Metro Mall-Middle Village

looks like it hasn’t been updated since the 1980’s, but BJ’s is good and so it pet land and Burger king but thats all.

This place gets 3 stars for directions. If you’re walking here it’s likely you’ll feel that where the f#%? Am I?-vibe. I walked up a ramp, entered a Kmart and almost had a Nathan’s hot dog before I realized how to get to Raymour and Flannigan. So confused with my life here.

This place is in between a mall and a strip mall. They are too small to be a mall but pretty big for a strip mall. The space has been there for years and if your old enough like me, you’ll remember a Toys R Us there years ago. The Toys R Us is still here along with a lot more stores. These days it’s home to a K Mart, a Burger King, Funtopia (kids arcade), Nathan’s, Petland Discounts, a liquor store (forgot the name), BJ’s and a few other places. It’s more of a shopping center. The set up here is a little frustrating because you can’t access every store from the same entrance. You can’t get to Toys R Us and Kmart without going to a different entrance.
Very convenient as far as getting there. Buses and a subway stop is a block away. I don’t know the stop but it’s the M train. The parking lot around back is humongous and there are two. One in the back and one upstairs for those visiting the upstairs stores.

Okay, so back in the undergrad days I took a few admittedly useless courses just to pad up my GPA — one of them is called human geography, and another one is introduction to architecture. Those courses try to teach you why dwellings and businesses evolved to occupy a given space in a certain way, and how it fits in both a cultural and anthropological context. You learn about why catholic churches have 3 doors and a nave, and why Latin American cities all seem to evolve from a central core with a Presidio… which is fascinating stuff. Of course, if anyone tries to explain why Metro Mall is such a shit show and a disaster to most visitors, they would probably be stomped
To give you an example of why this place is such a shit-​show, Metro Mall has 4 main anchor tenants: K-​Mart (basically ghetto Sears), Toys-​R-​Us, Raymour & Flanagan, and BJs. In most sane shopping malls they will all share a single common atrium or courtyard, other shops will share that space, and they’ll be interconnected so you can park once, visit all stores you need, pick things up, and go (Queens place and Queens Crossings in Elmhurst/​Rego Park comes to mind) — not so Metro Mall. The entrances facing Metropolitan Avenue will only take you into an atrium with K-​Mart and Toys-​R-​Us, or the escalators (used to be inclined moving walkways) to the top parking level where a Nathan’s can be found. Oh, you need to go to BJ’s? Okay. Exit the atrium, walk outside to the other side of the mall, single file down a sloping narrow sidewalk past the parking lot to another atrium on the back-​end of the mall, and there’s an atrium there that serves BJ’s, Petland discounts, Funtopia (a more crapulent Chuck E-Cheez’s?) and a crappy oversized 99 cent store. And a freaking Burger King. That downstairs atrium is not connected to the upper one. Oh. You need to go to Raymour & Flanagan? Outside, walk on the sidewalk at the edge of the parking lot, it’s next to the lower parking lot exit. It has its own entrance. If you drive here wanting to visit BJs and K-​Mart, you’ll need to park twice. Once on the upper lot, exit the lot, and then head to the lower lot.
Oh, why is this place such a shitshow? Well, several reasons — it used to be a factory for manufacturing phonebooths, so there was a weird segregation of architecture there. Secondly, they have a tenant that holds a long term lease which cannot be taken out so the crap sandwich can be re-​developed.
The Corrections department rented the space between the upper and lower floors to be used as a training academy, and they have a long term contract to lease this space. Yes, you read this correctly — New York’s boldest trains their prison guards at that windowless space there since the 1970s, which would also explain that oddly empty parking lot in the front side of Metro Mall facing Metropolitan Avenue. Rumor has it that it was also used as a storage space for the voting machines for New York City.
Yep. Next time you hit Metro Mall and wonder why it’s such a shitshow, thank the guards at Rikers or the Tombs. The location is awkward thanks to the cemeteries all over, but thank New York’s boldest for maintaining its awful architecture.

