Northfield Square Mall
A shopping mall in Bradley, Illinois, serving Kankakee County and anchored by Cinemark Theatres after the departure of its traditional department-store tenants.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Northfield Square is a shopping mall in Bradley, Illinois, United States. It serves the wider Kankakee County area, including Bradley, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee. The center is positioned at the intersection of Illinois Route 50 and Larry Power Road, close to the Interstate 57 interchange, giving it a regional location for residents and visitors in the surrounding communities. The mall opened on August 1, 1990, with Carson Pirie Scott, JCPenney, Sears, and Venture as its original anchor tenants. Its launch occurred with a substantial amount of unleased space: approximately 40 percent of the mall was vacant when it opened. Although occupancy later improved, vacancy remained an important part of the center's operating history; the mall was reported to be 11.7 percent vacant in 2012. Northfield Square's tenant mix changed significantly during the late 2010s and early 2020s. Sears announced in January 2018 that it would close the location as part of a nationwide store-reduction program, and the store shut on April 9, 2018. Carson Pirie Scott's two locations at the mall subsequently closed on August 29, 2018, following the bankruptcy and liquidation of parent company The Bon-Ton Stores. JCPenney, which had been left as the mall's only traditional department-store anchor, announced in June 2020 that it too would close. Its closure, around October 2020, left the property without a conventional department-store anchor. During the same period, Northfield Square continued to accommodate smaller retailers, service businesses, and entertainment uses. Express Factory Outlet was announced as a new tenant in June 2018. Willow Spa and Barbershop On The Square and Paul Mitchell - The School were among the service-oriented occupants mentioned in connection with the center. Cinemark Theatres became the mall's largest current tenant and its principal entertainment anchor. The property also hosts the annual Kankakee County Strawberry Jazz Festival, adding a recurring community and cultural event to its role as a commercial center. The mall's ownership and redevelopment outlook changed after the Village of Bradley purchased the former Carson's Men's Store anchor in October 2019. On February 14, 2025, the village purchased the mall from Namdar. The village has been developing plans to demolish the vacant anchor buildings and add what has been described as Illinois' largest water park, together with broader redevelopment of the mall property. The available reference material does not establish a final redevelopment design, construction timetable, financing structure, or opening date. In late March 2025, the mall's website, which had been managed by Namdar, was deactivated after the ownership transition. Northfield Square therefore remains an active property with a substantially altered tenant profile and an uncertain redevelopment program rather than a conventional department-store mall.
History
Northfield Square opened on August 1, 1990, in Bradley, Illinois. It was built at the intersection of Illinois Route 50 and Larry Power Road, immediately north of the Interstate 57 interchange. The location was intended to serve the regional market around Kankakee County, including the communities of Bradley, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee. The original anchor lineup consisted of Carson Pirie Scott, JCPenney, Sears, and Venture. Despite having several major department stores committed to the project, the mall opened with approximately 40 percent of its space vacant. This made tenant recruitment and occupancy a recurring issue from the beginning. By 2012, reported vacancy had fallen to 11.7 percent, indicating a stronger occupancy position than at opening but continued pressure on the traditional enclosed-mall model. The property experienced a major contraction in its department-store base during the late 2010s. Sears announced on January 4, 2018, that the Northfield Square store would close as part of a nationwide program involving 103 locations. The store closed on April 9 of that year. Carson Pirie Scott's two mall locations were then scheduled to close on August 29, 2018. Their closure followed the failure and liquidation of The Bon-Ton Stores, the parent company of Carson's. The departures removed three of the mall's original major anchors within a single year. Northfield Square also pursued smaller-scale tenant additions and service uses during this transition. Express Factory Outlet was announced in June 2018 for space next to Carson Pirie Scott. Other businesses referenced in the mall's history included Willow Spa and Barbershop On The Square and Paul Mitchell - The School. These uses represented a broader shift from dependence on department stores toward specialty retail, personal services, and other experiential tenants. The final traditional anchor departure occurred in 2020. On June 4, JCPenney announced that its Northfield Square store would close under a national plan affecting 154 stores. The location closed around October 2020. Afterward, the mall no longer had a conventional department-store anchor. Cinemark Theatres remained the largest current tenant and became the property's principal entertainment anchor. The mall also continued to host the annual Kankakee County Strawberry Jazz Festival, which connected the property to local cultural and community activity. Ownership and redevelopment planning became increasingly important after the anchor closures. The Village of Bradley purchased the former Carson's Men's Store anchor in October 2019. In February 2025, the village purchased the mall itself from Namdar. The municipality then began working on a redevelopment concept involving demolition of the vacant anchor buildings and the addition of a major water park described in the reference material as potentially Illinois' largest. The available information does not confirm the final scope, approvals, financing, construction start, or completion date. In late March 2025, the website previously managed by Namdar was deactivated following the ownership transfer. Northfield Square's documented trajectory is therefore that of a conventional regional mall that opened with multiple department-store anchors, lost those anchors through national retail closures and corporate failures, retained cinema and specialty uses, and entered a municipally led redevelopment phase.
- 2025
Village of Bradley acquires the mall
[1]The Village of Bradley purchased Northfield Square from Namdar on February 14.
- 2025
Water-park redevelopment concept emerges
[1]The village began working on plans that could demolish vacant anchors and add a large water park, although the timing and final configuration remained undetermined.
- 2020
JCPenney closes
[1]JCPenney closed around October after announcing its inclusion in a nationwide 154-store closure plan, leaving the mall without a traditional department-store anchor.
