Although a time frame wasn’t mentioned, hopes to have the space vacated by Sears filled – or a portion of it – sometime in 2018 with a new business or businesses may not happen.

 

Recently, Cafaro Company Director of Corporate Communication Joe Bell discussed the situation involving the loss of the anchor store. Cafaro is the Ohio-based business that owns the Meadowbrook Mall and shopping centers nationwide.

 

“We’re still working on that one,” Bell said recently. “It’s going to be a slow process and we’re working through it. The larger boxes in the malls, when they become empty, are the ones where negotiations typically take much longer to complete.”

 

Does that mean something is in the works?

 

“I don’t think there’s anything close to a signature,” said Bell when asked that question.

 

Sears has been closed more than a year. It closed on March 27, 2017. Sears occupied 87,800 square feet in the mall with more than 70,000 of that square footage for the store that is closed. Sears Auto Center remains open in Bridgeport on the mall’s property.

 

Bell reiterated that nothing will be ruled out in an attempt to fill the space.

 

“The real estate division is leaving all the options on the table. Ideally, you would want a larger tenant. Now, we’re leaning toward considering other types of tenants including hospitality tenants such as restaurants and venues that focus on entertainment,” said Bell. “I really don’t want to make a prediction about when we may have something to announce because after years in this line of work things look promising one day and then something gets stalled.”

 

With Elder-Beerman soon to close, that makes the work even more difficult. Along with the regular location, Elder-Beerman also occupied space with its home store.

 

“We’re already working on that as well,” said Bell. “It’s unfortunate to see anyone go out of business, but it’s the nature of the business we’re in.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Sears at the Mall just prior to closing, while Joe Bell is shown below.