By Jeremy Walsh
Two major stores at the Shops at Atlas Park may be on the way out, a court-appointed receiver said as he attempts to steer the foreclosed mall toward profitability, but store representatives indicated the businesses would continue to operate.
Real estate attorney Paul Millus said Amish Market and Stein Mart could both depart as he tries to attract businesses that will appeal more to the middle-class Glendale community.
“We are actively talking to quite a few tenants,” Millus said. “I’m not going to comment on negotiations that are taking place. We are trying our level-best to essentially change the nature of the mall.”
Millus has taken Amish Market to court over rent issues, he said, although he left room for the two parties to reach an agreement.
“There’s some disagreements and failure to pay some aspects of their rent,” he said. “While I appreciate that everyone has a tough time in this economy, you can’t just not pay your obligation.”
But store manager Sean Bren said he was not aware of any landlord-tenant case against his business and is considering suing Millus for making public comments that cost him business.
“My customers are tired and I’m tired,” he said. “Now everybody’s trying to get refunds for the gift cards I already sold my customers. We invested a lot of money for this business. We’re not going anywhere. If there’s any legal issues, our lawyers and their lawyers will deal with it from now on.”
Stein Mart, a discount fashion retailer “will probably at some point leave the center,” Millus said. “That space could be valuable in other ways.”
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based chain remained non-committal about the future of its Glendale outlet.
“We’re operating under the terms of the lease, which goes on for quite some time,” said Stein Mart spokeswoman Susan Edelman, noting the store is only three years old.
The 12-acre mall, which opened in 2006, was built by developer Damon Hemmerdinger on an industrial park the family has owned since the 1920s. It had struggled to attract a local customer base with its upscale stores and faltered in the past year as the economy teetered on collapse. Hemmerdinger announced his creditors had foreclosed on the property in February.
Other improvements to the mall since Millus took over include offering employees $1 day-long parking to keep their cars off public streets. Millus also said the mall was in negotiations with a supermarket, but he declined to name the company.
Western Beef, which has its headquarters on Metropolitan Avenue a few blocks away, did not return a phone call by Tuesday.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jewalsh@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
