The Massachusetts property management company that acquired ownership of the Northtown Plaza in Amherst in 2015 has received a commitment from its second major retailer.  According to the Buffalo News, L.L. Bean has signed a lease to open its first Buffalo-area store.

For WS Development, it's a major accomplishment to attract such a well-respected, nationally known retailer and it says a lot about the economic renaissance this area is experiencing.  Although L.L. Bean couldn't confirm it, there is a document that has been filed with the Erie County Clerk's office indicating intent to open a store in the bustling Sheridan Drive - Niagara Falls Blvd. area.

The company known for its catalog sales of boots, sweaters, coats, jackets and other cold-weather related outerwear has a retail outlet in the Rochester area, and it's a big turn around from just a few years ago when they wouldn't even consider opening a store in Buffalo.

Since WS Development bought the plaza, tenants have been leaving one by one.  Only six are left from what was once a thriving plaza, but the plans apparently are for the remaining buildings to be torn down to make way for new upscale stores.

The old Bon Ton store in the plaza was torn down to make room for a Whole Foods store set to open later this year.  It'll be the first Whole Foods location in this area.

 

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