A Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, new LED parking lot lighting, new seats and free wireless Internet are just a few of the numerous changes planned at the Kitsap Mall.
The mall is one of 28 owned by Chicago-based Starlight Retail Partners, a company that was formed in 2012 to acquire, redevelop, lease, manage, market and operate the malls.
Erin Leedham, general manager for the mall, said Starwood CEO Barry Sternlicht saw opportunity in Silverdale. She spoke about the changes during the Central Kitsap Community Council meeting Oct. 16.
“[Sternlicht] saw a market that was out there that was being untapped,” Leedham said of medium-size “B Malls” like Kitsap Mall.
Kitsap Mall is one of the first malls Starwood bought, she said.
“We closed on seven more yesterday so we’ve gone from zero to 28 malls in two years which is unheard of … they’ll always tell you that malls move slowly; Starwood does not move slowly.
“They knew that this area was a winning location.”
Replacing the mall’s years-old soft seating is one of the improvements that will be made.
“It gets used pretty hard,” Leedham said of the seating. “It’s like having a frat house all the time.” The old furniture will be donated to Coffee Oasis. New plants will also be placed throughout the mall.
While enjoying the comfy seats, mall-goers will also be able to use free WiFi.
“All of us who have smartphones say, ‘Yay!’ because that saves us money,” Leedham said, noting that the free WiFi means cell phone users can avoid using their own data plans while at the mall.
The restrooms will be renovated, and a family restroom – designed to help parents take care of their children – will also be built. A new play area including ride-along “Zoomer” animals will be available for children.
Outside, new signs featuring a new logo will be installed at the entrances. A portion of the parking lot is being retrofitted with high-efficiency LED lighting.
Several new tenants are moving in including Buffalo Wild Wings which will open in December.
“They’re well underway on construction on it … that is the first Buffalo Wild Wings coming up in this area at all. They’re really excited to be totally in this market,” Leedham said.
An updated Subway sandwich shop is next door to Buffalo Wild Wings. Kay Jewelers also has expanded their store.
Several holiday season stores are opening including Gold Mountain Golf, Brothers Powersports, See’s Candies, Hickory Farms and a sheepskin gifts store.
Leedham said they’ll be more construction at the beginning of 2015, but she declined to say what the stores would be.
“The thing with tenants that you’ll have to understand is they like to make their own announcements. Landlords very much like to honor that,” she said.
