Recent Changes for "Medley Center" - Rochester Wiki

Medley Center

travisowens — 2007-04-10T13:51:11Z

Renamed to "Medley Centre"

Differences for Medley Center

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- \|\|<bgcolor='#E0E0FF'>'''Location'''\|\| - \|\|[[Address(285 Medley Centre Pwky, Rochester NY 14622)]]\|\| - \|\|(wheelchair accessible)\|\| - \|\|<bgcolor='#E0E0FF'>'''Telephone'''\|\| - \|\|585 266 6100\|\| - \|\|<bgcolor='#E0E0FF'>'''Website'''\|\| - \|\|http://MedleyCentre.com\|\| - - == HISTORY == - - Medley Centre began life as Irondequoit Mall, located along the busy ["Route 104"] corridor on the northeast side of Rochester. It was Rochester's latest traditional enclosed mall, built by the omnipresent local retail developer ["Wilmorite"], opening for business in 1990. The mall offered area residents its first fully two-story mall, designed to offer lots of wide open space with natural light coming from its massive glass roof. A showcase carousel, visible from the highway, offered rides to children while parents relaxed in the adjacent food court. At the time, Irondequoit Mall targeted residents in the northeastern city and the growing east-side suburbs of ["Webster"], ["Irondequoit"], and ["Penfield"]. The mall also attracted attention from the wealthier suburbs ["Brighton"] and ["Pittsford"] which divided their shopping attention between the then-dreary and outdated ["Eastview Mall"] in ["Victor"] and ["Marketplace Mall"] in ["Henrietta"]. - - It opened with great fanfare with original anchor stores Sears, JCPenney, Sibley's, and McCurdy's, and all the usual national chains that turn up at malls. Irondequoit Mall was late to the area mall party, but established itself as a popular shopping destination, especially for those who disliked the extensive walking required to navigate other area malls which sprawled on and on with their single story designs. - - As the 1990's progressed, significant changes occurred in the big box department store business model that existed for nearly 100 years. Smaller, regionally-based, family-owned department store chains began to be consolidated by a national wave of mergers. In Rochester, Sibley's was the first to go, selling its entire chain of stores to the May Department Stores, based in Pittsburgh, which rechristened Sibley's under their Kaufmann's store brand. (May itself would later be absorbed into the enormous Federated Department Stores, owner of Macy's among many other super-regional chains, in 1995.) - - Very soon thereafter, the McCurdy family saw the writing on the wall and sold their entire chain of stores to Bon-Ton of York, Pennsylvania which operated as a regional chain across the northeastern states. - - At the same time, the growing income of residents in eastern ["Monroe County"], and the tremendous growth occurring in nearby ["Ontario County"] by suburban sprawl meant it was time to take another look at the then-aging ["Eastview Mall"], located just across the Monroe-Ontario county line. It had not seen a major overhaul since the 1970's, right down to the avocado green wall-to-wall carpeting and the burnt orange accents. Ironically, the downfall of Irondequoit Mall would come primarily from the actions of ["Wilmorite"] itself, which also managed ["Eastview Mall"]. - - == THE DECLINING YEARS == - - It wasn't just one factor which would put Irondequoit Mall into the category of a [http://DeadMalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html "dead mall"]. Several factors conspired to bring down the area's youngest mall in just a few short years. - - The most important was the aforementioned redevelopment, expansion, and reopening of ["Eastview Mall"], which has attracted premium upscale retailers, a healthy occupancy level, and operates in an area perceived as low crime and a safe destination day or night. Eastview immediately drained Irondequoit Mall's largest percentage of customers from the eastern side of ["Monroe County"], especially ["Brighton"] and ["Pittsford"]. ["Wilmorite"] succeeded, perhaps too well, in its efforts to reintroduce Rochester to ["Eastview Mall"]. - - At the same time, a demographic shift in customers shopping at ["Irondequoit"] began to play on latent fears some shoppers had about Irondequoit Mall and those who frequented it. ["Midtown Plaza"], the nation's first traditional mall, was already relegated to the "dead mall" category. Shoppers from the city of Rochester defected from ["Midtown Plaza" Midtown], with many northside residents now turning to Irondequoit Mall, which has plenty of free parking and frequent bus service. Rochester's vibrant Latino community adopted Irondequoit Mall as a popular destination as well. That Spanish was now being spoken openly and frequently at the mall concerned more than one of the sheltered suburbanites I overheard in my very frequent visits to the mall at the time. Groups of younger people loitering around the mall and its parking lots didn't help the image much either. A whisper campaign about the mall and its shoppers began. - - Soon, the urban legend that Irondequoit Mall was a "high crime" area with shoppers being harassed by gangs and car theft rings operating openly would eventually reach the local press. Rumors of a rape in the parking lot even surfaced. That none of this was actually true didn't seem to matter, despite ["Wilmorite" Wilmorite's] efforts to beef up security, launch a public relations effort to reassure customers, establish a code of conduct, and several positive articles in the same press that reported earlier "concerns." Once a perception is established, even if disproved, many customers end up staying away with a shrug of the shoulders and a dismissive, "why take a chance?" - - In truth, Irondequoit Mall never suffered the crime rate or the problems that the urban legend proffered. - - As customers fled, so did the retailers, starting with the national chains operating smaller stores in the mall. At first, the defections were manageable, but as ["Eastview Mall" Eastview] gained more and more prominence, what began as a trickle soon became a flood, especially with the announcement that JCPenney was leaving in 2003. By the time the fixtures and displays were liquidated at JCPenney, Irondequoit Mall had now firmly been established as a dead mall, with a 20% occupancy rate. - - By early 2005, it was possible to spend an hour power walking the first floor of Irondequoit Mall and literally pass not a single customer. Bored employees routinely brought paperbacks to read, mall security coffee-klatched with the maintenance workers, and the mall was literally populated with more store employees than shoppers. The only "regulars" tended to be mall walkers. - - The writing was on the wall. In that year, ["Wilmorite"] abandoned Irondequoit Mall, putting the property up for sale. - - == A NEW OWNER, AND PROMISES OF A NEW BEGINNING == - - In 2005, Adam Bersin, an optimistic ["Syracuse"] developer, purchased Irondequoit Mall from ["Wilmorite"] for five million dollars and a 15 year tax break incentive provided by the town or Irondequoit. In return, Bersin promised to infuse $44 million into a full renovation. - - Bersin rechristened the mall, thus ending the short history of Irondequoit Mall and opening a new chapter under its new name Medley Centre. As of the spring of 2007, Medley Centre has managed some small victories, replacing the JCPenney anchor store shell with Steve & Barry's, a sporting apparel store unique to the area. An indoor soft playground on the first level has become a modest success as well, providing hours of entertainment to children for a $2 entry fee good for the entire day, all under the watchful eyes of mall security and staff. It's available from the time the mall opens to approximately one hour prior to closing. - - Small, family-owned stores have managed to survive in locations formerly occupied by large corporate-owned chain stores, usually with a sign plastered over the the earlier occupant's name. Apparel and shoes targeting younger customers have been the most successful, but some eclectic independently owned businesses have managed to hang on for a few years now as well. Mall activity tends to pick up around the Christmas shopping season, when some temporary merchants move in. - - Some special events managed some success in attracting foot traffic. In October 2006, a Halloween "haunted house" and exhibit made from tens of thousands of balloons attracted long lines to a mall wing dedicated to the exhibit, which charged an entry fee. - - But along with the small victories have come new challenges, starting with the spring 2007 announcement that Medley Centre has lost another major anchor store. Bon Ton, to the surprise of no one, announced that it was throwing in the towel on the location because of low sales. Bersin is now negotiating to purchase the property, owned by Bon Ton, to ensure it remains associated with Medley Centre. This leaves only two traditional anchor stores, Sears and Macy's (formerly Kaufmann's). - - Mall occupancy to this day also remains dismal, with the vast majority of storefronts either empty or filled with tenants serving no retail function. Among the latter have been a dog obedience school, model train and racing car tracks, a "summer camp," a little-used storefront for Irondequoit town groups and functions, an English for Speakers of Other Languages resource center, and a security guard employment/travel agency (in the same storefront). Many of the retail apparel stores serve as clearance/outlet centers. - - Mall signage remains a problem, with a woefully outdated mall directory that promises an optimistic shopping experience for visiting shoppers who rapidly become bewildered by the sea of empty stores, accompanied by lit advertising messages that seem trapped in time back to 2002, not long after 9/11, with patriotic public service announcements. Stores that closed years ago still have signs which seem to indicate the closing was recent, and some of the anchor stores have begun dumping their stock and fixtures into nearby store locations, hidden with blue plastic sheeting or with nothing at all. - - But Medley Centre's upkeep through the challenges has been visible as well. The mall's live plants remain well-cared for, efforts to cope with the leaking high glass roof have been ongoing and moderately successful, the floors have been kept clean, and several entrances were rebuilt and improved. Mall employee turnover seems modest as well, with many of the same faces still there month after month. The mall parking lot is kept in good repair, and mall security vehicles pay careful attention to making the lot is safe and secure. - - The employees and staff at the mall remain friendly and helpful, despite the challenges they confront (ranging from extreme boredom to possible unemployment if Bersin can't pull this one off.) - - Controversial changes surrounding the food court and mall traffic in general have caused some minor resentment among the mall's remaining loyal visitors. Since the mall opened, the food court, especially during the day, has been a gathering place for retired locals who literally spend hours sitting and visiting with their friends. Chess and card games were a common site to help pass the time. Frequently the only people in the food court, they were surprised to learn that a policy change now prohibited chess and card games during regular mall hours. The policy change, attributed to Bersin, came as a result of his efforts to make the mall's appearance more conducive to a "family friendly shopping experience." This raised some controversy in the local press, but came as part of a broader effort to control loitering in the mall, particularly by younger people. - - At times, large groups of youth would spend time at the mall meeting with friends and talking, and occasionally interacting (positively or negatively -- I have experienced both) with shoppers. Mall security has made a special effort to keep Medley Centre from being a social club. Individuals that repeatedly violate the mall's rules of conduct are banned, but this is not an issue unique to Medley Centre. - - Mall walkers remain the most commonly visible people at Medley Centre, and their presence at the very least promotes a sense that the place is not completely empty. Bersin's continued acceptance of this group, which seems to try hard not to get in the way of ordinary mall shoppers, seems to be a net positive. - - The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach has been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether. - - Bersin's biggest challenge remains driving traffic into the mall space. Special events remain one way to accomplish this. Earlier proposals to bring important town services such as a branch of the town library would definitely be another. Non-traditional mall retailers have survived the challenges of the mall's past, and this robust group of people seems to be on to something. Having stores that don't exist in every other mall in town be moderately successful is a good clue that Medley Centre has a chance to find its niche by not trying to compete head-on with Wilmorite's malls in the area, but to offer something unique and different. - - The final chapter has not yet been written for Medley Centre, and considering Bersin's ongoing dedication and enthusiasm to this important part of Irondequoit, one hopes he can find success. --["PhillipDampier"] - - == RESOURCES == - - National Public Radio Morning Edition aired a [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6533240 2006 November 24 story] about it, along with ["Midtown Plaza"] and our rust belt New York economy. - - [[Comments]] - ------ - ''2007-04-09 14:52:12'' [[nbsp]] I really hope this mall becomes popular again. IMHO this is the nicest looking mall in the Rochester area, the amount of high skylights are great, probably the best place in Rochester to get some sunshine when the outside weather is too rough to bear. --["TravisOwens"] - ------ - ''2007-04-09 18:29:35'' [[nbsp]] Hmm, should this article not be renamed to Medley Centre? --["RyanTucker"]	+ #redirect Medley Centre

