Remember When the Newington Mall Was the Big Shopping Destination on The NH Seacoast?

The Newington Mall has been gone for 20 years, which is almost as long as it was open.

When my family moved to Durham from Virginia in 1976, one of the first shopping stops we made was to the Newington Mall.

I have to admit, I was less than impressed. Where I had lived in Virginia, we were 10 miles from at least three two-level malls, housing well over 120 stores, and at least 10 restaurants.

The Newington Mall had maybe sixty stores. The anchor stores included Porteous, Montgomery Ward, and J.M. Fields.

J.M.Fields was the store in which many of my friends had their first (and only I'm sure) shoplifting experience. That store was such an easy target that it soon closed and became a Bradlee's.

All I needed was the 'Musicsmith' for my vinyl, the 'Booksmith' for my books, Papa Gino's for my pizza, and Baskin-Robbin's and their 31 flavors. I also bought my first suit at Anderson-Little.

The Newington Mall was also the location of the one and only time I spent the night outdoors in line for concert tickets. The local Ticketmaster location was inside Porteous. The show was Prince on his 'Purple Rain' tour in 1984, and the idea was hatched at UNH in Congreve dorm very late at night. Suffice it to say both the overnight ticket buying experience and the show are fond memories.

With all the choices that are available to shop today, most within site of the Newington Mall, it's fun to look back and remember when that was the only 'mall' on the seacoast. Now we have a lot more options and a new mall in town.