Permanent Leasing
Leasing
Eastern Hills Mall was developed in 1972 and was heralded as the premier shopping center in Western New York serving the greater Buffalo area including the affluent suburbs of Williamsville, Clarence, and Amherst. Today, Eastern Hills is a super regional mall of approximately one million square feet and is anchored by Sears, JC Penney, Macy's, and The Bon Ton. Among the more than 85 specialty stores are GAP, GAPKids, Victoria's Secret, Express, Express Men, American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale, and Pacific Sunwear.
The Market
The communities of Clarence, Williamsville, and Amherst adjacent to Eastern Hills Mall are the most affluent and highest growth areas in the region and the widening of Transit Road at the area's second busiest intersection together provide an excellent opportunity for bringing these homeowners directly to Eastern Hills Mall. The new owners of the mall, Mountain Development Corp. and Glenmont Financial, are repositioning Eastern Hills Mall to better serve its trade area, and the reception from the community, both from existing Mall retailers such as Macy's and Sears, and editorial supports such as The Buffalo News and WGRZ, WIVB, and WKBW has been excellent.
Eastern Hills Mall's primary trade area has an average household income in excess of $93,000, by far the highest for any mall in the market, and the Mall serves the greater Buffalo metropolitan area with a population of more than 600,000 people.
The Redevelopment Plan
MDC Retail Properties Group is continuing with a major renovation of Eastern Hills Mall, upgrading the Mall's appearance and infrastructure. The first stage of improvements has included:
- Painting the mall exterior white, with the exception of the anchor department stores
- Installation of new lighting to illuminate the exterior of the mall
- Completed reconstruction of the food court and restrooms:
- New ceiling and flooring
- New granite topped tables and new chairs
- New wood and mirrored columns
- New circular eating bar surrounding Double Sided working fireplaces with Plasma screen TV's
- WI-FI: Wireless Internet access!!
- A new pylon sign with four electronic reader boards, and updated site signage
- Installation of a video security system along with upgrades to the Mall's life safety system
- Irrigation system installed around the exterior of the mall and upgraded landscaping
- Replacement of all four main entrance features and
- Extensive parking lot resurfacing
Marketing
The new owners implement each year an aggressive marketing and promotions campaign to increase public awareness of Eastern Hills Mall as well as to promote involvement in those community activities aimed to draw shoppers to the Mall including:
- Ongoing promotional events each month highlighted by extensive media coverage, free gifts, free or discounted food coupons, and entertainment including, free musical entertainment, and free children's shows.
- Mall Services: a full-service customer convenience center offering a variety of services, such as mall gift certificates, free stroller and wheelchair rental, fax and duplicating services, in addition to many others. Mall Services also handles coupon redemption and gift distribution.
- Weekly children's entertainment during the summer with gifts and food promotions.
- Community interest events including fashion shows, health expos, business expos, craft and collectable shows, first time events, and many other events that have mass appeal.
Summary
The combination of MDC Retail Properties Group's aggressive leasing campaign, exciting marketing calendar, major renovations, and the best customer demographics in Western New York is bringing Eastern Hills Mall back to its preeminent position in the marketplace.
Permanent Leasing
Steve Scaramuzzino
(315) 383-6294