ROTTERDAM — The sprawling Sears anchor store, covering more than two acres at the former Rotterdam Square mall, will be turned into retail and warehouse space by United Auto Supply, a Syracuse-based wholesale distributor of auto parts and accessories. United's customers include auto parts stores, new car dealers, heavy duty fleets and independent shops.
The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority announced the deal, which includes a $6 million investment to acquire, renovate and equip the 103,000-square-foot Sears space. Florida-based Via Port USA currently owns the building, part of the mall complex now known as ViaPort Rotterdam.
United Auto Supply is expected to create 50 jobs at the site, which will include a retail and distribution space, as well as an e-commerce operation. The facility will serve customers in northeastern New York and New England. Metroplex said the company eventually hoped to add an additional 100 jobs.
Vacant mall anchor stores have been attracting warehouse tenants including such companies as Amazon that are looking for large climate-controlled spaces with convenient highway access.
Via Port Rotterdam, for example, is just off the interstate.
"Via Port's great location just off I-890 has helped us attract several new tenants in a very challenging environment," said Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen. "We are building on the momentum established when we successfully redeveloped the former Macy's for 700 state jobs.
"This is a major step forward in our efforts to make Via Port a great place to visit, shop and work," Gillen added.
Repurposing unusual spaces is nothing new for United Auto Supply. It previously turned the former P&C warehouse, a one-million-square-foot space in Syracuse, into its headquarters and space for other tenants. It also converted the former Marsellus Casket Company, also in Syracuse, into space for an ambulance company, a tech firm and seven apartments.
United Auto Supply, founded in 1946, now has 30 retail stores and 500 employees.
eanderson@timesunion.com
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September 11, 2020 at 03:11AM
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Ex-Sears anchor to house auto parts distributor - Times Union
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