End Of An Era: Galleria Mall in White Plains closes its doors for good

The Galleria opened its doors in 1980 and was once a bustling mall and a staple for young people in the community.

News 12 Staff

Mar 31, 2023, 10:24 AM

Updated 412 days ago

Share:

Today marked the end of an era as the Galleria Mall in White Plains officially closes for good.
The Galleria, the 900,000-square-foot mall in the heart of White Plains, opened its doors in 1980. When it opened, there really wasn't anything like it. It had everything -movie theaters, restaurants, special events, tons of cool stores - all under one roof.
It was the hot spot in the city and was a staple for young people in the community.
News 12 has been been flooded with memories. "I think back to being able to pick up whatever I needed at Sears, Macy's, the stores in between," said one passerby this morning. "It was the place where all the local high school kids came to hang out, so you could come here to see all the cute girls from all over Westchester County back in the day," said another.
Even White Plains Mayor Tom Roach has his own special memories of the Galleria. "People would go to the mall after work on a Friday for happy hour, it was a different time." 
But as more people began to shop online, mall shopping declined. Eventually, the place that was always jam-packed became a virtual ghost town. Roach says the building will likely be torn down. He says the goal is to replace it with something that will open up the area. "One of the negatives of this structure has been that it's a big block dropped in the middle of the city cutting off different areas from each other."
Only three businesses remained as of Friday: a Lenscrafters, a dental and foot care office, and the Westchester Trains and Hobbies shop. Owner Mike Petagine says he will likely move his store to the JV Mall in Yorktown Heights.
While doors may be closed for good, the memories made in the mall will remain.


More from News 12
1:15
State Department of Education reaffirms bathroom gender use policy at Clarkstown Central School District

State Department of Education reaffirms bathroom gender use policy at Clarkstown Central School District

1:53
Mix of sun and clouds for Friday in the Hudson Valley; spotty showers possible for Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds for Friday in the Hudson Valley; spotty showers possible for Saturday

0:26
Mount Vernon man pleads guilty to deadly shooting of high school student

Mount Vernon man pleads guilty to deadly shooting of high school student

0:37
Swastika drawings found in two classrooms at Sleepy Hollow schools

Swastika drawings found in two classrooms at Sleepy Hollow schools

1:50
Bingo fundraiser event in White Plains held in honor of woman who died from pancreatic cancer

Bingo fundraiser event in White Plains held in honor of woman who died from pancreatic cancer

0:54
Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for 'Penny Lick Ice Cream' Ossining shop

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for 'Penny Lick Ice Cream' Ossining shop

1:13
Gas main break forces partial shutdown of Central Park Avenue in Greenburgh

Gas main break forces partial shutdown of Central Park Avenue in Greenburgh

0:52
New image released of missing Westchester County teens

New image released of missing Westchester County teens

1:51
New video, photos of incidents involving school buses in the Hudson Valley continue to raise safety concerns

New video, photos of incidents involving school buses in the Hudson Valley continue to raise safety concerns

Playland Park's Gondola Wheel closed due to active Osprey nesting

Playland Park's Gondola Wheel closed due to active Osprey nesting

1:42
Local legislators secure $100,000 for Holocaust And Human Education Rights Center

Local legislators secure $100,000 for Holocaust And Human Education Rights Center

1:45
Ardsley woman shines light on Tourette's as she helps NY's landmarks shine during Tourette's Awareness Month

Ardsley woman shines light on Tourette's as she helps NY's landmarks shine during Tourette's Awareness Month

1:40
Newburgh councilwoman decries constant social media posts about crime in Newburgh as crime decreases

Newburgh councilwoman decries constant social media posts about crime in Newburgh as crime decreases

0:49
Ulster County man convicted of first-degree murder in neighbor's killing

Ulster County man convicted of first-degree murder in neighbor's killing

0:41
'We mean business.' Mount Vernon teachers stage 'walk-in' protest for contract negotiations

'We mean business.' Mount Vernon teachers stage 'walk-in' protest for contract negotiations

5:35
Road Trip Close to Home hits the 200 episode milestone!

Road Trip Close to Home hits the 200 episode milestone!

0:22
Man faces attempted murder charges after alleged assault in Peekskill

Man faces attempted murder charges after alleged assault in Peekskill

0:57
Mount Hope Police Department seeking part-time officers amid nationwide staffing shortage

Mount Hope Police Department seeking part-time officers amid nationwide staffing shortage

0:16
Inmate at Rockland County Correctional Facility sentenced for assaulting officer

Inmate at Rockland County Correctional Facility sentenced for assaulting officer

0:33
Hudson Valley drama students selected for prestigious Roger Rees Awards

Hudson Valley drama students selected for prestigious Roger Rees Awards