By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Payless Shoesource is set to reopen in Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine, with a whole new interior design and merchandise.
The store has been closed for five months after a section of roofing collapsed above the location.
“You will see a whole new layout when you enter the store,” said Katie Dorzweiler, BCC property manager. “We welcome the community to come out and shop with them again.”
To kick off the reopening, BCC will host a public ribbon cutting at 9:45 a.m.
“We’re very glad to see Payless back in the neighborhood,” said James Younger, BCC marketing manager.
The store is last to open in the shopping center following the collapse after local contractors were used to repair damage at the facility. Outside repairs were completed on July 15, according to Younger, and Payless has worked in the space since that time in order to reopen.
Dorzweiler said the local contractors and businesses worked “tirelessly” to get damage to the shopping center repaired, including Commercial Builders, Ralph’s Electric, Glassman Corp., Hess Services, Heartland Building and High Plains Roofing.
“I feel like this experience was a blessing in disguise,” Dorzweiler said, noting the incident allowed for mall staff to work with the local contractors, helping to build a stronger bond to the community. “I love that all this work was done locally.”
While the mall was able to repair the space relatively quickly, Payless used corporate contractors from their headquarters in Topeka and had to work on other new construction projects in the company.
While the shopping center is celebrating the completion of repair work, it will also be getting ready for exterior upgrades to commence.
Improvements at the facility, funded in part by a Community Improvement District, were split into two phases. Phase one was completed in February with the replacement of off-street signage. Phase two is set to begin Monday.
Originally, Phase two was scheduled to start earlier this summer, but securing time with the contractors pushed the project back slightly.
The project will completely replace the facade of the facility, including new awnings and landscaping.
In addition to the exterior work, Glik’s – a new fashion boutique – is working to be ready for its expected Oct. 20 opening and leasing details continue to be worked out with two interested parties to secure space on the shopping center property.
In the meantime, the shopping center is also hosting a series events through the fall season.
“We’re expecting a big fall here,” Dorzweiler said.
For a list of upcoming events visit the BCC Facebook page here.