Our second TOWNE MALL plan dates to late 1982. A new South Wing and Gold Circle discount mart have just opened for business. The addition increased the gross leasable area of the shopping venue to around 490,000 square feet.
A logo montage of TOWNE MALL stores covers the years 1967 to 1993. The Loblaws (supermarket), Murphy's 5 & 10, Paine's Rexall, McFarlin's and The National (clothing stores) were original tenants.
(GREECE) TOWNE MALL
West Ridge Road and Somerworth Drive
Monroe County (Town of Greece), New York
MIDTOWN PLAZA, the first enclosed mall in Greater Rochester, was dedicated in April 1962. The complex redeveloped several city blocks within the downtown area. The region's second roofed retail hub was built by Rochester-based Wilmorite, Incorporated. It occupied half of a 73.4-acre site. This was located 8 miles northwest of downtown Rochester, in an unincorporated section of Monroe County known as Town of Greece.
(GREECE) TOWNE MALL was designed by Seattle's John Graham, Junior. Ground was broken for the project on March 25, 1966. The single-level complex would be anchored by a 2-level (150,000 square foot), Rochester-based Sibley, Lindsay & Curr (a.k.a. Sibley's).
A formal grand opening was held May 1, 1967. Ceremonial ribbons were cut at each of the four mall entrances, releasing a hot air balloon. A salute was then given by the American Legion Post 468 Color Guard, with music provided by the Greece Arcadia High School Concert Band. Sixteen stores and services opened for business. Among these were Sibley's, Security Trust Company, National Clothing Company, A.S. Beck Shoes, Miles Shoes, Paine Drug and Norton Cleaners.
On August 17, 1967, a Grand Opening 2 was held, with eighteen stores inaugurated. These included Singer Sewing Center, Ormond Shops, Casual Corner, Music Lovers Shoppe, Haffey's Card & Gift Shop and Gutman's. G.C. Murphy's (30,000 square foot) 5 & 10 was officially dedicated on October 12, 1967.
By November, a (25,000 square foot) Loblaws supermarket was also in business. GREECE TOWNE MALL now covered approximately 360,000 leasable square feet and housed forty-five stores under its roof.
A ten-store addition was built onto the south end of the complex in the early 1980s. A 1-level (85,500 square foot), Worthington, Ohio-based Gold Circle discount mart welcomed its first shoppers in September 1982. GREECE TOWNE MALL now spanned approximately 490,000 leasable square feet and featured seventy-eight stores and services.
Gold Circle was shuttered in November 1988. Canton, Massachusetts-based Hills assumed the vacant building and opened on April 3, 1989. This store went dark in November 1991. A Macy's Close-Out Center leased the building on a temporary basis. Caldor, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, expanded the store (to 112,500 square feet) and held a grand opening on March 11, 1993. Caldor went dark in June 1996.
Gold Circle was shuttered in November 1988. Canton, Massachusetts-based Hills assumed the vacant building and opened on April 3, 1989. This store went dark in November 1991. A Macy's Close-Out Center leased the building on a temporary basis. Caldor, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, expanded the store (to 112,500 square feet) and held a grand opening on March 11, 1993. Caldor went dark in June 1996.
