Concord Mall
Concord Mall is an enclosed regional shopping mall on Concord Pike in northern Delaware, anchored by Macy's and Boscov's.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Concord Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in the Brandywine Hundred area of New Castle County, Delaware, immediately north of Wilmington and approximately one mile south of the Pennsylvania border. It occupies a prominent position on U.S. Route 202, also known as Concord Pike, a major retail corridor linking Wilmington with communities in southeastern Pennsylvania. The mall’s location near the state line has long supported a cross-border customer base, particularly because Delaware does not impose a general state sales tax and historically allowed broader Sunday retail activity than neighboring Pennsylvania. The property traces its development history to the mid-1960s. An earlier proposal called Devonshire Square did not proceed, but the Rubenstein Company subsequently developed the site in phases. A freestanding Almart discount department store opened on the future mall property in March 1966. The enclosed Concord Mall followed on March 11, 1969, initially offering roughly 25 stores and two restaurants. It was the first enclosed shopping mall in New Castle County. Its original design emphasized a climate-controlled interior, landscaping, fountains, seating areas, and a garden-like central court. The mall expanded substantially during the early 1970s. A new wing opened in March 1972, adding approximately 35 stores and eventually bringing total leasable space to about 650,000 square feet. The two-level Pomeroy’s department store opened in October of that year and helped establish Concord Mall as a regional rather than merely neighborhood shopping center. By 1974, the property contained approximately 70 shops and restaurants and drew shoppers from across the Delaware-Pennsylvania border. Anchor changes shaped the mall’s later identity. Almart was converted first to Jefferson Ward and later to Bradlees. Strawbridge & Clothier opened a prominent new department store in 1983 after relocating from Wilmington’s Merchandise Mart. Pomeroy’s closed in 1987 following corporate restructuring, and its space was renovated for Boscov’s, which opened later that year. Bradlees closed its Concord Mall store by 1989. Sears subsequently replaced the former discount-store space with a new two-story department store that opened in September 1992. During the early 1990s, the owners pursued a large expansion involving a second floor, additional anchors, and parking garages. County officials rejected the proposal repeatedly, citing the physical limitations of the site and its proximity to residential neighborhoods. The mall instead undertook a major renovation in 1994, adding redesigned entrances, marble flooring, skylights, a glass roof over the center court, fountains, planters, and a clock tower. The property reached a reported peak of approximately 96 stores during the 1994 holiday season. A separate Strawbridge Home Furnishings store opened in 1995 in a former office-building area connected to the mall. Woolworth also tested a prototype store design at Concord Mall in 1996, although the chain later closed all of its namesake variety stores, including this location, in 1997. The property changed ownership several times, including a 1984 sale to JMB Realty and a 1998 acquisition by Allied Retail Properties. It is now owned by Namdar Realty Group. As of 2025, the mall has approximately 803,944 square feet of gross leasable area and about 40 retail tenants. Its principal anchors are Macy’s and Boscov’s. The property also includes smaller apparel, footwear, beauty, specialty, and food tenants, while nearby outparcel and strip-center retail adds businesses such as Ulta Beauty, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Best Buy. A large vacant space remains from the former Sears store. Concord Mall continues to operate as a regional retail destination, although its tenant count is considerably lower than during its 1990s peak.
