The arrival of Wal-Mart marks a major step in the rehab and expansion efforts currently under way at the shopping complex formerly known as Vallecitos Town Center. The store is actually the retailer's first location to open in the city and with a size of 135,924 sf, it has eaten up a sizable chunk of available space in the shopping complex.

Wal-Mart is the first anchor to take space in Nordahl Marketplace since redevelopment efforts began last year. Kohl's Department Store has also been secured as an anchor tenant and is scheduled to open an 88,408-sf location here in April of this year. The complex's other anchor, Costco, was already occupying space here before renovations began.

Various food establishments are also expected to open locations in Nordahl Marketplace including Sushi Ya, Starbuck's Coffee, Coldstone Creamery, Panda Express, House of Pita, Rubio's, Manhattan Bagel, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King and Ocean Reef. According to the most recent updates listed on the City of San Marcos' website, KFC has submitted an application for a 4,000-sf, drive-thru restaurant behind Dalton's Steakhouse, which was approved by the city's planning commission in September, and building permits are ready to be issued. Burger King has applied for a Specific Plan Amendment and Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive-thru restaurant at the northeast corner of Nordahl and Center Drive, which has been approved by both the planning commission and city council. In addition, Ocean Reef is completing tenant improvements at its restaurant, which is located in the southeast portion of Nordahl Marketplace.

Aside from the anchor tenants and food establishments, Nordahl Marketplace has also signed on Guitar Center, Payless Shoes, Game Stop, T Mobil, Verizon Wireless, HairMasters, Pacific Dental, Liberty Fitness, Hallmark, Banner Mattress, Postal Annex, Nail Salon, Singer Sewing and SellSmart.

The number of tenants that have committed to space at Nordahl Marketplace marks a significant change from its downfall in the late 90s, when some of the center's largest occupants closed up shop here. Over a period of 3.5 years, Home Base, Edwards Cinemas, Levitz Furniture and the Wayne Gretzky Roller Hockey Center vacated their locations-–some due to financial difficulties.

However, the rehab has really breathed new life into the circa 1980s property, with World Premier Investments transforming the asset into something entirely new, according to Bruce Schiff of BRE Commercial, who is coordinating the revitalization efforts along with colleague Phil Lyons. Schiff says World Premier Investments is virtually rebuilding the old site, with the exception of Costco's and Harley Davidson's spaces (Harley Davidson was also a tenant in the center before the rehab began). Nordhal Marketplace, which was never completely built-out, is expected to encompass more than 300,000 sf when the expansion efforts are finished.