Retail Development and Early Leasing at Stroud Mall
Stroud Mall began in the mid-1970s when Hess’s and Montgomery Development Company set out to build a new shopping center in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Plans were officially announced in May 1976, with Hess’s set to be the first anchor.
The mall’s early blueprint included another department store, 40 smaller retailers, and a twin-screen cinema.
Early Tenant Commitments and Leasing Deals
By October 1976, multiple national retailers had already signed leases, securing prime spots inside the planned mall.
Endicott Johnson, Kinney Shoes, Kay Jewelers, DEB Shops, Piercing Pagoda, and B.
Dalton Booksellers were among the first. These chains were common in regional malls of that era, offering a mix of footwear, jewelry, books, and fashion.
As leasing progressed into early 1977, J.C. Penney emerged as the likely second anchor. At that time, the department store was expanding aggressively into suburban malls.
J.C. Penney finalized its lease in September 1977, securing its position alongside Hess’s.
Meanwhile, other retailers such as Waldenbooks, Foxmoor Casuals, Thom McAn, and Stewart’s added their names to the mall’s growing tenant list.
Opening of Hess’s and the Mall’s Debut
Before Stroud Mall officially opened, Hess’s held its grand opening on July 29, 1977.
The department store, based in Allentown, was well-known in Pennsylvania for its upscale selection and lively promotions.
Its arrival in Stroudsburg signaled a shift in the local shopping scene, drawing customers who had previously traveled to larger cities for department store goods.
Less than a year later, on March 2, 1978, Stroud Mall opened its doors.
The debut brought a wave of shoppers eager to explore the new retail options. J.C. Penney opened later that year, completing the mall’s anchor lineup.
With its location near major highways and a mix of fashion, books, jewelry, and entertainment, Stroud Mall quickly became a go-to shopping destination in the Pocono Mountains region.
For those searching for things to do in Stroudsburg, PA, in the late 1970s, a trip to the mall often meant checking out the latest department store arrivals, catching a movie at the twin-screen theater, or browsing the newly opened specialty shops.
Retail Growth and Anchor Expansions at Stroud Mall
By the early 1990s, Stroud Mall had cemented itself as a key retail center in the Pocono Mountains.
But like many malls of that era, it needed more than its original lineup to stay competitive.
Developers responded with an expansion project that reshaped the mall and brought in new stores.
Sears Moves In (1994)
Sears had operated a downtown Stroudsburg location for decades, but in the early 1990s, the retailer sought to shift to the more modern Stroud Mall’s shopping environment.
The move had been in discussion since 1990, but construction didn’t get underway until later.
Sears officially opened its two-story store on August 3, 1994, becoming the mall’s largest anchor.
This wasn’t just another department store addition—it introduced something entirely new to Monroe County: an escalator.
At the time, this was a novelty, drawing attention from shoppers and local media.
Sears held an elaborate grand opening, even bringing in Miss Pennsylvania, Kirstin Deliz Border, to cut the ribbon.
Hess’s Becomes The Bon-Ton (1994)
Hess’s had been one of the original anchors, but by the mid-1990s, the company was struggling.
In 1994, The Bon-Ton took over the store as part of a 20-location acquisition, bringing its selection of clothing, accessories, and home goods to the Stroudsburg market.
The transition was quick, and Bon-Ton wasted no time rebranding the space.
2002 Renovation
To keep up with newer shopping centers, Stroud Mall underwent a renovation in 2002.
The updates included refreshed flooring, lighting upgrades, and modernized storefronts.
While the core structure remained the same, the goal was to make the mall more appealing to shoppers and national retailers looking for space.
Retail Closures and Changing Storefronts
By the 2010s, the retail industry had started shifting, and Stroud Mall felt the effects.
Department stores were losing ground to online shopping, and movie theaters were battling new streaming services.
Some of the mall’s biggest tenants either downsized or shut down completely.
Loews Theater Closes (2010)
Stroud Mall had housed a 7-screen Loews theater, but it closed in December 2010.
However, it wasn’t gone for long. Less than a year later, in November 2011, a 12-screen Cinemark theater opened in its place, offering larger screens, stadium seating, and upgraded concessions.
Bon-Ton Shuts Down (2017)
The Bon-Ton had survived for over two decades at Stroud Mall, but the company couldn’t keep up with declining sales.
By 2017, Bon-Ton announced the closure of all its locations, including its Stroudsburg store.
This left a major gap in the mall’s anchor lineup, taking away a longtime shopping destination for clothing and household items.
Sears Follows (2019)
Sears had held on for years despite financial struggles, but the nationwide closures eventually reached Stroud Mall.
In November 2018, the company announced that the Stroudsburg location would shut down by February 2019.
This closure marked the end of the mall’s largest anchor space, leaving a two-story vacancy.
New Tenants and Mall Redevelopment
ShopRite Takes Over the Bon-Ton Spot (2019)
When Bon-Ton shut down in 2017, it left behind a large, vacant retail space. Instead of another clothing or department store moving in, a grocery chain took over.
In November 2019, ShopRite opened inside the former Bon-Ton building, replacing its older location in downtown Stroudsburg.
This wasn’t just a regular supermarket. The new ShopRite came with Monroe County’s first food hall, offering a variety of prepared meals alongside standard grocery items.
The move helped bring regular foot traffic back to the mall, especially from residents who no longer had to drive downtown for their groceries.
EFO Furniture Outlet Moves into Sears (2020)
Sears had been the mall’s largest tenant before closing in February 2019, leaving behind a two-story retail space.
By January 24, 2020, EFO Furniture Outlet opened inside the building’s first floor, offering a selection of home furnishings and décor.
The second floor remained unused for a while, and plans for repurposing the space were still being discussed.
As of 2025, Reaching Out For Jesus Christian Center operates on the second floor of the former Sears in Stroud Mall and holds services on Sundays.
The center focuses on Christian worship, teaching, and outreach and offers a place for congregation members to gather each week.