Major Announcement Made About Future Of Waterford Mall

WATERFORD, CT — The slow-but-steady decline of the Crystal Mall will enter its final chapter later this month. "Most mall activities" are scheduled to end March 31, according to General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The submarine manufacturer purchased the Waterford property in October.

Related: Expanding Business Buys Up Entire Crystal Mall Property

"The overwhelming majority of tenants have vacated the mall," Electric Boat wrote in a statement. "A few remaining tenants will still operate beyond this date under an accommodation with Electric Boat to support their specific business needs."

Prior to the company buying the property, the mall had shed numerous tenants in recent years. The property at 850 Hartford Turnpike was sold for $9 million to Namdar Realty Group in 2023, which also owns the beleaguered Enfield Mall and Meriden Mall.

The last remaining anchor store at the Crystal Mall, JCPenney, closed in 2024.

Claire's, Forever 21, Zales Jewelry, and FYE are some of the more recent closures at the Crystal Mall. Spencer's Gifts, Kay Jewelers, and Hot Topic have closed this year, according to The Connecticut Scoop.

Electric Boat reportedly paid $25 million for the mall property.

Related: Sale Price Of Waterford's Crystal Mall Revealed: Report

The company is working on the design development for the mall. The first phase will be completed this spring and will be followed by renovations, beginning with the former Macy's location.

The town's Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month approved Electric Boat's request for a modified site plan and new special permit to change the land and building usage from retail to business operations.

The purchase of the entire mall property will allow Electric Boat to expand its engineering, training, and software development work in support of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine production, according to a statement from the company.

Four to five thousand employees are expected to work at the location.

The property is 5.5 miles from Electric Boat's shipyard in Groton.

Electric Boat has scheduled a hiring event at the mall April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are 400 job openings. More information is available by clicking here.

The company has said that employees will begin working at the mall property by the middle of 2027 at the earliest.