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A construction worker installs the trademark “W” at the entrance to the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel Tuesday.
WESLEY CHAPEL — Right now, there are cement trucks, crane lifts and hard hats.
But in the coming weeks, the parking lot of the Shops at Wiregrass will be filled with shoppers wielding bags from Coach, Williams-Sonoma and Buckle.
A 40-foot white "W" was erected just before lunchtime Tuesday at the corner of State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.
About 60 shops and restaurants, including Yamato Japanese Steak House and Macy's, will open Oct. 30, bringing jobs and retail therapy to an area hungry for both.
"This is huge," said Greg Lenners, general manager. "I think even with the state of the economy as it is, a shopping center has been needed here for a long time."
Previously, Pasco shoppers had to head to Tampa or Brandon for their Pottery Barn fix.
The 646,000-square-foot, $156-million Shops at Wiregrass project will feature open air shopping and a large courtyard for concerts and other outdoor events.
The thought of shopping outside was new to Maureen Moody, 54, of Massachusetts. "We don't get to do that up North," she said.
Moody was walking her 3-year-old chihuahua-pinscher mix, Peewee, in the parking lot while she waited for her boyfriend, Joseph Sousa, 48, to finish his construction work in one of the half-finished storefronts.
The couple is already planning a trip back to Wesley Chapel to see the completed project this fall.
"We're going to take a vacation together just to check out the mall," she said. "I've never seen anything like it. It's like Disney World."
Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or (813) 435-7312.
>>fast facts
Shops at Wiregrass:
Job fair: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 8310 Galbraith Road, Wesley Chapel
Grand opening: Oct. 30, 10 a.m.
Shops include: Sunglass Hut, Buckle, Marks & Morgan, Build-A-Bear Workshop and J. Jill. For a complete list, visit the Web site www.shopsatwiregrass.com.
[Last modified: Sep 25, 2008 04:24 PM]
Comments on this article
by Claire
Sep 25, 2008 4:24 PM
No, the one that will be half vacant soon is University mall.
by Terra
Sep 25, 2008 1:31 PM
The jobs that this mall is bringing to the area is wonderful. Plus, it's opening right before the holidays. My bet...this mall will be doing very well come Dec. 30th.
by Rob
Sep 24, 2008 7:05 PM
The official opening is October 30th. Any bets to which of the shops close by December 30th?
Seriously, we need to be saving money, not spending it. These retail outlets are taking a real gamble.
by Sal
Sep 24, 2008 6:39 PM
Can't wait!
by Alex
Sep 24, 2008 12:16 PM
The Times sure is giving lots of free publicity to this. All it will do is suck away shoppers from other area malls. It will be half vacant within 18 months.
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