Champlain Centre Mall, located in Plattsburgh, New York, has been a shopping destination since its opening on July 1, 1987. Developed and owned by The Pyramid Companies, the mall has seen various changes.
Before Champlain Centre existed, The Pyramid Companies operated another mall in Plattsburgh called Pyramid Mall, which was landlocked and incapable of expansion. This led to the construction of Champlain Centre North, with the older mall renamed Champlain Centre South before its eventual demolition in the late 1990s.
The initial lineup of stores at Champlain Centre North included anchor tenants Sears, JCPenney, Steinbach, Hills, Hoyts Cinemas, and Service Merchandise. The mall has since been transformed continuously, with new stores and services opening while others closed their doors.
The Ever-Changing Retail Landscape
Throughout the years, Champlain Centre has adapted to the changing retail landscape, accommodating new trends and consumer preferences.
This adaptability has allowed the shopping center to maintain its popularity among locals and visitors alike. As the retail world continues to evolve, Champlain Centre has demonstrated its ability to stay relevant and meet the needs of its patrons.
Store Openings and Closures
Various stores have come and gone at Champlain Centre, reflecting the ebb and flow of retail businesses. Some noteworthy store openings and closures over the years include:
- Toys “R” Us opened in 1997 and closed in 2002
- Old Navy joined the mall in 1998
- Steinbach and Service Merchandise both closed in 1999
- Rex Appliances closed in 2005, with Best Buy opening in the vacated space in 2006
- Borders Books & Music replaced Toys “R” Us in 2005, only to close in 2011
- Ames, which had acquired Hills, closed in 2002 due to bankruptcy, with Target taking its place in 2008
- Wendell’s Furniture replaced Borders in 2012
- DSW, Inc. opened in 2014
- Hoyts Cinemas closed for renovations in 2010 and reopened as Regal Cinemas in 2012
- Sears closed in 2016, with Hobby Lobby opening in part of the vacated building in 2017
- Gander Mountain, which replaced Service Merchandise in 2004, closed in 2017 due to bankruptcy; it reopened as Gander Outdoors in 2018 before closing again in 2019
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet opened in the former Gander Outdoors location in 2020
- Kohl’s joined the mall in 2019, while Best Buy closed its doors in 2021
Despite these changes, anchor stores such as JCPenney, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods have remained steadfast, drawing shoppers to Champlain Centre.
Recent Developments and the Future of Champlain Centre
In 2022, the mall experienced several store closures, including Zales, The Children’s Place, A Pinch or A Pound candy store, the Verizon store, and the Dress Me Up Boutique.
The reasons for these closures are unclear, but an increase in online shopping may be a contributing factor. Nevertheless, Champlain Centre’s marketing director highlights the arrival of new, locally-owned businesses such as Flora Belle Boutique, Shesuma Outlet, and Lake City Sports Club.
The Importance of Local Businesses and Entertainment
Adding locally-owned businesses adds a unique flavor to Champlain Centre, providing shoppers with a more personalized and diverse shopping experience. In addition, these new businesses help fill vacant spaces in the mall, support the local economy, and foster a sense of community pride.
Entertainment options, like the Regal Cinemas, have been a crucial part of the mall’s appeal. However, as the retail landscape changes and traditional brick-and-mortar stores face increasing competition from e-commerce, malls must diversify their offerings to attract customers.
Family-centric entertainment options, such as the revitalized food court, can create an engaging and enjoyable atmosphere for shoppers.
In Conclusion
For over three decades, Champlain Centre North has been a staple shopping destination in Plattsburgh, NY. While the mall has experienced many changes and faced challenges, the arrival of new businesses and the vision of local leaders point to a promising future.
For locals and visitors alike, Champlain Centre offers a nostalgic shopping experience with an eye toward innovation and growth.
With anchor stores like Target, Kohl’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods still performing well, and the presence of new, locally-owned businesses, there’s hope for the shopping center to grow and adapt in the years to come.
By focusing on diversifying its offerings and providing unique experiences for shoppers, Champlain Centre can continue to thrive in a rapidly changing retail environment.
Embracing the Digital Revolution
As online shopping continues gaining popularity, brick-and-mortar establishments like Champlain Centre must embrace the digital revolution.
By incorporating technology and online platforms into their marketing and customer engagement strategies, the mall and its retailers can create a seamless, omnichannel shopping experience that caters to the modern consumer.
Some ways in which Champlain Centre could achieve this include:
- Developing a user-friendly mobile app that provides shoppers with real-time information on promotions, events, and store locations within the mall
- Offering free Wi-Fi and charging stations to enhance the shopping experience and encourage customers to stay longer
- Utilizing social media platforms to engage with customers, promote sales and events, and share news about the mall and its retailers
- Implementing digital wayfinding systems to help shoppers easily navigate in the mall.
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With the new age of on-line shopping and closings of malls across America, wouldn’t it be nice to utilize these abandoned malls to house people of the homeless communities. Rather than let them literally rot where they stand. Use these properties to help those in need.
It’s truly an innovative and compassionate idea to repurpose abandoned malls as shelters for homeless communities. This approach would address pressing social issues while using otherwise unused spaces.