Sunday, April 26, 2015, I rode the M train to the end of the line; Middle Village, Queens. I had no idea what I would find there, but I was hoping for something photogenic, something out of the ordinary. Setting out from the train station I was, at first glance, disappointed; I recognized these streets, I had in fact driven through this area many times. Nevertheless I set about wandering. I circled a slow lap around a cemetery and drifted along suburban sidewalks.
I returned to the vicinity of the M train station, preparing to venture elsewhere, but I was struck by a red brick fortress I hadn’t noticed before. Yellowed plastic signs littered the top edge of the façade, leading me toward a network of ramps along what seemed to me, from that vantage point, the right side of the building. (I couldn’t tell which edge was north and which was south, but as you will find, my orientation would prove to be of little consequence.)
I followed the ramp, hugging the tall edge of the structure, snapping photos along the way, until it split, one side leading up to a cavernous darkness, the other down into a vast fenced parking lot. I followed SUVs and compacts coasting down into the asphalt plain. As the vista revealed itself, I was startled to find the crashing shopping carts and overflowing minivans typical of most shopping centers’ entrances. Now utterly bewildered, I couldn’t help but wonder which was the front and which was the rear of the complex.
There was however a clear entry point, and my appetite had grown. I entered the structure and immediately came upon a Burger King. I ordered a milkshake. But, for fear of conflating the consumer experiences of two distinct entities, I will offer no more consideration of Burger King.
I then made my way onto a prominent escalator near the compound’s front entrance. (Or was it the rear exit?) Ascending approximately one story (Metro Mall’s architect evidently opted for a network of intersecting strata, rather than your typical stories or floors, to achieve the building’s height) I was confronted by the fact that this escalator led to little more than an opposing staircase. I found no choice but to descend the staircase, into the core of this modest arcade.
The 6 to 8 storefronts of the interior’s central axis might have appeared ordinary enough. But in an otherwise vacant transept to my right, there stood a hydraulic basket crane, seemingly more a permanent fixture than a temporary provision. My initial assumption was that this machine might be the prize for some great contest (as automobiles are more commonly used) but I found no information pertaining to raffle nor giveaway. Instead I concluded that this crane must be a monument to the faceless laborers who maintain the equilibrium of this structure, never quite restoring or repairing, simply preserving its disrepair.
Contemplating this machine, I wandered around the interior, then back outside, onto a ramp opposite of that which initially led me in. The sweeping vacancy of this passage defies my descriptive capacity, but I made several attempts to photographically record the barricades, facades and alleyways growing out of this concrete path. Once again distracted by the operation of my camera — as I had been on the complementary ramp– a jolt of wonder hit me as I reached a spectacular plateau; another parking lot spanning the paramount stratum of the complex.
Doorways, sheds, and pavilions rose intermittently, advertising stores directly below. Rows of identical white vans were lined sparingly across an otherwise vacant, seemingly guarded, half of the lot. Just past these vehicles hung a magnificent tapestry depicting the Manhattan skyline, with glorious clouds above, in the finest color and detail. I wanted nothing more than to feel its surface, to pull back the edges and reveal the dreary landscape this great cloak concealed. But as I approached the rows of vans, it became clear that the sole function of a perambulating security vehicle was the protection of either the vans or the tapestry. So I contented myself to photograph the great scene from afar.
I spent some time that afternoon traversing the plateau, moving in and out, up and down, through the corridors and ramps of Metro Mall. I should like to relay the details of my wanderings, but as I attempt to recall my paths, I find myself increasingly perplexed by this labyrinthine structure. A fanciful mind might surmise that the building’s architect had realized the perfect means to defy all known laws of physics, to project an Escher onto real space. I’ve concluded, instead, that time and space were simply forgotten in the process of its construction; that this building has always been and always will be several decades old, half-​empty, yet somehow overflowing, stretching miles across a cramped block in Queens, the ideal model of what Smithson referred to as a non-​site, a perfect atopia.

I came to the Metro Mall expressly for the Toys R Us that had in stock the new Nintendo 3DS XL, a rare find right now. I was happy that parking in the mall’s lot was easy and free of charge. I was unsettled by the extra-​long escalator that spans multiple floors. The handrail on the UP escalator lags behind than the stairs so I had to keep letting go and grabbing on again. The mall was nearly deserted and seems rundown and kinda abandoned. I got what I came for and got out of there.

