On Thursday, June 30, the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa officially closed its doors.
In recent years, and even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sunrise Mall, like many others, began struggling to compete with next-day delivery powerhouse Amazon, among other online retailers. Located on 77 acres of land, boasting 1.2 million square feet and 6,000 parking spaces, the Sunrise Highway shopping hub has slowly bowed out and accepted defeat
Urban Edge Properties, based out of Manhattan, was responsible in assisting multiple investors to purchase the Nassau County site in 2021. Since its resale date, tenants were advised that their leases would not be renewed. Redevelopment has since become the talk on the street. But, what does that mean?
Last year, Urban Edge Properties found it imperative to advise the community that “it is not considering any proposal to redevelop the site as a residential community,” as per their news release.
“Sunrise Mall is clearly in a transition, a reflection of the challenges facing a generation of shopping malls across Long Island and the nation,” said Coleen R. Conklin, vice president of marketing at Urban Edge, “To ensure it remains a positive and contributing economic anchor for the surrounding communities, the Town of Oyster Bay, and Nassau County, we need to create and orderly roadmap for the transition.”
While Nassau County home prices keep rising, many feel rejecting a housing development may be short-sighted. However, Oyster Bay’s Town Supervisor, Joseph Saladino, believes otherwise.
“This location does not allow for residential development,” the Supervisor stated on Facebook. “The Town Board is committed to protecting the suburban quality of life in our community and will always ensure significant public input.”
Saladino also told Newsday that “town zoning laws limit development activity at Sunrise Mall to light industrial and commercial uses only.”
The housing development argument can go on forever, as many people have different thoughts on the idea; however, one fact remains: the Sunrise Mall is no longer. May you closely hold onto your memories of riding in the clear glass elevator, and enjoying meals at the second-story food court.
As we wait with anticipation to see what’s next in store for the property, we hope your wishes from pennies thrown into their koi ponds come true!
