Still no word on mall tenants
At least 35 new firms expected at East Hills
At least 35 new firms expected at East Hills
Less than two months away from Black Friday, and East Hills Shopping Center has no new announced tenants.
Mall officials held a VIP open house Thursday to invite members of the community to see the progress at the Sunporch Cafe. While it is clear there will be seven spaces for vendors at the new food court, there is no word on who is coming.
Taco John’s, Chinex and Original Pizza, current tenants at the mall, are relocating to the new food court. Jim Harpool, of Harpool Morgan Haney, which is overseeing the project, said the new restaurants are official, but he cannot release the information yet.
“We were hoping to announce tonight,” he said. “We’re about 10 days away.”
In two weeks, several more mall projects will be complete but the names of tenants will still be a mystery. To date, Victoria’s Secret is the only known new tenant in the renovated mall.
The mall received tax-increment financing for about $30.8 million earlier this year. A new 1-cent sales tax at the mall will help pay off the TIF and generate another $15.6 million, according to the TIF plan’s projections.
Mr. Harpool said that there will be 35 new tenants, not including the 16 new kiosks throughout the corridors.
He said a good part of the stores will be open in time for holiday shopping.
“Overall we’re happy about the progress,” Mr. Harpool said. “The tenants that are here are doing great. The sales have done well this year, despite the construction going on.”
J.C. Penney unveiled its Sephora store recently. Mr. Harpool said the St. Joseph boutique is at the top in sales for the company.
Since construction began, Mr. Harpool said his company and MD Management, which manages the mall, have seen an increase in sales. Initially, curiosity is what was thought to drive the increased traffic, he said.
“But it really comes down to people staying here and shopping and more often because of gas prices.”
Once up and running, Mr. Harpool believes revenues will be as well or better than expected.
Business reporter Jennifer Hall can be reached
at jennhall@npgco.com.
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OK guys here what we are going to do......lets get a bunch of money from the city to fix this place up then tell them we have a bunch of tenants that want to come into the mall but......tell them that we have to keep it a secret. Oh yeah, and by the way we only have one tenant but don't let them know that we'll blame it on the economy as to why we can't get anyone else. Then we make a lot of money from the city and don't hold up our end.
Please!!
Posted by arch286 on October 3, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)I have my serious doubts on these new tenants. One or two new stores, and a food court-still have no money to spend. The renovated exterior looks attractive.
Posted by biggieroth on October 3, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)No word because there probably isn't any....
Posted by TFurguson on October 3, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)No No No..you're wrong about Rosebuds...it is Emeralds that is going to the mall. I hear they are going where Coach House used to be.
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