Ames: 20 Years On

Twin Tiers location in Chemung County

 If you thought Grand Union coming back from retail heaven was unexpected, now Ames are reportedly returning from the dead.  I can list selected past locations that I remember in CNY and beyond, and possible new ones.  A real article suggested Syracuse, so that's a good sign. The chain closed in 2002 unable to compete with Walmart (Target had yet to grow in the Northeast, and Connecticut competitor Caldor had closed a few years before).  I still have one of the last things I ever bought there.  Writing this before the window closes on the anniversary.  The new owners have also bought Bradlees, which I never got to visit.  Not associated with the Ames in Cumberland County in the PA Capital Region.

Past locations:

Syracuse (Lyncourt) - Shop City; later Chinese buffet, Eckerd (after former Fays closed), Rite Aid (vacant as of July 2025) and Powerhouse Gym; now Dollar Tree (since 2002)

Syracuse (north side) - Destiny USA; previously Hills; later Sports Authority and At Home; now IKEA

North Syracuse - Northern Lights, US 11; previously Zayre, later Staples, now Floor & Decor

Chittenango - Chittenango Plaza, NY 5; later Name Brand Deals, now YBR Casino

deWitt - Marshalls Plaza, NY 5; previously Hills, became Marshalls Homegoods by 2003

Cicero - Penn Can Mall; previously Hills, now Roger Burdicks Drivers Village Used Car Warehouse

Baldwinsville - Downer St.; now Thrifty Shopper and later Family Dollar, now closed

Auburn - NY 5; closed mid-'80s, later Nichols (no relation to Liverpool store)

West Seneca - South Gate Plaza, NY 277; previously Brand Names and Grants

Cheektowaga - Garden View Plaza, NY 277; previously Hills (not as familiar with WNY)

Pulaski - NY 13; previously Zayre, now demolished?

Rome - NY 46 (& 49, Freedom Plaza or Black River Blvd.?)

Glenmont - US 9W & Fuera Bush Rd; now Marshalls and other stores (the one Capital Region location that I can remember)

Kingston - Kingston Plaza, US 9W; previously Jamesway (just not going to put all of the Hudson Valley ones up)

New Paltz - US 9W & NY 299 (I haven't been to Ulster County myself since 2000)

Hyde Park - US 9; previously Jamesway, vacant for years (may have gone to this one when I lived up the road and even tried getting a job there); demolished for Stop & Shop

Palatine Bridge - Dutchtown Plaza, NY 5 & 10; vacant (visible from Thruway in small town)

Fairmount - Fairmount Fair; closed when chain acquired Hills in 1998 and absorbed Camillus store, now various stores like Five Below, Famous Footwear and Ulta Beauty

Camillus - Camillus Plaza; previously Hills, demolished in 2006 for Walmart Supercenter

Cortland - NY 281 and/or NY 13, Riverside Mall; later flea market; soon to be Goodwill

Ithaca - The Shops at Ithaca Mall, NY 34; previously Hills; now Regal Cinemas

Horseheads - Lake Rd (old NY 17?) & CR 51; now vacant (pictured)

Future locations:

Syracuse - Destiny USA; former JCPenney 2nd Level, Bon-Ton or Lord & Taylor (a source said that the new chain wanted a two-storey flagship anchor there, and one of these is fish in a barrel)

New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A; former Macys/Hess's/Kaufmanns (even though Target are there) or New Hartford Shopping Center; former Herb Phillipsons

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, US 20 & NY 5; former Sears

Albany - Crossgates Mall, US 20.; former Caldor/Best Buy

Victor - Eastview Mall, NY 96; former Lord & Taylor

Amherst/Williamsville/Clarence - Shops at Main (and) Transit, NY 78; former Best Buy

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3; former Bon-Ton/Chappells/Hess's

