Auburn Mall: Development, Retail Expansion, and Early Success
In the late 1970s, Auburn, Maine, was a growing commercial hub, but it lacked a centralized shopping destination.
Equity Property and Development recognized the opportunity and planned a retail complex that would bring national chains and regional favorites under one roof.
Construction of Auburn Mall began in 1978, and by August 7, 1979, the mall opened to the public, offering shoppers a modern retail experience in Androscoggin County.
At its launch, Auburn Mall featured two major anchor stores—J.C. Penney and Porteous.
J.C. Penney, a well-established department store chain, brought national appeal, while Porteous, a Maine-based retailer, catered to local shoppers with clothing, home goods, and seasonal merchandise.
Alongside these anchors, the mall housed 50 stores, including popular names like Brooks Fashions, Waldenbooks, and RadioShack.
Shoppers could find apparel, shoes, gifts, and electronics all in one place, a first for the region.
The mall’s arrival reshaped Auburn’s commercial landscape. Located at 550 Center Street, a major corridor, it quickly became a retail focal point.
The convenience of enclosed shopping, combined with a mix of national and local retailers, drew steady foot traffic.
The mall’s single-story layout made it easy to navigate, and its ample parking added to its appeal.
Auburn Mall thrived during the 1980s, attracting families, teens, and professionals looking for everything from back-to-school clothes to holiday gifts.
For visitors looking for things to do in Auburn, Maine, a trip to the mall was often on the list.
The early years of Auburn Mall reflected the golden age of American shopping centers. With steady tenant occupancy and high customer turnout, the mall was poised for long-term success.
However, as the retail landscape evolved, changes in the market would eventually bring new challenges.
Expansion Efforts and Challenges in the 1990s
By the early 1990s, Auburn Mall had established itself as a key shopping destination in central Maine.
However, competition from nearby retail centers and changing consumer habits pushed its developers to consider expansion.
In 1990, Equity Property and Development announced a plan to add a new wing and introduce Sears as a third anchor.
The proposal aimed to strengthen the mall’s position against the Lewiston Mall, where Sears had been operating for years.
The expansion would have increased foot traffic and brought more variety to shoppers, but the plan never materialized.
Despite the stalled expansion, the mall saw updates throughout the decade. In 1992, renovations modernized store interiors and common areas, keeping Auburn Mall visually appealing to visitors.
New retailers moved in, helping maintain a balanced mix of apparel, electronics, and specialty stores.
Popular chains like Express and Gap joined the lineup, attracting younger shoppers looking for fashion-forward clothing. The mall remained a go-to destination.
By the late 1990s, changes in the retail industry affected Auburn Mall’s tenant stability.
National chains expanded into big-box power centers, pulling shoppers toward standalone locations with large parking lots.
Department stores faced new competition from discount retailers. The mall entered the 2000s, still holding onto its identity, but future hurdles loomed.
Ownership Changes and Adaptive Reuse in the 2000s
Auburn Mall experienced turnover and transformation in the early 2000s. In 2002, Porteous closed its doors, leaving one of its two anchor spots vacant.
Over the next few years, national chains like Express and Gap also exited, reducing the mall’s appeal to fashion shoppers.
In 2005, George Schott, a local real estate investor, purchased Auburn Mall from Equity Property and Development.
Under new ownership, the mall explored different ways to fill vacant spaces and maintain foot traffic.
One notable addition came in December 2007, when Steve & Barry’s opened in the former Porteous location.
Known for affordable collegiate apparel and celebrity-endorsed brands, the retailer brought energy back to the mall.
However, its success was short-lived—by September 2008, Steve & Barry’s declared bankruptcy and shut down.
Instead of seeking another retail tenant, Schott took a different approach. In 2009, the vacant Steve & Barry’s space was converted into offices for TD Banknorth, later rebranded as TD Bank, N.A.
This move helped stabilize occupancy rates and brought steady business activity to the property.
A similar transition happened in 2011 when Borders closed its Auburn Mall store.
Rather than sitting empty, the space became home to Books-A-Million, a retailer that kept the mall’s bookstore presence intact.
Throughout the 2000s, Auburn Mall adjusted to industry changes by repurposing space and shifting away from a purely retail-driven model.
The mall still had stores and shoppers, but it no longer functioned as a traditional shopping center in the same way it had decades earlier.
The Impact of the 2010s and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dining options inside the mall also changed over the decade. Papa Gino’s closure left a restaurant space open, and in 2019, a Quebecois restaurant called Pierrette’s opened in its place.
The addition of a local eatery brought a fresh option for visitors looking for a casual dining experience.
Then, in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing new challenges for Auburn Mall.
Non-essential retailers faced temporary closures, and even after reopening, customer traffic remained lower than before. Pierrette’s, the mall’s newest restaurant, shut down after just six months.
Other stores adjusted to restrictions or reduced hours, but recovery was slow.
By the time pandemic restrictions eased, the mall had lost several tenants, making it harder to attract new businesses.
Auburn Mall in the Contemporary Era
As of January 2025, Auburn Mall is still open, but it operates differently from its peak years.
JCPenney remains the main anchor, while TD Bank, N.A. continues to occupy office space inside the mall.
Books-A-Million is still a tenant, but many storefronts are empty, reflecting broader trends in brick-and-mortar retail.
In August 2024, the mall welcomed two new retailers, signaling a potential revitalization. House of Modesty, a boutique specializing in modest women’s apparel, opened its doors on August 1.
Additionally, Fluff ME, an affordable alternative to Build-A-Bear Workshop, began operations in the mall.
The store caters to children aged five and older. It offers a variety of plush animals and accessories, providing a hands-on, creative experience for young visitors.
In August 2024, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson visited the Auburn Mall to inaugurate a headquarters for volunteers supporting Republican campaigns.
This event highlighted the mall’s role as a community hub, hosting significant political activities and engaging with residents.
Despite rumors of decline, the Auburn Mall remains operational and continues to adapt to the evolving retail landscape.
A recent social media post from the mall addressed misconceptions about its status, encouraging the community to explore what it has to offer in 2025 and beyond.
Auburn Mall remains a familiar presence in the Auburn community. For now, the mall continues to serve a mix of retail and business needs, even as it faces an uncertain future of retail.