What's Going On At Rotterdam Square Mall?

Over the last five years, or so,
Eric & I have noticed more
empty stores at
Rotterdam Square Mall.







A visit on a quiet afternoon shows little activity at this mall.

I parked near the entrance to
Ninety Nine Restaurant
& Pub.

It's a popular place
to dine.

This is only remaining

Kmart Store left in the 

Capital District.

The Kmart in Colonie closed in December 2013.  Kmarts in Clifton Park, Latham closed in May, 2014.  The Kmart in  East Greenbush closed in June, 2014.  

Yankee One Dollar is

going out of business.

Other stores in the area

are liquidating their

stock too.

On November 17 Eric and  I noticed that Yankee One Dollar is now selling its merchandise at twenty five cents per item.

The busy side of the

Food Court

The majority of the mall has open stores.  But seeing a string of empty store fronts leaves me wondering about Rotterdam Square Mall's future will be.

Let's see what the current map of the mall stores are listed as occupied and what stores are currently vacant.

The former McDonald's

The bank moved out.

There is now comfortable

seating where kiosks

once stood.

While looking for news stories about Rotterdam Square Mall, I found out that it was scheduled to be sold at auction in December 2013.  The auction wasn't held.  Kohan Retail Investment Group bought the mall in January 2014.  The new owners purchase under-performing malls.  The first thing Kohan Retail Investment Group planned to do was to request a tax assessment reduction from the Town of Rotterdam.

The Post Office is next
to an empty store.







According to a February 2014 Daily Gazette article, 21% of the mall is vacant.

Coffee Couture opened 

in June, 2014.

Kiosks are waiting

for vendors.

Journalist Kathryn Vasel wrote an article on the current state of American malls.  The outlook could be described as "just pink."  The viability of a mall depends on the mix of stores it offers and the area it serves.  

The fountain has been 

covered over.

Children will be visiting

with Santa near the

Christmas Tree.

Rotterdam Square

Cinema 7 Theaters

Empty stores, Lens Crafters

& Macy's.

Just Threading

Empty stores

Unlit lighting fixtures

Shoe Dept. Encore

 TJ Maxx closed in March, 2014.

The unocuppied rate rose above 21% after TJ Maxx, the fifth anchor store, left Rotterdam Square Mall in March 2014.

It's pretty lonely down by
the Sears Store.

I looked up to see many
of the recessed lights
are not working.

The Schenectady Theater for Children isn't open every day.

There will be more shoppers at the mall as the holiday shopping season gears up.  Like others, I will be watching developments at Rotterdam Square Mall.  My hope is that new stores will reinvigorate this 26 year old mall.