Colonies Center is a icon and it will never die. Stores come and go but the mall live on.

I think the fountain was removed less than 5 years ago. In terms of the health of the mall, compared to Crossgates and Viaport Rotterdam, this is the most thriving. I think the Christmas Tree Shops on the south side of the upper level closed right before your visit, but that was a big source of traffic. But weekends, between the restaurants and theater, you can't even park where you were parked. Whole Foods (inside the Sears but not accessible via inside the mall) is also a big source for traffic. At peak holiday season, it takes time to get around the traffic around this mall.

How is it a dead mall? There are times you go there and you can't even get parking. It's not a dead Mall

You, my friend, had an anomaly. As a local, Colonie Center is usually a nightmare to find a spot to park or to navigate inside for all the people. Evenings and weekends are crazy, and I do my best to avoid the mall during the christmas season because what should be a 20 minute visit often turns into an hour plus.

I grew up in that area so Colonie Center was one of my go to malls. Surprised to see so many of the stores I used to visit still there. I think it's slowly dying. In my opinion, all malls are. We have the Internet to thank for that.

Travel to Wilton Mall to see a dying mall, that one is always quiet and only consistently has 1 food court place. Colonie Center Mall, whenever I go, is a nightmare. Lol

You keep bringing up how "dead" the mall is in the voice over. It's a Tuesday Morning at a mall that is 5 miles outside of the state capital of New York where the majority of suburbs work. That alone should explain why it's quiet. Yes, maybe it could of been more busy given the holiday season but it wasn't like there was nobody in the mall and you were hearing the echoes of your footsteps. I think the health of the mall is more than showcased through the small quantity of empty stores or restaurants, and maybe at 4pm on the same day, you'd find the mall more filled with shoppers. And knowing that you've recently been to Aviation and Wilton Malls north of here, I know you've seen malls that are in MUCH worse shape. *EDIT: Okay, yes, towards the 20 minute mark you bring up maybe foundation cracks with how the property has lost value... but I still think this mall is better off than the two other malls I mentioned still.* This is a mall that has adjusted well over the years, first when Crossgates came to Guilderland on the other side of I-87 and I-90, then when smaller malls like Latham Square and Northway Mall closed up shop not far away from here.

Typically if you visit during the week in the late morning/early afternoon you won't see many people as they are working, lol. You see more traffic later in the day and on weekends as trying to find parking can be rather difficult near the wolf rd side. I usted to visit this mall everyday as I worked nearby and would walk on my lunch breaks and it has deffers had upgrades. They also allow well behaved dogs in the mall which is pretty cool. Some stores allow dogs as well and you'll know when you see the pet friendly sticker in the shops window. This is currently my corgi @einzelda favorite mall.

In 1966 it was a big deal to have this mall in Colonie. I bought my wedding gown at Macys upscale at that time. It was always busy,lots of moms and kids. And always a stop at Friendlys for ice cream. It was a very different time. Great to see it still there

My parents always took us shopping there for new school cloths . It was a treat for us back in the early 70's . Lots of changes since then. One thing I have always noticed about this mall. The parking lot could be jammed .But it still looks like no one is shopping inside. I still prefer Colonie Center over Crossgates . Well done !!! PS there was a pretty big fountain in the middle of the mall. Id say it was removed about 10 years ago

People are working and kids are in school.

This is the emptiest I've ever seen it and it's entirely based on the time of day/week you visited. While several other malls around here have died (Mohawk, Latham Circle, Rotterdam Square) this mall is usually packed and you can't even get a parking spot. As a kid I thought the construction of nearby Crossgates was going to kill Colonie Center, but this mall has stood strong.

Gotta check this Mall out eventually.. seems like it's doing very well in this video

Worked at Macys in early 1980's when it was in the former building. Macys had not yet gone national - Macys NY consisted of 16 stores and this Macys was the 4th or 5th highest volume behind White Plains, Roosevelt Field, Kings Plaza and Queens Center. Biggest competition was the Cohoes outlet in Cohoes, NY. This mall doesn't look like it's dying compared to other malls you have profiled - most storefronts are occupied and Albany the state capital is 5 miles away (with lots of potential customers.) Don't know why they haven't put a Bloomingdales in there.

