Dead Mall Update: Enfield Square Mall to be Demolished!? Let's Talk About It!

Join me once again as I take a look at Connecticut's premier dead mall, Enfield Square Mall in Enfield, Connecticut.
According to recent news stories, the mall is about to be sold and the new owner plans to demolish it and build apartments, retail shops and restaurants in its place! So I figured we should take another walk around the mall and see how it's doing!
Let me know what you think about this in the comment section!
This video was filmed on May 15, 2024 at about 12:30pm.
If you liked this video, please don't forget to give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel. I plan to have more dead mall videos in the future. Thanks for watching!
Source of information:
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#deadmall #deadmalls #mall #connecticut #enfield #shoppingmall #shoppingmalls #retail #urbandecay #nostalgia #malls #mallshopping #fleabittenadventures

[@sherrieroggero9206]

Tom, I totally can feel your emotion about the Enfield mall. It sounds like you kind of grew up there and you form an attachment to these places when they close. Spending most of my life working at the Crystal mall it’s a very emotional nostalgic feeling when it goes.

[@robertkusek4407]

I worked as an assistant manager / manager trainee at CVS in this mall in December 1976, I remember it being very busy at that time. Of course being at the mall at Christmas in the late 70"s it was the place to be!

[@dominicreyes419]

Damn! I miss going to an indoor mall! Its been years since! And brings good memories back of the 70's 80's 90's and early 2000's!

[@mark3464]

Don’t you have any indoor malls near you you could go to?

[@fleabittenadventures]

What I miss are malls with water fountains and trees!

[@mark3464]

@@fleabittenadventures yes if you are going to have an indoor mall it may as well have all of that!

[@StevenSimpson-it5mv]

That's why they close. Millions of good little consumers like you shop online.

[@Cerby1979]

Malls were great back in the days of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s but times have changed and trends have as well. Today’s generation sees malls as old school and are looking for more outdoor shopping centers that seem fun to them.

[@Foxonian]

The Enfield Square mall was built at a time when CT. had a lower sales tax than Mass. did (similar the situation with the Mall of NH with no sales tax.). As such, Enfield Square did a lot of business all through the 70's & 80's fueled by shoppers from neighboring Mass. until CT, raised its sales tax to be the same as Mass.'s. And almost overnight all that over the boarder business that sustained the mall was lost and never regained.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Good point. I didn't think of that.

[@nonyobussiness3440]

Bs lol the mall was fine up until the late 2000’s.

[@StevenSimpson-it5mv]

Buckland in Manchester opening in the 90s drew a lot of business away from Enfield.

[@xzAllisonxz]

What great memories I had here growing up.

[@StevenSimpson-it5mv]

That was THE cool mall to go to in the 80s. The arcade was cool. Wayyy before the movie theater moved in from the Bob's strip mall. They started going downhill in the 90s when Buckland opened in Manchester, siphoning off a lot of business.

[@mikecif4123]

Hey can I just say thank you for making these videos. It's sad to see these malls dying. But I'm glad they're recorded for posterity. I have fon memories of Christmas shopping here as a young kid in the mid to late 80s.

[@pch421054570]

Worked @ J C Penny part time, '78-79. Good job, as always, Tom. Very nostalgic. Kinda obsessed with old-time retail. Maybe add a drone video? Just a thought.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I would love to do drone footage, but you actually need a commercial drone license to use drone footage in a video. The FAA will fine me about $1000 if I use drone footage without a license. Maybe someday though if I get a license.

[@BELCAN57]

Store number 308-7 I was there from August of '75 thru March of '78. (Shoe Department)

[@FireMinstrel]

The Enfield Square is where I first tried buffalo wings at Ruby Tuesdays when I was a kid. Chicken was never the same for me again. :) I was pretty sad when I drove down there in 2017 and saw that the restaurant was gone. I used to go to the Kay-bee Toys across from there while my parents waited for the food to come out. Now it’s all gone.

[@andrewdunn49ers]

I grew up a few towns over and this was the goto mall in the 80s for the area before Buckland Hills was built. Some of my earlier memories are walking around here with my parents.

