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For decades, Emerald Square Mall has been a centerpiece of shopping in North Attleborough

What’s Next for Emerald Square Mall?

Opened in 1989, it was once packed with major retailers, bustling food courts, and weekend crowds. But like many malls across the country, its best days are behind it. More than half of its storefronts now sit empty, and many longtime tenants have closed their doors.
 |  Regional Rundown  |  Community

Once the pride of North Attleborough shopping, Emerald Square Mall now sits half-empty, a shadow of its former self. Opened in 1989, the mall is facing the same struggles as many retail centers across the country: vacant storefronts, dwindling foot traffic, and uncertain prospects for the future.

A Mall in Transition

In August 2025, Summit Properties USA acquired majority ownership of the mall. For now, they’re keeping it open as an indoor shopping center, but the long-term vision is still unclear. That shift has renewed discussions about how the property could be reinvented.

Redevelopment Proposals

Town officials and planners have pitched several ideas over the past few years:

  • Converting vacant anchor spaces into apartments

  • Creating a mixed-use development with retail, restaurants, and housing

  • Exploring tech or life sciences facilities

  • Hosting sports team facilities or an EV charging hub

Some proposals, such as building 300+ apartments in the former Sears location, proved infeasible, but conversations about reuse remain active.

Community Voices

Residents are watching the mall closely. Online, many expressed sadness after closures like Newbury Comics and FYE, worried about the growing emptiness inside. At the same time, grassroots projects offer sparks of hope: a black box theater is being planned in the former American Eagle space, and a small candy shop called Candy4Pennies recently opened its doors.

Policy Push

Earlier this year, State Representative Adam Scanlon introduced legislation that would allow higher property taxes on malls with high vacancy rates. The goal is to encourage redevelopment or sale of struggling retail properties. If passed, this law could push Emerald Square toward a new chapter.

Looking Ahead

Whether it becomes a mixed-use hub, a destination for entertainment, or something entirely new, Emerald Square Mall is clearly at a turning point. What happens next will depend on cooperation between the owners, local leaders, and the community—but one thing is certain: the mall’s future will not look like its past.

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