Green Acres Mall renovations moving forward

Valley Stream, NY Green Acres Mall, one of the largest projects undertaken by the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency (IDA), is moving forward with new construction and new leases, efforts that will boost employment in the shopping center.

The $100 million-plus renovation of the mall, one of Long Island’s largest and oldest malls, got underway with the demolition of the former Sears, Sears Auto Center, and adjacent parking garage. The project includes 370,000 s/f of new development in the northeast section of the mall.

The mall’s redevelopment aims to elevate its appearance and attract higher-end stores. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. The mall will be open during construction.

“This latest step is a natural progression of our long-term vision to transform Green Acres into a dynamic destination that honors its legacy while embracing the future,” said Green Acres general manager Joe Floccari.

The IDA has consented to new leases that will bring in new restaurants; a supermarket; an entertainment venue and activity space.

 that will include bowling, an arcade, and various new retailers.

In April 2024, the IDA board granted new assistance to the mall by approving a five-year extension of the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements, or PILOTs, granted to Green Acres Mall and its adjacent power center, Green Acres Commons, in 2014.

Since the benefits extension was granted in April 2024, the IDA has consented to 21 new leases, which together will account for 424 new full-time-equivalent jobs.

Before the extension, the IDA approved a lease for an 80,000 s/f ShopRite supermarket, which will bring 250 part-time employees and 50 full-timers with an estimated annual payroll of $8.3 million.

The mall’s total employment count in 2024 was 2,472, and 2,537 in 2023. The IDA extension granted in 2024 requires the mall to employ 2,400.

“These new retailers and restaurants will bring diversity to the retail and restaurant offerings available at Green Aces and many new jobs,” said Fred Parola, the IDA’s CEO and executive director. “These are all solid additions to the Green Acres Mall that will contribute to the long-term success of the shopping center.” 

Tom Grech, the IDA’s acting chairman, said, “It’s nice to see Green Acres coming back in lots of different ways… It’s growing and flourishing.”

The renovation of the two million s/f center, which opened in 1956, will include the renovation of the former Kohl’s building into a plaza of outward-facing storefronts, green spaces, open-air dining, and a new grand entrance in the mall’s northeast wing. Macerich Co., of Santa Monica, CA, has owned the mall since 2013.

The mall’s existing major tenants include Walmart, H&M, Macy’s, Old Navy, Primark, Uniqlo, 24 Hour Fitness, Aldi, Burlington, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Home Goods.

The current dining lineup includes Applebee’s, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Red Lobster, Chuck E. Cheese, and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.

The new leases approved since April 2024 are:

• Asma’s Threading Place, which offers eyebrow threading and skin care services. It occupies 150 s/f and has one full-time employee and two part-time workers.  

• Bijoura Inc., which operates Akira, a women’s clothing retailer, will occupy 9,967 s/f and hire 25-30 employees.

• Cheesecake Factory with 8,508 s/f. Employment includes 10 managers and 110 full-time-equivalent hourly workers.

• Claire’s, an accessories boutique, in 2,208 s/f. It will have one full-time employee and three part-time workers.

• Finish Line, a sneaker retailer in 7,948 s/f with 20 full-time-equivalent employees.

• Food and Stix, the operator of Kung Fu Tea, which sells bubble tea beverages, will occupy 438 s/f and have five employees.

• Foot Locker, the shoe retailer, leased 12,994 s/f and will have 31 full-time equivalent employees.

• GEI Restaurant Group Inc., the operator of China Experience fast-food, which leased 883 s/f. It has five employees.

• Green Acres Jewelry occupies 1,151 s/f and has four employees.

• Hat World Inc. d/b/a LIDS, will occupy 2,492 s/f and create 4.5 full-time-equivalent jobs.

• Laser Away, which provides laser hair removal treatments, leased 1,680 s/f. It will have two employees.

• Panda Express, the Chinese quick serve eatery, will occupy 2,400 s/f and will have 15 employees.

• Paris Baguette, a French-style bakery and cafe, will occupy 2,500 s/f and employ 12 full-time workers and 16 part-time. 

• Porta Bella, a men’s shoe store, in 2,726 s/f and is expected to hire five full-time equivalent workers.

• Seikou Group LLC, which operates a fast-casual Speedway Hibachi restaurant in 1,722 s/f and has three full-time employees and two part-timers. 

• Sephora, the cosmetics chain, plans to open a 5,300 s/f store and employ 13 full-time workers.

• Shake Shack, a hamburger and shake purveyor, will operate in 3,080 s/f with 60 employees.

• South Shore Opticians, which has 1,176 s/f and will have five employees.

• TCB Green Acres LLC, the operator of a Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise that will occupy 2,504 s/f and create 40 jobs.

• Tony Tacos, which will occupy 3,800 s/f and will employ 15 full-time and 12 part-time employees.

• Victoria’s Nails and Spa, a nail salon that will occupy 5,000 s/f with 13 full-time employees and seven part-time,

• Vitasite Eye Care, an optometrist occupying 2,020 s/f with six employees.

The Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency is a public benefit agency with the power to help qualified businesses relocate, expand, and build in the Town of Hempstead, New York’s largest town.  The Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency is authorized by New York State to promote economic development with financial assistance and tax relief. The Town is committed to responsible growth, emphasizing its stable tax base, highly educated workforce, and access to major airports, New York City, and world markets. IDA assistance has resulted in more than $2 billion in project financing and has led to the creation or retention of 11,000 permanent jobs to benefit the town’s economy.