River Park Square Gears Up for Holiday Shopping Season 
with New Merchants
 

In anticipation of a vibrant holiday retail season, River Park Square today announced a line up of merchant activity that will expand the mix of unique, one-of-a-kind retailers in the urban dining, shopping and entertainment center.  

Two new full-line stores, a signature restaurant, a specialty gift section, and a variety of seasonal stores will open before the holiday season.  

Mariposa has signed a lease to occupy the space on the third-level that will be vacated by Gap Kids when they consolidate with Gap/Gap Body in early November.  Mariposa carries juniors’ casual, business and formal wear and is set to open the third week of November.

Electronic Boutique Games (EB Games), a national chain, has signed a lease to occupy a 1,500-square foot-space on the center’s third-level, near Nordstrom.  The new store will offer computer and video games and electronics accessories.  It will open Nov. 1, 2003.   

According to River Park Square manager Bob Smith, an aggressive leasing effort was mounted earlier this year at River Park Square, which has included the development of a “clusters strategy”, where groups of stores that serve a particular customer segment are situated in a certain area of the mall.

“The retail industry is extremely competitive today,” said Smith.  “In order to succeed, shopping centers must meet the needs of shoppers at all ages and all stages.  There has to be something for everyone day and night.”

EB Games and Mariposa will join stores popular among teens on the center’s third level, including Claire’s, the Nordstrom Brass Plum, AMC Theatres, and the Atrium Cafes on 3 food collection.

The second level is being developed to attract the youth retailers and shoppers.  Joining The Children’s Corner Bookstore, Collector’s Zone, and abercrombie, Gap Kids relocated to the second level to become part of Gap/Gap Body.

On the main level, River Park Square recently introduced the Marketplace, a collection of eight merchandising areas featuring a variety of specialty retailers selling unique gifts.  The designated area to the north of the main escalators will house Woolworks I, Woolworks II, Maria’s Collectibles, Brett Sports, Lotion Bar, Calendar Club, Just Sports and Simply Charming.

River Park Square has also secured seasonal merchants who will occupy retail spaces during the holiday season.  Wilson’s Leather, a former merchant in the original River Park Square, will sell leather clothing and accessories, and Gary Lindeblad’s Christmas Golf Store are among a handful of temporary merchants who will open November 1, 2003.  Lindeblad is a nationally recognized golf instructor.

Rock City Grill will become one of the center’s signature restaurants.  The popular, local restaurant will occupy the 7,000-square-foot space on the north end of the main level, formerly occupied by Chevys Fresh Mex.  It is expected to open before Thanksgiving. 

The relocation of its award-winning locally-owned restaurant to River Park Square allows Rock City Grill to expand its operations and “move its downtown presence to center stage,” said Jim Rhoades, owner of Rock City Grill.  

“This holiday season, there’s so much to do and see in the new downtown,” Smith said.  “We’re excited about this holiday season and that River Park Square is the centerpiece for it all.”

Subway and Collector’s Zone recently opened at River Park Square and have already reported a welcome reception from customers.  “I am very happy with the way this Subway is performing,” said owner Terry Weir.

Cingular Wireless has expanded its presence from a kiosk to a larger unit as a result of increased business and a need for greater exposure to its growing product and service lines.