Ziebart

A VitroPlus/Ziebart in the Montréal, Québec, Canada area.

 A member of my family works at Ziebart, a chain or auto repair shops in the northeast and mid-West of the US and Canada (my inner Professor told me they were across the Seaway as well, but now through Uniglass Plus), and travels for work for it, and it gave me an idea for todays post, especially as I found some parts of Upstate NY don't have one yet.  This will be a challenge not knowing where there'd be this kind of vacancy, even in small towns, albeit ones I don't get to often enough.  This is based in the Detroit/Windsor area, the bedrock of the motor trade in this country, so they are just up the road from Big Auto, basically.  There's one across from me already, so that's sorted, but I know there are gaps across the region.  Perhaps other chains or indies left spots (I had less trouble with Maaco, who Ziebart compete with in Albany and numerous other areas).  I found some downstate vacancies through an estate agent, but it's painstaking to scramble with ones 200 miles away when you haven't been half as far in donkeys years!  I like to make my own list with places I know.  Of course, one can always build from scratch, but it's trying to find the parcel to start a building site with the right zoning and location, location, location! (I learned a lot about properties over the years)  Just takes determination and perseverance, like anything in life, like when you take your car in and they try and get it fixed for you.

Cortland (Cortlandville) - NY 281, former NAPA

Auburn - E Genesee St, former Goodyear

Oswego - NY 48, former Shapiro/Burritt Motors Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Ithaca - NY 13/34/96?, TBD (even here, there's nothing to buy or let on every corner)

Valu Home Centers: 55 Years On

Hornell store

 Valu Home Centers are a DIY and another WNY chain just as easily found in CNY (maybe WNY should get its own tag since the T-word does). They're not as large as the big box, and have the convenience of the smaller hardware stores. Even they could open up some more. Not to be confused with True Value Hardware, even though both are now part of Do It Best.

Ithaca - NY 13, 34, & 96, former Hobby Lobby

New Hartford - New Hartford Shopping Center, former Herb Phillipsons

Auburn - NY 5; former Real Deals

Fulton - NY 481; former kmart, River Glen Plaza

Oswego - NY 104, former Big Lots

Canastota - NY 5 & 13 and CR 25; former Family Dollar

Herkimer - former kmart

Colonie - former Barnes & Noble

Schenectady - NY 5 & 7; former ALDI/Grand Union

Troy - US 4; former Price Chopper, Lansingburgh

Former locations:

Syracuse - Shop City Plaza; previously Ames; now Factory Direct Furniture Outlet

Cortland - NY 222; former Tops

Owego - NY 17C

North Hornell - Seneca St

M&T Bank in CNY and NC

Eastern Hills branch in Amherst outside their native Buffalo

 Erie County based M&T Bank have been in CNY for twenty-five years time after acquiring OnBank (Onondaga Savings Bank, which itself bought Merchants Bank before that).  I had switched to them after being with a local credit union for over two decades.  It may seem like selling out to the big boys from Buffalo, but major changes in my life as of late just made it harder for me to go to the other place anymore, which is only in the suburbs around Syracuse (I don't own a car, buses don't reach these easily, and it's not always easy to get lifts).  M&T are mainly in the Northeast and Delmarva.

I have some family in North Carolina, and M&T have yet to open down there (just as I haven't visited myself).  While online banking makes it possible to stay with any bank from anywhere these days, even if they're not in your new area, some things can only be done in person.  Wells Fargo, Truist, Bank of America (who are also up north through buying other chains, but have fewer locations here these days), PNC, First National and First Citizens have closed locations throughout the state, as well as Hometown Bank and Mountain Credit Union in Asheville, where one family member is currently living.  M&T could buy any branches not already taken by anyone else.  Too much work to make a list for a place I don't know.  Just used Google to see if there was anything vacant around the past couple years.

Back in CNY, M&T should open in Chittenango, Fulton, Oswego, Phoenix, Solvay, Sylvan Beach, and possibly other communities and small towns (the former Bayberry branch on CR 57 went to an FCU from Cayuga County).  Unlike my old credit union, when it comes to ATMs, I'm confined to the banks own if I want to avoid those fees unless I pay more to upgrade, while my old place is in a vast network that reached a bit further.  I guess the honeymoon's over. Can't have my cake and eat it too.  Until I can afford to drive, I'd have to stop ahead of time if I go somewhere cash will be needed.  Still, M&T Bank will offer a new perspective on tracking my finances, which I'm trying to get a handle on.

Shake Shack

DC location courtesy Mike Mozart (he's the king of these kind of snaps!)

 Downstate based chain Shake Shack are coming Upstate, but mainly on the NYS Thruway, from the bedroom communities of Sloatsburg and Ramapo to the WNY small town Angola, replacing McDonalds and other chains, along with Chick-Fil-A, Applegreen and Starbucks.  While we have the GA Capital Region and King County (albeit fewer in recent years) chains in CNY, Shake Shack are new 200 miles northeast of NYC.  With my new crystal ball (I finally got one that seems to work, but it's not all like it is on TV), I asked it what will be in the food court at Destiny USA where Popeyes used to be, and I wrote it down in a semi-trance like I was drunk (and I'm a teetotaller, mind), and I got Shake Shack of all things.  I'm still just going to do this like I have been, since it's more creative and speculative than trying to be the Walter Mercado of retail! Back on I-87 & 90 meanwhile (switching off in Albany, like I've known forever), some are open now and being slated (heavily criticised), while others are being built and slated (planned) to open later this year or next year.  Henrietta in Monroe County is confirmed so far.  I'm focussing on malls, plazas, and other run-of-the-mill locations in town.

Syracuse - Destiny USA; former Cantina Loredo

New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A or former Boil Shack

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, NY 5 & US 20

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3 & CR 100; former Titled Kilt

Camillus - former Firehouse Subs, W Genesee St

deWitt - NY 5 & Bridge St; former Friendlys (confirmed for 2025; Rachels Mediterranean Grill deal cancelled)

Amherst - NY 78; former restaurant (name TBD)

Oneida - NY 5; former fast food chain (name TBD; perhaps KFC)

Whealthy Fusion Stir Fry

Fantasy location in North Syracuse

 West coast based Whealthy Fusion Stir Fry have been on the back burner for some time because of the lack of free images, so once again, I had to make my own, cutting and pasting (I just used a location near Atlanta).  Most of their restaurants are near LA, yet one is coming to Crossgates in our Capital Region this year, so it could work its way further around the state and ultimately rest of the northeast, but I'll just try spots that I know. CoreLife have competition if they get close to one another.

Syracuse (north side) - Destiny USA; former Cantina Laredo

North Syracuse - Northern Lights Plaza, US 11; former Michaels/various (pictured)

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, US 20 & NY 5

New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A

Cortland - Riverside Plaza, NY 13; former Naples Pizza

Ithaca - NY 13/34/96; former CoreLife

Syracuse (east side) - NY 5; former Red Lobster

Amherst - NY 78; former restaurant (name TBD)

Henrietta - NY 252; former Calios

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3; former Tilted Kilt

Camillus - former Firehouse Subs, W Genesee St

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