P.F. Chang's Just One Change in 'Modern' Colonie Center

Monday marked the grand opening of P.F. Chang's China Bistro in the Colonie Center Mall, and operating partner Michael Scannello said the 280-seat bistro will bring something different to the table for local restaurant-goers.

"As far as Chinese food goes, you're not going to find anything like us," said Scannello. "We are the cutting edge. You get a very upscale feel but it is moderately priced and we don't really worry about our competition."

More than 200 people have been employed by the restaurant so far, said Scannello.

P.F. Chang's, located next door to the Cheesecake Factory, is part of the mall's larger remodeling and expansion project.

By mid-November, a new food court, Sephora cosmetics store and Barnes and Noble bookstore will all be open, according to Joseph Millett, Colonie Center's manager. A new 13-screen movie theater is expected to open early February 2008.

"We basically took the mall out of the seventies and eighties and brought it into today's colors and today's design," said Millett. "People today like lifestyle centers where they can go to the theater and go eat and walk along the mall."

In a few weeks, Millett said, the mall will also have wireless internet in place. "People will be able to come in and sit in front of the fireplace and do some work," he said.

While Colonie Center is growing in size, Crossgates Mall representatives said they will continue to bring new stores to the Capital Region.

Directors from both stores said their anchor stores help attract different crowds.

"It's a great economic impact for the entire area, not just Colonie," said Tom Nolte of the Colonie Chamber of Commerce. "I know from talking to the folks from the Colonie Center Mall, they expect more buses coming in."

Despite the competition, the marketing director for Crossgates Mall said there has been a double-digit increase in sales so far this year -- proving the Capital District is large enough for two malls to survive.