Inception and Early Years
Great Northern Mall opened on October 5, 1988, in Clay, New York. Wilmorite Properties developed the mall to serve the growing northern suburbs of Syracuse and Onondaga County. The initial lineup included several major retailers, with anchor stores like The Bon-Ton, Dey Brothers, Chappell’s, and Macy’s setting the stage for a bustling commercial center.
The mall’s retail floor area covered 895,000 square feet, providing ample space for a variety of shops and services. Sibley’s, Kaufmann’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Hess’s were among the prominent names that joined the mall early on. Each store contributed to a diverse shopping experience, attracting visitors from across the region.
The opening of Great Northern Mall marked a pivotal moment in local retail history. The mall quickly became a central hub for shopping and social activities. Its strategic location and variety of stores made it a convenient destination for residents and visitors looking for things to do near Syracuse, NY.
In its early years, the mall thrived as a vibrant commercial hub. The synergy between its anchor stores and smaller retailers created a dynamic environment, fostering strong customer loyalty and sustained foot traffic. As the 1990s progressed, Great Northern Mall solidified its reputation as a key player in the regional retail landscape.
Peak Years and Expansion
Great Northern Mall truly thrived during the 1990s. Its combination of anchor stores and specialty shops attracted a wide variety of customers.
Families, teenagers, and elderly shoppers all found something of interest here. The mall’s strategic location helped it draw people from all over Onondaga County.
In 1995, the mall underwent its first major renovation. This facelift included updated interiors, new flooring, and modernized storefronts.
Stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, and Victoria’s Secret joined the roster, adding to the mall’s appeal. These updates kept the mall looking fresh and inviting, ensuring steady foot traffic.
The food court, added in 1998, became a popular spot. It featured a mix of fast-food favorites like McDonald’s and Taco Bell, along with local eateries.
The seating area was spacious and provided a comfortable place to take a break from shopping. This addition turned the mall into a full-day destination where visitors could shop, eat, and relax.
In the early 2000s, Great Northern Mall saw another wave of expansion. The addition of a cinema complex in 2002 made it a prime entertainment spot.
New stores like Best Buy and Barnes & Noble arrived, further diversifying the shopping experience. These expansions cemented the mall’s status as a key commercial hub in the region.
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Changes in Retail Landscape
By the late 2010s, the retail landscape began to shift dramatically. Online shopping started to harm brick-and-mortar stores. The mall was less crowded on weekdays, and even weekends saw less traffic than before. Retail giants had to adapt to survive.
Macy’s closed its doors on January 4, 2017. This was a big change since Macy’s had been an anchor store at the mall since its early days. They decided to focus on more profitable locations, leaving a noticeable gap in the mall. It was the beginning of a challenging period for Great Northern Mall.
Sears announced its closure on June 28, 2018. The company’s decline was part of a broader trend affecting department stores nationwide. The space they left behind remained vacant for a while, which didn’t help the mall’s atmosphere. Shoppers seemed to lose interest as more stores closed.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, making things even worse. Many people avoided public places, and malls were no exception. Temporary closures and restrictions further hurt the mall’s chances of recovery. The decline of Great Northern Mall seemed more apparent each day.
Dick’s Sporting Goods moved to a nearby shopping center on July 10, 2021. They transitioned to a new store format, aiming to stay competitive in a changing market. This move was another blow to the mall, reducing the number of large retailers that once drew crowds.
Despite these challenges, some businesses continued to operate. On March 16, 2021, an IHOP opened in front of the mall, offering a new dining option. However, the overall trend was clear: the once-bustling mall had to rethink its future to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Ownership Changes and Development Plans
The Kohan Retail Investment Group bought Great Northern Mall. This company saw potential despite the decline. They planned to revitalize the mall, but progress was slow. On August 17, 2022, Hart Lyman Company announced ambitious redevelopment plans.
They aimed to transform the mall into a lifestyle center. This new vision included luxury apartments and townhomes. A movie theater and a hotel were also part of the plan. High-end shops and restaurants would replace the old retail spaces. This redevelopment promised a fresh start.
In its final days, Great Northern Mall faced many challenges. With many stores already closed, the mall had a deserted feel. On November 20, 2022, the mall officially shut its doors. This closure marked the end of a retail era for the community.
The closure and impending demolition brought mixed feelings. Longtime patrons felt a sense of loss, remembering the mall’s heyday. Meanwhile, the promise of a new development sparked hope for future economic growth. The community watched closely as the transformation began.
Great Northern Mall’s New Development Plans
In 2023, Hart Lyman Company acquired Great Northern Mall and began ambitious redevelopment plans. By March 2024, these plans started to take shape. The vision for the site includes 1,700 apartments and condos, six hotels, and a new medical hub stretching across over 200 acres.
The proposed project would feature 1.4 million square feet of living, retail, office, and entertainment space, creating a major new town center in Clay, NY.
The development aims to support the anticipated population growth due to Micron Technology’s new computer chipmaking complex nearby. The plans include mixed-use clusters with market-rate and luxury apartments, a community square, and extensive commercial spaces.
The project will feature six hotels with a total of 750 rooms and more than 600,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space.
Hart Lyman Company has partnered with Conifer Realty for the housing aspect and Widewaters Group for the commercial side. They plan to start construction in late 2024, and the entire project will take up to five years to complete.
The new development promises to revitalize the area and provide much-needed housing and commercial opportunities.
unless Clay has a large stadium, I doubt that the six hotels that will be built will have much business and the apartment will be so costly that only the financially well to do will be able to rent them. Perhaps they can get a few celebrities into their “entertainment” area but I doubt that it will have the draw to make this plan a viable and profitable one.. I hope I’m wrong .
I appreciate your perspective. It’s definitely a bold plan, and I hope it works out positively. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
So many high end apts are going up and who can afford them.Micron is not going to help the people that lived here all their lives. You can’t afford a house ,now you can’t even afford an apt
I share your concerns about the affordability of new apartments. It’s important for the community to push for a range of housing options to ensure that everyone can benefit from the economic growth. Thanks for your comment!