Franklin Mall in Northeast Philadelphia will reopen on Friday following a small fire that occurred last weekend.

Franklin Mall in Northeast Philadelphia is set to reopen its doors on Friday, following a temporary closure due to a minor fire that occurred last weekend. Property management confirmed the mall’s reopening after working in conjunction with the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections, which had initially mandated the closure to ensure safety and structural integrity following the incident.

The fire, which took place in a single tenant space on Saturday, prompted immediate action from the management team. Inspections conducted by city officials were necessary to confirm that the facility met the required safety standards before allowing the mall to resume operations. Management reported that permission to reopen was granted only after due diligence was performed to assess the extent of any damage.

As the mall resumes its normal business hours, management has advised visitors to be patient regarding the property’s appearance. Repair teams will continue to work on the affected areas to provide a safe environment for shoppers. While the mall maintains its retail operation schedule, some ongoing repairs may be visible.

Originally opened in 1989 as the largest outlet mall in the country, Franklin Mall—known previously as Franklin Mills—has seen a significant decrease in visitor numbers over the years. Once attracting approximately 20 million guests annually, recent estimates suggest that foot traffic has fallen to fewer than seven million annually. This decline highlights the broader challenges facing retail destinations in an evolving marketplace.

The extensive facility, covering 1.8 million square feet and located at the intersection of Knights and Woodhaven Roads, was listed for sale in late 2022, raising discussions about potential repurposing or demolition for non-retail uses. The outlet’s unique architectural design features a zigzag-shaped concourse extending for 1.2 miles, emphasizing its initial grandeur at the time of opening.

Although it was rebranded to Philadelphia Mills under new ownership, it has most recently been referred to as Franklin Mall. Despite the changes in branding, a main entrance sign still bears the original name, Philadelphia Mills, symbolizing the outlet’s storied history within the region. As the mall prepares to welcome customers once again, its management remains committed to ensuring a safe and inviting shopping environment.

As development decisions loom, the future of Franklin Mall may hinge on exploration of new opportunities to adapt to the current retail landscape.