Walt Whitman Shops
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{infobox shopping mall
| name = Walt Whitman Shops
| image = Walt Whitman Shops -South Huntington, New York.jpg
| caption = The Walt Whitman statue in front of Walt Whitman Shops
| location = 160 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station, New York, 11746
| coordinates = {{coord|40.8223|-73.4097|display=inline,title}}
| opening_date = {{Start date and age|1962|11|23|df=n}}
| construction =
| developer =
| manager =
| owner = Simon Property Group
| architect = Welton Becket
| number_of_stores = 105
| number_of_anchors = 3
| floor_area = {{convert|1,089,350|sqft|abbr=on|sp=us}}
| floors = 1
| website = {{URL|simon.com/mall/walt-whitman-shops}}
| parking = 5,043 spaces
| publictransit = {{bus icon|12px}} Suffolk County Transit: 1, 3, 6
{{bus icon|12px}} Huntington Area Rapid Transit: H20, H30, H40
{{bus icon|12px}} Nassau Inter-County Express: {{LI bus link|n79|n79x}}
}}
Walt Whitman Shops (formerly known as Walt Whitman Mall) is a shopping mall in Huntington Station, New York, on Long Island.[https://www.simon.com/mall/walt-whitman-shops/about "About"], Walt Whitman Shops official website{{cite web |title=About Walt Whitman Shops |url=https://www.simon.com/mall/walt-whitman-shops/about |publisher=Simon Property Group |access-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003070012/https://www.simon.com/mall/walt-whitman-shops/about |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |language=en}} The mall features the traditional retailers Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. The mall is named for the poet Walt Whitman due to the close proximity to his birthplace, a state historic site, located near the mall.{{Cite web |last=Rumsey |first=Spencer |last2=Twarowski |first2=Christopher |date=September 10, 2013 |title=Walt Whitman's Long Island Roots |url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2013/09/10/walt-whitmans-long-island-roots/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=www.longislandpress.com |language=en-US}}
The mall is owned and managed by Simon Property Group, one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the US.
History
=Walt Whitman Shopping Center=
Built as New York's first indoor shopping mall, the facility cost $20 million at included 75 stores. It opened around anchors R.H. Macy & Company and Abraham & Straus in November 1962. It was the first time both companies directly competed with each other in the same location.{{Cite book |last=Lisicky |first=Michael J. |title=Abraham and Straus: It's Worth a Trip From Anywhere |publisher=The History Press |year=2017 |isbn=9781625858870 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |pages=74-75, 128 |archive-url=}}
The Walt Whitman Shopping Center, as it was called then, was built by the Winston-Muss Corporation and featured a Japanese garden, aviary, and sculpted mobile based on the poetry of Walt Whitman.{{Cite news |last=Porterfield |first=Byron |date=November 24, 1962 |title=Big Garden-Like Mall Dedicated At Huntington Shopping Center |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/11/24/archives/big-gardenlike-mall-dedicated-at-huntington-shopping-center.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |date=November 1, 1988 |title=David Muss, 74, a Real-Estate Developer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/01/obituaries/david-muss-74-a-real-estate-developer.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} By January 1963, the facility was fully rented.{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1963 |title=Whitman S.C. 100% Rented |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=obse19630103-01.1.14&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN---------- |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=The Observer |pages=14 |volume=39}} In May, a single-screen movie theater opened, operated by Century.{{Cite news |date=May 28, 1963 |title=Century Whitman Theatre opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-century-whitma/78767679/ |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=Newsday (Suffolk Edition) |pages=94}}
=Walt Whitman Mall=
By the early 1970s, the location was being referred to as the Walt Whitman Mall.{{Cite news |last=Andelman |first=David A. |date=January 5, 1973 |title=G.I. BUS COMPANY SEEKS RUN TO CITY |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/05/archives/li-bus-company-seeks-run-to-city-to-ask-for-permanent-route-as.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Winston-Muss sold the mall to N.K. Winston, Inc. in 1973, who sold it to Corporate Property Investors three years later.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 9, 2000 |title=An expensive facelift pays off |url=https://libn.com/2000/06/09/an-expensive-facelift-pays-off/ |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=Long Island Business News |language=en-US}}
