A major retailer in Rockland County has closed its doors - and another one will reportedly close soon.
The Fairway at the Shops at Nanuet already shuttered its doors Wednesday, and Lord & Taylor is now reportedly bowing out of the Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack come January.
Rockland Business Association President Al Samuels says Lord & Taylor has already closed several locations nationally, including its flagship store in New York City.
If any mall can survive the hit, it's the Palisades Center Mall, which Samuels says wants to offer less retail and more revelry.
“Entertainment is the future,” he says.
Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann agrees.
“They're looking to make it more of a destination mall with more entertainment-type facilities,” says Hoehmann.
Town officials and business leaders say the Fairway at the Shops at Nanuet shuttered because of internal problems and bigger and better competition from grocers, like Whole Foods.
Hoehmann says the Shops at Nanuet, which also recently lost Sears and Macy's, will weather the storm.
“A lot of people are looking to come to this area. You just have to have creativity and a vision for your space,” says Hoehmann.
The vision includes new national retailers for Macy's and Sears, and maybe even high-end apartment units.
Samuels says he has been told that Simon is looking at the possibility of putting in housing at the Shops at Nanuet.
Clarkstown officials say the owner of the Shops at Nanuet has told them that three big retailers are interested in moving into the space that was previously occupied by Sears.