History
Concord Mall developed along Concord Pike in northern New Castle County, Delaware, in response to the growth of suburban retail north of Wilmington. A first proposal for a shopping center at the location appeared in 1963 under the name Devonshire Square, but that project did not come to fruition. The Rubenstein Company later assembled and developed a 57-acre site in stages. The first operating component was a freestanding Almart discount department store. Allied Stores announced the 120,000-square-foot store in 1965, and it opened on March 17, 1966. The store included a restaurant and distinctive decorative interior elements. In March 1968, the Rubenstein Company announced plans for an enclosed, climate-controlled mall connected to Almart. Designed by Evantash and Friedman of Philadelphia, the initial mall included 29 planned stores, decorative fountains, planting areas, and seating. It officially opened on March 11, 1969, with approximately 25 stores and two restaurants, becoming the first enclosed shopping mall in New Castle County. The surrounding retail complex expanded quickly. A separate Budco cinema opened in February 1970, initially with 850 rocking-chair seats, and was later converted into a twin-screen theater. A professional office building opened in November 1970 and was eventually connected to the mall. In 1971, the owners announced a large addition that would include a new wing and a two-level Pomeroy's department store. The addition opened in stages beginning in March 1972, adding approximately 35 stores and increasing the mall's leasable area to about 650,000 square feet. Pomeroy's opened in October 1972 and included a restaurant and candy department. By 1974, the mall had approximately 70 stores and restaurants and had become Delaware's first regional mall. The property benefited from its proximity to Pennsylvania. Shoppers from across the state line were attracted by Delaware's lack of a general sales tax and, historically, by differences in Sunday-retail restrictions. Concord Mall consequently served a market broader than the immediate Wilmington suburbs, while also intensifying traffic along Concord Pike. Anchor succession became a defining feature of the 1980s. Allied Stores sold the Almart division to Montgomery Ward in 1979, and the local store was converted to the Jefferson Ward format before being renovated. It later became a Bradlees store. Strawbridge & Clothier announced a new store in 1982, replacing the mall's Kennard's department-store location and taking a prominent position at the center entrance. The 150,000-square-foot Strawbridge's opened in August 1983 in a building designed by RTKL Associates. In 1984, the Rubenstein Company sold the mall to JMB Realty for $31.6 million. Pomeroy's closed in January 1987 after a corporate takeover and reorganization. Boscov's subsequently acquired the space, renovated it, and opened its store in the fall of 1987. Around the same period, management considered adding a second floor and food court to respond to prospective competition from other regional retail projects. Bradlees' parent company later decided to close its southern division, and the Concord Mall Bradlees location shut down by the summer of 1989. Sears announced in 1990 that it would relocate from downtown Wilmington to a newly constructed store at Concord Mall. The proposed broader expansion included a second mall level, more anchors, and parking garages, but New Castle County planning officials rejected the scheme several times. Concerns included the scale of the development, traffic, parking-garage security, and the mall's close relationship with adjacent residential neighborhoods. The owners ultimately built the new Sears store but did not complete the proposed full expansion. Sears opened on September 22, 1992, in a two-story, 175,000-square-foot building. The mall undertook a major renovation in 1994 rather than adding a second floor. The project redesigned the entrances and interior, introduced marble flooring and skylights, and installed a glass roof, fountains, planters, and a clock tower around the center court. The work was completed before the Christmas shopping season, and the mall reportedly reached 96 stores during the 1994 holiday period. In 1995, Strawbridge & Clothier added a separate Home Furnishings store in the former office-building portion of the complex. Woolworth used its Concord Mall location to test a redesigned variety-store format in 1996, but the chain closed all of its namesake stores in 1997. Allied Retail Properties acquired Concord Mall in 1998 for a reported $80 million. Later ownership changes eventually resulted in the property being owned by Namdar Realty Group. In its current form, the mall has approximately 803,944 square feet of gross leasable area and roughly 40 retail tenants. Macy's and Boscov's serve as the principal anchors. The mall also includes specialty retailers and dining venues, while adjacent retail parcels contain additional national stores. The former Sears space is vacant, reflecting the continuing pressure on traditional department-store-anchored malls, but Concord Mall remains an operating retail destination on the Concord Pike corridor.
- 2025
Current operating profile
[1]The mall is described as having approximately 803,944 square feet of gross leasable area, around 40 retail tenants, and Macy's and Boscov's as its principal anchors.
- 1998
Allied Retail Properties acquisition
[1]Allied Retail Properties acquired the mall for a reported $80 million.
