New retailers coming to Park Place Mall by fall despite economy

LETHBRIDGE – There have been prominent changes at Park Place Mall over the past several years that have had a noticeable impact on shopping in Lethbridge.

“Losing tenants is a natural evolution in the retail landscape especially in shopping centres because retails shifts,” mall manager Kevin Brees said.

According to Brees, the stores that have moved out were planned closures or corporate chain stores that have claimed bankruptcy across Canada. He said the closures were not due to Alberta’s economy, and will allow for “new and exciting retailers” to open shop in the mall.

In recent years the following stores have become retail casualties:

– Smart Set
– Hot Gossip
– Please Mum
– Northern Reflections
– Aeropostale
– Stitches
– Things Engraved

But the below stores have all moved into Park Place Mall in recent years:

– Spencer’s
– Boathouse
– Bath & Body Works
-Pandora
-Zumiez
-World Connect
-Sports Chek expansion

Park Place management says there is only a three per cent vacancy rate, and there will be some major announcements in the coming months.

“Can’t get into a lot of details yet,” Brees said. “We are hoping to announce later this year; we are targeting late fall. We have some exciting plans.”