From a distance, it may seem like a bit of bad news for the Meadowbrook Mall. A long-time tenant has a boarded up entrance and is currently not in operation.

 

Appearance, from a distance in this case, is deceiving. The Great American Cookie Company, which has long had a presence at the Bridgeport retail hub, is doing an extensive makeover leading to the boarded up facade.

 

It’s all part of several pieces of news that Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr said shows the mall is still thriving despite the absence of two anchor shops.

 

“You see businesses investing into the property and more importantly you see the mall’s owners, the Cafaro Company, investing as well,” said Kerr on a subject about the owners that will be discussed later. “That tells us businesses are interested in staying here and when you see the money the owners put into the mall it tells us the same thing. They’re not only interested in staying here, but they’re looking for tenants to put into the mall with a functioning building.”

 

The renovation of the Great American Cooke Company is for $50,000 and being done by Custom Woodcrafters. Meadowbrook Mall Property Manager Marcello Lalama said this isn’t a standard upgrade of a location.

 

“They’re doing a full renovation,” said Lalama. “They’ve completely gutted it out and when it’s finished it will be the new prototype store they have in their chain. It’s not just a fresh coat of paint. When it’s done it’s basically going to be a brand new location.

 

“It’s a major investment for them,” he continued. “They’ve always done well at that location and they’ve elected to invest back into the facility and I think that speaks well of the tenants believing in the mall’s future.”

 

Lalama wasn’t certain of a timeline for the opening. He said within the next couple of weeks it should re-open, but that it would definitely be up and running in time for Thanksgiving.

 

For those shopping now or the upcoming holiday season, they won’t have to worry about the roof leaking near the south end of the mall just before Target. A massive roof replacement project had a permit issued Oct. 5 that showed a project cost of $175,000 being done by Nation’s Roof of Indiana, LLC.

 

“It’s a brand new section of the roof replaced in the area in front of The Shoe Department,” said Lalama. “The Cafaro family, which owns the mall, is continuing to invest in the property and have been here for the mall. If Cafaro wasn’t serious about this mall, they could have done a minor patch job. Instead, they put in a new section. They’re still investing here and it’s not just with a roof.”

 

That’s certainly the case. Kerr also said the mall upgraded the HVAC at the facility and completed another substantial paving project, which they’ve done multiple times in their 35-year history. The most recent paving project was a summer paving project of $124,000.

 

“They’re not holding back or scaling back and those spaces you see empty now will be full, they just don’t know what they will be at this point,” said Lalama. “What’s so positive is they believe what’s coming here may not be typical of malls from the past, but it will be bigger and better. I’m confident with Cafaro involved because it’s full steam ahead.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the area where the Great American Cookie Company is doing its work, while Mall Property Manager Marcello Lalama is shown below.