Medley Center

RachelBlumenthal — 2007-04-09T23:08:01Z

Differences for Medley Center

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- At the same time, the growing income of residents in eastern ["Monroe County"], and the tremendous growth occurring in nearby ["Ontario County"] by suburban sprawl meant it was time to take another look at the then-aging ["Eastview Mall"], located just across the Monroe-Ontario county line. It had not seen a major overhaul since the 1970's, right down to the avocado green wall-to-wall carpeting and the burnt orange accents. Ironically, the downfall of Irondequoit Mall would come primarily from the actions of ["Wilmorite itself"], which also managed ["Eastview Mall"].	+ At the same time, the growing income of residents in eastern ["Monroe County"], and the tremendous growth occurring in nearby ["Ontario County"] by suburban sprawl meant it was time to take another look at the then-aging ["Eastview Mall"], located just across the Monroe-Ontario county line. It had not seen a major overhaul since the 1970's, right down to the avocado green wall-to-wall carpeting and the burnt orange accents. Ironically, the downfall of Irondequoit Mall would come primarily from the actions of ["Wilmorite"] itself, which also managed ["Eastview Mall"].

Medley Center

RachelBlumenthal — 2007-04-09T23:07:25Z

lots o' wiki links!

Differences for Medley Center

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- Medley Centre began life as Irondequoit Mall, located along the busy Route 104 corridor on the northeast side of Rochester. It was Rochester's latest traditional enclosed mall, built by the omnipresent local retail developer Wilmorite, opening for business in 1990. The mall offered area residents its first fully two-story mall, designed to offer lots of wide open space with natural light coming from its massive glass roof. A showcase carousel, visible from the highway, offered rides to children while parents relaxed in the adjacent food court. At the time, Irondequoit Mall targeted residents in the northeastern city and the growing east-side suburbs of Webster, Irondequoit, and Penfield. The mall also attracted attention from the wealthier suburbs Brighton and Pittsford which divided their shopping attention between the then-dreary and outdated Eastview Mall in Victor and Marketplace Mall in Henrietta.	+ Medley Centre began life as Irondequoit Mall, located along the busy ["Route 104"] corridor on the northeast side of Rochester. It was Rochester's latest traditional enclosed mall, built by the omnipresent local retail developer ["Wilmorite"], opening for business in 1990. The mall offered area residents its first fully two-story mall, designed to offer lots of wide open space with natural light coming from its massive glass roof. A showcase carousel, visible from the highway, offered rides to children while parents relaxed in the adjacent food court. At the time, Irondequoit Mall targeted residents in the northeastern city and the growing east-side suburbs of ["Webster"], ["Irondequoit"], and ["Penfield"]. The mall also attracted attention from the wealthier suburbs ["Brighton"] and ["Pittsford"] which divided their shopping attention between the then-dreary and outdated ["Eastview Mall"] in ["Victor"] and ["Marketplace Mall"] in ["Henrietta"].
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- At the same time, the growing income of residents in eastern Monroe county, and the tremendous growth occurring in nearby Ontario county by suburban sprawl meant it was time to take another look at the then-aging Eastview Mall, located just across the Monroe-Ontario county line. It had not seen a major overhaul since the 1970's, right down to the avocado green wall-to-wall carpeting and the burnt orange accents. Ironically, the downfall of Irondequoit Mall would come primarily from the actions of Wilmorite itself, which also managed Eastview.	+ At the same time, the growing income of residents in eastern ["Monroe County"], and the tremendous growth occurring in nearby ["Ontario County"] by suburban sprawl meant it was time to take another look at the then-aging ["Eastview Mall"], located just across the Monroe-Ontario county line. It had not seen a major overhaul since the 1970's, right down to the avocado green wall-to-wall carpeting and the burnt orange accents. Ironically, the downfall of Irondequoit Mall would come primarily from the actions of ["Wilmorite itself"], which also managed ["Eastview Mall"].
Line 23:	Line 23:
- It wasn't just one factor which would put Irondequoit Mall into the category of a "deal mall." [http://DeadMalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com] Several factors conspired to bring down the area's youngest mall in just a few short years.	+ It wasn't just one factor which would put Irondequoit Mall into the category of a [http://DeadMalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html "dead mall"]. Several factors conspired to bring down the area's youngest mall in just a few short years.
Line 25:	Line 25:
- The most important was the aforementioned redevelopment, expansion, and reopening of Eastview Mall, which has attracted premium upscale retailers, a healthy occupancy level, and operates in an area perceived as low crime and a safe destination day or night. Eastview immediately drained Irondequoit Mall's largest percentage of customers from the eastern side of Monroe county, especially Brighton and Pittsford. Wilmorite succeeded, perhaps too well, in its efforts to reintroduce Rochester to Eastview Mall.	+ The most important was the aforementioned redevelopment, expansion, and reopening of ["Eastview Mall"], which has attracted premium upscale retailers, a healthy occupancy level, and operates in an area perceived as low crime and a safe destination day or night. Eastview immediately drained Irondequoit Mall's largest percentage of customers from the eastern side of ["Monroe County"], especially ["Brighton"] and ["Pittsford"]. ["Wilmorite"] succeeded, perhaps too well, in its efforts to reintroduce Rochester to ["Eastview Mall"].
Line 27:	Line 27:
- At the same time, a demographic shift in customers shopping at Irondequoit began to play on latent fears some shoppers had about Irondequoit Mall and those who frequented it. Midtown Plaza, the nation's first traditional mall, was already relegated to the "dead mall" category. Shoppers from the city of Rochester defected from Midtown, with many northside residents now turning to Irondequoit Mall, which has plenty of free parking and frequent bus service. Rochester's vibrant Latino community adopted Irondequoit Mall as a popular destination as well. That Spanish was now being spoken openly and frequently at the mall concerned more than one of the sheltered suburbanites I overheard in my very frequent visits to the mall at the time. Groups of younger people loitering around the mall and its parking lots didn't help the image much either. A whisper campaign about the mall and its shoppers began.	+ At the same time, a demographic shift in customers shopping at ["Irondequoit"] began to play on latent fears some shoppers had about Irondequoit Mall and those who frequented it. ["Midtown Plaza"], the nation's first traditional mall, was already relegated to the "dead mall" category. Shoppers from the city of Rochester defected from ["Midtown Plaza" Midtown], with many northside residents now turning to Irondequoit Mall, which has plenty of free parking and frequent bus service. Rochester's vibrant Latino community adopted Irondequoit Mall as a popular destination as well. That Spanish was now being spoken openly and frequently at the mall concerned more than one of the sheltered suburbanites I overheard in my very frequent visits to the mall at the time. Groups of younger people loitering around the mall and its parking lots didn't help the image much either. A whisper campaign about the mall and its shoppers began.
Line 29:	Line 29:
- Soon, the urban legend that Irondequoit Mall was a "high crime" area with shoppers being harassed by gangs and car theft rings operating openly would eventually reach the local press. Rumors of a rape in the parking lot even surfaced. That none of this was actually true didn't seem to matter, despite Wilmorite's efforts to beef up security, launch a public relations effort to reassure customers, establish a code of conduct, and several positive articles in the same press that reported earlier "concerns." Once a perception is established, even if disproved, many customers end up staying away with a shrug of the shoulders and a dismissive, "why take a chance?"	+ Soon, the urban legend that Irondequoit Mall was a "high crime" area with shoppers being harassed by gangs and car theft rings operating openly would eventually reach the local press. Rumors of a rape in the parking lot even surfaced. That none of this was actually true didn't seem to matter, despite ["Wilmorite" Wilmorite's] efforts to beef up security, launch a public relations effort to reassure customers, establish a code of conduct, and several positive articles in the same press that reported earlier "concerns." Once a perception is established, even if disproved, many customers end up staying away with a shrug of the shoulders and a dismissive, "why take a chance?"
Line 33:	Line 33:
- As customers fled, so did the retailers, starting with the national chains operating smaller stores in the mall. At first, the defections were manageable, but as Eastview gained more and more prominence, what began as a trickle soon became a flood, especially with the announcement that JCPenney was leaving in 2003. By the time the fixtures and displays were liquidated at JCPenney, Irondequoit Mall had now firmly been established as a dead mall, with a 20% occupancy rate.	+ As customers fled, so did the retailers, starting with the national chains operating smaller stores in the mall. At first, the defections were manageable, but as ["Eastview Mall" Eastview] gained more and more prominence, what began as a trickle soon became a flood, especially with the announcement that JCPenney was leaving in 2003. By the time the fixtures and displays were liquidated at JCPenney, Irondequoit Mall had now firmly been established as a dead mall, with a 20% occupancy rate.
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- The writing was on the wall. In that year, Wilmorite abandoned Irondequoit Mall, putting the property up for sale.	+ The writing was on the wall. In that year, ["Wilmorite"] abandoned Irondequoit Mall, putting the property up for sale.
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- In 2005, Adam Bersin, an optimistic Syracuse developer, purchased Irondequoit Mall from Wilmorite for five million dollars and a 15 year tax break incentive provided by the town or Irondequoit. In return, Bersin promised to infuse $44 million into a full renovation.	+ In 2005, Adam Bersin, an optimistic ["Syracuse"] developer, purchased Irondequoit Mall from ["Wilmorite"] for five million dollars and a 15 year tax break incentive provided by the town or Irondequoit. In return, Bersin promised to infuse $44 million into a full renovation.

