Willowbrook Mall keeps pace amid rapid population growth in region

“We estimate that construction of this entrance and landscaped promenade will be completed by the summer,” Crawford said.

Fashion retailer Zara will open a store in the mall near Nordstrom Rack and Dillards, next to The Limited. Several stores moved to other locations in the mall to accommodate Zara, such as Torrid, NY & Company, Pretzelmaker and Great American Cookie Company.

The single-level mall, located at FM 1960 and Hwy. 249 and owned by Chicago-based General Growth Properties, consists of over 1.4 million square feet of retail space and 160 stores.

According to a mall demographics fact sheet prepared by GGP last year, the shopping center serves a population of over 1.1 million people, with 298,040 residents within a 5-mile radius in 2014 and an average household income of $87,885. Those numbers may grow to over 1.2 million regional residents by 2019, or 320,175 residents within a 5-mile radius with a projected average household income of $102,212, according to the demographics information compiled by GGP.

[caption id="attachment_157035" align="alignright" width="460"] Recent renovations at Willowbrook Mall include a new appearance for the food court, with new fixtures, floors and ceiling.[/caption]

Crawford said the renovations and new stores are aimed to keep the mall fresh in response to customer demand in a rapidly growing area.

“We listen to our customers,” she said. “Often they will tell us which store they would like to see here. As an example, H&M was our most requested store prior to their opening.”

Aesthetic improvements in the food court include adding porcelain tile. New furniture and tables were added, and the ceiling was lowered in some areas of the food court, Crawford said.

Restrooms, located near Nordstrom Rack, also received a facelift.

A new general manager started at the mall May 30—Crawford’s last day. Crawford, who has served in that position for seven years, will move to a position at North Star Mall in San Antonio. Sandra LaClave, formerly the senior general manager at Deerbrook Mall, will take over the same position at Willowbrook.

“I’m very excited to be here and about the things that will be happening this year, especially Dick’s [Sporting Goods] and Zara,” LaClave said. “My focus will be seeing through those development projects. We’ll look to the horizon and see what’s next.”