East Hills loses a longtime tenant
Topsy's Popcorn Shoppe was located at shopping center for about 40 years
Topsy's Popcorn Shoppe was located at shopping center for about 40 years
East Hills Shopping Center is losing an original tenant on Sunday. Topsy’s Popcorn Shoppe will close its iconic snack shop in the mall.
“The mall isn’t trying to give me the boot or anything,” said owner David Wildman.
A structural column near Topsy’s needs to be moved for the mall’s extensive remodeling plans and it doesn’t fit into Mr. Wildman’s current situation. The large pole will be relocated to the center of the Topsy’s store, according to Mr. Wildman, and would limit the business’ space. Financing for Mr. Wildman’s portion of the store’s remodel just wasn’t in the budget for the St. Joseph man.
Mr. Wildman and Gordon Lollar purchased the popcorn stand five years ago, but Topsy’s has been located at East Hills for about 40 years. The business partners ran Designs by Gordon for 35 years before selling the floral shop in 2002.
Shoppers may not be able to grab a quick drink, ice cream cone or popcorn tin, but Mr. Wildman said he has plans to open a kiosk during the holiday season.
St. Joseph resident Beverly Otto remembers when Topsy’s closed just before Mr. Wildman and Mr. Lollar reopened it.
“I was so excited they were bringing it back,” she said. “Now, I’ll just have to look forward to them at Christmas time.”
Ms. Otto, like many
others in line at Topsy’s on Wednesday, will miss the snack items and the seasonal gifts. Both men have tried to retire before so the closing of Topsy’s probably won’t be the last time the community hears from the pair.
Since demolition at East Hills began this summer, several other businesses have relocated or left the mall throughout the remodeling effort. Randall’s Formal Wear, Champs, GNC and the Missouri Drivers License Bureau relocated to other spaces in the mall. Randall’s and GNC made vast improvements to their permanent spaces.
Mr. Wildman said he was told a store will move into his vacant spot, but did not have details on what might be opening, though. To date, Victoria’s Secret is the only new tenant to announce plans to locate to the newly redesigned mall, which is expected to be completed in October. Work is almost complete on the 52,000-square-foot lifestyle component at the northwest entrance to J.C. Penney.
Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.
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All i know is if they dont get other no stores in there besides Victorias Secret, what was the purpose of wasting all that money!!!!!!!
Posted by comment on September 11, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)"Build it and they will come"
Posted by ninja_man on September 11, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)i loved those popcorn balls when i was a kid. i'm shedding a single tear right now for Topsy's... RIP
Posted by arch286 on September 11, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)I have worked in the local retail industry for many years at a variety of national companies. Most of the local trade do NOT come from the St. Joseph market, but from Falls City, Rockport, Omaha, Lincoln, Marysville, Maryville, but the east and south the trade pull isn't as strong. St. Joseph residents tend to shop in KC, or in the better local speciality shops. My point is that St Joseph residents have such limited incomes on average that they are not able to keep new retailers profitable past the intial opening point. My self never go to the mall, and I hear so many others make the same comment. I was in the mall two weeks ago, first in months, and noticed the renovated J.C. Penny store was looking very attractive and upscale. I use to shop at Dillard's a lot, but shop at T. J. Max now. It is to bad that the mall didn't work with the city and county a few years ago before the Shoppes were built, placing those Shoppes stores in the mall. Think it is going to be hard for the Shoppes and East Hills Mall to both be financially successful. Also remember that most retail positions do not pay well, and retailers now hire mostly individuals with other jobs and incomes.
Posted by momma2five on September 11, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)I think it is a shame that Topsy's is more or less being forced to close. The mall isn't taking care of the people who have rented from them for years!! SHAME ON THEM!!
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