Roosevelt Field Mall
Encyclopedia
Roosevelt Field is an American
shopping mall. It is the largest high-end shopping mall in the state of New York
and eighth in the country as measured by gross leaseable area at 2,189,941 ft² (203,452 m²). The mall is located in East Garden City, New York
part of the Town of Hempstead on Long Island
. The office buildings, on the west side of the mall property, are located in East Garden City, according to Nassau County Property Records. The anchors of the 270-store mall are: Bloomingdale's
, JCPenney, Macy's
and Nordstrom
. Previous anchor store
s were Gimbels (succeeded by Stern's
), A&S
, and Alexander's
(succeeded by Bloomingdale's
). The original anchor store was Macy's.
The mall is adjacent to the Meadowbrook State Parkway, making it accessible from the Northern State Parkway
and Southern State Parkway
. It is a major hub of MTA Long Island Bus
, with several bus routes stopping in a terminal area near the southern parking structure.
It was constructed on the site of, and named for, Roosevelt Field, an airport and military airfield where Charles Lindbergh
began his historic trans-Atlantic flight. At one time, a plaque at the north end of the mall (in the hall that now connects Dick's and JCPenney) marked the spot where Lindbergh left the ground. Today the plaque is inside the mall, near the Disney Store.
and Wiley Post
. Charles Lindbergh's solo translatlantic flight took off from Roosevelt Field in 1927. The field was originally named Curtiss Field and was renamed in honor of Theodore Roosevelt's son Quentin
, who died in World War I
. After the airfield was closed in 1951, the site was developed by New York's William Zeckendorf
and designed by I.M. Pei.
Ground was broken on the $35 million project in April 1955. The center opened with a single level and was an open-air center. It included F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 store
, Walgreen
Drug, Food Fair supermarket, Buster Brown Shoes, a public auditorium and an indoor ice rink. The original anchor of the mall was a 2-level 343,000 ft² (31,900 m²) Macy's
which opened on August 22, 1956.
In 1962 a 250,000 ft² (2,320 m²) Gimbels store opened (today, the structure houses Dick's Sporting Goods
and Bloomingdale's Furniture). With the addition, the complex held over 1,000,000 ft² (92,900 m²). A major extension was completed in 1964. Macy's
had a 85,000 ft² (7,900 m²) third level added. In 1968 The Century Roosevelt Cinema began operation. At that time the mall was enclosed.
In 1972 a second major expansion was completed which added a 3-level, 260,000 ft² (24,200 m²) J.C. Penney
and a 2-level 31,400 ft² (2,900 m²) Alexander's
. La Petite Mall, a Tudor-style expansion was built in 1974 that architecturally reinforced the novelty of shopping indoors.
An upper level of stores and food court was established in 1993 after a major renovation which started in 1991. When Alexander's
went bankrupt in 1992, Abraham & Straus
gutted the building and extensively renovated it, opening in 1992. The Abraham & Straus
location at Roosevelt Field only lasted until 1995, when the chain became defunct. The store was slightly renovated, and re-opened as a Bloomingdale's
in 1998. The Bloomingdale's store at Roosevelt Field had a major renovation, which was finished by the summer of 2009. The Gimbels anchor was a Stern's
between 1987 and 2001.
After Stern's
closed, the spot was taken over by Galyan's, which opened in 2003 (later bought out by Dick's Sporting Goods
in 2004). Dick's Sporting Goods occupied the eastern section and Bloomingdale's
Furniture Gallery, which opened in 2004 and occupies the western half. A new, 3-story Nordstrom
and a 2-story wing leading to the new Nordstrom opened in August 1997. Simon Property Group
took ownership of the mall when they had acquired Corporate Property Investors
in 1998.
also had a foot post assigned to the mall -- Special Post 10 (which is still there today). Security is currently provided by Simon Property Group's security contractor, AlliedBarton
.
was having a signing at the teen retail store Justice! Just for Girls! when a riot broke out. Police arrested one person and many people were injured. The mall was then closed for a short period.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
shopping mall. It is the largest high-end shopping mall in the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and eighth in the country as measured by gross leaseable area at 2,189,941 ft² (203,452 m²). The mall is located in East Garden City, New York
East Garden City, New York
East Garden City is a census-designated place in the northeast part of the Town of Hempstead, in the central part of Nassau County, New York, along the Hempstead/North Hempstead town line. The population was 6,028 at the 2010 census...
part of the Town of Hempstead on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. The office buildings, on the west side of the mall property, are located in East Garden City, according to Nassau County Property Records. The anchors of the 270-store mall are: Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
, JCPenney, Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
and Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
. Previous anchor store
Anchor store
In retail, an anchor store, draw tenant, anchor tenant, or key tenant is one of the larger stores in a shopping mall, usually a department store or a major retail chain....
s were Gimbels (succeeded by Stern's
Stern's
Stern's was a regional department store chain serving the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The chain was in business for more than 130 years, prior to its 2001 integration into Macy's and Bloomingdale's...
