Sunrise Mall Owner Letting Leases Expire As Part Of Redevelopment

MASSAPEQUA, NY — The new owners of the Sunrise Mall are letting the leases with the mall's current tenants expire as part of the company's plan to revitalize the shopping center.

The mall's owners, Urban Edge Properties, said the move was designed to keep the Sunrise Mall a "positive economic force in the community." Allowing the leases to expire will give Urban Edge more options for redevelopment, but will also push the stores there to new locations — or out of business.

"Sunrise Mall is clearly in transition, a reflection of the challenges facing a generation of shopping malls across Long Island and the nation," said Coleen Conklin, Urban Edge's vice president for marketing.

Conklin said Urban Edge is creating a roadmap for the transition of the mall. But she said that, whatever the future of the mall is, Urban Edge is not looking to transform it into housing. The company also said that it will continue to maintain the property during the transition.

Urban Edge bought the Sunrise Mall in early 2021 for $29.7 million. The company said at the time that it was "repurposing underutilized land" with the purchase of the 1.2 million square foot retail space.

“Like many malls, Sunrise Mall has been buffeted by the changing marketplace, consumer trends and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," Conklin said. "However, no matter what redevelopment plans are ultimately proposed and approved, Urban Edge recognizes its responsibility to seek the input of our neighbors, community leaders, and elected officials to ensure that the property continues to be a significant and positive asset to the surrounding communities.”

Urban Edge has established a hotline and website to provide residents and consumers with a place to submit questions about the project. The hotline, at (551) 321-1081, will be available seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. You can also visit the redevelopment website, which will be updated with news and information as the project progresses.