About
Northway Shopping Center is a large open-air retail center at 1440 Central Avenue in Colonie, with an Albany mailing address. It sits at the corner of Central Avenue (NY Route 5) and Wolf Road, directly across from Colonie Center and close to Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, which gave the property its name.
Today the center is a so-called power center: big-box and national-brand stores arranged around a shared parking field, with a few outparcel buildings along the road. Shoppers can pick up groceries and household goods, clothing, home improvement supplies, pet items, office needs and more in a single trip.
One-Stop Shopping
Department, discount, home improvement and specialty retailers in one location.
Easy Access
At a major intersection with quick access to Central Avenue, Wolf Road and the Northway.
Large Parking Lot
Free surface parking serves every store, shared by the stores across the property.
Nearby Dining
Restaurants, cafes and hotels line Wolf Road and the surrounding Colonie retail district.
Store Directory
Target
Apparel, home, electronics, toys, beauty and everyday essentials. One of the center's main anchors.
Marshalls
Brand-name clothing, shoes, accessories and home décor at discount prices.
Burlington
Apparel, shoes, bedding, baby and home goods at everyday low prices.
Lowe's
Tools, building materials, appliances, paint and garden supplies, located at the rear of the property.
Staples
Office supplies, printing, shipping, furniture and technology.
Petco
Food, toys and supplies for dogs, cats and small pets, plus grooming and training services.
Empire Wine & Liquor
A large selection of wine, spirits and beer for entertaining and gifts.
Visionworks
Eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Tenants and store hours change. Please check each store directly for current hours, services and availability.
Plan Your Visit
Best times to shop
Weekday mornings are typically the calmest. Weekends, evenings and the holiday season bring heavier traffic around the entrances and on Central Avenue.
Mind the traffic
The intersection of Central Avenue and Wolf Road is one of the busiest in the area. Leave extra time on Saturdays and during peak shopping hours.
Combine your errands
With a department store, a home improvement store, pet supplies and office needs together, one trip can cover a lot of the to-do list.
Shop both sides of the road
Colonie Center, a large enclosed mall, is directly across Central Avenue, so the two centers pair easily for a full day of shopping.
A Bit of History
- 1969–1970The land, once part of Albany's waterworks property at the edge of the Pine Bush, is developed for a new enclosed mall.
- 1970–1971Anchors Almart and Korvettes open in fall 1970, and Northway Mall celebrates its grand opening in 1971 as a "modern as tomorrow" shopping center. Early tenants include Woolworth's, a bank branch, a chapel and the Time-Out Tunnel arcade.
- Mid-1980s–1990sFormer anchor space is converted to small discount stores while new retail grows around Wolf Road and Colonie Center.
- 1998The enclosed mall closes after its final holiday season.
- 2000sThe site is redeveloped as an open-air big-box center anchored by Target and other national retailers.
- 2012The property is rebranded from Northway Mall to Northway Shopping Center, the name in use today.
Directions & Contact
By Car
Take Central Avenue (NY-5) to Wolf Road, or exit the Northway (I-87) toward Wolf Road and follow signs to Central Avenue. The center is across from Colonie Center.
Parking
Free parking is available across the property. Spaces closest to the main entrances fill first on busy weekends.
FAQ
Where is Northway Shopping Center located?
At 1440 Central Ave, on the corner of Central Avenue (NY-5) and Wolf Road in Colonie, New York, across from Colonie Center.
Which stores are here?
Major tenants include Target, Lowe's, Marshalls, Burlington, Staples, Petco, Empire Wine & Liquor and Visionworks. See the store directory above.
What are the opening hours?
Each store sets its own hours, and they often change on holidays. Check with the individual store before you go.
Is it an enclosed mall?
No. It operated as an enclosed mall from 1970 to 1998 but is now an open-air center where each store has its own entrance.
Is parking free?
Yes, there is free surface parking throughout the property.
Why was it called Northway Mall?
It took its name from the nearby Adirondack Northway (I-87). The name changed to Northway Shopping Center in 2012.