(Updated at 11:55 p.m.) It鈥檚 still somewhat business as usual at Ballston Common Mall, despite impending major聽renovations.
A number of stores, restaurants and the movie theater remain open. But the scene will be changing this spring, when work on the project to convert aging shopping mall to a modern shopping center with open-air plazas, called , begins.
鈥淥ur schedule continues to proceed according to plans,鈥� said Gary McManus, spokesman for Cleveland-based Forest City, the mall鈥檚 owner. 鈥淔orest City has not wavered from its plans and timeline to begin demolition on the Ballston Quarter site in May/June of this year.鈥�
Mass store closures inside the mall聽were , but many stores have remained open and intend to stay open聽until just before demolition starts.
鈥淭he stores that remain open are doing so at their request and we were able to accommodate that request as we wade through the permitting process leading to demolition in the spring,鈥� McManus said. 鈥淚t never was and still is not our intention for all stores at the mall to close.鈥�
Businesses聽with an exterior entrance 鈥斅燤acy鈥檚, Regal Cinemas, Rock Bottom Brewery, Noodles & Co., Panera Bread, Sport&Health Club and CVS Pharmacy 鈥� are expected to remain open during the renovations.
Construction is expected to take聽about two years聽and Ballston Quarter is expected to open in time for the holiday shopping season of 2018.
