Name of your business.
Hampshire Mall, owned and operated by Pyramid Management Group, LLC
Your name and position.
Lynn Gray, General Manager
What inspired you to start your business? How did your business get started?
In 1995, I started as a Customer Service Representative at Hampshire Mall’s sister center, Holyoke Mall. At the time, both my grandmother and mother worked for the same shopping center and it was inspiring to see, particularly, my mother’s career trajectory within the shopping center business. She started as an administrative assistant eventually promoted to Office Manager and Operations Manager.
Tell us a little bit about your business.
Hampshire Mall is owned and operated by privately held Pyramid Management Group. Hampshire Mall opened in 1978 anchored by Kmart, JCPenney and Steiger’s. I worked for the center in the late 90’s, early 2000’s and the center added Target, Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods. It has been exciting to see how the shopping center and industry has evolved over the years adding in more entertainment uses and other unique and experiential operators.
What is your favorite thing to do in your business?
My favorite thing to do is work with the variety of people involved in running a shopping center. My day includes working with existing tenants, prospective tenants, employees, customers, construction contractors, and town officials. It is especially exciting to see a new business open their doors and share in their success as they each excel as a result of their location within our shopping center.
If nothing else, what is the one piece of information you want someone to know about your business?
Hampshire Mall provides a unique collection of not only retail and shopping. In addition to the long-standing staple uses of the movie theaters and skating rink, the center has evolved to include a variety of locally owned experiential businesses and entertainment such as Autobahn indoor kart racing.
What is the one piece of business advice you would like to share?
Relationships are critical to your success. Build them, maintain them, and grow them. You never know where along the way these relationships will take you, both personally and professionally.