Northshore Mall
A major enclosed shopping mall in Peabody, Massachusetts, serving the North Shore region of Greater Boston.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Northshore Mall is a large regional shopping mall in Peabody, Massachusetts, north of Boston. The center is located near the junction of Massachusetts Route 128 and Route 114 and is less than a mile from Simon Property Group's Liberty Tree Mall in neighboring Danvers. With approximately 1.67 million square feet of floor area, it is one of the largest retail properties in the region and functions as a broad destination for department stores, specialty retail, restaurants, entertainment, personal services, and community activity. The property opened on September 12, 1958, as the open-air Northshore Shopping Center. Its original anchors and tenants included Jordan Marsh, Filene's, Sears, Kresge, J.J. Newberry, R.H. Stearns, and Stop & Shop. The center also contained a cinema, bowling alley, and a small amusement park known as Kiddietown. During the 1970s, the property was progressively enclosed, a transformation completed in 1974–1975 as competition increased from Liberty Tree Mall, which had opened in 1972. Sears was also expanded into a full-line department store during this period. New England Development acquired the mall in 1992 and undertook a major expansion that brought the property to nearly 1.7 million square feet. New stores for Filene's and Lord & Taylor opened in 1993, while the original Filene's space was rebuilt to accommodate a food court and JCPenney. In 1999, New England Development sold the property to a joint venture led by Simon Property Group, which also assumed management. Subsequent changes included new retail wings, restaurant additions, landscaping, and renovations to common areas. Northshore Mall became an early technology-retail landmark when an Apple Store opened there on September 1, 2001. It was Apple's first store in the Northeastern United States and its sixth store worldwide at the time. Apple relocated from the mall to an outdoor shopping plaza in MarketStreet Lynnfield in January 2017. The mall's department-store mix also changed substantially after Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores in 2005. Jordan Marsh had already been converted to Macy's in 1996; Filene's was closed and its space was converted into another Macy's location in 2006, while Lord & Taylor was converted into a Macy's men's and home store. A new wing opened in November 2009 alongside Nordstrom and introduced brands including Zara, Sephora, The North Face, Pandora, Swarovski, White House Black Market, and Aerie. Restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang's expanded the property's dining offer. In the late 2010s, the center added Newbury Comics, Uniqlo, LoveSac, Michael Kors, and Flying Tiger Copenhagen, although Flying Tiger closed its New England stores in 2020. A redesigned exterior district called The Promenade added restaurants, a performance stage, patio space, landscaping, and community-event areas. The mall has also experienced major anchor turnover. Toys “R” Us closed in June 2018 during the retailer's liquidation, and PGA Tour Superstore subsequently occupied much of the former space. Sears closed in September 2018 and its 1978 building was demolished in February 2019. Redevelopment plans for that area included a standalone Life Time fitness club and additional exterior restaurants. On January 7, 2025, it was announced that Nordstrom would close on January 31 and be replaced by a Dick's House of Sport. The planned concept is larger than a conventional sporting-goods store and is expected to include features such as a batting cage, golf simulator, climbing wall, and outdoor sports area. As of the latest referenced description, the mall's principal anchors are two Macy's locations, JCPenney, and the forthcoming Dick's House of Sport. The property also contains the St. Therese Society of Mt. Carmel Chapel, established at the shopping center in 1960, and a Peabody Police Department community outreach center.
History
Northshore Mall originated as a planned suburban retail development intended to serve the growing communities north of Boston. Plans for the project were formally announced in December 1954. The proposed $10 million center was to occupy roughly 100 acres in Peabody, approximately 18 miles northeast of Boston. The site had previously been a country estate and was later associated with St. Joseph's Juniorate, a parochial school, as well as a dairy farm and gardens. The project had initially been considered for Beverly before the Peabody location was selected. The Northshore Shopping Center was dedicated and opened on September 12, 1958. Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Unlike the enclosed regional malls that later became common, the original center was an open-air shopping complex. Jordan Marsh and an adjoining Filene's served as major anchors, while Sears, Kresge, J.J. Newberry, R.H. Stearns, and Stop & Shop formed part of the initial retail mix. Recreational attractions included a bowling alley, a movie theater, and Kiddietown, a small amusement park near the former Sears location. The property changed substantially in the 1970s and 1980s. Sears expanded into a full-line department store, and the outdoor center was enclosed in stages between 1974 and 1975. The enclosure was a competitive response to changes in the regional retail market, including the opening of Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers in 1972. Enclosure allowed the center to offer a more controlled year-round environment and helped establish its later identity as Northshore Mall. New England Development acquired the property in 1992 and carried out a major expansion. The mall grew to almost 1.7 million square feet, with new anchor construction at the northwest end. Filene's and Lord & Taylor opened replacement or newly constructed stores in 1993. The earlier Filene's building was gutted and reconfigured for a food court and JCPenney. In 1999, New England Development sold the center to a joint venture led by Simon Property Group, which took over management and subsequently oversaw ongoing renovations and tenant changes. The mall's anchor history reflects the consolidation of American department-store retail. Jordan Marsh was converted to Macy's in 1996. After Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores in 2005, Filene's was closed in 2006 and its space became a relocated Macy's store. Lord & Taylor was also converted into a Macy's men's and home location. Simon announced an agreement with Nordstrom in 2006, and the resulting expansion opened in 2009. The new wing was built on the former Jordan Marsh site and introduced a two-level retail area with Nordstrom and specialty stores including Zara, Sephora, The North Face, Pandora, Swarovski, White House Black Market, The Walking Company, and Aerie. Dining improvements included The Cheesecake Factory, which opened in 2007, and P.F. Chang's, which opened in 2009. P.F. Chang's later closed in 2017, and the space was occupied by Bancroft & Co. Northshore Mall also had an important role in Apple's early retail rollout. An Apple Store opened on September 1, 2001, making the center Apple's first store in the Northeastern United States and its sixth worldwide at that time. The store relocated to MarketStreet Lynnfield on January 27, 2017. Other tenant additions during the 2010s included Newbury Comics in 2012, Uniqlo and LoveSac in 2014, Michael Kors in 2016, and Flying Tiger Copenhagen in 2018. Flying Tiger's New England locations, including the mall store, closed in 2020. Beginning in 2017, exterior improvements created The Promenade, a district with restaurants, a stage for performances and community events, additional fast-casual dining, patio areas, landscaping, and updated food-court and restroom facilities. The center also faced department-store contraction. Toys “R” Us closed on June 29, 2018, during the chain's liquidation, and PGA Tour Superstore was later planned for the former space. Sears announced its closure in May 2018, shut the store on September 2, and had its 1978 building demolished in February 2019. Plans for the former Sears area included a standalone three-story Life Time health club and additional exterior restaurant development. The mall's community role extends beyond retail. The St. Therese Society of Mt. Carmel Chapel has operated at the shopping center since 1960, making it an unusual example of a chapel located within a shopping complex. The property also houses a Peabody Police Department community outreach center. In January 2025, the center announced that Nordstrom would close on January 31 and be replaced by Dick's House of Sport. The planned sports concept is larger than a standard Dick's store and is designed to include interactive facilities such as a batting cage, golf simulator, climbing wall, and outdoor field with a track. The latest referenced description lists two Macy's stores and JCPenney as existing anchors, with Dick's House of Sport planned as the replacement anchor.
- 2025
Dick's House of Sport replacement announced
[1]The mall announced Nordstrom's closure and the planned replacement of its space with a larger Dick's House of Sport.
- 2019
Former Sears building is demolished
[1]The 1978 Sears building was demolished as the site was prepared for redevelopment.
- 2018
Toys “R” Us and Sears close
[1]Toys “R” Us closed during its chain liquidation, while Sears shut its store as part of a nationwide closure program.
- 2017
The Promenade redevelopment begins
[1]Exterior redevelopment began with new restaurants, event space, landscaping, patios, and common-area improvements.
- 2009
Nordstrom wing opens
[1]A new wing opened on November 4, adding Nordstrom and numerous specialty retailers.
- 2006
Filene's space is converted to Macy's
[1]After Federated's acquisition of May Department Stores, the former Filene's space was rebuilt for a Macy's location.
- 2001
Apple opens an early flagship retail location
[1]Apple opened its sixth store worldwide and first Northeastern United States location at Northshore Mall.
- 1999
Simon-led joint venture acquires the property
[1]New England Development sold the mall to a joint venture led by Simon Property Group, which assumed management.
- 1996
Jordan Marsh becomes Macy's
[1]The Jordan Marsh anchor was rebranded as Macy's.
- 1993
New Filene's and Lord & Taylor stores open
[1]Replacement or newly built stores for Filene's and Lord & Taylor opened as part of the major expansion.
Products and positioning
A large, traditional regional shopping center positioned as a destination retail, dining, and community property for Boston's North Shore and nearby suburbs.
Department store · 1996
Macy's
Northshore Mall's Macy's presence includes two locations created through the rebranding and consolidation of former Jordan Marsh and Filene's operations. The stores provide broad department-store categories such as apparel, accessories, beauty, home goods, and seasonal merchandise, and serve as major anchors for the enclosed mall.
Department store · 1993
JCPenney
JCPenney occupies space created through the redevelopment of the original Filene's location during the 1990s expansion. As an anchor retailer, it contributes apparel, footwear, accessories, home merchandise, beauty products, and related services to the mall's mass-market department-store offer.
Sporting-goods retailer · 2025
Dick's House of Sport
Dick's House of Sport was announced as the replacement for Nordstrom. The larger-format sporting-goods concept is designed to combine retail merchandise with experiential facilities, including a batting cage, golf simulator, climbing wall, and outdoor sports area with a track.
