It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with families across the Bay bustling through town to snag last-minute gifts. But in Newark, the spirit of holiday cheer has been dampened by news of the closure of its Macy’s store.
“It’s so sad. We lost our JC Penney and now we’re losing our Macy’s,” said resident Carol Nelson.
The decline of department stores has become increasingly evident since the early 2010s. According to Yahoo Finance, the sector’s value has plummeted from a peak of over $100 billion in 2012 to just $55.6 billion in 2024. As shopping trends shift decisively toward online platforms, more retailers are shuttering their brick-and-mortar locations. Yet, for many older generations, the nostalgia of wandering through malls and filling shopping carts during the holiday season remains a cherished tradition.
“That Macy’s has been my go-to,” said shopper Annette Devincenzi. “I can pretty much always find something I like.”
The Macy’s, located in NewPark Mall, is one of many over the last few years facing closure as the city implements the NewPark Safe Specific Plan. Adopted in 2018, this plan is a roadmap for redevelopment and revitalization in the city’s primary retail destination. In 2021 the plan was amended and the current owner of the mall, Brookfield Properties, proposed two catalyst projects for the initiative: a 319-unit residential facility and a Costco warehouse. The Costco is up and running, while the apartment construction is still in its early stages.
While an official closing date has not yet been confirmed, the expected date as per the NewPark Safe Specific Plan is “by 2026.” Customers have received promotional materials urging them to make purchases while items last, and on a Thursday afternoon after work you can find them doing just that.
The NewPark Safe Specific Plan outlines a vision to attract new retailers to fill the void left by departing anchor stores. However, this has done little to ease the concerns of some local residents. Linda Erwin, a frequent mallgoer, voiced her unease about the exodus of major retailers, noting a troubling trend across the Tri-City area.
“Between Fremont, Union City and Newark, we are a collective of 345,000, yet we can’t keep anything alive,” Erwin said.
The full plan includes which retailers will be closing to make way for redevelopments. It can be viewed on the city’s official website at newark.org.
