Crossgates Commons is built within the
Albany Pine Bush, one of the largest of the world's 20 inland
pine barrens. When Europeans arrived in the early 17th century, the Pine Bush was in use as hunting grounds and firewood supply of the
Mohawk nation of the
Haudenosaunee to the west along the Mohawk River, and the
Mahican to the east, along the Hudson River. One of the largest remaining remnants of the
Pine Bush is located across Washington Avenue from the plaza, and is managed as the Pine Bush Preserve.
The Walmart located at Crossgates Commons became the largest Walmart in the United States (and the largest outside of China) in 2008, when it expanded into a
Walmart Supercenter, now occupying 260,000 square feet (24,000 m2) over two floors.[1]
Description
The shopping center has a split-level design with stores on the upper level accessible from the front and stores on the lower level accessible from the rear. It opened in 1994 and has 1,300,000 square feet (120,000 m2) of retail space. Although Crossgates Commons is relatively young, it has already undergone an expansion, and some locations have had high turnover rates.
The Big Party (1996-2000) (upper level) Now
Party City
Mars Music (2000-2003) (lower level) later became Sears Outlet
Kids "R" Us (1996-2004) (Moved from Northway Mall in 1996 to the upper level of Crossgates Commons) later became Giant Book Sale
Bob's Stores (1998-2004) (upper level) Later became Sports Authority. Location now occupied by part of At Home.
Sam's Club (original tenant, 1994-May 1, 2006) closed in favor of the nearby
Latham branch, and the location is now the supermarket/pharmacy level of Walmart Supercenter
Giant Book Sale (2006) later became Golf Galaxy
General Carpet Outlet (1998-2006) (lower level) later became Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Tweeter (2001-2007) Closed in a wave of underperforming stores, now part of At Home
Old Navy (1994-2008) Original tenant on upper level, and one of the first in the entire chain, closed in favor of existing branch at Crossgates Mall. Later became original location of Mattress Xpress, space now part of At Home.
Circuit City (1999-2009) Part of expansion project on upper level. Closed on March 8, 2009, when the chain shuttered all of its American stores. Replaced by
Ultimate Electronics. Now the site of
T.J. Maxx and Mattress Xpress' upper level portion.
Jeepers! (1998-September 2010) later became Pump 'n Jump
Ultimate Electronics (June 2010-April 2011) replaced by Fastrax Raceway, Now occupied by T.J. Maxx and Mattress Xpress' upper level portion.
Fastrax Raceway (2012-2014) - closed unexpectedly due to owners being evicted for nonpayment; replaced by K1 Speed, now
T.J. Maxx and Mattress Xpress' upper level portion
Sears Outlet (original location; 2013–2018) relocated to portion of downsized T.J. Maxx, later became third location of Mattress Xpress, now Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park