Work is under way on a 20,000-sf spot that has been vacant on and off since Solo Serve, an apparel and housewares retailer had gone belly-up in 1998, Aimee Geuy, marketing director for mall manager Chicago-based General Growth Properties, tells GlobeSt.com. Old Navy is eyeing a July 1 opening.
Geuy says she's been able to lure temporary tenants to the retail spot, but that's been about it until Old Navy had decided to come under roof. Old Navy has just a handful of in-mall locations, the nearest being Barton Creek Mall in Austin.
But Old Navy's signing is just another in a string of leases by nationwide retailers. A 120,000-sf Foley's also has opened in the mall, a holding of Dallas-based Archon Group. "The whole property has gone from a lot of vacancies and temporary tenants to a lot of national tenants, Geuy tells GlobeSt.com. In fact, occupancy has risen 30% since the 1999 launch of a two-year redevelopment plan that's been mortared by a concerted marketing strategy. Coming this summer will be Friedman's, a jewelry chain, and a combo Sunglass Hut and Watch Station. Geuy says talks are underway with Subway and Cyberzone, an arcade chain. The redevelopment has brought a full makeover of the food court as well.
On the drawing boards is an expansion plan that's been boosted by a recent seven-acre purchase. Geuy says the future plans call for a theater, restaurants and additional parking for the estimated 20-acre retail center. "That's kind of where we're going in the next few years," she confides.
South Park Mall had opened in 1968 at the southeast corner of Interstate 35. At one time, it had been the hottest mall in San Antonio.
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