The Mall at Short Hills

History

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the suburban community grew quickly, and local residents desired quality shopping within their local setting. Their vision began to take shape in 1949 when the Prudential Insurance Company of America acquired a large tract of land where The Mall at Short Hills and part of the Canoe Brook Country Club now sit. Seven years later, B. Altman & Company opened a 130000 sqft store on the land and eventually added an additional 50000 sqft to meet market demands.

Local residents continued their demand for expanded retailing and in the early 1960s, a small shopping center opened. This open-air center included Bonwit Teller alongside retailers such as FAO Schwarz, Pottery Barn and Brentano's. Soon after, Bloomingdale's premiered on the site in 1967. The 243000 sqft store included an entire floor devoted to furniture and decorative accessories.

In 1974, Prudential Insurance Company of America began working with The Taubman Company, which was The Mall at Short Hills' owner at that time. By 1980, the two organizations had completed a two-year, $100 million project to enclose the mall, which by then included 1160000 sqft of gross leasable space and three anchor stores. New retailers included Godiva Chocolatier, Black Star and Frost, The Limited and Gap. In 1981, Abraham & Straus joined the center.

The first phase of another major expansion began in 1993 and was completed in November 1994, adding a 100000 sqft Saks Fifth Avenue. Bloomingdale's was renovated, and Abraham & Straus became Macy's. The next expansion phase was completed in August 1995 adding two anchors—a 129000 sqft Neiman Marcus and a 172000 sqft Nordstrom—and many new specialty stores including Tiffany & Co., Crate & Barrel, DKNY and others.

Saks Fifth Avenue closed the Short Hills store in September 2016 in favor of a larger store at American Dream Meadowlands. It was then announced the space would be reconstructed to feature additional stores such as the U.S. debut of Indigo Books, a relocated Crate & Barrel, and Industrious, a pet-friendly, co-working office space.

In 2021, a viral internet meme dubbed "Victoria's Secret Karen" featured a lady (Abigail Elphick) falling to the ground and crying after she realized that she was being filmed. The incident led to a civil lawsuit that revealed that the lady lived in a complex for people with mental disabilities.

References

References

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5. (September 15, 1967). "Bloomingdale's Opens a Store in Short Hills Today".
6. (March 1, 1981). "'A&S plans gala opening". The Star-Ledger.
7. (February 5, 1995). "Thriving centers of commerce". The Star-Ledger.
8. (February 5, 1995). "'Retailing' section". The Star-Ledger.
9. Bush, Susan Brierly. (2016-07-19). "Saks Short Hills CLOSING: Shop the Liquidation Sale!".
10. Wilson, Marianne. (2018-10-08). "First Look: Canada's Indigo Books and Music makes U.S debut". Chain Store Age.
11. Anzidei, Melanie. "Industrious opening its first NJ co-working space inside the Mall at Short Hills". [[North Jersey Media Group.
12. (2025-08-10). "Real story behind the ‘Victoria’s Secret Karen’ video: Who is Abigail Elphick and what really happened".