ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES

Hudson Valley Mall: Photos of the Nearly-Empty Kingston, NY Destination

Hudson Valley Mall food court
Written by Bryce

The Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston, New York was once overflowing with stores and people. Now it’s nearly empty, and the photos are haunting.

The Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston, New York was once overflowing with stores and people. Now it’s nearly empty, and the photos are haunting.

It’s a tribute to the best of 1980s and 1990s culture and a shell of a time capsule. This iconic mall was once filled with shops and eateries of almost every kind. Moms shopped for zone 6 perennials at garden stores while teens hopped around the dozens of options selling the best jean shorts, bathing suits, accessories and in-the-moment must-haves.

Hudson Valley Mall food court
Hudson Valley Mall Food Court, Bryce Gruber

The mall, now over 90% empty, is mainly used as a hub for a few local businesses. The only places we saw with any significant traffic on a recent visit were the Unisex Hair Salon and large walk-in Urgent Care centers.

Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York
Unisex Hair Place at Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York, Bryce Gruber

A few other name-brand stores including Jimmy Jazz and Game Stop are still tenants, with a handful of other local mom-and-pop businesses like gyms and martial arts centers continuing to exist. But business looks sparse.

Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York
Empty stores in The Hudson Valley Mall, Bryce Gruber

The hallways are now mostly used by indoor walking enthusiasts, who deem the property “the best place to get steps in when the local Ulster County weather looks pretty bad.”

empty stores Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York
Empty retail bays at The Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York, Bryce Gruber

It’s relatively surprising, though, because Ulster County and the greater Hudson Valley region have seen noteworthy population upticks since covid. One might expect foot traffic to pick up, but in an era of online shopping—it just hasn’t happened.

Empty retail bays at The Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York, Bryce Gruber
Empty retail bays at The Hudson Valley Mall, Kingston, New York, Bryce Gruber

Have you been to the Hudson Valley Mall recently and have your own photos or thoughts to share? We’d love to hear from you.

About the author

Bryce

Bryce Gruber is a Manhattanite mom who can be found jet-setting off to every corner of the globe. She loves exotic places, being fully rested and writing for some of the world's most popular news outlets.