Been to this mall in 2022. Really good mall.

My mother worked at the Sears when the mall first opened. The Sears and the Mall all had that 1950s/1960s modern look. Chrome and pastel colored shapes like rounded triangles and starbursts.

As always great video 👍

My grandfather was the head foreman during the construction of this mall! I live within walking distance. The arcade is mostly visited after 4pm, lol. On the weekends, you can hardly get a parking spot front or back. It mainly hasn't died due to it's very close proximity to the airport, and its on one of the busiest streets in Albany. Rotterdam must be a portal to Hell compared to if Colonie is a dead mall, lol. Although I will say, nobody ever plays the arcade machines on the Third Floor, lol, Terminator has sat there since the day it was released. Heroes Hideout is a very popular spot at that mall due to it's seasonal celebrity meetups. You are 100% correct about the fountain, it was removed about a decade ago. Not sure why but people have walked into it a few times without realizing while on their phones, lol.

It's always weird seeing videos at places you frequently. Really great video!

Anytime a hedge fund buys a mall it's only a matter of time for last rites

I would call it doing kind of okay.....you are my dying mall video standard and by far my favorite

I've seen malls in worse shape. I suppose they got that going for them. The owners being in financial bad shape isn't a good sign. The mall does look like it might become one of those outward facing malls and the inside of the mall will fall into disuse or get phased out. The outside looks more trafficked than the inside. BTW saw you on the CT news about the CT malls. Great job!

I've done the same thing in a Regal Cinema with an obvious camera (not to record movies, or course). Nothing. I came back later to see the movie listings, and was harassed by security that wasn't there, but simply for looking at the listings to see what's playing. The only security guy the whole time similar to this is the guy next to the elevator to the top level, guarding the projection room it serves. That guy was cool though. You may not have noticed, but that "Grill"-like decal on the elevator windows is an advert. At least it allows you to see outside, as some don't. ....and since you sometimes ask, it's a Dover Impulse, which may have a newer "ThyssenKrupp" nameplate on the floor counter. TK is known to do that most of the time. PS: A bit of a freak coincidence, as Rue21 is closing all their stores, that's what is front-and-center in your Whitney Field thumbnail.

Cheesecake Factory has been a mainstay for family dinners over the years. Miss the old Christmas Tree Shop that I used to go to with my grandmother. Unhappily spent my birthday in this mall back in 2010 lol. Bought a suit here just a few months ago at Via Roma.

Sears both floors were open until it closed (or sometime late in liquidation sales). Whole foods used only a corner of it, but confusingly uses both floors for a high ceiling. I figured the tile store did the same, but apparently not based on your description.

I am in Schaghticoke, so I instantly clicked on it! I know this mall like the back of my hand! We usually parked in the lot by the loading docks at Boscov’s by Macy’s, which goes into the upper level and Hilton music is there, I am a drummer so know that store well! I am a paraplegic wheelchair user so this was a convenient spot to enter as we always went to the food court to eat before shopping. Haven’t been there in quite a while now, gotta get out there. Before Sears closed, we parked in the lot by the garden center and accessed the mall through that store on the lower level. I miss those days. The decorations and music had me Jonesing for Christmas since the heat and humidity is brutal right now! I really miss Christmas tree shops, especially the lighting and Christmas lights sections, being a bulb collector and into lighting and bulbs! Now I know it is still doing pretty fair. Glad to at least see it. Ya can reply for more! I subbed and liked instantly! Thanks!! 😋👍🏻🤘👌👌👌

I knew the mall up till September of 2020, when I moved out of the Capital District. Up until then, it was always fairly busy when I'd go there (which was mainly on Sunday afternoons.) That fountain was in operation up until then--but at Christmas time, they would shut it off. Maybe it was just closed down for the holiday season as usual, and is still functioning at other times.

Great video. Tuesday morning not really gonna be the busiest time. Its very busy on weekend nights bc of the theater and the restaurants. That upper part where Sears used to be is dead as a doornail however. Also a lot of kids tend to congregate there in the summertime when theyre out of school

It all depends on time and day. I don’t think it’s going to last but right now its dying slowly. I still definitely like this over crossgates I hate crossgates

Never cared for malls but this was go to mall over crossgates when I lived around there. Parking was easier(on the Christmas tree shop side) and the new regal was great. I’m always surprised how some of these stores stayed in business.

