On May 27 of last year, a spot at Meadowbrook Mall that had seen the same business in place for almost 25 years closed its doors. The closure didn’t have much to do with business at the mall, but rather the national chain in question went out of business both nationally and internationally.

 

Payless Shoe Stores shut down in 2019. It had opened shop in June of 1994. As it turns out, the space didn’t stay vacant too long.

 

According to Joe Bell of the Cafaro Company, the Ohio-based entity that owns the mall, the space occupied by Payless is now occupied by Sprint. Sprint had been in a temporary location near FYE since October, said Bell, the director of corporate communications for Cafaro.

 

“They had been there since just before the holidays,” said Bell. “They were building out the new store in the Payless spot that features the new Sprint prototype store. They’re in a soft opening right now with a grand opening planned soon.”

 

The Sprint store covers 2,700 square feet. Bell said that doubles the amount from their temporary location.

 

“They’re going to have the whole variety of items one would expect from smart phones, tablets, smart watches, connecting devices, hots spots, and more,” said Bell. “It’s a top-end store.”

 

Bell said top brands will be offered out of the location.  He said those who utilize, or would like to utilize, Apple, Samsung and LG brands will find what they’re looking for at Sprint.

 

As for finding the space, Bell said it’s a result of working with retailers over a long period of time and building relationships. He said this was a case of that relationship paying off.

 

“When a need arises and we have something that can fit the need, we find the right location. This was the right location for Sprint,” said Bell.

 

The opening comes on the heels of several scores closing, many of them as the result of national bankruptcy and other issues beyond the mall’s control. Others, including smaller and local businesses, have also went out in the past year.

 

As for the larger vacant spaces left by the loss of Sears and Elder-Beerman, Bell said work continues there as w ell.

 

“We experimented with the youth wrestling tournament and utilized a former department store space. Community events could be something the space could be utilized for, but that’s certainly subject to change,” said Bell. “It means we’re always looking for ways to utilize space and see what’s the best fit.”

 

Sprint will be open standard mall hours.