The Death of Local Shopping Malls

By: Alexia Roberts

It’s no secret that shopping malls are slowly beginning to die off, and Buffalo’s malls are no exception. For as long as we can remember, centers like the Boulevard Mall and the Walden Galleria have acted as social hubs and places for friends and families to gather and shop together. Over the last decade or two, malls nationwide have faced a steady decline in retailers and shoppers—some, like the Boulevard Mall, even forced to close. But why?

The rise of online shopping is likely the biggest culprit. Companies like Amazon offering

overnight and even same day delivery for millions of products has shown consumers a new type of convenience they’d never previously seen. Why would you drive to the mall, walk around all day, and not be guaranteed to find whatever it is you’re looking for, when you could now just order it with a few taps of your finger?

Trends have also changed over the years. Department stores used to be all the rage, but

younger shoppers now seem to prefer smaller local shops or boutiques that are catered more to their niche tastes. Department stores were amongst the first to die off in our malls, like the Walden Galleria’s closing of Lord & Taylor and closure of Sears department stores. Without these stores filling larger spots, the eye appeal went down dramatically—fewer storefronts equaling fewer visitors.

After the COVID pandemic, many Buffalonians faced financial difficulties, leaving them with less to spend in retail stores. The pandemic marked a “point of no return” for our local malls, as they quickly felt the impact of the recession with many people having to tighten up their budgets. Ex-Macy’s employee Kaylia Russell says “Foot traffic was so slow after COVID. They ended up cutting down so many hours for employees to the point where they couldn’t afford to work there anymore. Between the loss of all of our customers and many employees, there was no hope.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t just a Buffalo problem. Malls all over the United States are seemingly facing similar issues. This decline, overall, can be linked to a shift in trends, economic issues, and the rise of technology.