New Harbour Mall Tour - Fall River, MA - Dead Mall

Описание: According to several shoppers I met, Fall River's New Harbour Mall was a beehive of activity until about a decade ago. Now mostly empty, the New Harbour Mall once boasted an impressive roster of tenants. Past and present businesses include a movie theater, Rent-A-Center, DOTS, Wal*Mart, Fashion Bug, J. Silver Clothing, Dental Office, USA Discount Outlet, Arcade, Carmen Zita's Place, Kmart, Rainbow, McDonald's Express, Athletic Shoe, GNC, Radio Shack, Bradlees, Sally Beauty Supply, Payless Shoe Source, Salon, and an Army Recruiting Center.

While the New Harbour Mall may be a shadow of its former self, the businesses left inside seem to be remarkably resilient. Shear Genius barber shop had all chairs filled while Boston Nails served several customers. Shoppers roamed the racks of Rainbow while Kmart was fully stocked, well lit, and receiving a steady flow of shoppers.

It's obvious that the New Harbour Mall's golden age is over, however there is hope the Mall can reinvent itself. All across the country, developers are repurposing malls.

The New Harbour Mall in Fall River has many advantages. Plenty of parking and great highway access are the obvious ones. I could easily imagine a car dealership utilizing a section of the Mall and its cavernous parking lot.

A bowling alley in the former Wal*Mart might be nice, or indoor tennis courts and miniature golf. The warehouse like atmosphere could even support office space, a call center, or some type of light manufacturing.

At this point, the New Harbour Mall seems to be limping along, living hand to mouth until some new life is breathed into the space. What was once a showcase of Fall River is now in various states of disrepair. While the deficiencies are not insurmountable, the New Harbour Mall is clearly in need of cosmetic fixes.

According to reminiscent shoppers I met, area residents are hopeful for the New Harbour Mall's return to glory.

One shopper said there was talk of a Trader Joe's coming to the area last year. He thought Trader Joe's would make a nice addition to the New Harbour Mall.

Another shopper said the New Harbour Mall served as a makeshift track for him and several senior citizen friends. They would do a few laps and head to Kmart for Gatorade before heading back to their senior living community.

At least the skateboarders in the New Harbour Mall's parking lot appreciate the place. Maybe a skate shop is in the Harbour Mall's future.

**UPDATE** The Harbour Mall will be redeveloped into the $50 million South Coast Plaza. Go to www.heraldnews.com and search "Harbour Mall" for all the latest.

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