[@Palmtop_User]

One small detail id like to point out before its forgotten - one of the back entrances for the stores, outside on target's side is still labeled as FYE 18:23 i think its a game of some kinda. I remember it being installed when i was still in highschool probably nearly a decade ago. Seen people use it only once or twice that entire time

[@spunchbob360]

ugh im going to miss this place so much i really grew up here :( i hope i get to visit at least one more time before it closes

[@GhostReaper2043]

yes do a walk thru of that Target and maybe that game store as well. Also please keep us updated on this place especially how they plan on doing an enterance to Target.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Will do. It's only about 20 minutes from where I live, so I'll definitely be doing updates.

[@kjcolby1978-pr8wf]

My god this is sad, my grandparents lived in Enfield so I spent a ton of my childhood at this mall (and the other Enfield mall where Bob's stores is, used to be an indoor mall)

[@nolandionne1262]

There was a big bounce house playground set up over there in front of the old Sears two weeks ago in the searing heat. My son wanted to go in, but we had to leave. 🤷‍♂️ I have lots of memories of that mall circa 2002-2008, especially EB Games and the movie theater. In my opinion, the growth of strip malls is fully dependent on car culture and demand for convenience as work and debts consume the majority of our time and income. People seem to prefer the relative ease of pulling up to a storefront in a strip mall and immediately accessing their destination rather than the excursion of a trip to an indoor mall, despite the air conditioning and semi-social atmosphere that used to be.

[@MillerVanDotTV]

I disliked going to this mall as a kid in the 80’s. I much preferred going to westfarms or Holyoke further up the road. I still remember the smell of G Fox though. It smelled classy.

[@georgef551]

I know I haven't brought it up in these Enfield videos, but I have been here a long time ago. Back when my sister was moving into the dorms at Bay Path College nearby, my mother caught wind of this "Enfield Mall", and of course, my father, and I were tortured with another "New" mall to get bored in. This was early 90s, so the only thing I remember is the Macy's with that arch design for the entries. I'm sure the renovations happened long after that. It was so unimportant even then, that I don't really recall anything else but that Macy's. Not even the Sears. Maybe it was doomed over 30 years ago. :)

[@vengeance1701]

Early 90s? That would have been G Fox, not Macy's. Sears would have been Steiger's. The central anchor was JC Penney.

[@Stephen_A.]

I grew up near Enfield and remember the Enfield Square as a thriving mall. Always remember going to the Figaro restaurant with my Mother. 🧡 I'm guessing the former Ruby Tuesday's was the original Figaro's. The style sure does still looks like an Italian restaurant. 😃

[@SlumberBear2k]

Danbury Fair Mall is still going pretty strong last time I checked. I think that they are doing everything they can to put anchor stores in it. For example they just added a Target.

[@csscott9803]

I remember the arcade I used pass by when I visited the mall.

[@raymondjones5909]

It use to be a tilt arcade next to the old ruby Tuesday. This mall was so fun to shop at in the 90s up until about 2009 when it really died out. The movie theater closing really closed the casket

[@user-vg2eg7oo5n]

There are constant crowds, excitement and traffic at the new Raising Cains, who's customers use the Enfield Square empty parking lot.

[@adambysko1787]

Dam that's just sad. used to go there all the time. crystal mall is equally sad these days

[@msmo4127]

So many memories here, my first jobs at JC Penny and the arcade in the 90's. I miss Nino's pizza.

[@danielflynn8530]

I haven’t been there in years sadly but I’m not surprised it’s getting demolished soon. It was kinda like the Eastfield Mall in Springfield where I grew up. Malls were more popular because that was something exciting to do when technology wasn’t as prominent back in the 80’s. The stores were not as expensive too. I remember going to see Batman 1989 next to the enfield mall then there was a Abdows nearby we ate at afterwards.

