Northway Mall (Colonie, NY)
Encyclopedia
Northway Mall is currently a big box retail center in Colonie, New York along Central Avenue (NY Route 5
). From 1970 to 1999, it was an enclosed shopping mall with several out buildings. It is located across Central Avenue from Colonie Center
, an enclosed shopping mall.
for a price of $1.2 million. The purchaser was developer Morris Steinberg of the city of New York
. The property was originally part of Albany's waterworks property. It had been a protected part of the Albany Pine Bush from 1850. The development of Northway Mall helped to spur further development along nearby Wolf Road.
A hearing at the Colonie Planning Board was scheduled for July 8, 1969 for a proposed subdivision for the mall. A meeting between the Town of Colonie Planning Board, the Village of Colonie Planning Commission, and representatives of the developers took place on August 19, 1969, where partial approval was given to begin preliminary work. Work to level the land had actually commenced prior to that date. A hearing at the Colonie Town Zoning Board was scheduled for 5:15pm on September 17, 1970, regarding mall signage. A variance had to be requested because the size of the proposed signs was larger than was allowed by zoning laws at the time.
The construction contract for the Almart's Store was held by Panzieri-Henderson, Inc., while AVR Construction Co. was contracted for Korvette's. L.A. Swyer, Inc., of Albany, held the construction contract for the smaller stores between the two anchors. Steel for the center was purchased from James McKinney & Sons, Inc., of Albany.
Store at 140,000 square feet. Korvette's opened on October 15, 1970.
The Almart Store, a division of Allied Stores
Corp., would be at the north end of the mall consisting of two stores and 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²), plus 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) for outdoor items such as greenhouse supplies. It opened on October 8, 1970, being the first store in the mall to open.
About thirty smaller stores were planned between the two anchors.
store was announced prior to the opening of the mall.
On October 21, 1969, the National Commercial Bank and Trust Co. of Albany was approved by the United States Comptroller of the Currency to open a branch in the mall.
The Time-Out Tunnel: Tico Bonomo, former owner of Bonomo's Turkish Taffy, established the first Time-Out Family Amusement Center in the Northway Mall in 1970 and was one of its very first tenants. The Time-Out Tunnel, as it came to be known, turned into a chain of mall arcades throughout the Northeast in the 1970s and 1980s. The Time-Out Tunnel at Nothway Mall remained in operation through the end of December 1998 when the mall was finally closed. The Time-Out Tunnel therefore has the distinction of being a tenant from the mall's inception right through the very end of its existence as an enclosed mall.
chapel, sponsored by the Holy Name Province of the Order Friars Minor. Apart from a sanctuary, it had a front counter staffed by a priest, and a consultation where anyone, Catholic or otherwise, could receive guidance from members of the clergy. It was located on the western side of the mall between Almart's and the Motherhood Maternity Shop. Like any other store in the mall, they paid rent based on square footage, at retail rates.
It was hoped the chapel would be open by October, 1970, then by November, but it did not open until December, 1970, due to construction delays. The chapel informally opened on December 28, 1970. Initial staff included Rev. Fabian Joyce, rector, Rev. Malcolm MacDonald, Brother Lawrence McLeod, and Rev. Conall Hart. The chapel space was ninety-nine by thirty-three square feet. Initial hours were 10am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday. It was the only area Catholic church closed on Sundays. The intent of the chapel was to provide spiritual services to both shoppers and store employees.
Thirty-five people attended the first (concelebrated) Mass at the chapel without any announcement or advertising. In the initial days since it opened, an average of 500 people visited the chapel. While furnishings were waiting to be received, nearby stores loaned items to be used in the chapel. Masses took place at 10am, 12:10pm, and 5:10pm on weekdays. Mass times at ten minutes after the hour were intended to accommodate store employee lunch or dinner breaks.
Fr. Fabian Joyce, ordained 1943, came from Worcester, Massachusetts
and had been serving at Our Lady's Chapel in New Bedford, Massachusetts
for the six years prior to becoming rector of St. Francis Chapel. After a few years at the mall, Fr. Joyce suggested that the location has brought people back to the faith.
On the afternoon of March 10, 1971, the Most Rev. Bishop Broderick, D.D.
