Throwback photos of Green Acres Mall:
The iconic TV series Seinfeld, famously dubbed "a show about nothing," is deeply rooted in New York culture, and its ties to Long Island, though subtle, are noteworthy. One particular connection comes through its use of real-world locations for establishing shots. When the characters visited a mall -- often for comically mundane adventures -- some of the exterior footage shown was actually of the Green Acres Mall, as located in Valley Stream, Long Island. While the scenes themselves were filmed on studio sets in Los Angeles, this nod to a real Long Island shopping destination added a layer of authenticity to the show’s New York City-centric feel.
Filming aside, the show's namesake, Jerry Seinfeld, grew up in Massapequa, New York. Valley Stream is where Larry Miller -- a comedian who once auditioned for the part of George Costanza and was later a guest star on Seinfeld -- grew up.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on July 3, 2025.