Shopping Junior Anchor Stores in Worcester, Mass Without Getting Cold

For many shoppers, doing their holiday shopping at junior anchor stores involves walking out in the cold to go between them and smaller specialty stores in lifestyle shopping centers.

Not at the enclosed Greendale Mall in Worcester, Mass. whose anchor stores include ones not normally seen at your major shopping mall.

The mall is located on the city's north end.

All of Greendale Mall has anchor stores with entrances into the mall proper, a distinct advantage of doing your shopping with being out in the cold as less as possible.

The 311,436 square foot mall with two levels is anchored by 30,950 square foot Marshalls, 55,317 square foot T.J. Maxx 'N More, Old Navy, 46,637 square foot Best Buy, a small food court featuring Pizzatella, Stir Fry 88, and Subway, and DSW Shoe Warehouse.

There are currently more than 50 stores, restaurants, and services at the mall.

The food court and DSW Shoe Warehouse are on the basement level along with the mall's restrooms and customer service center.

T.J. Maxx 'N More Department Store has a mix of merchandise found at T.J. Maxx and Home Goods.

Interestingly enough, T.J. Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshalls are all owned by the TJX Company.

Other well-known stores in the mall include Bath and Body Works, The Children's Place, Deb, Frederick's of Hollywood, Hannoush Jewelers, Hot Topic, Kay Jewelers, CVS/Pharmacy, Gap Outlet, FYE, Waldenbooks, RadioShack, LensCrafters, Foot Locker, American Eagle Outfitters, and Famous Footwear.

The mall was anchored by Lechmere which closed in 1997 after originally anchoring the mall with Marshalls since the mall's opening in 1987.

Lechmere became a Best Buy in the early 2000's and a third anchor was added onto the mall in the late 1990's.

Perhaps the most unique part of the mall is its ability to have one cohesive theme throughout, a direct result of it being carved out of an old brick industrial building.

It mixes historic architecture with contemporary mall décor and its lower level is a basement and provides access to most of the mall's parking which is all free of charge.

The mall's Web site advertises much of the parking to exist in parking garages underneath T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

Handicap access and stroller parking is available at the Marshalls garage only with handicap parking available outside all mall entrances.

Large ceiling skylights bring plenty of natural light into the building with large windows bringing natural light onto the basement level.

Like any mall, several kiosks are located along the mall's main hallway.

The mall outlasted its larger cousin, The Worcester Common Outlets.

The Greendale Mall is located 10 miles away from the larger Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough, which opened in 1996 and is anchored by more traditional anchor stores such as Sears, Macy's, and JC Penney.

The Solomon Pond Mall does feature a few non-tradition mall stores/services such as Regal Cinemas 15 and Linens N' Things.

The Greendale Mall has regular mall hours of Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mall entrances are open Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. to facilitate early mall walkers.

Those who walk three laps around the upper level are walking approximately one mile.

There is holiday gift wrapping at Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, and other holidays with the table located in front of the elevator on the main floor and proceeds benefit local charities.

If you get thirsty while shopping, visit one of many Coca-Cola vending machines placed throughout the mall.

The mall is convenient and easy to access since it is located near the junction of Interstate 190 and Interstate 290. It can be accessed from Interstate 190 Exit 1.

The mall is also close to the junction of Gold Star Blvd. (a.k.a. Mass. Route 12), and Interstate 190.

It is located within minutes to Interstate 495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90).

It is located at 7 Neponset Street in Worcester, Mass., 06106.