Massena - St Lawrence Centre, NY 37; former Sears

Johnson City - Oakdale Mall, NY 201; former Burlington

Ithaca - NY 13/34/96; former Hobby Lobby

Fulton - River Glen Plaza, NY 481; former kmart

Cortland - Riverside Plaza, NY 13; former flea market

Herkimer - former kmart

Horseheads - see above

Palatine Bridge - see above

North Syracuse - see above

Newbury Comics

Boston location (may have even been here)

 When it comes to finding chains for malls, smaller stores are more of a challenge than anchors and restaurants. One I went to on my two trips to Boston, Newbury Comics, are opening in Crossgates Mall in Albany County, given the Capital Region's proximity to New England, yet it could work its way around.  Since it could fill almost any spot in the hallway, it's hard to pick one in the malls that I know.

Syracuse - Destiny USA (Confirmed)

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, NY 5 & US 20

Ithaca - The Shops at Ithaca Mall, NY 34

New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A

Henrietta - Marketplace Mall, NY 252 & 15

Cheektowaga - Walden Galleria

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3 & CR 100

Kingston - Hudson Valley Mall, US 9W

Poughkeepsie - Poughkeepsie Galleria, US 9

Victor (Fishers) - Eastview Mall, NY 96

Plattsburgh - Champlain Centre

Johnson City - Oakdale Mall, NY 201

Primark

Dutch location

 Primark are a chain I heard of in the UK that are actually from Ireland, yet they call themselves Penneys at home (not to be confused with JCPenney). They are in the US, but the closest ones are in the Tri-state in Fairfield County and downstate (go figure), yet worked their way up the Hudson to Albany, so the rest of Upstate are primed to get Primark, despite being slated by labour groups back across the pond (we won't get into that, 'cos who hasn't been under the microscope?). Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga in Western New York is even getting one, so Primark should work their way in between at this rate. Might get to most of the other malls here in Upstate!

New Hartford - former Hess's/Kaufmanns/Macys, Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A

Kingston - former Macys, Hudson Valley Mall, US 9W

Poughkeepsie - former Jordan Marsh/Sears, Poughkeepsie Galleria, US 9

Syracuse - former Lord & Taylor, Destiny USA (half of JCPenney is taken and a whole anchor is needed)

Auburn - former Sears, Fingerlakes Mall, NY 5 & US 20

Henrietta - former Sibley's/Kaufmanns/Macys, Marketplace Mall, NY 252 & 15

Greece - former Sibley's/Kaufmanns/Macys, The Mall at Greece Ridge, NY 104

Watertown - former Chappells/Bon-Ton, Salmon Run Mall, NY 3 & CR 100

Plattsburgh - former Best Buy, Champlain Centre, NY 3

Johnson City - former Burlington, Oakdale Mall, NY 201

Massena - former Bon-Ton, St Lawrence Centre, NY 37

Big Flats - former Sears or Macys/Bon-Ton, Arnot Mall, CR 35

Lansing - former Dicks, The Shops at Ithaca Mall, NY 13 & 34

Glens Falls - former Sears, Aviation Mall, NY 254 

Schlotzskys

Clark County location (las Vegas area)

 Meant to do this one sooner.  Schlotzskys are another chain from the south I know from telly, which started in the Texas Capital Region and are now based in the Georgia one, and are working their way up north, so they could replace some of their competitors and others' old spotskys!

Cicero - former Jimmy Johns, E Circle Dr

E Syracuse - former Jimmy Johns/Starbucks, NY 298 & Weighlock Dr

Syracuse (east side) - former Jimmy Johns, Marshall St (SU Hill) and/or former Red Lobster, NY 5

