Franklin Mills Mall is a mega indoor shopping mall located in the northeast section of Philadelphia, close to the border of Bensalem and neighboring Bucks County, a northeastern suburb. Situated on a plot of land that was once home to the Liberty Bell Park horse racing track, the mall is one of the largest in the Philadelphia area. Opened in 1989, it is known for its excellent selection of outlet stores as well as traditional mall fare. The mall is owned by the Simon Company, which also owns the area's other largest mall, The Court and Plaza at King of Prussia. It is estimated that this mall welcomes about 18 - 20 million visitors each year.
In all, Franklin Mills Mall contains about 200 stores in addition to two large food courts, about half-dozen themed restaurants, and a movie theater with 14 screens. The mall was constructed in the shape of a thunderbolt in a nod to famed colonial resident Benjamin Franklin and his kite and lightning experiment. The logo for the mall is a large red kite. More nods to Franklin can be found throughout the mall including a sculpture of his face in the Grand Court. Other Franklin-oriented or Americana objects can be found at the various color-coded entrances, including a cloud with a lightning bolt, a key with a string, the Liberty Bell, and a bald eagle. Entrances are coded to help patrons remember where they parked in the mall's immense 9,000-space lot.
The mall contains 1.7 million square feet in total and is separated into four neighborhoods - red, blue, yellow, and green - each corresponding with one entrance. Additional entrances can be found at the Grand Court and at the AMC theater entrance. Franklin Mills boasts some 20 "anchor'' stores, five times more anchors than most standard shopping malls. These stores include Bed Bath and Beyond, Burlington Coat Factory, JC Penney Outlet, Last Call Neiman Marcus, Liz Claiborne Outlet, Off 5th - Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet, Sam Ash Music, and several others. Anchor stores change on occasion though most have remained since the mall opened.
Other outlet stores include Gap, Gymboree, Carter's for Kids, Ann Taylor, Kenneth Cole, BCBGMAXAZRIA , Lane Bryant, L'eggs/Hanes, Body Central, NIKE, Nine West,Osh Kosh b'Gosh, Wilson Leather, Bath and Body Works, Sears ApplianceOutlet, Zales, Samsonite Factory Outlet, Levi's/Dockers, Tommy Hilfiger,Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Ecko Unlimited, Nautica, Perry Ellis,Athlete's Foot, Foot Locker, Reebok, Rockport, Skechers, and many more.
Eateries are many, including about 14 food court-style take-out restaurants offering a huge variety of cuisine. Seating is more than ample to accommodate the hungry visitors that traverse the 2-mile long mall. Ruby Tuesday's and Dave and Buster's Sports Bar are two of the sit-down restaurants that have been part of the Franklin Mills Mall for many years, but restaurants do indeed change on occasion.
Franklin Mills is very popular with tourists. It isn't unusual to see busloads of outlet shoppers unloading in the parking lot, anxious to enjoy several hours of shopping at this unique shopping location. The mall usually provides group travelers with special perks and coupons for use during their visit.