The whole place is messy and hard to get around. BJ’s is a complete disaster. If you ask for directions, employees yell at you and confuse you instead of helping you. Nothing like Costco, we tried the pizza and it was disgusting. Very sad to see that they sell food of that quality. The only good part of this place is probably those huge creepy escalators. Other than that, this place is a waste of space.

I wasn’t impress with this mall at all. But it is the only Kmart I know that is in Queens. It’s nice to come here when I need extra materials for costumes and such for my little business. Plus it’s nice to roam around and get lost in it. I like that it’s not too crowded. But, the area and the service aren’t so great. Not much people knows anything of anything. Pretty much they’ll all answer you with. «Whatever we have on the shelves» or «Whatever the price says on the front of the item». Some items are misplaced. That’s the only reason why I asked! Derf. Parking is free. But down 2 stars for the service.

This place is so weird. To get to most of the stores you have to dodge oncoming traffic from the upper and lower parking ramps and go down, down, down into the pit and past the loading docks into yet more speeding cars. There is no other way to access the stores from Metropolitan Avenue if you come on foot. This is probably the most pedestrian UN-​friendly shopping center in NYC. I went there alone at night and it was dark and creepy.
The mall itself is smelly and dirty. The patrons are the WORST. I don’t know where they come from and how they can afford cars. It’s nothing to do with being a minority. I’m a minority. There was trash of EVERY color represented here. And it seems like a Metro-​Mall thing to push your BJ’s cart into every store whether it fits or not.
On my way to Conway a security guard in a truck hollered at me, and then on my way back out of the lunar crater, he hollered again and asked if I wanted a ride to the top. I ALMOST considered it. For a second I weighed which would be the worst option. Then I decided to walk.

I work here on Fabco Shoes and seriously, its not even a mall, as others said. Its a big fucking clump. Everything feels empty and lonely, the only people that like to visit me are the cockroaches that come from Burger King.
Only thing good about this so called «mall» is BJ’s. That’s it. BJ’s.

Metro mall has a lot of shops. I always have fun when I go here they have a lot to offer. It is not a small mall, in a small town. It is usually not over crowded and they have a huge parking lot.

This place used to be the shit when it was Caldor (where K-​Mart is) and Pergament (took up half the lower level). This place has seriously dropped down in value after those diminished.
From the top, there is a Nathan’s Hot Dog (meh), then there is Toys R’Us (this one is Okay, but sometimes the pegs on the gaming section are empty, … for a while.) Then there is K-​Mart, where shelves are practically empty, and the employees run/​hide from you like you’re in Ni No Kuni.
Then the lower level, you have a on your left, empty space, empty space, Petland (okay, it has what you need), Travel Agency, empty space, bathroom, empty space, Fashion Bug (meh), Toy Store (a lot of crap), BJ’s (Good, but could be better)
Now to your right, Burger King (fresh food comes out, yay! Décor is uhhh old and trendy time machine comes to mind adorned with hasbend celebrities and thwir info), Fabco Shoes (no,. .. .just no.), Sleepy’s (more overpriced than the one in Flushing off of Union), empty space, empty space, empty space, empty space, empty space, Subway (meh, saw someone drop a sandwich once, and the employees looked at eachother –_​-​), empty space, empty space, 99 Cents store (its actually quite decent. There is a lot of stuff from overseas in here), Conway (the staff is sweet and helpful).
*Notice all the EMPTY SPACES!!!
Upstairs, is Ooba Dooba, a child’s play place which is crowded with their many games and machines, and some of their staff looks so out of it like you should be calling them Ooba Dooba. Seriously.
Then all by its lonesome is a furniture store outside the ramp before reaching the end. It has changed many companies there for furniture. (some things are reasonably priced, others, not so much.) Example is $ 400.00 for a microsuede loveseat, and *$ 150.00 for a set of two 16 inch aluminum lamps. o_​O. ?
Take your chances on this place. There is a huge parking lot on this lower level.
Other than that?,.meh.

