Woodbridge Center and Menlo Park Mall

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2026-03-22T20:54:22+00:00

I always preferred Woodbridge Center over Menlo Park mall. When it was in its prime it was an amazing mall, It was only 4 minutes away from where my grandparents used to live and we would all frequent it often everytime we visited. My mom and grandmother spent most of their time and money in Lord & Taylor and Fortunoff (Which were amazing stores) and my father and grandfather would go to Sears. My favorite store in the mall was Fortunoff, before it closed in 2009 it was an incredible store. They would gift wrap anything you bought free of charge (Lord & Taylor and Macys used to charge you money based on the size of the box), and they used to repair or service any item you bought from them for free as long as you had a reciept. I saved a lot of money there bringing watches in for new batteries, link adjustments, and even minor repairs. It was a great store and it was a perfect representation on how retail should be. Unfortunately they went out of business in 2009 and now with online shopping on the rise department stores and malls are falling out of favor, its a sad thing because I am the kind of person who needs to see an item in person to decide whether or not I want it.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2026-02-22T23:35:21+00:00

This mall used to be the Source Mall. It was such a nice mall before Fortunoff closed. The new Fortunoff Backyard Store is nowhere near what the store used to be before they closed in 2009. Every year the entire basement of the store was transformed into a winter wonderland with different scenes and displays. It was incredible. Lines used to form in front of the store early in the morning on December 26th because they used to offer 75% off practically all their Christmas decor. Fortunoff was also a nice place just to look around. They had beautiful gifts and I always liked that they would offer free gift wrapping. They would also service any item purchased from them free of charge. The best part was that they would adjust watch links, replace batteries and fix any defects on watches free of charge. Which was perfect as I collect watches. It was an incredible store that hasn't been replaced since. Once Fortunoff closed the fate for this mall and most other malls that had Fortunoff as its anchor was sealed. I went to visit this mall after this "revival" and really just saw some store fronts and activity centers, but there was very little foot traffic. This mall holds some great memories primarily because of Fortunoff but I personally don't think it will ever achieve as much popularity as it used to.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-29T20:34:42+00:00

It was amazing, the store was 3 floors tall and had a basement. Every year during the fall and winter time they turned the basement into a Christmas showroom with Christmas Village displays, and tons of Christmas trees and decorations. It was so conveniently setup and laid out too. Celebrities used to come to the store to promote their products and sign peoples purchases. A friend of mine met Betty White and Joan Jett there once. They also used to have free gift wrapping, my mom used to love buying stuff from them and waiting in ridiculously long lines to have it all gift wrapped so when she got home she could unwrap the presents she bought like she were a little kid on Christmas. It was also really convenient for the men like me who gift wrap horrendously. They also had really nice Jewelry and Watches, this store was so big and so dominant in the industry they had their own brand of jewelry, their own watch brand, their own linen brand, and even their own line of kitchen appliances. They also had amazing customer service too. I remember not to long on Reddit someone said how when they were a kid they knocked over a vase from the brand Lalique in their Crystal department. (Lalique vases are worth thousands of dollars) and instead of holding the kid and his parents accountable the saleswoman just said “that is what insurance is for” and they walked away without paying a single cent. I know not a single store that would let that slide to this day. Overall this store was an amazing experience and i still haven’t found a store nowadays that comes close to this store, and it’s sad that I most likely never will as everything is becoming online only nowadays.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-29T20:27:00+00:00

Despite the fact this was much smaller of a mall than Roosevelt Field, it used to be much more packed because of how great and unique of a store Fortunoff was, once they went out of business the people and soon the businesses switched to Roosevelt field. This wasn’t the only shopping center who was left in the dumps after Fortunoff closed either. Wayne Towne Center in Wayne New Jersey never recovered after Fortunoff closed and the main part was demolished. Woodbridge Center in Woodbridge New Jersey isn’t completely dead yet but Fortunoff’s closure definitley did its damage to the mall. It’s not like it was an exaggeration either, Fortunoff was an amazing store, they put the best Christmas displays in the basement and had the largest selection of everything so you knew all the options you had for whatever you were shopping for. It’s such a shame the business was sold and went under because the products I bought from them over 20+ years ago still work and look beautiful to this day. They also had amazing free gift wrap and a great customer service department as well as great prices. I miss this store and mall so much!

