As people drive past The Pines mall in Pine Bluff they may notice something new, which are the new signs posted in numerous places on the outside of the mall. On the signs are all the stores located within the mall, including a few new stores and a new restaurant.
New businesses include Jack and Jill Fun Zone, The University Shop and Bling and Bowz. A new restaurant, Cook’s Fish and Soul Food, has also moved in.
Jack and Jill Fun Zone
Jack and Jill Fun Zone, which was previously located in White Hall, is now located almost directly across from Bath and Body Works in the mall. Co-owner of the fun zone, Tonya Mitchner, said she and her husband, co-owner Terence Mitchner, enjoyed being in White Hall but felt this was their opportunity to gain more business.
“My husband and I just had a vision to go bigger. We loved being in White Hall but we just felt like we really needed to expand,” Mitchner said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
According to Mitchner, she feels really good about the move. She said she has seen a lot of business and has even started to see customers coming in on almost a daily basis. Mitchner said she expects much more to come of her business and is excited.
Mitchner said the fun zone is a place where parents won’t have to worry about their children because they are in a safe environment.
The center is equipped with four bounce houses, two that are traditional bounce houses, one that is an obstacle course, and one that is a giant slide. There are also two separate party rooms, one for a girls party and one for a boys.
A wall of flat screen televisions line the side of the center for children wanting to play video games. There is a small stage and a wall of mirrors for the girls. The center offers 16 mascot costumes for anyone interested in having a themed party at the center. The center offers a three dollar Thursday bargain as well.
University Shop
The University Shop, which was previously located in the West 28th Avenue Plaza, was among the stores to recently move into the mall. Although they have only been open for a short amount of time, employee Arbe Taylor said business has been very good. She said regular customers of the shop have been walking around the mall and are excited to find the shop has moved there.
Taylor said she is proud to be at the mall and is happy to see that it is coming back to life. She said everything came together a lot quicker than they expected.
The store offers various university, Razorback, Greek and Masonic items. The store sells clothing, accessories, car decals and other items.
Bling and Bowz
Bling and Bowz, which moved into the mall March 24, has been doing pretty well, according to Christine Carpenter, who owns the store with her husband, Terry Carpenter. She feels the only thing they need is more publicity to see a rise in sales.
The store offers a variety of products from gourmet gift baskets to clothing. The store has gourmet food items, offers flower arrangements and sells jeans, T-shirts, jewelry and accessories as well.
New restaurant, Cook’s Fish and Soul Food has moved into the mall as well. General Manager of The Pines mall, Scott Green, said the restaurant has been doing very well.
Mall business
Along with new stores seeing plenty of business, one store that has been in the mall for years has seen a significant increase in sales. Roger’s Jeweler has been number one in growth in their company for 26 months. According to the manager of Roger’s Jeweler, Wanda Walker, they have set a company record.
As well as signage and new stores, there has been another addition inside the mall, large black lounge chairs have been placed throughout the mall taking place of the old benches. In the new rest areas, four large chairs are placed in a circle around a small table. There are still a few benches left, but the majority have been replaced by more comfortable and personal rest areas.
According to Green, the new stores moving in is just one point in a five-point strategy plan from Andy Weiner, president of Weiner Development and new owner of the mall. The other points include having entertainment for children 1-7, bringing in more security, signage and getting the community involved.
Green said the goal for the end of this year was to have three new stores, but since they have already met that goal they have shifted to a goal of getting six stores in the mall by the end of this year.
Mall future
Since Weiner took over Dec. 29, Green said there has been progress in turning the mall around. According to Green, the signs located outside the mall have helped bring in business. He said he has gotten numerous phone calls from people saying they love the signs.
Green said the stores didn’t have to do anything in order to get their name on the signs outside and a few stores have even had new signs placed in front of their businesses.
“It’s going to take a personal touch to let the tenants know we’re in their corner,” Green said.
He tries to visit the stores around the mall often to see how things are going. Walker has noticed Green’s efforts to be as involved as possible.
“I really appreciate Scott for all he has done and I’m definitely seeing a change here since Andy has taken over, we’re very excited,” Walker said.
“The mall is growing and we are doing everything we can,” Green said. He said he receives several phone calls from people expressing their appreciation for bringing life back into the mall. He said he feels there is a big turn around for the mall.
Other stores located in the mall include Hibbett Sports, The Gold Buying Center, Regis Hair Salon, California Nails, Dillard’s, The Shoe Dept., SEARS, Regency Jewelers, Footaction, Treasure Chest, Anderson’s Taekwondo, Carmike Cinema 8, J.C. Penney’s, Bath and Body Works, GNC, Ladies First, In Style, Rainbow, Journey’s and Nour Cell Phone Accessories.
Restaurants located in the mall include Shanghai Express, Popcorn and More, Mexican Grill and NY Pizza.