Penn Square Mall update

[Patrick]

Thought I'd let everyone know, the state's first official Lego store is opening at Penn Square Mall, on the lower level, next to Williams Sonoma. I spoke with the mall manager recently, and surprisingly, there are still well over 50 national retailers on the waiting list. In this economy, that's pretty impressive. The problem is finding the appropriate space for the tenant. For example, Forever 21 would love to put a store in the mall, but currently there just isn't a space large enough to house a Forever 21 store and meet their requirements.

I'll continue to keep you updated on new adds to Penn Square.

[jstanthrnme]

That is way cool.

Lego's were my life about 20 years ago.

[Luke]

I'd love to take a gander at the 50 on that list.

By the way, it's good to hear from ya', Patrick.

[onthestrip]

Thats because Penn has the best demographics and is the most attractive area for upscale national retailers.

Maybe this could be a reminder next time someone posts a 'why cant downtown get good retail?' message

[jbkrems]

I wonder when California Pizza Kitchen gets a pad at Penn Square Mall, or up on Memorial, or somewhere in the OKC area.

[John]

We're also getting a TEAVANA where Montblanc used to be.

[warreng88]

I seem to remember a sign for a new (much larger) American Eagle going in on the upper level west of the food court toward Dillard's. If this is going in, what is going in where the current AE is downstairs?

[Pete]

AE has more than one concept, so they may be keeping the old space.

[Luke]

If there are 50 on the waiting list, you'd think they'd maybe consider an expansion.

[cedbled]

lest us see the 50...we'd all like to know

[Luke]

Let's play a game...

What are the top 50 retailers that Penn Square DOESN'T currently have?

[metro]

Armani Exchange
Dean and Deluca
Crate and Barrel
Versace
Emporio Armani
Kenneth Cole
Urban Outfitters
Forever XXI
Ben Sherman
Diesel

those are just a few of many that come to mind

[Luke]

Disney Store!

[metro]

Disney was so 90's Luke. It's time has come and gone and it left Penn.

[Luke]

Disney was so 90's Luke. It's time has come and gone and it left Penn.

Disney is forever, metro.

Forever.

[Decious]

...and eternity can be found on the second level of Quail Springs. Go to that one Luke.

[Luke]

...and eternity can be found on the second level of Quail Springs. Go to that one Luke.

Oh, I do.

But who could turn down a double dose of heaven?

[Patrick]

I went to one of the official Lego stores last year in LA, and I was pretty impressed.
As for American Eagle, they're looking at putting in one of their Aerie stores in the mall.
Concerning the list, it's not exactly 50....I can't remember the exact amount, and the list is always fluid. Simon is always talking to different national retailers. There are just about 50 that for sure want a space in the mall. But, Woodland Hills, and even Quail Springs for that matter, have similar lists. And the temporary short term tenants list is much longer. Anthropologie is one store on the list as is Forever 21, Steve Madden, and Fossil. I really don't want to go into too much more detail though. Really, it's all about getting the spot the tenant wants. For example, White House Black Market was on the list for a few years until the space they wanted in the center court opened up. Same with Ann Taylor. Rent cost usually isn't an issue. National retailers would rather pay more in rent to get into an upscale center than pay less at a location like Heritage Park!

For malls to compete in this market, they have to go more upscale. Otherwise, those that don't are having a difficult time competing with strip malls and Wal-Mart. Quail is doing okay, although General Growth Properties, their owner, is not. Quail has the demographics to go more upscale. I'm not sure why GGP doesn't take the mall in that direction. Currently, it's meeting stiff competition with the strip centers along Memorial.

BTW, thanks Luke. I haven't been participating because I've been working 80 hours a week at the hospital. I'm not mad at anyone, just staying really busy. I do read from time to time, even though I don't always have time to make posts.

[Patrick]

BTW, Francesca's should also be opening up soon at Penn Square if it's not already open.

[warreng88]

BTW, Francesca's should also be opening up soon at Penn Square if it's not already open.

It has already opened. It is about two doors down from the Apple store. My wife really likes it. She said it is like a smaller Anthropology and the prices are very competitive.

[megax11]

Wow, looks like another blow to the Metro area... First we're losing our mall, but now another cool business is going somewhere other then southside.

I swear everyday we lose more and more to the likes of northside, Moore, Norman, and over there by Quail.

When is it southsides time to shine? We've had one new plaza, while other plaza's are full of Bingo halls and rundown parking lots.

Heck we don't even know if we're getting a chic-fil-a like all the other places that have standalone units. It's only a rumor...

[Jesseda]

a lego store sounds nice, i wonder if it will be like fao swartz mega bloc karea where you can pick your own blocks out the colors and stuff and put them in the bag for a certain price

[bombermwc]

A freaking lego store! THAT'S AWESOME!!!!

Maybe someone can take one of the 2 A&F's and put something else in. Do we really need 2 of them???

[metro]

I'd rather see an upscale clothier like AX, Diesel, Kenneth Cole or something than a Lego store. I mean a Lego store could go anywhere in OKC, Quail would be good.

[Jesseda]

to bad they (pennsq and 50penn) dont built a underground from penn sq to 50 penn place and merge to two shopping plazas as one, kinda like a galleria in houston