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Nanuet, NY – The Shops at Nanuet, a lifestyle center at the center of commerce for Rockland County, has changed ownership. Purchased by Alexander Properties, located in New City, NY.
The transition marks an undisclosed next chapter for a site steeped in retail history. Opened in 2013 as an open-air replacement for the iconic Nanuet Mall, the Shops have served as a retail hub for Rockland County, but recent challenges have spurred discussions about its future.
The story of the Shops at Nanuet begins last century – with the original Nanuet Mall, which opened in 1969 as one of the region’s premier enclosed shopping centers. Anchored by Bamberger’s (later Macy’s) and Sears, the mall expanded in 1994 with a new wing anchored by Abraham & Straus, which became Stern’s in 1995 and later Boscov’s.
By the late 1990s, the mall spanned 900,000 square feet with 120 stores, including brands such as Barnes & Noble, Hot Topic, WRCR Radio and Aeropostale.
However, its fortunes began to decline after the opening of the nearby Palisades Center in 1998.
Faced with dwindling tenants, Simon Property Group announced plans in 2011 to redevelop the site into a lifestyle center. Demolition of the original mall began in early 2012, and by October 2013, The Shops at Nanuet debuted with a new identity as an outdoor shopping destination featuring 50 specialty stores, restaurants, a fitness center, and a Regal Cinemas movie theater.
In its early days, the Shops attracted high-end tenants like Apple, Michael Kors, and Coach. However, shifting consumer habits and the rise of e-commerce, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to financial struggles. The departure of flagship retailers such as Fairway Market in 2019 and Sears in 2019 further reshaped the center’s tenant mix. Recently, PF Chang’s closed after a 10-year run, with little to no warning to the public. Many lamented over the sudden loss of access to Mongolian Beef.
In response to these challenges, the site evolved to include new tenants like Stop & Shop, which replaced the former Fairway Market in 2021, and Buffalo Wild Wings, which opened in 2022 in the former Zinburger location. Local businesses, discount retailers, and unique offerings such as Roast’d Coffee and Sombrero Tacoria have since found a home at the Shops.
The former Sears property became a Depo House furniture store in 2022, with the adjacent Sears Tire and Auto Center being considered for redevelopment into a hotel or additional retail spaces. Meanwhile, Regal Cinemas, initially slated to close in 2023, remains open thanks to strong community support.
The sale to Alexander Properties has sparked discussions about the future of the center. Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann confirmed that plans are underway to redevelop parts of the property, including transforming the former Sears site into a mixed-use “transit-oriented development” featuring residential and commercial spaces.
This proposal aligns with broader zoning updates in Clarkstown, which aim to repurpose former retail spaces to meet evolving community needs.
The location’s rich history, from its days as the Nanuet Mall to its current iteration as The Shops at Nanuet, underscores its significance to Rockland County. The center’s strategic position near the New York State Thruway and its role as a community and economic hub have solidified its importance.
As Alexander Properties takes the helm, the community looks forward to the next phase of the Shops’ evolution. Whether it remains an outdoor shopping center or transitions into a mixed-use complex, its potential to serve as a cornerstone of Rockland County’s economic and social landscape remains undiminished.
Filed Under: News, Rockland County, Town of Clarkstown
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