Deptford Mall
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA major enclosed regional shopping mall in Deptford Township, New Jersey.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Deptford Mall is an enclosed regional shopping center in Deptford Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. It serves the southern New Jersey market and is positioned at the junction of major local and regional roads, including Route 42, Route 55, and County Route 544. The property is the only indoor regional shopping center in Gloucester County and is among the largest shopping malls in New Jersey by gross leasable area. The mall opened in August 1975 with more than 150 specialty stores and three department-store anchors: Bamberger's, Sears, and Wanamaker's. Its anchor roster has changed repeatedly as department-store companies consolidated, rebranded, or exited the market. Bamberger's became Macy's in 1986. Wanamaker's was converted to Hecht's in 1995 and then to Strawbridge's in 1996 after the May Department Stores Company acquired the Strawbridge's chain. A fourth anchor, JCPenney, was developed during the early 2000s and opened on August 1, 2001. After Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores, the Strawbridge's location closed in 2006 and was replaced by Boscov's. The center underwent a major ownership change in January 2007, when Macerich acquired it from Simon Property Group for $241 million. Macerich remains the mall's operating and management company. In October 2015, Macerich sold a 49 percent ownership interest to Heitman, leaving Macerich with the controlling stake. The property has subsequently been adapted to changing retail conditions by replacing traditional department-store space with specialty retail and entertainment uses. A substantial renovation completed by November 2012 improved circulation and common areas. The project replaced the mall's flooring, reconfigured vertical transportation, added escalators at the ends of the center, installed a central elevator and associated stairs, and refreshed the food court with new seating, tables, booths, and a children's play area. The food court itself dates to September 1991, when it opened as an area marketed as “The Diner,” replacing the mall's earlier pattern of dispersed dining venues. Sears became part of the Seritage Growth Properties portfolio in 2015 after Sears Holdings spun off a group of real-estate assets. Sears announced in October 2018 that the Deptford store would close as part of a nationwide closure program connected to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The store closed in January 2019. Its lower level was redeveloped for Dick's Sporting Goods, which relocated from a nearby Almonesson Road site and opened at the mall in September 2020. Round One Entertainment announced plans in 2019 to use the upper level of the former Sears building; its entertainment venue opened on October 30, 2020. Today, Deptford Mall has approximately 1.04 million square feet of gross leasable area and more than 125 stores and entertainment, dining, and service tenants. Its principal anchors include Boscov's, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Macy's, and Round 1 Entertainment. The center combines conventional department-store retail with sporting goods, family entertainment, dining, and specialty shopping, giving it a broader regional draw than a small local shopping center.
History
Deptford Mall opened in August 1975 as a fully enclosed regional shopping center in Deptford Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The original development included more than 150 specialty stores and three major department-store anchors: Bamberger's, Sears, and Wanamaker's. Its location near Route 42, Route 55, and County Route 544 gave it access to communities across Gloucester County and the surrounding southern New Jersey region. The mall's department-store identity evolved through a series of corporate rebrandings and retail-industry consolidations. Bamberger's was converted to Macy's in 1986. Wanamaker's became Hecht's in 1995, and the location was rebranded again as Strawbridge's in 1996 after May Department Stores acquired the Strawbridge's chain. In 2000, construction began on a fourth anchor building for JCPenney. The store opened on August 1, 2001, expanding the center's department-store offering. Strawbridge's closed in 2006 following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of May Department Stores, and Boscov's subsequently occupied the space. In January 2007, Macerich bought Deptford Mall from Simon Property Group for $241 million. Macerich became the principal owner and manager, while the property later received a minority investment from Heitman. In October 2015, Macerich sold 49 percent of the mall to Heitman but retained the controlling interest and operating responsibility. The mall's first major renovation since the early 2000s was completed by November 2012. The work focused on circulation, accessibility, and shared public areas. Two existing escalators and several stair arrangements were removed or reconfigured, new escalators were added near the ends of the mall, and a central elevator and related stairs were introduced. Flooring was replaced throughout the center. The food court received new seating, booths, and tables, along with a children's play area. The food court had originally opened on September 4, 1991, under the name “The Diner”; before that, dining venues were distributed through the mall rather than concentrated in one food-court area. The property was also affected by the decline of traditional department stores. In 2015, Sears Holdings transferred the Sears location, along with hundreds of other properties, into Seritage Growth Properties. Sears announced in October 2018 that the Deptford store would close as part of a national closure plan linked to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The store shut in January 2019. Rather than leave the building entirely vacant, the mall redeveloped different portions for new uses. Dick's Sporting Goods took the lower level after relocating from across the street on Almonesson Road and opened in September 2020. Round One Entertainment, which combines arcade and entertainment uses, occupied the upper level and opened on October 30, 2020. The 2020 redevelopments illustrate the mall's adaptation from a department-store-led format toward a mixed retail and experiential model. Deptford Mall now encompasses about 1.04 million square feet of gross leasable area and more than 125 stores. Its anchor and major-use tenants include Boscov's, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Macy's, and Round 1 Entertainment. The center remains the only indoor regional shopping mall in Gloucester County and continues to combine conventional retail, food service, personal services, and entertainment.
