By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
After decades of being simply known as “The Mall” in Hays, the shopping center currently being rehabilitated through a Community Improvement District is ready to unveil a new name that reflects the desire to become a gathering place for the community.
At 9 a.m. Thursday, The Mall will have a Hays Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony, with entertainment by the Fort Hays State University Band, dance team and a local orchestra.
The public is encouraged to attend the event and enjoy coffee provided by Culligan of Hays.
The event will kick off a full weekend of events for the Mall, in conjunction with the FHSU Homecoming and Oktoberfest.
“Along with all the hype going on with Oktoberfest, the Fort Hays game and the parade, we are also having a home-based business fair on Saturday,” said Cody Dale, marketing director for The Mall.
Avon, Pampered Chef, DIY furniture and crafts will be available at the fair.
“The list goes on and on,” Dale said.
The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. There are still spots available for vendors. To secure a spot interested parties can call The Mall office, visit facebook, or email at [email protected].
What the new name will mean
The events will help kick off the new name and attitude at the property.
“We wanted it to stand for something in the community,” said Katie Dorzweiler, property manager for The Mall. “We want it to feel like a neighbor and a family here.”
As the property is being rehabilitated, so is the mission of the property.
“This isn’t just a place to shop,” Dorzweiler said. “We make it, in essence a community center, and so this is a neighborhood hub. This is where families can shop, get everything for school, get their family photo wardrobes, find the latest fashions.”
Frequent events will also help make the property a draw to area residents.
“The reason that outside shopping is so big right now — Legends and those things — is because it’s an adventure,” Dorzweiler said, noting part of her mission is to bring that same vision to a dated interior shopping property and the new image at the property will help.
In general, The Mall is becoming “family oriented with something for dad, mom and the children,” Dorzweiler said.
Changes at The Mall will give residents what they want
A recent survey by the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development shows shopping is a draw for area residents and the work at The Mall may help alleviate some of the desire to leave Hays for a good retail experience.
“Just the persona The Mall has had … The Mall as a whole has changed,” Dorzweiler said. “What I read is people want these things, and they are already things that are present here in our mall.
“What I would say to that survey: We have it here.”
But the property managers understand why area residents are hesitant to come to The Mall after so many years of neglect by previous property owners.
“One of the things we really want to do is invite people back to our mall,” Dale said. “We really encourage people to come back, because the feel has changed and the attitude has changed.”
The name may help draw a crowd initially, but the improved experience, they hope, will keep people coming back.
“Revisit us,” Dale said. “We have changed some things physically,” adding the more significant change may be in the attitude and the service at The Mall.