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Great Northern Mall, Clay NY.
Non-Beer Discussion by KENDOSURF
[?] Aren't we all aware of the Declining Interior Malls situation? To its credit, GNM is still operating but it isn't thriving. Nevertheless, about 65% of its Tenant Spaces are filled. It lost two of the big anchor stores in recent years...and they will lose Sears next month. Regal Cinema and Dick's Sporting Goods will be the remaining anchors until...? This place was a gold mine in the eighties and nineties. I worked there on and off between 1992 and 2008, in Maintenance/Janitorial/Landscaping mode. Wasn't the best or worst of my various employments, but it's a part of my life story. [8)] I hadn't visited the place in several years, until this month. I was told that it definitely is on a downhill run, so I went to see for myself. The building and grounds have visibly gone to seed; about half of the mall looks absolutely DEAD! [:(] Inside there's lots of empty spaces, but still more than half of 'em are in business. [:)] [:0] The BIG SHOCKER...the new owner fired ALL of the Management Team, except for one lady !!! She is the only remaining person of the long-timers who I knew there. She has been left to single-handedly oversee the entire operation by the absentee owner. Talk about stress ?!? And, she didn't even get a pay raise. [V] https://www.syracuse.com/business-news/index.ssf/2017/02/long_island_company_buys_troubled_great_northern_mall_in_clay.html I won't further express my opinion of this individual, but I will tell you that all the fine-sounding words are "just talk". He has done nothing in this year-and-a-half to upgrade, or even maintain, this mall. [8] [;)] Some interior malls are staying alive by doing things differently than before. Bowling alleys, grocery stores, apartments and condos are among the ideas for making dinosaur malls into modern, feasible facilities! [8D] What about where YOU live? What's the story?? Do you think the Interior Mall model can be updated, or will they ultimately become white elephants ??? [?]
5 years ago
I was at a mall in Raleigh, NC last weekend and couldn't believe how pathetic it was. The Macy's was sparse on selection and customers. The decor was so dated, and even if the place was cleaned and polished it would still look "dirty" due to the age of it all. I get almost all of my merchandise online these days, especially with Amazon.com being able to ship so much same day or next day for FREE.
I used to ride a deck mower around the pylon (7/13) sometimes...perhaps as recently as 2002. One of the more pleasant chores we were responsible for. [;)] https://www.syracuse.com/business-news/index.ssf/2017/02/long_island_company_buys_troubled_great_northern_mall_in_clay.html
KendoSurf, if you haven't seen it, This is Dan Bell on youtube has a dead mall series. He walks around old malls some still open, some closed. He plays creepy music to add to the ambiance. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNz4Un92pGNxQ9vNgmnCx7dwchPJGJ3IQ
[:)] Thanks, I Bookmarked your link. Not sure whether it was Dan Mason...there may be at least one other internet dude that posts these?...but he did a similar video project. [;)]
quote: Originally posted by heemer77
KendoSurf, if you haven't seen it, This is Dan Bell on youtube has a dead mall series. He walks around old malls some still open, some closed. He plays creepy music to add to the ambiance. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNz4Un92pGNxQ9vNgmnCx7dwchPJGJ3IQ
Went to GNM this morning. Sears is gutted; only some debris and some furniture are left in that huge space. Guy on a ladder was taking down the first S, and I was back around a little later to see him taking down the last remnants. No more SEARS @ GNM...end of an era. [:(] There are a few new little places, and a Nick's Place is moving into the old Taco Bell space. [:)] Will be like a Taco Bell/McD's/hot dog stand under one roof, afa menu items. Here's hoping...[?]
It may be all over for GNM. They were losing stores one after the other, then COVID-19 came along, and now this. https://www.syracuse.com/coronavirus/2020/04/great-northern-mall-tells-retail-tenants-they-must-keep-paying-rent-during-shutdown.html IMO It will take Divine Providence, Heavenly Intervention, God's Grace or however you choose to say it...to keep the place afloat. Otherwise the Town of Clay will have a Big White Elephant to feed.