), A&S
Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
, and Alexander's
Alexander's
Alexander's was a department store chain in the New York metropolitan area. Catering to low- and middle-income consumers, Alexander's offered discounted designer fashions and high-quality private label goods. At its height, the company operated 16 stores. Its advertising slogan was "You'll find...
(succeeded by Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
). The original anchor store was Macy's.
Location
Northern State Parkway
The Northern State Parkway is a long limited-access state parkway on Long Island in the U.S. state of New York. The western terminus is at the Queens-Nassau County line, where the parkway continues westward into New York City as the Grand Central Parkway...
and Southern State Parkway
Southern State Parkway
The Southern State Parkway is a long limited-access highway on Long Island, in the U.S. state of New York...
. It is a major hub of MTA Long Island Bus
MTA Long Island Bus
MTA Long Island Bus is the name used by MTA Regional Bus for its bus network serving primarily Nassau County. It also serves parts of western Suffolk County as well as parts of Queens. Long Island Bus is the trading name of Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, a name which has not been used...
, with several bus routes stopping in a terminal area near the southern parking structure.
It was constructed on the site of, and named for, Roosevelt Field, an airport and military airfield where Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
began his historic trans-Atlantic flight. At one time, a plaque at the north end of the mall (in the hall that now connects Dick's and JCPenney) marked the spot where Lindbergh left the ground. Today the plaque is inside the mall, near the Disney Store.
History
As an airfield, the land served as the take-off site of many famous aviators such as Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
and Wiley Post
Wiley Post
Wiley Hardeman Post was a famed American aviator, the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Also known for his work in high altitude flying, Post helped develop one of the first pressure suits. His Lockheed Vega aircraft, the Winnie Mae, was on display at the National Air and Space Museum's...
. Charles Lindbergh's solo translatlantic flight took off from Roosevelt Field in 1927. The field was originally named Curtiss Field and was renamed in honor of Theodore Roosevelt's son Quentin
Quentin Roosevelt
Quentin Roosevelt was the youngest and favorite son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Family and friends agreed that Quentin had many of his father's positive qualities and few of the negative ones. Inspired by his father and siblings, he joined the United States Army Air Service where he became a...
, who died in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. After the airfield was closed in 1951, the site was developed by New York's William Zeckendorf
William Zeckendorf
William Zeckendorf, Sr. was a prominent American real estate developer. Through his development company Webb and Knapp – for which he began working in 1938 and which he purchased in 1949 – he developed a significant portion of the New York City urban landscape.-Career:Zeckendorf's...
and designed by I.M. Pei.
Ground was broken on the $35 million project in April 1955. The center opened with a single level and was an open-air center. It included F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 store
F. W. Woolworth Company
The F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...
, Walgreen
Walgreen
Walgreen is the anglicised form of Wahlgren, and may refer to:* Charles Rudolph Walgreen* Charles Rudolph Walgreen, Jr.* The Walgreens, aka The Walgreen Company ** Walgreens Health Services , a business unit of Walgreens...
Drug, Food Fair supermarket, Buster Brown Shoes, a public auditorium and an indoor ice rink. The original anchor of the mall was a 2-level 343,000 ft² (31,900 m²) Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
which opened on August 22, 1956.
In 1962 a 250,000 ft² (2,320 m²) Gimbels store opened (today, the structure houses Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
and Bloomingdale's Furniture). With the addition, the complex held over 1,000,000 ft² (92,900 m²). A major extension was completed in 1964. Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
had a 85,000 ft² (7,900 m²) third level added. In 1968 The Century Roosevelt Cinema began operation. At that time the mall was enclosed.
In 1972 a second major expansion was completed which added a 3-level, 260,000 ft² (24,200 m²) J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
and a 2-level 31,400 ft² (2,900 m²) Alexander's
Alexander's
Alexander's was a department store chain in the New York metropolitan area. Catering to low- and middle-income consumers, Alexander's offered discounted designer fashions and high-quality private label goods. At its height, the company operated 16 stores. Its advertising slogan was "You'll find...
. La Petite Mall, a Tudor-style expansion was built in 1974 that architecturally reinforced the novelty of shopping indoors.
