Oxford Valley Mall
{{short description|Shopping mall in Langhorne, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{infobox shopping mall|
| name = Oxford Valley Mall
| image = Oxford Valley Mall first floor entrance near One Oxford Valley.jpeg
| caption = Entrance to Oxford Valley Mall
| location = Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| opened =
| coordinates = {{coord|40.1839|-74.8807|display=inline,title}}
| manager = Simon Property Group
| owner = Simon Property Group (85.5%)
| number_of_anchors = 2 (2 open, 0 vacant)
•2 former (active 1973-2008, vacant 2008-2022, demolished 2022, redeveloped as Atlee Square apartments 2022-2024, opened August 3, 2024; active 1989-2018, vacant 2019)
| floor_area = {{convert|1336364|sqft|m2}}{{cite web|url=https://business.simon.com/mall/leasingsheet/7707_OxfordValleyMall.pdf|title=Oxford Valley Mall Fact Sheet|publisher=Simon Property Group|access-date=January 19, 2017}}
| floors = 2
| parking = Parking lot
| publictransit = {{bus icon|12px}} {{rint|septa|60px}} SEPTA bus: {{SEPTA bus link|14|127|128|129}}
| website = {{URL|simon.com/mall/oxford-valley-mall}}
}}
The Oxford Valley Mall is a two-story shopping mall, managed and 85.5 percent-owned by the Simon Property Group, that is located next to the Sesame Place amusement park near Langhorne in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://www.middletownbucks.org/Community/Township-Info/Maps/march-202018-20zoning-20map-20pdf-1|title=Zoning Map|publisher=Middletown Township|accessdate=2021-04-05}} Its department stores are JCPenney and Macy's.
With 111 stores,{{Cite web |last=Oxford Valley |first=Mall |date=2025-05-17 |title=Welcome to Oxford Valley Mall |url=https://www.simon.com/mall/oxford-valley-mall/stores |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Simon}} Oxford Valley Mall is currently the tenth-largest shopping mall in Pennsylvania. There is a food court on the second floor, which was originally the second floor of a Woolworth. An office building called One Oxford Valley is located next to the mall. Newly built luxury apartments, Atlee Square, are located adjacent to the Oxford Valley Mall.{{Cite news |title=New luxury apartments at Oxford Valley Mall are ready for more residents. Look inside |url=https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/local/2025/04/17/oxford-valley-mall-apartments-atlee-square-leasing-redevelopment-middletown-town-square-bucks-county/83086473007/}}
History
=20th century=
Oxford Valley Mall was developed by The Kravco Company and opened in 1973.{{cite news|last=Demick|first=Barbara|title=Kravco And 6 Of Its Malls Sold To A Canadian Developer|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=May 18, 1989|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1989-05-18/business/26112598_1_kravco-carl-dieterle-court-and-plaza|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010623/http://articles.philly.com/1989-05-18/business/26112598_1_kravco-carl-dieterle-court-and-plaza|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}
In 1986, the Gimbels store was converted to Stern's after Allied Stores purchased seven Gimbels locations in the Philadelphia area.{{cite news|last=Bivens|first=Terry|title=Gimbels To Sell 7 Area Stores Deal Concluded With N.y. Firm|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 18, 1986|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1986-06-18/news/26046785_1_gimbels-batus-outlets|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002531/http://articles.philly.com/1986-06-18/news/26046785_1_gimbels-batus-outlets|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}} That same year, Bamberger's became Macy's.{{cite news|title=COMPANY NEWS; Bamberger's Shift|work=The New York Times|date=September 4, 1986|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/04/business/company-news-bamberger-s-shift.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604213903/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/04/business/company-news-bamberger-s-shift.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2011}}
In 1989, Sears replaced Stern's after the latter closed several stores in the Philadelphia area.{{cite news|last=Demick|first=Barbara|title=Sears Plans Oxford Valley Store|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=April 16, 1989|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1989-04-26/business/26144585_1_sears-officials-everyday-low-pricing-sears-chicago|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010310/http://articles.philly.com/1989-04-26/business/26144585_1_sears-officials-everyday-low-pricing-sears-chicago|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}} The mall underwent a renovation in 1990.{{cite news|last=Row|first=Stephen|title=Oxford Valley Mall Gets Touch-up|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=August 2, 1990|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1990-08-02/news/25930988_1_mall-owner-kravco-malls-new-flooring-and-lighting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000154/http://articles.philly.com/1990-08-02/news/25930988_1_mall-owner-kravco-malls-new-flooring-and-lighting|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}
In 1992, a separate, 10 screen movie theater was added behind Sears (4 new auditoriums were added in 2004). In 1995, the mall opened its food court on the second floor, replacing what had been the second floor of a Woolworth store.{{cite news|last=Inez Ward|first=Jennifer|title=Food Is In Store For Ready-to-drop Shoppers At Oxford Valley Mall The Mall's New, Second-floor Food Court Is Home To Pick-me-ups Ranging From Pizza To Pretzels.|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=August 28, 1995|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1995-08-28/news/25709865_1_food-court-auntie-anne-s-pretzels-master-wok|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230007/http://articles.philly.com/1995-08-28/news/25709865_1_food-court-auntie-anne-s-pretzels-master-wok|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Sabatini|first=Richard V.|title=Oxford Valley Mall Is Girding To Meet Future Rivals.|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=February 23, 1995|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1995-02-23/news/25705890_1_food-court-mall-customers-bain-s-deli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010923/http://articles.philly.com/1995-02-23/news/25705890_1_food-court-mall-customers-bain-s-deli|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}
