TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
While many malls have been
vacated or torn down, the Westfield Franklin Park Mall is making more options
available to shoppers with the opening of new stores.
The second half of 2012
saw nine new stores open their doors in the mall, including Zumiez, Charming
Charlie, and local retailer Bumble Olive Oil Company.
"It actually speaks great
of the Toledo area, and how it's hopefully showing a sense of rebounding," said
Marketing Director Julie Heigel. "That retailers are anxious and able to open
new stores at this time in this market."
After Gap closed 200
stores nationally last year, two store fronts in the mall have been empty: the
former locations of Gap and Gap Kids.
"It's like a chess game,"
Heigel said. "When one retailer leaves, regardless of the reason, it gives us
the opportunity to bring in retailers that the market is demanding."
The former Gap Kids
location on the north end of the mall is set to become a Champs Sporting Goods.
Renovations of the space have already begun.
The other Gap location on
the south end will be turned into two separate stores. Leasing negotiations are
currently in the works, and mall administrators plan to announce the new stores
next month.
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Work has already begun to turn the former Gap Kids store into a sporting goods store.
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