Stores You Wish Could Return As Part Of The New Oakdale Commons

I pass by the Oakdale Commons every day to and from work. I must admit, I am impressed with the transformation over these past few years from the Oakdale Mall to the Oakdale Commons.

Of course, it's still a work in progress. I'm still waiting for a Chik-fil-A to pop up on the property. Maybe one will, maybe one won't. Time will tell. Anyway, as I admire all the progress, I think about so many malls across America that haven't made a transformation and have or are about close.

Malls have been a part of our lives from the 1960s and 1970s to the present. My first mall experience was at the Arnot Mall in Big Flats. That's pronounced R-Nut, not Are-Not, please, and thank you.

Read More: You Are A Binghamton Native If You Know This 

Then it was the Oakdale Mall when I moved here from the Corning-Elmira area in the mid-1970s. The '70s through the '90s were busy times for the Oakdale Mall. Remember the three-theater cinema?

We'd stop over to Friendlys for something to eat after watching a movie. Maybe wander into Radio Shack to check out the new stereo sound systems, and then see what unusual stuff was on the shelves at Spencer's Gifts, and maybe stop into FYE for some new music. Then we'd take a break, sit on a bench, and people-watch. Those were the days, my friend.

Just for fun, and curiosity, I asked this question on social media - "The Oakdale Mall had some great stores that are no longer there. What ONE former store would you like to see return to the Oakdale Commons?" Even if that business is out of business, what do you miss and wish could return?

What response did I get? Well, quite a few as I predicted. I noticed a lot of people responded with the Chinese restaurant, although no one had the name of it. Also popular was Mr. Bulky's candy store.

While this is not a full list (I had tons of answers), check out some others, below. Do you miss these former Oakdale Mall stores and wish they could return to the Oakdale Commons?