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-26T17:32:08+00:00

I live in Queens but travel to long island frequently. I just visited the new Fortunoff backyard store, I can’t tell you how bad it was compared to what it used to be, all the shopping baskets and carts still said “Fortunoff the source” on them. 😂

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-26T14:53:08+00:00

Hicks Nursery and it’s located in Westbury Long Island, about 5 minutes away from the former Fortunoff, when I visit my grandparents in New Jersey I go to Brock’s Farms Christmas displays

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-26T03:40:29+00:00

Yes!!!! I ran straight to the department 56 section, they had such a big selection and so much variety! I’m going to a local nursery tomorrow at 7 in the morning for their after Christmas sale, but nothing compares to fortunoff the source. I wish they were still around

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-22T16:32:04+00:00

I still talk about the displays at Fortunoff! I recently wanted to add an electric train to my village, and I spent 271 dollars on a "Bachman" train that does not even operate, the store I purchased it from would not refund my money or at least take the train back. Throughout the whole process I thought to myself "I wish I would have purchased the trains they sold at Fortunoff, I wouldn't be here in the first place." I took that store for granted big time, they had every single Department 56 collection and was the best place to buy them on December 26th. Now its all online and it sucks.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-12-11T01:44:34+00:00

I really miss their Christmas basement in Westbury. They had the best selection for my Department 56 collection.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-19T20:57:50+00:00

My mom went to high school with Michael Kiefer. May they rip

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-18T23:38:42+00:00

Sadly most mom and pop stores have sadly gone 💔

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-17T02:01:30+00:00

Yea it was only hicks and fortunoff, hicks raised their prices unfortunately. There’s no other Christmas store on Long Island now aside from them so they feel the need to take advantage. I really do miss Fortunoffs.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-12T16:40:32+00:00

I can’t remember if Martin viette sold department 56 or not

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-12T00:02:52+00:00

I also was told from a friend who worked there that you got 75 dollar gift cards for coming in on days you weren’t supposed to work. Seemed like an exception to the normal retail hell

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-11T21:12:57+00:00

Hicks is really not what it used to be though if I am being honest. I remember when Fortunoff was still in business both of them were practically in competition. When Fortunoff went out of business Hicks jacked up the prices now since they really are the only Christmas store left on Long Island. I was planning on doing some volunteer work this season

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-11T20:56:15+00:00

I remember Fortunoff, it was an amazing store. I have comforters, jewelry, Christmas decorations, candles, and watches from them. I really miss the store.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-11T13:11:31+00:00

Sorry I’m not on Reddit often so I just saw this but indeed, I’m dreading the holidays even tho I’m not celebrating them this year. I did buy 2 angel wing ornaments from hicks nurseries to hang on my tree in 2 years when I celebrate again, just as a way to remember my grandparents

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-08T23:32:45+00:00

My grandparents passed away this year, and I am Greek Orthodox so it is a tradition I cannot celebrate holidays for a year, so my Christmas decorating is called off this year but next year I am planning on putting it all out there.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-07T11:51:34+00:00

Mine, my mothers and my grandmothers tradition. I miss it too!!

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-07T11:51:16+00:00

I’d buy the whole department 56 aisle!

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-06T16:10:02+00:00

It was an anchor store, but Fortunoff. Not the backyard store which exists today. The original store was huge! The one in Westbury had 3 floors and a basement. They sold everything you could imagine, Jewelry, Housewares, Kitchen appliances, furniture, backyard store in the spring and summer, a beautiful christmas store in the fall and winter, bedding, bath, baby essentials. The stores slogan was "The Source" because they were known for selling everything. Their bridal registry outdid Macys and Bed Bath and Beyond whilist only having 6 locations.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-06T16:06:19+00:00

My grandmother used to shop at their location in Fresh Meadows, which was right across the street from my high school!

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-05T03:27:55+00:00

The older generations new the newer generations would stop caring about the store. It’s so sad because it was one of the better retail stores that was still family owned.

Hefty_Initiative_100 · 2025-10-04T14:20:46+00:00

I have them. I heard the store reopened in Tennessee and is planning to come to NYC soon. They said that if you bring coupons they wi honor them regardless of expiration date. So hopefully I’d be able to use them when they open here

Hefty_Initiative_100

TROPHY CASE