Deal to Sell Watertown Mall Closes, Purchased by Owners of Arsenal on the Charles

The Watertown Mall — home to Target and Best Buy — has been sold for $130 million to the owner of other major properties in Town. The sale by Watertown Mall Associates Limited Partnership and New York-based Rosen Associates to Alexandria Real Estate Equities closed on Thursday, according to a story on Bisnow Boston which reported the closing of the deal. Alexandria has become a big player in biotech in Watertown. It also owns the Arsenal on the Charles and the former Mount Auburn Club. 

The future of the property is not clear, with Target having a lease through 2033, according to Bisnow.com. Other tenants of the Watertown Mall include the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Joyful Garden restaurant, Miss Maria’s School of Dance, Carter’s and Work N’ Gear.

Watertown RMV Extends Designated Hours for Seniors

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The designated RMV senior service hours, which began on September 2nd , 2020, will be continued through January 2021. For those who are 75 and older, the Registry of Motor Vehicles offers weekly Wednesday service hours that are in place to offer an option to senior citizens to practice proper “social distancing” protocols to keep customers safe. Individuals who are in this age group are required by Massachusetts law to renew their state driver’s license in person. To make a reservation to renew at an RMV Service Center please visit Mass.Gov/RMV and select the Seniors License Renewal option to Make/Cancel a Reservation transaction tab. For those who are an AAA member, they may renew their license/ID at an AAA location.

Make Snowman Puppets at Watertown Family Together Event

The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

While we’re all inside during the cold month of January, the Watertown Mall is offering fun, take home craft kits! These wonderful Snowman Puppets, supplied by Watertown Families Together, are a delightful way to spend a snowy January day. The kits come complete with puppet instructions, a popsicle stick, and the precut pieces to put together your very own puppet! The puppets will be available on mall pushcarts which are located near the front entrance of the mall and in the back hallway next to Target. Puppets will be available January 18th through January 31st, and are available while supplies last.

Hundreds of Toys Collected by Mall for Watertown Police Gift Drive

Retired Watertown Police Officer Dave Collins and Patricia Stenson, the General Manager of the Watertown Mall, pictured with the gifts donated to the Whooley Foundation at the Watertown Mall. This December, the Watertown Mall collected gifts to donate to the Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation, which makes sure no children in Watertown go without a Christmas present. The last day of gift collection was Dec. 21 and a total of 165 gifts were donated. Retired Watertown Police Officer Dave Collins, who helps run the Whooley Foundation, welcomed Patricia Stenson, the General Manager of the Watertown Mall, with the gifts collected at the Mall.

Watertown Mall & Police Department Collecting Toys for Local Children

The Watertown Mall is collecting toys for the Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mall:

This year the Watertown Mall teamed up with the Watertown Police Department to help collect gift donations for the Sonny Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The Watertown Mall will continue to collect donations until Monday, December 21st. If you would like to participate, please visit the Giving Tree located inside the mall’s back hallway across from Carter’s and Target. 

Watertown Mall Hosting COVID-Friendly Christmas Concerts

The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

While this Christmas is a bit different than past, the Watertown Mall is still bringing holiday cheer with “Covid-Friendly” Christmas performances.Starting on Friday, December 4th from 11 AM to 12 PM come see The Holiday Victorian Carolers! This group is a perennial crowd favorite who perform beautifully in their exquisitely detailed, period accurate costumes. The Holiday Victorian Carolers will also be performing on December 18th from 11 AM to 12 PM. Also coming to the Watertown Mall, Jingle Belles Rock! This sassy, delightful group is an a cappella vocal trio that enlivens any holiday function.

Watertown Mall Teams with Police for Annual Gift Drive

The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

This year the Watertown Mall has teamed up with the Watertown Police Department to collect gift donations for the Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The Whooley Foundation’s mission is: To ensure that no child or family in our community goes without some joy during the holiday season. The Giving Tree is located inside the mall between the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Miss Maria’s School of Dance. The tags on the tree are for boys & girls ages 12-18. There are no specific items on the tags, but gift guides are available near the tree to assist with gift donations; all gifts are appreciated.