The Shops at SunVet[9] is an upcoming shopping center located in Holbrook, in Suffolk County, on the South ShoreofLong Island, in New York, United States. Previously being a shopping mall, the center opened in 1974 as Sun Vet Mall (also known as the Sun-Vet Mall, SunVet Mall, or simply as Sun Vet), with it becoming a major shopping destination in the area. As of 2023, it is slated to be transformed into an outdoor shopping center, with construction continuing as of October 2023.
This article is missing information about the history of the Sun Vet Mall around 1974-2017. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(May 2023)
The Sun Vet Mall first opened in 1974.[2] It was called the Sun Vet Mall due to the mall being located in close proximity to both Sunrise Highway (NY 27) and Veterans Memorial Highway (NY 454).[10] Its former tenants included but were not limited to Blockbuster Video, Sears Portrait Studio, Fashion Bug, Radio Shack, FYE, Solar Flare Tanning, ClothesLine, Tuesday Morning, Building Star, SunVet Hobbies, SunVet Optical Center, Hallmark, Contour Express, Bundy Art, and Dollar King.[11]
The mall reported a 2% vacancy rate in 2005, which made it their best rate since 1982.[2] During this time, the mall had 41 stores open.
In June 2017, a Twitter account parodying the mall was reported to be begging for shoppers and running fake promotions.[12] In that same year, the mall was listed as property of the Long Island-based Schuckman Realty group.[13]
In 2018, the shopping mall's biggest anchor, Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy, subsequently closing their store in the mall soon after.[10] In that same year, Schuckman Realty announced that redevelopment of the mall would be coming soon with no further information being provided.[13]
One year later, in 2019, the shopping mall's second biggest anchor, A.C. Moore filed for bankruptcy, ultimately causing their Sun Vet location to shut down permanently.[10]
In March 2020, it was announced through an employee that the mall's Mandee location would be closing on the third.[13]
In July 2022, Syosset-based Blumenfeld Development Group purchased the property for a 99-year lease.[6]
On August 6, 2022, the Aegean Pizzeria was closed by its owners due to financial reasons after 50 years of operating in the shopping mall.[14] It was also announced in 2022 that proposals were made to redevelop and transform the struggling mall; it was reported October that only four tenants remained in business at the mall.[15] That November, it was reported that a Whole Foods, Starbucks, and more stores will occupy spaces in the redeveloped shopping destination.[16][17][18][19][20]
In May 2023, the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce's president, Rick Ammirati, confirmed the redevelopment plans and told reporters construction would commence later that same year.[8] The revitalization project plans to transform the mall an open-air, 168,000 square-foot (15,600 m2) shopping center; the transformation and redevelopment of the Sun Vet Mall will be executed through a joint venture between Blumenfeld Development Group and Regency Centers, with construction being done through NYM Group.[21][22] In December, new renders were released with plans to repurpose the left side of the mall.[23]
Suffolk County Transit: S54, S59
