CLARENCE, N.Y. (WKBW) — While the majority of commercial tenants at the Eastern Hills Mall received eviction notices on Tuesday and are fighting for new homes, some aren’t too worried about the announcement.
WNY Foster Closet founder Sheryl Frick told 7 News reporter Yoselyn Persson that she has more to pack because she has to leave the mall sooner than expected.
“I was kind of disappointed when I got to the store yesterday and it was sitting here,” says Flick. “I always knew there was a possibility, but I didn’t know mall closures were so close.”
Flick has been in that mall for two years.
But in January, that’s no longer the case.
He said other businesses that have been in the mall for years have the option to stay.
“We haven’t been here long enough, so it’s kind of a wait-and-see,” she says. “But for now, we have no place in six months.”
Flick says her business is helping children in need.
She collects donations of clothing, hygiene products and other essentials and distributes them for free.
Recently, she helped the family meet its needs.
“Then the teenagers showed up at grandma’s house with nothing, so a caseworker came to buy summer clothes for them,” she says.
Other tenants, such as Pure Integrity Soi Candle, which has been in the mall for 20 years, are also looking forward to the redevelopment.
“The mall has been in the doldrums for years and years, but the time has come,” said Jeffrey Schumacher, co-owner of Pure Integrity Soi Candles. “And we’re excited about at least something moving forward in a positive way.”
Schumacher said he intends to participate in the project.
“We have a respectful relationship,” he says. “I am very sorry for some of the other tenants who have had to move and find another location, but I kind of knew this time would come.”
Uniland Development Company issued the following statement:
“We are trying to retain as many merchants as possible and relocate them to locations with external entrances. We have also provided exiting merchants with contacts to local retail brokers who can assist them in finding new stores.”
But as for Cheryl Flick, who relies on her sponsors to keep the lights on, she hopes to find a new place.
“Please continue to support us. We need you now more than ever as we continue to grow and help the families we serve in the Buffalo area,” she said.
