Mountain Farms Mall

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Mountain Farms Mall has enjoyed a revival over the past two years, and is eating Hampshire Mall's lunch.

When Hampshire opened in 1978, the buzz was that it was doubtful that this community of mostly transient students could support two shopping centers...but Pyramid Corporation was a powerful enough force to get the project built. Mountain Farms lost tenant after tenant over the years and was nearly empty when the big box trend began to heat up.

Now, Mountain Farms has been reborn as a strip mall with renovated theatres, a Wal Mart, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, and Linens & Things. The natural food store at the end of the property has held its own over the years, given the local earthy-crunchy demographic.

The plaza doesn't feel large and impersonal, perhaps due to the leisurely browsable B & N with its stylish cafe. The plaza has a semi rural location, with farms behind it.

Hampshire Mall, on the other hand, is struggling. The mix of tenants appears to be out of whack, but I believe that Target is slated to replace the departed KMart, which will challenge JCPenney. The theatre complex was rebuilt from the ground up within the past two years.

See also deadmalls.com/malls/mountain_farms_mall.html