In most major metropolitan areas, the Eastern Hills Mall would be a success. But not in Buffalo!
Poor Buffalo, really. It’s bitterly cold out there, they’re responsible for the Goo Goo Dolls (as opposed to, say, The Replacements), and like most Great Lakes cities, the major industries have shifted elsewhere laying the groundwork for the region that’s sadly and derisively referred to as the “rust belt.” I’ve long felt a bit of affection toward poor old cities like Buff-town, probably because I grew up in Rhode Island, and Providence was mired in a similar state of malaise at that time. Nowadays Providence is beautiful, and Buffalo has a lot of its own wonderful natural attributes–Niagara Falls, that gorgeous yet faded downtown retail district–that may work in its favor someday. If there’s any justice anyway.
The good news is that–although I haven’t been back in awhile–the Eastern Hills Mall seems to have rejuvenated itself a bit. Built in 1971 as the fourth and largest mall in the greater Buffalo area (until the massive Walden Galleria opened, anyway), this mall, tucked deep in the northeastern suburbs of the Buffalo area, was suffering something fierce in the early ’00s. Anchored by JCPenney, Kaufmann’s, Sears, and The Bon Ton, the mall nonetheless hosted some large vacancies, notably a dead Jenns store (which had, for some time, been a Burlington Coat Factory), a former Waccamaw, and a former Old Navy.
As of when these photos were taken in February 2005, the Jenns and Old Navy spaces were vacant, and the Waccamaw space was occupied by an RV Dealership.
Mercifully, Eastern Hills Mall had one major factor in its favor: it’s rather hefty size. Despite being just under a million square feet–which is large, but not huge–it feels like a goliath, especially with its six anchor slots. Because trends have shifted in favor of large malls, they’re somewhat insulated from the challenges facing many malls, and Eastern Hills had a better shot of survival than some other enclosed centers in a similar situation. Thanks to an early 2005 renovation, which was underway when these pictures were taken, the mall seems to have entered something of a mini renaissance. The addition of destination tenants like Dave & Buster’s and Orvis have probably helped re-establish Eastern Hills as one of Buffalo’s most important malls, after Walden Galleria and Boulevard Mall.
Also, although I haven’t visited since the renovation was complete, it’s easy to notice that the waffle-style ceilings in the center corridor appear to remain intact, even after the spiffication. The rather grand center corridor was the mall’s architectural highlight; distinctly a relic from the 1970s, it’s appropriately dramatic the way the center of a good shopping mall should be.
