Green Acres Mall

A golden sunrise rises over Valley Stream, Long Island, with the Green Acres Shopping Mall and its neighboring commercial district visible along Sunrise Highway. The early morning light captures the balance between suburban life and proximity to New York City, whose skyline stretches dramatically across the horizon. This vantage highlights Green Acres Mall’s position as a major retail hub connecting Nassau County and the city beyond.
A golden sunrise rises over Valley Stream, Long Island, with the Green Acres Shopping Mall and its neighboring commercial district visible along Sunrise Highway. The early morning light captures the balance between suburban life and proximity to New York City, whose skyline stretches dramatically across the horizon. File photo: Wirestock Creators, licensed.

Green Acres Mall is one of Long Island’s largest and oldest shopping destinations, serving as a retail and cultural landmark for more than six decades. Conveniently located in Valley Stream, just minutes from the Queens border, this expansive shopping complex has evolved from a traditional mid-century open-air plaza into a modern, two-million-square-foot retail powerhouse. Today, it attracts millions of annual visitors from both Nassau County and neighboring New York City boroughs, blending suburban comfort with urban energy.

What sets Green Acres apart is its enduring legacy and adaptability. Originally opened in 1956, the mall has grown alongside the communities it serves – modernizing, expanding, and reinventing itself through changing retail eras. While many malls nationwide have struggled to stay relevant, Green Acres continues to thrive by embracing both established department stores and the latest experiential retail trends. The addition of Green Acres Commons, featuring restaurants, entertainment venues, and outdoor plazas, reflects its transition into a full lifestyle destination.

Beyond shopping, the mall functions as a gathering place for the broader South Shore community. Families visit for dining and entertainment, young professionals frequent it for fashion and convenience, and generations of Long Islanders recognize it as a nostalgic part of weekend routines.

In recent years, major redevelopment plans have been announced to refresh and reimagine parts of the property – including portions slated for mixed-use construction that could bring new residences, offices, and community amenities to the site. Despite construction and modernization efforts, Green Acres remains open and active, continuing to deliver the mix of big-brand retail, dining, and entertainment that made it a household name across Nassau County.

Mall Overview

ItemDetails
NameGreen Acres Mall
Address2034 Green Acres Road (Sunrise Highway), Valley Stream, NY 11581
Phone(516) 561-1157 (Mall office)
Owner / OperatorMacerich (since acquisition in 2013)
Number of Stores~ 129 stores (retail estimate)
Number of Restaurants / Eateries30+ dining options
Floors / LayoutSingle-level main mall with partial upper levels in anchor stores
Gross Leasable Area~2,069,000 ft² (per Wikipedia)
Transit AccessNassau Inter-County Express buses, MTA (Queens) buses cross border

History & Evolution

  • Green Acres originally opened in 1956 as an open-air shopping center, built by the Chanin Organization and designed by Irwin S. Chanin as part of a broader suburban development concept.
  • Early tenants included anchor stores like Gimbels, Lane’s, J.C. Penney, and discount chains like J.J. Newberry and F.W. Woolworth.
  • In the late 1960s, the mall was enclosed (circa 1968) to adapt to shifts toward indoor, climate-controlled mall design.
  • Major expansions followed: a “North Wing” addition in the early 1980s, addition of a food court, more anchor space, and modernization to support 200+ stores.
  • Under Macerich’s stewardship, redevelopment efforts include the addition of Green Acres Commons, new tenant leases (such as ShopRite for ~80,000 sq ft), and investment to revitalize the property.
  • Recently, demolition and master redevelopment plans have been announced to transform parts of the site into a mixed-use destination, blending retail, residential, dining, and community spaces, while preserving its legacy.

Shopping & Retail Anchors

Green Acres features a broad mix of national and specialty retailers. Some current anchor and marquee tenants include:

  • Macy’s (two locations / multi-level as anchor)
  • Primark (newer opening)
  • Fashion and apparel brands such as H&M, Express, Forever 21, Old Navy, Pandora
  • Specialty / home & lifestyle: HomeGoods, Dick’s Sporting Goods
  • Other notable stores: Aeropostale (store #1048), Rainbow at 1115 Green Acres Rd S (women’s fashion)

Shoppers will also find a wide directory of fashion, beauty, accessories, lifestyle, and health & wellness shops.

Dining & Refreshments

Dining is a strong component of the Green Acres experience. The mall and its adjacent Commons area offer:

  • Full-service restaurants: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee’s, TGI Fridays
  • Quick-service & snack options: Chipotle, Panera Bread, Auntie Anne’s, coffee shops, dessert shops

Whether you’re in for a sit-down meal or a quick bite between shops, there are varied choices throughout the property.

Visiting Tips

  • Arrive early on weekends to secure parking, especially near popular anchors.
  • The property spans a large footprint, so wear comfortable shoes — some stores are farther apart than they look.
  • Use the mall directory (available online) to plan your route between anchor stores and smaller shops.
  • For newer tenants and renovation phases, check for temporary closures or relocation inside the mall.
  • Bring patience during redevelopment – certain sections may be under construction or portions closed.
  • Use public transit options if available — there are bus routes crossing from Queens into Nassau that serve the mall.