Syracuse (north side) - former Margaritaville or Cantina Laredo, Destiny USA

Syracuse (south side) - former Subway, US 11 & NY 173

Syracuse (Lyncourt) - space next to new Fish Cove, Swansea Dr, Shop City

Syracuse (downtown) - former Jimmy Johns/indie restaurant

Cortland - former Naples Pizza, Riverside Plaza, NY 13

Camillus - former Firehouse Subs, W Genesee St

Syracuse (south side)/Nedrow - Green Hills Plaza, US 11 & Southland Dr

Rochester (downtown) - former Subway, E Main St

Rochester (east side) - former Subway, NY 96

Utica - former Subway or Popeyes, Genesee St

Canastota - former Jreck Subs, CR 25

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, US 20 & NY 5

Ithaca - former Starbucks, Collegetown

Rensselaer - former Burger King, US 9 & 20

Albany - former I Love NY Pizza, US 9

Delmar - former I Love NY Pizza, NY 443 & 140 (Four Corners)

Clay - former Subway, NY 31

Grocery Outlet

Typical design Eugene, OR location in the Pacific Northwest. Courtesy flickr.

 With so many people having to squeeze pennies these days, Bay Area-based Grocery Outlet could help save hundreds of dollars. They have yet to open here in New York State (shock, horror). There is an indie store in Lyncourt in the former Pfaltzgraff/Syracuse China outlet store, but while there's a number of lesser known brands and surplus goods from out-of-town/state chains, they carry too many expired (even though the "best by" date can confuse people and works differently for each kind of product) items like some cornershop, despite a recent article saying how some can still be alright while others should be binned. The chain are a different animal to the type that ALDI and PriceRite are, but nonetheless keep money in your pocket. I can mainly just come up with Upstate spots that I know, even though there are likely tonnes of them downstate (I could only snag a few on the outskirts of the region so it doesn't go too far), with Hamilton Township, NJ being even the closest one to the Tri-State right now. Off we go then.

Henrietta - Former PriceRite, SouthTown Plaza, NY 252 (plans for Hylan Dr store fell through)

Wayne, NJ - Former ShopRite

West Nyack - Former Grand Union/Stop & Shop or ShopRite, NY 59

Troy - Former Price Chopper, Lansingburgh, US 4

West Babylon - Former ShopRite, NY 109

Auburn - Former Real Deals, NY 5

Cortland - Former Save-a-Lot, NY 281 & 222

Albany (Delaware Area) - Former Save-A-Lot, US 9W & NY 443

Albany (Uptown) - Former Price Chopper, Westgate Shopping Center, NY 5

New Hartford - Former Herb Phillipsons

Ithaca - Former Hobby Lobby, NY 13/34/96

Fulton - Former kmart, River Glen Plaza, NY 481

Gloversville - Former Price Chopper (as of 10/1/26), N Main St

Westvale - Former P&C/Tops, Westvale Plaza, NY 5

Mattydale - Former kmart, US 11

Cicero - Former Green Planet Grocery, NY 31

deWitt - Former Bed, Bath and Beyond; Marshalls Homegoods Plaza; NY 5 (former P&C/Tops is taken and couldn't be another grocery store)

Greene - Former Great American BK5

Sidney - Former Great American BK5

Rensselaer - Former ALDI, US 9 & 20

Poughkeepsie - Former Natures Harvest, US 9

Binghamton - Former Weis/Giant (as of 3/3/24), NY 7

Buffalo - Former Save-a-Lot, 999 Broadway

Lancaster - Former Save-a-Lot; Aurora St

Syracuse (north side) - Former Save-a-Lot/Chicago Markets/Peters; Butternut St

Fantasy deWitt location in former P&C/Tops

Might be in Pennsylvania (composite)

Rite Aid in CNY, WNY et al

Glenolden, PA store (edited due to different laws there)

 Since Rite Aid sold a number of stores to Walgreens in 2019, they have had fewer locations in CNY (there were still six left in Onondaga County alone) and virtually none in the North Country. They've closed some in other parts of the nation, but could still make a comeback over here, while their competitor closed several of the stores they took over since, some in recent weeks. A few of them Rite Aid should get back as many are where there is no close alternative for people without private transport. Also fill in vacancies that the others won't. Rite Aid also left downtown Albany, but we covered that (see second list). However, Rite Aid are under administration, so they and their competitors are closing stores left and right at this time. As of 4 October 2025, all remaining stores have been closed.

