Phase II of lifestyle concept opens at Battlefield Mall

The mall first introduced the lifestyle concept – where retail tenants have custom façades and exterior entrances – in 2003 and 2004 with Chico’s Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A Bank and Z Boutique. While the Nov. 18–19 reopening is meant to showcase the new lifestyle tenants, all of the mall’s nearly 150 tenants will get in on the fun.

“It’s a mallwide event, but it’s really a celebration of our renovation and the addition of lifestyle Phase II,” said Christine Moses, the mall’s marketing manager.

The grand reopening features special promotions, events such as a fashion show and special hours. The reopening will conclude with the Simon Evening of Giving, a fund-raiser for local charities, Moses said. Information about the weekend’s events is available at www.battlefieldmall.com.

Lifestyle Tenant J.Buck’s restaurant, named for the late St. Louis Cardinals announcer Jack Buck, will open tonight, according to a news release from the company. Buck’s wife, Carol, and his daughter, Julie, will be at the eatery at 7 p.m. to greet guests, and Springfield Cardinal General Manager Matt Gifford also will be on hand to celebrate.

Mall officials are gearing up for a busy holiday shopping season, though Moses wouldn’t make any projections about shopper traffic.

The mall will have early-bird specials 5–9 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. The mall has new floors, new ceilings and new family restrooms in place, and this also marks the first Christmas that Macy’s is in Springfield, following the September conversion of 400 May Department Stores Co. stores, including Famous Barr, to Macy’s.

“People are coming in and really looking for some key items for the holiday season, and consistently, our traffic has been increasing, which is fantastic,” said Jo Sharp, general manager of the Springfield Macy’s store.

See SBJ’s Nov. 20 issue for more about holiday retail expectations and changes at the mall.