You may have noticed some renovations and construction going on at the former Sears at the Eastern Hills Mall in Clarence. On Wednesday night, the community finally got to see some of the mall’s makeover.
“It’s exciting times in this area," said Nathan Mroz, the owner and founder of the BFLO District.
Western New Yorkers got a tour of what’s now being called the BFLO District. What used to be Sears is now a hub of several businesses including a hair salon, home decor store, and even an event space.
“We were able to get this building in 2019, secure tenants, and get such a great response in less than actually a full year," said Mroz.
All the businesses are connected by a hallway, making for a collaborative atmosphere.
“There’s just a lot of synergy with the businesses in here," Mroz said.
In a few weeks’ time, the BFLO District will also be home to a bakery, full-service bar, and a Polish restaurant, all operating under one roof.
“We just want to bring people here all together, we have something to offer for everybody, whether it’s cake decorating classes, we have a really awesome bar, you can come get a drink or check out the restaurant," said Dominique Emer, the creative director of Chrusciki Bakery.
People in the community are impressed by the changes.
“When malls die, malls usually just sit there, but it’s really awesome to see innovation happening," said Annalyse Paulsen, of Williamsville.
As malls across the country slowly decline, Western New York is hoping to find a way to breathe new life into shopping centers.
“We also hope to bring this concept to other malls in the area potentially or other districts throughout Western New York or potentially the entire region so we’ll see how that pans out. I have a spirit of just revitalizing. I love taking old things and making them new again," Mroz said.