Arnot Mall, Big Flats NY: From Peak Years to New Realities

Arnot Mall is an enclosed shopping center at 3300 Chambers Road in Big Flats, NY. It opened in 1967, developed by Arnot Realty, with JCPenney as its only anchor.

A major expansion in 1980 added Bradlees, Hess's, and Sears, increasing the floor area to more than one million square feet and raising the store count above 100.

Over the years, anchor changes included Hess's conversion to Kaufmann's in 1995, then Macy's in 2006. Burlington took over the former Bradlees space that same year.

Macy's closed in 2016, The Bon-Ton filled the space in 2017 and left in 2018, and Sears shut down in 2020.

Today, the property is owned by Arnot Realty and managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group, with JCPenney, Burlington, Regal Cinemas, and Planet Fitness among its primary tenants.

1967 to 1979: The Mall Opens

"The Mall" Shopping Center began operations in 1967 with JCPenney as its single anchor.

Developed by Arnot Realty, it opened with about 40 stores, most of them national and regional chains that were expanding into smaller markets.

The building was a single level, designed for ease of access from the large surface lot.

Floors were finished in simple tile, with wide corridors that allowed clear sightlines from one end to the other.

By the early 1970s, Arnot Mall served customers from Chemung County and neighboring areas.

Shoppers moved between JCPenney, shoe stores, record shops, and clothing retailers without stepping outside.

Local advertising promoted seasonal sales and highlighted the indoor comfort during colder months.

Food service was limited but visible, with small eateries set along the concourse.

Lighting was bright and uniform, provided by rows of recessed fixtures.

The roofline and exterior signage used straightforward block lettering, matching the style of many enclosed malls built during the decade.

Maintenance and leasing were handled directly by Arnot Realty, which kept the anchor and smaller tenants on long-term agreements.

1980 to 1989: Expansion and New Anchors

In 1980, the property underwent its first major expansion.

New wings were constructed to accommodate three additional anchor stores: Bradlees, Hess's, and Sears.

The work increased the total floor area to more than one million square feet and expanded the store count past 100.

Corridors extended from the original concourse, with new storefronts built to match the existing finishes.

The arrival of Bradlees brought a discount department format to the mix.

At the same time, Hess's added a full-line department store with a wider range of apparel and housewares.

Sears drew customers with its tool department, appliances, and catalog pickup service.

The combination broadened the Arnot Mall retail base and pulled traffic from a larger radius along the Southern Tier.

The mall's interior directories were revised to match the new layout, and extra seating areas were added in the common spaces.

Turnover stayed low through the decade, with the expansion drawing retailers who signed on for long leases.

Wider concourses made it easier to set up seasonal displays and host promotional events.

By the late 1980s, the larger footprint and full anchor lineup put the property among the biggest enclosed shopping centers in the region, offering a mix of mid-range and discount stores.

1990 to 2005: Anchor Changes and Rebranding

Through the 1990s, the anchor roster shifted in steps.

In 1995, Hess's became Kaufmann's, keeping the same space but rearranging departments to fit the chain's usual layout.

Iszard's had already turned into McCurdy's before changing again to The Bon-Ton, which brought fresh signage and a different merchandising style.

None of these changes required major construction, and the Arnot Mall's overall circulation stayed the same.

By the mid-2000s, national trends in retail consolidation reached the property.

Kaufmann's signage came down in 2006 to make way for Macy's, which brought in updated fixtures and broader product lines.

The same year, Burlington Coat Factory opened in the space formerly occupied by Bradlees, adding a discount-oriented anchor back into the mix.

Storefronts in the concourses displayed both national fashion brands and regional businesses.

Food court seating, located on the upper level, continued to serve visitors accessing the movie theater as well as shoppers moving between the larger stores.

The layout and anchor configuration stayed consistent until the next decade's turnover.

2006 to 2015: Community Events and National Trends

Burlington Coat Factory's 2006 opening marked a period where anchor changes slowed, and Arnot Mall focused on retail stability.

Macy's operated alongside JCPenney, Burlington, The Bon-Ton, and Sears, maintaining a mix of department store formats.

The Regal Cinemas on the upper level and the food court remained steady attractions.

In 2011, the property participated in a back-to-school promotion run by all PREIT-owned malls, offering school supplies to shoppers with qualifying purchases.

That same August, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon was seen in the arcade following a race weekend at Watkins Glen International.

Later that day, Robby Gordon held an autograph session outside GNC.

Staff and visitors reported feeling the tremors from the 2011 Virginia earthquake, an unusual moment for the region.

Store occupancy remained relatively strong during this period, though national retail trends were beginning to favor online sales.

Seasonal decorations continued to appear in common areas, and the mall hosted smaller promotional events tied to holidays and sales periods.

2016 to 2023: Anchor Losses and Retail Shifts

In 2016, Macy's announced it would close its Arnot Mall store as part of a corporate plan to focus on higher-performing locations.

The space was taken over by The Bon-Ton in 2017, which reopened the anchor with its own branding and merchandising setup.

Less than a year later, on April 17, 2018, The Bon-Ton stated it would shutter after failing to reach new financial agreements, leaving the anchor dark again.

During this period, national retail contraction also reached Sears. The chain, which had operated in Arnot Mall since the 1980 expansion, closed its store in 2020.

The closures altered the mall's anchor profile, reducing its large-format tenants to JCPenney and Burlington Coat Factory.

Regal Cinemas and Planet Fitness continued to operate, maintaining traffic from entertainment and fitness customers.

Community Events and Changing Fortunes at Arnot Mall 2024-2025

In the span between 2024 and 2025, the mall's event calendar broadened to include live-entertainment elements.

One such addition was the X2: Xcite Championship Wrestling Hall, described on the mall's directory as a multipurpose venue hosting monthly Xcite wrestling shows and a training school for pro wrestling.

The hall drew audiences for matches like "Xcite United" in June 2024 and a ticketed "Hot Summer Nights" card in August 2024.

The venue remains active into 2025, with events like a five-hour skills camp featuring known wrestling trainers.

In mid-2025, a family carnival set up outside the mall, opening June 18 and running for two weeks.

Rides, game booths, and food stands filled part of the parking lot near the main entrance.

The attractions stayed open during the day and into the evening, operating alongside the mall's regular business.

The event was promoted locally as a community gathering point, drawing both shoppers and attendees who came primarily for the outdoor attractions.

In 2025, Arnot Mall remains operational, with anchor tenants like JCPenney, Burlington, Planet Fitness, and Regal Cinemas still active, and community events like wrestling shows and carnivals drawing visitors.

Yet substantial anchor vacancies and local sentiment indicate it is struggling, not fully closed, but under economic pressure to adapt.