[5][6] In 2007, it was ranked among the "landmark consumer paradises" of New Haven's past, along with Macy's, Shartenberg's Department Store, and Grant's.

[10] With such limited space, Malley hung goods from wires strung across the room and used barrels topped with planks as counters.

[14] A 1938 travel book said of Malley's, "Young shoppers are fascinated by the big cage of live birds in the children's department.

"[16] It was demolished and relocated two blocks south at 2 Church Street when the now-defunct Chapel Square Mall was constructed on the original site in the early 1960s.

A former shopper wrote about the store's features: "Toys, Santa, Candy, a Soda Fountain, Fur Salon, Beauty Salon, Bridal Registry, but most importantly, on the 2nd floor, by the blue elevators, across from the Photo Studio and down the aisle from the Restaurant, in the Children's Shoe department was a big beautiful bird cage, about 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

[25] The project was blocked by residents and nearby retailers, tied up in court for about a dozen years, then never built.

[28] In 1979, an outside retailer, Bargain Mart, began renting 3,456 square feet (321.1 m2) of ground floor space from Malley's.

[29] Local businessman G. Harold Welch rented the building from 11 people who were collectively known as the Malley heirs.

Though buying and selling the department store business, he retained control of the land and rented to The Outlet Company.

[8] When the mall developers' offer to buy the property for $8.5 million[35] didn't materialize, Lipkis fought a lengthy battle with the city to open an indoor flea market, Ceasar's Department Store.

[41] Still, the building remained empty, and in 1994 a water main burst on the third floor, causing extensive damage.

[54] In an effort to develop the property, Mayor John Daniels established a Retail Mall Advisory Council to explore the possibility of a Taubman Center.

[57][58] The Long Wharf Theatre was also considered for relocation to the spot, and a biotechnology research facility was another proposal.