Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall
A former outlet shopping mall in Sagamore, Bourne, Massachusetts, that operated from 1972 until 2011.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall was an outdoor shopping destination in Sagamore, a village of Bourne, Massachusetts. The property began operating as an indoor outlet shopping center in 1972 and eventually became associated with factory-store retail, local businesses, and visitor-oriented shopping on Cape Cod. At its peak, the mall contained approximately 25 stores, combining national outlet retailers with smaller local or regional tenants. Its tenant mix at various times included Big Dog Sportswear, Osh Kosh B'Gosh, Buck-A-Book, Dress Barn, Carter's Childrenswear, and a Sbarro restaurant. The center developed in stages. The original indoor portion included the area occupied by Carter's Childrenswear and Dress Barn, while a much larger main section was added during the late 1980s. Through much of the 1990s, the expanded complex benefited from the popularity of outlet shopping and functioned as a recognizable retail stop in the Cape Cod area. The grounds also had earlier commercial associations, including the original site of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Cape Cod and a former motel. The mall's performance weakened during the early 2000s. The opening of Wrentham Village Premium Outlets drew away some outlet-shopping traffic, while the Cape Cod property experienced declining tenant occupancy and deteriorating physical conditions. Buck-A-Book, one of its larger tenants, closed in September 2005 when the local chain ceased operations. The resulting vacancy remained for the rest of the mall's life. By 2009, occupancy had fallen below half of the available space, and the property was increasingly characterized as a dead mall. Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall closed on July 4, 2011. It was subsequently slated for demolition and redevelopment rather than continued operation as an enclosed outlet mall. In September 2011, plans were announced for several retailers, including Van Heusen, Izod, and Bass Outlet, to return to the site, while Carter's was not included in the announced returning group. The property was rebuilt as an open-air strip-center format anchored by Market Basket, whose store opened in June 2012. The redevelopment marked the end of the original mall as a distinct retail complex.
History
The property that became Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall was developed as an indoor outlet shopping center in 1972 in Sagamore, within the town of Bourne, Massachusetts. Its initial configuration included the portion containing Carter's Childrenswear and Dress Barn. The site had commercial history beyond the mall itself: its grounds had previously included the original location of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Cape Cod and a motel. A significant expansion took place in the late 1980s, when the principal section of the mall was added. This expansion created the larger retail complex remembered by local shoppers and visitors. During its strongest period, particularly through the 1990s, the center accommodated approximately 25 stores. Its mix included outlet divisions of national brands, local or regional businesses, and food service. Examples mentioned in historical accounts include Big Dog Sportswear, Osh Kosh B'Gosh, Buck-A-Book, Sbarro, Carter's Childrenswear, and Dress Barn. The center entered a prolonged decline in the early 2000s. Competition from Wrentham Village Premium Outlets diverted some customers, reducing the traffic available to the Cape Cod property. Tenant losses compounded the problem. Buck-A-Book shut its mall location in September 2005 when the local chain went out of business, leaving one of the largest spaces vacant for the remainder of the mall's operation. Other stores subsequently departed, and the physical condition of the complex worsened. By 2009, fewer than half of the spaces were occupied, leading to the property's common description as a dead mall. The indoor mall closed on July 4, 2011. Rather than reopen the same complex, the site was selected for redevelopment. On September 12, 2011, an announcement indicated that five stores, including Van Heusen, Izod, and Bass Outlet, would return to the property; Carter's was not among the announced returning tenants. The planned replacement was an open-air strip center anchored by Market Basket. Market Basket opened in June 2012. This redevelopment ended the history of Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall as an operating enclosed outlet mall, although retail use continued at the site in a different physical and commercial form.
- 2012
Market Basket opens at replacement center
[1]The redeveloped site opens a Market Basket store in June.
- 2011
Mall closes
[1]Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall shuts on July 4 before being demolished and replaced.
- 2011
Redevelopment plans announced
[1]A September announcement outlines a strip-center redevelopment and the expected return of five stores, including Van Heusen, Izod, and Bass Outlet.
- 2009
Occupancy falls below half
[1]The property is reported to be under 50 percent occupied amid continuing tenant losses and deterioration.
- 2005
Buck-A-Book closes
[1]Buck-A-Book leaves the center in September after the local chain goes out of business, leaving a large vacant tenant space.
- 1990
Peak operating period
[1]The mall is described as thriving through much of the 1990s, with approximately 25 stores and a mix of national outlets and local businesses.
- 1980
Late-1980s expansion
[1]A major addition creates the mall's main section and expands its retail capacity.
- 1972
Indoor outlet mall opens
[1]The property begins operation as an indoor outlet shopping center in Sagamore, Bourne, Massachusetts.
Products and positioning
A regional factory-outlet and value-shopping center serving Cape Cod-area residents and visitors before its closure and redevelopment.
Apparel and footwear · 1972
Factory-outlet apparel
The mall's core offer was discounted and outlet-format merchandise, particularly clothing and related accessories. Historical tenants included apparel names such as Big Dog Sportswear, Van Heusen, Izod, Dress Barn, and Bass Outlet, although individual tenant presence changed over time.
Children's apparel · 1972
Children's clothing
Children's apparel was represented by tenants including Carter's Childrenswear and Osh Kosh B'Gosh. Carter's was part of the original indoor-mall area and was specifically excluded from the group of returning stores announced for the later redevelopment.
Books and retail goods
Books and media
Buck-A-Book provided book-related retail and occupied one of the mall's larger spaces. Its closure in September 2005 became a notable marker of the center's declining tenant base.
Restaurants
Food service
Food-service retail formed part of the mall experience, with Sbarro identified among the center's former tenants. The restaurant complemented the outlet stores and other visitor-oriented uses.
Brand decisions
2011
Redevelopment from enclosed outlet mall to open-air strip centerStrategyBackground
After years of declining traffic, tenant departures, low occupancy, and disrepair, the enclosed mall closed and was slated for demolition.
Action taken
The site was planned for reconstruction as a strip-center development anchored by Market Basket, with several outlet tenants announced as returning.
Aftermath
Market Basket opened in June 2012, while the original Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall ceased to exist as an operating mall.
Sources1 sources
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