FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bud Schneider, (414) 421-5600
Audra Jacobs, (414) 276-6237
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Construction Transforming Former Younker’s to Welcome Several New Stores
GREENDALE – Southridge Mall today debuted its completed $2.5 million mall renovation, bringing a whole new look to Wisconsin’s largest mall just as the holiday season gets in gear. With customers’ needs as the focus of the renovation, Southridge’s improvements make for a comfortable, convenient shopping atmosphere. New features include a large children’s play area, soft-seating areas, updated food court and more.
“Our top priority is to provide our customers with a family-friendly and customer-focused shopping environment,” said Bud Schneider, general manager of Southridge Mall. “With a promising economic outlook for this holiday season, and with a busy post-Thanksgiving behind us, we are expecting the mall to be very busy in the coming weeks. We are pleased that the renovations have been completed on schedule so our patrons can enjoy the new, customer amenities and contemporary appearance.”
Southridge Mall’s center court has been transformed. New, usable space was created by removing the fountains and tiled pools and refinishing the floors with Italian porcelain tile in a charcoal color scheme that can be seen throughout the mall. Carpeted rest areas featuring soft seating and aesthetically pleasing landscaping, additional retail kiosks and an enlarged customer service desk are some of the exciting new features of the center court, according to Schneider. At the south end court the new children’s play area is the center of activity, complete with a slide and climbing toys for children and comfortable seating for adults. Another family-friendly renovation includes a family restroom in the food court, providing convenient changing areas and child-size amenities.
Also, to promote Southridge’s new look and its improvements to the communities it serves, new signage can be seen inside and outside the mall. Directional signs inside Southridge aid visitors in finding stores, mall restrooms, customer service, management offices and more. Navigational signs are also posted outside the mall for ease in parking and locating department stores.
In addition to the renovations, construction workers are preparing all 210,00 square feet of the former Younker’s building for Southridge’s latest retail additions, including two “new-to-Milwaukee” stores – Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear and World Market. Steve & Barry’s will bring affordable men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and licensed sports apparel to the Milwaukee area. World Market will offer consumers a fresh and unique selection of home furnishings, in addition to a refined selection of food and wine from around the world. Linen’s ‘N Things will also be opening in the new space. These three stores are anticipated to open in summer of 2005.
“We’re excited to see the former Younker’s building developing into exclusive shopping opportunities for the residents of southeastern Wisconsin,” Schneider said. “Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear and Linens ‘N Things are reputable stores and will compliment Southridge’s already diverse retail offerings.”
About Southridge Mall
Southridge Mall, located in Greendale, WI., is a 1.4 million square foot regional shopping center with over 130 national and local retailers, offering merchandise, services and entertainment options. The center has four Department Stores including Boston Store, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Sears and a 450 seat Food Court. Mall hours are Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
About Urban Retail Properties Co.
Headquartered in Chicago and with offices in Florida, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, New York, Iowa, Georgia and California, Urban Retail Properties Co. is the nation’s leading retail third-party manager, managing more than 45 million square feet of space in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Urban has been responsible for the development of such destination shopping arenas as Water Tower Place and 900 North Michigan Shops in Chicago, Copley Place in Boston, and the redevelopment of the Galleria in Houston, and Century City Shopping Center in Los Angeles. The company was formed more than 30 years ago and currently manages a diverse portfolio, including retail, office and government projects.