If you’re racist don’t come to this «mall.» There are people from all different cultures who shop here, they will make the place look dark and scary to you. First of all, this is not a «real «mall it is a huge strip mall though. If you’re not looking to window shop, and you just want to buy your stuff and get in and out this place is fine. If you want to relive the golden age of middle village, relive your youth, see Norman Rockwell and his family, don’t come here. This is not a real mall. It has a BJs, a Toys R Us, and a Kmart, and basically that’s it. This place is not life changing, nor rewarding it is just a place to shop. Sorry :(

Ugh! This place sucks! The escalators are like a death drop when u park on the roof. There were not any carts available on the level where toys r us was located?!? We had to go back upstairs to the roof, get a cart and then find the elevator to come down to shop at toys r us??? The toys r us was disgusting and the people even more so! I don’t get what is going on in this mall as it seems that it was stuck in a time warp. Never coming here again!

Metro Mall has been in Middle Village for quite some time now and it never really improved. I remember walking here with my cousin once when we kids and we got robbed by a group of bullies. We were 8 years old being robbed by high school kids. Seriously, get a life! Anyway, as I got older, I joined BJ’s Wholesale club. On a weekday, the lines aren’t so bad but if you come on a weekend, it takes forever! I’ve also been to the Burger King that’s in here. They hire the world’s dumbest people. They’ll never get your order right.
There is a furniture store here that I went to once. I didn’t like it very much. Their prices weren’t very fair and they there’s no way to haggle with them. The Parking lot here is quite large but I really hate that steep road/​ramp that goes down to the lower lot for BJ’s.
Verdict — Ever since Costco’s opened up in Rego Park, I tend to goto Costco’s a little bit more. I find that Costco’s had better prices and better monthly sales. The good part about coming to Metro Mall is that parking is free and BJ’s accepts credit cards. Rego Center has a $ 3 parking fee, even if your there for 10 minutes to pick up something quick.

Ugh, I really dislike this so-​called mall. Its is dreary and dingy looking. I stopped by to run in K-​mart hoping they had some items I needed and of course they didnt. I see a lot of people mostly going and coming out of BJ’s which I am not member so I cant go in. Who cares btw because I am not a huge fan of those big wholesale clubs anyway. I hate the fact that theres no walkway, escalator or elevator to take you from Kmart to the lower level of stores. This place is seriously overdue for an upgrade.

Bjs is good, but the entire design of this building is a mess. It needs to be torn down and redone. Stores that try to open usually wind up going out of business.

As others have said, this is NOT a mall. This is a cluster of big box retailers with a few little shops mixed in at best. If you want to call this a mall, it’s an example of a «ghetto mall.»
This is also the most pedestrian unfriendly place I’ve ever seen. First off, you’re located in NYC. Queens IS a part of NYC; people take public transit here & the M train is nearby. How about a pedestrian walkway here, especially to get to the BJ’s you refuse to connect to the inner part of this «mall?» Navigating a 45 degree hill with no crosswalk of any type between the sidewalk & your complex is NOT COOL AT ALL. Especially when having to deal with typical city drivers who refuse to yield to pedestrians, despite what the law says.
Second, calling yourself a mall is offensive. You don’t have nearly the selection of stores of a real mall & I’ve seen better selection at the suburban locations of places I went to here.
Really, the utter unfriendly conditions for pedestrians (some of us live in restricted parking neighborhoods & don’t have guaranteed parking spaces at home combined with tight competition for street parking) & the appearance of transit happening as often as Haley’s comet (making the trip take 2x+ as long as it should) doesn’t encourage me to come out here.
If you want people to come here, step up your game!

This place shouldn’t really be allowed to be called a mall.
It gives a false impression.
This is a building which houses a Kmart, ToysRUs and BJ’s.
There are like 2 clothing stores which are extremely shiteous.
The other stores are pretty much irrelevant.
The 1 star is for BJ’s because I like to stock up on crap here.
That’s all.

I work in this building, so I spend a considerable amount of time here. My review is based on what the Metro Mall is, which is convenient department/​big box shopping; not for what it claims to be, which is a mall.
Sitting across from «All Faiths Cemetery,» this shopping center is with like company: dead. If not for the BJs, the place would be without a pulse. K-​Mart is hardly a draw with the Queens Center Mall’s Target store a few miles north and Toys R Us is on it’s deathbed, as
and Walmart circle like vultures.
With that being said, if you are only interested in BJs, K-​Mart or Toys R Us shopping, the relative dearth of consumers will be a huge upside for you. Just be sure to bring a car and park in the lot, as the rear entrance is accessible only via the parking lot at the bottom of a large hill.
Pack lunch too, since your options are Subway or… Subway.