Mall boots shop for L.L. Bean.(Business)

Byline: ALAN WECHSLER - Business writer

COLONIE - Colonie Center is starting work sooner than planned for an L.L. Bean retail store, and at least one small business may have to leave the mall because of it.

Raymond Walker, co-owner of African Reflections, said the tribal craft store, which opened in September, will close by the end of the year. Walker said he was told by management this month that he had to vacate the space.

"We had no idea they were going to drop the ball on us," Walker said. "I don't think we would have gone there if we had known that."

The mall offered the store another, larger space, but at three times the rent it was …