this story was last updated in August 2024
Fast Facts
- Opened in 1970
- Renamed Voorhees Town Center in 2008
- Located in Voorhees, New Jersey (Camden County)
- Developer: The Rouse Company
- Owner: Mason Asset Management, Namdar Realty Group
- Number of Floors: 2
- Website
Anchors
Lit Brothers
1970–1977
Strawbridge & Clothier
1970–2006
JCPenney
1976–2003, demolished 2007
Gimbels (former Lit Brothers)
1977–1986
Stern’s (former Gimbels)
1986–1992
Boscov’s (former Stern’s)
1992-present
Sears
1998–2001, demolished 2007
Macy’s (former Strawbridge & Clothier)
2006-2017
Modax Furniture Corp. (former Strawbridge’s, Macy’s)
2023-present
Echelon Mall was one of the most popular malls in the Philadelphia area and was the second largest in South Jersey, behind Cherry Hill, with over one million square feet of leasable space. Things drastically took a turn for the worse as the new millennium approached.
The Beginning
Before the mall was built, the property was a large farmland and flying enthusiasts Rogers and Jeannette Smith bought the land in 1939 to turn it into an airfield. It was named “Echelon Airfield” in 1944 and featured 20 planes, 3 grass runways, a gift shop, cafe and a hangar for 6 planes. The field was mainly used for recreational flying and lessons.
After Rogers died in a flying accident in 1950, Jeannette leased the airfield to a friend until she sold the property in the 1960s. The Rouse Company expressed interest in buying the airfield and turning it into a new mall.
The 1970s
The plans went forward and The Rouse Company began construction for the new Echelon Mall in 1969. It took over a year to build and was opened to the public in late September of 1970. The mall featured two department stores, Lit Brothers and Strawbridge & Clothier, and two floors of retailers.
1976 — Six years after the mall’s opening, construction began to add another two-level wing of retailers. JCPenney opened as the third anchor.
1977 — Lit Brothers went out of business. Soon after, Gimbel’s filled the space and remained in the mall for nine years.
The 1980s
November 1985 — A food court was added to the mall which featured over 10 eateries, large booths, trees and light bulb arches.
1986 — Gimbel’s closed in 1986 and Stern’s filled the vacancy for six years.
The 1990s
Early 1990s — Exhilarama was added outside of the food court. It featured indoor amusements and games, which was very popular among teens and families. A General Cinema also occupied a nearby space.
1992 — Boscov’s took over Stern’s after the company went out of business. The interior of the store has remained largely untouched with neon signs and a mirrored ceiling.
The mall remained busy into the 1990s and was a hangout for families, teenagers and workers who had jobs at the office buildings surrounding the mall property.
End of the 1990s — The shopping experience began to change and the Echelon Mall began its long decline.
1996 — The popular Exhilarama shut its doors after owner Edison Brothers Stores filed for bankruptcy in late 1995 and shut a majority of their stores. The General Cinema closed down not long after.
1998 — The Rouse Company began revitalizing their mall properties and decided to construct a new Sears, which opened in 1998 next door to JCPenney. The mall continued a slow decline into the new millennium as the internet began ramping up and shopping habits changed. Also, the mall rats began to find elsewhere to hangout.
The 2000s
2001 — Three years after their opening, Sears closed and the newly constructed building sat empty.
2003 — Just two years after Sears closed, JCPenney closed their store. This left the phase two portion of the mall with no department stores and the remaining retailers either closed or moved into a different section of the mall.
The Exhilarama and General Cinema building, located outside of the food court was demolished for more parking.
The Rouse Company sold the mall to PREIT in 2003 and the new owners began brainstorming on redeveloping the mall. One idea was to build a new Walmart on the property and demolish part of the mall space. Multiple theories have been told over the years, but one was that township residents hated the idea and shot it down.
PREIT was also trying to lease the vacant Sears store. A newspaper article in 2003 stated that their was interest from someone about leasing the space, but plans eventually fell through.
This left PREIT to come up with another idea while Echelon Mall was continuing to decline with a rising vacancy rate.
2006 — A new plan was put in place to demolish half of the mall, from just past Strawbridge’s at center court to JCPenney. An outdoor boulevard with restaurants, shops and apartments would be filling the space.
2007 — Demolition began in early 2007. The Sears building was demolished as well as JCPenney. The remaining portion of the mall would be remodeled with new flooring and lighting. Boscov’s and Strawbridge’s remained as the two department stores, with Strawbridge’s converting to Macy’s during this time.
2008 — Construction was completed in late 2008 and Echelon Mall was renamed the “Voorhees Town Center.” PREIT ran out of money and the remaining redevelopment plans did not go through.
Medical offices and the Voorhees municipal offices moved to the upper level of the mall while a few restaurants occupied the outdoor boulevard. The remaining portion of the mall continued to decline with more retailers closing.
The 2010s
2015 — PREIT sold the mall to Namdar Realty Group for $13.4 million.
2017 — Macy’s remained in Voorhees until May of 2017 when the company closed under-performing stores. This left Boscov’s as the only department store in the mall.
2018 — News began circulating that Voorhees Township wanted to condemn the mall and take ownership away from Namdar for neglecting the property. The township made plans to redevelop the mall by razing part of it, turning the former Macy’s building into additional apartments and town homes, turning the food court into a beer court and adding entertainment venues, including laser tag, sports bars and outdoor movies.
Brandywine Financial Corporation struck an agreement of sale with Namdar in a closed-door negotiation to redevelopment.
The 2020s
April 2020 — Brandywine Acquisition & Development backed out of their plans for the mall, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three floor Macy’s building is abandoned and used for police training.
August 2021 — Brooklyn Pizza was the last remaining eatery inside of the food court until it closed in early August 2021. Over the previous years, Saladworks, Enerjuicer, Yanagi, Subway, and Chick-fil-A have closed or moved outside of the mall.
LensCrafters, which has been operating at the mall since the 1980s, left the mall to open a new location at The Promenade at Sagemore in Marlton.
October 2021 — Eephee’s Kitchen, an eatery serving Nigerian food, opened in the food court in the former Burger King and Master/Magic Wok spot. This is the first eatery to operate in the food court since August.
July 2023 — Many mom and pop shops are operating inside of the mall, including Days To Remember, the Voorhees Art Council, The South Jersey Home School Association and the Drama Kids of Medford. New eateries are also planned to open.
April 19, 2024 — A two-alarm fire broke out in the food court, burning behind walls and spreading to the second floor and roof. The interior of the mall has remained closed during cleanup. Exterior buildings and entrances have re-opened, including Boscov’s, Modax Furniture, the Voorhees Township offices, NeurAbilities Healthcare and Growing Smiles Dental.
My Final Thoughts
The glory days of Echelon will forever live in our memories. Voorhees residents hope that someone will bring the mall back to life and into its former glory.
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