July 20, 1976: Opening of the Ocean County Mall

On July 20, 1976, the then owned by the DeBartolo Corporation, was opened.  The grand opening was a big deal to people in Toms River and the rest of Ocean County, as the area did not previously have a large shopping mall and people had to head to Monmouth or Atlantic Counties to get their shopping done.  Ownership has changed hands over the years, including CPI and current owner, Simon Property Group.

Stores have come and gone over the years.  Now-defunct chains, such as Woolworth, KB Toys, and B. Dalton Bookseller, all called at one point or another.  The mall also once had a two-screen movie theater and an arcade, both of which have now been gone for some time.  There are four anchor stores and a food court.

The recession has hit the mall particularly hard in recent years, forcing many stores out.