An upper level of stores and food court was established in 1993 after a major renovation which started in 1991. When Alexander's
Alexander's
Alexander's was a department store chain in the New York metropolitan area. Catering to low- and middle-income consumers, Alexander's offered discounted designer fashions and high-quality private label goods. At its height, the company operated 16 stores. Its advertising slogan was "You'll find...
went bankrupt in 1992, Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
gutted the building and extensively renovated it, opening in 1992. The Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
location at Roosevelt Field only lasted until 1995, when the chain became defunct. The store was slightly renovated, and re-opened as a Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
in 1998. The Bloomingdale's store at Roosevelt Field had a major renovation, which was finished by the summer of 2009. The Gimbels anchor was a Stern's
Stern's
Stern's was a regional department store chain serving the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The chain was in business for more than 130 years, prior to its 2001 integration into Macy's and Bloomingdale's...
between 1987 and 2001.
After Stern's
Stern's
Stern's was a regional department store chain serving the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The chain was in business for more than 130 years, prior to its 2001 integration into Macy's and Bloomingdale's...
closed, the spot was taken over by Galyan's, which opened in 2003 (later bought out by Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
in 2004). Dick's Sporting Goods occupied the eastern section and Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
Furniture Gallery, which opened in 2004 and occupies the western half. A new, 3-story Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
and a 2-story wing leading to the new Nordstrom opened in August 1997. Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an American commercial real estate company, ranked #1 in the United States as the largest real estate investment trust. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers, The...
took ownership of the mall when they had acquired Corporate Property Investors
Corporate Property Investors
Corporate Property Investors was a privately held real estate investment company that, in 1982, wrote the largest mortgage to date on a New York office building...
in 1998.
Security
From the 1970s through the end of the 1980s security at Roosevelt Field was provided by a house security group made up of retired NYPD officers and a contract group of guards hired from K-Security Guard Corp. of Bellmore, NY. The Nassau County Police DepartmentNassau County Police Department
The Nassau County Police Department is the law enforcement agency of Nassau County, New York.-History:In 1925, concerned about rising crime rates, the County Board of Supervisors voted to create the Nassau County Police Department, replacing a scattered system of constables and town and village...
also had a foot post assigned to the mall -- Special Post 10 (which is still there today). Security is currently provided by Simon Property Group's security contractor, AlliedBarton
AlliedBarton
AlliedBarton Security Services is a security officer company in the United States, made up of the former companies Barton Protective Services, Spectaguard, Initial and Allied Security. It is the largest American owned security company in the United States, employing approximately 50,000 people...
.
Anchors
- Bloomingdale'sBloomingdale'sBloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
(270,000 ft²) Opened in 1998 - 3 Floors with small entrance lobby between Basement and Main Levels. The Store has mall access from the Store's Main Level and Upper Level (3 above including the lobby, 1 below - Bloomingdale's Furniture Gallery - Opened 2004 (2 Floors above ground)
- Dick's Sporting GoodsDick's Sporting GoodsDick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
(250,000 ft²) Opened 2003 (2 Floors above ground, with Basement Stockroom) - JCPenney (260,000 ft²) Opened 1972 - 3 Floors (2 above, 1 below)
- Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(425,000 ft²) Opened 1956 - 4 Floors (3 above, 1 below) - NordstromNordstromNordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
(225,000 ft²) Opened 1997 (3 Floors above)
Former anchors
- Gimbels - opened in 1962, store space taken by Stern'sStern'sStern's was a regional department store chain serving the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The chain was in business for more than 130 years, prior to its 2001 integration into Macy's and Bloomingdale's...
in 1987. Part of the store was converted to Galyan's in 2003, then Dick's Sporting GoodsDick's Sporting GoodsDick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
in 2004, the rest of the store is a Bloomingdale's Furniture Gallery, and the basement is XSport Fitness - Alexander'sAlexander'sAlexander's was a department store chain in the New York metropolitan area. Catering to low- and middle-income consumers, Alexander's offered discounted designer fashions and high-quality private label goods. At its height, the company operated 16 stores. Its advertising slogan was "You'll find...
- opened in October 1971, gutted in 1990, Re-opened as Abraham & StrausAbraham & StrausAbraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
in 1992, Closed 1995, re-opened as Bloomingdale'sBloomingdale'sBloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
in 1998
Incidents
On November 20, 2009, Justin BieberJustin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
was having a signing at the teen retail store Justice! Just for Girls! when a riot broke out. Police arrested one person and many people were injured. The mall was then closed for a short period.