AROOSTOOK CENTRE MALL

Address: U.S. Route 1 (Main Street)

City: Presque Isle, ME

Opening date: November 1993

Website: aroostookcentremall.com

This mall is the largest in northern Maine, third largest mall in the state and the only enclosed mall north of Bangor. The mall opened in November 1993, partly on hopes that Canadian shoppers would continue their cross-border shopping. In that period, it became a boost for border towns in Maine and elsewhere. Unfortunately, this trend slowed down and the closing of Loring Air Force Base in 1994 also hit the local economy.

Stores closed, other opened but the mall never was fully leased with national chain stores. Spencer gifts and Lechters closed in Spring 1999. KB Toys closed in December 2002. Until 2003, the mall was anchored by Sears, JCPenney, Kmart and Porteous. After closing Porteous stores one by one, the Presque Isle location became the last of the chain. It finally closed in October 2003. Part of the store has been leased by Staples.

In August 2011, Tjmaxx announced it would open a new store at the Mall in the spring of 2012. Lowe's eventually constructed a brand new store on the right of the mall property.

In 2014, Sears announced it would close followed by Staples in December. In 2015, DEB shops filed for bankruptcy. In 2016 Kmart closed the Presque Isle store. Harbor Freight Tools opened in part of the former Sears recently. In May 2017, Payless Shoesource announced the closing of 387 U.S. stores including the Presque Isle location.