The bad news is that a business is leaving the Meadowbrook Mall. The good news is that it’s not leaving Bridgeport.

 

According to Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for the Ohio-based Cafaro Company that owns the mall and retail space nationwide, one of the mall’s older stores will be heading out this week. The Dollar Tree, which practically opened 20 years ago this day, will be closing shops.

 

“They will be leaving (this) week,” said Bell. “Initially, they planned on leaving a little earlier, but ended up staying a little bit longer.”

 

The store’s closing opens up another 4,000 square feet of space at the three-decades-old-plus Bridgeport retail hub. However, the mall is still at more than 90 percent capacity when it comes to space currently occupied.

 

According to the Bridgeport Finance Department, the exit – although a smaller store – brings an end to a long-time tenant. According to their records, the Dollar Tree opened on July 12, 1996.

 

Bell said the loss wasn’t part of a trend involving the chain or even with stores that sell items for a dollar in malls. He said the only thing that has happened is that the business, which he said is one of the few niche businesses that did well during the recent recession, isn’t opening as many locations.

 

“Our leasing folks are working on that space right now. They do have a few things they’re working on, but nothing close to anything that is a commitment,” said Bell.

 

While the departure isn’t something the mall wants, the good news is that the city will maintain the business. The new Bridgeport Commons located on Main Street will house the new location of the Dollar Tree within the city limits.

 

“We are glad that they’ve been in the mall for so many years. It’s always sad to see any business opt to leave, whether it’s the mall or another location, but we’re happy to know they’ve chosen to remain in Bridgeport at their new location,” said Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr.

 

Kerr said businesses relocating – whether it’s to or from Bridgeport – is far from unusual. However, she said it’s always better for the city if it works out in this manner

 

“We understand the need of businesses and those needs means they sometimes will relocate. Most of the time, it’s in a different area and a different city,” Kerr said. “To have them stay within the Bridgeport city limits I think speaks highly of the business climate and the fact they want to continue doing business here.”

 

The soon-to-be-vacant space is one of a few that have recently became available. While a handful of spots have opened up since the end of 2015, the largest of those spaces is the area that housed Gap. Bell said there is still nothing official on that space.

 

“Our leasing department continues to work on a few things. As before, an apparel company is still a strong possibility as the easiest way to fill that space,” said Bell.

 

Gap was at the mall in 1985 before closing on Jan. 26 of this year. It occupied roughly 10,000 square feet.