3 Retailers Will Close Waterford Mall Locations: Report

WATERFORD, CT — The exodus from the Crystal Mall in Waterford continues: Bath & Body Works, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius and Cohen's Fashion Optical are all leaving, Hearst Connecticut reported.

Bath & Body Works and Cohen's Fashion Optical stores will move to the nearby Waterford Commons Shopping Center. Cohen's Fashion Optical is scheduled to make the move at the end of April. Bath & Body Works is expected to move this summer.

Read the full story at Hearst Connecticut.

Waterford Commons is located across the street from the mall at 903-915 Hartford Turnpike and currently has 23 stores.

The moves come after it was revealed last month that the last remaining anchor store at the mall, JCPenney, will close by May 25.

In 2023, the mall was sold at auction to Namdar Realty Group. The company owns 289 retail properties, including the Enfield Square Mall and the Meriden Mall.

See also: TV News Station Announces Significant On-Air Changes

• Man Who Tried To Assassinate President Reagan To Play Gig In CT

Once a busy mecca for shoppers, the Crystal Mall has seen rising vacancies in recent years, with anchor stores like Macy's and Bed, Bath & Beyond closing their doors. Sears was sold at auction last year, and the Christmas Tree Shops outlet closed last year. Several restaurants left the mall's food court at the end of last year.

Located at 850 Hartford Turnpike in Waterford, the mall was built in 1984 with additional construction in 1987. The two-story, 535,494-square-foot mall sits on 82 acres.

Managers of mall properties across the state are exploring their options due to a decline in business, with several considering redevelopment for residential usage. At the site of Westbrook Outlets, a developer is pitching a massive, $425 million development with 595 apartments, 100 townhomes, a new hotel, restaurants, and entertainment space.

A developer has plans to convert an abandoned Lord & Taylor space at the Danbury Fair Mall into 144 residential units.

In Milford, the Connecticut Post Mall's owners have gained zoning approval to allow housing on the site. This could come in three phases, with each phase adding 250 residential units.

See related: Last Remaining Anchor Store At Waterford Mall Will Close: Reports

• Several Restaurants At Waterford Mall Food Court Close: Report
• Developer Pitches $425-Million Mixed-Use Project At Westbrook Outlets