In a major shift for Newington, New Hampshire’s commercial landscape, The Fox Run Mall is closing after 43 years. The mall owners, Torrington Properties, plan to demolish and replace the mall with a newly developed, vibrant retail center.
The upcoming demolition of the current mall and redevelopment of the 82-acre site are expected to cost upwards of $500 million.
Individual store leases will be vacated by late 2025 or early 2026, as the demolition is planned to begin in late February 2026, according to a Seacoast Online article.
Looking ahead
As Torrington Properties prepares its redevelopment plans, the company’s founder Jay Bisognano described the project’s potential in an interview with Seacoast Online reporter Ian Lenahan in January 2025, saying, “We view this as an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often. When you have 82 continuous acres, you really want to think about how to utilize it.”
This new project will bring pedestrian paths and a Village Loop Road. Torrington and town officials confirm Newington zoning does not permit housing on the site, and that this new site will remain focused on commercial and community use.
Torrington is proposing replacing the parking lot with less parking, more green space, and creating a village loop road from the Chick-fil-A to the Texas Roadhouse.
Seacoast Online reports that Torrington’s Properties plans on having small stores and restaurants, with details of the larger tenants coming soon. The town expects to see a proposal soon, while Tourington’s Properties is preparing a proposal to replace the property.
History of the Fox Run Mall
The Fox Run Mall was built in 1983 and was founded by Jones Lang Lasalle Inc. (JLL), based in Chicago. Then, from 2011 to 2017, it was managed by Simon Properties, one of the largest owners of shopping malls, until it was purchased in 2023 by Torrington. The Fox Run created several local jobs and drew shoppers from Maine and other nearby areas because of tax advantages, making it a great spot for shopping in Newington, according to Seacoast Online.
Forcing Shops to Relocate
Ed Gullison, owner of Mugshots, a T-shirt store, has been part of the mall community for more than 30 years.
“I’ve seen its highs, its lows, its changes. I’ve been here for every renovation,” and “I’ve got to be able to get the word out and let everybody know we’re still going to be around.” said Gullison.
He plans to move to the Kittery, Maine Outlets, where he’ll rebrand.
Gullison acknowledges the difficulty of leaving behind a place that’s been like a second home.
“It’s kind of bittersweet… but it’s time for a change”, said Gullison, “The mall wasn’t really going to get what it needed to be successful. Sometimes it’s easier just to let it go and let it grow up to be something else.”
At Cottage Chic, owner Majorie Connor brought her shop to the mall around the 2021 Christmas season, and is feeling the excitement of change.
“The first few years were good; it used to be really good until they made the announcement that the mall was closing. Since then, business has slowed dramatically,” Connor adds, “Everybody thinks the mall’s closed- and everybody just went away.”
Despite the challenges, Gullison and Connor are ready to start fresh, believing their new locations will bring better business and will lean on community support to keep their dreams alive through the change.
Community Impact
The news of Fox Run Mall’s closing has sparked mixed feelings of nostalgia and optimism for new beginnings. It was a place where generations had gathered, where people came to work every week for years. Since the news, shoppers assume the mall is already closed and some local businesses nearby have noticed a decline in foot traffic.
Portsmouth High School student Abigail Hordon, who worked at the mall’s Aeropostale for about a year, said business was slow since fewer people go to the mall these days.
“It was very slow most of the time since not many people go to the mall anymore, but I enjoyed the experience and friends I made from it,” Hordon said.
However, Hordon noticed a small increase in customers in the store. She’s unsure where she’ll work next. She’s optimistic about the redevelopment, saying many will miss the Fox Run Mall’s nostalgic values, but are excited to see how the new space could transform the community.
