After nearly 60 years, Bucks County's first mega indoor shopping mecca, the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem, is set to undergo its most dramatic renovation in removing all but three popular anchor stores.
The 44-acre property is on its fourth owner since opening with much fanfare in 1968. It served as the only indoor one-stop shopping hub for Lower Bucks County until the nearby two-story Oxford Valley Mall opened in 1973.
This mall expanded and innovated for decades, but after losing two major anchors, in 2017 and 2018, foot traffic started to slump. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic the struggling mall watched as retailers fled and shoppers dwindled.
Where it once housed some of the most well known chain department stores including now only Boscov's remains.
Popular chains including Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant, Claire's and Spencer's Gifts have long closed.
The once-bustling food court has only one restaurant open.
Here's a look back at the history of the Neshaminy Mall.
1966
Developers Korman Company and Strouse Greenberg unveiled plans to build the Neshaminy Mall with Sears and Strawbridge & Clothier department stores to be its anchors.
1968
Neshaminy Mall opened Aug. 18, 1968 as the first shopping mecca in Bucks County. At the time it’s the sixth interior shopping mall built in the Greater Philadelphia area.
1970
A bronze cast of the “Neshaminy Indian” fountain was dedicated Sept. 9, 1970 as part of a larger historical display outside the then-Strawbridge & Clothier store, one of the main anchors. It replaced the original minimalistic inspired fountain.
1975
The mall underwent an expansion that added a Lit Brothers department store and new wing of stores.
1977
Lit Brothers closed and was replaced by Pomeroy’s department store. Ten years later Pomeroy’s store became Bon-Ton after the chain was sold.
1989
A food court was added to the mall.
1990
The mall was purchased by Homart Development Co. from Mutual of New York for $50 million.
1994
Bon-Ton closed.
1995
The mall underwent a renovation to give it a modern look and expand the food court. Boscov’s replaced the former Bon-Ton. General Growth Properties took over ownership of the mall. The renovation also removed the iconic handcrafted totem visible from Route 1 that was erected in 1973 after a storm damaged the original mall sign.
1998
One of the Philadelphia area’s first mega-multiscreen movie theaters, the AMC 24 opened at the mall.
2005
A Venetian merry-go-round featuring hand-painted horses and benches was added as a new mall attraction located in the Sears court in June. The carousel was purchased from an Italian manufacturer.
2006
Macy’s opened in the former Strawbridge’s store.
2015
The mall renovated its signage at the entrances and Boscov’s undertook an expansion.
2017
Anchor store Macy’s closed at themall, along with stores in Plymouth Meeting Mall.
2018
Brookfield Properties became the new owner of the property. The popular Cafe Riviera restaurant closed in December 2018 after more than 40 years in business at the mall.
2019
Anchor store Sears closed as part of a plan to close 142 stores nationwide as a result of the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This closing left Boscov’s as the only traditional department store at the mall.
2020
Multiple announcements were made regarding development plans, including that medical offices would take over the former Sears building and a Wawa was proposed in the Macy’s parking lot. None of the plans came to fruition. More retailers closed, including Foot Locker and Modell’s Sporting Goods. SANT Properties bought the former Macy’s property. Bucks County located one of its COVID-19 mass vaccine centersat the mall.
2021
Bensalem Historical Society members removed four of the seven original animatronic dioramas from the “Wall of Freedom,” created by Tommy Rowland Inc., commissioned by Strawbridge & Clothier for its Neshaminy Mall location in 1968. Two of the dioramas have been fully restored to working order and the others remain in storage in Bensalem.
2022
The Chick-fil-A restaurant closed Dec. 31, 2022 after operating at the mall for 32 years.
2024
Brookfield Properties put up the Neshaminy Mall property for sale “as is” in February by June Paramount Realty, and Edgewood Properties purchased the mall for $27.5 million.
2025
An ambitious plan to convert the shuttered Macy’s into the latest location for an indoor-outdoor state-of-the-art fitness and recreation center fell through. Tony Chowdhury, owner ofFusion gyms, confirmed that the plan was dead one year after he purchased the former department store. As of December, only one restaurant was operating in the food court.
2026
In January and February longtime chain retailers Bath & Body Works, Torrid and Shoe Carnival closed their businesses leaving behind less than two dozen retailers in the mall. Some vacant retail spots have been filled by nontraditional businesses. In September, the remaining businesses at the mall received notification that the mall is closing and that demolition is expected to start in December.
Crime and courts reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Once upon a time, Neshaminy Mall was the place to be
