Grapevine Mills is getting a multimillion-dollar present for its 17th birthday.
On Oct. 16, Simon Property Group announced the mall will undergo a series of visual and structural updates valued at $40 million that include new flooring, new retail facades, energy-efficient lighting and more seating throughout the facility.
The project will start Oct. 19 after the mall closes.
General Manager Joe Szymaszek says that the renovations will "de-theme" the mall, which will eliminate much of the overhead visuals and use lighting and other elements to focus attention on the stores instead. The renovations are expected to last until October 2015.
Szymaszek said the major focus of the renovations includes raising the storefronts and common areas to the roof deck level.
"We have been working with tenants to install new, contemporary and prototype storefronts; many have already done this," Szymaszek said.
The renovations will be completed in four phases during the next year. Most of the work is planned to occur while the mall is closed to limit inconveniences to shoppers and retail outlets. The first phase of the project will focus on the area between the food court and Neighborhood 6. Szymaszek said he does not expect the work to impact the holiday shopping season.
"We're looking forward to further developing and refining the shopping experience through this significant investment," said Gregg Goodman, president of The Mills, in a news release. "This transformational effort will also benefit the city of Grapevine as we are sure to entice residents and visitors from afar to spend more time and money at Grapevine Mills."
Tax rebates
The mall is also offering a new service to shoppers from abroad: tax-free shopping.
"Our new tax-free service takes Grapevine Mills' international tourism efforts to a new level," Szymaszek said in a news release. "Statistics have shown that the majority of international guests who receive refunds turn around and re-spend those dollars at the same location, making it attractive for area merchants by boosting sales."
Szymaszek said he has been working on bringing this service to the mall for about a year.
The rebate program is being operated by TaxFree Shopping Ltd., a Texas-based customs broker that also promotes international tourism to Texas in foreign countries.
To qualify for a rebate, a minimum of $10 in Texas sales tax must be paid per store, and items must be purchased within 30 days of the shopper's departure from Texas.
In order to get the tax rebate, the shopper must stop at the TaxFree Shopping kiosk in the mall or at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The shopper must present the original merchandise with receipts; a passport, I-94 form, entry stamp or visa; and flight information.
The service comes at a price. The company collects a processing free of up to 50 percent of the value of the taxes in addition to $3 per physical store location. The refund check can be either mailed to the individual's home abroad, paid via PayPal or in cash.
"This process only takes a matter of minutes," Szymaszek said. "They are immediately given cash on the spot as long as they have the required documentation."
