Mall history
The mall was developed by The Rouse Company and opened on March 4, 1971, with Abraham & Straus, Ohrbach's, and Stern's.[8] In 1978, the mall was expanded with a new wing to include Hahne's and JCPenney.[9] By 1987, the mall got a fresh new look through renovation.[10] The stairwell in the A&S wing next to center court was removed, new flooring was added, new lighting was added, the mall entrances were redone, and the fountains in front of A&S were either changed (the 2nd floor fountain) or removed (the first floor fountains). The mall's current fountain is on the 1st floor outside of Macy's. (The fountains in front of Lord & Taylor and Sears have been disabled.) In 2003, the mall was expanded with a new 100000 sqft Galyan's, the chain's first location in New Jersey,[11] which become Dick's Sporting Goods in 2004.[12] Notable department stores that have closed include Hahne's (became Fortunoff now Boscov's),[13] Ohrbach's (which became Steinbach and later Lord & Taylor), Stern's (now Macy's), and A&S (later Sears).[14] In 2024, Express filed for bankruptcy and announced the closure of several store locations, including its Woodbridge Center location.[15]
In October 2007, the carousel ride was relocated near the JCPenney. The train ride was also reconfigured to ensure both rides stay together at the same location. A toddler's play area, "Tiny Town", is located near the carousel and train rides.
Woodbridge Center offers various entertainment options beyond shopping. The mall features a Dave & Buster’s, a carousel, train ride, and a children's play area.
In October 2019, Lord & Taylor announced that it would be closing.[16][17]
In February 2020, it was announced that Sears would be closing.[18]
In February 2024, Brookfield Properties sold the mall to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).[19]
In May 2024, JLL sold the mall to Sagehall, a private New York–based firm, who later hired Spinoso Real Estate Group as manager.[3]
In November 2024, Accu Reference Medical Laboratory purchased the 124000 sqft site that had been the Lord & Taylor store, which will be repurposed as a medical lab and offices, bringing 300 employees to the site, once completed.[20]
