May 19, 2008 8:24 pm US/Pacific
More Businesses May Leave Westfield Plaza
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
More big name retailers and restaurants could be on their way out of Sacramento's Westfield Plaza, a significant blow to downtown Sacramento.
The lights are off at 26 spots in the downtown plaza shopping center, and there could be more vacancies on the way.
"I've noticed a lot of stores have shut down and there's not as much selection as there used to be," said one shopper.
After eight years of business, the manager of River City Brewing Company says he and his partners are checking out all their options. They'd like to stay, but Steve Cuneo is frustrated with mall management and the city of Sacramento.
He says they're not doing enough to keep businesses here, and he blames that for less foot traffic and a dip in his own business.
CBS13 has also learned that two more long-time tenants could also be packing their bags. The lease is up for Grebitus and Sons Jewelers, and the family-owned business is going month-to-month as they negotiate with mall owners. They've been downtown for more than 80 years, and are planning to stay in the area, just not necessarily in the same spot.
Every mall merchant we talked to Monday says Morton's Steakhouse is jumping across the street to the new US Bank building. A company spokesperson did not return our calls today.
Westfield, the company that owns the mall, didn't want to answer our questions today. A spokesman says there are big plans ahead for the mall, they just can't reveal specifics yet. He claims that there are just as many resources going into their downtown property as the expanding mall in Roseville.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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