adman0468

I was wrong. Driving by there tonight, I saw construction starting at the parcel closest to Just for Dogs. Its' between that store and St. Vincent Rd. The good thing about it building there is that it can look like an extension of the center more than an outparcel. Not sure if they'll stick with the style of construction, but would be nice. Also, I saw construction walls up at the old American Eagle for a new store that I hadn't heard of. Apparently there's one in Rogers. http://www.altardstate.com/

It won't be the Promenade since it has A.W. Lin's. I don't know if Far East would keep it from going in Pleasant Ridge or not. Chi's tried to create it when they remodeled their Chi's Express on Chenal, but the one time I went, it was a disaster.

Looking at the Ar. Dept. of health permits, there's on for HomeGoods at the Promenade. Then, reviewing the water utility permits, it appears to be for outparcel #7. According to chenalshopping.com, that would be the outparcel just out from Coldwater Creek. It's going to be pretty sizable of an outparcel. I wonder if that will eliminate the possibility of other out parcels between it and the theater?

I wonder if Kroger would let them in. That might be too much competition for their home section. But it does seem like a terrible fit for the Promenade.

Wandered the mall yesterday for the first time since Christmas. Usually, this is the time when retailers are most likely to leave. All I saw was that Nine West had closed and Indigo (which moved to the Promenade). The Crown Shop's old location is still empty. Zale's is remodeling, so they have moved into a temporary space where Luby's used to be, so that will be empty again in a few months. In the food court, Quizno's and Back Yard Burger have been replaced by Moe's and David's Burgers, so the food court is full. Overall, still pretty impressive for a mall facing as much competition as they are.

After what seemed like forever, the LA Fitness on Chenal opened yesterday. Went today and the facility is great. Probably 50 bikes in the spinning class room. More weight machines than you could do in a session. A pool (not quite finished), kid's babysitting and gorgeous locker area. Once the midtown one opens, I see a pretty big shake-up in fitness centers in Little Rock, especially with the limping War Memorial Fitness Center (Jim Dailey, if you must).

RK Collections has gone out. Rumor has it that they were way behind on their rent and moved out in the middle of the night. Also, Gearhead Outfitters is considering an additional location in the old Aeropostale storefront.

According to today's Demozette, there are currently no plans for a Zaxby's, Golden Corral or Ruby Tuesday's.

Saw an ad in the paper today that Rock Paper Scissors is moving to Pleasant Ridge. Then, on a bike ride through the Promenase today I noticed that Kay Jewelers and the Sunglasses place have both closed. All signage has been removed. This is not a good direction for the center.

There is a new store coming. The press release says it's new to LR, but when I google the chain, they have some kind of location on Kavanaugh. I don't buy overpriced stretchy clothes, so I don't know any more details. http://www.chenalshopping.com/about/blog/details.aspx?ID=52

The Promenade posted on Facebook today that they "would have SUPER exciting news this Wednesday 5/1!" The responses to the post have been from people hoping for Dave & Busters, Dick's and Macy's. Not sure if it will be any of those or even a new store at all. It may just be a new festival or something that they're going to have to boost traffic. Guess we'll find out Wednesday.

There was a Soma next to the Chico's in WLR for less than a year. It closed and has never become anything else. Never shopping at that store, I don't know if they were actually physically connected or not. I guess they decided the concept could work in LR, just not there.

That is surprising. I always assumed that North Point would get it since the connection is so strong between BMW and Mini. Glad to see the dealership finally coming to LR, but disappointed that there's no Porsche dealer (not that I'm buying one, but I think LR should have one.).

There's already a VW dealer in WLR, but I guess they could be transferring the franchise. Parker seems to stick with high-end names. We aren't really missing any other names in LR and the Audi dealership on Shakleford has definitely outgrown its space.

There is a sign in front of the dealership that says something to the effect of 'big things will happen in spring 2013 when two great brands merge'. That wording makes me think it isn't just Audi moving to the site. Since we know Parker owns it, it seems likely that Audi/Porsche would be coming to the site. Any other thoughts? And what happens to the old Audi site?

I'm surprised that Regal didn't use this opportunity to change the name of the United Artists Breckenridge Theater to Regal, as well. They bought the chain several years ago and it would seem better to have everything under the same name. If you try to search for the theater, it takes you to regalcinemas.com.

It's the old Chenal Suites that sits behind the Courtyard.

Max Brantley reports on the Arkansas Blog that Big Orange will be leasing the former Alfred Angelo space next to Cantina Laredo in 2013. Based on the crowds at the Big Orange on Chenal, I think the demand is there. Will this leave just the former Evolve space empty or am I missing something?

Just received an email from the Promenade announcing a new tenant, Fulin Asian Cuisine. This is a small chain and is not the same as Fu Lin's on Bowman Curve. Not sure if the name will be an issue, but the website shows it to be a mix of Chinese and Sushi. Prices seem a little higher than typical Asian places. It will be located next to Kenneth Edward Jewelers, facing Chenal Parkway. Here is the website: www.fulins.com.

Based on the number of cars in the parking lot, I would assume employee training is going on and the store should be open soon. I haven't noticed a sign announcing the date, though. Also, there are signs that Ace Hardware will be taking over the old Saver's location. The center is looking pretty good occupancy-wise.

The Children's Place is coming to the Promenade, a permit has just been filed. Based on the address, it should be the location next to Big Orange. I think this may have been one of the original tenants announced before construction began. It would be their second LR location, the other being Midtowne.

Arch, that seems logical. Audi has outgrown that space on Shackleford, just like Lexus did before it. The old B/P/GMC space may almost be too large, but it seems much more appropriate. Will be interesting to see if we see activity on the space soon.

The location, which has been completely vacant for a couple of years, now has about two dozen Cadillacs spread out on the lot. No work has been done on the building, so it just may be storage for overflow. Surprised he hasn't done something else with the lot by now. Also, today's paper has an ad that says there will be a garage sale in that building this Saturday. Basically, they're selling everything in the building - desks, frames, auto equipment, etc. Should be some work going on soon, based on that type of sale.

The Promenade's facebook post today mentioned a new store. Shockingly, it's a women's apparel store. There's a niche that the Promenade has been missing. apricotlaneusa.com Based on the address listed on the store's website, I think it's the building with YaYa's in it. It could be the old Flirt location or a previously undeveloped section. That's at least a little more progress for the center.

Ground has been broken for the McDonald's and it should be open by early summer. According to articles, the center said that the other eight parcels are all in various stages of negotiations and should be full by 2014. Any speculation on what those may be? I know we've heard talks of Pei Wei, which could be an outparcel. Trader Joe's or World Market, maybe? At one time Chili's, Dick's, Region's and Starbucks were all possible tenants, but I don't see any of those being there now. Thoughts? Speculation?