[@Stealthborn]

Thank you for the video. This has similarities to the Eastfield Mall for me. I'm glad you brought up State Line Video Games. I was very close with Frankie the owner for years. I knew him when he had his store on the Agawam/Sheffield line, hence the name. And I was a regular when he was in Feeding Hills too. He probably won't remember me, but if you ever see him, tell him that the guy who sold him and bought back Panzer Dragoon Saga says hi. Thanks for the video.

[@markyamamoto6838]

The old Sears Store could be made into a big movie theater.

[@fleabittenadventures]

It could, but the smaller theater that was at the mall closed in December 2023. I don't think another theater would do well there.

[@MillerVanDotTV]

Movie theaters are dead too

[@cheeko_914]

My apartment was down the road from that back when I went to Lincoln Tech in 2020, the parking lot was my goto spot for getting some peace and quiet since it was so big and empty and right next to all the fast food spots. I wanted to go in but I thought it was all closed off

[@darrenthorne6247]

Thanks for another great video!

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thank you!

[@Fanatic2011-mo1ys]

The sandwich place is going to close at the end of this month.

[@GeometryWars]

I always liked the movie ticket machine at the counter of that movie theater. I always thought it was neat that it was flat on the counter.

[@Jonny4384]

Thank you for not 1 but 2 mall videos this week; I look forward to them very much! Regarding walking through stores, if you feel inspired, go for it; no need to ask! Ps: Jesus loves you and yours!

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks! Glad you like the videos! I would love to do more videos, but my full time job sometimes gets in the way...

[@Jonny4384]

@@fleabittenadventures just do what you can when you can.

[@bridgetraveler7700]

integrity martial arts is in the Enfield Square Mall. It used to be located right across from McDonald's in the shopping center in Scitco not to far from Family Dollar. I heard that they need a bigger place to have bigger classes.

[@greatcitysportaction2289]

In my opinion, if this mall closes, it should be demolished for at least an indoor skatepark, at least a few retail stores, at least a few restaurants, and a Car Wash with a site layout very similar to the Brightworks Car Wash in Fort Worth, Texas but a lot bigger with an on-site auto repair center, on-site gas station, convenience store, and at least ten more indoor hand wash bays for many different types of cars, trucks, buses, boats, RVs, and motorhomes.

[@nonyobussiness3440]

It should have been turned into a truck stop, semi repair center, and casino.

[@Nothinghere0101]

Congrats on 15K Subscribers!

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thank you!

[@BeanieG82]

Did you hear that Hampshire Mall in Hadley, MA is going up for a foreclosure auction in June?

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yes. I'll have to do an update video. Thanks

[@matthart1853]

Hi fleabitten adventures just found out the hampshire mall in hadley ma is going up for foreclosure next month in June so sounds to me like that mall is next to close here in western ma

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yes, I just saw that too! I'll have to do an update video there sometime soon. Thanks.

[@dannoneyabiz1277]

I remember going to G Fox in that mall. Macy's had two locations there as well

[@donsurlylyte]

the circle of life. malls killed off smaller shops, the net killed off malls. still sad

[@hapter437]

Been living in enfield for more than half my life, this mall hasn't been active since I was in elementary school!

[@MrCraigblaze]

Thanks for the upload !! Only if They get the 20 million dollars to do the remodeling.. Same with the old sears at the Eastfield Mall site in Spfld Ma..

[@user-nn7ig9qp3j]

i cant belive what happen to this mall it has been open for many years and th that fact that target is left as a anchor store

[@OriginalNethead]

I swear those round on brick entryways used to be Sage Allen. I was in one on the last day, but not that one. Had to be the 1990s some time.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yes, you are correct.

[@jasonwebb5964]

I thought the roof collapsed in the Macy's at the end of the mall.

[@andysorensen1737]

I feel like the lack of customers in Party City’s I’ve been to outside of say mid/ late August to Halloween is pretty telling in my experience as well. Obviously they must have some customer base if they’re still at it but I could be wrong.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Yes, I would assume that there is some customer base, but I don't know who it is as I've never seen them.

[@spman]

A diaper cake as a decoration made using diapers usually for a baby shower or something

[@fleabittenadventures]

OK. Makes sense. I've never been to a baby shower, so I'd never heard of them. Sounds gross though.

