The future looks bright at Lambton Mall with a number of new developments in the works.
The mall will soon be home to a new, 16,000 square-foot clothing store which will take over six current units.
Renovations at the former Sears building in Sarnia - July 9/19 (Blackburnnews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)
It will be located at the former Stitches, Suzy Shier, and Northern Reflections stores as well as Pet Valu and the two units held by city police.
Northern Reflections is moving across the hall to the former Jean Machine site, and the Sarnia Police Service is relocating its training facility into the former Tepperman's building.
Property Manager Laura Beecroft said she's not at liberty to name the new retailer yet because that's up to the tenant to announce.
She also confirmed redevelopment of the former Sears store.
"We now have a lease in place for a 40,000 square foot fashion and home retailer in the former Sears box," said Beecroft. "They will take up about two-thirds of the main floor, leaving a 20,000 square foot box on the main floor and also the entire second floor available for lease."
BlackburnNewsSarnia.com previously reported that a building permit has been issued for a new Marshalls/HomeSense store in the Sears building.
Beecroft also said, that despite recent speculation about its future, Hallmark has signed a new lease to stay in the mall, and Chuck's Roadhouse has been a great addition, showing success in the first couple of months.
She said CRU [Commercial Retail Unit] sales are currently the highest they've been and continue to increase along with volume sales as well.
"We have some great, strong retailers that are continuing to thrive, even in the environment that retail is in right now," she said.
-With files from Dave Dentinger