Midland Commons — Local services in Warwick

Audited Verified Review (AVR)

Business Name: Midland CommonsIndustry: Retail (Outdoor Power Center)Location: 650 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886, United StatesDate Established: Originally opened as Midland Mall in October 1967; redeveloped into Midland Commons starting in 2016Ownership: Co-owned by MCB Real Estate (Baltimore, MD) and Acadia Realty Trust (New York, NY)Mission Statement: To provide a convenient, modern shopping experience with a diverse mix of big-box retailers, dining options, and services, catering to the needs of Warwick residents and visitors alike. (Note: This is an inferred mission based on the center’s current operations, as no official mission statement is publicly available.)Key Offerings:

• Retail Stores: A variety of national big-box retailers including Kohl’s, Walmart, Burlington, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Planet Fitness, Raymour & Flanigan, and At Home. • Dining Options: Restaurants such as BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar, Wendy’s, Chuck E. Cheese, and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. • Accessibility: Strategically located along Bald Hill Road with easy access to I-95 and I-295, offering ample parking and outward-facing store entrances for convenience.Business Model: Midland Commons operates as an outdoor power center, focusing on attracting high-traffic anchor stores and dining establishments to serve a broad customer base. The center leverages its prime location along a dominant retail corridor to draw shoppers from Warwick and surrounding areas. Unlike its previous incarnation as an enclosed mall, the current model emphasizes standalone stores with direct parking lot access, aligning with modern retail trends favoring convenience and efficiency.Target Market: Families, bargain hunters, fitness enthusiasts, and local residents seeking a one-stop shopping and dining destination. The center appeals to a wide demographic, from young professionals to retirees, due to its mix of affordable retail, home goods, and casual dining options.Competitive Advantage: • Location: Positioned adjacent to major highways (I-95 and I-295) and along Bald Hill Road, a bustling retail corridor surrounded by competitors like Target, TJ Maxx, and Home Depot, yet distinguished by its anchor tenants. • Diverse Tenants: Offers a blend of retail, fitness, and dining options not fully replicated by nearby Warwick Mall or other local centers. • Redevelopment Success: Transition from a declining enclosed mall to a thriving outdoor power center demonstrates adaptability to changing consumer preferences.Historical Background: Originally opened as the Midland Mall in October 1967, it was Rhode Island’s first two-level enclosed shopping mall, developed by Homart Development Company (a Sears subsidiary). Renamed Rhode Island Mall in 1985, it faced stiff competition from the nearby Warwick Mall and declined into a “dead mall” by the 2000s, closing its interior in 2011. After being purchased by Winstanley Enterprises and Surrey Equities for $38 million in 2012, the property was redeveloped starting in 2016 into Midland Commons, an outdoor power center. This transformation replaced the enclosed structure with big-box stores and dining options, revitalizing the site.Current Status (as of March 23, 2025): Midland Commons spans approximately 590,700 leasable square feet and is a fully operational retail hub. Recent additions like Raymour & Flanigan and At Home (occupying the former Sears space, closed in 2017) reflect ongoing growth. The center continues to attract tenants and shoppers, bolstered by its strategic location and modern layout.Community Impact: Midland Commons supports the local economy by providing jobs through its retail and dining tenants and offering a convenient shopping destination for Warwick residents. Its redevelopment has preserved a historic retail site, preventing urban decay and maintaining Warwick’s status as a retail hub alongside the nearby...

The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. And they really kept it moving along. I know that they tell everyone, and everyone thinks that the first time will take four hours or so. And I won't lie, it did take a few hours. But, as soon as you were done with one thing there wasn't much wait and you were in to the next thing. Then when you get approved after the tests and physical, and thorough education, the donation part is actually the fastest part of the whole process. It took around a half hour to forty minutes. A d the staff in the back were great as well. I had no bruising, they know why they are doing! For those who don't like needles like myself, just turn your head and just a super soft pinch. I was very surprised. Then a bag of saline, your Debt card and you're done! I gotta say I'm definitely going back. It's a great feeling to save lives, and also have some extra money. Especially times like these. Every penny counts. And every plasma donation counts. So it's a win win situation! And I'm very glad that they have programs like this. And I hope they are around for awhile! If you don't have a job or need extra cash as we all do. Go to BIOMAT! You can donate twice a week. And regardless that they do pay you to donate, keep in mind that this is very important to many ppl who need it! It's in very high demand and saves lives! I highly recommend it, from the friendly staff to the well trained and very clean Drs in the back. Donating plasma has never been so easy! Please give it a try. If not for the compensation, do it for the ppl who really need it! Thank you! Sorry so long. - Justin Imondi use my name for a $50 Bonus...

Worst experience ever. Food was unremarkable, service was subpar, and drinks weren't great. Our hostess was doing her best, everything was great until we ordered. The drinks took so long, the ice melted and we were served diluted drinks. They swapped it out for us. The food took long, all the food came luke warm but that was fine. One of our party ordered just a bowl of soup and had to wait until almost the end, only to get it served cold, we had to ask them to warm it. Then there was something about points, she pushed us to sign up and when we did, instead of saying "oh did you sign up now, sure we can add it", she said "well you said you didn't have a rewards number earlier". Literally had to ask for everything. That was our first time there. We were not rowdy. We didn't say anything about slow service. We were not rude when we asked about the diluted drink and cold soup. So this will be our last time. 20% tip was given, I hope she gave some to the bus guys bc the service we got deserved way less. If 18% tip is good service, 20% is very good service and 22% is excellent service. I would've rated our service at 7% the food came out and the bill came after. What is dining etiquette on...