Debbie Campbell opened Designer Fragrances at the Legends Mall last November. And even with hundreds of scents lining the walls, one of the best just has to be the smell of success.
"We got a really good deal on the lease," she says. "They were willing to negotiate back and forth and we are really satisfied with the lease we got."
In fact, that is one of the ways Dennis McGovern is able to be flexible with bringing in new businesses. He can help with the cost of the common areas, with advertising fees, with lease options even.
"And say they can build out the store themselves and we don't have to help with that, well then I can reduce the other costs," he says. "So there are a number of ways to look at it to make it work for both parties."
McGovern knows it's important to keep a balance between local and national retailers. He says he's noticed a recovery.
"Profits have been up for 10 of the last 12 months over what we saw last year. Overall we're up about 5% and that is promising," he says.
Something else that's promising is that the refinancing has finally come in on Phase II of the project. He says that means they are working on the IMAX Theater and the infrastructure for a long-awaited hotel-casino. He also plans to aggressively work to fill the open spaces there. And he says you can expect to see a Taco Bell, a TJ Maxx and a new Old Navy open by fall.
Written by Erin Breen