Medley Center

ReyTucker — 2007-04-09T22:29:35Z

Comment added.

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	+ ------ + ''2007-04-09 18:29:35'' [[nbsp]] Hmm, should this article not be renamed to Medley Centre? --["RyanTucker"]

Medley Center

PhillipDampier — 2007-04-09T21:58:31Z

Differences for Medley Center

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
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- The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach as been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether.	+ The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach has been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether.

Medley Center

ReyTucker — 2007-04-09T19:34:38Z

fixed spelling

Differences for Medley Center

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Line 59:	Line 59:
- Controversial changes surrounding the food court and mall traffic in general have caused some minor resentment among the mall's remaining loyal visitors. Since the mall opened, the food court, especially during the day, has been a gathering place for retired locals who literally spend hours sitting and visiting with their friends. Chess and card games were a common site to help pass the time. Frequently the only people in the food court, they were surprised to learn that a policy change now prohibited chess and card games during regular mall hours. The policy change, attributed to Bersin, came as a result of his efforts to make the mall's apparance more conducive to a "family friendly shopping experience." This raised some controversy in the local press, but came as part of a broader effort to control loitering in the mall, particularly by younger people.	+ Controversial changes surrounding the food court and mall traffic in general have caused some minor resentment among the mall's remaining loyal visitors. Since the mall opened, the food court, especially during the day, has been a gathering place for retired locals who literally spend hours sitting and visiting with their friends. Chess and card games were a common site to help pass the time. Frequently the only people in the food court, they were surprised to learn that a policy change now prohibited chess and card games during regular mall hours. The policy change, attributed to Bersin, came as a result of his efforts to make the mall's appearance more conducive to a "family friendly shopping experience." This raised some controversy in the local press, but came as part of a broader effort to control loitering in the mall, particularly by younger people.

Medley Center

travisowens — 2007-04-09T18:52:12Z

Comment added.

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	+ ------ + ''2007-04-09 14:52:12'' [[nbsp]] I really hope this mall becomes popular again. IMHO this is the nicest looking mall in the Rochester area, the amount of high skylights are great, probably the best place in Rochester to get some sunshine when the outside weather is too rough to bear. --["TravisOwens"]

Medley Center

travisowens — 2007-04-09T18:51:03Z

Added comments section

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	+ + [[Comments]]

Medley Center

PhillipDampier — 2007-04-09T16:13:34Z

Differences for Medley Center

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
Line 65:	Line 65:
- The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach as been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether. The final chapter has not yet been written for Medley Centre. --["PhillipDampier"]	+ The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach as been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether. + + Bersin's biggest challenge remains driving traffic into the mall space. Special events remain one way to accomplish this. Earlier proposals to bring important town services such as a branch of the town library would definitely be another. Non-traditional mall retailers have survived the challenges of the mall's past, and this robust group of people seems to be on to something. Having stores that don't exist in every other mall in town be moderately successful is a good clue that Medley Centre has a chance to find its niche by not trying to compete head-on with Wilmorite's malls in the area, but to offer something unique and different. + + The final chapter has not yet been written for Medley Centre, and considering Bersin's ongoing dedication and enthusiasm to this important part of Irondequoit, one hopes he can find success. --["PhillipDampier"]