On November 13, 1984, a fire destroyed seven stores, damaged 25 others, and collapsed part of the roof.{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1984 |title=L.I. MALL STILL ASSESSING FIRE LOSSES |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/23/nyregion/li-mall-still-assessing-fire-losses.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} It took seven fire companies four hours to get the blaze under control; 13 people were treated for minor injuries.{{Cite news |last=McQuiston |first=John T. |date=November 14, 1984 |title=13 ARE INJURED AS STORES BURN IN HUNTINGTON |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/14/nyregion/13-are-injured-as-stores-burn-in-huntington.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Ellen |date=November 18, 1984 |title=MALL FIRE DIMS HOLIDAY HOPES |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/18/nyregion/mall-fire-dims-holiday-hopes.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Two thirds of the stores were able to reopen soon after, while the rest were sealed off for repair.{{Cite news |agency=UPI |date=November 15, 1984 |title=THE REGION; 16 Stores Reopen After Fire at Mall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/15/nyregion/the-region-16-stores-reopen-after-fire-at-mall.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
On May 16, 1991, a fire killed two people and injured 36 others. It was the fourth fire at the McCrory's location in six months.{{Cite web |last=Logeman |first=Henry G. |date=May 17, 1991 |title=Two killed in spectacular Long Island mall blaze |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/17/Two-killed-in-spectacular-Long-Island-mall-blaze/3661674452800/ |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=UPI |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Lyall |first=Sarah |date=May 18, 1991 |title=Fatal Fire Is 4th in 6 Months at Store in Long Island Mall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/18/nyregion/fatal-fire-is-4th-in-6-months-at-store-in-long-island-mall.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In 1993, a McCrory's worker pleaded guilty to tossing a lit cigarette into a display of silk flowers set on a block of styrofoam, causing significant damage to the store and killing two of his coworkers, aged 20 and 27. The store never reopened.{{cite news |last=Wasserman |first=Elizabeth |date=February 3, 1993 |title=Guilty Plea in Deadly Mall Fire Ex-guard set blaze at McCrory's |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/102823932.html?dids=102823932:102823932&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+3%2C+1993&author=By+Elizabeth+Wasserman.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday&edition=&startpage=25&desc=Guilty+Plea+in+Deadly+Mall+Fire+Ex-guard+set+blaze+at+McCrory%27s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520090621/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/102823932.html?dids=102823932:102823932&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+3%2C+1993&author=By+Elizabeth+Wasserman.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday&edition=&startpage=25&desc=Guilty+Plea+in+Deadly+Mall+Fire+Ex-guard+set+blaze+at+McCrory%27s |archive-date=May 20, 2008 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |newspaper=Newsday |page=25}}{{Cite news |last=Lyall |first=Sarah |date=September 28, 1991 |title=Store Detective Held in Blaze At Suffolk Mall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/28/nyregion/store-detective-held-in-blaze-at-suffolk-mall.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
By 1995, CPI was planning a massive, $50 million expansion project that would grow the mall 30% by adding a second floor, 80 stores, food court, multiscreen cinema, and two new garages. However, the plan faced significant protest from local homeowners.{{Cite news |last=Ain |first=Stewart |date=October 29, 1995 |title=With Eye on Roosevelt Field, Walt Whitman Mall Plans Expansion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/29/nyregion/with-eye-on-roosevelt-field-walt-whitman-mall-plans-expansion.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Kellerman |first=Vivien |date=August 20, 1995 |title=Huntington Projects Draw Fire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/20/nyregion/huntington-projects-draw-fire.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
