 $18M redo adds shops, eateries, updates theater
Sunday, 14 March 2004
By David Wichner
Foothills Mall is entering the final phases of an $18 million makeover, with a row of new shops and theater and mall improvements.
The mall's owner, Phoenix-based Feldman Equities Inc., broke ground on a new, 16,000-square-foot wing of shops on the north side of the 473,000-square-foot mall last week.
A project to renovate Loews Cineplex is at its midpoint, with construction under way on new theater "stadium" seating and improvements to its lobby and other areas.
And the mall's food court is set for its own upgrade starting in May, with new fixtures and signs, a revamped entrance and the planned addition of Mexican and hamburger restaurants, mall officials say.
The new north side space, which is scheduled for completion in mid-May for occupancy in July and August, is 65 percent leased, mall officials said.
Initial tenants will be Payless Shoe Source, EB Games, Sprint PCS, Sally's Beauty Supply, Data Doctor and Wild Noodles, an Asian restaurant.
"The strategy is to continue the entertainment-and-value retail theme," Feldman partner Scott Jensen said.
Feldman, which bills itself as a "shopping center turnaround specialist," bought the 480,000-square-foot property for $54 million in April 2002.
In addition to a popular Barnes & Noble bookstore, the mall features Levi's, Saks Fifth Avenue's Off 5th and Nike outlet stores and discount retailer Ross Dress for Less.
The new north side stores won't have inside mall access. The new development is being built adjacent to Linens 'n Things - which also has only outside access. Shoppers at the new stores will have to walk around the end of the mall on a sidewalk to reach the main mall.
"The whole idea is to create a streetscape all around the property," Jensen said.
Moviegoers also will have to do a little more walking.
As part of the Loews renovation, the main cinema entrances on the mall's west side will be closed, and an entranceway near Paper Warehouse will be widened and signed to become the main theater entrance, leading to a main interior entrance now closed by construction.
The new layout is expected to increase mall foot traffic and sales, Jensen said, adding that as it is, about 75 percent to 80 percent of the theater crowd never steps into the main mall.
"It's all a question of traffic, and bringing another 30,000 to 35,000 people into the mall will really be significant," Jensen said. Recent nearby retail and restaurant additions, including a Wal-Mart Supercenter, restaurants including a new Starbucks and Chipotle Grill and a Compass Bank branch, only increase shopper traffic in the area on La Cholla, which was widened last year.
Tenant turnover is still evident, as empty retail spaces are a frequent sight. Recent departures include an Adidas outlet store and The French Loaf bakery. Foothills is about 70 percent occupied, but with several deals in the works, Jensen said he expects the mall to be 85 percent to 90 percent occupied by the time the new north side shops open this summer.
A Kid's Outlet apparel store is slated to open at Foothills by May, Jensen said.
Despite frequent changes, Foothills shoppers say they like the mall for its discount shopping, food and movies.
"I find that we still have old standbys that remain, like the Nike Factory and Levi and Ross and the movies; they are going to stay around," said Holly Salars, 30, a secretary at a nearby publishing business.
The scant weekday crowds are part of the attraction, said area resident Manny Olivas, a 36-year-old welder's helper.
"At the other malls, it's all overcrowded, and when you do your purchasing, it's a lot quicker here," he said.
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