PHILLIPSBURG, NJ – In the era when malls were the bustling heart of retail, the late 1980s saw the local mall bustling, drawing shoppers from all walks of life. However, as time marched on, the landscape of retail underwent a transformation, and the once-glorious malls faced challenges that would redefine their role in communities.
This weekend, we delve into the story of the Phillipsburg Mall, a venue that has weathered the changing tides of consumer preferences and economic shifts. Originally a symbol of prosperity and modernity, like many malls across the United States, Phillipsburg found itself grappling with the consequences of lack of customers, less disposable income, changing consumer habits, and the rise of warehousing and drive thru business along the Route 22 corridor.
With communities witnessing the birth of larger, more upscale shopping centers, the once-thriving Phillipsburg Mall found itself at a crossroads, sales and selling parcels to drive thru retail. And demolition has been a constant.