Bangor Mall Tenants and One Local Leader React to Sudden Closure

Businesses operating out of the Bangor Mall are scrambling to find new space after safety violations forced the sudden condemnation of the building.

The unexpected order left business owners and staff reeling, as they were not anticipating such a rapid evacuation of the premises.

The abrupt closure hit business owners and employees as a total shock just weeks before the holidays. Elaine Bard of Some Theatre Company, which has used the space since 2019, managed to secure a new location to stage next month’s production of Les Misérables, but the theater group still lacks a permanent home. Bard noted that she is particularly worried about those who currently have no alternative plans.

'Some Theater Company' faces sudden displacement amid Bangor Mall's closure. Discover how local businesses are navigating the change. https://t.co/J343IV9gWb

— Post by @newscentermaine on X

That’s really difficult because we’re coming up on the holidays, so my heart breaks for all the people that have lost their jobs more than anything.

Betsy Lundy, executive director of the Downtown Bangor Partnership, visited the mall just days before the closure to discuss downtown seasonal pop-up spaces with tenants.

Since the shutdown, Lundy has fielded relocation inquiries from three affected businesses. She has reviewed local options to match merchants with suitable spaces as soon as they are ready to make a move.

I’ve gone through my list and tried to think like ‘this would be a great match for this business, this would be a great match for that business,’ so that when they are ready, if they would like to connect on some spaces, we have some options to share with them, Lundy said.

Communication from property owners Namdar Realty Group has remained sparse, according to Bard. Representatives told the theater company that ownership is actively working with the city to reopen the facility.

City officials previously cited the property for multiple code violations regarding severe building deterioration. Those violations led to a roughly $1 million fine against Namdar earlier this year.

A local realty group is in the process of buying the building, but that effort suffered a setback when a key investor withdrew last month. Executives with Namdar Realty Group did not respond to requests for comment.

The only mall stores that remain open are JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Furniture Mattress and More because their spaces are separately maintained.