawbridge’s chain went defunct and most of their stores were converted to Macy’s. Since Macy’s was already an anchor, the store was opened as a Boscov’s.

Simon Property Group, longtime owner of the mall, decided to sell Deptford to Macerich in 2007. Macerich paid $241 million.

Sears Wing, Prior to Remodel — 2012 (photo by David M.)

By the end of the decade, the mall lost retailers — Carlton Cards, B. Daulton, San Francisco Music Box Co., Electronics Boutique, Legends Comics & Games, Magic Wok, Many Blessings, Parade of Shoes, Waldenbooks, Art Expo, August Max, Bavarian Pretzel, Casual Corner, Cutting Crew, Deli Delicious, Hanover, Sbarro, Strawbridge’s, Cutler Camera, Eddie Bauer, Pasta Cheech (later moved outside of the mall), Victoria’s Secret Beauty, Vitamin Health Center, Wilson’s Leather, Afterhours Formal Wear, Cingular Wireless, Coffee Beanery, Cunningham Research, d.e.m.o., Flamers, Hot Topic Rock (a secondary Hot Topic store), Jake’s Dog House, Sam Goody, The Icing, USA Blues, White Barn Candle Co.

Occupancy remained high, even after losing so many stores.

The 2010s

In 2012, the mall received another renovation, which was completed in 2013, with new flooring and railings.

Stairs were removed in the Boscov’s and Sears wings for new escalators.

New escalators were also added in the food court.

The staircase and customer service desk were removed in the center court and replaced with new stairs, a glass elevator and a Starbucks kiosk.

Center court — 2017 (photo by Peter Planamente)

In 2015, Macerich sold a 49% stake in the mall to real estate firm Heitman. Both remain the owner to this day.

In 2018, Sears announced it would be closing their Deptford store in early 2019. Dick’s Sporting Goods decided to move into the lower level while Round One Entertainment would fill the upper level. The building was gutted between 2019–2020. The COVID-19 pandemic added delays to the construction.

Abandoned Sears in January 2019 (photo by Peter Planamente)

Exterior of Dick’s Sporting Goods — 2020 (photo by Peter Planamente)

The 2020s

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the mall to close down, beginning in March of 2020. The mall remained closed for three months before re-opening in late June of 2020. Many safety precautions were added through the mall, including hand sanitizer stations and floor markers.

Posters throughout the mall display safety precautions to its shoppers — 2020 (photo from the Deptford Mall Facebook page)

Dick’s opened in the lower level of Sears in August of 2020. Outside of the building, an Xfinity store opened.

By September of 2020, a Krispy Creme was approved and construction would begin on the outer edge of the Dick’s/Round One parking lot (near Almonesson Road). Also, a Republic Bank will open nearby.

A few stores have closed in the mall while the pandemic is ongoing — Optical World, Modell’s Sporting Goods, New York & Company, Justice, Sprint, Ruby Tuesday, Colonial Soldier Arcade and GNC.

In October of 2020, Round One opened in the upper level of the former Sears. It offers arcade games, air hockey tables, food + alcohol, bowling and karaoke.

Exterior of Round One — 2020 (photo by Peter Planamente)

The former Sears Auto Center will become a Crunch Fitness, which is expected to open in the summer of 2021.

In early May, it was reported by 42Freeway.com that Krispy Kreme had backed out of building a new location in the mall parking lot. Republic Bank opened in June 2021.

In July 2021, a new FYE store opened on the upper level in the former Justice. A video or music store has not operated in the mall since Sam Goody closed in the mid-late 2000s.

FYE Storefront — 2021 (photo from Deptford Mall Facebook page)

In August 2021, The Disney Store announced it would be shutting down in Deptford by mid-September. Disney is focusing on their online sales and has decided to shut down most of their mall stores.

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