Shopping malls in Niagara County

Niagara County, New York has two major shopping malls, Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA and The Summit. [ [http://www.niagara-usa.com/shop/falls_shop1.html Niagara USA -shopping - malls] ] A third mall, Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet, closed in 2000. A fourth mall, Lockport Mall, opened in 1971, but closed in 2007.

The Summit

Infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = The Summit
location = Wheatfield, New York
opening_date = 1972
owner = Jim Anthony
number_of_stores = 50
number_of_anchors = 3
floor_area = convert|800000|sqft|m2|1
floors = 1
website = [http://www.summitniagara.com/ The Summit]

The Summit (formally the Summit Park Mall) is a 800,000 square feet (75,000 square meters) shopping mall located in Wheatfield, New York, about seven miles from the Falls and from Canada. The mall opened with great fanfare in 1972 and then expanded in 1979, with 5 large anchor tenants: Sears, AM&A's, later purchased by Bon Ton, Hens & Kelly, a 30,000 square feet Child World, later purchased by Toys "Я" Us, and Jenss.There were also two midsized tenants McCrory & Co and The Sample Shop. The mall did extremely well through the 70s, 80s, and early 90s.For a brief time Macys operated MCO (Macys Closeout ) in the former Hens & Kelly space. But in the early 90's the regional department store Sample Shop closed, the value of the Canadian dollar began to drop, all at the same time as the advent of power centers, category killer big box stores, and Wal-Mart's expansion, all conspired to slaughter the malls of the 1970s and '80s. In 1998 regional department store Jenss left the mall and the space remained vacant until 2005.

In 2005 the mall got a new image, and the name changed to The Summit. The interiors are now extensively skylit with open ceilings and new lighting. The exteriors have been upgraded with new improved access and canopied entries, along with new landscaping and lighting. Also in 2005 a new anchor came to the mall; Steve and Barry's, which opened in the former Jenss. In early 2006 anchor Toys "Я" Us decided it would leave the mall, but there are negotiations now to backfill that space with strong retailers.In 2007 Save-A-Lot announced it would replace Toys R Us. Also in 2007 Rainbow Shops opened a large location near The Bon Ton.

Mall redeveloper Jim Anthony, of Anthony & Co. ONCOR International in Raleigh, NC is hoping to retenant the property with local and regional tenants, while creating "Niagara's Indoor Downtown". Anthony's plan includes creating premiere "micro-retailing" experiences such as the Niagara Emporium and Van Winkles Crafts, where local crafts and gift makers can sell their often handmade wares in a co-op environment.

Entertainment and events are now a major part of the redevelopment strategy as well. For example, during the summer months, the Summit hosts a farmer's market weekly as well as the region's largest Cruise Night with 3000 or more people in attendance regularly. Karaoke, concerts, plays, dances, trade shows, parties, and events of all kinds frequent the mall's three large courts: Fashion Court, Center Court and North Court.

Current anchors

* Sears - Opened 1972
* Bon Ton - 88,100 sq.ft. Opened 1995
* Steve and Barry's - Opened 2005
* Save-A-Lot - 17,000 sq.ft. Opened 2008

Former anchors

* AM&A's - 88,100 sq.ft. Opened 1979, (bought by Bon Ton)
* Hens and Kelly - closed in the early 1980s
* Jenss - Opened 1972, Closed 1998
* Child World - Opened 1974, bought by Toys R Us
* Toys "Я" Us - 30,000 sq.ft. Opened 1992, Closed 2006
* Niagara Aerospace Museum Opened 1994, Relocated to Downtown Niagara Falls in 2001
* The Sample Shop - closed early 1990s
*MCO - Macys Close Out - closed 1997

Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls

Infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls
location = Niagara Falls, New York
opening_date = 1974
number_of_stores = 154
number_of_anchors = 2
floor_area = convert|530000|sqft|m2|1
floors = 1
website = [http://www.fashionoutletsniagara.com/ Fashion Outlets]

Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls is a super-regional outlet mall on Military Road in the Town of Niagara. The mall opened in 1971 as the "Niagara Factory Outlet". The mall did very well until 1982 when the "Rainbow Mall" opened in downtown Niagara Falls. In 1996 "Prime Outlets" bought the mall and did very well until 2005 when "Prime Outlets" filed for Chapter 11 and the mall was sold to Talisman Companies. A major renovation of the mall's exterior took place from 2006-2007.

