Hanover Crossing
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA mixed-use retail and lifestyle development in Hanover, Massachusetts, formerly operated as the enclosed Hanover Mall.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Hanover Crossing is a mixed-use retail, entertainment, and lifestyle development in Hanover, Massachusetts. The property originated as Hanover Mall, an enclosed shopping center that opened in 1971. After nearly five decades of operation, the indoor mall closed in January 2020 and was demolished in April of that year as part of a redevelopment program. The site began reopening in 2022 as an open-air commercial center under the Hanover Crossing name. The original Hanover Mall was designed around department-store and discount-store anchors. Its early anchor roster included Woolworth, Zayre, and Almy's, with Sears added later. Over time, the property reflected the consolidation and restructuring of the American department-store sector. Almy's closed in 1987 and its space was taken by Filene's. Zayre became Ames after a 1989 chain combination. Jordan Marsh subsequently became part of Macy's, and the former Jordan Marsh location was demolished to make room for a new wing anchored by JCPenney. Filene's was also expanded during this period. The center underwent a renovation in 1999, but changing shopping patterns and the deterioration of several major retail chains created continuing pressure. The former food court was replaced by an Old Navy store after the food court failed to attract sufficient business. Ames closed in 2002, and its space was later occupied by Walmart in 2004. JCPenney announced its closure in January 2015 as part of a nationwide program affecting underperforming stores. The vacant space was later reused as the Hanover Mall Event Center, including as a venue for SouthCoast Comic Con. The remaining anchors also departed during the property's final enclosed-mall period. Sears announced in September 2019 that it would close its store in December of that year. Walmart and Old Navy were reported to be closing in October 2019, leaving Macy's as the only remaining anchor. The enclosed mall closed in January 2020 and was demolished several months later. Hanover Crossing represents the site's transition from a conventional enclosed mall to a broader mixed-use format. Its open-air plan combines retail, food, entertainment, lifestyle uses, and planned residential development. A new Market Basket grocery store opened on the northern portion of the redevelopment area on March 11, 2022, while Macy's remained an anchor. The project therefore serves both as a successor to Hanover Mall and as a repositioning of the property for a more diversified, experience-oriented retail model.
History
Hanover Crossing occupies the site of Hanover Mall, an enclosed shopping center that opened in Hanover, Massachusetts, in 1971. The original center was anchored by Woolworth, Zayre, and Almy's, with Sears added later. These tenants reflected the period's standard suburban mall model, combining department stores, discount retailers, and specialty shopping under one roof. The anchor lineup changed repeatedly as retail chains consolidated or disappeared. Almy's closed in 1987 and was replaced by Filene's. Zayre became Ames following a 1989 chain combination. Jordan Marsh later became Macy's, and the former Jordan Marsh store was demolished to create a new wing containing JCPenney. Filene's also received an expansion during this phase. The mall was renovated in 1999, but subsequent changes suggested that the traditional enclosed-mall format was becoming less viable. A food court that had not generated adequate business was replaced by an Old Navy store. Ames closed in 2002. Its former space was eventually occupied by Walmart, which opened there in fall 2004. JCPenney announced in January 2015 that its store would close as part of a national reduction program. The vacant JCPenney building was subsequently converted into the Hanover Mall Event Center, which became associated with events including SouthCoast Comic Con. The property entered its final decline as several major anchors exited. Sears announced on September 5, 2019, that it would close on December 15. Walmart and Old Navy were reported to be leaving in October, with Walmart's closure scheduled for October 25. Macy's was left as the only remaining anchor identified in the enclosed center. The mall closed in January 2020, and demolition followed in April. The replacement project was named Hanover Crossing. Rather than reconstructing a conventional enclosed mall, the redevelopment was planned as an open-air destination combining retail, lifestyle uses, entertainment, and residential development. Hanover Crossing began reopening in 2022. Market Basket opened a new grocery store on March 11, 2022, and Macy's continued as an anchor. The resulting property is best understood as a successor mixed-use development rather than a continuation of the original enclosed mall format. Its evolution illustrates the shift in American suburban retail real estate from department-store-centered indoor malls toward more diversified open-air environments with grocery, dining, services, entertainment, and housing.
- 2022
Hanover Crossing begins reopening
[1]The replacement open-air development begins reopening, with Market Basket opening on March 11.
- 2020
Enclosed mall closes and is demolished
[1]The original Hanover Mall closes in January, and demolition begins in April to enable the Hanover Crossing redevelopment.
- 2019
Sears closure announced
[1]Sears announces that its Hanover Mall store will close on December 15.
- 2015
JCPenney closure announced
[1]JCPenney announces that its Hanover store will close as part of a national store-reduction plan.
- 2004
Walmart opens in former Ames space
[1]Walmart occupies the former Ames location in fall 2004.
- 2002
Ames closes
[1]Ames exits the property, creating space that is later occupied by Walmart.
- 1999
Major renovation
[1]Hanover Mall undergoes a renovation as the property attempts to maintain its conventional enclosed-shopping-center format.
- 1996
Jordan Marsh location is redeveloped
[1]Jordan Marsh closes shortly after becoming Macy's; the building is demolished and replaced by a new wing containing JCPenney.
- 1989
Zayre becomes Ames
[1]The Zayre anchor is converted to an Ames store following the chains' combination.
- 1987
Almy's closes
[1]Almy's leaves the mall, and its former space is taken by Filene's.
Products and positioning
A regional retail and mixed-use destination repositioned from a traditional enclosed shopping mall into an open-air lifestyle center with grocery, department-store, entertainment, and planned residential components.
Department store
Macy's
Macy's is the principal department-store anchor associated with the property. It originated from the former Jordan Marsh presence and remained after other major anchors departed during the final years of the enclosed mall. Its merchandise traditionally spans apparel, accessories, beauty, home goods, and seasonal products.
Grocery store · 2022
Market Basket
Market Basket is a grocery anchor in the Hanover Crossing redevelopment. The new store opened on March 11, 2022, adding a recurring-visit food and household-shopping component to the open-air project and broadening the site's role beyond department-store retail.
Events and entertainment
Hanover Mall Event Center
The Hanover Mall Event Center was created in the former JCPenney building after the department store closed. The venue hosted events including SouthCoast Comic Con, providing an entertainment use within the property during the transition from the enclosed mall to Hanover Crossing.
Brand decisions
2019
Convert the enclosed mall into Hanover CrossingStrategyBackground
The property faced the departure of multiple traditional anchors, including JCPenney, Sears, Walmart, and Old Navy, while enclosed-mall retail conditions were weakening.
Action taken
The site was planned for demolition and replacement with an open-air mixed-use development combining retail, lifestyle, entertainment, and planned residential uses.
Aftermath
The enclosed mall closed in January 2020, was demolished in April, and the replacement development began reopening as Hanover Crossing in 2022.
2015
Repurpose the former JCPenney spaceOtherBackground
JCPenney announced the closure of its Hanover location as part of a national program affecting underperforming stores.
Action taken
The vacant department-store building was converted into the Hanover Mall Event Center.
Aftermath
The space became an event venue and hosted SouthCoast Comic Con before the broader mall redevelopment.
Sources1 sources
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