Local merchants leasing space at Treasure Coast Square mall

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Local merchants leasing space at Treasure Coast Square mall

By CARA FITZPATRICK

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, August 16, 2009

After losing several national chain retailers this year, the Treasure Coast Square mall is starting to see those empty spots fill up - this time with local businesses.

Five of six new stores at the mall are locally owned.

New stores include: Kiss My Glass, a glass jewelry store with a location in Vero Beach; Vogees Boutique, a women's store with a location in Wellington; The Fishing Center, which has another location in Fort Pierce; and Jumping Times, a bungee jumping and trampoline center. Also new is an environmentally friendly car wash called ProntoWash Eco AutoSpa.

Buckle, a national women's store chain, is the only new one not owned locally or locally franchised.

"We're seeing a lot of activity right now," said June Britt, Treasure Coast Square manager. "I've been fielding quite a few leasing calls this week."

Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG), the Indianapolis-based developer that owns Treasure Coast Square, finished a multimillion dollar expansion of the mall a year ago - just as things were taking a turn for the worse. The expansion added a 25,000-square-foot open-air promenade to the mall, but was half-empty when it debuted.

Three women's apparel retailers, including Christopher & Banks and Ann Taylor Loft, opened in the expansion area and appear to be doing well, Britt said.

But the largest tenant at the site, Tampa-based Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, nixing its plans to open a 7,700-square-foot restaurant at the mall. That spot is still open.

Five high-profile chain stores have closed at the mall since its expansion. They are Anchor Blue, Whitehall Jewelers, Ritz Camera One Hour Photo, Bonnie's Hallmark and Bijou Bijou.

Another clothing store, Kiwi, is expected to take Anchor Blue's spot within about a month, Britt said.

"In most cases, we've been able to fill or have good prospects," she said of the spots left open by the stores having closed.

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David Smythe, a long-time Stuart resident and owner of a Volvo dealership in New Jersey, celebrated his 82nd birthday this year by giving $2 million to Martin Memorial Health Systems.

Smythe, who gave the hospital $500,000 last year, said he was impressed by the quality of care he received there after injuring his leg.

Smythe's $2 million gift, which was announced last week, will help support Martin Memorial's maternal-child and pediatric programs.

Hospital officials have said they will name part of the maternal-child department after him.

Cara Fitzpatrick writes about Treasure Coast business. Contact her at The Palm Beach Post, 2101 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart, FL 34994; (772) 223-3561; e-mail at cara_fitzpatrick@pbpost.com.