[STEVEN 1]

I recently heard that the Jefferson Valley Mall may be closing and was wondering if anyone noticed a decline in Danbury Fair Mall and if so what would happen to that beautiful carousel?

Growing up in Mahopac/Carmel area I had the best of both, I could shop JV or Danbury, when I got tired of New York Connecticut was the escape, it was really nice to have those options.

Anyways I stopped in JV back in 2012 after the Army vs Boston College football game and it was rather depressing cause I remember the JV Mall back in the 80' was just so full of life, it had a soul and stopping in many years later you instantly knew it died.

There is actually an interest group on dead malls, they even have a facebook page I believe. They say the future of malls are open air malls set up more like a small town square, lit sidewalks lined with shops and restaurants, we have a few here in Va. and Short Pump is one of them. Charlottesville has barracks road, the Spotyslvania Towne Center is another.

Danbury for me was always the best mall, you went and made a day out of it but back in the 80's malls were the thing. I was in the mall in 2011 on a visit to see my dad in Patterson and that carosuel is still turning.

[RogerAnthony]

The Danbury Fair Mall is one of the top malls in the state and is thriving. Every time I am there it is full of people and has few retail vacancies.

[STEVEN 1]

Great to hear, I really think that mall will stand the test of time. They say the future is in the open air malls instead of the enclosed which I guess are somewhat outdated.

Danbury is a mall you want to go to, Jefferson Valley never really was in my opinion.

[7 Wishes]

The JV Mall may be closing? Wow! I wonder what would be there instead......also, kind of surprised, I figured kind of like the Danbury Fair Mall there wasn't too many other malls around.....

[STEVEN 1]

I think the plan is too knock it down and turn it into one of those modern open air deals but the town of Yorktown had been holding Simon Properties who own most American malls. Thus is just what I've been hearing, what is fact or fiction I'm not sure.

Not to change the subject or state since this is the connecticut forum but the biggest mall I've been to was King of Prussia in Pennsylvania. That thing is massive and ridiculous.

[STEVEN 1]

Malls I remember are JV, Danbury Fair, Galleria in White Plains.

[jdhall1]

The Danbury mall is doing fine. In this part of the country, an open air mall won't make sense to due the weather.

[STEVEN 1]

Originally Posted by jdhall1

The Danbury mall is doing fine. In this part of the country, an open air mall won't make sense to due the weather.

Got a point there.

[STEVEN 1]

Danbury Fair is nice with a good mix of stores. When I was young and stupid I wilingly participated in the day after Thanksgiving shopping inside that mall one year, it was crazy busy but yet more civilized then what black Friday shopping is now.

Back then you look forward to that shopping day, it meant something, today too much corporate greed killing the Christmas spirit, it's sad really.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Macerich is the parent company and owns a myriad of malls including their trophy properties of Tyson's Corner (VA) and Scottsdale Fashion Plaza. Danbury Mall ranks #16 out of their full portfolio in terms of sales per square foot at $636 (the gold standard metric for retail) and its current occupancy is nearly 97% which is very high for an enclosed mall. This far surpasses the national average of ~$460.The fundamentals are very strong for Danbury Fair and is no danger of closing or converting to an open air format.

The mall also benefits from good logistics--- I've been there on black Friday and the weekend before Christmas--- cars aren't backed up for miles and parking is still available. Outside of missing a Disney store and maybe better/more eats--- it is a very strong portfolio of offerings.