Written by: Helu Wang Rockland/Westchester Journal News
March 19, 2026, 9:42 a.m. ET
YONKERS — New stores, electronics retailer and restaurants have expressed interest in leasing space in the new retail area planned for Cross County Center.
The $90 million expansion, slated for the center’s north lot, includes two new buildings totaling 58,000 square feet of retail space, along with a four-acre park, boardwalk and underground parking garage.
Prospective tenants, from an international fashion brand to an electronics retailer and restaurants, have already shown interest in the space even though construction is not expected to be completed for another 18 months, project officials said.
Craig Deitelzweig, CEO of Marx Realty that owns the center, said the vision is to create a new front door to the center, with new stores, green space and sitting areas leading to a boardwalk lined with dining places.
“We want this to be the town center,” Deitelzweig said. “Our goal is to have people who want to come to the center starting in the morning and staying all the way through the evening.”
Cross County Center expansion to create community space, drive foot traffic
Opened in 1954, the center has grown from 30 stores to more than 100 tenants spanning retail, dining, education, entertainment and hospitality. Branded as the nation’s first open-air shopping mall, Cross County Center attracts about 14 million visitors annually and is now 97% leased.
The center is home to a mix of about 83 tenants ranging from national brands to local businesses. It is anchored by Target and Macy’s, along with SUNY Westchester Yonkers and a Hyatt Place hotel. New stores have consistently been added over the years.
The expansion reflects strong demand for retail space. About 88% of the 58,000 square feet of retail space has already been accounted for, with plans being finalized for a “world-class retailer” interested in occupying an entire two-story, 44,000-square-foot-building, Deitelzweig said.
The goal is to host a diverse tenant mix to attract a broad range of customers. Most visitors come from Westchester County and New York City, with a large share made up of young adults ages 16 to 23 and families.
The center also hosts year-round events, including holiday celebrations, summer festivals, yoga and Zumba classes. The new park will create space for new events such as concerts, picnics, farmers markets and soccer games or expanding existing programs.
“I always wanted to add a new park here,” Deitelzweig said. “It’s another way for us to connect with the community. We’ll make sure this space is really activated.”
The expansion will replace a portion of the north parking lot. An underground parking garage with elevator access will be built beneath the site. Construction will be carried out in phases, with the goal of minimizing disruption to operations while maintaining access to nearby businesses.
Why does demand remain strong at Cross County Center?
While e-commerce and the pandemic have taken a toll on some Westchester malls, shuttering the former Galleria at White Plains and the former White Plains Mall, other retail centers have rebounded. Cross County Center, for example, is thriving with nearly full occupancy and strong demand for additional space.
In 2024, Westchester’s mall vacancy rate dropped to 1%, far below the national average of 8.7%, according to CoStar.
Deitelzweig said sales revenues have continued to grow, attributing Cross County Center’s success to ongoing efforts to meet evolving customer needs. Those efforts include attracting and retaining trending, high-performing tenants and reinvesting in capital improvements, including upgrades to sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and storefronts.
The center is home to the first Zara, Shake Shack and Raising Cane’s locations in Westchester, as well as one of the best-performing Target and Macy’s stores in the country, Deitelzweig said. Four additional stores are slated to open, including Coach, Crocs, Crumble Cookies and Elite Nails & Spa.
He added that the center has also benefited from younger generations’ growing preference for in-person experiences and post-pandemic hybrid work schedules.
“The way we’ve succeeded for 70 years is by understanding your customers,” Deitelzweig said. “Sometimes it’s about understanding them before they even understand what they want.”
Selective on tenants as customer preferences evolve
Businesses are drawn to Cross County Center by the high foot traffic that is largely generated through events and the spillover effect of neighboring brands, although securing a spot is competitive.
Deitelzweig said the center is selective about its tenants and continues to adapt based on store performance and a commitment to maintaining well-kept storefronts. The shift toward experiential retail has prompted tenants to lease larger spaces, with more businesses focusing on experiences.
Build-A-Bear, a toy store that opened in September, offers customers the chance to design their own stuffed animals. At the center of the store, a large wheel of plush white stuffing slowly rotates as customers bring their toys to life by choosing a shell, outfit and accessories, adding a heartbeat and even recording a personalized sound bite.
Porsha Soto, the store’s manager, said the Cross County location is the company’s sixth in New York and was drawn to the center’s strong base of family-oriented customers. She hopes the expansion will bring more foot traffic and provide a better experience.
“It’s really exciting to have this space that feels welcoming and warm,” Soto said, referring to the park.
What could come next at Cross County Center?
As the center continues to grow, both the property owner and customers see potential for future developments.
Ive Lisse, of Yonkers, who visits the center about twice a month and attends some of its events, said she enjoys stores such as Old Navy, Zara, H&M, Foot Locker and Shake & Shack and hopes to see more children’s entertainment options like Sky Zone.
That sentiment echoed Deitelzweig’s vision to add businesses that offer immersive, family-friendly experiences. He said he is also open to residential development where there is a need, provided it fits into the fabric of the center.
“Customers’ desires change constantly,” Deitelzweig said. “You always have to be mindful of what customers need.”