Crystal Mall (Waterford, Connecticut)

Crystal Mall is an enclosed, two-level regional mall in Waterford, Connecticut. It is situated in a central retail area off the Hartford Turnpike (Route 85), across from a smaller, open-air shopping center, Waterford Commons. The mall covers a gross leaseable area of 782,786 sq ft (72,723.2 m2), making it Connecticut's ninth largest mall, boasting 110 shops. Its primary trade area includes a trade population of 296,161 people, mostly serving the nearby towns of Waterford, Stonington, Norwich, Groton and New London.
The mall has 103 stores and 1 anchor that is closing.
== History ==
The mall was developed in 1984 by New England Development. When it opened, it was the only regional mall in the area, and many smaller shopping centers faced strong competition. Some, like nearby New London Mall, were eventually forced to change strategies, such as becoming a "lifestyle center". The original anchors were Sears, JCPenney, Filene's, and Jordan Marsh. Jordan Marsh became Macy's in 1996 and JCPenney which closed in 2024.
After about 10 years in operation, Crystal Mall's look was becoming outdated, and management realized it needed to be renewed. In 1997, the mall underwent a renovation to upgrade its interior design. The previous dark color scheme was replaced by a brighter white, the food court was remodeled, and lighting as well as other fixtures were improved. The elegant center chandelier was slated to be removed during the renovations, but the fixture was popular with shoppers, so it was shined and has remained. The mall has still been criticized for its aging exterior look, and for not updating its tenants to keep up with the times.
In 2006, one of the mall's longstanding anchors Filene's closed its store, as this was one of a number of New England Malls that had both a Macy's and Filene's. After the May Co Department Store Company was purchased by Federated Department Stores (now renamed Macy's, Inc.) duplicate stores were closed at many New England malls. The anchor space remained empty for over a year. In late 2007, it was announced that two non-traditional anchors would fill the vacant space: Christmas Tree Shops and Bed Bath & Beyond. Both retailers opened a few months later in early 2008, with Christmas Tree Shops on the first level, and Bed Bath & Beyond on the second level.
In 2015, Sears Holdings spun off 235 of its properties, including the Sears at Crystal Mall, into Seritage Growth Properties.
On October 15, 2018, it was announced that Sears would be closing as part of a plan to close 142 stores nationwide.
On January 6, 2021, it was announced that Macy's would be closing in April 2021 as part of a plan to close 46 stores nationwide. 
In 2022 Bed Bath & Beyond closed.
In 2023 Christmas Tree Shops closed.
It was announced that JCPenney would close by the end of spring 2024 this will leave the mall a dead mall without any anchors.
== Former anchors ==
* Filene's
* Jordan Marsh
* Macy's (first store) closed 
* Sears closed 
* Macy’s (second store) closed 
* JCPenney closing 
* Bed Bath & Beyond closed 
* Christmas Tree Shops closed 
Category:Malls in Connecticut
Category:Malls in the United States
Category:Simon Property Group Malls
Category:Malls that opened in 1984
Category:Shopping Malls
Category:Multi-Level Malls
Category:JCPenney-anchored Malls
Category:Macy's-anchored Malls
Category:Bed Bath & Beyond-anchored Malls
Category:Christmas Tree Shops-anchored Properties
Category:Former Filene's-anchored Malls
Category:Former Jordan Marsh-anchored Malls
Category:Former Sears-anchored Malls
Category:Seritage Locations