Info please...Buffalo-Walden Galleria Mall

[GreatGranny]

Would like to know if Walden Galleria Mall in Buffalo is up-scale, outlet, or somewhere in-between? How would it compare with with GTAA west-end malls (Sherway Gardens, Square One, Dixie Value Mall, Oakville Place, Burlington Mall, MapleView Centre, etc.)

We're trying to decide if it is worth a visit, we will have a few hours to spare in Buffalo before checking into our hotel, the day before our flight to Orlando.

 

[TheBig2na]

Walden Galleria is like an average mall but in recent years has definitely improved. I havent been to any western GTA malls in a while, but it is a common mall. Not upscale like Yorkville, but very good with a ton of good stores and restaurants. I have found it has steadily been improving over the years. There used to be many empty stores, but last year in November it really seemed to be full and had lots of great stores.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Square One would be a very good comparison.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Square One would be a very good comparison.

Ditto

 

[corster]

I'd consider Walden to be a mid-to-high range mall.

If you're looking for Bargains, the place to go is the Outlet Mall in Niagara Falls, NY (On Military Road, Just off I-190 at Niagara Falls Blvd, iirc)

 

[minnie56]

I think it's pretty upscale..rather like Sherway. There's a Coach store there, Sephora,Pottery Barn, William Somoma, Abercrombie & Fitch, Victorias Secret, Lord & Taylor, Macy's etc..quite a few good restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs...I think it used to be nicer than it is now, but I still enjoy shopping there every few months

 

[minnie56]

FYI

http://www.waldengalleria.com/index.php?page=directory-map

 

[GreatGranny]

Thanks for the responses. I see there is a Pandora store there so I have to go there!

We also want to eat dinner at Olive Garden which appears to be close by on google maps, so it will work out well.

 

[minnie56]

I know there was an Olive Garden across from the Mall..whether is still is? Someone else I am sure will know...much better Italian rest in Walden though across from Cheesecake...JMO...

 

[GreatGranny]

I know there was an Olive Garden across from the Mall..whether is still is? Someone else I am sure will know...much better Italian rest in Walden though across from Cheesecake...JMO...

Thanks, we'll check it out.

 

[minnie56]

Most welcome!

This one:
Bravo Cucina Italiana
Excellent food!

 

[GreatGranny]

Most welcome!

This one:
Bravo Cucina Italiana
Excellent food!

Thanks...I was just checking out the menu and now my mouth is watering!

 

[minnie56]

Haha...I hear you! I haven't had a bad thing there, everything is delicious!

 

[MedicGoofy]

Olive Garden IS still across from the Walden.....

Bravo is IN the Walden, as is the Cheesecake Factory. Cheesecake Factory you can get your dessert to go. Which is great. Cause I can not sit and eat a whole friggin' peice of cheesecake.....soooo big But soooo goood.

They also have the food court and several other restaurants within the mall, Johnny Rockets...and a couple of others.

I too find the mall to be mid-high scale. Lots of great shops. They have one or two stores downstairs closed off right now that they are reopening sometime in the future, have no idea what they are suppose to be.

I love going. I'm there at lease once a month.

 

[minnie56]

I agree about the Cheesecaqke Factory..we often say we are going to start with cheesecake and if there's room..carry on with an entree! Sometimes I stop in there as I am leaving and bring a few pieces home.

We have Walden on our route , but we also hit some stores in Williamsville as well as the Outlet Mall on the way there or home. I guess we go about every 6 weeks....

Anyone shopped in Erie PA or Michigan? We get a little bored sometimes and are thinking of mixing it up.

 

[alohamom]

Chiming in to say the Olive Garden across from the Galleria is always crowded so plan ahead if you want to eat there. Sometimes it means looking to eat an early/late lunch or dinner. Othertimes, I will put our names down and my husband will go fill the car with gas a couple of doors down. He is usually just getting back and we are called to our table.
As far as Erie goes Minnie, we went last year and I found most of the stores are the same so with the extra cost of gas it kinda offset any tax savings. I know my way around Buffalo quite well and kinda know what stores to hit and when so Erie was a bust because I didnt have that familiarity with the area. Still fun to switch it up tho...

 

[minnie56]

Thanks for the input...if it ain't broke?? LOL...
And yes, in these days of high gas prices worth considering.
My last 3 tanks of fuel have been from Buffalo..I am sitting at about 1/3 of a tank now..time for a trip??

 

[MedicGoofy]

1/3 of a tank?? Time for a trip

I'm lucky....I live about 15 min from the Rainbow and Queenston (altho, I NEVER cross at Queenston). I go about every week, for gas, maybe some shopping. If I just get gas, I go after a night shift. Border is empty. I'm there in back in about 8 min. It's fantastic.

I never find that I need to wait at Olive Garden. My mom and I have been several times and have been brought to a table, and always a booth for 4. we don't wait until 6:00 to eat, which IS a busier time. If you go in around 4:45.....it's perfect.

Erie is good. I enjoy going. I have been for the last 3 years and am going in October this year again. While there are a LOT of the same stores, I do find that there are price differences. If you go into Grove City PA, it is much cheaper, and it's only another 45 min to an hr further than Erie. That is where your savings are. There are cute antique stores. A decent sized outlet mall with 2 motels right across from it.....the outlet has all your Gap, Old Navy, Areo, Nike and whatever else stores....then it has tons of other little stores too. Really cute. And on the way home....stop at Millcreek Mall. That the BIG mall in Erie. I love it. It's like shopping at the Walden, but in Erie. Prices....comparable BUT you may find some good deals. For example...we shopped at Kirklands...I had just bought a house and needed to furnish. But TONS of different stuff for WAY cheaper than Walden had it, we stopped there on the way home. So, there are savings. AND, there are other stores in Erie. Big new Walmart. Suppose to be awesome.

And the gas did get cheaper going into PA. AAAANNNNNDDDDDDD....remember, no tax on clothing in Pennsylvania

 

[SaraMc]

I myself like Boulevard mall, lots of the same stores thar are at Walden but I find it easier to get parking etc.