, of the Albany, New York Catholic Diocese
, blessed the altar of St. Francis Chapel in a concelebrated dedication Massachusetts The bishop commented that while traditional forms of worship like the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament were falling out of favor, it was good to see evidence of them at St. Francis Chapel. It was estimated that approximately 25,000 people had visited the chapel between its unofficial opening in late December, 1970, and its official dedication. Fr. Fabian Joyce, rector, joked about one of the initial visitors mistaking the chapel for a bank and the priests as tellers.
By the late 1970s, Masses were being held four times per day. Eight Masses were held on Saturdays. Weekday masses attracted thirty to forty people while Saturday vigil Masses for Sunday obligation attracted around 200.
The chapel in the mall attracted people from many faiths who came in to worship as they saw fit.
It was alleged that Mildred Elley Business College was considering space in the mall in 1998.
By October 12, 1997, the only restaurant left in the mall was Ario's Pizza, after Rick's Cafe closed a few days prior.
On October 10, 1997, anchor Montgomery Ward
announced it would be closing its anchor store at the Northway Mall along with stores at other locations. (The store closing in Northway Mall was completed in January, 1998.) Also in 1997, anchors Lechmere
(chain owned by Montgomery Ward by March 31, 1994 --- this store located in an outbuilding), and Woolworth's closed their stores in the mall. By October 1997, there was space for 40 stores, but only half had tenants. Despite this, a spokesman for the mall's owner indicated in October 1997 that demolition was not being considered.
By December, 1998, less than twelve stores remained open. The mall would close at the end of 1998. In December 1998, some store owners complained of only being given thirty days' notice of the closure. Due to having a lease, Marshall's remained in the mall into 1999.
New York°N date=June 2009°W
New York State Route 5
New York State Route 5 is a state highway that extends for across the state of New York in the United States. It begins at the Pennsylvania state line in the Chautauqua County town of Ripley and passes through Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, and several other smaller cities and...
). From 1970 to 1999, it was an enclosed shopping mall with several out buildings. It is located across Central Avenue from Colonie Center
Colonie Center
Colonie Center is a shopping mall located in Albany at the intersection of Central Avenue, Wolf Road, and Interstate 87. Opening in 1966, it was the first enclosed shopping mall in New York State's Capital Region. The mall has successfully updated its tenant mix, image, and look on an ongoing basis...
, an enclosed shopping mall.
Enclosed mall (1970-1999)
The mall, which had no fountain, and only one floor for its inner complex, was alleged to have been referred to as "modern as tomorrow."Development
Fifty-nine acres of land was purchased in Fall, 1968 from the city of AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
for a price of $1.2 million. The purchaser was developer Morris Steinberg of the city of New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The property was originally part of Albany's waterworks property. It had been a protected part of the Albany Pine Bush from 1850. The development of Northway Mall helped to spur further development along nearby Wolf Road.
A hearing at the Colonie Planning Board was scheduled for July 8, 1969 for a proposed subdivision for the mall. A meeting between the Town of Colonie Planning Board, the Village of Colonie Planning Commission, and representatives of the developers took place on August 19, 1969, where partial approval was given to begin preliminary work. Work to level the land had actually commenced prior to that date. A hearing at the Colonie Town Zoning Board was scheduled for 5:15pm on September 17, 1970, regarding mall signage. A variance had to be requested because the size of the proposed signs was larger than was allowed by zoning laws at the time.
The construction contract for the Almart's Store was held by Panzieri-Henderson, Inc., while AVR Construction Co. was contracted for Korvette's. L.A. Swyer, Inc., of Albany, held the construction contract for the smaller stores between the two anchors. Steel for the center was purchased from James McKinney & Sons, Inc., of Albany.
Initial anchors
Initial plans called for the south end of the mall to have a single-level E. J. KorvetteE. J. Korvette
E. J. Korvette, also known as Korvette's, was an American chain of discount department stores, founded in 1948 in New York City. It is notable as one of the first department stores to challenge the suggested retail price provisions of anti-discounting statutes. Founded by World War II veteran...
Store at 140,000 square feet. Korvette's opened on October 15, 1970.
The Almart Store, a division of Allied Stores
Allied Stores
Allied Stores was a department store chain in the United States. It was founded in the 1930s as part of a general consolidation in the retail sector by B. E. Puckett. See also Associated Dry Goods. It was the successor to Hahn's Department Stores, a holding company founded in 1928...