Dining and community-events district · 2017
The Promenade
The Promenade is Northshore Mall's exterior redevelopment area. It combines restaurants, fast-casual food, patio and landscaping improvements, and an outdoor stage for performances and community events, extending the property beyond conventional enclosed-mall retail.
Controversies
2015
Fatal workplace stabbing at P.F. Chang's
On August 29, 2015, an employee at the mall's P.F. Chang's restaurant was fatally stabbed during an alleged workplace incident. A chef was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. P.F. Chang's issued a statement expressing condolences, offering support to employees and the victim's family, and cooperating with investigators.
Brand decisions
2025
Replace Nordstrom with Dick's House of SportGeneration changeBackground
Nordstrom's department-store location was scheduled to close as the mall continued adapting its anchor mix to changing retail patterns.
Action taken
The mall announced that Dick's House of Sport would replace Nordstrom with a larger sports-retail and experiential concept.
Aftermath
The planned replacement would shift the former department-store wing toward sporting goods, recreation, and interactive customer experiences.
2018
Redevelop the former Sears areaStrategyBackground
Sears announced the closure of its large anchor store amid a nationwide contraction of the chain.
Action taken
After Sears closed, its building was demolished in February 2019. Plans included a standalone Life Time health club and new exterior restaurants around a renovated entrance.
Aftermath
The former anchor site became a redevelopment opportunity, although the referenced material does not establish a final completion date for all planned components.
2017
Develop The Promenade exterior districtStrategyBackground
The mall pursued additional dining, outdoor activity, and community uses beyond its traditional enclosed retail corridors.
Action taken
Redevelopment added restaurants, fast-casual food, an outdoor performance stage, patio and landscape improvements, and renovated food-court and restroom areas.
Aftermath
The Promenade broadened the property's use as a dining and community-events destination.
2006
Add a Nordstrom-anchored expansion wingStrategyBackground
Simon announced an agreement with Nordstrom as part of a broader plan to replace the former Jordan Marsh site and strengthen the mall's specialty-retail offer.
Action taken
The mall developed a two-level wing connected to Nordstrom and introduced a group of apparel, beauty, accessories, and lifestyle retailers.
Aftermath
The wing opened in 2009 and added a more upscale component to the center's tenant mix.
2005
Reconfigure department-store anchors after Federated–May mergerM&ABackground
Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores, bringing the mall's Macy's, Filene's, and Lord & Taylor businesses under a related ownership structure.
Action taken
Filene's was closed and converted into a Macy's store, while Lord & Taylor was converted into a Macy's men's and home location.
Aftermath
The changes reduced the number of distinct department-store brands while preserving substantial anchor space.
1992
Undertake a major expansionStrategyBackground
New England Development acquired the center and sought to enlarge and reposition it as a major regional destination.
Action taken
The owner expanded the mall to almost 1.7 million square feet, added new anchor stores, and rebuilt the former Filene's space for a food court and JCPenney.
Aftermath
The expanded property became one of the largest shopping centers in the Boston-area North Shore market.
1974
Enclose the open-air shopping centerStrategyBackground
The original center faced increasing competition from nearby enclosed retail developments, including Liberty Tree Mall.
Action taken
The property was enclosed in stages during 1974 and 1975, changing its format from an open-air shopping center into an enclosed mall.
Aftermath
The enclosure established the physical format that supported the mall's later regional-anchor strategy.
Recent events
- 2025
Nordstrom replacement by Dick's House of Sport announced[1]
Leadership change · Product launch
On January 7, 2025, the mall announced that Nordstrom would close on January 31 and that Dick's House of Sport would replace it with a larger sports-retail format.
- 2019
Former Toys “R” Us space receives PGA Tour Superstore[1]
Product launch
The former Toys “R” Us premises became the planned home of a PGA Tour Superstore in February 2019.
- 2018
Toys “R” Us closes during chain liquidation[1]
Bankruptcy
The Northshore Mall Toys “R” Us location closed on June 29, 2018, as part of the retailer's nationwide liquidation.
- 2018
Sears closes its Northshore Mall store[1]
Bankruptcy
Sears announced the closure of its approximately 450,000-square-foot store as part of a nationwide store-closing program. The location shut on September 2, 2018.
- 2017
Apple relocates from Northshore Mall to MarketStreet Lynnfield[1]
Other
The Apple Store moved from the mall to a new open-air shopping plaza in Lynnfield on January 27, 2017.
- 2009
Northshore Mall opens expanded Nordstrom wing[1]
Product launch
A new two-level wing opened on November 4, 2009, connecting to Nordstrom and adding a range of national specialty retailers. Related dining improvements included The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang's.
- 2006
Federated converts former Filene's space into Macy's[1]
M&A
Following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of May Department Stores, Filene's at Northshore Mall was briefly closed and its space was used for a relocated Macy's store.
- 2001
Apple opens its first Northeastern United States store at Northshore Mall[1]
Product launch
Apple opened a store at Northshore Mall on September 1, 2001. The location was described as the company's sixth store worldwide and its first in the Northeastern United States.
Sources2 sources
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