Some outlets include: Off Saks 5th Avenue, Coach, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Esprit, Banana Republic, Oakley, Anne Taylor Loft, Lindt, J. Crew, Old Navy, Adidas, Payless ShoeSource, KB Toys, Sketchers Outlet, Sunglass Hut, and Eddie Bauer Outlet. Some of the eateries in the food court are Subway, Wimpy's, Pita Gourmet, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, Lotus Express, (a former Panda Express), Dunkin' Donuts, Teriyaki Delight, and La Rosa's Pizza. Sit-down restaurants at the out mall include Applebees and Honey's.

With the rising Canadian dollar against the US Dollar in 2007, the mall is frequently visited by Canadians from Southwestern Ontario. One mall official indicated that 60-70% of their customers are Canadians. [ [http://www.singtao.ca/singtao_east/www/2007-08-07/1186503541d414142.html Cross-border shoppers everywhere; Ontario residents shop for cheap goods in US - Singtao Daily News (in Chinese)] ] The mall continues to experience strong growth in 2007.

Names

* Niagara Factory Outlet 1971-1996
* Prime Outlets Niagara Falls USA 1996-2006
* The Outlets at Niagara Falls USA 2006
* Fashion Outlets at Niagara Falls USA 2006-present

Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet

Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet was a shopping mall located in downtown Niagara Falls. The mall opened in 1982 as a two floor shopping center to help revive downtown Niagara Falls. The mall also had one major anchor, Biers Department Store, which after closing the space became the Burlington Coat Factory. The mall attracted shoppers from Canada, and did well through the 80s and early 90s, but in 1996 "Niagara Factory Outlet" (which was the mall's biggest competitor at the time) became "Prime Outlets Niagara Falls USA". All of the mall's outlets moved to the new outlet mall. Rainbow Centre Mall finally closed in September 2000. As of 2008, the mall is still vacant, completely untouched since it's closure in 2000. Despite the closure, the mall was still wide open and unlocked until October 15, 2005, when OTB (which was located inside the otherwise vacant mall) closed its doors.

Former anchors

* Burlington Coat Factory - Opened 1983, Closed 1997

Lockport Mall

Lockport Mall was a regional shopping mall located on the busy Transit Road.The mall opened in 1971 with 4 anchors: AM&A's, Montgomery Ward, The Sample Shop, and Lockport Mall Cinemas 8. Hills was later added as a fourth anchor. The mall had about 60 stores like FYE, Aeropostale, Radio Shack, and Foot Locker. The mall didn't have a food court, but rather had fast food resturants outside the mall. The mall did very well until 1995. In 1995, local department store AM&A's was sold and became The Bon Ton. In 1998, Montgomery Ward closed. In 1999 Hills became Ames. In 2000 Montgomery Ward closed and the space was used for a Rosa's Home Store. In 2002 Ames closed. In 2003 many of the mall's stores closed when a plan to knock down the mall and build a Wal-Mart was first floated. By 2005 the mall was 85% vacant. Also in 2005, Rosa's closed. In 2007 the mall shut its doors, except for the The Bon-Ton, which is actually still very busy. There is still a proposal to tear the mall down and build a Wal Mart Supercenter.

Current Anchors

* Bon Ton - Opened 1995

Former Anchors

* AM&A's - Opened 1971, became Bon Ton in 1995 in a buyout; still open
* The Sample Shop - Opened 1971, closed 1990
* Hills - Opened 1977, closed 1999, became Ames
* Lockport Mall Cinemas 8 - Opened 1971, closed 2007
* Ames - Opened 1999, closed 2002
* Montgomery Ward - Opened 1971, closed 1998, became Rosa's
* Rosa's Home Store - Opened 2000, closed 2005

References

External links

* [http://www.summitniagara.com/ The Summit official site]
* [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/summit_park_mall.html Dead Malls: Summit Park Mall/Summit Park Center]
* [http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2004/10/11/daily28.html Business First of Buffalo: Summit Park Mall no longer for sale]
* [http://www.niagara-gazette.com/apstorysection/local_story_049235655.html Niagara Gazette: Summit counts on new approach for comeback]
* [http://www.fashionoutletsniagara.com/ Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls USA official site]
* [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/rainbow_centre_factory_outlet_mall.html Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet information and pictures]
* [http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2003/11/17/story4.html Business First: Proposed leveling of Lockport Mall]