Syracuse (west side) - W Onondaga St (former store and Walgreens)

Canastota - NY 5 & 13 (former store and Walgreens)

Manlius - NY 92 (former Kinney Drugs)

North Syracuse - US 11 (former store and Walgreens in village, although located roughly between Sweetheart Corners and former Cicero stores)

Pulaski - US 11 & NY 13 (former store and Walgreens)

Auburn - Genesee St (same as above, although both chains are still on NY 5)

Rochester (19th Ward) - Thurston Rd. & Brooks Ave. (former store and Walgreens; near airport, UR and Wegmans HQ; non-CNY)

Past locations:

North Syracuse - US 11 & S Bay Rd, Northern Lights; later Freddys? (defunct rival chain from Rochester); later Party City? (both chains in the same sinking boat in 2025)

Syracuse (Eastwood) (1) - NY 290 between Grant Blvd and North Ave; now Walgreens (built 2006)

Syracuse (Eastwood) (2) - NY 290 and Homecroft Rd; former Loblaws/Peters IGA/Foodtown/Carls/Fays/Eckerd; now Family Dollar (see earlier post)

East Syracuse (1) - Kirkville Rd; former Church Leader Drug/Fays/Eckerd; now Walgreens

East Syracuse (2) - NY 290; now Family Dollar

Syracuse (downtown) (1) - S Salina St; original store (Rite Aid had acquired local chain Daws Drugs in the late '60s, bringing them to CNY); later Record Town and Dollar Wise; now vacant

Syracuse (downtown) (2) - S Salina & E Fayette Sts; 1979-2019; former Woolworths; now DGX

Syracuse (downtown) (3) - S Warren & E Fayette Sts; Discount Center (likely regular store before 1979 when other one opened a block away); demolished, now corner park

Syracuse (Valley) - NY 80 & 173 - former Eckerd; now DG Market

Syracuse (south side) - US 11; later Walgreens; now vacant

Syracuse/Nedrow  - US 11; former Eckerd; now Walgreens (almost Fays with a drive-thru until 1997 acquisition by JCPenney; pictured below)

Hannibal - NY 3; former Fays/Eckerd; later Walgreens; now vacant

Fulton - NY 3; later Walgreens; now vacant

Oswego - NY 104 & 481; former Fays/Eckerd; now demolished

Cortland - US 11 & NY 41; former Eckerd; now Walgreens

Cortlandville - NY 222 & 281

Glens Falls - NY 9L

Ransomville - NY 93 & CR 17

deWitt - NY 5, Shoppingtown Mall; former CVS?/Fays/Eckerd; now vacant pending demolition for District East

Manlius (1) (village) - NY 92; former Harveys Leader Drug/Eckerd; now Unplugged Gaming

Manlius (2) (Buellville) - NY 92; former Eckerd; now Walgreens

Fayetteville - N Burdick St; former Fays/Eckerd; now Walgreens

Cazenovia - US 20; former Fays/Eckerd; now Walgreens

Canastota - NY 5 & 13; later Walgreens; now closed

Chittenango - NY 5; later Walgreens; now closed

Cicero (1) - US 11 & Caughdenoy Rd; later Walgreens; CAVA pending

Cicero (2) - NY 31 & Thompson Rd; now Ace Hardware

Auburn (1) - US 20 & NY 38A; now VA Health Clinic

Auburn (2) - NY 5; TBD

Albany (Colonie) - NY 5 & CR 156; later Goodwill; now Ace Hardware

Baldwinsville (1) - River Mall, Downer St; now Powerhouse Gym

Baldwinsville (2) (Moyers Corners) - NY 31 & CR 57; former Fays/Eckerd, Kimbrook Plaza, now Planet Fitness

Baldwinsville (3) (Tri-County Mall) - Downer St; previously Eckerd, now vacant

Liverpool (Bayberry) (1) - CR 57; former Eckerd; now Walgreens

Liverpool (Bayberry) (2) - CR 57; the Shops at Seneca Mall; former Eckerd, now U-Haul

