Warwick Mall reopens after historic flood

WARWICK – Almost five months after 2 feet of water invaded the Warwick Mall, the building reopened Friday morning, albeit with not all its former stores.

Mall owners and local officials cut a giant ribbon Friday and welcomed shoppers to a building featuring new flooring, bathrooms, comfort stations, electrical systems and a restored carousel. Severe flooding in March forced the closure of the mall, although some of the anchor stores opened before Friday.

As of Friday there were 47 stores at the mall open. Another 11 are expected to open in September, according to the mall’s revamped website. Fifteen more are scheduled to open in October or November with the last two – P.S. and Macy’s – scheduled to open in the spring.

Some stores will not return. Abercrombie & Fitch, Aldo, Amy’s Hallmark, Ann Taylor, Belden Jewelers, Body Expressions & Bear Village, Chelo’s Hometown Bar and Grille, the Disney Store, Game Stop, GAP, Lane Bryant, Newport Engraving, Nine West, Urban Behavior, Vitamin World and the Warwick Mall Hair Salon are not listed on the mall’s website as reopening.

The mall is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in October.