(WBEN) - While some malls across the Western New York region are still thriving or experiencing a bit of a rebirth with the help of some local businesses, the writing seems to be on the wall signaling the end for some other locations.
Plans are already in the works with the Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville for redevelopment, as parent company Uniland Development has already informed tenants to be moved out by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the future of the Boulevard Mall in Amherst seems a bit more cloudy, as talks continue to percolate of a future demolition on site of the 64-acre plot of land for the purpose of redevelopment into a community center, similar to what's in store for the Eastern Hills Mall.
While nothing is set in stone when it comes to dates with the mall, Amherst officials are hoping to potentially start demolition sometime in the spring of 2024.
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With the future of some malls in doubt, it is also taking its toll on local businesses that call those malls home.
For Kim Glover, owner of Kim's Corner in the Boulevard Mall, it's disappointing to see what's happened over the years on location in Amherst.
"I'm a little bit sad about it, but I'm happy for the opportunity that I had to be here," said Glover, who's been in business at the mall for over two years. "Nobody expected it, but it's sad to see it go. I've been shopping here since I was a girl, a young girl."
As for what happens with business for her once the mall makes its final decisions, it's likely back to working from home.
"I'm probably going to have to work from home, because I don't think I can afford rent anywhere else," Glover said.
Glover is certainly hopeful another opportunity will come for her somewhere else down the line at another location, but it's something that's just not in the cards at this time.
"That's always the plan is to be somewhere else. If God opens another door for me to do so, then, of course, that will be what I'll do. But in the meantime, I think I will probably be working from home," Glover said.
As for Larry Silver, owner of Book Outlet and More in the Boulevard Mall, he presumes the future of business at the mall was "written in the stars."
"Malls are not doing that well, anywhere, and strip plazas seem to be making a giant comeback. We've been here a long time, we've had a lot of fun, and it's time to move on," said Silver, who's operated out of the mall for around eight years. "We're looking at opening up another store in Downtown Buffalo. Not as many books, it's going to be a pop culture store."
While Silver continues to weigh his options with the potential of opening operations in Downtown Buffalo with a new store, he says his store is still full of merchandise for people check out at discounted prices.
"Tons of toys, tons of books, everything. There isn't anything in here that we don't have," Silver said. "Right now, we're selling everything at 40% off. Probably next month, we'll go to 50% off and see from there. But there's a ton of bargains, 80% of our books are brand new, the other 20% are 'gently used.'"
Does Silver foresee other local businesses like his following suit and looking for other avenues to open shop going forward? He feels it's tough for many small businesses like his, because of factors like rent being too high for some.
"There weren't a lot of anchors left in the malls to make up the difference. So as far as moving stores, people have asked me, 'Am I going to move?' I can't. I can't afford the rent, payroll, and all the other expenses that go along with it. So this is it," Silver said.
As for the future of malls across the country going forward, some like Glover actually prefer the mall environment and being able to shop in-store. She is hoping that some locations can be able to make a comeback and stay going strong.
"I like to go in and be able to try on things. When you're ordering online, you never know what you're gonna get. And then the hassle of having to ship it back or take it back, it's sometimes not really worth it," Glover said.
As for Silver, he says he can't blame those who don't like to go out to the mall, instead electing to do their shopping online.
"It seems like everybody's on the internet," he said. "I'm talking to more-and-more people that use Instacart, they don't even want to go to the grocery store anymore. It's a hassle to them. Why go to a bookstore when you can buy online? Everything is there: Clothing, books, toys, you name it, groceries. I buy a lot of stuff online. I buy most of the books for my store online."
In fact, if and when Silver gets his new pop culture store opened and ready for business, he says he'll be looking to create some way of being readily available online.