Comments on: Case Study: The Capital Region of New York

By: bob

bob — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:09:56 +0000

Go to the city of amsterdam website and look at the historic photos to actually get a sense of the historical monstrosity of a mistake that the mall was. Amsterdam ’s downtown was bigger and just as architecturally distinct as Saratoga. Amsterdam was bigger than saratoga up into the late 70s. And as far as not being part of the capital district how is that, they were in sports leagues with albany and other cities, people commute and it is no further from albany than saratoga.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:18:49 +0000

awesome! i’m a toy collector interested in pics/info re: present co (i think i know where the bldg. is) tru, duane’s toyland and service merch. anyone know when tru was built on wolf rd. anyone have any 70’s 80’s pics of any cap region commerce?

By: Mike Airhart

Mike Airhart — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:17:38 +0000

Nordstrom has a store at Westfarms, an upscale mall located 2 hours east in Hartford. Westfarms is similar to Colonie Center in terms of customer base, accessibility and surrounding development.

I agree with Derek that Nordstrom might view Albany as just a bit too down-market.

However, with its latest renovation, I believe Colonie Center is the only realistic local candidate for such an upscale retailer. What other area mall can boast of stores such as P.F. Chang’s, L.L. Bean, and Cheesecake Factory, which are pre-requisites for a Nordstrom?

Crossgates, on the other hand, is far too downmarket for Nordstrom — sterile, lower middle class, and increasingly dominated by big-box stores.

If Nordstrom were interested, Colonie Center might find a way to push out Boscov’s or (less likely) Sears. Sears would be a decent candidate to move to Crossgates.

Bloomingdale’s is owned by Macy’s. Since Bloomingdale’s hasn’t already opened in Crossgates, it seems likely that Macy’s decided long ago not to create competition anywhere near its existing Macy’s store at Colonie Center.

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:53:56 +0000

I think if any different anchor store would come in, the only one to me that would make sense would be Bloomingdales. I think they would fare better than Nordstrom or a Neiman Marcus. Colonie Center doesn’t have room for that. Crossgates probably does.

By: SEAN

SEAN — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:58:08 +0000

Nordstrom will never open in Albany. Paramus is 147 mi away & 2h:10 min time assuming no traffic. Thats a joke.

To save time get off RT 17 at Century Road West or a similar street before reaching RT 4, make left or if nessessary go right then U turn, this WILL BE Paramus Road, you can enter GSP through the back instead of dealing with IKEA & the RT 4 intersection. The corner of Century Road & Paramus Road has a Commerce Bank & a Tocco Bell.

By: mallguy

mallguy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:23:26 +0000

Derek,

In this type of economy, you may be right (remember in the last econ slowdown, Nordstrom backed out on a lot of its planned openings), but think about it…there is no Nordstrom along the Thruway between Buffalo and Paramus, NJ (10 miles south of the Thruway). Opening in Colonie Center would attract from a rather large area (don’t forget north of Albany, too). I know of Dutchess Co folks who drive all the way to GS Plaza for a Nordstrom and the ride to Colonie would be a little easier.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:01:48 +0000

Remember, it’s not a Pyramid property unless it has at least 10 anchors.

By: Derek

Derek — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:50:39 +0000

I doubt that Nordstrom would be interested in having a store in the Capital Region. Nordstorm is very high-end and expensive. I just don’t see a store like that moving to this area. I think sales wouldn’t be as good as what most people think. The market is just not here for it. I would have to say though that if they were ever interested, Colonie Center would probably be their first option over Crossgates Mall.

By: Max

Max — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:00:38 +0000

That’s a great idea you had, Mallguy. Also, I think that Nordstrom would much prefer Colonie Center over Crossgates Mall.

By: mallguy

mallguy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:20:20 +0000

If Boscov’s does close at Colonie Center, I would not be surprised to see Nordstrom try to open in that space. It would be a great addition to the mall!