The mall replaced the spiral pedestrian ramp and fountain with a glass-enclosed elevator, upgraded the air conditioning system, and extensively renovated the JCPenney and Sears stores. All fountains were eventually removed with only the outdoor one remaining. The same year, Wanamaker's was converted to Hecht's.{{cite news|last=Von Bergen|first=Jane M.|title=He's Got Plans For Hecht's What Does Ceo Want? Production|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=September 10, 1995|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1995-09-10/business/25719873_1_stores-offer-strawbridge-clothier-john-wanamaker-stores|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000152/http://articles.philly.com/1995-09-10/business/25719873_1_stores-offer-strawbridge-clothier-john-wanamaker-stores|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}
In 1997, Hecht's became Strawbridge's after its parent company, May Department Stores, acquired the Strawbridge's chain.{{cite news|last=Von Bergen|first=Jane M.|title=Phila. Hurdle Remains For May The Company Has The Market. It Must Win Over The People.|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=April 7, 1996|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-04-07/business/25659080_1_strawbridge-stores-strawbridge-clothier-john-wanamaker-stores|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005012401/http://articles.philly.com/1996-04-07/business/25659080_1_strawbridge-stores-strawbridge-clothier-john-wanamaker-stores|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Dorazio|first=Jennifer|title=At Malls, Shop Till You Drop At Shop After Shop After Shop|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=September 4, 1997|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-09-04/news/25553508_1_strawbridge-outlet-stores-malls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005005335/http://articles.philly.com/1997-09-04/news/25553508_1_strawbridge-outlet-stores-malls|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}
=21st century=
File:Oxford Valley Mall second floor from Macy's.jpeg in 2025]]
In 2006, the Strawbridge's store closed as a result of Federated Department Stores acquiring May Department Stores, with Boscov's taking over the former store.{{cite news|last=Parmley|first=Suzette|title=Boscov's to acquire 10 stores Five will be Strawbridge's, four in the area. The Reading retailer's is the first of the sales of 78 Federated properties.|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=February 7, 2006|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/2006-02-07/business/25409385_1_boscov-and-lakin-families-kenneth-s-lakin-albert-r-boscov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005012004/http://articles.philly.com/2006-02-07/business/25409385_1_boscov-and-lakin-families-kenneth-s-lakin-albert-r-boscov|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}
The Boscov's store closed in 2008 as part of their restructuring.{{cite news|title=Boscov's closing sales start Saturday.|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=August 15, 2008|access-date=June 8, 2020|url=http://articles.philly.com/2008-08-15/news/24991141_1_joint-venture-sales-gordon-brothers-group-llc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005013359/http://articles.philly.com/2008-08-15/news/24991141_1_joint-venture-sales-gordon-brothers-group-llc|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013}} On October 15, 2018, Sears announced that its store would be closing as part of a plan to close 142 stores nationwide as a result of the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The store closed on January 7, 2019, leaving Macy's and JCPenney as the only remaining anchor stores open for business.{{cite news|last1=Bomey|first1=Nathan|last2=Tyko|first2=Kelly|title=Sears store closing list: 142 more Sears, Kmart locations closing in Chapter 11 bankruptcy|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|date=October 15, 2018|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/10/15/sears-holdings-bankruptcy-store-closures/1645971002/|access-date=October 15, 2018}}
In August 2019, a local news agency reported that Simon Property Group and multiple other related entities have proposed a plan to redevelop the mall and the surrounding property into a mixed use center, including the addition of a 600 unit high-end apartment complex in place of the former Wanamaker's and Boscov's anchor that would include studio to 2 bedroom units, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor common spaces, dog park, pools, full-time management, maintenance, and concierge services like dog walking on site. Other possible additions include new eateries, a lifestyle complex, new retailers, and refreshed office space. According to sources, an area of the parking lot will be used for the possible developments.{{Cite news|url=http://levittownnow.com/2019/08/12/exclusive-redevelopment-planned-for-oxford-valley-mall/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Redevelopment Planned For Oxford Valley Mall|last=Sofield|first=Tom|work=Levittown Now|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=September 16, 2019}}
In December 2022, the long-vacant Wanamaker's and Boscov's anchor building was demolished to make way for future redevelopment.{{cite news|last=Sofield|first=Tom|url=https://levittownnow.com/2022/12/02/demolition-of-closed-mall-department-store-moves-forward/|title=Demolition Of Closed Mall Department Store Moves Forward|work=Levittown Now|date=December 2, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023}}
In August 2024, the Atlee Square apartments, featuring 391 units, began to accept leasing applications.{{Cite news |title=Oxford Valley Mall apartments welcome first residents to Middletown. What it costs |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/oxford-valley-mall-apartments-welcome-091644230.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANF2sewfM5YbGJ_qlXEOwnvx7_5Qvw1_fqxYbARTYQzXyReN-HWEtEiDTAJPwN78nN0jCfwpX4E2v4BUmOcxnivCZ_Ddl8wjY-qPO0SgoxopTHIgRFLaPCM1LLyqpZ_Miild72-nEqv6bIOcS4y9faxJ6zw5fSdCHJSunCq0iiF9}}
In June 2025, a man was injured in a targeted shooting outside the mall, prompting a temporary lockdown.{{Cite news |title= Middletown Township police release video of Oxford Valley Mall shooting suspect; victim out of hospital |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/philadelphia/news/oxford-valley-mall-shooting-pennsylvania-update-suspect/}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.simon.com/mall/oxford-valley-mall Official website]
{{Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania}}
{{Simon Property Group}}
{{Philadelphia Malls}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1973 establishments in Pennsylvania
Category:Buildings and structures in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Category:Shopping malls established in 1973