Hampshire Mall

Hampshire Mall is a regional shopping center in Hadley, Massachusetts, serving communities in the Pioneer Valley and the surrounding area. The mall is primarily a single-story property with a smaller second-floor area and has approximately 30 stores. Its current major anchors include Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, PetSmart, and Target. The property also contains entertainment-oriented tenants, most notably Interskate 91 North, a roller-skating rink located on the second floor, and LaserBlast: Ancient Adventure, a laser-tag facility attached to the rink. The laser-tag attraction previously operated under the name LaserStorm. The center opened in 1978 with JCPenney, Steiger's, and Kmart as its principal anchors. Its tenant mix changed substantially as department-store, electronics, media, and discount retail formats evolved. Steiger's was demolished in 1994, and the site was redeveloped for a Media Play store that opened in August 1995. Kmart closed in 2002 during the chain's bankruptcy proceedings. The former Kmart area was rebuilt and expanded in 2003 to accommodate Target, giving the mall a major general-merchandise anchor. Hampshire Mall also developed a substantial entertainment component. A six-screen cinema operated at the property from the mall's opening until 1999. The theater was replaced by a larger 12-screen Cinemark complex in 2000. In the mid-2000s, the property added or replaced several large-format tenants. A 45,000-square-foot Dick's Sporting Goods opened in early 2005 in space formerly occupied by Eastern Mountain Sports. Best Buy and Steve & Barry's also replaced Media Play around that time. Steve & Barry's later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008 and closed its Hampshire Mall store in August of that year; the space was subsequently converted for a racetrack attraction. The mall has operated in a competitive retail corridor. Mountain Farms Mall is located across the street, and the two properties compete for shoppers, restaurants, services, and major retailers. Access and traffic have also been important local issues. Massachusetts has considered widening Route 9 near the mall to address recurring congestion and improve connections between Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, and nearby shopping districts. Ownership and management have changed over time. Spinoso Real Estate Group has managed the property, while the mall was sold at a foreclosure auction on June 20, 2024, to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc. Hampshire Mall remains an active shopping and entertainment destination, although its tenant roster and long-term redevelopment plans may continue to change as retail conditions and property ownership evolve.

Hampshire Mall opened in 1978 in Hadley, Massachusetts, as a primarily one-story shopping center with a small second-floor section. Its original anchor lineup consisted of JCPenney, Steiger's, and Kmart. The mall also included a six-screen movie theater, which operated from the opening of the center until 1999. The property began a series of major tenant changes in the 1990s and early 2000s. Steiger's was demolished in 1994, and the site was redeveloped for Media Play, which opened on August 10, 1995. The original cinema was replaced in 2000 by a 12-screen Cinemark theater, reflecting the expansion of multiplex entertainment in the regional retail market. Kmart closed in 2002 during the retailer's bankruptcy period. In 2003, its former space was reconstructed and enlarged for Target. Additional anchor and large-format changes occurred in the mid-2000s. Eastern Mountain Sports was replaced by a 45,000-square-foot Dick's Sporting Goods store, which opened in early 2005. Media Play was in turn replaced by Best Buy and Steve & Barry's around the same period. Steve & Barry's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008 and closed its Hampshire Mall store in August of that year. The former store space was subsequently used for a racetrack attraction. The mall has also supported recreational and family-oriented uses. Interskate 91 North operates a roller-skating rink on the second floor. An attached laser-tag venue operates as LaserBlast: Ancient Adventure and previously used the LaserStorm name. These attractions broaden the property beyond conventional retail and provide uses that are less directly dependent on department-store shopping. Hampshire Mall is part of a competitive commercial area. Mountain Farms Mall stands across the street, and the two shopping centers compete for regional customers. Traffic congestion on Route 9 has been a recurring concern. State transportation discussions have included widening Route 9 to two lanes in each direction between Middle Street and the mall area, building on an earlier widening project between Northampton and the Calvin Coolidge Bridge and potentially improving access toward Amherst and other nearby retail destinations. In ownership and management terms, Spinoso Real Estate Group has managed Hampshire Mall. On June 20, 2024, the mall was sold at a foreclosure auction to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc. The property remains active, with approximately 30 stores and a tenant mix centered on national anchors, specialty retail, and entertainment.

• 2024

  Property changes hands after foreclosure auction

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Hampshire Mall is sold at a foreclosure auction to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc.

• 2008

  Steve & Barry's closes

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Steve & Barry's closes its Hampshire Mall store in August after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

• 2005

  Dick's Sporting Goods opens

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A 45,000-square-foot Dick's Sporting Goods store opens, replacing Eastern Mountain Sports; Best Buy and Steve & Barry's also replace Media Play around this period.

• 2003

  Target takes over former Kmart space

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The former Kmart area is rebuilt and expanded for Target.

• 2002

  Kmart closes

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Kmart vacates the mall during the retailer's bankruptcy period.

• 2000

  Cinemark multiplex opens

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A 12-screen Cinemark theater replaces the former six-screen cinema.

• 1999

  Original cinema closes

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall's original six-screen movie theater ends operations.

• 1995

  Media Play opens

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Media Play store opens on August 10 in the former Steiger's location.

• 1994

  Steiger's building is demolished

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The former Steiger's store is demolished to make way for a Media Play location.

• 1978

  Hampshire Mall opens

  [1]Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The shopping center opens in Hadley with JCPenney, Steiger's, and Kmart as anchor stores, along with a six-screen cinema.

A regional, convenience-oriented shopping and entertainment center serving the Pioneer Valley, with a mix of national anchor retailers, everyday merchandise, specialty stores, and family recreation.

• Shopping center retail · 1978

  Retail shopping

  Hampshire Mall provides a multi-tenant retail environment anchored by JCPenney, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and PetSmart. The tenant mix combines department-store merchandise, general merchandise, sporting goods, pet supplies, specialty retail, and services. The center's approximately 30 stores serve everyday shopping needs as well as discretionary purchases.

• Recreation and entertainment

  Interskate 91 North

  Interskate 91 North is a roller-skating rink located on the mall's second floor. It gives Hampshire Mall a family-entertainment use in addition to its retail functions and occupies part of the property's relatively small upper level.

• Laser tag and entertainment

  LaserBlast: Ancient Adventure

  LaserBlast: Ancient Adventure is a laser-tag facility attached to Interskate 91 North. The venue formerly operated under the LaserStorm name and forms part of the mall's recreational offering.

• 2024

  Foreclosure-auction saleOther

  Background

  The property entered a foreclosure process amid changes in its ownership position.

  Action taken

  The mall was sold at auction on June 20 to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc.

  Aftermath

  Spinoso Real Estate Group continued managing the active shopping center after the ownership transfer.

  Source

• 2005

  Expansion of large-format retail and entertainment usesProduct launch

  Background

  The mall was reshaping its tenant mix after the departure of Media Play and the changing condition of traditional department-store and specialty-retail formats.

  Action taken

  Dick's Sporting Goods opened in former Eastern Mountain Sports space, while Best Buy and Steve & Barry's replaced Media Play. The Dick's store measured approximately 45,000 square feet.

  Aftermath

  The changes increased the presence of sporting-goods, electronics, and value-oriented apparel retail at the property.

  Source

• 2003

  Redevelopment of former Kmart space for TargetStrategy

  Background

  Kmart had closed its Hampshire Mall store in 2002 during the chain's bankruptcy period, leaving a large anchor vacancy.

  Action taken

  The former Kmart premises were rebuilt and extended to accommodate a Target store.

  Aftermath

  Target became one of the mall's principal general-merchandise anchors.

  Source

1. 1Hampshire Mallen.wikipedia.org