On a recent weekday morning, I popped over to Ridge Hill, the new outdoor super-mall currently in development in Yonkers. I hadn’t been since it was a skeleton of empty stores with Whole Foods and L.L. Bean at one end and Gap, H & M and Old Navy at the other. But enough new stores and restaurants have opened in the last few months to make another trip there. It’s also a great spot to go shopping in summer, since you walk an outdoor promenade to access all of the stores.
First, I was floored (and thrilled!) by the sight of an Apple store. Before this one opened, there was only one Apple store in The Westchester in White Plains, and it’s always super packed. Plus, adding an Apple store seemed to give Ridge Hill an air of cool.
I strolled my toddler right into Lord & Taylor, the 80,000-square-foot anchor store of the outdoor mega-mall. With an all-glass front that looks wavy and in motion, the architecture seemed inspired by architect Frank Gehry. Inside, the store is brand spanking new with everything you see in the department store’s Eastchester location, only cleaner. Plus, the designer bag selection was more extensive than in Eastchester, a bonus for anyone who loves bag shopping.
Elizabeth D. and I laughed when we compared notes about Francesca’s Collections, a small boutique that recently opened on Ridge Hill’s main drag. I thought it had fun, quirky clothes for cheap, but Elizabeth thought it was too “teeny bopper.” Check it out, and you decide. Speaking of teeny bopper clothes, I was thrilled to find out that a South Moon Under is opening there soon. I love South Moon Under’s surf-meets-city take on style.
If you’re a sucker for Vera Bradley weekender bags, you’ll love the new Vera Bradley retail store. With a fun lattice wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, this store had me at hello. It has a huge selection of Vera’s signature printed suitcases, totes, wallets, etc. But I really fell for the printed iPad and e-reader cases — both are great gift ideas.
Some other well-known retailers have opened their doors, like White House | Black Market, Pandora, Bath & Body Works, TJ Maxx, all of which add to the one-stop-shopping appeal of Ridge Hill.
There are plenty of lunch options for little ones. Brio Tuscan Grille, an Italian/pasta place with pretty outdoor seating overlooking the playground, has $7.99 lunch specials. You can never go wrong with Cheesecake Factory, which has enough seating for nearly 300 people. Two new options, Havana Central Restaurant, which I’ve heard serves up great red wine sangria, and Texas de Brazil, an all-you-can-eat steakhouse, are at opposite ends of the main drag.
Point is: There’s lots to see and do here these days.
Ridge Hill, One Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers; open from 10am to 9:30pm seven days a week.