[@spman]

@@fleabittenadventures haha, they’re new unused diapers obviously

[@laurahaynes7293]

Can you still smell popcorn? Very sad 😢

[@p0larz0mbies]

I literally only went there for the movie theater which closed in December. So now there's literally no reason for me to go there lol.

[@johnthompkins4858]

Can you do a walkthrough of Meriden Mall to see how dead that mall is.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I did a walkthrough of Meriden Mall a couple of months ago. Security almost kicked me out. I'll probably go back on a few months.

[@jimmysouders5640]

A friend of mine went to this mall a few weeks ago that was the last time he was there

[@fleabittenadventures]

There's really not much reason to go to this mall, other than the Target and the games store, which is right next to Target.

[@dannoneyabiz1277]

I think they use those kiosks when they have craft fairs in the mall

[@ElJuanSolo]

IMO Mall’s worked best at a pre-internet online shopping era and with better faster cheaper ways to shop online just like record stores and movie rental stores they’ve become obsolete. I think the best idea is not to revisit creating another mall style shopping center. Target is good even though they have only one line open at a time (self checkout mostly) as for luxury apartments I don’t know how well that will do. Enfield seems like another town where money isn’t what it used to be. What I have seen is a high influx of new medical buildings. The area is actually large enough to build a sports complex/stadium to draw in a minor league baseball team or hockey team. The Yardgoats are a great draw and if Enfield could get a team there it would bring in $$$ and you have ample parking and a train access coming soon. Plus it’s right off 91.

[@Nothinghere0101]

I bet the mall is closing soon because Bath and body works moved out

[@fleabittenadventures]

I'd say it's got about 1 year left or less. We'll see.

[@mark3464]

I never understand why dead malls always have those massage chairs.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I've seen a few people sleeping in them.

[@mark3464]

@@fleabittenadventures I can’t see how they make any money

[@Cassie00111]

@mark3464 I used them once..got scared when it started squeezing my legs..lol. my big southern California mall has lots of massage chairs..like 20

[@Steve.Cutler]

Has any of these new "mixed use" centers actually worked. I've seen malls turned into a business park work, but not the mixed use places.

[@R32R38]

My take is that developers tout "mixed use" as the Next New Thing but it's mostly just talk.

[@nonyobussiness3440]

Mix use just means apartments no one likes lol

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Why not? The apartments usually sell/rent very quickly. The other retail does pretty well. Blue Back Square in West Hartford and Downtown Storrs in Mansfield are good examples.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

@@nonyobussiness3440 what do you mean no one likes? They get rented out or sold very rapidly.

[@fleabittenadventures]

I can't think of any off the top of my head.

[@jasonminote7499]

I have no idea why they are demolishing this place since it doesn't look rundown it's so stupid!

[@fleabittenadventures]

The inside mall area isn't in bad condition, but the roof has holes in it and the rest of the exterior is falling apart.

[@belowaveragechris7152]

I come to this mall all the time. The stateline game store has moved To a diffrent spot in the mall.

[@belowaveragechris7152]

I was just there buying some atari games 😊

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 😊

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks!

[@Cassie00111]

that Target is huge (looks from the outside(

[@fleabittenadventures]

It's pretty big.

[@oldretailsongooglemaps2619]

when is the last day

[@fleabittenadventures]

No one knows yet. I don't think anything is finalized. My guess would be not before the end of the year.

[@Candie-kv6fh]

It's pretty dead but good video though

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks!

[@peepykimtins]

I hope they actually have the money to do something and not leave it just a giant empty lot with a target lol.

[@jenniferinsalaco5790]

Dipper cake, is a cake made out of diapers, it's cute

[@fleabittenadventures]

I don't have kids, so I'm not in the loop on this type of thing. Sounds disgusting though.

[@ThisIsAydin]

My dad at 20:00

[@TheTinybubbles1]

Enfield nees this mall lots people dont drive and buses go here

[@vengeance1701]

I doubt anything will come of this. These companies treat towns like Enfield like chumps.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Hard to say. We'll see.