WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Long-Time Tenant Leaves Civic Center Mall (Hartford-WTNH) _ Another retail store is pulling out of the Hartford Civic Center Mall. For 20 years Eastern Mountain Sports has been a tenant in the mall. It's the 4th store to leave in several weeks, leaving many to wonder what can be done to bring life back to the mall. News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports. After nearly 20 years, Eastern Mountain Sports is saying goodbye to the Civic Center Mall. The store is not renewing its lease. Paul Denno, Columbia: "I don't think its a good thing. It's just a sign Hartford needs to get more, not to have stores closing. Hopefully the Patriots deal is going to bring a lot more life." Karen Graf, New Haven: "There isn't much in this mall compared to some of the others. The variety of stores aren't here." The store management says despite a midday crowd shoppers flock to the suburban stores. Catherine Moore, Dist. Mgr. EMS: "Most of our customers perfer to shop here at lunchtime. We also like to be able to attract afternoon and evening crowd that seems to be the trend in the suburbs." For years the flow of traffic at the Civic Center Mall has dropped off and that has hurt many stores like Civic Center Opticians and larger department stores. Bryant Zanko: "It's changed completely sinced i was here. Luettegan's, EMS, obviously it's a complete change. I can't see whey people would want to shop here. So few stores to come to." Right now, the owner of the Civic Center Mall is considering 5 development proposals they range fron an entertainment center to a residentuial complex. Mayor Mike Peters, (D)Hartford: "This is really the heart of downtown. I think what we would like to see is entertainment happen down here in the mall. It's happening inside but out here it has really been struggling." Many residents agree saying developers should build on the success of events at the coliseum. Zanko: "I think it would be difficult to get people that want to live here in the complex. In terms of an entertainment center, yeah, that makes a lot of sense." Two of the proposals would include demolition of the mall. The others would revamp the current mall. Aetna, the city and the Conneciticut Economic Development Authority will chose the plan that best suits the Civic Center. Mayor Peters hopes a decision can be reached in a month. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Long-Time Tenant Leaves Civic Center Mall
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Another retail store is pulling out of the Hartford Civic Center Mall. For 20 years Eastern Mountain Sports has been a tenant in the mall. It's the 4th store to leave in several weeks, leaving many to wonder what can be done to bring life back to the mall.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports.

After nearly 20 years, Eastern Mountain Sports is saying goodbye to the Civic Center Mall. The store is not renewing its lease.

Paul Denno, Columbia: "I don't think its a good thing. It's just a sign Hartford needs to get more, not to have stores closing. Hopefully the Patriots deal is going to bring a lot more life."

Karen Graf, New Haven: "There isn't much in this mall compared to some of the others. The variety of stores aren't here."

The store management says despite a midday crowd shoppers flock to the suburban stores.

Catherine Moore, Dist. Mgr. EMS: "Most of our customers perfer to shop here at lunchtime. We also like to be able to attract afternoon and evening crowd that seems to be the trend in the suburbs."

For years the flow of traffic at the Civic Center Mall has dropped off and that has hurt many stores like Civic Center Opticians and larger department stores.

Bryant Zanko: "It's changed completely sinced i was here. Luettegan's, EMS, obviously it's a complete change. I can't see whey people would want to shop here. So few stores to come to."

Right now, the owner of the Civic Center Mall is considering 5 development proposals they range fron an entertainment center to a residentuial complex.

Mayor Mike Peters, (D)Hartford: "This is really the heart of downtown. I think what we would like to see is entertainment happen down here in the mall. It's happening inside but out here it has really been struggling."

Many residents agree saying developers should build on the success of events at the coliseum.

Zanko: "I think it would be difficult to get people that want to live here in the complex. In terms of an entertainment center, yeah, that makes a lot of sense."

Two of the proposals would include demolition of the mall. The others would revamp the current mall. Aetna, the city and the Conneciticut Economic Development Authority will chose the plan that best suits the Civic Center. Mayor Peters hopes a decision can be reached in a month.

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