CLARENCE, N.Y. -- Nearly two months after Macy's closed at Eastern Hills Mall in Clarence, there's a proposal that could help revitalize the struggling shopping center.
The Town of Clarence was recently presented with a multi-million dollar plan to turn the mall into a "lifestyle center." It would incorporate residential space as well as high-end national retailers and local stores.
It's a concept that's already seen success in places like Cleveland with Crocker Park.
"Whatever they could do with this to make it a good mall again or shopping center I think is a good thing," said Sharon Pezdek, visiting the mall Thursday with her friend Virginia Reedy. Both have been shopping at Eastern Hills Mall for years, and welcome any change that'll help keep shopping in this area.
"It depends on what lifestyle they're talking about," Pezdek said. "I think I'd like this mall to have enough stores in it that it draws people because I would much rather purchase things at this mall than going to the (Walden) Galleria."
"I don't shop at the Galleria because it is too big and there's a lot of stores that's just, for me, it's too high-end," Reedy said. "This was my favorite mall. I've been in this area for 35 years, I shop here all the time and it was sad when Macy's left."
Clarence Town Supervisor Patrick Casilio says the plan is in very early stages but the town is moving forward with rezoning the area around the mall to accommodate any future redevelopment. If the plan goes through, it could cost between $50 and $300 million.