John Stanley and Terri Knight from Colonial University Village offered the club a redevelopment update with all the construction, improvements and new stores that have come to the Mall. National leasing agreements have certainly helped increase the quality of the retailers that open businesses in our center. A “streetscape” effect with new businesses like Cold Water Creek, Ann Taylor Loft, Talbots, Jos Banks & Chico’s will be additions. We hesitate to use the word “mall” anymore thinking it will date us. How does “hybrid enclosed lifestyle center” sound? So many open air shopping centers/malls have been built in the last few years similar to the Summit in Birmingham. Shopping patterns for Americans have changed in the past decade so the owners of malls and centers around the country have tried to meet these needs. No longer can the mall be marketed as a whole. Their goal is to support current retailers while attracting new ones in this expansion phase.

Learn more about Colonial University Village by visiting its web site

(left to right): Club President Chris Rodger, Terri Knight, John Stanley and program host Dick Phelan