Walk into the Livingston Mall today and the first thing you’ll notice isn't the shopping. It’s the silence. That heavy, slightly eerie quiet that only exists in a space designed for thousands of people but occupied by maybe twenty. It’s weird. For anyone who grew up in Essex County, this place was the weekend destination. Now? It’s a landscape of pulled-down metal grates and dim lighting.
Everyone is asking the same thing: is livingston mall closing for good?
The short answer is yes, basically. But the long answer is a mess of lawsuits, zoning battles, and a very slow "zombie" phase that has left the building standing while its soul has clearly moved on. If you’ve driven past the Eisenhower Parkway lately, you’ve seen the parking lot. It looks more like a lunar surface than a retail hub. The potholes are so deep they’ve become local legends.
The January 2026 Bombshells
Things shifted from "struggling" to "terminal" just a few days ago. On January 8, 2026, Macy’s officially pulled the plug. They announced the Livingston location is part of their latest round of 14 store closures. This isn’t just another store leaving; Macy’s was the last true anchor holding the structure together.
Clearing sales are starting this month.
Then there’s Barnes & Noble. For a while, people thought the bookstore might be the mall's savior. It’s always been the one corner of the mall that actually felt alive. But the news just broke that they are jumping ship too. They’re moving to the Livingston Shopping Center nearby. They aren’t leaving until mid-to-late 2027, but the intent is clear: they don't want to be buried with the mall.
What is actually left inside?
Honestly, not much. If you wander through right now, you’ll find:
- Popeyes: Still frying chicken, somehow. It’s become a destination for "dead mall" enthusiasts who want a meal with a view of a vacant food court.
- Hidden Treasures: A local favorite for collectibles, but even they are reportedly looking for the exits.
- Old-School Stalwarts: You’ve still got Spencer’s and some jewelry kiosks, but the second floor near the old Sears wing is basically a dark hallway at this point.
Why hasn't it been demolished yet?
You’d think a building in this condition would be leveled already. It’s not that simple. The property is a "ownership boondoggle," as town officials have called it. It isn't owned by one person. Different companies own the actual dirt under the Sears wing, the Macy’s wing, and the central mall area.
Kohan Retail Investment Group owns a large chunk, and let’s just say their relationship with the township isn't great. Livingston’s town manager hasn't held back, publicly calling the owners "unresponsive" and "disappointing." The town has had to use code enforcement just to get basic maintenance done.
It’s a stalemate. The owners want to wait for the most profitable redevelopment deal, while the town is trying to balance tax revenue with the need for something—anything—that isn't a crumbling eyesore.
The Future: Apartments, Not Aisles
The mall is officially designated as an "Area in Need of Redevelopment." That’s government-speak for "this thing is toast."
The plan is already moving. The former Sears site is slated for about 376 housing units. We’re talking apartments and townhouses. Part of this deal was a settlement regarding affordable housing mandates. The township basically agreed to let the Sears site go residential to protect the rest of the 43 acres from being overwhelmed by thousands of units.
But here is the catch. There is no final, signed-off master plan for the entire site yet. The town is doing "Community Visioning" sessions. They’re asking residents if they want a new school there (since the local schools are packed), a park, or maybe a medical hub.
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The Competition Factor
You can’t talk about why is livingston mall closing without mentioning The Mall at Short Hills. It’s literally a ten-minute drive away. While Livingston Mall was losing its AC and ignoring roof leaks, Short Hills was opening a Ladurée and a new J. Crew.
In the retail world, if you aren't the best, you're the first to go. Livingston Mall couldn't compete with the luxury of Short Hills or the convenience of the Route 10 shopping corridor. It got squeezed out.
What you should do now
If you have any nostalgia for the place, go now. Take your photos. Get one last Auntie Anne’s pretzel if they’re still twisting. Once the Macy’s clearance sale ends in a few months, the mall’s viability as a public space will drop to near zero.
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Actionable Insights for Locals:
- Avoid the Ring Road: Seriously, the potholes are worse than you think. If you’re visiting Macy’s for the closing sales, enter through the side closest to the store to save your tires.
- Watch the Planning Board: If you live in Livingston, the "Fourth Round" of affordable housing discussions will determine exactly how many apartments end up on this lot. This will affect traffic on Walnut Street for decades.
- Support the Relocators: When stores like Barnes & Noble or the smaller boutiques announce their new homes, follow them. The mall might be dying, but the businesses don't have to.
The Livingston Mall isn't going to vanish overnight. It’s going to be a slow, noisy transition from a 1970s retail relic to a modern residential neighborhood. It’s sad for the "mall rats" of the 90s, but for the town's tax base, the demolition crews can't arrive soon enough.