While Manatee County residents just welcomed a new shopping center - “The Mall at University Town Center” on University Parkway in Sarasota - an old mall, Desoto Square, in Bradenton, continues to hang in there.

For years, there was talk of it closing.

However, the mall’s new management told Bay News 9 that’s not happening.

“No we’re not closing,” general manager Robert Tackett said.

Tackett said management instead is focusing on making big improvements to the mall, which opened its doors in 1973.

They're changes some locals said the welcome.

“I’m born and raised here and been coming here my whole life,” said Kevin Wright, who enjoys eating at the food court.

For years, the mall has been rundown and less busy.

In 2009, sseveral stores closed, including Old Navy, Foot Locker, Waldenbooks and Dillard's anchor.

In November 2012, Simon Property Group, sold the mall to Mason Asset Management.

Recently, Macy's closed and then the theater.

After this, the future of the mall was unknown.

“I heard at school it was going to close and I was kind of sad,” said Angel Morales, a shopper.

But that didn’t happen.

After placing the mall up for auction, the owners of Desoto Square changed their minds.

Now, they’re focusing on improving the property.

“We’re not going anywhere,” said Morgan Byrd, assistant property manager.  “We’re here to stay. We’re doing whatever we can to make improvements and make this mall a better place.”   

Management said for weeks they’ve been cleaning up the mall.

“We have fixed the parking lot lights, trimmed the palm trees, cleaned up the interior, and worked on some temporary leasing,” Tackett said.  “We’ve evaluated where can we go next and get a return on our dollar investment and see where we can invest those dollars wisely.”

Byrd also said they’re trying to make the mall a more safe and family friendly environment.

“I want to make sure that families know it’s safe place to come,” she said.  “We have new in-house security.”

Desoto still has Sears and JC Penney, as well as stores such as Finish Line, Wet Seal and more.

The mall is currently 80 percent occupied.

Management is working with local and regional retailers to bring new merchants in.

Their hard work is already paying off.

Colonial Cinemas is taking over the empty movie theater space and scheduled to open next week.

“We have a guy that operates with 10 theaters and he’s taking it over,” said Tackett. “There will be digital projectors and new screens. He is cleaning the inside up, adding a new popcorn machine. It will be fun.”

Management, shoppers and the stores are hoping these changes keep the mall around for years to come.

INFO

Desoto Square Mall:

301 301 Blvd. W.

Bradenton, FL 34205

(941) 747-5860

https://www.facebook.com/DeSotoSquare?ref=br_tf

Desoto Square Mall’s List of Retailers:

  • Aeropostale - 941-714-0573
  • All Dressed Up - 941-748-8807
  • Auntie Anne's - 941-748-5723...
  • Ava's Accessories - 941-744-5369
  • Bath & Body Works - 941-750-0500
  • Beaming White - 952-220-7622
  • Bella Brazil - 941-748-7505
  • Body Central - 941-747-8883
  • Bourbon Street Grill - 941-962-6774
  • Browning Jewelers - 941-744-0500
  • Cellairis - 941-747-5695
  • Champs Sports - 941-748-5392
  • Charley's Steakery - 941-747-5804
  • Charlotte Russe - 941-750-9911
  • Charm's Palace - 941-746-9094
  • Chick-fil-a - 941-747-7944
  • China Max - 941- 962-6774
  • Claire's - 941-747-6489
  • Desoto Gold - 941-747-4966
  • DKDA - 941-746-1698
  • El Gaucho - 941-748-0304
  • Elite Menswear - 941-748-7100
  • Finish Line - 941-747-6350
  • Firestone - 941-748-5730
  • Fletcher Music - 941-748-0323
  • Footaction - 941-746-1444
  • Foot Locker - 941-747-4946
  • FYE - 941-749-0832
  • GameStop - 941-746-7769
  • Gentlemen's Choice - 941-747-4170
  • Gold Pros - 941-302-3767
  • GNC - 941-747-2690
  • Gulf Coast Hearing (Audibel) - 941-747-6966
  • Hot Topic - 941-744-9360
  • Intrigue - 941-748-8951
  • JCPenney's - 941-747-6411
  • Jenny's Wigs - 941-748-7866
  • Jenny's Dollar+ - 941-748-7301
  • Journey's - 941-746-9106
  • Kay Jewelers - 941-748-2920
  • Lee Sushi Bar - 941-748-1166
  • Legends in Sports - 941-747-5054
  • Littman Jewelers - 941-748-0592
  • Macy's - 941-745-5300
  • MasterCuts - 941-744-5666
  • Metro PCS - 239-244-7695
  • Ocean Nails & Spa - 941-750-6565
  • Payless Shoes - 941-748-8622
  • Perfume Collection - 941-750-0530
  • Piercing Pagoda - 941-748-2729
  • Rack Room Shoes - 941-749-5572
  • Rainbow - 941-747-9573
  • Regis - 941-747-3332
  • Saturn 5 - 941-745-5700
  • S. Braiding & Barber - 941-580-2154
  • Sears - 941-745-3313
  • Spencer Gifts - 941-748-5892
  • Sprint - 941-749-0871
  • Star Image Shots - 941-747-1775
  • Street Scenes - 941-746-4511
  • Sunglass Hut - 941-746-2601
  • The Stoned Toad - 941-742-6505
  • T-Mobile - 941-748-6911
  • Victoria's Secret - 941- 746-1075
  • Vitamin World - 941-749-6320
  • Wet Seal - 941-747-6293
  • XNY - 941-747-2125
  • Zales - 941-744-7779
  • Zara's Eyebrow - 941-745-2555