Aldi has purchased the lease of the former Big Lots store at 126  Boston Street in Lynn. One of the countries leading discount grocery stores, Aldi has 22 locations across the State. 

The lease sale, which is still subject to court approval, would see Aldi take possession of the space for a new store. The space is located at 126 Boston Street and occupies close to 30,000 square feet of space. The store was part of a package of 9 stores across the US bought by Aldi during the bankruptcy of Big Lots. 

No timeline has been announced for the opening of the Aldi store in Lynn. The next closest Aldis are located in Danvers or Medford at Fellsway Plaza.

We broke the news back in December about Target and BJ's Wholesale's plans to build new stores at the new Springfield Crossing development at the site of the Eastfield Mall. Those plans were officially confirmed earlier this week!

“Really, it’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest project in the city of Springfield since MGM,” according to Representative Angelo Puppolo 

Target will occupy a new 148,000+/- square foot space! This would be Target's first Springfield location. The next closest location is in Holyoke at the mall. Target has been long-speculated as a tenant for the redeveloped mall site. The chain currently has 45 locations throughout Massachusetts. 

BJ's Wholesale Club will occupy a new 106,000 +/- square foot space, this was formerly depicted as another strip of junior anchor spaces. The club will feature the typical gas station that accompanies most of their stores. The gas station will be located closer to Boston Road. The wholesale club has an existing location in Chicopee. 

The development is planned to begin welcoming shoppers this fall. It will also be home to Hobby Lobby, Skechers, Carter's, Petsmart, LaZBoy, Chipotle, Chick Fil A, and other retailers. There is still space for lease, find the listing here: https://atlanticretail.com/buildout-listings/902518-lease/

Three new tenants are coming soon to the Riverdale Shops located at 935 Riverdale Street in West Springfield! Plans include new restaurants, a cell-phone provider, and a blood-work facility. 

-Quest Diagnostics is planning to open a new facility in the plaza. They will occupy 1,500 square feet next to Joy Bowl. This will be their only location in West Springfield once it opens. 

-Fresh Taste is coming soon to the plaza. The new restaurant will serve ramen and boba from a 2,110 square foot space next to Nippon Grill. No timeline has been set for their opening. 

-KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is still planned for the plaza. The restaurant was set to open in 2024, but construction delay and a Stop Work Order delayed the opening. Corporate hopes to open the location this spring, though an exact date is not known. KPot serves all-you-can-eat with more than 50 of the best meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu and noodles. 

-Boost Mobile is planning a new location in the plaza. They are currently transforming the former GameStop space into their new location. Look for them to open soon!

The plaza has seen an increase in tenants in the past years including the opening of Massachusetts first Wood & Tap and Boot Barn locations. The plaza will now have a single 4,000 square foot vacancy. 

Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy protection, its second time in 6 years. The fast fashion retailer will begin winding down operations including the closure of all their retail locations; including all 10 stores in Massachusetts.

F21 OpCo, the operating company for the brand, has 350 locations across the United States; store closing sales are expected to begin at all locations in the coming days. The brand is still seeking a buyer for some or all of its assets including the store's profitable leases. The company has faced fierce competition from online retailers like Shein and Temu in the fast fashion world.

Forever 21 operates MA stores in:
-Holyoke at Holyoke Mall at Ingleside
-Peabody at Northshore Mall
-Burlington at Burlington Mall
-Auburn at Auburn Mall
-Natick at Natick Mall
-Braintree at South Shore Plaza
-Marlborough at Solomon Pond Mall
-North Attleboro at Emerald Square
-Saugus at Square One Mall 
-Hyannis at Cape Cod Mall 

An important side note, the operating company for Forever 21 does not own the name or intellectual property for the brand. F21 OpCo is owned by Catalyst Brands, owner of JCPenney; Catalyst Brand is NOT affected by this bankruptcy filing. The brand itself is owned by Authentic Brands Group; and licensed to F21 OpCo for use at the stores.

Read more about the bankruptcy here: businesswire.com/news/home/20250316125020/en/F21-OpCo-LLC-Initiates-Voluntary-Chapter-11-Process-With-Support-of-Its-Lenders?fbclid=IwY2xjawJE-MlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfBbjZL_eXdIH4biK8GGXPsSsMb0pGLSdR21v42iolUG8hYgEMLUbEVTrg_aem_pdKCbyyGmiPh0oqJjKmQ1w

Your kid's favorite cartoon character has come to Boston!

Bluey and friends are now at CAMP in Boston! The toy store and immersive play space has added Bluey to their immersive room. The store can be found at Burlington Mall; 75 Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington. Bluey x CAMP is a 50 minute experience. Don't miss this limited-time event!

Walk through the Magic Door and step inside an episode of Bluey. Come laugh, play, and pretend with Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad, everyone’s favorite family. At Bluey x CAMP your family can step inside Bluey’s house for an unforgettable immersive adventure that ends with a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo! If you’re looking for an activity for your kids in Burlington, MA, you won’t want to miss this! Hooray!