Medley Center

PhillipDampier — 2007-04-09T15:57:14Z

Differences for Medley Center

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
Line 25:	Line 25:
- The most important was the aforementioned redevelopment, expansion, and reopening of Eastview Mall, which has attracted premium upscale retailers, a healthy occupancy level, and operates in an area perceived as low crime and a safe destination day or night. Eastview immediately drained its largest percentage of customers from the eastern side of Monroe county, which caused an immediate fall of upscale, highly mobile suburban customers from the wealthier east side, particularly in Brighton and Pittsford. Wilmorite succeeded, perhaps too well, in its efforts to reintroduce Rochester to Eastview Mall.	+ The most important was the aforementioned redevelopment, expansion, and reopening of Eastview Mall, which has attracted premium upscale retailers, a healthy occupancy level, and operates in an area perceived as low crime and a safe destination day or night. Eastview immediately drained Irondequoit Mall's largest percentage of customers from the eastern side of Monroe county, especially Brighton and Pittsford. Wilmorite succeeded, perhaps too well, in its efforts to reintroduce Rochester to Eastview Mall.
Line 27:	Line 27:
- At the same time, a demographic shift in customers shopping at Irondequoit began to play on latent fears some shoppers had about Irondequoit Mall and those who frequented the mall. Midtown Plaza, the nation's first traditional mall, was already relegated to the "dead mall" category before Irondequoit Mall was identified as troubled. Shoppers from the city of Rochester defected from Midtown, with many northside residents now turning to Irondequoit Mall, which has plenty of free parking and free bus service. Rochester's vibrant Latino community adopted Irondequoit Mall as a popular destination as well. That Spanish was now being spoken openly and frequently at the mall concerned more than one of the sheltered suburbanites I overheard in my very frequent visits to the mall at the time. Groups of younger people loitering around the mall and its parking lots didn't help the image much either.	+ At the same time, a demographic shift in customers shopping at Irondequoit began to play on latent fears some shoppers had about Irondequoit Mall and those who frequented it. Midtown Plaza, the nation's first traditional mall, was already relegated to the "dead mall" category. Shoppers from the city of Rochester defected from Midtown, with many northside residents now turning to Irondequoit Mall, which has plenty of free parking and frequent bus service. Rochester's vibrant Latino community adopted Irondequoit Mall as a popular destination as well. That Spanish was now being spoken openly and frequently at the mall concerned more than one of the sheltered suburbanites I overheard in my very frequent visits to the mall at the time. Groups of younger people loitering around the mall and its parking lots didn't help the image much either. A whisper campaign about the mall and its shoppers began.
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- The writing was on the wall. In that year, Wilmorite abandoned Irondequoit, putting the property up for sale.	+ The writing was on the wall. In that year, Wilmorite abandoned Irondequoit Mall, putting the property up for sale.
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- Bersin rechristened the mall, thus ending the short history of Irondequoit Mall and opening a new chapter under its new name Medley Centre. As of the spring of 2007, Medley Centre has managed some very small victories, replacing the JCPenney anchor store shell with Steve & Barry's, a sporting apparel store unique to the area. An indoor soft playground on the first level has become a modest success as well, providing hours of entertainment to children for a $2 entry fee good for the entire day, all under the watchful eyes of mall security and staff. It's available from the time the mall opens to approximately one hour prior to closing.	+ Bersin rechristened the mall, thus ending the short history of Irondequoit Mall and opening a new chapter under its new name Medley Centre. As of the spring of 2007, Medley Centre has managed some small victories, replacing the JCPenney anchor store shell with Steve & Barry's, a sporting apparel store unique to the area. An indoor soft playground on the first level has become a modest success as well, providing hours of entertainment to children for a $2 entry fee good for the entire day, all under the watchful eyes of mall security and staff. It's available from the time the mall opens to approximately one hour prior to closing.
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- Mall signage remains a problem, with a woefully outdated mall directory that promises an optimistic shopping experience for visiting shoppers who rapidly become bewildered by the sea of empty stores, accompanied by lit advertising messages that seem trapped in time back to 2002, not long after 9/11. Stores that closed years ago still have signs which seem to indicate the closing was recent, and some of the anchor stores have begun dumping their stock and fixtures into nearby store locations, hidden with blue plastic sheeting or with nothing at all.	+ Mall signage remains a problem, with a woefully outdated mall directory that promises an optimistic shopping experience for visiting shoppers who rapidly become bewildered by the sea of empty stores, accompanied by lit advertising messages that seem trapped in time back to 2002, not long after 9/11, with patriotic public service announcements. Stores that closed years ago still have signs which seem to indicate the closing was recent, and some of the anchor stores have begun dumping their stock and fixtures into nearby store locations, hidden with blue plastic sheeting or with nothing at all.

Medley Center

PhillipDampier — 2007-04-09T15:46:15Z

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- Medley Centre began life as Irondequoit Mall, located along the busy Route 104 corridor on the northeast side of Rochester. It was Rochester's latest traditional enclosed mall, built by the omnipresent local retail developer Wilmorite, opening for business in 1990. The mall offered area residents its first fully two-story mall, designed to offer lots of wide open space with considerable natural light coming from its massive glass roof and a showcase carousel, designed to be visible from the highway, offering rides to children while parents relaxed in the adjacent food court. At the time, Irondequoit Mall targeted residents in the northeastern city and the growing east-side suburbs of Webster, Irondequoit, and Penfield. The mall also attracted attention from the wealthier suburbs Brighton and Pittsford which divided their shopping attention between the then-dreary and outdated Eastview Mall in Victor and Marketplace Mall in Henrietta.	+ Medley Centre began life as Irondequoit Mall, located along the busy Route 104 corridor on the northeast side of Rochester. It was Rochester's latest traditional enclosed mall, built by the omnipresent local retail developer Wilmorite, opening for business in 1990. The mall offered area residents its first fully two-story mall, designed to offer lots of wide open space with natural light coming from its massive glass roof. A showcase carousel, visible from the highway, offered rides to children while parents relaxed in the adjacent food court. At the time, Irondequoit Mall targeted residents in the northeastern city and the growing east-side suburbs of Webster, Irondequoit, and Penfield. The mall also attracted attention from the wealthier suburbs Brighton and Pittsford which divided their shopping attention between the then-dreary and outdated Eastview Mall in Victor and Marketplace Mall in Henrietta.

Medley Center

PhillipDampier — 2007-04-09T15:44:57Z

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- The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach as been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether. The final chapter has not yet been written for Medley Centre.	+ The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach as been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether. The final chapter has not yet been written for Medley Centre. --["PhillipDampier"]

Medley Center

PhillipDampier — 2007-04-09T15:43:12Z

A complete revision of this article to expand the scope.

