Four stores close at Cape mall

Business Today

Four stores at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park recently closed in a 10-day span, but the mall's manager, Jim Govro, sees it as a golden opportunity.

"Everybody thinks that the mall's doing horrible because we have vacancies," said Govro. "It's a living and breathing entity that is always changing. We really see it as an opportunity, a chance to redefine ourselves."

Four stores -- Cookie Corner, A&W Hot Dogs and More, Camelot Music and Friedman's Jewelers -- have all closed since Jan. 4. Of the 90 mall stores, only seven are empty, Govro said.

Govro said the mall is visited by more than 5 million people a year, and he expects to see a 5 percent increase in sales this year despite the recession. He predicted the mall will end up with about $100 million of the $1 billion in total sales in Cape Girardeau County this year.

"We did that without a major department store" last year, Govro said. "If we get one of those, we'll really be on fire."

The mall has been trying to get a major department store since Shopko closed last February. Overtures have been made to Sears in the past, but Govro wouldn't confirm any possible new developments with the company.

Govro said the stores that recently closed had performed below expectations of the mall and their owners.

All of the stores closed about the same time because the mall issues leases for Feb. 1 through Jan. 31, even though they may be for multiple years.