Latham Circle Mall Demolition

Farewell to yet another staple of the town of Latham, Latham Circle Mall.  The mall has been dead for years & demolition began in March to tear the old mall down to bring two outdoor shopping centers, The Shoppes of Latham.

Several days ago I posted up about Hoffman's Playland closing in addition to another big wrecking ball which has been underway since March. The tearing down of the old Latham Circle Mall which has been near empty for years.  JC Penney & Lowe's will remain but recently the Burlington closed as well as the last few remaining shops.

Flashback to the 1990's Latham Circle Mall was a hop skip & a jump for a college student like myself to get a little job, which I did.  I was a sales associate at Chess King/Merry Go Round. This was a very popular clothing store with all the latest styles & trends & I made many friends while working there. I was one hell of a salesgirl, making a pretty good commission lol. I later worked at The Avenue/Sizes Unlimited, a women's plus sized clothing store & there too met many people who were to become life long friends.  I also had a job at The Gold's Gym when they were located there working in their Galaxy Tanning Salon, & you know I love working on my tan!

Of course a chick like me couldn't work in a mall & not shop. Now you know my motto: Shop til you drop!  Spending my little minimal wage checks at my favorite stores like The Express, Lerner, Burlington Coat Factory, JC Penney, County Seat in addition to Chess King/Merry Go Round & The Avenue/Sizes Unlimited.  The mall was also home to a Payless Shoe Store, a Mrs Field's Cookie, CVS, Structure, Joyce Leslie, Foot Locker, Steinmart, Caldor, Malt River Brewery, Regal Cinemas, McDonald's, Old Country Buffet, & a food court with a Hot Dog Charlie's. The mall was also home to some of our Townsquare Media radio stations like our sister station WGNA. I remember all of this because I spent ALOT of time there.

As The Crossgates Mall expanded, & Colonie Center became more of a hot spot, Latham Circle Mall lost their retailers slowly but surely because they could not meet their monthly sales quotas.  The mall that was in existence for over 50 years had become a ghost town.

Although its sad to see a community staple demolished especially because of all my fond memories I have of shopping & working there, I am excited something is finally being done with the space & excited of the future shopping that's to come! Hence, The Shoppes of Latham, 2 outdoor shopping centers similar to Clifton Commons in Clifton Park. I have yet to learn exactly what shops will be available but I will keep all of my fellow shoppers informed on this important tidbit of information, I promise!

Lots of new restaurants & stores have come to Latham & Route 9. The Circle is in the process of expansion right now as well. With ever growing communities & the economy improving, its nice to see all of the new exciting developments in the capital region!

Farewell Latham Circle Mall! 1957-2013

image credit: Facebook