After 17 years in business, the Northeast Turf Club at the Roosevelt Mall closed last month, and the building where it once operated will soon be demolished.
What will replace the off-track betting facility is unclear. Brixmor Property Group, which owns the mall, was tight-lipped about the future of the property, which is near the intersection of Bustleton and Bleigh avenues.
“We are prepping the space for a new tenant, but we are not releasing the name at this time,” Brixmor spokeswoman Kristen Moore said in an email.
The building is scheduled to be torn down on or after Wednesday, Jan. 16, according to a notice posted on the door. Demolition will only affect the Turf Club facility, Moore said, even though it is attached to the mall.
The Turf Club’s closure comes at a time when gambling is expanding in Pennsylvania. Parx Casino in Bensalem was scheduled to begin taking sports bets this week and also plans to open a sportsbook at the South Philadelphia Turf Club.
SugarHouse Casino in Fishtown began taking sports wagers in December.
Carrie Nork Minelli, a spokeswoman for Parx, which also operated the Northeast Turf Club, said the company’s lease was up at the Roosevelt Mall and Brixmor acquired a new tenant for the property.
A note on the door dated Dec. 2 thanked customers and directed people to visit the other Parx properties in the region.
“Management would like to thank all of its loyal customers for their patronage over the last 17 years,” the letter said.
All employees at the Northeast Turf Club were offered jobs at other Parx locations, and some decided to take a severance package, according to Nork Minelli.
The Northeast Times will continue to monitor developments at the Turf Club site. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com
