As most motorists have noticed, there’s lots going on at Centenoka Park Mall.
Changes to the mall have triggered the city’s requirement for upgrades, so mall owner Lance Johnson is funding street improvements. The work is expected to be complete within three weeks, Johnson told the Observer, and includes servicing upgrades as well as the addition of a sidewalk, street lights, landscaping and paving stones.
At the mall, a new store, the U.S.-based Dollar Tree dollar store, opened its doors last Saturday, with a grand opening set for this Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new 7,800-sq.ft. location includes four tills and employs 12 people including store manager Shelley O’Dell of Salmon Arm. All items are priced at $1.25 or less. Dollar Tree has about 4,000 stores in 48 U.S. states.
The existing Dollar Up dollar store, which has operated for 18 years, will remain in the mall.
“As far as I know they’re going to stay,” Johnson said. “It’s 100 per cent up to them, it’s nothing to do with us, it’s their option.”
He added: “They’re a very, very good tenant. That’s why it was such a difficult decision.”
Also opening in the mall will be Staples, an office supply chain store. A Staples Canada spokesperson confirmed in April that the company is aiming for an opening date of June 2012 and hopes to employ up to 30 people.
“It’s a full go; construction has started already, the building permits are ready to pick up at the city,” Johnson said of Staples.
Over at Blockbusters, the business gave the mall notice about two weeks ago that it’s closing, Johnson said. He expects the mall will take back possession in October.
“We have had many inquiries from national tenants to take that space on. The mall’s board of directors will make a decision on who it will be in early November. Basically, we’re picking the one in the best interest of Salmon Arm and the shopping centre,” he said. “The sky’s the limit. Even a few local companies are showing a lot of interest.”