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- \|\|[[Address(285 Medley Center Pwky, Rochester NY 14622)]]\|\|	+ \|\|[[Address(285 Medley Centre Pwky, Rochester NY 14622)]]\|\|
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- \|\|http://MedleyCenter.com\|\|	+ \|\|http://MedleyCentre.com\|\|
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- Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a Syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the Medley Center. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.	+ == HISTORY ==
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- == Update, Spring 2006 == - One of the first rennovations completed after the change of ownership is an indoor soft playground for children. The play area is large and well-designed with comfortable seating at the perimeter for parents and guardians. It opens when the mall does, and closes about an hour before the mall. (10am - 8pm, or 11am - 5pm on Sunday.) There is a fee of $2.00 per child to use the play area, but children get a hand stamp that allows them to return through the entire day (at this point parents will likely tire of the mall's limited offerings before kids tire of the playground). An excellent antidote to severe winter weather.	+ Medley Centre began life as Irondequoit Mall, located along the busy Route 104 corridor on the northeast side of Rochester. It was Rochester's latest traditional enclosed mall, built by the omnipresent local retail developer Wilmorite, opening for business in 1990. The mall offered area residents its first fully two-story mall, designed to offer lots of wide open space with considerable natural light coming from its massive glass roof and a showcase carousel, designed to be visible from the highway, offering rides to children while parents relaxed in the adjacent food court. At the time, Irondequoit Mall targeted residents in the northeastern city and the growing east-side suburbs of Webster, Irondequoit, and Penfield. The mall also attracted attention from the wealthier suburbs Brighton and Pittsford which divided their shopping attention between the then-dreary and outdated Eastview Mall in Victor and Marketplace Mall in Henrietta.
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- == Past == - Featured at [http://DeadMalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com], Irondequoit Mall has for the last few years hovered near death. National Public Radio Morning Edition aired a [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6533240 2006 November 24 story] about it, along with ["Midtown Plaza"] and our rust belt New York economy.	+ It opened with great fanfare with original anchor stores Sears, JCPenney, Sibley's, and McCurdy's, and all the usual national chains that turn up at malls. Irondequoit Mall was late to the area mall party, but established itself as a popular shopping destination, especially for those who disliked the extensive walking required to navigate other area malls which sprawled on and on with their single story designs.
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- ## This paragraph needs either rewriting or deleting! - I dislike shopping malls, but I think Irondequoit mall had been the perfect mall. Mostly empty, no shoppers, mostly closed storefronts. About half of the open storefronts had been community groups or hobby groups, and lots of the stores are smaller outlets with nifty stuff.	+ As the 1990's progressed, significant changes occurred in the big box department store business model that existed for nearly 100 years. Smaller, regionally-based, family-owned department store chains began to be consolidated by a national wave of mergers. In Rochester, Sibley's was the first to go, selling its entire chain of stores to the May Department Stores, based in Pittsburgh, which rechristened Sibley's under their Kaufmann's store brand. (May itself would later be absorbed into the enormous Federated Department Stores, owner of Macy's among many other super-regional chains, in 1995.)
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- ==== Notes === - The new owners of Medely Center have announced chess and card-game players are no longer welcome in the Medely Center Foodcourt. Many people see this as sad since for a few years, they were the ''only people'' in the foodcourt. D&C qoutes Adam Bersin as saying Foodcount seats full of people who aren't eating don't fit with his vision of a thriving family-oriented retail center. I can only assume this means enjoying boardgames is not a famliy value. -Far	+ Very soon thereafter, the McCurdy family saw the writing on the wall and sold their entire chain of stores to Bon-Ton of York, Pennsylvania which operated as a regional chain across the northeastern states.
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- These groups are allowed in the Food Court before business hours, when the mall is open to "mall walkers" as well. The reason Mr. Bersin instituted this rule was that he believed that he had to come down hard on loiterers in the mall in order to bring shoppers back. In order to make the rule fair, he stated, it must apply to everyone.	+ At the same time, the growing income of residents in eastern Monroe county, and the tremendous growth occurring in nearby Ontario county by suburban sprawl meant it was time to take another look at the then-aging Eastview Mall, located just across the Monroe-Ontario county line. It had not seen a major overhaul since the 1970's, right down to the avocado green wall-to-wall carpeting and the burnt orange accents. Ironically, the downfall of Irondequoit Mall would come primarily from the actions of Wilmorite itself, which also managed Eastview. + + == THE DECLINING YEARS == + + It wasn't just one factor which would put Irondequoit Mall into the category of a "deal mall." [http://DeadMalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com] Several factors conspired to bring down the area's youngest mall in just a few short years. + + The most important was the aforementioned redevelopment, expansion, and reopening of Eastview Mall, which has attracted premium upscale retailers, a healthy occupancy level, and operates in an area perceived as low crime and a safe destination day or night. Eastview immediately drained its largest percentage of customers from the eastern side of Monroe county, which caused an immediate fall of upscale, highly mobile suburban customers from the wealthier east side, particularly in Brighton and Pittsford. Wilmorite succeeded, perhaps too well, in its efforts to reintroduce Rochester to Eastview Mall. + + At the same time, a demographic shift in customers shopping at Irondequoit began to play on latent fears some shoppers had about Irondequoit Mall and those who frequented the mall. Midtown Plaza, the nation's first traditional mall, was already relegated to the "dead mall" category before Irondequoit Mall was identified as troubled. Shoppers from the city of Rochester defected from Midtown, with many northside residents now turning to Irondequoit Mall, which has plenty of free parking and free bus service. Rochester's vibrant Latino community adopted Irondequoit Mall as a popular destination as well. That Spanish was now being spoken openly and frequently at the mall concerned more than one of the sheltered suburbanites I overheard in my very frequent visits to the mall at the time. Groups of younger people loitering around the mall and its parking lots didn't help the image much either. + + Soon, the urban legend that Irondequoit Mall was a "high crime" area with shoppers being harassed by gangs and car theft rings operating openly would eventually reach the local press. Rumors of a rape in the parking lot even surfaced. That none of this was actually true didn't seem to matter, despite Wilmorite's efforts to beef up security, launch a public relations effort to reassure customers, establish a code of conduct, and several positive articles in the same press that reported earlier "concerns." Once a perception is established, even if disproved, many customers end up staying away with a shrug of the shoulders and a dismissive, "why take a chance?" + + In truth, Irondequoit Mall never suffered the crime rate or the problems that the urban legend proffered. + + As customers fled, so did the retailers, starting with the national chains operating smaller stores in the mall. At first, the defections were manageable, but as Eastview gained more and more prominence, what began as a trickle soon became a flood, especially with the announcement that JCPenney was leaving in 2003. By the time the fixtures and displays were liquidated at JCPenney, Irondequoit Mall had now firmly been established as a dead mall, with a 20% occupancy rate. + + By early 2005, it was possible to spend an hour power walking the first floor of Irondequoit Mall and literally pass not a single customer. Bored employees routinely brought paperbacks to read, mall security coffee-klatched with the maintenance workers, and the mall was literally populated with more store employees than shoppers. The only "regulars" tended to be mall walkers. + + The writing was on the wall. In that year, Wilmorite abandoned Irondequoit, putting the property up for sale. + + == A NEW OWNER, AND PROMISES OF A NEW BEGINNING == + + In 2005, Adam Bersin, an optimistic Syracuse developer, purchased Irondequoit Mall from Wilmorite for five million dollars and a 15 year tax break incentive provided by the town or Irondequoit. In return, Bersin promised to infuse $44 million into a full renovation. + + Bersin rechristened the mall, thus ending the short history of Irondequoit Mall and opening a new chapter under its new name Medley Centre. As of the spring of 2007, Medley Centre has managed some very small victories, replacing the JCPenney anchor store shell with Steve & Barry's, a sporting apparel store unique to the area. An indoor soft playground on the first level has become a modest success as well, providing hours of entertainment to children for a $2 entry fee good for the entire day, all under the watchful eyes of mall security and staff. It's available from the time the mall opens to approximately one hour prior to closing. + + Small, family-owned stores have managed to survive in locations formerly occupied by large corporate-owned chain stores, usually with a sign plastered over the the earlier occupant's name. Apparel and shoes targeting younger customers have been the most successful, but some eclectic independently owned businesses have managed to hang on for a few years now as well. Mall activity tends to pick up around the Christmas shopping season, when some temporary merchants move in. + + Some special events managed some success in attracting foot traffic. In October 2006, a Halloween "haunted house" and exhibit made from tens of thousands of balloons attracted long lines to a mall wing dedicated to the exhibit, which charged an entry fee. + + But along with the small victories have come new challenges, starting with the spring 2007 announcement that Medley Centre has lost another major anchor store. Bon Ton, to the surprise of no one, announced that it was throwing in the towel on the location because of low sales. Bersin is now negotiating to purchase the property, owned by Bon Ton, to ensure it remains associated with Medley Centre. This leaves only two traditional anchor stores, Sears and Macy's (formerly Kaufmann's). + + Mall occupancy to this day also remains dismal, with the vast majority of storefronts either empty or filled with tenants serving no retail function. Among the latter have been a dog obedience school, model train and racing car tracks, a "summer camp," a little-used storefront for Irondequoit town groups and functions, an English for Speakers of Other Languages resource center, and a security guard employment/travel agency (in the same storefront). Many of the retail apparel stores serve as clearance/outlet centers. + + Mall signage remains a problem, with a woefully outdated mall directory that promises an optimistic shopping experience for visiting shoppers who rapidly become bewildered by the sea of empty stores, accompanied by lit advertising messages that seem trapped in time back to 2002, not long after 9/11. Stores that closed years ago still have signs which seem to indicate the closing was recent, and some of the anchor stores have begun dumping their stock and fixtures into nearby store locations, hidden with blue plastic sheeting or with nothing at all. + + But Medley Centre's upkeep through the challenges has been visible as well. The mall's live plants remain well-cared for, efforts to cope with the leaking high glass roof have been ongoing and moderately successful, the floors have been kept clean, and several entrances were rebuilt and improved. Mall employee turnover seems modest as well, with many of the same faces still there month after month. The mall parking lot is kept in good repair, and mall security vehicles pay careful attention to making the lot is safe and secure. + + The employees and staff at the mall remain friendly and helpful, despite the challenges they confront (ranging from extreme boredom to possible unemployment if Bersin can't pull this one off.) + + Controversial changes surrounding the food court and mall traffic in general have caused some minor resentment among the mall's remaining loyal visitors. Since the mall opened, the food court, especially during the day, has been a gathering place for retired locals who literally spend hours sitting and visiting with their friends. Chess and card games were a common site to help pass the time. Frequently the only people in the food court, they were surprised to learn that a policy change now prohibited chess and card games during regular mall hours. The policy change, attributed to Bersin, came as a result of his efforts to make the mall's apparance more conducive to a "family friendly shopping experience." This raised some controversy in the local press, but came as part of a broader effort to control loitering in the mall, particularly by younger people. + + At times, large groups of youth would spend time at the mall meeting with friends and talking, and occasionally interacting (positively or negatively -- I have experienced both) with shoppers. Mall security has made a special effort to keep Medley Centre from being a social club. Individuals that repeatedly violate the mall's rules of conduct are banned, but this is not an issue unique to Medley Centre. + + Mall walkers remain the most commonly visible people at Medley Centre, and their presence at the very least promotes a sense that the place is not completely empty. Bersin's continued acceptance of this group, which seems to try hard not to get in the way of ordinary mall shoppers, seems to be a net positive. + + The changing landscape of retail has created some special challenges for many malls across the nation similar to what Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre have faced. In some areas, a mixed retail/commercial approach as been successful, with doctor's offices next to shoe stores, or private businesses occupying one wing of a former mall with traditional retailers occupying the rest. Some malls have even managed to become indoor parks/community centers. Some have churches within them. Others have left their anchor stores intact while tearing down the rest of the indoor mall, replacing it with green space or a strip/outdoor mall format. And some have been obliterated altogether. The final chapter has not yet been written for Medley Centre. + + == RESOURCES == + + National Public Radio Morning Edition aired a [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6533240 2006 November 24 story] about it, along with ["Midtown Plaza"] and our rust belt New York economy.

