Warwick Mall
An enclosed regional shopping mall in Warwick, Rhode Island, with more than one million square feet of retail space and over 80 stores.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Warwick Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Warwick, Rhode Island, located on the north side of Interstate 295 near its junction with Interstate 95. The property serves the Providence metropolitan area and is one of the principal retail destinations in the state. It contains more than 1,000,000 square feet of retail space, a food court, in-mall and outparcel dining, entertainment uses, and a broad mix of department stores, off-price retailers, specialty shops, and family-oriented attractions. The mall opened on October 2, 1970, during a period of rapid suburban retail development in the northeastern United States. Its original anchor lineup included Boston-based Filene's and Jordan Marsh, Providence-based Peerless and The Outlet Company, and Woolworth. JCPenney was added later as a sixth anchor. The original configuration reflected the department-store-centered model of the period, but the mall subsequently underwent repeated anchor changes as department-store companies consolidated, regional chains failed, and retailers shifted toward smaller or more specialized formats. A major 1991 renovation modernized the interior, introduced arched ceilings and redesigned entrances, upgraded the fire-alarm system, and converted the former Peerless space into a food court. These changes helped Warwick Mall compete more effectively with the nearby Rhode Island Mall, which had gained an advantage through expanded store space and an earlier food-court development. During the 1990s, Filene's was expanded after G. Fox & Co. closed elsewhere in the market, Jordan Marsh was converted to Macy's in 1996, and Woolworth's former space was divided among several Limited Brands-related concepts. Caldor's 1999 bankruptcy created another vacancy, but Old Navy soon occupied the first level of that anchor space. The 2000s brought further repositioning. Showcase Cinemas opened on an outparcel, Macy's moved from the former Jordan Marsh location to the former Filene's space in 2006, and Target and Sports Authority later occupied portions of the former southern anchor area. The most disruptive event in the mall's history occurred on March 30, 2010, when flooding from the nearby Pawtuxet River placed the property under several feet of water. Most interior stores lost their inventory, and the main concourse had to be gutted and rebuilt to a height of approximately four feet. The mall introduced new flooring, landscaping, seating, public facilities, and restored the carousel in the food court. A partial reopening began in August 2010, followed by a broader reopening in October; Macy's returned in March 2011. After the flood, the property pursued a more varied tenant strategy. Jordan's Furniture opened a two-level, approximately 100,000-square-foot store in December 2011 in the former Old Navy and Caldor space, followed by Nordstrom Rack's first Rhode Island location in November 2012. Sports Authority closed in 2016 after its parent company entered bankruptcy, and Golf Galaxy later occupied the former space. The mall's cinema presence also changed: Showcase Cinemas closed in March 2021 during the COVID-19-era disruption, and Apple Cinemas subsequently opened a new location there in March 2022. Warwick Mall remains an active regional retail complex whose identity is defined by its location, established department-store anchors, specialty retail, dining, entertainment, and continuing adaptation to changes in the shopping-center industry.
History
Warwick Mall opened on October 2, 1970, three years after the nearby Midland Mall, later known as Rhode Island Mall. Its original design followed the enclosed suburban shopping-center format, with Filene's and Jordan Marsh serving as the principal north and south anchors. Peerless, The Outlet Company, and Woolworth occupied additional anchor positions along the east side. JCPenney was subsequently added along the west side, creating a six-anchor layout. The large number of anchors left relatively limited room for inline stores. By the late 1980s, Rhode Island Mall had become more competitive after adding food-court capacity and additional retail space. Peerless vacated its anchor location in 1990. Warwick Mall responded with a substantial 1991 renovation that removed many older decorative features, added arched ceilings and redesigned entrance arches, installed a new fire-alarm system, and converted the former Peerless space into a food court. A clock from the earlier interior was retained, and the food court later became known for its carousel. Anchor changes accelerated in the 1990s. In 1992, the closure of G. Fox & Co. at Rhode Island Mall benefited Warwick Mall's Filene's location, which was expanded. Jordan Marsh was rebranded as Macy's in 1996 following changes in department-store ownership. Woolworth closed in 1997, and its former area was divided among several apparel and specialty concepts associated with Limited Brands, including Express, Bath & Body Works, and Structure. Caldor entered bankruptcy in 1999, after which Old Navy occupied the first level of the former anchor space. The opening of Providence Place Mall in 1999 produced less disruption than might have been expected, and Warwick Mall retained a strong position in the local market. In the early 2000s, Showcase Cinemas opened on a mall outparcel. In 2006, after Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores, Macy's moved from the former Jordan Marsh location to the former Filene's space. The move left the former southern anchor vacant. Target later opened on the ground floor of that area, while Sports Authority occupied part of the second floor; additional upper-level space remained unused. The defining event in the mall's modern history was the Pawtuxet River flood of March 30, 2010. Heavy rainfall on March 29 and 30, following additional rain earlier in the week, caused extreme flooding throughout the area. Warwick Mall was covered by several feet of water, and a security guard had to be rescued by boat. By early April, the water had receded, but most stores had to be gutted and their inventory treated as a total loss. The main concourse was reconstructed up to approximately four feet above floor level. Renovation work included Italian porcelain tile, new topiary and garden elements, soft seating, upgraded public washbasins, a new food-court television, and restoration of the carousel. Outparcel businesses such as LongHorn Steakhouse, Showcase Cinemas, and Firestone returned by early May. Sports Authority reopened in May after repairs to vertical transportation systems, while Liberty Travel became the first ground-floor mall tenant to reopen in June. Target returned in July. The mall began a staged reopening on August 20 with 25 stores operating, and more tenants returned during September, October, and November. Macy's, the final anchor to return, reopened in March 2011. The post-flood period brought a new tenant mix. Jordan's Furniture announced a two-floor, approximately 100,000-square-foot store in the former Old Navy and Caldor space in April 2011 and opened in December. Nordstrom Rack announced a new wing location soon afterward and opened in November 2012. Sports Authority closed in 2016 following its corporate bankruptcy, and Golf Galaxy opened in the space in 2020. Showcase Cinemas closed in March 2021 amid the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Apple Cinemas later took over the venue and held a grand opening on March 3, 2022. Warwick Mall continues to operate as a regional enclosed shopping center, combining established anchors with changing specialty retail, dining, and entertainment uses.
- 2022
Apple Cinemas opens
[1]Apple Cinemas opens a replacement theater after Showcase Cinemas closes.
- 2020
Golf Galaxy opens
[1]Golf Galaxy occupies the former Sports Authority space.
- 2012
Nordstrom Rack opens
[1]Nordstrom Rack opens its first Rhode Island store at Warwick Mall.
- 2011
Post-flood reopening completed
[1]Macy's reopens in March, completing the return of the mall's major anchors after reconstruction.
- 2011
Jordan's Furniture opens
[1]Jordan's Furniture opens a two-level store in the former Old Navy and Caldor space.
- 2010
Pawtuxet River flood
[1]Severe flooding closes the mall and causes extensive damage to stores, inventory, and the concourse.
- 2006
Macy's changes anchor location
[1]Macy's moves from the former Jordan Marsh space to the former Filene's space.
- 1996
Jordan Marsh becomes Macy's
[1]The Jordan Marsh anchor is converted to Macy's.
- 1991
Major interior renovation
[1]The mall receives new architectural features, safety systems, and a food court in the former Peerless space.
- 1990
Peerless vacates its anchor space
[1]Peerless leaves the mall, creating the space later converted into the food court.
Products and positioning
Regional enclosed shopping center serving Warwick, Providence, and surrounding Rhode Island communities
Retail property · 1970
Enclosed shopping mall
Warwick Mall provides an enclosed, climate-controlled retail environment with more than one million square feet of space, over 80 stores, multiple anchor locations, specialty retail, customer services, and a central food court. Its tenant mix has changed repeatedly in response to department-store consolidation, bankruptcies, retail repositioning, and local market competition.
Dining · 1991
Food court
The food court occupies the former Peerless anchor space created during the 1991 renovation. It includes a carousel and functions as a central gathering and dining area within the mall.
Entertainment · 2022
Apple Cinemas
Apple Cinemas operates the mall's cinema venue, replacing Showcase Cinemas after its closure in 2021. The theater held its grand opening on March 3, 2022, and was promoted by the mall as Apple Cinemas' flagship location.
Home furnishings · 2011
Jordan's Furniture
Jordan's Furniture occupies a two-level space of approximately 100,000 square feet on the eastern side of the mall. It opened in 2011 in the former Old Navy and Caldor anchor area and broadened the property's offer beyond conventional department-store retail.
Brand decisions
2012
Develop a wing for Nordstrom RackStrategyBackground
Warwick Mall continued adding nationally recognized specialty and off-price tenants after the flood reconstruction.
Action taken
The mall developed a new wing to accommodate Nordstrom Rack's first Rhode Island store.
Aftermath
Nordstrom Rack opened on November 8, 2012, adding an off-price department-store format to the property.
2011
Add Jordan's Furniture as a major anchorStrategyBackground
The former Old Navy and Caldor anchor area provided an opportunity to diversify the mall's post-flood tenant mix.
Action taken
Warwick Mall accepted Jordan's Furniture's plan for a two-floor store of approximately 100,000 square feet.
Aftermath
The store opened in December 2011 and became the furniture retailer's first mall-based location.
2010
Rebuild after catastrophic floodingOtherBackground
The Pawtuxet River flood of March 30 placed much of the mall under several feet of water and damaged stores, stock, building systems, and the main concourse.
Action taken
The property was gutted and reconstructed, with new porcelain flooring, landscaping, seating, public washbasins, food-court equipment, and restoration of the carousel. Retailers returned in phases.
Aftermath
The mall began reopening in August 2010, expanded operations during the autumn, and restored its final major anchor, Macy's, in March 2011.
2006
Move Macy's to the former Filene's anchorStrategyBackground
Following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of May Department Stores, Macy's operated in both the former Filene's and former Jordan Marsh positions at different stages of the mall's history.
Action taken
Macy's moved from the former Jordan Marsh space to the northern former Filene's location, leaving the southern anchor available for redevelopment.
Aftermath
The vacated southern space was later partially occupied by Target and Sports Authority, with additional space remaining unused for a period.
1991
Convert former Peerless anchor into a food courtStrategyBackground
Peerless vacated its anchor space in 1990, while nearby Rhode Island Mall was gaining an advantage through additional retail space and a food court.
Action taken
Warwick Mall used its 1991 renovation to convert the vacant Peerless area into a central food court and modernize the interior.
Aftermath
The renovation helped Warwick Mall strengthen its position against Rhode Island Mall and introduced the food court and carousel that became central features of the property.
Sources2 sources
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