Corp., would be at the north end of the mall consisting of two stores and 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²), plus 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) for outdoor items such as greenhouse supplies. It opened on October 8, 1970, being the first store in the mall to open.
About thirty smaller stores were planned between the two anchors.
Other initial tenants
A 31500 square feet (2,926.4 m²) Woolworth'sF. W. Woolworth Company
The F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...
store was announced prior to the opening of the mall.
On October 21, 1969, the National Commercial Bank and Trust Co. of Albany was approved by the United States Comptroller of the Currency to open a branch in the mall.
The Time-Out Tunnel: Tico Bonomo, former owner of Bonomo's Turkish Taffy, established the first Time-Out Family Amusement Center in the Northway Mall in 1970 and was one of its very first tenants. The Time-Out Tunnel, as it came to be known, turned into a chain of mall arcades throughout the Northeast in the 1970s and 1980s. The Time-Out Tunnel at Nothway Mall remained in operation through the end of December 1998 when the mall was finally closed. The Time-Out Tunnel therefore has the distinction of being a tenant from the mall's inception right through the very end of its existence as an enclosed mall.
St. Francis Chapel
A long-time tenant at Northway Mall was St. Francis Chapel, a Catholic FranciscanFranciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
chapel, sponsored by the Holy Name Province of the Order Friars Minor. Apart from a sanctuary, it had a front counter staffed by a priest, and a consultation where anyone, Catholic or otherwise, could receive guidance from members of the clergy. It was located on the western side of the mall between Almart's and the Motherhood Maternity Shop. Like any other store in the mall, they paid rent based on square footage, at retail rates.
It was hoped the chapel would be open by October, 1970, then by November, but it did not open until December, 1970, due to construction delays. The chapel informally opened on December 28, 1970. Initial staff included Rev. Fabian Joyce, rector, Rev. Malcolm MacDonald, Brother Lawrence McLeod, and Rev. Conall Hart. The chapel space was ninety-nine by thirty-three square feet. Initial hours were 10am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday. It was the only area Catholic church closed on Sundays. The intent of the chapel was to provide spiritual services to both shoppers and store employees.
Thirty-five people attended the first (concelebrated) Mass at the chapel without any announcement or advertising. In the initial days since it opened, an average of 500 people visited the chapel. While furnishings were waiting to be received, nearby stores loaned items to be used in the chapel. Masses took place at 10am, 12:10pm, and 5:10pm on weekdays. Mass times at ten minutes after the hour were intended to accommodate store employee lunch or dinner breaks.
Fr. Fabian Joyce, ordained 1943, came from Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
and had been serving at Our Lady's Chapel in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
for the six years prior to becoming rector of St. Francis Chapel. After a few years at the mall, Fr. Joyce suggested that the location has brought people back to the faith.
On the afternoon of March 10, 1971, the Most Rev. Bishop Broderick, D.D.
Edwin Broderick
-External links:*...
, of the Albany, New York Catholic Diocese
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany covers all or part of 14 counties in Eastern New York...
, blessed the altar of St. Francis Chapel in a concelebrated dedication Massachusetts The bishop commented that while traditional forms of worship like the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament were falling out of favor, it was good to see evidence of them at St. Francis Chapel. It was estimated that approximately 25,000 people had visited the chapel between its unofficial opening in late December, 1970, and its official dedication. Fr. Fabian Joyce, rector, joked about one of the initial visitors mistaking the chapel for a bank and the priests as tellers.
By the late 1970s, Masses were being held four times per day. Eight Masses were held on Saturdays. Weekday masses attracted thirty to forty people while Saturday vigil Masses for Sunday obligation attracted around 200.
The chapel in the mall attracted people from many faiths who came in to worship as they saw fit.
