This plaza is located near the Maine Mall hence the name Mallside Plaza. It’s a shopping center built in 1987. Office Max opened a store in 1997. Service Merchandise was the main anchor store at the plaza. When the company went out of business, that location closed. 

Papa Gino’s closed in 2001. As this point the plaza was getting nearly vacant. Office Max also closed down, leaving another vacant space. At that time Kohl’s entered northern New England but decided to open at a former Bradlees site in Westbrook instead of picking the Mallside Plaza. 

Years ago it seemed like the plaza was jinxed because something always closed there. Finally, Service Merchandise was sub-divided into three stores and one of them became Dollar Tree. DSW renovated the vacant Office Max space and opened there. Guitar Center is now using another part of the former Service Merchandise. A Five-Guys restaurant opened in an existing free-standing building in the plaza's parking lot.