Comments on: Penn-Can Mall; Cicero, New York

By: Georgia Cuningham, PhD

Georgia Cuningham, PhD — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:35:39 +0000

Thanks for this delightful trip down memory lane. From the dates on the other responses I may be just dropping this note into a “time capsule.” I was the Sales Promotion Manager for Chappell’s stores throughout the CNY and Upstate NY area. We succumbed to web and flow of retail habits along with others during this period of time. Penn Can Mall, Northern Lights, Shop City Mall, Eastwood even downtown Syracuse each made their appearance, shown brightly and then faded like lovely stars and now from time to time are brought back to mind in simple ways like accidently falling on this blog. It’s a shame there’s no place to upload a pic. I have a delightful shot of “me” in a Chappell’s “Chappy the Clown” costume at Penn Can Mall. If you’re curious go to libraservices.biz/myboring life — Thanks again for a few minutes of fun.

By: Jonah Norason

Jonah Norason — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:08:45 +0000

Somehow, this comment got deleted, but normally you put a link to the mall's DeadMalls page. One question I have, though, was the Hills/Ames one story or two?

By: Caldor

Caldor — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:18:15 +0000

The Ames building is still there, but it’s like a used car warehouse or something. It’s definitely a part of the dealership now.

By: XISMZERO

XISMZERO — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:42:33 +0000

I visited this unusual site months back upon all the rage garnered by Ames Fan Club and a website that has early years chronicled very well. I’ve got a bunch of photos on Flickr. My how they’ve changed the center concourse over the years!

Looks like we both missed the huge Caldor-era “Welcome” decal at the front of the former Caldor. This was the first area I poked around and some salespeople were sitting in the frontal area so I kind of chickened out (or didn’t want to be asked to leave so I abstained). I should’ve gone back for it on my out but I wanted to avoid any questioning. You know those car salespeople…

I was further an idiot for not going around back to see if the Ames was still vacant.

An intruging place. Wish I had more time to explore it though.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:32:13 +0000

I think Ames is still empty.

By: Jonah N.

Jonah N. — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:46:36 +0000

Hey, if Ames was closed in 2002, what’s there now?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:31:24 +0000

doh! I meant ESCALATOR NOT elevator!

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:30:13 +0000

Brings a new meaning to the phrase “auto mall” BTW that clock near the elevator looks awesome!

A new trend perhaps?

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 17:01:52 +0000

That has got to win the award for most interesting re-use. An auto-mall in a real mall. Seems just weird… I hope they succeed.
Scott

By: XISMZERO

XISMZERO — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:09:20 +0000

I almost made it here too, actually we were on our way to go see Driver’s Village *the day* my camera dropped. Because of this article, It would seem I missed more than I was expecting – someone told me the mall areas were closed off (including the infamous clock meet place).

I’d say it’s almost like this mall has lost it’s memory – it’s almost unrecognizable from the mammoth it once was. There’s no other mall story quite like Penn-Can in the history of American malls.