Northshore Mall: A Journey Through Peabody’s Retail Evolution Since 1958
Northshore Mall is a major regional shopping destination in Peabody, Massachusetts, located near the Route 128 and Route 114 interchange. Encompassing just over 1.66 million square feet, the mall is largely single-level, with upper floors limited to anchor stores and the former Nordstrom wing. As of 2025, its anchors include two Macy’s locations and JCPenney. The mall lies less than a mile from Liberty Tree Mall, forming a prominent North Shore retail hub.
Early Planning and Opening
Plans for Greater Boston’s second major shopping mall were announced in December 1954. Developers selected a 100-acre suburban site in Peabody after abandoning an earlier proposal in Beverly. The land had previously been used as a country estate, a Catholic juniorate school, and a dairy farm.
The Northshore Shopping Center opened on September 12, 1958, as an open-air complex, with Governor Foster Furcolo presiding over the dedication. Original anchors included Jordan Marsh, Filene’s, and Sears, along with national retailers such as Kresge and R.H. Stearns. Family-oriented attractions like a bowling alley, movie theater, and the Kiddietown amusement area added to its appeal.
Enclosure and Expansion
To compete with newer enclosed malls, Northshore was gradually roofed over between 1974 and 1975. Sears was expanded into a full-line department store, reinforcing the mall’s regional draw.
New England Development purchased the mall in 1992 and oversaw a major expansion, increasing its size to nearly 1.7 million square feet. New Filene’s and Lord & Taylor stores opened in 1993, a food court was added, and the original Filene’s space was redeveloped to accommodate JCPenney. Ownership shifted to a Simon Property Group–led partnership in 1999.
Redevelopment and Recent Changes
Following the Federated–May merger in the mid-2000s, anchor realignments led to the addition of Nordstrom and a new two-level wing that opened in 2009. Dining and public spaces were upgraded in the 2010s, including the creation of The Promenade outdoor area.
The 2020s brought further transformation with the closures of Sears and Nordstrom. In 2025, plans were announced to replace Nordstrom with a Dick’s House of Sport by 2026, reflecting the mall’s ongoing adaptation to changing retail trends.
The Present Day Experience
While many enclosed malls are struggling, this certainly doesn’t seem to be the case for Northshore Mall! I visited during the 2025 holiday shopping rush, and the mall was absolutely packed. One would really have to search to find any visible store vacancies or quiet areas, which can be a bit overwhelming but is also a positive sign for the mall’s future. It is bright, clean, and contemporary, with a wide variety of retailers, restaurants, and things to do. It does look fairly similar to other Simon malls which have had recent renovations, which may be a plus or a minus depending on your tastes. Overall, if you are looking to revisit the days when malls were thriving and crowded, this is a great option if you’re in the area!
Matthew Christopher MA Peabody Jan 09, 2026 Malls Places to Visit Retail Stores
Jan 09, 2026
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