You forgot the building in the corner of the parking lot. (Wolf rd & Central Ave) Used to be a Sears Auto Center. It has been repurposed as well. Also used to have a post office on site as well

I think the mall is somewhat struggling but not to the point of no return. Food court looks good & tenants are being added to the former Sears.

At around 4:10, was somethin' funky goin' on, w/ that store's lights? Or was it some sync issue w/ your camera?🤔

Your videos remind me of the doom video game from the late 90s.

You actually entered the mall on the west side. I was really surprised to see that the Christmas Tree Shops store closed: it always appeared to be doing well (and in all seasons.) I know that one factor that can kill a mall is a poor or ho-hum ambience inside. One of the great things about the Colonie Center Mall are all the skylights which help to make the inside look really nice.

I think it's doing fine

It looks like the rumor of Saks Off 5th or Crate & Barrel is sourced on Wikipedia. I checked their reference article & that article has no mention of Crate & Barrel or Saks Off 5th at all.

A lot of the stores there have been in the same spots for over a decade i used to hang out here a lot and even worked in the mall at one point wasn't always busy but some days it gets crazy busy in there.

Yes. Tuesday morning is probably the time you will have the smallest crowd. On weekends you can hardly get a parking spot.

I'll never understand how people can eat candy out of those things when everyone has put their fingers in the openings

There used to be a claw machine in front of the Barnes and Noble that gave out rubber ducks I think i see it at the 5 minute mark the yellow machine. Boscov's is a nice department store there, Its as about as department store as you can get.

Always liked this mall. It’s definitely more dead than crossgates but hoping it’s getting back up on its feet. Also, yes that’s not bad foot traffic because it was a school day in the morning.

Not too bad of a mall. I love watching all your videos. I haven’t been to flea markets in years but you’ve got me interested again. I love uranium glass. I only have 2 pieces but I’d love to find more. Can you tell me what Geiger counter you have? I saw you use it in another video. Howdy from Houston

I go here all the time, it does well on weekends, and B&N and Cheesecake do really well.

If you had filmed on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday morning, you would have seen a lot more foot traffic.

I really injoyed this mall video

Alright, it's time for a Boscovs store tour.

I live just a three-hours drive from the Colonie Center Mall and I have frequented it on several occasions. The anchor businesses are all doing good great: Barnes and Noble, Boscov's, L.L. Bean, Macy's, P.F. Chang's, etc. However, the interior mall itself is dead!

Eh. Going to have to disagree a little bit. This mall is pretty busy, especially on weekends. The movie theater is pretty busy, which brings in the business. I like coming here over Xgates to be honest.

I feel that judging a mall on any Tuesday at 11:00 AM is not a good assessment of how everything is going . That fact that it is near the holidays is a non factor . Tuesday's are one of the slowest days in retail.

Given it is a Tuesday morning I can’t say it feels that strange to me for it to be this empty. That said, the mall does seem relatively healthy to me except for that old Sears wing (again, a recurring theme) but like you said, if that gets redeveloped that’s great news.

I've been going to this mall since the early eighites. It is definitiely dying, believe me, especially since Sears closed. The mall is almost always semi-deserted. They're actually allowing people to bring their dogs into the mall in the hopes of attracting more shoppers. Whole Foods is always busy, but the people who shop there don't go into the mall. The same is true with the movie theater, as the people who go to said theater usually don't go into the mall. Ditto in regards to the Cheesecake Factory. BTW, I don't remember Macy's being in the middle of the mall; I thought they just expanded the store when they built the addition.

The only time I can remember going to Colonie Center was when my Mom and Dad took me there to see a dolphin called Skipper. That was roughly 50 years ago.

When I have gone to this mall the food Cort was packed.

Whole Foods is part of the mall right? It’s definitely not dying just kind of there. Crossgates is the big brother but this mall is nicer in that you have no riff raff and it is smaller.

