Shoppers Share Holiday Memories of the Fox Run Mall in Newington, New Hampshire
Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.
A few months back, while reminiscing about the old Newington Mall and reading your wonderful memories, yours truly referred to The Mall at Fox Run as “once great” and “shrinking,” which was met with a prompt (but polite) e-mail from the Fox Run folks sharing that the mall is still cranking along (even though it faces some, well, stiff competition for being the Seacoast's best mall).
A recent visit confirms this. Perhaps some measures could be taken so it doesn’t look quite so barren from the highway? Maybe some kind of doggie obstacle course.
I shared my favorite memories of the mall: Celtics Reggie Lewis and Dee Brown (along with Head Coach Chris Ford) putting on a basketball clinic, and the actual Prancer from the film Prancer making a special appearance.
But more recently, I’m happy that I was able to take my daughter to meet Santa Claus in the same mall where I visited him for so many years.
Readers and listeners shared memories of their own from Fox Run's heyday.
Michael from Sanborn wrote about his memories of the Dream Machine arcade (also a Rineman family favorite – wherever it is, I bet I still hold some records on the old WrestleFest game).
He also recalled the York Steakhouse and the two-story Burger King being favorite eateries, with Blake’s being a go-to for lunch.
Software Etc. was Michael’s “go-to” for Commodore 64 games, Tape World, and Record World for music.
Waldenbooks and B. Dalton are places Michael hit up for the annual baseball preview magazine, or any sports book.
Emily wrote in to share memories of visiting Fox Run while her mom worked at Cartons, Zales, and Hannoush Jewelers.
While I have memories of Halloween Fright Nights over at Newington, some of Emily’s Halloween memories are trick-or-treating at Fox Run, and how kind employees were to children.
Like Michael, Emily expressed hope that more businesses would see the potential for another great run at Fox Run.
Perhaps the most interesting response came from Bridget, who wrote in to share her experience starring in a commercial for Fox Run as a child in the early '80s.
Bridget says she ran through the mall carrying a stuffed Paddington bear and vaguely remembers spinning around one of the many trees that were lit up for Christmas.
Sadly, the VHS Bridget’s parents had was lost, and Fox Run has been unable to locate the commercial (if you, by chance, have a copy of this ad, please reach out – Jon.Rineman@Townsquaremedia.com).
Tammi from Dover also has fond memories of wandering the Fox Run Mall on Christmas Eve. "Christmas songs playing throughout," she says. "Santa with his line of happy, and sometimes not happy, children. People elbow to elbow scrambling with bags and packages through each and every store."
"I miss the spirit that the hustle and bustle gave me. Nothing nowadays can compare."
Tammi wasn't alone in feeling this way.
"I have been here since 1991 when the mall store spaces were fully occupied," said Ty from Stratham. "The food court was busy with many different offerings of quick yummy food, lots of foot traffic, having to actually drive around to look for a parking spot. Now, it is just depressing to go in there."
But, he did offer a glimmer of hope. "Hopefully, someone with vision and lots of money will swoop in and save the day."
And if they do, there's no shortage of stores locals would love to see (after all, some big changes are already coming to another local mall.)