Energy builds at West Ridge Mall as new shops move in

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka's West Ridge Mall is getting a new lease on life this year as new stores sign on, giving locals an abundance of new places to eat and shop in 2024.

27 News sat down with General Manager Casey Richardson and Leasing Manager Staci Williams Friday, May 3 to talk about what people can expect from the mall in 2024. Richardson says things are looking up for West Ridge Mall following its purchase by Advisors Excel in September 2023.

Richardson says the mall is constantly on the lookout for new tenants. When Advisors Excel took over the space, 73% of the building was vacant. Now, the number is closer to 50% occupancy, marking a positive turnaround for the mall with the addition of new businesses.

"We really started leasing about October, November because we were trying to work out some of the kinks in the interim," Williams said. "I've got three people I've met with this week that are potentials so it's fun. It's a fun industry."

"So, we would love to fill every single vacancy by the end of the year," Richardson said. "But, realistically, if we want to fill the mall with good quality tenants that are going to be here to stay, like all the nationals people want to see, it's going to take a little bit longer."

The mall is trying to hit 60% occupancy, at which point Richardson says it will be able to start attracting larger national chains. Part of this process also involves getting everything in the mall in working order such as repairing all the escalators.

"We'll be meeting with national tenants... our big dreams are people lululemon, Nike but we never know so we're gonna keep that to ourselves at the moment and meet with whoever we need to meet with to get the nationals out here."

Williams went on to say she'd love to see more national outlets like Trader Joe's, Nordstrom and others take up residence in the mall in the future. Topekans were offered the chance to give their opinion on which outlets they'd like to see in February 2024 when 80's pop star Tiffany visited the mall. Golf simulators and pickleball are also activities being looked at by mall management

"So, we're not just thinking retail, we're also thinking entertainment," Richardson said. "We want West Ridge Mall to be a place where everybody can come and enjoy themselves, whether it involves shopping, whether it involves working, because Advisors Excel is gonna be here, eating, entertainment, getting tattoos, working out..."

Parts of the mall are slated for conversion into office space for Advisors Excel employees. While plans are still in the works for this, Williams says the company is moving into the Burlington space and will hold between 800 to 1,500 employees.

"Whatever that space looks like, we'll figure it out," Williams said. "But we do want a lot of the mall to continue to be retail and restaurant because that will be a driver. That will be a convenience for Advisors Excel staff as well as a driver for the local community."

When asked what new businesses they're most excited about welcoming into the mall, Richardson says new boutiques are in the works. Many of these currently exist as online-only businesses. Some of the new businesses opening in May include:

• LUXE Wellness Studio - May 1
• K. Micheals Boutique - May 1
• Love Me Tenders - May 18

Richardson says they're aiming to fill the food court completely by the end of the summer this year. She also says plans are moving forward with holding events at the mall such as car shows, farmer's markets, a job fair, community blood drive, paint & sips and more.

"We want Topeka to think of this as the number one place to go on the weekends when there's nothing else to do," Richardson said.

Plans are also in place for a reimagination of the mall, courtesy of the Texas-based Russell Glen Company. The organization has experience in giving mall's fresh, new looks and is known for its vision and ability to create remarkable places.

Advisors Excel was founded in 2005 by Cody Foster, Derek Thompson and David Callanan. You can learn more about the company by clicking here.

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