JOHNSTOWN —
Though a national economic slump continues, it’s not reflected in recent developments at The Galleria mall in Richland Township.
“In the last 12 months, approximately 45,000 square feet of new tenants or expanded tenants have opened,” said Perry Russ, executive vice president of Zamias Services Inc., which manages the mall.
“We’re very pleased,” he said. “With the economy where it is, it just goes to show you that markets such as Johns-town have not been impacted as much by the economic downturn.”
With the opening of Books-A-Million last week, the area once again has a location to buy new books.
“People have been waiting for a bookstore,” said Greg Kraycirik, the store’s general manager. “Customers are excited.”
Although there are several used-book stores in the region, the only retailer dedicated to new merchandise, B. Dalton, closed in January. Kraycirik, of Windber, had worked for B. Dalton until the chain folded and then went to work at a store in Altoona.
“I’m glad to be back in town,” he said.
Although the opening was a “soft” one, Kraycirik said he has been pleased with the new store and is planning a grand opening.
“It’s been going very well,” he said. “Exceeding expectations. We’ve had quite a bit of traffic through the store, which is really exciting.”
Books-A-Million has its headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., and is the third-largest book retailer in the nation with 200 stores in 19 states.
Shoppers at The Galleria, opened by real estate developer George D. Zamias in 1992, will see several other changes during the next few months:
• In early October, another new retailer will fill a vacant spot. Crazy 8, a children’s clothing store under the Gymboree Corp. umbrella, will open a store on the upper level next to Christopher & Banks.
The chain, started in 2007, has a store in the Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg and in dozens of other locations.
• A seasonal store, Spirit Halloween, is open on the upper level near Bon-Ton.
• Russ said two other apparel stores – both in excess of 5,000 square feet
– are set to open in the spring. He did not disclose names of those retailers.
• In addition, negotiations are ongoing for the expansion of two unidentified, existing retailers.
• Russ said an announcement will be made soon for another nationally recognized tenant that will fill a 5,400-square-foot space formerly occupied by Gap.
“It’s set to start construction on
Nov. 9,” he said. “It should open for the holiday season.”
Although Russ declined to identify the store, he said it will be good news for shoppers.
“I think everybody will be very excited about it,” he said.
• Several remodeling projects also are in the works.
American Eagle Outfitters will begin renovating its store on the lower level of the mall starting Sept. 14. During construction, American Eagle will operate temporarily on the upper level between Kitchen Collection and Finish Line.
Work should be completed by the end of October.
Russ said both Kranich’s and Kay jewelery stores also are making plans to remodel, with work to begin in the spring.
Additionally, expansion of a shoe store on the mall’s lower level has been “extremely successful,” Russ said.
Encore Shoe Dept. grew from 6,000 to 18,000 square feet and is now in the company’s top 10 percent of its 11,050 stores.
“They’re extremely pleased with the location,” Russ said.
• Glow Golf, which opened in December on the mall’s lower level, is also said to be doing well.
Alex Yewcic, an employee at the miniature-golf course, said the venue has been a popular place for birthday parties.
Glow Golf will begin operating on back-to-school hours, opening time at noon rather than 10 a.m., starting Monday.
• Also, Tonic Grille, a sports bar, opened early this year in the former Ground Round restaurant space.
“They are making their projections and they are pleased,” Russ said. “They have quite a few promotions which have been quite successful for them.”
Russ hopes the new activity at the mall will help keep shoppers in Cambria County.
“What we’ve been trying to do is stop the retail sales outflow to neighboring markets,” he said. “I think with the addition of these stores and the expansion of existing stores, we’re going to accomplish our goal of keeping our consumers here in Johnstown.”
Business
Mall in motion
Bookstore opening among advances at Galleria
- Business
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