On a rainy day, people love to wander through shopping malls looking for an all-under-one-roof experience.  A quick lunch, some window-shopping and eventually buying the items one needs are usually the goals for the day.

Unlike many states were practically every city gives birth to a major shopping mall, Vermont is home to three major malls: two in Burlington and one in Rutland.  There are smaller malls found throughout the state that also offer one-stop shopping.  Many malls have seen their days come to an end.  Shelburne Road’s Mall 189, which I believe was a store called Grandway before that (testing my memory as I was a kid when the store closed) was torn down and now is home to a grocery store.   Winooski’s Champlain Mill suffered miserably during the city’s renovation and is now basically offices.

Barre/Montpelier Area

Berlin Mall is a few miles from Barre and Montpelier.  The mall is growing and currently anchored by Walmart and JC Penney.  Other stores include Bath and Bodyworks, Claire’s, Fashion Bug, FYE, GameStop, GNC, JoAnn Fabrics, Maurice’s, Mr. B’s Hallmark, Olympia Sports and Waldenbooks.  Sandy’s Collectibles serves a few food options.

Burlington/South Burlington Area

In the heart of downtown Burlington, Burlington Town Centre, formerly the Burlington Square Mall, is tucked off the popular Church Street Marketplace.  The mall is trying to make a comeback after vacancies turned the mall into a virtual ghost town.  Anchored by Old Navy and Macy’s, shoppers will find very few food options.  The mall used to be packed with stores like Orange Julius, Papa Ginos and more, but today there is Dino’s Pizza, Starbucks and a Chinese stand called Empire Express.  Many dining options can be found on Church Street, however.

Stores in the Burlington mall include staples like Aeropostale, American Eagle FYE and Gap.  Specialty stores like Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn appeal to many, but it is the selection of stores like Tradewinds Imports that are definitely worth visiting.

Church Street is a pedestrian-only street lined with quaint stores, art boutiques, bars and restaurants.  If you have an umbrella handy for inclement weather, Church Street is equally enjoyable to stroll.

The University Mall is Vermont’s largest mall.  Located in South Burlington a few miles from downtown Burlington, the University Mall is anchored by Sears, JC Penney, Kohls and Bonton.  Separated from the mall are Hannaford and Home Goods.  The mall’s food court is large with options like Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Ben and Jerry’s, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, McDonalds, Quiznos, Sbarro, Subway, Taco Bell and a Chinese take out.  For a sit down meal, University Mall offers Applebees.  Papa Ginos closed up shop years ago, so Applebees is currently the only sit-down restaurant.

Stores in the University Mall range from standards like Aeropostale, American Eagle, Borders, Claire’s, FYE, KB Toys, Hallmark and RadioShack.  Specialty stores like Vermont Toy and Hobby or Blue Moon Jewelry will also please.

Rutland

JC Penney, Kmart and Sears anchor Rutland’s Diamond Run Mall.  In recent months, Rutland’s gained a bad reputation for gang violence and drug related shootings.  The mall is generally a safe area for shoppers, as it is up a hill away from the downtown area, just south of the city.  Numerous stores await shoppers including standards like FYE, GameStop, Walden Books, Claire’s, American Eagle and more.

Beyond the normal mall chain store, shoppers will find Rutland Collectibles, Bonworth and Gene’s Beans.  In the small food court, you can choose from Orientaste, Sbarro, Sports Legends or Subway.

Northeast Kingdom

Saint Johnsbury’s Green Mountain Mall is very small, but suitable for an hour’s shopping.  Stores include Fashion Bug, JC Penney, Maurice’s, Olympia Sports, Optical Expressions, Payless, Petite Snacks and Gifts, PJ’s Hallmark, Radio Shack and Sears.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS