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MoneyTalks - > Money Talks -> Will Gottschalks' move spark change at East Hills Mall?
Will Gottschalks' move spark change at East Hills Mall?

Sandi Truman has had enough of rumors; she wants action.

As the owner of Juice/Java and More, a sandwich and gift shop situated near what had been the main Gottschalks at East Hills Mall, Truman has as much reason as anyone to be nervous now that the Fresno-based retail chain has moved clearance goods to that location and transferred apparel and other merchandise further east to the mall's other 80,000-square-foot Gottschalks store.

The moves are part of the Fresno-based chain's plan to consolidate its space at the mall and improve shoppers' experience there.

But that's not what concerns Truman. What makes her anxious is what still hasn't happened at the mall in her three years there: significant change.

"Talk and speculation is all we hear," said Truman, taking a break between selling food to customers. Even in the five or so minutes we spent speaking with her, a Gottschalks employee who declined to give her name walked in and shared word that she just heard that a crafts store would move in soon.

Howard Setser, owner of Nana's Country Cupboard near the mall's other large Gottschalks, worries about the mall's future and his own.

"I know our business is slower in the last year than it's ever been," he said. And while he hopes a large store moves into the Gottsschalks by Truman's place near the middle of the mall, he'll believe it when he sees it.

"I've heard all sorts of rumors about who's going to go into that store," the former gasoline store owner said. "I said, 'Well, let's wait and see.'"

Posted in the Business & Finance interest group.
Topics: Gottschalks, retail, malls, renovation
posted by MoneyTalks on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 04:52 PM
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posted by catpaw on May 28, 2008 at 07:37 AM

I'd hate to see East Hills Mall degenerate. There is a lot of potential in that location. For us living on this side of town, it sure beats driving across town to Valley Plaza. It's worth the cost of updating.

posted by NancyII on May 28, 2008 at 07:49 AM

With all the building going on in the foothills I really believe the mall will come back.  The bad thing is that the economy is bad, housing has slowed down, so this may not happen for a while.  The question is, can the stores hang on until things pick up?

I don't notice a drop in business for Target and Walmart.  I suppose they'll always be busy as people can afford to shop there.  The Mervyns in East Hills was a trash pile the last time I was up there.  The existing stores need to bear in mind that if they don't keep them up and clean, they WILL lose business.  I hate going to that store.  In fact, I dislike the WM and Target up there too.

posted by allRED on May 28, 2008 at 08:03 AM

My g/daughter works @ Target E. Hills Mall  they have cut hours back  for Employee's    but the store it's self is very clean Nancy

I'll agree Wal Mart there is a pig's mess

 

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