SPRINGFIELD — At least one other business has confirmed that they are opening a new location at Springfield Crossing.
In a statement sent to Reminder Publishing, Cara Klaer, the senior director of La-Z-Boy, confirmed that the American furniture manufacturer is opening a new store at the former Eastfield Mall location sometime in winter 2027.
“La-Z-Boy Incorporated is excited to be a part of the development of this new center that was previously the Eastfield Mall,” Klaer said in the statement. “This new store will mark our 12th location in New England and will support continued growth of our footprint in the area, and the state of Massachusetts.”
La-Z-Boy is the second location to confirm to Reminder Publishing that a new store at the 1655 Boston Rd. location is coming soon.
A spokesperson from PetSmart confirmed earlier in the winter that a new store is opening in the summer, but they could not provide any firm details beyond that.
“We’re a ways out from the location opening, so I don’t have firm details,” the spokesperson said.
The leasing agency for the Springfield Crossing project, Atlantic Realty, showcases promotional materials on its website that list BJ’s, PetSmart, Hobby Lobby and La-Z-Boy as the four stores currently under construction.
Originally, Target was also included in the materials as a Springfield Crossing store under construction, but the big box store is no longer part of that list, or the renderings provided by Atlantic Realty. Instead, the location where Target was originally pictured in the Springfield Crossing project now says, “proposed anchor tenant.”
In a statement to Reminder Publishing in late December, a Target spokesperson said the big box chain is pursuing “the opportunity to reach guests in the Springfield, [Massachusetts], area,” but at that time, they could not share any new store plans.
Reminder Publishing has not heard back from BJ’s, Hobby Lobby or the leasing agent and developers for the Springfield Crossing project, as of press time.
The projected businesses are part of broader redevelopment of the former Eastfield Mall lot over the past couple of years after the mall officially closed in summer 2023.
The Springfield City Council officially approved a special permit for mall redevelopment in 2023. The developers of the project, Onyx Partners Ltd., said that the total redevelopment of the mall would cost $65 to $85 million.
During a City Council meeting that year, Onyx Limited said that redevelopment of the Eastfield Mall property is “more of a modern retail, restaurant and shopping experience.”
Onyx Principal Anton Melchionda told the council that this redevelopment will create around 800 jobs “through construction and everything else.”
Other possible businesses
The Atlantic Realty website also features renderings for other possible occupants of the former Eastfield Mall lot including a Chick-fil-A, Carter’s, Skechers and Chipotle.
In a statement to Reminder Publishing, a spokesperson from Chipotle stated that there are plans for a new Springfield location in 2026 but could not give any details on where it will be.
“Those are the only details I have to share right now,” said Tyler Benson, Chipotle’s senior manager of external communications.
Meanwhile, a Chick-fil-A representative also responded to Reminder Publishing’s inquiry about a possible location at Springfield Crossing.
“While we hope to serve the Springfield community in the future, we cannot confirm a location at this time,” the chain said in a statement.