When Federated Department Stores merged A&S into Macy's in 1995, the Walt Whitman Mall became the only location in the country to have two Macy's storefronts.{{Cite news |last=Bernstein|first=James |date=January 22, 1996 |title=Bloomie's Comes to Soffolk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-bloomies-come/163072643/|access-date=January 14, 2025 |via=Newspapers.com |work=Newsday |page=C4}} The original Macy's store would remain opened well into 1996 but eventually closed by 1997.{{Cite news |last=Benkelman|first=Susan |date=December 28, 1995 |title=New Name, New Face, For Mall's 2 Macy's |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-nassau-edition-new-name-new-f/163802634/|via=Newspapers.com |work=Newsday |pages=48}}{{Cite news |last=Bernstein|first=James |date=July 15, 1997 |title=Accord on Walt Whitman Mall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-accord-on-walt/163804003/|via=Newspapers.com |work=Newsday |pages=3}} Bloomingdale's was brought in 1998 to serve as a new anchor store where the first Macy's was.{{Cite news |last=Madore |first=James T |date=August 13, 1998 |title=Bloomie's Comes to Suffolk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-nassau-edition-bloomies-comes/163803458/ |via=Newspapers.com |work=Newsday |page=A7}}
In February 1998, Simon DeBartolo Group purchased CPI and took control of the mall.{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=February 20, 1998 |title=Simon DeBartolo Wins Fight For a Prime Group of Malls |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/nyregion/simon-debartolo-wins-fight-for-a-prime-group-of-malls.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Simon completed a $85 million renovation in March 1999, adding 32 stores, marble floor tiles, vaulted ceilings, skylights, and a glass domed center court to expand the mall to {{convert|1,000,000|ft2|m2|sigfig=3|spell=in}}.{{Cite news |last=Ain |first=Stewart |date=January 9, 2000 |title=Retailers Got What They Wanted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/09/nyregion/retailers-got-what-they-wanted.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Programmable advertising displays and traffic monitoring features were also installed. Walt Whitman's poem "Leaves of Grass" was etched onto the outside of the building. Saks Fifth Avenue opened in March 1999, joining new tenants Williams Sonoma, L'Occitane, Sephora, and Brooks Brothers.{{Cite news |last=Madore |first=James T. |date=March 11, 1999 |title=New Saks Marks A Rebirth at Mall / Walt Whitman stays on an upscale course |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/279210939?sourcetype=Newspapers |access-date=August 23, 2024 |via=ProQuest |work=Newsday |page=A55}} By June 2000, sales had increased by 18%, putting it ahead of the national sales average. In July, Legal Seafoods opened a standalone location next to the mall.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=LIBN |date=May 26, 2000 |title=Seafood chain drops anchor on the Island |website=Long Island Business News |url=https://libn.com/2000/05/26/seafood-chain-drops-anchor-on-the-island/ |access-date=August 24, 2024 |language=en-US}} The Whitman Theater closed in 2002.{{Cite news |last=Everitt |first=David |date=October 12, 2003 |title=Old Movie Palaces: Can They Be Saved? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/12/nyregion/old-movie-palaces-can-they-be-saved.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In May 2003, an Apple Store opened at the mall.{{Cite web |last=Sellers |first=Dennis |date=May 7, 2003 |title=Apple stores open Sat. in Bellevue, Wa., Long Island |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/166144/stores-14.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Macworld |language=en}}
=Walt Whitman Shops=
In February 2012, Simon received approval for another expansion project that would add {{convert|72,000|ft2|m2|sigfig=2}} to the upper and lower levels of the mall and 30 new storefronts.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Keiko |date=February 16, 2012 |title=Walt Whitman mall gets OK for expansion |url=https://www.newsday.com/business/walt-whitman-mall-gets-ok-for-expansion-l67715 |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=Newsday |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Pam |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Whitman Shops Celebrates Its New Look |url=https://patch.com/new-york/huntington/whitman-shops-celebrates-its-new-look |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Huntington, NY Patch |language=en}} Indoor renovations were completed in summer 2013 and the Walt Whitman Shops, as it was now called, was unveiled in November.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Pam |date=April 7, 2013 |title=Whitman Mall Renovations to Be Done by November |url=https://patch.com/new-york/commack/whitman-mall-renovations-to-be-done-by-november |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=Commack, NY Patch |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Walt Whitman Shops, formally the Walt Whitman Mall, reveals renovation with live entertainment, giveaways |url=https://longisland.news12.com/walt-whitman-shops-formally-the-walt-whitman-mall-reveals-renovation-with-live-entertainment-giveaways-34752138 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=News 12}} The walls featuring quotes from "Leaves of Grass" were removed and replaced by a bronze statue of Walt Whitman at the Mall's new main entrance.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Pam |date=November 27, 2013 |title=Mall Plans New 9/11 Tribute |url=https://patch.com/new-york/huntington/mall-plans-new-911-tribute |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Huntington, NY Patch |language=en}}
