Shopping Centers Today -> October 2004
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Potomac Mills getting $22.8M renovation

The Mills Corp. is embarking on a $22.8 million renovation of the first value megamall it ever built, the 1.7 million-square-foot Potomac Mills, in Woodbridge, Va. The developer will redesign the interior of the center, which was built in 1985. The number of existing shopping neighborhoods will be reduced from nine to five, and the food court will be raised to allow more natural light. Mills expects to complete the work by September 19, 2005, to celebrate the mall’s 20th anniversary.

Federated snuffs out regional names

Federated Department Stores will convert all of its regional department store nameplates to Macy’s in January. The change affects 184 stores across five well-known names: Bon-Macy’s, in the Pacific Northwest; Burdines-Macy’s, in Florida; Goldsmith-Macy’s, in Tennessee; Lazarus-Macy’s, in the Midwest; and Rich’s-Macy’s, in the Southeast. Federated says it expects the change to help cement exclusive merchandising agreements with vendors and to strengthen its private brands. The operations and management of the renamed stores will not be affected, the company says. The move will leave Federated with about 450 stores under two brands: Macy’s and the upscale Bloomingdale’s.

Abercrombie & Fitch rolls out Ruehl concept

Abercrombie & Fitch introduced Ruehl, a specialty apparel and accessories store aimed at the 22-to-30 age group — older than the patrons of its Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister stores. The merchandise centers around jeans, cashmere sweaters and accessories such as handbags. Three Ruehl stores opened in September: at the Woodfield Shopping Center, in Chicago; the Westfield Shoppingtown Garden State Plaza, in Paramus, N.J., and International Plaza, in Tampa, Fla. The company plans to open a fourth in Detroit before the holiday season begins, and yet another in the spring in an undisclosed location. Abercrombie & Fitch envisions a total of about 700 Ruehl stores in the United States.

1950s mall faces redevelopment

Williamsville, N.Y.-based Eastbourne Investments plans to raze and redevelop one of the few remaining unaltered 1950s-era malls in the United States. The 700,000-square-foot Antioch Center, built in Kansas City, Mo., in 1956, will give way to a $70 million mixed development containing more than 470,000 square feet of retail, as well as entertainment space and offices.

Home Depot comes to Manhattan

The Home Depot brought its urban neighborhood format to Manhattan with a 105,000-square-foot, two-level store. Tailored specifically for the city’s apartment and pedestrian culture, the store sells window planters and flowerpots, one-of-a-kind handmade rugs, stainless steel kitchen countertops and high-end lighting. The store also offers same-day delivery, tool rentals, daily in-store home-maintenance and repair clinics, and a full-time concierge. A doorman hails cabs and helps customers load their purchases. Home Depot plans to open a second Manhattan store, on East 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, before the year is out.
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