Store rate

Hamburg Development Companies shares what awaits McKinley Mall

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) – “I just want it to be like it used to be,” said Angela Sperduti, McKinley Mall Shopper.

The McKinley shopping center in the city of Hamburg has undergone several changes.

“I grew up shopping at this mall,” said Jaime Swygert, McKinley Mall Shopper. “I grew up in Lakwanna, New York. Part of what I’ve noticed in the last year is that some of the bigger stores are gone.”

The mall’s two mainstay department stores, Sears and Macy’s, are no longer in operation, but shoppers said they are not yet abandoning their mall.

“I really think it can be revived,” said Melissa Bollinger, McKinley Mall Shopper. “I mean, I would hate to see this place go. I’m not really comfortable going all the way to the Galleria. It’s a 40 minute drive for some insane shopping.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Hamburg Development Companies hosted an event to discuss Southtowns transformations, including the next step for McKinley Shopping Center. Hamburg Industrial Development Agency executive director Sean Doyle said Kohan Leasing bought the site. They said they focus on community, tourism, entertainment, health and wellness. Doyle said he was delighted with their continued investment in Hamburg.

“A lot of their development visions are to actually replace vacant space with domestic tenants, domestic tenants and a combination of small businesses,” Doyle said.

Several shoppers at the mall told 7 News that local small businesses were exactly what they wanted to see.

“Bringing a lot of small businesses back into this area would just be the best,” Sperduti said. “I mean you don’t really see a lot of them having storefronts here because there are so many big companies taking over.”

“I’ve seen in other areas where it worked to have small businesses mixed in with some of the flagship stores and it gives it more of a community feel,” Swygert said.

A small business just opened in the mall about a month ago and said the sense of community was real. Owner Paul Chernogorec said local stores are working together to bring the crowds back.

“People are making the effort to be back,” Chernogorec said. “I mean Into the Wild has been a big push for us and they’re starting to get younger crowds. You’ve got the kids with the parents coming for coffees and like they’ve been a big push for us. That’s really a very positive thing that is happening.

Kohan Leasing representative Nina Becker said they are also working to get families back inside the mall. She said they’ve spoken to a handful of national retailers, including Tilt Studios, which she says is similar to Dave and Buster. Many buyers and sellers already like the idea.

“Having more business like that I think is a good idea as opposed to stores,” said Mark Cutting, PG Vending.

A small customer, James Wright, who was at the mall with his mother, said he would like to see him too.

“A giant playground right in the middle of the mall,” Wright said.

7 News asked the Doyle about mall vacancy rates and how much tax the city collects on the property, but said he wasn’t sure and would get back to me.