Riverside Square Mall Update Reveals Unexpected Shift
- 01. Riverside Square Mall Recent News: What You Need to Know Now
- 02. Critical Incidents: Fire and Bomb Threat Response
- 03. Major Tenants and Recent Store Openings
- 04. Mall History and Transformation Timeline
- 05. Current Mall Statistics and Performance Data
- 06. Practical Visitor Information
- 07. Future Outlook and Development Plans
Riverside Square Mall Recent News: What You Need to Know Now
Riverside Square Mall-now officially known as The Shops at Riverside-has experienced several significant recent events in 2025 and 2026, including a fire at Free People on October 25, 2025 that caused smoke damage to adjacent stores, a bomb threat evacuation at the Cheesecake Factory on Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026) that cleared the restaurant for safety, and the upcoming opening of celebrity chef Josh Capon's new Capon's Chophouse steakhouse scheduled for late 2025. The Hackensack, New Jersey shopping center maintains approximately 82-83% occupancy as of mid-2025, with 66 current stores including anchors like Bloomingdale's, AMC Theatres, Pottery Barn, Barnes & Noble, and Arhaus.
Critical Incidents: Fire and Bomb Threat Response
On Saturday, October 25, 2025 at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Hackensack Fire Department responded to a fire alarm and smoke report at Riverside Square Mall. Firefighters discovered a blaze in the rear of the Free People clothing store on the upper level. The First Platoon extinguished hotspots and brought the situation under control within hours.
Adjacent stores sustained water and smoke damage, according to the Fire Department's official statement. Building management restored the fire alarm and sprinkler system the same day, allowing the mall to reopen later on Saturday with all tenants operational. The fire remains under investigation but officials confirmed it does not appear suspicious.
Just months earlier on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 12:48 p.m., Hackensack police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a pipe bomb at the Cheesecake Factory inside The Shops at Riverside. Captain Gregory Zisa confirmed the restaurant and surrounding businesses were fully evacuated for public safety.
The Bergen County K-9 Bomb Squad investigated thoroughly and found no devices. Captain Zisa characterized it as a "fake threat with no real danger present" with no current threat to the public. The mall reopened later that afternoon with all businesses returning to normal operations.
Major Tenants and Recent Store Openings
The mall is undergoing significant dining expansion with celebrity partnerships. Capon's Chophouse, a modern-day steakhouse concept by NJ celebrity chef Josh Capon and his VCR Group hospitality firm, will occupy space previously held by The Grill at Riverside on Level 1.
- Capon's Chophouse: Scheduled to open late 2025; upscale casual steakhouse featuring prime cuts and seafood
- Jinya Ramen Bar: Specialty ramen concept launching second outpost after Totowa debut; partnership with Doherty Enterprises
- The Cheesecake Factory: Full-service dessert and dining destination at 197 Riverside Square Mall
- Morton's Steakhouse: Premium steakhouse anchoring the dining corridor
- Rosa Mexicano: Upscale Mexican cuisine with vibrant atmosphere
- P.F. Chang's: Asian-fusion concept with extensive menu
Other notable dining options include Houston's, Maggiano's Little Italy, Sweetgreen, and True Food Kitchen, creating one of North Jersey's most diverse food courts.
Mall History and Transformation Timeline
- 1959: Original freestanding Bloomingdale's opens on the site
- March 10, 1977: Enclosed mall opens as Riverside Square Mall with 620,000 sq ft retail space, including 237,000 sq ft Bloomingdale's and 107,000 sq ft Saks Fifth Avenue
- 1995: Complete renovation with marble floors, glass railings, comfortable seating amid declining traffic
- 2005: Mall officially renamed The Shops at Riverside; begins major expansion
- 2005-2008: Adds 248,000 sq ft retail/dining space with 30 new stores and 3 restaurants
- December 2014: Saks Fifth Avenue closes after 37 years, freeing 100,000+ sq ft
- May 2015: Plans announced for cinema and dining-entertainment complex in former Saks space
- September 13, 2017: AMC Dine-In Theater with 9 screening rooms opens on second floor
- 2018: Second phase renovation completes with new flooring, escalators, staircase, glass ball
- Late 2019: Third phase completes with new entrance, valet parking, luxury lounge
- October 25, 2025: Fire at Free People causes smoke/water damage; mall reopens same day
- April 5, 2026: Bomb threat evacuates Cheesecake Factory; no device found
- Late 2025: Capon's Chophouse scheduled to open
Current Mall Statistics and Performance Data
| Metric | Value | Time Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Leasable Area (GLA) | 658,261 sq ft (61,154 m²) | Current | |
| Total Stores | 66 stores | 2026 | |
| Occupancy Rate | 82-83% | Mid-2025 | |
| Anchor Stores | Bloomingdale's, AMC Theatres, Pottery Barn, Barnes & Noble, Arhaus | 2026 | |
| Annual Visitors (Historical) | ~12 million | Pre-2020 | |
| Dining Establishments | 10+ full-service restaurants | 2026 | |
| Movie Theater Screens | 9 AMC Dine-In screens | Current | |
| Levels | 2-level enclosed mall | Current |
Practical Visitor Information
The Shops at Riverside caters to suburban areas across Bergen, Essex, and Passaic counties in New Jersey plus Rockland County, New York. Due to Bergen County blue laws, most of the mall remains closed on Sundays except for restaurants, the movie theater, and retailers exempt from Sunday sales restrictions.
Public transportation options include NJ Transit bus lines 756 and 762 serving the property directly. The New Bridge Landing train station in River Edge is approximately 5 minutes from the mall.
Future Outlook and Development Plans
Under owner Simon Property Group, The Shops at Riverside continues strategic upgrades emphasizing luxury dining and entertainment. The Capon's Chophouse addition represents part of ongoing investments to maintain competitiveness against nearby Garden State Plaza and other North Jersey shopping destinations.
The mall's high-end retailer mix includes Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands alongside popular contemporary stores, positioning it as New Jersey's first luxury mall following its extensive 2015-2019 revamp. With 66 current stores and strategic dining expansions, the property continues performing well despite broader retail industry challenges affecting shopping centers nationwide.
Expert answers to Riverside Square Mall Update Reveals Unexpected Shift queries
What is the current official name of Riverside Square Mall?
The shopping center was officially renamed The Shops at Riverside in 2005 and has operated under that name for nearly 20 years, though some locals still use the original "Riverside Square Mall" name.
Did anyone get hurt in the October 2025 fire?
No injuries occurred as a result of the fire at the Free People store. The Hackensack Fire Department extinguished the blaze quickly, and the mall reopened later Saturday afternoon after restoring safety systems.
Is the bomb threat from April 2026 real?
No-the threat was fake. The Bergen County K-9 Bomb Squad found no devices, and Captain Gregory Zisa confirmed there is "currently no threat to the public" with all businesses back to normal operations.
When does Capon's Chophouse open?
Capon's Chophouse is scheduled to open in late 2025 (fall 2025) on Level 1, taking over the former Grill at Riverside space.
What're the Sunday hours at The Shops at Riverside?
Due to Bergen County blue laws, most stores are closed on Sundays. Exceptions include restaurants, the AMC movie theater, and retailers exempt from Sunday sales restrictions.
What is the mall's current occupancy rate?
Occupancy remained around 82-83% through mid-2025, which property servicers described as "in line with historical" performance for the property.