Updated 11:51 a.m., March 4th–
By Mike Hazlip— Although declining significantly over the past few decades, Sunrise Mall continues to draw some foot traffic more than 40 years after opening.
As of March 2023, two of the three anchor tenants, Macy’s and JCPenney, are still open — but several smaller national brands have vacated their suites, leaving about 50 of the mall’s 95 interior suites vacant, according to a leasing document from Mason Asset Management.
The most recent national brand to pull out was Bath and Body Works. The store closed Jan. 22, leaving a note saying “Thank you for many wonderful years!” The remaining tenants are a collection of national brands and small-business start-ups.
Mall staple See’s Candies remains open in their original location. Sentinel staff could not verify if the business is the longest tenant at the mall, but a business license at the location dates to about the time the mall opened in the late 1970s.
Other national mall chains still operating at Sunrise Mall are Hallmark, Zumiez, Tops, Famous Footwear, Shoe Palace, Tilly’s, Spencer’s, Hot Topic, Kay Jewelry, Van’s, T-Mobile, Torrid, Champs, Claire’s and Lids, according to the leasing document.
The food court is home to Naija Cuisine, Taco Bell, Pretzel Time, and an espresso bar.
Related: Naija Cuisine brings tastes of West Africa to Sunrise Mall
Independently owned clothing shops include California Basics, Choice, Custom Designs, M&M Couture, Breakout, Masterboy Streetstyle, Sam’s Jewelers and Nilerise.
A perfume shop, barber, and a children’s arcade also remain as tenants along with Image, a business that offers a variety of gifts and clothing.
The seasonal toy store Go Calendar Games and Toys has closed after the holiday shopping season, but some merchandise remains. The business typically re-opens in the fall each year. T and Z Toys also recently opened just before Christmas 2022, and continues to operate.
Infinity Jeweler’s opened in June of 2022, and Fast Fix Jewelry also continues to operate.
The city’s long-term plan for Sunrise Mall includes guiding redevelopment of the nearly 100-acre site to include adding up to 2,200 multi-family residential units, along with 480 hotel rooms, 320,000-square-feet of retail, 960,000-square-feet of office/employment use, and 450,000-square-feet of community or institutional space.
Meanwhile, the mall remains open.
According to the city, the first phase of the plan will likely involve developing unused parking areas over the next five years, with the full plan expected to take 20 years. The second phase will likely incorporate office space, retail, dining, and an extended-stay hotel. The third and final phases include redeveloping the existing mall into a new “21st Century Main Street.”
By Mike Hazlip—
Although declining significantly over the past few decades, Sunrise Mall continues to draw some foot traffic more than 40 years after opening.
Thanks for reading The Sentinel. You are either trying to access subscribers-only content or you have reached your limit of 4 free articles per 30 days. Click here to sign in or subscribe.
