CLAY, N.Y. -- When Great Northern Mall in Clay opened nearly 32 years ago — in October 1988 — there were more than 90 restaurants and stores and two major anchor stores.

Today, there are 38 restaurants, stores and other businesses - plus a church - in the mall. Much like ShoppingTown Mall in DeWitt, non-retail tenants are popping up to fill empty store spaces.

Original anchors Hess and Sears closed — and Dey Brothers and Sibley’s followed. Dick’s Sporting Goods remains where Hess once was, but Macy’s, Sears and The Bon-Ton closed.

A number of national retailers, including Dick’s, Old Navy and Bath & Body Works, still have locations in Great Northern Mall. Of the original retail tenants, just Claire’s, a Hallmark gift shop, Kay Jewelers and the Time Out game arcade remain.

At more than 1 million square feet of space, the mall is great for walkers - it’s the size of four football fields. The food court, which once had seating for 400 people, is a shadow of its former self. Friendly’s, Subway, McDonald’s, Taco Bell are all gone.

Route 31 Smokehouse BBQ, which opened in the food court in February 2019 also has closed.

As with ShoppingTown, Regal Cinemas movie theater remains.

Great Northern Mall does have a tenant that many other malls don’t have: a church. The Orchard, a non-denominational, independent Christian community.

Opening day of Great Northern Mall drew 100,000 people, according to Syracuse Post-Standard archives. Today, the shops were mainly empty one recent weeknight, with fewer than two dozen people in the mall and most of them appeared to be mall walkers.

The food court, which opened with 16 tenants, is down to two, plus Time Out game arcade. The two remaining food court tenants are Wetzel’s Pretzels and Brooklyn Italian Eatery, which has some seating.

Great Northern Mall is behind on its taxes, owing $3.4 million to Onondaga County for 2018 and 2019, according to the Onondaga County Department of Finance web site.

Mike Kohan purchased Great Northern for $8.5 million in February 2017. Kohan, who runs Great Northern Mall Holding, sued the town of Clay in July 2018 seeking a substantial cut in its property assessment. The mall wanted a reduction that would cut its full value from $34.5 million to $7.5 million. Instead, it was reduced to $23 million, which is its current assessment.

Kohan has said the mall is beginning a revitalization, pointing to the The Great Outdoors RV Superstore in the former Toys R Us building. IHOP announced plans to open in a mall outparcel.

Victoria’s Secret closed in March 2019, and Spencer’s Gifts in mid-September. The most recent closures are AT&T retail store and Yankee Candle.

Kohan operates the Kohan Retail Investment Group, an investment company that primarily buys endangered or troubled shopping malls. Kohan owns about 27 malls across the United States.

Who is still in the mall?

National retail stores

Bath & Body Works

Christopher & Banks clothing

Claire’s

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Gertrude Hawk candy shop

Hallmark shop

Kay’s Jewelers

Old Navy

Shoe Dept.

T Mobile

Smaller retailers

Bill's Carpet

Boisey’z’ Whimsical collectibles

CNY Mac store

Fancy Cat

Larger than Life Toys & Comics

Unique e-cigs

University Sport Shop

Ye Olde Candle

Services/others

Able Z Driving School

Blackmer Eyewear

Branch’s Driving School

Brooklyn Italian Eatery

CNY Gym Centre

Gold & Silver Buyers

HH Personal Training

Institute of Pro Wrestling

Jay Catlalano Indoor Golf

Lenscrafters

Niki’s Party Palace

Pop Warner practice facility

Regal Cinemas

The Antique Brokers

The Orchard

Time Out Arcade

Underground Raceway

U.S. Postal Service (self-serve)

Villari’s Martial Arts

Wetzel’s Pretzels

Update : Expectations Hair Salon also has opened recently.

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