Danbury Fair (shopping mall) facts for kids
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| Location | Danbury, Connecticut |
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| Coordinates | 41°22′56″N 73°28′39″W / 41.38222°N 73.47750°W |
| Address | 7 Backus Ave, Danbury, CT |
| Opening date | October 28, 1986 |
| Developer | Wilmorite Properties |
| Owner | Macerich |
| No. of stores and services | 192 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 7 (4 open, 3 vacant) |
| Total retail floor area | 1,292,176 sq ft (120,047.1 m2) |
| No. of floors | 2 (3 in Macy's) |
The Danbury Fair Mall is a large shopping center in Danbury, Connecticut. It is also known simply as Danbury Fair. This mall is one of the biggest in Connecticut and New England. You can find it near Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 7. It's also right across from the Danbury Municipal Airport.
The main stores at the mall are JCPenney, Macy's, Primark, and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Contents
What You Can Find at Danbury Fair Mall
The Danbury Fair Mall has 192 different stores and places to eat. This includes big department stores like Macy's and JCPenney. The mall is a fun place for kids and families.
Fun for Families and Kids
One of the most popular spots is the double-decker carousel in the food court. The mall also hosts many events for young people. These events often happen in the center of the mall on the lower floor. This area can change to become a stage for performances. During holidays, the mall is decorated beautifully.
Summer Carnival Fun
Every summer, usually from June to July, a carnival comes to the mall. It sets up in one of the parking areas. The mall calls this event the "Danbury City Fair." This name is a special nod to the old Danbury Fair. The mall was actually built on the land where this historic fair used to be held.
How Danbury Fair Mall Started
The mall was built by the Wilmorite Corporation. They bought the land where the famous Danbury Fair once stood. The price they paid for the land was very high for that time.
Building the Mall
During the construction, there were some issues with the city's mayor at the time, James Dyer. He was accused of taking money from the developers. The developers said he asked for money to support the mall project. These claims led to him losing his re-election in 1987. He was later found not guilty of some charges.
Opening and Growth
The Danbury Fair Mall first opened its doors in 1986. Its first main stores were Sears and G. Fox & Co.. Later, Macy's opened in 1987, and JCPenney opened in 1988. In 1991, another big store, Lord & Taylor, was added. A parking garage was also built then. In 2005, the mall was sold to a new owner, The Macerich Company.
Mall Updates and Changes
In 2007, the mall started a big makeover inside. This renovation was finished in the spring of 2008. The mall got new lights and new stone-style floors. They also added comfy seating areas and new wood decorations. The food court and the center court saw the biggest changes. The food court was updated with a curved view of the restaurants. The center court's large fountains were removed. They were replaced with a Starbucks coffee shop and more seating.
Changes in Stores Over Time
Over the years, some stores have changed.
- In 2010, the Filene's store closed. Its space was divided into several new stores. These included Dick's Sporting Goods, Forever 21, Brio Tuscan Grille, The Cheesecake Factory, and L.L.Bean.
- In 2015, Sears leased its second floor to Primark. Sears kept its first floor open. However, the rest of the Sears store closed in February 2020.
- Forever 21 closed its store in 2019.
- In 2020, Dick's Sporting Goods expanded into the space where Forever 21 used to be. It now has a direct entrance from the mall.
- Lord & Taylor closed its store in December 2020.
Main Stores at Danbury Fair Mall
Here is a list of the main department stores that have been at the Danbury Fair Mall:
| Name | Floors | Year Opened | Year Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macy's | 3 | 1987 | N/A | |
| JCPenney | 2 | 1988 | N/A | |
| Lord & Taylor | 2 | 1991 | 2020 | |
| Primark | 1 | 2015 | N/A | Took over the second floor of Sears. |
| Dick's Sporting Goods | 1 | 2010 | N/A | Built in the space of the old Filene's. Expanded into the old Forever 21 space in 2020. |
| Sears | 2 | 1986 | 2020 | Downsized to only the first floor in 2015. |
| G. Fox | 2 | 1986 | 1993 | |
| Filene's | 2 | 1993 | 2006 | Replaced G. Fox. |
| Forever 21 | 2 | 2010 | 2019 | Built in the space of the old Filene's. |
Images for kids
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The carousel in the food court, echoing the fairground site the mall was built on.
