A popular Connecticut outdoor mall is anticipating several new tenants this year from a make-your-own pottery shop to a national furniture store.
The Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor has added several national brand-name stores and nearby retailers, according to a release from the mall. Opened in 2004, the pedestrian-friendly outdoor mall has found success, branding itself as a lifestyle center for shopping and entertainment.
The Shops has more than 65 retailers and restaurants, according to its website, and was designed to mimic a traditional New England downtown with wide walkways or a promenade.
“I think what sets us apart is that we are a beautiful outdoor lifestyle center that allows you to be outside on the streets and walk down the sidewalk and find the right store for anyone you’re shopping with,” said Elizabeth Zigmont of Image Marketing, the marketing group for The Shops at Evergreen Walk. “You can enjoy entertainment, have lunch at one of our many restaurants and even get your grocery shopping done at Whole Foods Market.”
The outdoor shopping center has announced a La-Z-Boy furniture store will be opening this fall inside the former Pier 1 Imports that closed in 2020, according to Zigmont. The La-Z-Boy at 233 Buckland Hills Drive in Manchester will be relocated to The Shops. The 11,700-square-foot location has a planned opening around Labor Day.
A J Crew Factory is also planning to open a location at The Shops inside the former Coldwater Creek space. The space has been mostly vacant since Coldwater Creek closed its doors in 2014, according to the shopping center. While The Shops did not confirm the plans, a spokesperson for J Crew Factory said the location has a planned opening for January 2025. J Crew previously had a location at the outdoor mall, but it closed during the pandemic.
Other additions include Little Bird Clay Company, which opened its doors July 8, next to Kung Fu Tea at 85 Evergreen Way. The make-your-own pottery studio holds classes, pottery workshops and open studio nights for those more advanced in wheel throwing.
A MY SALON Suite also opened its doors earlier this month at 62 Evergreen Way. MY SALON Suite of South Windsor features 33 salon and spa suites that it says provide a diverse range of beauty services including hair salons, lash studios and tattoo shops.
The outdoor shopping center, which like most other retail centers took a hit during the pandemic, has managed to attract new tenants and fill vacancies. Last year, a Nike store opened its third location in the state at The Shops. In January, a Whole Foods Market opened its doors at 800 Evergreen Way, expanding the outdoor shopping center by over 50,000-square-feet. The center, which is managed by Greenwich-based Brand Street Properties, also manages West Hartford’s thriving Blue Back Square.
In 2024, Bluemercury, Golf Lounge 18, Massage Envy, Nike Well Collective, Shake Shack, J.Jill, Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters have opened at The Shops.
“We’ve got a great mix of retail and entertainment options,” Zigmont said. “It’s been a very busy year for leasing.”
The Shops at Evergreen Walk went through a rebrand in late 2023. Formerly known as The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, it shortened its name, created a new logo and put up new signage. The company said the rebranding is part of the shopping center’s continued expansion in recent years beyond its original footprint.
“The rebranding effort reflects the center’s commitment to evolving with the needs and preferences of its patrons while maintaining its position as a leading retail destination. The refresh extends beyond the name. The Shops at Evergreen Walk boasts a brand-new logo featuring a modern, streamlined design that evokes a sense of openness and community,” Marketing Image said in a statement to the Courant.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]
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