Normally, we can excuse commercial hyperbole. And the 1966 opening of the first full-scale enclosed mall in the region was certainly the kind of excitement that would lead its sponsors to, perhaps, exaggerate its qualities a bit. We understand, really we do.
But, seriously?
“The motif of Colonie Center Mall is reminiscent of the sidewalk cafes of Paris, punctuated with decorative sidewalk sculpting, oaken benches, colorful spurting fountains and picturesque trees and shrubbery.”
Said the mall PR writer who hadn’t even seen a ViewMaster of Paris.