Later tenants
Tenants listed here are based on newspaper articles or advertisements listing the Colonie, New York Northway Mall as a store location. Entries are in date order.| Tenant Name | Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Mechanics Exchange Savings Bank of Albany | scheduled for Fall, 1970 |
| St. Francis Chapel | December 28, 1970 (unofficial), March 10, 1971 (official dedication) |
| Audrey's Creperie | before December 6, 1974 |
| Alpert's Furniture Warehouse Showroom (located at rear of the mall) |
before March 21, 1975 |
| Hilton Piano | before February 23, 1975 |
| The Bank Next Door | before May 9, 1975 |
| Anderson Little | before March 18, 1976 |
| Deja Vu Boutique | before June 4, 1976 |
| Huckleberry Finn (furniture store) | before July 12, 1979 |
| Montgomery Ward Montgomery Ward Montgomery Ward is an online retailer that carries the same name as the former American department store chain, founded as the world's #1 mail order business in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and which went out of business in 2001... (owned its retail space) |
1982 or earlier |
| Syracuse China Syracuse China Syracuse China Corporation, located in Syracuse, New York, was a manufacturer of fine china. Founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company in the town of Geddes, New York, the company initially produced earthenware... Factory Outlet Store |
week of June 12–18, 1983 (third store in chain) (subsequent advertisements) |
| Tehan's Catalog Showroom | 1983 - 50000 sq ft (4,645.2 m²). store occupied part of the former Korvette's store, closed April, 1989 due to lease buy-out from mall so Marshall's could take its place |
| Linens 'N Things Linens 'n Things Linens 'n Things is an online retailer of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories. Until 2008, the company also did business as a big box retailer under the name Linens 'n Things, Inc., headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey, United States, and did business across the United States... |
before August 11, 1985 (district manager office) |
| Time Out Amusement Center (arcade) | 1970 |
| Discount Book Store | before February 17, 1989 |
| BJ's Wholesale Club BJ's Wholesale Club BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. , commonly referred to simply as BJ's, is a membership-only warehouse club chain operating on the United States East Coast, as well as in the state of Ohio... (free-standing building) |
before February 22, 1989 |
| Lechmere Lechmere Lechmere was a retail store chain in New England, which closed in 1997.-History:Lechmere Inc. was a retailer of electronics, appliances, and other goods, with 24 stores located throughout New England and New York. The company was founded in the early twentieth century and expanded during the... (free-standing building) |
before February 22, 1989 |
| Jo Harper | unknown, closed before March 15, 1989 |
| Kuppenheimer's | unknown, closed before March 15, 1989 |
| Footwear Gallery | unknown, closed before March 15, 1989 |
| Hit or Miss | before March 15, 1989 |
| Afterthoughts | before April 16, 1989 |
| Silo's | August 3, 1989, 12000 sq ft (1,114.8 m²) store in then newly-built store space in mall, closed Fall, 1995 |
| Kids 'R Us | between March 15, 1989 and October, 1989 |
| Marshall's | October 2, 1989 (remained into 1999), closed after October, 1997 |
| Chuck E. Cheese's Chuck E. Cheese's Chuck E. Cheese's is a chain of family entertainment centers. Chuck E... (out building) |
unknown, closed this location in 1995 |
| Sam Goody Sam Goody Sam Goody was a music and entertainment retailer in the United States and United Kingdom, and was owned and operated by Trans World Entertainment which also runs FYE, Saturday Matinee, and Suncoast Motion Picture Company. It specialized in music, video, and video game sales... (7,000 sq. ft.) |
late 1995/early 1996 |
| Sports Cards Plus | before April, 1996 |
| Musicland (musical instruments dealer) | before April, 1996 |
| Staples (out building, replaced Chuck E. Cheese) | April, 1996 |
| Key Bank Key Bank KeyBank is a regional bank headquartered in Key Tower within Cleveland, Ohio's Public Square. , it is the 19th largest bank in the United States based on total deposits... |
before December, 1996 (closed by March 1, 1997) |
| Green's Appliances | scheduled to open in November, 1996 (23,000 sq. ft. in former Silo's location) |
| UpState Dental Health Services P.C. | before March, 1997 |
| Ario's Pizza | before October, 1997 |
| Rick's Cafe | unknown, closed by October, 1997 |
| All For a Dollar | unknown, went out of business before October, 1997 |
| Supermarket of Shoes | before October, 1997 |
| Dress Barn | before October, 1997 |
| S&K Menswear | before October, 1997 |
| Sterling Optical | before October, 1997 |
| Payless Shoes | before 1998 |
| Fantastic Worlds | before 1998 |
| Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts (out building) | before 1999 |
| David's Bridal David's Bridal David's Bridal is a clothier in the United States that specializes in wedding dresses, prom gowns, and other formal wear. It is the largest American bridal-store chain.David's Bridal currently operates more than 300 stores in 45 states, Canada and Puerto Rico... |
before 1999 |
Loss of initial anchors
Only about ten years after the mall opened, initial major anchors Almart's and Korvette's, closed. In 1983, the space formerly occupied by Korvette's was developed into an area for small discount stores. However, this did not prove successful.Miscellaneous notes
The mall was once known as the "Off Price Center" but the owners moved away from that term by late 1989, using the word "value" instead.It was alleged that Mildred Elley Business College was considering space in the mall in 1998.
