Franklin Mall, one of Northeast Philadelphia’s most well-known shopping places, is starting a new chapter.
After almost ten years of being called Philadelphia Mills, the mall has gone back to its old name, Franklin Mall.
This change happened because the mall got new owners.
Over the summer, Simon Property Group sold the mall to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a private investment group.
The Philadelphia Mills signs were removed as part of this change, and new Franklin Mall signs were put up.
The mall first opened in 1989 and was originally called Franklin Mills.
The Mills Corporation owned it then, and it quickly became a popular place to shop.
People from all over Pennsylvania came to visit because of its large size and wide variety of stores.
In 2014, the mall was bought by Simon Property Group, and its name was changed to Philadelphia Mills.
Even though the official name was changed, most people in the area still called it Franklin Mills, showing how much they connected to the original name.
Changing the name back to Franklin Mall feels like a return to its roots.
For many in Northeast Philadelphia, Franklin Mills was part of the neighborhood’s identity.
Bringing back the old name makes the mall feel familiar again while keeping it relevant for today’s shoppers.
Franklin Mall is still one of the biggest shopping centers in Pennsylvania.
It is the second-largest mall in the state and has 92 stores open.
The mall offers various shopping options, from clothing to specialty stores, and has been a favorite place for families and friends to spend time together.
Over the years, it has become a place where people have created special memories, whether it’s holiday shopping or just a casual weekend outing.
The new owners, Jones Lang LaSalle, have yet to share detailed plans for the mall, but the name change shows they care about its history.
They’ve already made visible updates, like replacing the signs to reflect the new (and old) name.
And these small changes are just the beginning; shoppers are excited to see what’s next.
Franklin Mall has been through many changes since it opened in 1989.
Yet, through it all, it has remained a beloved destination for countless shoppers.
Whether people remember it as Franklin Mills, adjusted to Philadelphia Mills, or now embrace it as Franklin Mall, this shopping center holds a special place in the hearts of those in Northeast Philadelphia.
