Dead Malls dot Com: Feature: Latham Circle Mall / Latham, NY

DEADMALLS.COM FEATURE:
LATHAM CIRCLE MALL: LATHAM, NY

seen above the Caldor building attached to the Latham Circle Mall, torn down spring 2003.

Latham Circle Mall redevelopment plans submitted to town

November 30, 2007

Derek Ewing's Commentary:

Posted March 31, 2005 (user submitted)

In the past year, this mall has lost several stores, including a Gateway computer store, Carlson Cards, a McDonalds, a Klein's All Sports and various other smaller stores. On April 4, 2005 it will lose Gold's Gym and in September it will lose the CVS/Pharmacy. Recent news reports have blasted management there for not having a working fire alarm system in the mall for over the past year. New tenants (if any) have been totally restricted until the mall installs a working fire alarm system and corrects the dozens of code violations that exist throughout the mall. Management of the mall obviously has no desire to resurrect this mall for it spends no effort or money in maintaining, beautifying or expanding the mall. The driveways, parking lots and structure of the mall are in such disrepair you'd think the mall had shut down years ago. Even local news media consider it a dead mall and it isn't even dead yet. One can only hope a new owner buys the property someday and revives this once prosperous mall that has been virtually ignored by it's owners and allowed to die a slow, agonizing death.

Jack Thomas' Commentary:

Posted July 2, 2003, Revised July 21, 2003

This mall was constructed in the 50's as an open air plaza called Latham Circle Shopping Center with a Grand Union, WT Grants, The Boston Store, and a Woolworths.

The mall was reconstructed as an enclosed mall in the 70's. Anchors were as follows: Caldor, Woolworths, JCPenney, and 60 or so other stores. In the early 90's, Woolworths closed and Burlington Coat Factory moved into the space. Also in the early 90's, a Hoyts cinema theatre opened at the mall. In 1997, Stein Mart was added and in 1998, Caldor closed all of It's New York State stores. Nothing really changed much after that until 2001, exept for the closing of the Stein Mart.

Later that year, the Colonie Planning Board was planning on demolishing the former Caldor to make way for a Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse. After two years of opposition from nearby residents, approval was given and the project commenced. They are currently demolishing the old Caldor building and the Lowes will be opening sometime in late 2003 or early 2004.

Pete Blackbird's Commentary:

This is a really bizarre mall. It's got offices in it, an escalator, a college, a parking garage, an all you can eat buffet, and the some crazy architechure. I think this mall originally housed a Bradlees, but I never saw it. I do know it was anchored by Caldor, and still has it's JCPenny, and a new-ish Gateway Store. It's doing alright. there are lots of secondary mall stores, but relatively few empty storefronts. The mall's lot is always full, and they're probably turning a profit, so I guess it's not dead, but boy it's different.

This mall can only be described with pictures, so I guess i better get some up soon. I recommend a visit, it's well kept, and the Old Country Buffet is good.

Brian Florence's Commentary:

Lowes Home Centers is trying to acquire the vacant Caldor building and the strip mall next door to demolish and build a new Lowes store anchoring the mall. Read about it here

Photos:

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