In August 2013, an Urban Outfitters opened.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Pam |date=June 24, 2013 |title=Urban Outfitters to Open at Whitman Mall |url=https://patch.com/new-york/huntington/urban-outfitters-to-open-at-whitman-mall |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=Huntington, NY Patch |language=en}} On February 22, 2014, a carbon monoxide leak at Legal Seafoods killed one person and sickened 28 others. All three restaurants in the complex (Legal Sea Foods, The Cheesecake Factory, and Panera Bread) were evacuated.{{cite news |date=February 22, 2014 |title=1 Dead, 28 Others Exposed to Carbon Monoxide at NY Mall |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/1-dead-28-others-exposed-carbon-monoxide-ny-mall-n36466 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |newspaper=NBC News}} The leak was blamed on a faulty water heater pipe.{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2014 |title=Water Heater Pipe Blamed In Deadly L.I. Mall Carbon Monoxide Leak |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/investigators-eye-heating-system-in-deadly-mall-carbon-monoxide-leak/ |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} The restaurant permanently closed at the end of the year.{{Cite web |last=Genn |first=Adina |date=December 29, 2014 |title=Legal Sea Foods in Huntington Station Closes |url=https://patch.com/new-york/huntington/legal-sea-foods-huntington-station-closes-0 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Huntington, NY Patch |language=en}} On March 2, 2016, 10 people were hospitalized after Panera Bread suffered another carbon monoxide leak that originated from the construction site where Legal Seafoods used to be.{{Cite web |last=Paige |first=McAtee |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Carbon Monoxide Incident at Panera in Walt Whitman Mall Sends 7 to Hospital |url=https://patch.com/new-york/huntington/carbon-monoxide-incident-huntington-station-sends-7-hospital-0 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Huntington, NY Patch |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Tanner |first=Jeremy |date=March 2, 2016 |title=LI Panera Bread workers hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak |url=https://pix11.com/news/li-panera-bread-workers-hospitalized-after-carbon-monoxide-leak/ |website=PIX11}}
On March 19, 2020, the Walt Whitman Shops closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and didn't reopen until July 10.{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2020 |title=5 Long Island malls to close today amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://bronx.news12.com/5-long-island-malls-to-close-today-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-41913674 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=bronx.news12.com}}{{Cite web |last=DeSantis |first=Michael |date=July 10, 2020 |title=2 Suffolk Malls To Reopen |url=https://patch.com/new-york/smithtown/2-suffolk-malls-reopen |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Smithtown, NY Patch |language=en}} On August 27, 2020, it was announced that Lord & Taylor would shutter its traditional brick-and-mortar format as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Tory N. |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Lord & Taylor to close store at Walt Whitman Shops |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/lord-taylor-tote-walt-whitman-westfield-q38673 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Newsday |language=en}} The previous Lord & Taylor outpost is in the approval stages to become reconstructed for a vibrant modern office use concept.{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Pam |date=March 10, 2023 |title=Medical Office Use Planned for Former Lord & Taylor Store at Mall |url=https://huntingtonnow.com/medical-office-use-planned-for-former-lord-taylor-store-at-mall/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |website=Huntington Now}}
In 2025, a Garage store and a Mavi Jeans will open at the mall.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official|http://www.simon.com/mall/walt-whitman-shops}}
- [http://www.labelscar.com/new-york/walt-whitman-mall Labelscar Retail History Blog]
{{New York City Malls}}
{{Simon Property Group}}
{{Walt Whitman}}
Category:Shopping malls in Suffolk County, New York
Category:Buildings and structures in Suffolk County, New York
Category:Tourist attractions in Suffolk County, New York
Category:Shopping malls in the New York metropolitan area