Creative Monmouth County, NJ Shoppers Demand These Stores Open at Freehold Raceway Mall

If you don't follow the Monmouth County News Facebook page, you really should.

Sure, it gets "interesting" at times, but members really provide great ideas and opinions when it comes to all things Monmouth County.

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Recently, I asked the group what they would love to see take the place of the now-vacant Lord & Taylor.

In August 2020, Lord & Taylor filed for bankruptcy and announced that they would be closing all of their brick and mortar stores, including its Freehold Raceway Mall location.

L&T is still in business, just in the digital space.

Fun fact: Lord & Taylor is America's first and oldest department store.

English-born Samuel Lord started a 'dry goods' business in New York in 1824 and opened the original store that would become Lord & Taylor in 1826, on Catherine Street in what is now Two Bridges, Manhattan. 1826!

According to Wikipedia, the shop stocked hosiery, misses' wear, and cashmere shawls.

Samuel's wife's cousin, George Washington Taylor, joined in 1834, and the store was named Lord & Taylor.

The rest is history.

For all of those who think that malls are "dead," you're dead wrong.

In fact, Freehold Raceway Mall is thriving despite online shopping becoming more and more of a factor.

There was also a pandemic that is fair to factor in.

Through all of that, Freehold Raceway Mall is still standing. Why? Many people want to get out of their bubbles and browse a store and actually touch items.

How about this for a concept: try clothes on before you purchase them with no shipping involved. Wow!

Here's what Monmouth County shoppers think would be a perfect fit for the wide-open Lord & Taylor space at Freehold Raceway Mall.