Tickets start at $24. All children under 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased here: ​camp.com/bluey-x-camp-boston

Charlton-based Tree House Brewing Company has opened their new Saratoga Springs location! The newest location of the famous brewery can be found at 3376 US-9, Saratoga Springs, NY.

The long-awaited location has officially opened fully, the brewery opened for to-go sales only back in December. The new location is 20,000 square feet on the outskirts of the Saratoga Spa State Park. Construction began in 2024 and wrapped up recently. The brewery is expected to create at least 60 new jobs for the region. 

The brewery plans to bring in live entertainment for the outdoor space this summer. Tree House has a large range of offerings, from their signature beers and cocktails to non-alcoholic mocktails and coffee. There is something for everyone to enjoy here!

Tree House has big plans for Boston. Back in November, the brewery filed for plans to open a large scale location at Prudential Center. The new space would be 35,000 square feet including a tasting rooms and a 3,1950 square foot patio. The space would have a distillery, retail store, and kitchen. 

Tree House already has a presence in Boston, they opened a small tasting room inside Prudential Center late last year. The small space pop-up location that serves as a taproom and can-pickup space for residents of Boston. Read more about their big boston plans here: https://www.wcvb.com/article/tree-house-brewing-boston-taproom/62871246

Tree House currently has 4 full-line locations in Charlton, Twerksbury, Sandwich, and Deerfield. The company operates an apple farm and fermentory in Woodstock, Connecticut that is open to the public. The brewery also has their pop-up in Boston with the plans for a full-line location in the future!

Burlington, formerly Burlington Coat Factory, has purchased the lease of the former Big Lots store at 151 VFW Parkway in Revere; part of the Wonderland Marketplace plaza. 

The sale of the lease is still subject to court approval. 

Burlington has been scooping up leases from Big Lots across the country. Picking up numerous locations in Connecticut, New York, and many other states. The Revere location was part of 12 stores sold to Burlington.

Burlington currently operates a large-format store at Northgate Shopping Center in Revere; this location is expected to relocate to this new space once it's ready. ​No timeline has been released for the opening.

A number of new tenants are on the way to Holyoke Mall at Ingleside! 

-Pickleball Kingdom has been officially been announced by mall management. The new pickleball facility will be located in the former Bob's Stores/Christmas Tree Shop space on the mall's first level. The facility will feature 15professional sized courts. Pickleball Kingdom is a chain of facilities with locations across the country. They are expected to open in the third quarter of 2025. 

-OZZY Barbershop & Beauty is coming soon to the mall's first level. The shop will be located next door to Endangered Hobbies. Work has started on the space, look for them to open soon. 

-Uncle Cho's Fish & Chips is coming soon to the mall's food court. The restaurant will occupy the former The Greek Place/Los Supreme space. Look for them to open soon. 

-Milan Menswear is opening soon in the former Rue21 space in the mall. The menswear store is an extension of Enzo Meanswear on the mall's second floor. Milan Menswear previously operated at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield before relocating and rebranding in the former Pottery Barn space at Holyoke Mall.

-Anugraha has relocated to the mall's second level. The eyebrow threading and henna tattoo shop can now be found near H&M. 

-JD Sports will be opening very soon on the mall's first floor. The store is replacing Finishline. JD Sports purchased the Finishline chain and is rebranding many of their stores. The Holyoke location will be reimagined with new finishes, a new layout, and a more inviting appearance. 

-Foot Locker recently reopened their location at the mall after a brief renovation. The store has added warm tone and wood patterns. Check them out. 

Two closures are underway for the mall. Forever 21 has started closing sales at their Holyoke location; while Burlington recently closed their store at the mall. Burlington relocated down the street to Holyoke Crossing. See our story about the closure of Burlington and their new location: www.theconnecticutscoop.com/mass/holyoke-scoop-burlington-relocates-to-holyoke-crossing. See our story about the closing sale at Forever 21 here: ​www.theconnecticutscoop.com/mass/holyoke-scoop-forever-21-closing-at-holyoke-mall

​
What else would you like to see come to Holyoke Mall? Comment below!

Ollie's Bargain Outlet has purchased the leases of two Big Lots locations in Massachusetts! The discount retailer announced the purchase of 40 more Big Lots leases earlier this week. A list released by Retail Specialist, a broker, lists two Massachusetts locations. 

The discount retailer has purchased the leases of the Big Lots stores in Fitchburg and Pittsfield! The Fitchburg location can be found at 353 John Fitch Highway. The Pittsfield location can be found at 457 Dalton Avenue. Both stores are currently still in liquidation. 

Ollie's currently has four locations in Massachusetts including Seekonk, New Bedford, Plymouth, and Worcester. 

No timelines have been officially announced for the store's openings.