CLARENCE, N.Y. (WKBW) — It's the final holiday season at the Eastern Hills Mall. Store owners and vendors are encouraging community members to shop local.
"I'm glad that everyone is coming together in the community to support us," said Evin Jackson, owner of Boujee Bonnet Co. "But I wish we were doing this next year. I wish we were continuing to do some of the other great events that I have been a part of.
Jackson and other vendors say this year has been a harsh reminder of previous holidays at the once-hustling mall.
"The Eastern Hills has always been like going home, and it has been a great place," said John Chmielewski of Alchemy of Spirits. "It's going to be a bittersweet experience to lose this being here because it has been a huge part of the community."
A non-profit inside the mall is sad to put on one of the organization's last holiday events.
"There are a lot of tears when we leave," said Dee Miller, Founder of Hope Project of WNY. "What we can do?"
While another store owner Pam Engelhardt says she has been too busy whipping up treats to mourn the loss of the mall.
"It hasn't really hit me yet, because right now it's really busy," said Engelhardt, owner of Pam's Puddings and Pies."So that part hasn't hit met yet, but it will be bittersweet."
New plans for a re-developed Eastern Hills Mall include:
- 1,435 residential units
- 516,375 square feet of retail/commercial space
- 92,250 square feet for restaurants
- 58,000 square feet for hotel space
- 352,700 square feet for office space
- 62,200 square feet of entertainment
- 21,475 square feet for fitness
- 87 multi-family residential units.
Officials say the project is expected to occur over 20 years. But for now, you can still visit the mall from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
