1962–1968: Pre-construction and development
In 1962, Newark-based department store Bamberger's announced their plan to construct the Willowbrook Shopping Center on 100 acres of land beside Routes 80, 46, and 23.[7]
The Rouse Company of Baltimore, who also constructed the Cherry Hill Mall and Woodbridge Center, headed the project.[7] Department stores S. Klein, Sears, and Ohrbach's joined the project as anchor tenants, necessitating that the initial concept change "from a Y-shape to the mall’s current, cross-shaped form".[7]
Rouse founded the subsidiary Willowbrook Mall, Inc. for the mall development.[8]
Construction of Willowbrook Mall began in 1966 with the groundbreaking of the Bamberger's store.[9]
In September 1968, The New York Times reported that department store Ohrbach's had begun construction on a two-floor, 100,000-square-foot store in the upcoming mall.[10] That year, Sears also confirmed their new location.[10]
The mall was originally planned as a 110-store indoor shopping mall, encompassing 1500000 sqft.[11]
Opening and 20th century
Willowbrook Mall opened on September 24, 1969,[12] with four main department stores and 70 other shops,[7] including "Commonwealth Shoe & Leather Co., Custom Shirt Maker, Spencer Gifts, Sosin Jewelry, Merle Norman Cosmetics, and Belle Fashion Shoppes".[7] Dining options were Bagel Shop, O’Dea’s Bar-B-Que Pit, and Molinari Meat Market. The mall also featured art exhibits and galleries.[7]
A second phase opened on August 12, 1970, consisting of 47 specialty stores on two floors, and a Stern's department store.[13] Upon the opening of Stern's, Willowbrook Mall became the largest enclosed shopping mall in the world,[14]
21st century
Stern's closed its doors in 2001 after its parent company, Federated Department Stores, retired the brand; the store was converted to its sister brand, Bloomingdale's, which opened on April 11, 2002.[24][25]
In 2002, The Rouse Company reacquired Willowbrook from Urban Retail Properties/Rodamco North America following a joint venture with Simon Property Group and Westfield Group, and it reformed the subsidiary Willowbrook Mall, Inc., and related subsidiaries like The Willowbrook Company.[26] Two years later, Rouse and its assets, including Willowbrook, was acquired by General Growth Properties (GGP).[27]