Decline
In 1995, the mall owners spent $2 million to upgrade the look of the mall with new foliage and designs. This did not attract new tenants.By October 12, 1997, the only restaurant left in the mall was Ario's Pizza, after Rick's Cafe closed a few days prior.
On October 10, 1997, anchor Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward is an online retailer that carries the same name as the former American department store chain, founded as the world's #1 mail order business in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and which went out of business in 2001...
announced it would be closing its anchor store at the Northway Mall along with stores at other locations. (The store closing in Northway Mall was completed in January, 1998.) Also in 1997, anchors Lechmere
Lechmere
Lechmere was a retail store chain in New England, which closed in 1997.-History:Lechmere Inc. was a retailer of electronics, appliances, and other goods, with 24 stores located throughout New England and New York. The company was founded in the early twentieth century and expanded during the...
(chain owned by Montgomery Ward by March 31, 1994 --- this store located in an outbuilding), and Woolworth's closed their stores in the mall. By October 1997, there was space for 40 stores, but only half had tenants. Despite this, a spokesman for the mall's owner indicated in October 1997 that demolition was not being considered.
By December, 1998, less than twelve stores remained open. The mall would close at the end of 1998. In December 1998, some store owners complained of only being given thirty days' notice of the closure. Due to having a lease, Marshall's remained in the mall into 1999.
Demolition
Demolition of most of the mall began in May, 1999. In comments published a year after demolition, a spokesman for the mall's owner pointed out that the mall was not large enough to compete with newer, modern malls. The space housing David's Bridal would remain as a free-standing building.Development
The portion of the original enclosed mall housing David's Bridal would remain as a detached building while free standing buildings housing multiple stores would be built behind. The developers needed a variance from the Town of Colonie Planning Board. This was given in December, 1998.Initial anchor/tenants
- TargetTarget CorporationTarget Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
(anchor) - David's BridalDavid's BridalDavid's Bridal is a clothier in the United States that specializes in wedding dresses, prom gowns, and other formal wear. It is the largest American bridal-store chain.David's Bridal currently operates more than 300 stores in 45 states, Canada and Puerto Rico...
- Jo-Ann etc. (moved to new building, switched to larger Jo-Ann etc. format)
- Linens n' Things (closed)
- Marshall's
- Eddie BauerEddie BauerEddie Bauer Holdings Inc. is a holding company that operates the Eddie Bauer clothing store chain, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, United States. EBH was formed after Eddie Bauer's former parent company, Spiegel, Inc., went bankrupt in 2003...
Outlet - Dress Barn
Later tenants
| Tenant Name | Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Petco PETCO PETCO is a chain of retail stores that offers pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware, it is headquartered in San Diego, California... (free-standing building) |
September 29, 2000 |
| Thomasville Home Furnishings (closed December 3, 2008) | July 8, 2001 |
| Charter One Bank (free-standing building) | March 18, 2002 |
| Old Brick (out building along Railroad Avenue) | scheduled for Spring, 2003 |
| Lowe's Lowe's Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in... (free-standing building) |
after August, 2007 |
Closing of Cine 10
The Hoyt's Cine 10 movie theaters, in operation for over 20 years, did not renew their lease which ended in August, 2000. The theatre was in a free-standing building consisting of 23000 square feet (2,136.8 m²), and beginning in 1993, switched to second-run movies at a reduced rate. The building was 30 years old (as of 2000), had ten screens and 2,000 seats. It was suggested that competition from other Hoyt's theatres reduced the profits of this specific cinema.Miscellaneous notes
L.L. Bean considered the space formerly occupied by the Lechmere store but declined due to the need (at the time) to demolish that building and build a new one.External links
New York°N date=June 2009°W