Serious question...is there a way that you are able to make the camera look a bit more stealthy? Maybe wear a light jacket or windbreaker so the straps are covered and the camera just peeks out the front? Great video!

An actual Hickory Farms store??? Haven't seen one of those in decades. Usually all you get in the malls around here are the seasonal Kiosks.

This mall is doing just fine. It's odd to say it could be anywhere near dying, given the state of malls like Viaport and Wilton. Also odd to bring up financial issues considering that could be said for pretty much every mall in America. Just look up some financial articles about the American Dream mall or Destiny USA.

it was cruel back in the day at colonie center. never was the same after security guards stole the fart machines from us. we worked so hard stealing those from spencers

come after 3 oclock in the afternoon it gets busy i shop the mall in the morning on purpose.less crowded

I don't think its dying. But it has lost some really good stores either from them going out of business or moving to crossgates mall. If they were to get some of those back it would help.

Colonie center is NOT and I repeat NOT a dead mall lmao. What?! Shit is thriving

Same developers as the failing Steeplegate Mall in Concord, NH

Been going to this mall for more than 50 years.

If you’re ever in the Evansville Indiana area we have 2 malls for you to explore!

Im surprised you didn't have time to get to Rotterdam Square Mall in Rotterdam New York

I'm pretty sure that sign was there as I remember back in the 90s

I remember going to get a lot shipping there

I can only speak for myself. I don't like walking around a big mall to get what I want. I just order online or go to Walmart.

A fireplace in a mall is just weird it looks ok

Nice mall I live in Vermont my sister lives in Cahoes I will go there when I visit losing sears is a joke and bed bath and beyond

Your comment on the chandelier: "It's up there." Ba Dum Tss!

Sorry if you have answered this before, but have you thought about coming to the Pacific Northwest The Southcenter Mall in Tukwila (south of Seattle) still has a Sears store and it's definitely not a dying mall

Wow itspretty dead right for a Tuesday morning that's a shame it's a very clean mall inside

The movie theater at Garden State Plaza is even bigger than this one with a few more screens.

Certainly not as busy as it was in years past, but definitely not a dead mall.

hey sir this was a nice mall but you forgot to mention that there was a giant nordstrom as well

Who shops on a Tuesday AM, same with the arcade. You would have to go some time other than work school hours.

Not sure if that's a dead mall or not, but that parking lot's surface is definitely on life support.

It was the first mall created by Sears.

I hear Colonie Center is doing well. At this point, it’s not in any danger of becoming a dead mall.

At least the hallways aren't walled off like how a tumor appears to wall off a part of a lung as it grows. It could come back or it could go down. Not too sure.

Colonie Center died once and came back to life. This mall is definitely not dead. Go there on a weekend

LOL Mr White

Seems like a nice mall. Yes it does seem somewhat empty, but doing OK it seems. 22:07 I'm not sure what was being said there but if it's what I think, it's something that happens far too often in today's society. Too much 'chippiness' going on.

Yes it was

Candy machine crunch ASMR

The Macy's here is 3 stories

After seeing that cheesecake factory is certainly not dead

It was always a dead mall as far back as I can remember mid nineties and early 2000’s then they out PF king a popular Asian restaurant in drew a lot of business then they put cheesecake factory in as well and the new theater it just can’t draw people in cross gates used to be crazy insanely packed now it’s a shell of its former self kids don’t go to the mall to hang out anymore all the kids that were mall rats or from that era won’t let there kids do the same stuff as well as all the perverts there is now I guess there always was perverts just the information was t out there like it is now the days when you took kids shopping at the mall are over as well amazon I’m surprised any of these giant places are in business still unless they add more restaurants they will all die eventually

It's dying. They even opened it up to dogs.

Nabazatrivandrimnbonacaud

4:00 why sweet tarts? *Smarties are better*

Isn't illegal to take pics and video in a mall?

Looks like the arcade was a former pharmacy chain maybe Fays or Eckerds or Rite Aid Anyway malls or stores or cinema's shouldn't say anything about videoing in their places cause it's our 1st amendment rights to film If say anything about videoing in their places their volitating our 1st amendment rights

Go to Olean, NY if you want to see a dying mall lol. You're welcome.