- 2020
Dick's and Round One open
[1]Dick's Sporting Goods opens in September, followed by Round One Entertainment on October 30.
- 2019
Redevelopment plans follow Sears closure
[1]Dick's Sporting Goods and Round One Entertainment are identified as replacement uses for portions of the former Sears building.
- 2015
Heitman takes a minority stake
[1]Heitman acquires a 49 percent interest while Macerich retains control and management.
- 2012
Major renovation completed
[1]A renovation updates flooring, vertical circulation, the food court, seating, and family-oriented common areas.
- 2007
Macerich acquires the mall
[1]Macerich purchases Deptford Mall from Simon Property Group.
- 2006
Boscov's replaces Strawbridge's
[1]Strawbridge's closes and the former anchor space is subsequently taken by Boscov's.
- 2001
JCPenney opens
[1]A fourth anchor, JCPenney, opens on August 1.
- 1996
Hecht's becomes Strawbridge's
[1]The former Hecht's location is rebranded as Strawbridge's after a May Department Stores acquisition.
- 1995
Wanamaker's becomes Hecht's
[1]The Wanamaker's anchor is converted to Hecht's.
- 1991
Food court opens
[1]The mall opens its centralized food court, initially marketed as “The Diner.”
Products and positioning
Enclosed regional shopping center serving Gloucester County and the wider southern New Jersey market, with a mix of department stores, specialty retail, dining, and family entertainment.
Retail · 1975
Department-store retail
The mall's traditional core is department-store shopping, represented by Macy's, Boscov's, and JCPenney. These anchors provide broad assortments spanning apparel, accessories, beauty, home merchandise, seasonal goods, and other general retail categories. Their presence supports the center's regional-shopping role and differentiates it from a neighborhood strip center.
Sporting goods · 2020
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods occupies the lower level of the former Sears building. The store expanded the mall's large-format retail mix with athletic apparel, footwear, sporting equipment, outdoor products, and related accessories. It relocated from a nearby Almonesson Road site and opened at Deptford Mall in September 2020.
Entertainment · 2020
Round 1 Entertainment
Round 1 Entertainment occupies the upper level of the former Sears building and adds an experience-focused use to the mall. The venue is associated with arcade and family entertainment activities, helping convert underused department-store space into an attraction that can generate visits beyond conventional shopping.
Food service · 1991
Food court and dining
Deptford Mall's centralized food court opened in 1991 under the original marketing name “The Diner.” A later renovation refreshed its flooring, seating, booths, tables, circulation, and children's play area. The food-and-beverage offer complements the mall's retail and entertainment tenants and provides an informal gathering area for shoppers and families.
Controversies
1996
Deadly armored-vehicle robbery attempt
On August 5, an attempted robbery of an armored vehicle inside the mall resulted in a shootout. The gunman and a 17-year-old were killed at the scene. A younger girl who had been critically injured by a ricocheting bullet later died in hospital.
Brand decisions
2019
Reuse of former Sears spaceStrategyBackground
Sears announced the closure of its Deptford Mall store during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, creating a large vacant anchor location.
Action taken
The mall planned to divide the former Sears building between Dick's Sporting Goods on the lower level and Round One Entertainment on the upper level.
Aftermath
Both replacement uses opened in 2020, shifting the space toward sporting goods and experiential entertainment.
2012
Common-area and circulation renovationStrategyBackground
The mall required modernization of its interior environment and vertical circulation after its earlier renovation period.
Action taken
The property replaced flooring, reconfigured stairs and escalators, installed a central elevator, and refreshed the food court with new furnishings and a children's play area.
Aftermath
The work modernized the customer environment and improved movement through the enclosed center.
2007
Macerich purchases Deptford MallM&ABackground
Simon Property Group owned the center before the transaction, while Macerich was expanding its portfolio of regional shopping properties.
Action taken
Macerich acquired the mall and became its principal owner and manager.
Aftermath
The transaction established Macerich as the mall's long-term operating company and controlling owner.
Purchase price. $241 million (January 2007)
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