Medley Center

JohnLam — 2006-12-13T12:33:07Z

Templated. Needs overhaul!

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- Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a Syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the [http://medleycenter.com/ Medley Center]. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.	+ \|\|<bgcolor='#E0E0FF'>'''Location'''\|\| + \|\|[[Address(285 Medley Center Pwky, Rochester NY 14622)]]\|\| + \|\|(wheelchair accessible)\|\| + \|\|<bgcolor='#E0E0FF'>'''Telephone'''\|\| + \|\|585 266 6100\|\| + \|\|<bgcolor='#E0E0FF'>'''Website'''\|\| + \|\|http://MedleyCenter.com\|\| + + Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a Syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the Medley Center. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.
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- Irondequoit Mall has, for the last few years been a big, mostly dead mall in Rochester NY. There is a page on it at [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com].	+ Featured at [http://DeadMalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com], Irondequoit Mall has for the last few years hovered near death. National Public Radio Morning Edition aired a [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6533240 2006 November 24 story] about it, along with ["Midtown Plaza"] and our rust belt New York economy.
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- I dislike shopping malls, but I think Irondequoit mall had been the perfect mall. Mostly empty, no shoppers, mostly closed storefronts. About 1/2 of the open storefronts had been community groups or hobby groups, and lots of the stores are smaller outlets with nifty stuff.	+ ## This paragraph needs either rewriting or deleting! + I dislike shopping malls, but I think Irondequoit mall had been the perfect mall. Mostly empty, no shoppers, mostly closed storefronts. About half of the open storefronts had been community groups or hobby groups, and lots of the stores are smaller outlets with nifty stuff.
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- - - - - ==== Notes === - The new owners of Medely Center have announced chess and card-game players are no longer welcome in the Medely Center Foodcourt. Many people see this as sad since for a few years, they were the ''only people'' in the foodcourt. D&C qoutes Adam Bersin as saying Foodcount seats full of people who aren't eating don't fit with his vision of a thriving family-oriented retail center. I can only assume this means enjoying boardgames is not a faimly value. -Far	+ ==== Notes === + The new owners of Medely Center have announced chess and card-game players are no longer welcome in the Medely Center Foodcourt. Many people see this as sad since for a few years, they were the ''only people'' in the foodcourt. D&C qoutes Adam Bersin as saying Foodcount seats full of people who aren't eating don't fit with his vision of a thriving family-oriented retail center. I can only assume this means enjoying boardgames is not a famliy value. -Far
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Medley Center

2006-12-13T12:32:20Z

Map location(s) modified

Medley Center

peteb — 2006-05-06T02:05:14Z

Spelling correction

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- Irondequoit Mall has for the last fe years been a big, mostly dead mall in Rochester NY. There is a page on it at [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com].	+ Irondequoit Mall has, for the last few years been a big, mostly dead mall in Rochester NY. There is a page on it at [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com].

