Part two of a series documenting the seven malls I visited during the 2024 holiday season.

Above: Mall entrance next to Kohl’s

I love this little mall! I love these little single-story malls from the seventies. I believe the interior was last renovated in 2005, but it looks more like 1995! I love its older feel.

I arrived at the mall at 11:00am on Saturday 7 December 2024. I entered the mall by Kohl’s. In front of Kohl’s was the malls only Christmas tree. It was not a mall decoration, but a Salvation Army wish tree and donation box. Unfortunately, the mall did not put up a central tree as a focal point. There was not a Santa Land for pictures with jolly old Saint Nick. However, there were plenty of well-placed poinsettias throughout the mall and holiday banners hung from the ceiling. Other small decorations were sparsely placed in the main hallways.

Above: ” I never thought it was a such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love”.

Below: There was a little holiday color here and there

Even though the decorations were few, they were visible enough and at least the mall tried to do something with what they have. On the day I visited the mall opened at 10 am with individual stores having their own opening times. Internally, the only stores open were Kohl’s, Subway, Papa Gino’s and the East Brook Mall Discount Liquor Store. The mall was empty and quiet. Despite it being empty, its size keeps it from feeling overwhelmingly empty. There were a handful of people circulating from the external stores. At one time, the external stores were part of the mall and connected by a hallway that ran through Old Navy. The external Michael’s and TJ Maxx stores at the opposite end of Kohl’s had plenty of cars in front of them and looked to be doing well.

Below: It’s not the grandest mall around but has a great feel.

I’m not sure how well the Mansfield Movieplex 8 is doing, but you have to give them credit, how many malls have a movie theatre these days? East Brook Mall is a hidden little gem with a great vibe and very cool interior architecture. In October, it was reported on CTINSIDER.com that the mall was sold to developers. The new owners want to keep some of the mall intact but with significant renovations. They also plan to build apartments on the property with some things being demolished. I enjoyed my time at East Brook Mall and if your ever in the Mansfield area stop by and enjoy it while it’s still here.

Did you see East Brook in its heyday? Comment and tell your story!

Take care!