More box stores coming to RI Mall instead of outlets

 By: Melissa Randall
mrandall@abc6.com
@MRandallABC6

Less than a year after announcing plans to turn Rhode Island Mall into factory outlets developers are backing out. Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian says the real estate firm came to the conclusion that the space is too close to the nexus between Clinton and Wrentham, which also house outlets.

The current owners were not attracting the types of stores they’d originally hoped to and are now in the process of selling the mall to Baltimore, MD based MCB Real Estate.

“The new owner is looking at 5–6 large big box stores and they’re looking at stores that are not currently in our market,” explained Avedisian.

Warwick already has a mall, but the Mayor says the two shopping centers would compliment each other rather than be competition.

“The 5-6 big box stores, we think, is going to be a good fit for all of us and allow a better use of the property for retail operations,” said Avedisian.

Once the sale is final the new developers plan to release more specific details about the renovations. That’s expected to happen by the middle of June.

Other than 3 anchor stores, Kohls, Sears and Wal-Mart, the Rhode Island Mall has been vacant since 2011.

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