Medley Center

KatyMulvey — 2006-02-18T15:55:12Z

Added link to medley center web site and play area hours.

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- Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a Syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the Medley Center. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.	+ Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a Syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the [http://medleycenter.com/ Medley Center]. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.
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- One of the first rennovations completed after the change of ownership is an indoor soft playground for children. The play area is large and well-designed with comfortable seating at the perimeter for parents and guardians. There is a fee of $2.00 per child to use the play area, but children get a hand stamp that allows them to return through the entire day (at this point parents will likely tire of the mall's limited offerings before kids tire of the playground). An excellent antidote to severe winter weather.	+ One of the first rennovations completed after the change of ownership is an indoor soft playground for children. The play area is large and well-designed with comfortable seating at the perimeter for parents and guardians. It opens when the mall does, and closes about an hour before the mall. (10am - 8pm, or 11am - 5pm on Sunday.) There is a fee of $2.00 per child to use the play area, but children get a hand stamp that allows them to return through the entire day (at this point parents will likely tire of the mall's limited offerings before kids tire of the playground). An excellent antidote to severe winter weather.

Medley Center

FarMcKon — 2006-01-19T00:20:28Z

moved the playground up on the list. Thx for clarifications.

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- Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the Medley Center. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.	+ Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a Syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the Medley Center. A $44 million rennovation has been planned.
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- One of the first rennovations completed is an indoor soft playground for children. The play area is large and well-designed with comfortable seating at the perimeter for parents and guardians. There is a fee of $2.00 per child to use the play area, but children get a hand stamp that allows them to return through the entire day (at this point parents will likely tire of the mall's limited offerings before kids tire of the playground). An excellent antidote to severe winter weather.	+ == Update, Spring 2006 == + One of the first rennovations completed after the change of ownership is an indoor soft playground for children. The play area is large and well-designed with comfortable seating at the perimeter for parents and guardians. There is a fee of $2.00 per child to use the play area, but children get a hand stamp that allows them to return through the entire day (at this point parents will likely tire of the mall's limited offerings before kids tire of the playground). An excellent antidote to severe winter weather.
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- Irondequoit Mall had been a big, mostly dead mall in Rochester NY. There is a page on it at [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com]. I dislike shopping malls, but I think Irondequoit mall had been the perfect mall. Mostly empty, no shoppers, mostly closed storefronts. About 1/2 of the open storefronts had been community groups or hobby groups, and lots of the stores are smaller outlets with nifty stuff.	+ == Past == + Irondequoit Mall has for the last fe years been a big, mostly dead mall in Rochester NY. There is a page on it at [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com].
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- ==== 2005.12.01 ====	+ I dislike shopping malls, but I think Irondequoit mall had been the perfect mall. Mostly empty, no shoppers, mostly closed storefronts. About 1/2 of the open storefronts had been community groups or hobby groups, and lots of the stores are smaller outlets with nifty stuff. + + + + + + ==== Notes ===

Medley Center

EricLarsson — 2006-01-18T17:49:52Z

added description of kids play area- could be linked to activites for kids

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	+ + One of the first rennovations completed is an indoor soft playground for children. The play area is large and well-designed with comfortable seating at the perimeter for parents and guardians. There is a fee of $2.00 per child to use the play area, but children get a hand stamp that allows them to return through the entire day (at this point parents will likely tire of the mall's limited offerings before kids tire of the playground). An excellent antidote to severe winter weather.

Medley Center

RobertPolyn — 2006-01-18T14:33:06Z

or misinterpeted [if only edit summaries could be edited] =)

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	+

Medley Center

RobertPolyn — 2006-01-18T14:32:03Z

corrected typo by jack, added perspective - correct if i miss interpeted you

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- These groups are allowed in the Food Court before business hours, when the mall is open to "mall walkers" as well. The reason Mr. Bersin instituted this rule was that he had some down hard on loiterers in the mall in order to bring shoppers back. In order to make the rule fair, he stated, it must apply to everyone.	+ These groups are allowed in the Food Court before business hours, when the mall is open to "mall walkers" as well. The reason Mr. Bersin instituted this rule was that he believed that he had to come down hard on loiterers in the mall in order to bring shoppers back. In order to make the rule fair, he stated, it must apply to everyone.

Medley Center

JackPorcello — 2006-01-18T09:32:02Z

I wanted to clarify Mr. Bersin's position.

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	+ + These groups are allowed in the Food Court before business hours, when the mall is open to "mall walkers" as well. The reason Mr. Bersin instituted this rule was that he had some down hard on loiterers in the mall in order to bring shoppers back. In order to make the rule fair, he stated, it must apply to everyone.

Medley Center

FarMcKon — 2005-12-03T14:02:41Z

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- The new owners of Medely Center have announced chess and card-game players are no longer welcome in the Medely Center Foodcourt. Many people see this as sad, since for a few years, they were the '''only people''' in the foodcourt.	+ The new owners of Medely Center have announced chess and card-game players are no longer welcome in the Medely Center Foodcourt. Many people see this as sad since for a few years, they were the ''only people'' in the foodcourt. D&C qoutes Adam Bersin as saying Foodcount seats full of people who aren't eating don't fit with his vision of a thriving family-oriented retail center. I can only assume this means enjoying boardgames is not a faimly value. -Far

Medley Center

FarMcKon — 2005-12-01T13:03:53Z

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	+ + ==== 2005.12.01 ==== + The new owners of Medely Center have announced chess and card-game players are no longer welcome in the Medely Center Foodcourt. Many people see this as sad, since for a few years, they were the '''only people''' in the foodcourt.

Medley Center

RobertPolyn — 2005-05-15T01:07:10Z

Renamed from Irondequoit Mall (new name, old irondequoit page will forward)

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	+ Formerly known as Irondequoit Mall, this property has been sold to a syracuse developer, Adam Bersin, and renamed the Medley Center. A $44 million rennovation has been planned. + + Irondequoit Mall had been a big, mostly dead mall in Rochester NY. There is a page on it at [http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/irondequoit_mall.html DeadMalls.com]. I dislike shopping malls, but I think Irondequoit mall had been the perfect mall. Mostly empty, no shoppers, mostly closed storefronts. About 1/2 of the open storefronts had been community groups or hobby groups, and lots of the stores are smaller outlets with nifty stuff.