Liverpool (Galeville) - Old Liverpool Rd; former Eckerd; later Family Dollar; now vacant

Liverpool/North Syracuse - Bear & Buckley Rds; former Eckerd; now Dollar General

Mattydale - US 11 & Malden Rd; former Eckerd; later Walgreens; now closed

North Syracuse (1) - US 11; now Syracuse Lash & Beauty

North Syracuse (2) - US 11 & Centerville St; now DG Market

Central Square - NY 49; now closed

Watertown - NY 3; former Fays/Eckerd; now closed

Norwich (1) - NY 12 & E Main St; former Eckerd; now Walgreens

Norwich (2) - NY 12; now Dollar Tree

Norwich (3) - NY 12; now Aarons Rental Purchase

Syracuse (Tipp Hill) (1) - NY 5 & Avery Ave; later Walgreens; now Dollar General

Syracuse (Tipp Hill) (2) - W Fayette St; now Modular Comfort Systems

Syracuse (east side) (1) - Westcott St; now convenience store

Syracuse (east side) (2) - NY 92; former site of historic home; later Walgreens; now vacant

Syracuse (Fairmount) (1) - W Genesee St; Fairmount Fair Mall; demolished by late '80s, now plaza

Syracuse (Fairmount) (2) - W Genesee St; former flagship Fays/Eckerd; now Dollar Tree

Syracuse (north side) (1) - Grant Blvd & Butternut St; now AutoZone

Syracuse (north side) (2) - Butternut & N McBride Sts; now Family Dollar (Rite Aid later moved across street)

Syracuse (north side) (3) - Butternut & Lodi Sts (briefly); former Eckerd (unnecessary after acquisition with existing store right there, yet now vacant as of Fall 2025); now Dollar General

Syracuse (north side) (4) - Butternut & Lodi Sts (final)

Syracuse (Skunk City) - Onondaga Blvd & Avery Ave; former Eckerd; now Walgreens

Syracuse (near west side) - W Onondaga St; later Walgreens; now vacant

Syracuse (east side) (3) - E Colvin St & Nottingham Rd; Skytop Plaza; former Drumlins Pharmacy/Fays Cornerdrug/Eckerd; now Walgreens

Camillus - W Genesee St, Camillus Plaza/Commons; previously Carls, Fays and Eckerd; now vacant

St Lawrence County - US 11 et al; now Walgreens

Endwell - Hooper St; previously Fays; now closed

Endicott - NY 17C & 26; previously Fays' last new store; later Eckerd; now Walgreens

Binghamton - NY 7; now closed

Whitesboro - NY 69

New Hartford (Commercial Drive) - NY 5A

New Hartford (Washington Mills) - CR 26 & NY 8, Kellogg Mall; previously Fays and Eckerd

Rome - NY 46 & 49

Oneida - NY 46

Utica - Genesee St

Buffalo - 29/9/25: ABC 7 WKBW announced that a total of 16 locations in the city had shuttered, affecting many low-income neighborhoods and overwhelming other chains. They were all on:

NY 5/Main St. (2)
Niagara St.
NY 384/Delaware Ave.
Elmwood Ave.
Sheridan Dr.
Tonawanda St.
Connecticut St.
US 62/Bailey Ave.
William St.
Genesee St.
NY 16/Seneca St.
W Ferry St.
Abbott Rd.
E Lovejoy St.
NY 324/Sheridan Dr.
NY 240 & William St.
US 62 & NY 130; previously Eckerd

Dryden - NY 13 & 38; previously Victory Markets, Great American, and Eckerd; now demolished (pictured below)

Nedrow store with AI weather change (former Eckerd)

Dryden store with classic logo (AI)

Impacted by Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

 

This is where I live. Done up since then.

This is very personal. Please support my appeal. I don't usually do this, but I must get the word out there.

UPDATE: Susan Sposato 1949-2023

Still need support to tie up loose ends.