Walk through Neshaminy Mall on a weekday afternoon, and the silence says everything.
Storefronts sit dark behind paper-covered windows. Corridors that were once filled with weekend crowds echo with the footsteps of the few.
For much of the 1.1-million-square-foot complex, the bustle is a memory.
That memory, it turns out, is exactly what Bucks County residents are holding onto as redevelopment plans for the mall inch forward.
A New Chapter
In July 2024, Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties paid $27.5 million for Neshaminy Mall, a price that reflects both the Bensalem property’s potential and its challenges.
Early reports indicated plans to demolish more than half of the existing structure to clear the way for a mixed-use development that could weave together housing, retail, medical office space, and new gathering areas.
However, nearly two years in, no formal redevelopment proposal has been submitted to Bensalem Township, according to Bucks County Courier Times.
What fills that gap, for now, is public opinion. And Bucks County residents have plenty of those.
Hundreds of Voices, One Recurring Theme
The mall’s open-ended status begs the question: what do local residents want to see at Neshaminy Mall?
Facebook comments have poured in from across the county, with wish lists, warnings, and a few impassioned pleas, painting a vivid picture of what people actually want from one of Bucks County’s most recognizable properties.
Here’s what rose to the top.
Trader Joe’s: The Runaway Leader
Dozens of commenters called for Trader Joe’s to finally plant a flag in Bucks County, making it by far the most demanded addition in the entire discussion.
Residents repeatedly suggested that the store would draw shoppers from across the region, thanks to the quirky branding, cult-favorite products, and affordable everyday goods that have earned Trader Joe’s a loyal customer following.
One user called for a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s to fill the new space, a sentiment shared among dozens of fellow users.
Hobby Lobby: The Consistent Co-Request
Wherever Trader Joe’s appeared in the comments, Hobby Lobby was usually close behind.
Residents described the two as anchor tenants for a reimagined mall, drawn by Hobby Lobby’s mix of craft supplies, home décor, and seasonal merchandise.
The chain has a reputation for pulling strong foot traffic, exactly the kind of draw a redeveloped Neshaminy would need to sustain itself.
The Grocery Wish List: Costco, Wegmans, Whole Foods
Trader Joe’s wasn’t the only grocer on residents’ minds. Costco, Wegmans, and Whole Foods all surfaced repeatedly, reflecting an appetite for destination shopping that goes beyond the convenience of a strip-mall errand.
Costco would serve as a bulk-buying draw for the broader Lower Bucks region.
Wegmans and Whole Foods would cater to shoppers looking for prepared foods and more organic options.
“Hobby Lobby, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s please!!” one user wrote, capturing the collective enthusiasm in a single comment.
Keep Boscov’s, Keep the History
Even in the age of online shopping, Bucks residents shared a clear desire for one part of Neshaminy Mall to stay the same: Boscov’s.
Boscov’s drew vocal support from commenters who see the department store as one of the last remaining reasons to visit the mall in person.
Even in the age of online retail, local shoppers still search for the ability to touch, try on, and compare a blouse or a dress, all in one place, something made possible through a traditional department store like Boscov’s.
Others expressed hope that other landmarks such as the fountain, the Tawanka statue, and memories of Strawbridge’s would remain part of the property’s next chapter.
TopGolf, Live Music, and a Water Park
Other commenters pushed for Neshaminy’s next chapter to lean into entertainment, and some of the suggestions were decidedly ambitious.
Suggestions ranged from TopGolf, an ice rink, and a live music venue to food halls, outdoor gathering areas, and expanded dining options.
A few commenters went further, floating the idea of a water park.
Others simply wanted to make sure the AMC theater stays put to balance new developments with longtime favorites.
The Loudest “No”: No More Housing
If there was one point of near-consensus in the comments, it was this: residents do not want another apartment complex.
Opposition to housing ran through the discussion with unusual consistency.
Commenters cited traffic, school district strain, and a sense that the region has already absorbed enough residential development.
“No more housing is right,” one resident wrote bluntly.
However, some commenters made the case for affordable housing or age-restricted senior units as legitimate community needs.
A Quieter Ask: Trees, Parks, and Room to Breathe
Several residents called for green space, open-air parks, playgrounds, and walking paths.
They framed it not just as a preference but as a need, invoking community well-being and mental health in a way that surprised some readers.
“Outdoor spaces are far more important than building on every inch of space that can be bought,” one commenter wrote.
“Our town’s mental health NEEDS nature and art. More housing will only make this town trashier.”
Another simply asked for trees, a fountain, and a place for kids to play.
The Real Question Isn’t About Stores
Walk through Neshaminy Mall today, and the silence fills in the rest. The dark storefronts, the echoing corridors, the fountain still running for a crowd that isn’t there; it’s all still waiting.
What the Facebook comments make clear is that Bucks County is waiting, too.
Not for a specific store, or a particular entertainment concept, or even a finalized plan.
They’re waiting for the corridors to fill back up. For the bustle to come back. For the mall to be, once again, a place worth going to.
Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties paid $27.5 million for the chance to answer that.
Whatever they build, Bucks County residents will have opinions. And if the last few months are any indication, they won’t be quiet about it.
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