Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet
Encyclopedia
Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet was an enclosed outlet mall in Niagara Falls, New York
, that operated from 1982 to 2000. Its design was unusual in that it was contained within its own parking ramp, and opened directly into the Wintergarden, an indoor arboretum, on its southern end. It was owned by the Cordish Company
until October 2010, when the abandoned mall was donated to Niagara County Community College
for use as a culinary institute, student-run restaurant, and a Barnes and Noble bookstore. The newly remodeled complex is scheduled to open in 2012.
project. Initially, the mall was successful, but it did not turn a profit until 1990, when the original anchor, Beir's Department Store, was replaced with a Burlington Coat Factory
and the majority of the mall tenants were replaced with outlet store
s. In the late 1990s, The mall lost its designation as the most successful in Niagara Falls as the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls
renovated and became the more popular choice. The Rainbow Centre had received no updating since its opening, and simply could not compete with the Fashion Outlets. Burlington Coat Factory closed in 1999, and the mall itself closed in 2000. Shortly after closing, the Cordish Co. claimed the mall would be redeveloped into an entertainment complex, but these plans never came to fruition. Despite the closure off all the retail stores in 2000, the mall still remained open to foot traffic for a period afterward due to an off-track betting
center remaining open inside the mall. Once the center closed in 2005, the mall was officially closed off to all foot traffic and fell into disrepair. It was gutted in 2011 by NCCC in preparation for its conversion into its Culinary Institute, which is scheduled to open in late 2012.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
, that operated from 1982 to 2000. Its design was unusual in that it was contained within its own parking ramp, and opened directly into the Wintergarden, an indoor arboretum, on its southern end. It was owned by the Cordish Company
Cordish Company
The Cordish Company is a real estate development and entertainment operating company with its headquarters on the 6th floor of the Pratt Street Power Plant in Baltimore, Maryland...
until October 2010, when the abandoned mall was donated to Niagara County Community College
Niagara County Community College
Niagara County Community College is located in Sanborn, New York, USA northeast of the City of Niagara Falls. NCCC offers associate's degrees in many programs. Niagara County Community College was founded in 1962 and is sponsored by Niagara County and SUNY. The new campus opened in 1973...
for use as a culinary institute, student-run restaurant, and a Barnes and Noble bookstore. The newly remodeled complex is scheduled to open in 2012.
History
The mall opened on July 4, 1982, as part of a failed Urban RenewalUrban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
project. Initially, the mall was successful, but it did not turn a profit until 1990, when the original anchor, Beir's Department Store, was replaced with a Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation is a national department store retailer focusing on clothing and shoes, with over 450 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.. In 2006, it was acquired by Bain Capital, LLC in a take-private transaction...
and the majority of the mall tenants were replaced with outlet store
Outlet store
An outlet store or factory outlet is a brick and mortar or online retail store in which manufacturers sell their stock directly to the public. Traditionally, a factory outlet was a store attached to a factory or warehouse, sometimes allowing customers to watch the production process like in the...
s. In the late 1990s, The mall lost its designation as the most successful in Niagara Falls as the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, formerly Niagara Factory Outlet Mall and Niagara Factory Outlets, is an outlet mall serving Niagara Falls, New York. The outlet mall opened in 1982 in a former King's Department Store and connecting plaza. Before this, the site once hosted a drive-in movie...
renovated and became the more popular choice. The Rainbow Centre had received no updating since its opening, and simply could not compete with the Fashion Outlets. Burlington Coat Factory closed in 1999, and the mall itself closed in 2000. Shortly after closing, the Cordish Co. claimed the mall would be redeveloped into an entertainment complex, but these plans never came to fruition. Despite the closure off all the retail stores in 2000, the mall still remained open to foot traffic for a period afterward due to an off-track betting
Off-track betting
Off-track betting refers to sanctioned gambling on horse racing outside a race track.-US history:...
center remaining open inside the mall. Once the center closed in 2005, the mall was officially closed off to all foot traffic and fell into disrepair. It was gutted in 2011 by NCCC in preparation for its conversion into its Culinary Institute, which is scheduled to open in late 2012.