- 1994
Major interior renovation
[1]The mall completed a substantial renovation featuring new entrances, marble floors, skylights, fountains, and a glass-roofed center court.
- 1992
Sears opens
[1]A new two-story Sears store opened after replacing the former Bradlees and Almart building.
- 1987
Boscov's becomes an anchor
[1]Boscov's opened in the former Pomeroy's space after a complete renovation.
- 1984
Ownership transfers to JMB Realty
[1]JMB Realty acquired Concord Mall from the Rubenstein Company for a reported $31.6 million.
- 1983
Strawbridge & Clothier opens
[1]A new 150,000-square-foot Strawbridge & Clothier department store opened at the mall.
- 1972
Regional expansion completed
[1]A major wing and the two-level Pomeroy's department store opened, increasing the property to approximately 650,000 square feet of leasable space.
- 1970
Cinema and office building added
[1]A Budco cinema opened, followed later that year by a professional office building that was eventually connected to the mall.
- 1969
Enclosed mall opens
[1]Concord Mall opened as New Castle County's first enclosed shopping mall.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping mall serving northern Delaware, Wilmington-area residents, and shoppers from nearby southeastern Pennsylvania. Its location on Concord Pike and near the state border supports a cross-border shopping proposition centered on department stores, specialty retail, dining, and Delaware's tax-free shopping environment.
Department store anchor
Macy's
Macy's is one of Concord Mall's principal anchor tenants. Its department-store assortment traditionally spans clothing, accessories, beauty products, home merchandise, and seasonal goods. The Concord Mall location is reported to occupy approximately 150,000 square feet.
Department store anchor · 1987
Boscov's
Boscov's occupies the former Pomeroy's anchor space and has operated at Concord Mall since opening there in 1987. The store provides a broad department-store assortment including apparel, accessories, cosmetics, home goods, and other general merchandise. It is reported to occupy approximately 175,065 square feet.
Shopping mall retail · 1969
Specialty retail tenant mix
The mall's smaller tenants have included fashion, lingerie, athletic footwear, specialty apparel, and other consumer categories. Named examples include Victoria's Secret, Foot Locker, and rue21. The tenant roster changes over time as leases expire and retailers enter or leave the property.
Food and beverage · 1969
Dining offerings
Concord Mall provides on-site dining and quick-service options. Reported examples include Chick-fil-A, Cafe Riviera, and China Express. These offerings complement the mall's department stores and specialty retail, while the surrounding Concord Pike corridor supplies additional restaurants and food retailers.
Brand decisions
1994
Renovation selected instead of major expansionStrategyBackground
After the proposed second-floor expansion failed to receive approval, mall ownership sought to improve the existing property and address declining traffic and competitive pressure.
Action taken
The mall completed a major interior and entrance renovation, including marble floors, skylights, a glass center-court roof, fountains, planters, and a clock tower.
Aftermath
The work was completed before the 1994 Christmas season, when the mall reportedly reached a peak of 96 stores.
Renovation cost. $10 million (1994)
1992
Replacement of former discount-store anchor with SearsGeneration changeBackground
The former Almart, Jefferson Ward, and Bradlees space had become obsolete after Bradlees announced the closure of its southern division.
Action taken
The former building was demolished and replaced with a new two-story Sears department store.
Aftermath
The new 175,000-square-foot store opened on September 22, 1992, strengthening the mall's department-store anchor lineup.
Construction cost. $10 million (1992)
1991
County rejects proposed large-scale mall expansionStrategyBackground
JMB Realty proposed adding a second floor, additional anchors, and parking garages as competition from nearby planned retail developments increased.
Action taken
New Castle County planning officials rejected the proposal repeatedly, citing the physical limitations of the site and concerns related to neighboring residential areas.
Aftermath
The owners modified the proposal but ultimately pursued renovation of the existing mall rather than the full second-floor expansion.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/concord-mall · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled