{{short description|Defunct mall in Springfield, MA, U.S.}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox shopping mall |name = Eastfield Mall |image = Fountain, Eastfield Mall, Springfield MA.jpg |image_width = |caption = | developer = [[The Rouse Company]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/370987929/ |title=CG agrees to finance new Springfield mall |work=Hartford Courant |date=July 19, 1967 |accessdate=September 14, 2020 |pages=6}}</ref> |owner = Mountain Development Corp. |manager=Mountain Development Corp. |location = [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], U.S. |coordinates = {{Coord|42.1416|-72.4868|display=inline,title|region:US-MA_type:landmark}} |opening_date = {{sda|April 1, 1968}} |closing_date = {{sda|July 15, 2023}} |demolished_date=August 2023–February 2024 |number_of_stores = 70+ (at peak) |number_of_anchors = 4 (at peak) |floor_area = {{Convert|825000|sqft|m2|1}} |floors = 1 (2 in all anchors) |website = {{URL|eastfieldmall.com}} }}
The '''Eastfield Mall''' was a shopping mall in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], which was owned by Mountain Development Corporation, and was built in late 1967 by the Rouse Company. The three anchors, [[JCPenney]], Steigers, and [[Sears]] closed in 2011, 2016, and 2018, respectively. The movie theater, [[Cinemark]], closed in 2020. Dave Thompson and John McGrath were the final property managers who led the property through the subsequent acquisition to Onyx Partners LTD. The property closed to the public in the summer of 2023, and demolition began soon after. The property has since been renamed Springfield Crossing and functions as an open air shopping center that includes dining options, BJ's, Target, Hobby Lobby, and other national retailers. The Eastfield Mall was one of two retail malls that was owned and sold by Mountain Development Corporation.
==History== Eastfield Mall opened in 1968 with three anchors, two of which were local department stores: [[Forbes & Wallace]] and [[Steiger's]].<ref name="steiger">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/81047877.html?dids=81047877:81047877&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+06%2C+1994&author=STAFF+%3B+WIRE+REPORTS&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Steiger%27s+may+sell+stores%2C+reports+say+Scenario+has+May+Co.+buying+seven+Steiger%27s+may+sell+stores%2C+reports+say&pqatl=google|title=Steiger's may sell stores, reports say Scenario has May Co. buying seven Steiger's may sell stores, reports say|date=6 January 1994|work=[[Hartford Courant]]|accessdate=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716222224/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/81047877.html?dids=81047877:81047877&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+06,+1994&author=STAFF+;+WIRE+REPORTS&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Steiger's+may+sell+stores,+reports+say+Scenario+has+May+Co.+buying+seven+Steiger's+may+sell+stores,+reports+say&pqatl=google|archive-date=July 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/930855632.html?dids=930855632:930855632&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+29%2C+1965&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Albert+Steiger+To+Build+Store+At+Eastfield+Mall&pqatl=google|title=Albert Steiger To Build Store At Eastfield Mall|date=29 December 1965|work=Hartfourd Courant|accessdate=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104221153/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/930855632.html?dids=930855632:930855632&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+29%2C+1965&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Albert+Steiger+To+Build+Store+At+Eastfield+Mall&pqatl=google|archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> The third anchor store, [[Sears, Roebuck and Company|Sears]], also opened with the mall. Forbes & Wallace closed in 1975, leaving the space vacant; it was eventually sold to [[JCPenney]], which moved into the former space.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thecaldorrainbow.blogspot.com/2007/04/eastfield-mall-springfield.html|title=The Caldor Rainbow: Eastfield Mall; Springfield, Massachusetts|last=Dimaio|first=Nicholas M.|date=2007-04-30|website=The Caldor Rainbow|access-date=2018-08-23}}</ref> In 1994, [[Filene's]], whose parent company, [[May Department Stores]], had bought Steiger's, moved into their old space.<ref name="steiger"/> This store became [[Macy's]] in 2006 after [[May Department Stores|May]] was purchased by [[Federated Department Stores]] (Macy's parent company at the time). The 16-screen movie theater was added in August 1999 and was initially a [[Showcase Cinemas]]. The theater later became owned by [[Cinemark]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://archives.thereminder.com/features/page2feature/eastfield-mall-reinvents-itself-in-aftermath-of-pa/|title= Eastfield Mall reinvents itself in aftermath of pandemic|date= May 4, 2022|access-date= August 17, 2024|work= The Reminder}}</ref>
The addition of a [[Steve & Barry's]] clothing store in 2006 put the mall at full occupancy for the first time since 1978. The store displaced nine smaller retail outlets, of which only two relocated within the mall.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/business/republican/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1145951323257540.xml&coll=1|title=Steve & Barry's fills out mall|last=Blomberg|first=Marcia|date=25 April 2006|work=MassLive.com|accessdate=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404025614/http://www.masslive.com/business/republican/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1145951323257540.xml&coll=1|archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> This store closed in 2008 following the chain's bankruptcy proceedings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/business/articles/2008/09/03/5_of_8_steve__barrys_stores_in_mass_to_close/|title=Business in brief: 5 of 8 Steve & Barry's stores in Mass. to close|date=3 September 2008|work=[[Boston Globe]]|access-date=31 December 2010}}</ref> In 2009, Hannoush Jewelers opened a showroom in the space vacated by Steve & Barry's.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/hannoush_jewelers_to_move_head.html?category=Business+category=Springfield|title=Hannoush Jewelers to move headquarters to Eastfield Mall in Springfield|last=Kinney|first=Jim|date=10 July 2009|work=Masslive.com|accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref> In 2004, the mall implemented a teen escort policy, stating that any customer under the age of 15 must be with an escort after 5:00 PM.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/projo/access/877541981.html?dids=877541981:877541981&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+03%2C+2005&author=Associated+Press&pub=The+Providence+Journal&desc=Springfield+mall+implements+its+own+teen+escort+policy&pqatl=google|title=Springfield mall implements its own teen escort policy|date=3 August 2005|work=The Providence-Journal|accessdate=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104221207/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/projo/access/877541981.html?dids=877541981:877541981&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+03%2C+2005&author=Associated+Press&pub=The+Providence+Journal&desc=Springfield+mall+implements+its+own+teen+escort+policy&pqatl=google|archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-08-11-malls-teens_x.htm|title=At shopping malls, teens' hanging out is wearing thin|last=Miller|first=Sara B.|date=11 August 2005|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref> The JCPenney store was later downgraded to an [[outlet store]] and closed in 2011 when JCPenney eliminated its outlet store division.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/jc_penney_will_close_its_sprin.html|title = J.C. Penney will close its Springfield Eastfield Mall location|date = 24 January 2011}}</ref>
On January 6, 2016, Macy's announced that it would be closing the Eastfield Mall location as part of a plan to close 36 stores nationwide. The store closed in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2016/01/macys_to_close_stores_in_springfields_ea.html|title = Macy's to close 3 Western Mass. Department stores|date = 7 January 2016}}</ref>
On May 31, 2018, Sears announced that its store would also be closing on September 2, 2018, as part of a plan to close 78 stores nationwide, which left the mall with no store anchors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2018/05/sears_k-mart_closings.html|title = Sears closing stores in Springfield, Peabody|date = 31 May 2018}}</ref>
In late June 2020, Cinemark closed permanently.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/business/2020/06/cinemark-closes-eastfield-mall-cinema-in-springfield-for-good.html|title=Cinemark closes Eastfield Mall cinema in Springfield for good; trashes screens and speakers|date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
On April 5, 2023, it was announced that the mall would shutter in the summer of 2023 after almost 56 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/eastfield-mall-expected-to-close-this-summer/|title= Eastfield Mall expected to close this summer|date=April 5, 2023|access-date=April 6, 2023|website=WWLP|language=en}}</ref> The mall closed for good on July 15, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Maria Wilson|url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/07/06/longtime-customer-speaks-out-following-closure-eastfield-mall-july/|title=Longtime customer speaks out following the closure of Eastfield Mall in July|date=July 5, 2023|access-date=July 17, 2023|website=[[Western Mass News]]}}</ref> It was demolished from August 2023 to February 2024. The former Sears, which is separately owned, was the only structure retained from the old mall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Ashley |last2=D'Amours |first2=Kristina |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Demolition begins at Eastfield Mall in Springfield |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/demolition-begins-at-eastfield-mall-in-springfield/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=[[WWLP]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Nicole |date=February 15, 2024 |title=Eastfield Mall is officially gone — building stands no more |url=https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2024/02/eastfield-mall-demolished-springfield-building-is-gone.html |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=[[Mass Live]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Replacement== The former Eastfield Mall location is now being redeveloped into the new Springfield Crossing, which is expected to open in summer 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinney |first=Jim |date=2024-06-06 |title=Eastfield Mall developer promises construction in coming months, Skechers, Hobby Lobby confirmed for new Springfield Crossing on Boston Road |url=https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2024/06/eastfield-mall-developer-promise-construction-in-coming-months-skechers-hobby-lobby-confirmed-for-new-springfield-crossing-on-boston-road.html |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=masslive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Damas |first=Richard |date=2024-02-16 |title='Springfield Crossing' development project underway at former Eastfield Mall |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ma/worcester/news/2024/02/16/eastfield-mall-construction-update#:~:text=Most%20of%20the%20former%20site%20which%20was%20Eastfield%20Mall%20has |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=spectrumnews1.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Taylor |last2=Trowbridge |first2=Ryan |date=2024-05-10 |title=New tenants revealed as work continues at Springfield Crossing site |url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/05/10/new-tenants-revealed-work-continues-springfield-crossing-site/#:~:text=National%20retailers%20like%20Hobby%20Lobby,%20Ulta,%20Petsmart,%20and%20Five%20Below |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=westernmassnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.eastfieldmall.com Official website] *[http://www.mountaindevelopment.com/ Parent Company]
{{Shopping malls in Massachusetts}}
[[Category:1967 establishments in Massachusetts]] [[Category:2023 disestablishments in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Springfield, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Defunct shopping malls in the United States]] [[Category:Economy of Springfield, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Shopping malls disestablished in 2023]] [[Category:Shopping malls established in 1967]] [[Category:Shopping malls in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Springfield, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Shopping malls developed by The Rouse Company]] [[Category:Demolished shopping malls in the United States]]