- 2019
Bradley acquires former Carson's Men's Store anchor
[1]The Village of Bradley purchased the former Carson's Men's Store anchor in October as part of the property's emerging redevelopment context.
- 2018
Sears closes
[1]Sears closed its Northfield Square store on April 9 after announcing the location's inclusion in a nationwide closure program.
- 2018
Carson Pirie Scott locations close
[1]Both Carson Pirie Scott locations closed on August 29 following the liquidation of The Bon-Ton Stores.
- 2012
Reported vacancy reaches 11.7 percent
[1]The mall's reported vacancy rate was 11.7 percent, substantially below the approximately 40 percent vacancy reported at opening.
- 1990
Northfield Square opens
[1]The mall opened on August 1 at Illinois Route 50 and Larry Power Road near Interstate 57, with Carson Pirie Scott, JCPenney, Sears, and Venture as original anchors.
Products and positioning
A regional shopping and entertainment center serving Kankakee County, with its role increasingly centered on cinema, specialty retail, services, community events, and potential mixed-use or recreational redevelopment.
Entertainment anchor
Cinemark Theatres
Cinemark Theatres is the mall's largest current tenant and principal entertainment offering. It provides cinema exhibition rather than department-store merchandise and has become the property's most prominent anchor following the closure of Sears, Carson Pirie Scott, and JCPenney.
Apparel retail · 2018
Express Factory Outlet
Express Factory Outlet was announced as a Northfield Square tenant in June 2018. The planned location was next to Carson Pirie Scott, adding specialty apparel retail during a period when the mall was losing traditional department-store anchors.
Personal services
Willow Spa and Barbershop On The Square
Willow Spa and Barbershop On The Square was identified as a service-oriented occupant near the mall's former JCPenney area. Its presence reflects the property's mix of personal-care and local service businesses alongside retail and entertainment tenants.
Beauty education and services
Paul Mitchell - The School
Paul Mitchell - The School was mentioned among the mall's occupants near the spa and barbershop. It represents an education and beauty-services use rather than a conventional merchandise anchor.
Marketing campaigns
- Kankakee County Strawberry Jazz Festival
Kankakee County, Illinois
The annual Kankakee County Strawberry Jazz Festival takes place at Northfield Square, giving the mall a recurring community-event and cultural role in addition to its retail and entertainment functions.
Outcome. The festival is described as an annual event; attendance and commercial results are not specified.
Brand decisions
2025
Village of Bradley acquires Northfield SquareM&ABackground
The mall had previously been owned by Namdar, while vacant anchor space and the loss of traditional department stores created pressure for a new property strategy.
Action taken
The Village of Bradley purchased the mall from Namdar on February 14, 2025.
Aftermath
The property entered a municipally led redevelopment phase, including consideration of demolishing vacant anchors and adding a major water park.
2025
Consider water-park redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Following the Village of Bradley's acquisition, the property required a new use strategy after losing all traditional department-store anchors.
Action taken
The village began working on plans to demolish vacant anchor buildings and add a water park described as potentially Illinois' largest.
Aftermath
The redevelopment remained at the planning stage in the available reference material, with no confirmed schedule or final design.
2020
Close JCPenney storeOtherBackground
JCPenney announced a nationwide plan to close 154 stores, including its Northfield Square location.
Action taken
The store closed around October 2020.
Aftermath
Northfield Square no longer had a traditional department-store anchor, increasing the importance of Cinemark and smaller specialty and service tenants.
2018
Proceed with Sears closureOtherBackground
Sears included the Northfield Square store in a nationwide program to close 103 locations.
Action taken
The Northfield Square Sears store closed on April 9, 2018.
Aftermath
The closure removed one of the mall's original anchor tenants.
2018
Close both Carson Pirie Scott locationsOtherBackground
The Bon-Ton Stores was going out of business, leading to the liquidation of its Carson Pirie Scott stores.
Action taken
Both Carson Pirie Scott locations at Northfield Square closed on August 29, 2018.
Aftermath
JCPenney became the mall's only remaining traditional department-store anchor.
Recent events
- 2025
Village of Bradley purchases Northfield Square Mall from Namdar[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The Village of Bradley purchased the mall from Namdar on February 14, 2025, initiating a new phase of public ownership and redevelopment planning.
- 2025
Bradley considers water-park redevelopment[1]
Other
The Village of Bradley has been working on a plan to demolish vacant anchor buildings and add a large water park. The final plan and schedule were not established in the available reference material.
- 2025
Northfield Square website deactivated after ownership change[1]
Other
The mall's website was deactivated in late March 2025 after Namdar ceased to own the property and its management of the site ended.
- 2020
JCPenney announces Northfield Square closure[1]
Other
JCPenney announced that its Northfield Square store would close under a nationwide plan affecting 154 stores. The closure occurred around October 2020 and removed the mall's last traditional department-store anchor.
- 2018
Sears announces closure of Northfield Square location[1]
Other
Sears announced that its Northfield Square store would close as part of a nationwide plan involving 103 store closures. The location closed on April 9, 2018.
- 2018
Carson Pirie Scott stores to close after Bon-Ton liquidation[1]
Bankruptcy
Both Carson Pirie Scott locations at the mall were announced for closure after parent company The Bon-Ton Stores entered liquidation. They closed on August 29, 2018.
- 2018
Express Factory Outlet announced for Northfield Square[1]
Product launch
Express Factory Outlet was announced as a new mall tenant, with plans to open beside Carson Pirie Scott.
Sources1 sources
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